Chamber Matters January 2016 by Times-Georgian

January 2016

Greystone We’re Tightening Our Belt With a rate reduction planned for the spring of 2016, and rates that are already among the lowest in the state,* GreyStone Power has been cutting costs to reduce rates. We’ve held down operating expenses, negotiated lower power costs and worked with industry allies to ensure member concerns were heard on Capitol Hill. *2015 summer rate survey by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Based on 1,000 kilowatt hours monthly residential use.

greystonepower.com GreyStone Power is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The cooperative recently returned $5 million in capital credits to members and offers energy efficiency seminars, home energy audits and tips. We’re tightening our belt, because during this season, you shouldn’t have to. Happy Holidays from GreyStone Power!

Saturday, February 6, 2016 is sure to be a night to remember as the Douglas County Chamber holds its 71st Annual Awards Banquet honoring our community’s outstanding businesses and leaders. The Chamber Awards Banquet is presented by Kaiser Permanente and will install the 2016 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Greg Williams with Kaiser Permanente. The Annual Awards Banquet Committee will transform The Centre at Arbor Connection into a Winter Wonderland for this year’s event. Guests will experience a magical welcome as they arrive to a transformed ballroom and have the opportunity to bid on endless items at the silent auction and unique big ticket items during The much anticipated highlight of the evening will be the Annual Community Awards. Members of the Chamber and residents of the the live auction after the awards community have nominated the best of the best in each category. Who will be our Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year? The answer to these questions and many more will be answered on February 6, 2016 at The Centre at Arbor ceremony. Connection. This event WILL SELL OUT! Seating is limited to 400! Individual seats are $125 each, Tables of 8 are $1,000, Silver Sponsorships are $1,500 and Gold Sponsorships are $3,000. Reserve your space today by contacting the Chamber at 770.942.5022 or garmon@douglascountygeorgia.com. December Calendar of Events

GreyStone Power Luncheon

Welcome to New Members!

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Chamber Matters, January 2016

2016 NETWORKING CALENDAR DC Chamber members say networking is the best benefit of their Chamber membership...join us monthly at our events as we network our way through town!

COFFEE CARD EXCHANGE

8-9 a.m. | Free for members | $20 Guests

January 19

Sponsored by T. Dennis Connally, P.C., CPA

July 19

Jan 14 Feb 11 Mar 10 Apr 14 May 12 June 9 July 14 Aug 11 Sept 1 Oct 13 Nov 3 Dec 1

2016 Economic Outlook Economist Rajeev Dhawan, GSU

2016 Small Businesses of Excellence Awards

The Comcast Business After Hours consistently proves to be the ultimate way to wrap up your busy work day. The Comcast Business After Hours are held on the last Thursday of each month from 4pm-6pm at various host locations. Appetizers, snacks and drinks await Chamber members as they gather for an opportunity to socialize and network with fellow business and community leaders.

Jan 28 Feb 25 Mar 24

City of Douglasville 6700 Church Street Stoddard’s Range & Guns 5840 Bankhead Highway Wren’s Body Shop at Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Apr 28

Bath Planet of Atlanta

May 26 June 30 July 28 Aug 25 Oct 27 Nov 17 Dec 15

2700 Chapel Hill Road

Assured Comfort Heating Air & Plumbing | 7085 Hwy. 78 5 -7p Chamber Raffle at The Centre 7475 Douglas Boulevard

WellStar Douglas Hospital 8954 Hospital Drive Metro Garage Door, Inc. 7464 Bankhead Highway ThunderZone Entertainment Center 3140 Bright Star Road

Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club 8000 Capps Ferry Road Gabe’s Downtown 6716 Church Street John Bleakley Ford 870 Thornton Road

Samantha Glass and Richard Block of ALL Print Marketing & Media Solutions are proud to be Douglas Chamber Diplomats. ALL Print is family owned and operated in Dallas, GA. Richard runs our Douglasville office. Both Richard and Samantha are dedicated to Douglas and the communities we serve. ALL Print is not just another print provider. We are your own strategic marketing department. Whether you are looking for one item or a turn-key marketing plan we have the solution. Our experts can help you launch a fresh professional image with custom logos, graphic design and branding as well as implementation of custom marketing plans designed to fit your need. Along with the highest quality professionally printed products, targeted direct mail campaigns, expo and trade show materials, media solutions, promotional products, banners and signage, we have everything you’ll need to market and promote your business or event paired with the consultation of experts that have over 50 years of experience in the industry. For mroe information vissit www.allprintmarketing.com

