Viewpoints by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

30th Anniversary

2010

December

ViewPoints

Welcome New Members Assurance Financial Group

Gina Watts

Bandura CPA

Anthony Bandura 201-0013

1 Chase Corporate Center, Suite 400 Birmingham

Accounting

Benjamin A. Crunk, DDS, LLC

April Crunk

665-2031

980 Main Street

Montevallo

Dental Services

CitruSolution of Alabaster

Donald Haynes

914-5733

P.O. Box 256

Alabaster

Carpet Cleaning

Comfort Keepers

Brent Watson

981-1800

13521 Old Hwy 280, Ste 153

Birmingham

Home Health Care

FarmerGuard Pest Control

Alan Farmer

358-3200

P.O. Box 147

Helena

Pest Control

Farmers Insurance

Joseph Buff

995-8322

1000 Eagle Point Corp. Dr. #3

Birmingham

Insurance

The UPS Store - Hoover

Jared Alexander

980-8180

5184 Caldwell Mill Road, Suite 204

Hoover

Mail & Printing

The UPS Store - Pelham

Tre’ Morton

664-2258

3584 Highway 31 South

Pelham

Mail & Printing

YMCA - Alabaster Branch

Lane Vines

663-6504

117 Plaza Circle

Alabaster

Health & Fitness

776-8400

500 Office Park Drive, Suite 410

Mountain Brook

Mortgage Lending

To find out more about any member listed or other Chamber members, visit the online Business Directory at: www.shelbychamber.org.

Heat it up with a Hot Deal It seems everyone is coupon-clipping, searching for sales, and seeking “Hot Deals” when purchasing products or services. What is a Hot Deal? It’s a coupon, discount, incentive, or savings on products or services that is posted online by Greater Shelby County Chamber members only ... for FREE! When searching for products or services do you think of your Greater Shelby Chamber family first? You should. Being a member of the Greater Shelby Chamber means you have access to like-minded business professionals at your fingertips. This is the time people are shopping so get your name out there! Visit the online Business Directory on the Chamber’s website first at www.shelbychamber.org and add your sales items today. Are you having a sale? Do you have discounted items? Are you currently offering special savings on services? Heat up your business “deals” for FREE by adding a Hot Deal. Use your Member Login and password to add a Hot Deal today. Need your Member Login and password? Call or email the Chamber: 663-4542 or info@shelbychamber.org.

Membership Database Benefits

Ambassador 3 Spotlight

Are You Marketing by Mail or Telephone to Your Customers? What about Your Fellow Chamber Members? Be prepared for the new year by reaching out to your customers and keep them informed of your products and services. Independent studies have shown that those companies that continue to advertise consistently provide a unique window of opportunity for investment purposes to: 1) Build equity; 2) Solidify your customer base; 3) Gain new customers; and 4) Make inroads on your competitors who have cut their advertising during what may viewed as a “slow” period in the economy. This window of opportunity is created by the understanding that advertising is an investment, not an expense. The Chamber can assist in expanding your advertising and marketing efforts ... inexpensively! As a member, you have the opportunity to purchase the Greater Shelby Chamber membership database for only $100. This list contains our current Chamber members, their respective representatives, physical and mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and websites. And, upon request, you’ll receive quarterly updates for an entire year. The membership database can easily be emailed in an Excel spreadsheet straight to your Inbox. It’s that simple! To receive your membership database, e-mail the Chamber office at info@shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542 and expand your marketing outreach today!

Interested in advertising in ViewPoints? Contact Molly Alexander, (205) 6693131, at the Shelby County Reporter for exclusive member pricing.

Congratulations to Kendall Williams for being recognized as our Ambassador of the Month. Kendall is very active in the Ambassador Program and is an asset to our Chamber! Kendall serves as Community Liaison with America’s First Federal Credit Union. Their website states, “As a member of America’s First Federal Credit Union, you are an important part of a financial institution that focuses on providing a level of service that exceeds your expectations. We are dedicated to providing you with the latest products, services, and information to make your life easier.” For more information about America’s First Federal Credit Union, please call (205) 716-3379 or you can visit their website, www.amfirst.org.

Use your member login and password to access your FREE online benefits. Using your member login will allow you to add and update your online business listing from any computer that has an active connection to the Internet -- anytime -- day or night! Your membership includes: FREE Listing on the Chamber’s Online Business Directory * 200 character Business description * Hours of operation * Driving directions * Personalized keywords FREE Advertising * Hot Deals - Enter ads or coupons that display prominently on the Chamber’s website * Job Postings - Post job openings for thos actively seeking employment * Events - Submit events for consideration on the Chamber and Community Calendar Real-time, Up-to-Date Access * Keep the Chamber’s Database current * See the categories where your Business is listed * RSVP for Events Once you’ve received your personal login and password follow these simple steps to open the door to your online benefits: * From the Chamber’s website, www.shelbychamber.org, select Member Login at the top right of the home page * Enter your login name * Enter your password * Use the menu on the left hand side to access your online benefits * Always remember to click SAVE if you make any changes!

estimonial

Access Your FREE Online Member Benefits and Features!

