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| Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc | April 2010 |
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Welcome Our Newest Members!
Farm Credit of Virginia
Ed Blevins
David Cuddy
John Graham
Clerk of Circuit Court |
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Business & Industry
Appreciation
Luncheon
Thursday
May 20
12:00-1:00pm
Riverfront Restaurant Chilhowie |
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Have an Upcoming Event?
Contact the Chamber office to have your event included on our Community Events Calendar and website events listing.
276-783-3161
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Have News to Share with Chamber Members?
Contact the Chamber office to have your news posted in our next Newsletter.
276-783-3161
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 A Commonwealth of Opportunity
Smyth County will join with the rest of the state in celebrating Business Appreciation Week, May 16-22, 2010. The theme for BAW 2010 is A Commonwealth of Opportunity. It is a celebration of the opportunities in Virginia, the "Number One State for Business," that businesses have to grow. In honor of Business Appreciation Week, the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County will be hosting a variety of events. We are working with businesses in Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville to plan Business Open House nights in each town. Throughout the week we will be visiting with local high school business and marketing classes to talk about business practices and leadership. On Thursday, May 20 the Chamber will host a Business and Industry Appreciation Luncheon event at the Riverfront Restaurant in Chilhowie. The luncheon will be from 12-1pm and will feature a presentation from a new local business. To get involved in these events, register for the luncheon, or for details, contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161. |
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 Chamber Open House and BAW Kickoff
The Chamber of Commerce will host a Spring Open House and Business Appreciation Week 2010 Kickoff on Monday, May 17 from 10:00am-2:00pm, at Chamber of Commerce Office in Marion. The event will celebrate the beginning of Business Appreciation Week and the 2010 theme: A Commonwealth of Opportunity. There will be details available regarding the week's events, as well as information for those interested in starting or growing a business in Smyth County. Drinks and snacks will be available and every visitor gets registered to win a door prize! For details contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161. |
 Director's Corner
Did you know that new Chamber members that join in the middle of the year can pro-rate their dues? Invite a new business or friend to become a member and share the savings. If the new member lists you as the referring member you can Ca$h in on our incentive program. Chamber Ca$h can be used toward attending a Chamber event or toward your next year's membership dues investment! For details contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161. |
 Family Fish & Biking Fun
The Chamber of Commerce will once again team with Hungry Mother State Park to host a day of family fun with the Bike Smyth County and Family Fish & Fun Day on Saturday, June 5. Events registration will begin at 8:00am. The Fishing Tournament will begin with 8:00am registration and continue until 12:00noon when all fish must be weighed in for competition. Bike Smyth County participants will begin their ride through the mountains at 9:00am. There are two trail options: the Family Ride of 16 miles and the Advanced Ride of 30 miles. This year, the Chamber will also host Kids' Sprint Races in the HMSP field at 11:00am. All riders must bring their own bikes and wear helmets!
The days events will conclude with a FREE hot dog lunch for all participants and awards ceremony from 12-12:30. There will be prizes, giveaways, and lots of family fun!
Want to make a donation or sponsor the event? Contact the Chamber: 276-783-3161.
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 Farmers' Markets Are Opening
With spring comes the opening of our local farmers' markets. The Marion Regional Farmers' Market will have it's official season opening on Saturday, May 8. The Market hours are Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00noon and Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00pm. The Marion Market will feature local produce and meats, organic products, crafts, flowers and vegetable plants, and more. For information about securing a booth at the Marion Regional Farmers' Market contact Ken Heath: 276-783-4190.
The Chilhowie Farmers' Market will also be opening for the spring season during the first week of May. Beginning on June 3, the Chilhowie Market will be open on Thursday evenings from 4:00-7:00pm. It will be located in the lot across from the Old Chilhowie High School. Opening at the start of the growing season, the Chilhowie the Market will focus on local produce. Those interested in selling at the Chilhowie Market should contact Kelly Spencer-Hill: 276-646-3232. |
 You-Link-Twit-Face Social Media Workshop - Coming Soon!
The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. is updating technology use by using social media, and we want to help you make the best use of these free online tools for your business! The Chamber is joining forces with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to sponsor "You-Link-Twit-Face" a social media for business workshop. The workshop will be held at the Old Chilhowie High School and Library on Thursday, August 26. The workshop is FREE for Chamber members, $10 for non-members. For details contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161. Follow the Chamber on Facebook. |
 Chamber Sponsors "Introduction to Exporting" Seminar
The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, along with Smyth County Economic Development, is sponsoring a FREE "Introduction to Exporting" seminar on Tuesday, May 4 at the Higher Education Center in Abingdon. The seminar is presented by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, office of International Trade. This opportunity will provide an interactive session about the fundamentals of exporting and export resources. The seminar is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required for participants. Registration form available online. |
 Memorial Day Parade Lemonade
The Chamber of Commerce will once again participate in the VFW Memorial Day Parade activities by setting up a lemonade stand. We will be moving our tent downtown so that patrons can more easily access our FREE lemonade. Look for the big green tent and be sure to stop by to visit with the Special Events Committee members.