LUNCHEON

Held at The Centre at Arbor Connection

5-6 p.m. | Free for members | $20 Guests

SAMANTHA GLASS & RICHARD BLOCK- ALLPRINT MARKETING & MEDIA SOLUTIONS

Noon - 1 p.m. | $20 for Members | $30 Guests Held at the Douglasville Conference Center

BUSINESS After Hours

Meet the backbones of the Chamber...our Diplomats! Each month we will highlight two of our members who go above and beyond to make YOUR Chamber the best it can be!

POWER

The Georgia Power Coffee Card Exchanges are held on the second Thursday of each month from 8 -9 a.m. at various host locations throughout Douglas County. The Georgia Power Coffee Card Exchange is a great way to jump-start your day, as you have an opportunity to meet an average of 100 business and community leaders, while enjoying coffee and a light breakfast.

WellStar Douglas Hospital 8954 Hospital Drive West Georgia Technical College 4600 Timber Ridge Drive Jones-Wynn Funeral Home 2189 Midway Road Central Baptist Church 5811 Central Church Road City of Douglasville 6700 Church Street Hightowers Memorial Chapel 7034 Broad Street LAST AVAILABLE SPONSORSHIP FOR 2016! Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven 8640 Rose Avenue Church at Chapelhill 5357 Chapel Hill Road Crossroads Church 5960 Stewart Parkway Diamonds Forever Arbor Place Mall | Douglasville Douglas County Government 8700 Hospital Drive

DIPLOMAT SPOTLIGHTS OF THE MONTH

6700 Church Street | Douglasville

February 16

Sponsored by Google

November 8

June 21

Thanks to Elected Officials Speaker

Leadership Douglas Graduation

Sponsored by DC Economic Development Authority

Sponsored by West Georgia Technical College

Industry Luncheon

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS After Hours 5:30 p.m.

connection

January 14 April 21 August 18 December 15 Annual Pub Crawl

Wellstar1/2 pg

October 18

Heroes Luncheon Speaker

May 17

KIMBERLY DECENZO- COMCAST SPOTLIGHT

It used to be simple. When watching television everyone gathered around one TV, but now they watch television and get their media on many different devices in many different places. However, you still need to inform them about your products or services. Comcast Spotlight can help you do that! We utilize all the screens people watch and all the places they watch them – delivering your message on over 50 networks including online networks like AMC, HGTV, Bravo, FoxNews, TNT, and ESPN. If you want to target your customers where and when they watch television with your message, creating less advertising dollar waste – Spotlight can help. Contact: Kimberly DeCenzo, (470) 214-5957, Kimberly_DeCenzo@cable.comcast.com.

3rd THURSDAYS 21-40 year olds welcome

Networking Breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Lunch ‘N Learn Noon - 1 p.m.

February 18 May 19 July 21 October 20

March 17 June 16 September 15 November 17

**No Spetember Business After Hours and December Luncheon**

Give the Gift of Heart Health Basic Risk Assessment – $49 Give yourselfor or a one one a gift a gift of health Give yourself aloved loved with Know Your • Age 18+ with Know Your Heart, Heart,ofahealth screening program designed to determine risk of • BMI a screening program designed to • Wellness survey heart determine disease,riskstroke and other serious conditions. of heart disease,

stroke and other serious conditions.

• EKG (Afib screen) • Blood pressure • Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides,

Each Know Your Heart participant receives aGlucose, personalized CRP, liver function) Each Know Your Heart participant • Risk Screen Questionnaire reportreceives with atest results, reviewed with a WellStar Medical personalized report with (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHF) test results, reviewed with Medicine a WellStar Group, Cardiovascular provider. The consultation Advanced Risk Assessment – $139 Medical Group, Cardiovascular also inlcudes risk factor education, diet, weight • Age 40+and exercise Medicine provider. The consultation • BMI recommendations. also includes risk factor education, • Wellness survey diet, weight and exercise recommendations.

