Alabaster Columbiana Wilton Chelsea Montevallo Helena Vincent Wilsonville Indian Springs Calera Pelham Harpersville
Westover Hoover
Shelby County ViewPoints
February 2012
Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce • 1301 County Services Drive • Pelham, AL 35124 • 205-663-4542 • info@shelbychamber.org
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Welcome New Members
Circle of Champions ToastMasters
Randy Cooper
471 Fieldstone Dr
Helena
Business & Personal Training & Development
Lewis Computer Consulting Group, Inc. Jim Lewis
7878 Hwy 41 S
Leeds
Computer Software
Renaissance Consignment Boutique
6801 Cahaba Valley Rd
Birmingham
Consignment Clothing
Jane Ann Mueller
To find out more about any member listed or other Chamber members, visit the online Business Directory at: www.shelbychamber.org.
2012 Membership Renewal We hope you have received your 2012 Chamber Membership Renewal Invoice. If not, please contact the Chamber and we will get your copy to you today! With nearly 1,800 member contacts, dozens of networking opportunities, and numerous ways we assist you in marketing and growing your business, we hope you continue to benefit greatly from your membership with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. If you’ve not been able to enjoy all the many benefits, we encourage you to get involved in big or small ways! If you’ve not yet renewed, we value your support and ask that you to take a moment and do so today!
Thank you for being a part of our Greater Shelby Chamber family! We look forward to providing you with even more ways to grow your business in 2012! Please tell others about the value and benefit of chamber membership so we may continue to grow our strong business network!
Contact Us Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham, Alabama 35124 (205) 663-4542 Fax: (205) 663-4524 info@shelbychamber.org
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Ambassador Spotlight
Attention: The Greater Shelby County Education Foundation is seeking grant opportunities. If your company or organization offers grants for various education initiatives, such as workforce development, please contact us with the information. Call Heather Stripling at (205) 663-4542 or by email heather@shelbychamber.org and include the application process information. Thank you for helping us further promote education throughout Shelby County!
January Ambassador of the Month
Amanda Smith
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Congratulations to Amanda Smith, Ambassador of the Month for the Greater Shelby Chamber! Amanda is the Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Cahaba Valley Computer Services, a local information technology company serving small- to mid-sized businesses across the Birmingham metro area. They are a member of the Microsoft Partner Program and a Microsoft Small Business Specialist, offering clients the latest advances in computer technology. Cahaba Valley Computer Services enjoys serving fellow Chamber members with all of their IT needs. “There is great reward in developing business relationships that encourage the success of others and our community,� Amanda says of being involved with the Greater Shelby Chamber. For more information about Cahaba Valley Computer Services, LLC, contact Amanda Smith at Amanda@cvcsllc.com or call (205) 541-7755.
4 2012 Greater Shelby Chamber Board of Directors Welcome the 2012 Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Thank you to the following professionals for serving on the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The Chamber puts a strong value on leadership development and community involvement and we are fortunate to have the valuable leadership our board of directors. We appreciate the time and talents they bring to keep our Chamber moving in a postive direction for our members.
David Nolen M&F Bank Chair April Weaver Shelby Baptist Medical Center Bill Keller Regions Financial Clint Umphrey Texas Roadhouse Dave Davis Legacy Community Federal Credit Union Howard Bailey Neil Bailey Insurance & Investments Joe Sullivan Sullivan Communications, Incorporated
John Browning Cahaba Valley Computer Services, LLC Keith Barfield Barfield, Murphy, Shank, & Smith, PC Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College Lisa McMahon Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, LLC Mike Vest Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness & Sports Paul Rogers Aliant Bank
Phillip Heard Alabama Gas Company Silvia Hoyos Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama Terri Williams AT&T Tim Bowen Alabama Power Company Tim Prince Shelby County Reporter Vivian Johnson Sam’s Club Hoover Jennifer Whisenant Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
Interested in advertising in ViewPoints? Email the Shelby County Reporter marketing department at advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com for exclusive member pricing.
2012 Continual Sponsors A.C. Legg, Inc. ALAGASCO Alabama Power Company Alabama Telco Credit Union America’s First Federal Credit Union AT&T Brookwood Medical Center Business Telephones, Inc. Cahaba Valley Computer Services Charter Business FastSigns First Commercial Bank Legacy Community Federal Credit Union Minuteman Press of Alabaster Shelby County Reporter Stewart Organization
Snapshots New and existing members had fun while learning about one another and how to maximize the benefits of Chamber membership at Chamber Works.
Congratulations to Allstates Technical Services on its official ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its new office space at 10 Inverness Center Parkway.
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Congressman Spencer Bachus spoke to business leaders at a breakfast event. Congressman Bachus is shown with Greater Shelby Chamber President Jennifer Whisenant.
It’s a New Year and a Great time to Review Your Online Business Listing Have you looked at your online business listing lately? Visit www.shelbychamber. org and click on ‘Business Directory’ from the home page. Search for your business by name or by using the category search. Are you utilizing all of your online benefits? Use your Member Login and take advantage of your complimentary online benefits! With the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce implementing Search Engine Optimization with our online business directory, member listings are showing up in online search engines, i.e. Google, Yahoo, Bing, that links them directly to the members website.
