January Business Connection 2013

BUSINESS

CONNECTIONS

SERVING:Alabaster Columbiana

Chelsea

Wilton

Wilsonville Montevallo Indian Springs Vincent Pelham Harpersville Calera

Helena

Hoover Westover

Shelby County Five-year initiative of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

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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

Aaron’s Sales & Lease

Michael Smithers

3750 Pelham Pkwy

Home Furnishings

Alabama Wildlife Center

Carol Argo

100 Terrace Dr

Veterinarian/Wildlife Mgmt. Pelham

Blair Remodeling

Ben Watson

2674 Valleydale Rd

Home Improvements

Hoover

Chara

Wendy Betsch

351 Canyon Park Dr

Adult Day Program

Pelham

Ground Up Coffee & Smoothies Casey Morris

15582 Highway 280

Coffees & Smoothies

Chelsea

Hairway to Heaven, LLC

Beth Davis

124 Market Center Dr

Beauty Salon

Alabaster

JD’s Furniture Warehouse

Darlene Brasher

746 Main St

Home & Bus. Furnishings

Montevallo

S.S. Nesbitt and Company

Brandon Baird

3500 Blue Lake Dr, Ste 120

Insurance

Birmingham

The Cuckoo’s Nest

Angela Tenbarge

4222 Old Hwy 280

Retail/Clothing & Jewelry

Westover

Trinity Crossfit

Mark Smith

130 Corporate Way

Health & Fitness

Pelham

To find out more about any member listed — or other Chamber members — please visit our online Business Directory at www.shelbychamber.org.

Pelham

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Greater Shelby Chamber Board of Directors (as of 12/19/12) David Nolen M&F Bank 2013 Chair Bill Keller Regions Financial 2013 Chair-elect Terri Williams AT&T 2013 Immediate Past Chair

Keith Barfield Barfield Murphy, Shank & Smith, PC Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College Lisa McMahon Warren Averett, LLC

April Weaver Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Paul Rogers Aliant Bank

Charlie Stevens Thompson Tractor

Phillip Heard Alabama Gas Company

Clint Umphrey Texas Roadhouse

Tim Bowen Alabama Power Company

David Platt Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Tim Prince Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.

Joe Sullivan Sullivan Communications, Inc

Vivian Johnson Sam’s Club Hoover

John Browning Cahaba Valley Computer Services, LLC

2013 Continual Sponsorship Program (CSP) Now Available!

It’s time to plan! Become a participant in the 2013 Continual Sponsorship Program (CSP) and receive premium branding exposure for your organization. This is a popular advertising package that offers multiple opportunities for you to choose the options that would most benefit your organization all year long! The 2013 CSP has been expanded to include additional choices for member businesses to “pick and choose”

the option that aligns with the budget and marketing goals of your organization. There are also standalone opportunities available in addition to the annual sponsorship levels.

If you have not received a copy of the 2013 Continual Sponsorship Program, contact the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 663-4542 today or visit the Chamber’s website at www. shelbychamber.org.

Chamber’s 32nd Annual Meeting Scheduled for Jan. 30th The Chamber’s Annual Meeting Luncheon, scheduled for January 30, will celebrate the past year’s accomplishments under Chamber Chair David Nolen of M&F Bank and highlight the 2013 Business Plan.

This year’s program will also feature comments from William J. Canary, Jr., President & CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). Prior to accepting the BCA post, Canary was a special assistant to President George H. W. Bush and president and CEO of the American Trucking Association.

Founded in 1985, with the consolidation of the former Alabama Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Alabama, BCA has worked

hard to improve Alabama’s business climate. More recently — and with the help of the Alabama State Legislature -— BCA has been instrumental in securing William J. Canary, Jr. passage of a number of real reforms in the areas of tax credits for small business, job creation, incentives for economic development, ethics reform

and positive changes in our public education system.

The 32nd Annual Meeting Luncheon will be held at the Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham, with doors opening at 11:00 AM and the program beginning at Noon.

Reserved corporate tables of eight for $175 and individual tickets for $17 are available.

Future member tickets are available for $25. Registrations for the luncheon are required by Monday, January 28th for planning purposes.

For more information, or to make a reservation, please contact the Chamber at info@shelbychamber.org or by telephone at 663-4542.