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A friend and I had planned a night out with our husbands and couldn’t decide where to go. Wendy Sandlin with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce suggested that we go to Nino’s Italian Restaurant in Pelham. She couldn’t say enough good things about it so we decided to give it a try. Wendy said to ask for Walter when we got there. When I told him Wendy sent us, he lit up. He said, “I Love Wendy!” From that moment on he spoiled us! I thought we were getting special attention... then I noticed that he treats all his customers that way. He stops by your table and wants to know how your dinner is and if you need anything and will talk to you about anything. The food was AMAZING!!!! And so was the service! Walter and his wife Chris make you feel so welcome there. Highly recommend the restaurant! It will be a regular hang-out for Bob and I and we live on 280!!!

Christine Hawkins Chrisie’s Creations

”

Join us for the Chamber’s Holiday Open House on December 9th Please join the Chamber staff and board members for a special holiday Open House on December 9th at the Chamber office. Drop by anytime between 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. to enjoy festive music, lunch, and fellowship. We hope you are planning to come in and join us for refreshments, Christmas cheer, and give us an opportunity to personally thank you for sharing another year with us! Our members are what makes us greater. Thank you to National Bank of Commerce and St. Vincent’s Health System for sponsoring this festive holiday event! December 9th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham

Snapshots

Catch more photos of Greater Shelby Chamber events online at:

shelbychamber.org

Thank you to Linda Nolen Learning Center for hosting the recent Pelham Focus Meeting.

SourcePointe, LLC presented techniques to exceed company goals using performance management at the recent Grow & Go workshop.

Golfers and volunteers ensured the 21st Annual Golf Classic was a huge success and everyone walked away a winner!

Thank you to all the businesses that participated in the 280 Business Block Party.

SpeedNetworking for Professionals makes it easy to gain contacts, promote your business and have fun.

Congratulations to YMCA Shelby County branch on its mortgage burning celebration!

Mr. Buggâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pest Control celebrated a milestone 30 years in business with an open house.

Thank you to Comedienne JOY for sharing her clean comedy at our Fall Festival of Fun.

6 Online Networking Is Where it’s Happening Online networking is quickly becoming the way to communicate business-to-business. The Greater Shelby Chamber invites you to join us on our sites as we share news, events, and posts from our members. Social networking is certainly an invaluable tool to build an expanded audience for products or services. Integrate social networking into your existing marketing plan today. It’s the wave of the future, and it’s here to stay! Embrace it by connecting with the Greater Shelby Chamber on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Plaxo. We’re here to help share your news too! Sign up today ... together, we are building a greater Shelby County.

estimonial

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We, at Nino’s Italian Restaurant, would like to thank the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce for their part in our growth and success in our first year of business. The Chamber continually keeps us updated on events that meet our criteria to participate in as well as helping us to promote our business in Shelby County and the surrounding areas. The staff has been very instrumental in advertising and marketing Nino’s Italian Restaurant through their hard work and dedication. As a local business owner, I would strongly urge all businesses to join the Greater Shelby Chamber. They support us and we should support them for continued growth and success in our community. Walter T. Caron Nino’s Italian Restaurant

”

21st Annual Golf Tournament

Classic Shots

Thank you to the many Greater Shelby Chamber members that made our 21st Annual Golf Classic at Inverness Country Club the best yet! Our morning & afternoon tournaments were a huge success. A special thanks to our title sponsors: AT&T, Lemak Sports Medicine & the Shelby County Reporter .. and countless other sponsors, donations, volunteers, and players! You know who you are and we appreciate each and everyone of you.

2010 Board of Directors Terri Gualano Chair AT&T

Elizabeth Roland Governance Chair Attorney at Law

Keith Barfield Finance Chair Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith

Chris Bottcher Sirote & Permutt

Phillip Heard Development Chair Alabama Gas

Tim Bowen Alabama Power Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College

Ken Collier BE&K Trent Cotton BBVA Compass Bank Dave Davis Legacy Community Federal Credit Union Jim Garner The Insurance Store

Silvia Hoyos Hispanic Interest Coalition of AL

Tim Prince Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.

Vern Hydorn The HR Assessments Group

Joe Sullivan Sullivan Communications

Lisa McMahon Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino Joe Meads Sain Associates

April Weaver Shelby Baptist Medical Center Jennifer Trammell Greater Shelby Chamber

Upcoming Events 2010

December

11 am - 2 pm ~ Holiday Open House Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham No RSVP. No cost.

Find more details of what you can expect about any event listed by visiting the Greater Shelby County Chamber’s website at: www.shelbychamber.org. Register for events online at www.shelbychamber.org, call the RSVP Line 663-8923, or the Chamber 663-4542.

CANCELLATION POLICY REMINDER

2011

January

8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Focus Meeting Pelham Johnny Ray’s, 309 Huntley Parkway, Pelham No RSVP required. No cost.

8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Focus Meeting Calera Timberline Golf Club, 300 Timberline Trail, Calera No RSVP required. No cost.

8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Network 280 Goodson Health & Wellness, 140 Village St., Ste. 201, Birmingham No RSVP required. No cost.

8:30 am - 10 am ~ SpeedNetworking for Professionals Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson HOG Room, 333 Cahaba Valley Pkwy., Pelham RSVP required by January 18th. No cost.

5 pm - 7 pm ~ Business After Hours Day Eye Center, 2122 Old Montgomery Hwy., Pelham No RSVP required. No cost.

11 am - 1 pm ~ Annual Meeting Membership Luncheon Spotlight City Feature - Non-profit/Community Service Organizations Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham RSVP required by noon, Monday, January 24th. Investment: Members $17, non-members $20.

If a reservation is made for the luncheon and you are unable to attend, you will be charged for the luncheon unless a cancellation request is made at least TWO business days prior to the event.