Here’s a brief list of what you can do by using your Member Login: Add to Your Online Business Directory Listing • 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 those actively seeking employment • Events - Submit events for consideration on the Chamber and Community Calendar
Once you’ve received your member 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!
Grow & Go 8 Red Flags: Warning Signs for Businesses! Are you a business owner or executive that wants to grow your business revenues and profitability? Come to the Greater Shelby Chamber’s Grow & Go and let Gene Wahnefried, Serial Entrepreneur and Business Growth Expert, show you how to avoid the eight common pitfalls many businesses encounter while trying to grow and give you ways to extricate yourself if you are already in their grasp. Gene’s passion is helping businesses to grow and creating jobs. If you want to grow your business more effectively, this is a must attend course for you.
205.668.0626
Grow & Go Workshop February 16th, 11 am - 1 pm Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham Lunch and materials included. RSVP required by noon, Tuesday, February 14th. Investment: Members and non-members $10. Thank you to Business Telephones, Inc. for sponsoring the 2012 Grow & Go workshops.
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Greater Shelby Chamber February Luncheon Featuring Shelby County Mayors The mayors from Shelby County municipalities will come together at the Greater Shelby Chamber’s luncheon to speak about accomplishments and plans for their cities. This is a time for the business community to learn more about the successes and challenges of individual municipalities, while gaining insight into what makes Shelby County a great place to live and work. The luncheon, sponsored by the Shelby County Reporter, is February 29th at the Pelham Civic Complex. Networking with the Showcase featuring non-profits will begin at 11 am with the seated program beginning at noon. Investment is $17 for Greater Shelby Chamber members and $25 for guests. Register online at www.shelbychamber. org or call 663-4542. Deadline to register is noon on Monday, February 27th. Early reservations are recommended as seating is limited and expected to reach full capacity.
SpeedNetworking for Professionals Times Three The Greater Shelby Chamber is excited to host a three-Chamber networking event with the Hoover Area and Vestavia Hills Chambers of Commerce! Bring a stack of 100+ business cards and meet us at The Wynfrey Hotel for fun, fast and furious SpeedNetworking! SpeedNetworking for Professionals Times Three will be held on Thursday, February 9th, from 8:30 am until 10 am at The Wynfrey Hotel (Riverchase Galleria). There is no cost to attend; however, please RSVP so that we can set up accordingly. Contact the Greater Shelby Chamber at 663-4542 or register online at www.shelbychamber.org.
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Upcoming Events
Find more details of what you can expect about any event listed by visiting the Greater Shelby County Chamberís 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: 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.
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8 am - Noon ~ AT&T Digital Direct Marketing Seminar Cahaba Grand Conference Center, 1 HealthSouth Pkwy So Breakfast and materials included. No cost. RSVP required by noon, Thursday, January 27th. 8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Focus Alabaster Brooklere Pharmacy, 205 Buck Creek Plaza No RSVP required. No cost. 8:30 am - 10 am ~ SpeedNetworking Times Three! Greater Shelby, Hoover, and Vestavia Hills Chambers of Commerce join together for their members to enjoy expanded networking! The Wynfrey Hotel, 1000 Riverchase Galleria RSVP required by February 7th. No cost. 8:30 am - 10 am ~ Chamber Works Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham No cost. RSVP required by noon, Monday, February 13th. 11 am - 1 pm ~ Grow & Go Workshop Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham Lunch and materials included. RSVP required by noon, Tuesday, February 14th. Investment: Members and non-members $10. 8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Focus Calera Victory GMC Trucks, 1150 George Roy Parkway No RSVP required. No cost. 11 am - 1 pm ~ Mayoral Luncheon Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham RSVP required by noon, Monday, February 27th. Investment: Members $17, non-members $25. Showcase: Non-profit organizations
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8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Focus Montevallo University of Montevallo The Wilkinson Student Life Center, 75 College Dr No RSVP required. No cost. 11 am - 1 pm ~ Grow & Go Workshop Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham Lunch and materials included. RSVP required by noon, Tuesday, March 6th. Investment: Members and non-members $10. 11 am - 1 pm ~ Monthly Membership Luncheon Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham RSVP required by noon, Monday, March 26th. Investment: Members $17, non-members $25. Showcase: Pelham & Montevallo
Learn How Your Chamber Works for You The Greater Shelby Chamber is in business for business ... for YOU! Come to our next “Chamber Works” event and learn firsthand the many benefits of Chamber membership. Even if you have been a Chamber member for quite some time, you’ll learn something new at Chamber Works. This event will inform you of the best way to maximize the benefits and services of Chamber membership and get you up to speed with current happenings. The Greater Shelby Chamber strongly encourages finding your niche through involvement. Participation is the key in making your membership work for you! The next Chamber Works is scheduled for Valentine’s Day, February 14th at the Greater Shelby Chamber from 8:30 am until 10 am. There is no cost to attend but please register ahead of time so we can plan accordingly. Register online at www.shelbychamber.org or call us at 663-4542. Chamber Works is made possible by the 2012 Continual Sponsorships of Cahaba Valley Computer Services, LLC and Charter Business.