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2013 Chamber Membership Renewal Invoices Emailed in December!

Thank you for your financial support of your Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce during this past year!

2013 offers a variety of new opportunities for our members through new programming in four key areas: Business Support & Development, Community & Workforce Development, Governmental Relations and Marketing & Communications. There are several new Work Groups in each of these areas, and we encourage you and your business associates to consider serving on one!

What’s more, members will receive increased visibility through our new “Who’s Who of Shelby County” Businesses (a new printed directory

that will run in the Shelby County Reporter with a readership of 16,000+) that will begin in January.

All active members will be listed quarterly in this quality publication.

Membership renewal invoices were sent via email in December. If you did not receive your renewal invoice please contact the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 663-4542. If you joined the Chamber in 2012, you will receive your first year renewal invoice during your anniversary month.

Please feel free to contact Melanie Goodwin at (205) 663-4542 or melanie@shelbychamber.org with any questions about your 2013 invoice.

We look forward to working with you in the

coming year to make Shelby County an even better place to live and do business!

Two New Opportunities for Chamber Members!

New Shelby County Map Offers Visibility and Opportunity Your Chamber works yearround to make Shelby County an even better place to live and do business. To accomplish this, we offer a variety of goods and services to businesses, newcomers and visitors. That’s why were pleased to announce a new Community Map. This formidable marketing tool is the only map distributed by the Chamber to members, potential newcomers, tourists, visitors, etc.

The map, published in full-color street detail by Chamber member firm Village Profile, will be used by families and businesses relocating to Shelby County and a valuable resource for business travelers and long-time residents.

The 2013 Shelby County map will include: • Distribution — thousands of full-color, updated printed maps featuring schools, hospitals, parks and development areas will be distributed through the Chamber.

• Pinpoints — Chamber sponsor business locations will be pinpointed on the map.

• On-Line Viewing — At

publication, the printed version of the map will be hyper-linked to the Chamber’s website where you can view on-line community information, a directory of sponsors and your printed advertisement alongside your street location mini-map.

• National Website Listing Chamber sponsor businesses will be included on www.villageprofile. com which receives over 2.5 million hits a month!

• Ad Preparation — Complimentary advertising preparation is available, or you may submit your ad to Village Profile electronically.

Voluntary membership advertising helps support this project, and is another valuable way to ‘introduce’ your business, product or service to Chamber members, new businesses, new residents and visitors to Shelby County. If you would like to be a part of this valuable and informative project, please contact Ms. Sandy Semerad, our Village Profile representative, at (678) 296-5394 or via e-mail at ssemerad@aol.com.

Looking to Reach New Residents?

ChamberMail Program Offers Opportunity for Members In October, the Greater Shelby County Chamber launched a new opportunity for members -ChamberMail -- which places members businesses in front of new residents shortly after their move. This business-to-consumer program is designed to get participating members in front of 2,000 new residents for the cost of participating/ advertising.

The ChamberMail program is another opportunity for members to promote their products and services.

The advertising cost paid by participants allows them to get in front of 2,000 new residents who have actually moved to Shelby County.

In addition to the mailing and online advertising participants receive, the program also

offers an optional new resident database for member follow up efforts.

Limited space means this opportunity will sell out quickly, so to reserve your space, call our ChamberMail representative at 1-800-267-9139 or view all ad sizes and prices at the Greater Shelby ChamberMail website at www.shelby.chambermail.us.

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December Ambassador of the Month

Tyler Dawson

Congratulations to Tyler Dawson, the Greater Shelby Chamber’s Ambassador of the Month for December 2012. Tyler is a Sales Consultant with Paychex. Tyler consults with business owners and C-level Executives to cut costs and improve productivity and efficiency.

Paychex provides a full suite of payroll, HR, and employee benefit management services that allow clients to leverage workforce management solutions in order to remain flexible, compliant, and maintain business continuity. Paychex is ranked by the BBJ as Birmingham’s #1 payroll provider for small and medium sized businesses. Paychex is also the preferred payroll provider for the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents). For more information about Paychex, please visit their website at www.paychex.com or to find out how Paychex can benefit your business directly, call Tyler Dawson at (205) 381-3592.

For more information about being involved in the Ambassador Program contact April Stone at april@shelbychamber.org, visit www.shelbychamber.org or call (205) 663-4542.