Want to volunteer? Contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161. |
 Chamber Hosts Business Counseling
On April 27, the Chamber hosted Sandy Ratliff of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to conduct Entrepreneur Express Follow-up Sessions. These one-on-one business counseling sessions were designed to assist new business owners learn about new marketing strategies, how to register for eVA and become SWAM Certified, and how online reports and other free resources can help determine markets and customer targets. The Chamber continues to bring VDBA programs to Smyth County to help develop our small business sector. Be on the lookout for upcoming sessions such as the You-Link-Twit-Face Social Media Workshop on August 26. |
 Student Government Day
The Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Student Government Day event on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Students from across the county will be selected the shadow government and civic leaders for the day. The goal of the program is to raise awareness about the work and influence of various professionals in our community and to help students become more interested in being active in local government. Students will be hosted at various locations including each town hall, the county administration, and the Chamber of Commerce. |
 Seasons of Smyth County Photography Contest
The Spring submissions deadline for the "Seasons of Smyth County" Photography Contest is June 30. Help us share the beauty of Smyth County!
Winners will be chosen from each seasonal deadline in 2010 and an overall winner will be published as the cover of the Seasons of Smyth County photo book, to be published by the Chamber of Commerce in early 2011.
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 Disney Institute Draws A Crowd
The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. joined forces with the Washington County Chamber and others to sponsor the Disney Institute for Leadership training at Virginia Highlands Community College on April 22, 2010. The event was a great success with 105 attendees! VHCC hopes to bring the Disney Institute back for future training events. |
 Sesquicentennial Committee Offers Presentations
The Smyth County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is offering informational presentations for civic groups, historical and cultural organizations, and all Smyth County schools. Presentation Topics include "What Made the Civil War so Deadly," "How the Civil War Affects Us Today," "Moses Hendricks and the Campbell Guard," and more. Smyth County's volunteer committee is led by John Clark of Saltville and Dan Kegley of Chilhowie. If you are interested in learning more about this organization or having a speaker present to your group, please contact John Clark (276-496-7530) or Dan Kegley (276-646-5936).
|  Smyth County's 2010 Census Success
The Smyth County Complete Count Census Committee is celebrating the success that our county has had in completing the 2010 Census. Smyth County had a mail in completion rate of 77%! This rate is 7% higher than the county's 2000 Census mail in rate, 2% higher than the Virginia state average for 2010 and 5% higher than the 2010 national average!
Starting in May, Census takers will begin visiting homes that did not complete the form by the April 16 deadline. Thanks to all of our citizens for helping ensure that Smyth County Counts! |
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CHAMBER CA$H!
Want to earn some extra "cash?"
Make the Most of your Chamber Membership: Help the Chamber to recruit new members and earn "Chamber Cash" for yourself! For each new individual member you refer you can earn $10 credit and for each business or organization $15. "Chamber Cash" can be used toward almost any Chamber function, from events to next year's membership!
For more information contact the Chamber office at 276-783-3161.
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| | Upcoming Events
INTRODUCTION TO EXPORTING SEMINAR
May 4, 2010
9:00am-12:00pm
SWVA Higher Education Center, Abingdon
MARION REGIONAL FARMERS' MARKET SEASON OPENING
May 8, 2010
8:00am-12:00pm PROJECT CROSSROADS GOLF TOURNAMENTMay 8, 2010 Holston Hills Country Club
SMYTH COUNTY FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING 5K RUN
May 8, 2010
Marion Baptist Church
RELAY FOR LIFE DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
May 8, 2010
Northwood High School Gym
2:00pm
2ND ANNUAL SMYTH CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER CAR SHOW
May 8, 2010
SCTC, Seven Mile Ford
8:00am
MSHS VOLLEYBALL TEAM WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
May 8, 2010
MSHS Gymnasium
STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY
STRENGTHEN YOUR FACILITATION SKILLS - LEVEL 1 WORKSHOP
May 12-14
Crossroads Institute, Galax
BUSINESS APPRECIATION WEEK 2010
May 16-22, 2010
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN HOUSE AND BAW KICKOFF
May 17, 2010
10:00am-2:00pm
Chamber of Commerce Office, Marion
MARION DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OPEN HOUSE
May 18, 2010
5:00-7:00pm
Downtown Marion
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
May 20, 2010
12:00-1:00pm
Riverfront Restaurant, Chilhowie
CHILHOWIE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OPEN HOUSE
May 20, 2010
5:00-7:00pm
Downtown Chilhowie
ERIC ALBANO BEACH VOLLEYBALL MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
May 29, 2010
Hungry Mother State Park
VFW MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
May 31, 2010
Downtown Marion
FREE Lemonade from the Chamber of Commerce
10:00am
SMYTH COUNTY FAMILY FISH & FUN DAY
June 5, 2010
Hungry Mother State Park
8:00am
June 5, 2010
Hungry Mother State Park
9:00am
SPRING PHOTO SUBMISSION DEADLINE
June 30, 2010
Chamber of Commerce Office |
Contact the Chamber
Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc.
276.783.3161
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