• EKG (Afib screen) • Blood pressure • Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides,

Basic Risk Assessment - $49 • Age 18+ • BMI • Wellness survey • EKG (Afib screen) • Blood pressure Advanced Risk Assessment - $139 • Age 40+ • BMI • Wellness survey • EKG (Afib screen) • Blood pressure • Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Glucose, CRP, liver function)

• Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Glucose, CRP, liver function) • Risk Screen Questionnaire (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHG)

• Risk Screen Questionnaire (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHG) • CT heart screen (coronary calcium)* • 10 year cardiovascular disease risk score

Heart Screen - $99 • CT heart screen (coronary caldium)*

Glucose, CRP, liver function)

• Risk Screen Questionnaire Offered in Marietta, Acworth, East Cobb and Woodstock. (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHF) • CT heart screen (coronary calcium)* • 10 year cardiovascular disease risk score

Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to Heart Screen – $99 or $149 per couple CT heart screen (coronary calcium)* determine eligibility and• to schedule an appointment.

Offered in Marietta, Acworth, East Cobb and Woodstock.

Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to

* Coronary calcium scores read by a WellStar radiologist.

Chamber Matters, January 2016

COFFEE CARD

Chamber Matters, January 2016

SPONSORED BY

4600 Timber Rdige Drive Douglasville, GA 30135 www.westgatech.edu

BUSINESS After Hours SPONSORED BY:

Chairmans Club

THE CHAIRMANS CLUB IS THE CHAMBER’S EXCLUSIVE LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP FEATURING TOP EXECUTIVES IN DOUGLASVILLE AND DOUGLAS COUNTY. MEET THREE OF OUR MEMBERS!

Steve Daniel

Gabe & Tami Toups 6716 Church Street Douglasville, GA 30135 770. 765.1951

CORNER

WGTC is dedicated to helping students achieve their highest potential in technical education and career advancement. Whether you are looking to advance in your current job or gain the skills for an entirely new career field, West Georgia Tech offers over 100 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study that prepare you to excel in today’s technically advanced, global economy. WGTC’s focus is on student success and workforce development that enhances our communities. They offer flexible class schedules, multiple campus locations and the latest in technology to provide our students a superior learning environment. Students enjoy clubs, organizations and activities and a range of NJCAA athletic programs to help them grow inside and outside the classroom. The dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing a fulfilling and satisfying learning experience through the highest quality instruction and customer service.

Jason Wellman

Google strives to maintain the open culture often associated with startups, in which everyone is a hands-on contributor and feels comfortable sharing ideas and opinions. Their offices and cafes are designed to encourage interactions between Googlers within and across teams, and to spark conversation about work as well as play.

Gary Miller

GreyStone Power Corporation is a member-owned electric cooperative dedicated to providing our members with the best electric service at the lowest possible rates. Because GreyStone is locally owned and operated, customers, known as members, receive responsive and focused service. Located on the west side of Atlanta, GreyStone Power serves portions of eight metropolitan Atlanta counties including Douglas, Paulding, Fulton, Coweta, Cobb, Fayette, Carroll, and Bartow. GreyStone Power is a nonprofit cooperative incorporated under Georgia law.

Chamber Matters, January 2016

JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS Chamber Closed for New Year’s Day

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Youth Leadership Douglas Spring Retreat

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Leadership Douglas Wellness Day

8 – 9:30 a.m. Good Morning Connections Leads Group at the Chamber BIG Success Leads Group at West Georgia Technical College 9 a.m. Workforce Development Meeting at the DC Economic Development Authortiy

2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Youth Leadership Douglas Meeting

12 p.m. Diplomats Meeting

8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Georgia Power Coffee Card Exchange sponsored by WellStar Douglas 5:30 p.m. YPC 3rd Thursday Networking Event-Location TBA

Chamber Closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

8 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting 9:30 a.m. Young Professionals Connection Committee Meeting 12 p.m.- 1 p.m. GreyStone Power Luncheon sponsored by Dennis T. Connally, CPA, P.C. at the Douglasville Conference Cetner f eaturing Economist Rajeev Dhawan from GSU.