November Ambassador of the Month

Meagan Mims

Congratulations to Meagan Mims on achieving Ambassador of the Month for November 2012. Meagan is a Marketing Consultant for the Shelby County Reporter and has more than four years of experience in the field. The Shelby County Reporter produces three newspapers, Shelby County Reporter, Alabaster Reporter, and the Pelham Reporter. The Shelby County Reporter has an online presence, hosts three websites, and offers up to the minute news with its online, along with daily E-News update. The company also publishes two robust magazines in the Shelby County and Hoover area: Shelby Living and H-Life.

Meagan enjoys assisting local businesses find the right marketing solutions by evaluating budget, target market, demographics, and distribution. She has multiple media platforms to customize a marketing plan that fulfills the needs of her customers.

If you would like to learn how your business can benefit from the multitude of marketing products Meagan has to offer with the Shelby County Reporter, please give her a call at 663-3131 or email meagan. mims@shelbycountyreporter.com.

Open Enrollment for the 2013 Ambassador Program Want to build business relationships that will impact your business and increase your network? Then being an Ambassador is for you! The purpose of the Ambassador Program is to extend the warmth and hospitality of the Chamber to members and guests while facilitating networking at Chamber functions.

Ambassadors serve as an extension of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce by attending Chamber events in which they act as greeters, points of contacts for information, and promoters of networking among event attendees.

To determine if the Ambassador Program is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have time to commit approximately five hours per month to serve as a volunteer for the Chamber?

• Would I like to increase visibility for my company and myself in the Shelby County area?

• Am I able to meet people easily and make them feel welcome and comfortable in an unfamiliar setting?

• Am I energetic, enthusiastic and someone that thrives on having fun?

If you answered “yes” to the above questions, then this is the program for you! Contact April Stone at 663-4542 or april@shelbychamber.org for more details!

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Join in our County’s Progress By Serving On A Chamber Work Group

There are numerous opportunities for involvement with the Chamber. The following is a list of Work Groups along with a brief description of each. These Work Groups will begin meeting on a monthly basis in January 2013 - the Chamber’s next program year. If you’d like to participate in forming these Work Groups and working on these new programs and activities, please contact Chamber President Kirk Mancer by calling 663-4542 or via e-mail at kirk@shelbychamber.org.

Existing Business & Industry Work Group Recognize and support local industries through tours, legislative actions, seminars and other appropriate means. Organize the annual Industry Appreciation Event held in February.

Small Business Work Group Promote the economic success of small businesses through a variety of events, seminars and workshops. Organize annual “Small Business Week” activities held in May. Governmental Affairs Work Group Serve as the liaison between our elected officials at the local, state and federal levels and our membership, regarding business/ commerce specific issues.

Coordinate development of the Chamber’s annual Public Policy Agenda as well as Montgomery Drive-In and Washington Fly-In. Education Work Group Provide information with an emphasis on career development and the promotion of a qualified workforce. Organize annual

Career Awareness Fair program and Student & Teacher of the Year Awards recognition.

Community Improvement Work Group Serve as the liaison between beautification groups, business & industry and area municipalities.

Promote a countywide beautification effort. Coordinate annual beautification program for Shelby County businesses and “Green Business” recognition programs.

Health Services Work Group Promote the importance of good health, wellness and education for Shelby County businesses.

Ambassadors Serve as goodwill ambassadors between the Chamber and new or relocated businesses. Assists with Chamber events, programs, ribbon-cuttings, ground-breakings and other outreach efforts as needed.

Update on the Five-year Initiative of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce - ShelbyOne ShelbyOne is a bold and confident strategic plan that is in place and ready to lead us forward. With your help and leadership efforts, we can invest in our future growth and continue to build a county we can enjoy and pass along to generations to come knowing we have built on a sound economic base and will offer unlimited educational and healthcare options, attract new business and development, and continue to improve and protect our quality of life.

Nothing is more important to us who live in Alabama than to enjoy the true pleasures of our lifestyle and the beauty of our area. ShelbyOne intends to help Shelby County play a leading role in the future of our great state. The goal for ShelbyOne is to raise 1.7 million dollars and to date, we have investors that have pledged $1,680,000. Won’t you join the following investors that have

pledged toward our ShelbyOne goal to continue building a bright future for Shelby County and for Alabama?

Please contact Chamber President Kirk Mancer via email at kirk@ shelbychamber.org or call 6634542.

A.C. Legg, Inc. Alabama Telco Credit Union ALAGASCO/Energen Aliant Bank America’s First Federal Credit Union AT&T of Alabama Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc. Boatright Companies Brownlee-Morrow Company, Inc. Cahaba Valley Computer Services, LLC Central State Bank Charter Business Day Eye Center EBSCO Industries, Inc. First Commercial Bank

Hampton Inn & Suites - Pelham Hampton Inn & Suites - Hoover HealthSpring Holiday Inn Express - Pelham iBERIABANK ISSIS & SONS M&F Bank Regions Financial Corporation Saginaw Pipe Company, Inc. Sain Associates, Inc.

Senator Slade Blackwell Shelby Baptist Medical Center Shelby County Shelby County Newspapers St. Vincent’s Health System Texas Roadhouse - Pelham Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. Trinity Medical Center Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, Inc. Warren Averett, LLC

Contact Us Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham, Alabama 35124 Phone: (205) 663-4542 Fax: (205) 663-4524 Email: info@shelbychamber.org

Snapshots

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Congratulations to Lakes at Inverness Apartments on its ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of its luxurious renovations. Discover everything you’re looking for in your new home at Lakes at Inverness Apartments!

Thank you to Big Lots in Alabaster for hosting the recent business after hours / holiday open house.

Members enjoyed networking, refreshments, and special discounts at the store.

The keynote speaker for the Annual Prayer Breakfast was Ward Williams, Executive Director at Vineyard Family Services (VFS). The VFS team shown L-R: Giang Leisch, Stephanie Grissom, Ward and Suzanne Williams.

Thank you to Legacy Community Federal Credit Union for co-sponsoring the Annual Prayer Breakfast! Shown L-R: Gina Cannady, Dave Davis, Shay Deavers, Janice Shivers and Michelle Arena.

Thank you to The Jimmie Hale Mission for cosponsoring for co-sponsoring the Annual Prayer Breakfast! Shown L-R: Rev. Green Calhoun, Tony Cooper, and Terry Preston.

Congratulations to Formaggio’s in Alabaster on its grand opening ceremony. Max Velijasevic, GM, was joined in support by Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon, staff, friends, and Chamber Ambassadors.

Upcoming Events

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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.

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January

2013

New Year’s Day Chamber office closed.

Annual Meeting Membership Luncheon and 2013 Business Plan 11 am - 1 pm - Keynote Speaker, Bill Canary, President & CEO of Business Council of Alabama Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Rd., Pelham RSVP required by noon, Monday, January 28th.

Investment: Members $17, future-members $25, and $175 for a reserved corporate table of eight.

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ShelbyOne Update Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Five-Year Strategic Plan As we approach the conclusion of the ShelbyOne campaign, we appreciate all the hard work of the Advance and Leadership Division team members since July.

As a result of the hard work and dedication, ShelbyOne volunteers have raised more than $1.6 million for our community in just a few months!

We’re gearing up for the final push to reach our $1.7 million goal. The last month of this campaign will set the tone for the next five years of development in Shelby County and a chance to improve our community by your support and commitment in the ShelbyOne campaign.

Having nearly reached its goal, the ShelbyOne investment campaign is coming into the home stretch. As the economy recovers, the ShelbyOne strategic plan is just the type of safe investment in our local and regional economy for which savvy business owners are seeking.

When compared to pledge amounts during the past 10 years, this campaign is exceeding our goals. We have received pledges from new and existing

investors that translate into a net gain of more than $500,000 over this point in past. But the work certainly doesn’t stop here.

ShelbyOne is a new, robust plan for economic and community development in an innovative, creative class economy, and our investors are clearly committed to propelling Shelby County to the next level.

We rely on this support more than ever. Our numbers show that our local business leaders and decision makers recognize the types of investments that will work in times like these. They know that the investments they make with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce will provide protection and stability for Shelby County, no matter what economic conditions we face.

We still must bring these prospective investors to the table!

We know that savvy investors will continue to respond favorably to our mission once we’ve had an opportunity to present the ShelbyOne, the five-year strategic plan of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce one on one.

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