9 a.m. Chamber Seminar Series - Tax Returns: How to Keep More of What You Make and Important Tax Changes to Be Aware of for Your Business. Presented by: T. Dennis Connally, P.C, CPA

8 a.m. Good Morning Connections Leads Group at the Chamber BIG Success Leads Group at West Georgia Technical College

9 a.m. Small Business Committee Meeting 2 p.m. Government Affairs Meeting

5 – 6 p.m. Comcast Business After Hours sponsored by City of Douglasville

Chamber Matters, January 2016

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! CAT’S MEOW CLEANING SERVICES Matthew Nada - Owner/Operator (770) 508-9047 THE WRITING PAD Dr. Deborah Johnson-Blake (770) 648-3895 THE MASTERS HANDS BY L&J, LLC Jackie Bartley - Co-Owner (770) 633-5257 THE HOME DEPOT Natalie Wilson - Store Manager 7399 Douglas Blvd. Douglasville, GA 30135 (770) 577-8311 APPLIANCE LIQUIDATION OUTLET, INC Todd Hester - CEO 7214 Douglas Blvd. Suite C Douglasville, GA 30135 (678) 503-8332 SAKURA SUSHI & GRILL, LLC Binh Mora 4900 Stewart Mill Rd. Suite J

Douglasville, GA 30135 (678) 391-1906

NOVEMBER RENEWING MEMBERS BANK OF THE OZARKS BILLY C. UPTON AGENCY, INC. CABIN FEVER ROASTERS CARROS METAL CONCEPTS, INC. CWC, LLC EDWARD JONES - ROCKY CLAY EXPRESS OIL CHANGE-DOUGLAS BLVD. EXPRESS OIL CHANGE-THORNTON RD. FINLEY DRYWALL, INC. GEORGIA’S OWN CREDIT UNION GREEN TREE DAY SPA HAWKINSON, MUCHNICK & ASSOCIATES, P.C. LA SALSA LASER DIMENSIONS, LLC MCMASTER-CARR SUPPLY CO. MITCHELL APPLIANCE COMPANY ROME BRAVES SEWELL PRINTING SERVICES, INC. TODD ELDREDGE CPA, PC WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

2015 Reflections from the Chair Thank YOU! A year ago, I finished my greetings message by writing,“finally, thank you for allowing and trusting me to serve as your 2015 Chair. I look forward to serving our membership.”As my term as Chairman comes to an end, let me thank you for supporting me through your kind words and endless encouragement. It has truly been a great experience for me personally and professionally to serve our membership. I have made lasting friendships and have polished up my English thanks to s erving as the emcee at all of our networking events! Looking back at 2015, we had another great year in which we conducted over 35 networking events, 60 Ribbon Cuttings, our 70th Annual Awards Banquet, our always fun Chamber Raffle and the largest Chamber Golf & Tennis Classic to date. We also continued with our great community programs Leadership Douglas and Youth Leadership Douglas. We ended the year with a Big Thank You by enlisting our Board Members and Diplomats to visit all of our members to personally thank them during Member Appreciation Month and then hosted everyone for the annual Member Appreciation Cookout at the Chamber. I am grateful to all our volunteer leaders who played a significant role in making the Cookout the best attended ever! In 2015, we were also able to launch several new programs and expand and improve existing programs to better benefit our membership. In January, Chamber CHOW, a program implemented to support our local restaurants and engage our residents, launched. Highlighting a different member restaurant weekly has been very successful, and the Chamber will continue in partnership with the Douglas County Sentinel on this program in 2016. Our Young Professionals Connection had a tremendous year with programs focused towards the millennials in our community including the inaugural Executive Mentorship Program and the 4th Annual Cornhole Tournament which raised over $6,000 towards high school and young professional continuing education scholarships. In addition, the Board of Directors implemented a fund on behalf of our monthly luncheon speakers creating an additional scholarship to a graduating high school senior. Our monthly feature,“I am the Chamber,”highlighted a culturally diverse business or member monthly in our publications to create a cultural awareness within Douglas County. This summer, the Chamber launched a new benefit to our members by introducing the Virtual Business Solutions Center that will assist with many aspects of business needs. We have had a busy year and many successful events and programs. All of our achievements in great part are due to the leadership of our President and CEO Kali Boatright and her amazing team. I know that their dedication and support made my role as Chairman a lot easier, and for that I am extremely appreciative. My business has been a member of Chamber since 1987, and I am proud of Kali and her team for running a very successful and financially stable organization that truly is the voice of business in our community. I am also thankful to all of our Board Members and Diplomats for their dedication, support and service to the Chamber. As I say my goodbye, I would also like to thank my family for their support and encouragement. It has been a great year, and I look forward to continuing my service as Immediate-Past Chair as I support our 2016 Chairman Greg Williams with Kaiser Permanente. I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming networking events. Thank you, Rosco Sayyar DC Chamber 2015 Chairman of the Board