2010-2011 THEME: Band of Businesses….Lean, Mean, Fighting Machines
July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011
BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
Marketing
· Partnered with Currahee Graphics to offer all members 24/7 web presence and online marketing support services with setting up Facebook, web page, web site and banner ads.
· Created Business Guides for each of the business sectors to display in the Welcome Center: Service & Professionals; Medical & Healthcare; Shop, Eat & Stay in T-SC; Hiking Trails; Churches, Civic Groups, Military & Non-Profits; Re-locating to Toccoa-Stephens County
Networking
· Conducted 3 “Network Toccoa” meetings in partnership with WNEG Radio AM 630
· Q4-Roll out an online version of “Network Toccoa”
Education
· Partnered with Currahee Graphics to present two classes on Social Media, Web Sites & Online Marketing Strategies
· Organized the annual “Drugs Don’t Work” conference
· Partnered with UGA Small Business Development Center to present a free workshop on “Finding Business on the Internet, Locating Government Contracts and Using Social Media Marketing”
· Partnered with North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) Business Coach and Resource Center to provide one-on-one coaching for small businesses
Buy Local
· Provided free online “Hot Deal” advertising
· Partnered with Main Street and WNEG Radio AM 630 to market the Holiday Hot Deals Buy Local program in all media avenues including radio, newspaper, printed bag stuffers, banners and a billboard on Big A Road.
Membership
· Started year with 407 members and today we have 404. We have a market penetration rate of 84%. We’ve added 37 members and lost 48 for a retention rate of 88%.
· Conducted 3 Membership Orientations
· Conducted 4 Business Spotlights and 11 Business After Hours
· Published electronic “Weekly Chamber Updates” and recorded Weekly Updates on WNEG Radio AM 630
· Maintain active Facebook, YouTube and Blog accounts
· Continuously enhance the web site and receive over 1,500 hits per month. The online Business Directory pages receive over 5,000 hits each month. Members can track hits to their pages, too!
· Host the Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon to recognize business leaders with over 120 attending
· The “Ambassadors Challenge” to meet one-one-one with every member and conduct Member Survey Interviews to identify top challenges facing their businesses. Host the Ambassador-of-the-Year Luncheon to recognize and reward accomplishments.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
· T-SC was featured in the July2010 issue of “Georgia Trend” business magazine
· Partnered with TFC, SBDC, NGTC, SCORE and ACE to develop a Business Plan Competition. Kicked it off with an Entrepreneur Luncheon with all resource provider partners, hosted an After Hours EXPO, secured over $1,200 worth of prizes for the winner.
· Partnered with the Farm Bureau to conduct an Agri-Business Spotlight on the Dean Farm & Q4-Spotlight on the Cannery
· Conducted 13 Ribbon Cutting ceremonies with pictures in the Toccoa Record, spots on WNEG Radio AM 630 and slides on Northland Communications Community Channel: 3 new business; 7 new locations and/or expansion; 3 new owners. Jobs created and investment made is TBD.
Retail Attraction
· Updated the Retail Marketing brochure and used it to recruit retail at the “International Shopping Center” conference
· Assisted Sears and other franchises with recruiting new owners
· Contracted with “Retail Works” to promote T-SC to the Top 10 retailers to recruit
Tourism
· Received the certified “Camera Ready” designation by the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office to assist in attracting film and TV production.
· Welcome Center greeted 13,000 people and sold over $1,500 of Toccoa T-shirts, jams, honey, BBQ sauce and fried peanuts. Mailed Relocation Packets and gave out Newcomer Bags. Trained 15 volunteers to work in the Welcome Center from the “Georgia Works” and “Legacy Link” programs as well as NGTC and Toccoa Falls College interns.
· Submit monthly promotions of T-SC events to media and Community magazines
· Hosted a luncheon for the Tourism Sector businesses in preparation for “Currahee Military Weekend”
· Partnered with the Historical Society, Mainstreet Toccoa, Civil Air Patrol, American Legion, VFW and many other sponsors and volunteers to host the Currahee Military Weekend events including serving 1,000 chickens at the BBQ, organizing over 409 runners for the “Currahee Challenge”, and over 300 at the Hangar Dance. Other events include a Memorabilia Show, Veterans Parade, Opening Ceremonies, Airport Show with Dixie Wing Air Force, Military and Re-enactor demonstrations, Dinner Banquet and Sunday Remembrance Service and 21 Gun Salute.
· Attended the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Tourism Day at the Capitol, participated in the State Welcome Center in Lavonia events including “Georgia for the Holidays” and “Georgia on My Mind” tourism day
· Partnered with Great Southern Publishers to complete the final phase of the State Tourism Co-Operative Grant: Phase 1-conduct a community branding survey, Phase 2-design a new Chamber logo and an ad for July Georgia Trend Magazine, Phase 3-develop a new community brochure and postcard.
· Promoted the plans for developing the “Tugaloo Corridor” and the Corridor events. Sponsored the “Tour de Tugaloo” bike ride.
· Serve on the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance Executive Committee and promote all the events including the Golf Trail, Wakeboard Championship Series and PWC Watercross Tournaments.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County
Assist with recruiting, class development and graduation. Coordinate “Youth Leadership Day at the Capitol” trip. Promote the Why Toccoa? class project. Graduated 16 adults and 12 youths.
Education
· Partnered with the D.O.L. and the school system to bus 70/500 11th and 12th graders to the annual Job Fair. There were 21 businesses there with 37 job openings, 11 resource agencies exhibiting and300 job seekers visitors.
· Partnered with the School System to deliver the School System’s Annual Report Forum Luncheon with over 110 attending.
· Partnered with the School System to promote the Career Fair with over 300 8th graders and over 40 businesses
· Sponsored the STAR Student Sara Porter and Teacher Wynette Neal. Partnered with the School System to host a reception to present the awards
· Sponsored the NGTC “GOAL Awards” program
· Hosted a reception for students with top ACT, SAT and ASSET scores. Presented each student with a Resolution from our State House of Representatives signed by Representative Michael Harden
· Supported the Business-After-Hours for the 90+ “Partners-in-Education” and toured the new high school construction
Government Affairs
· Hosted a “Pre & Post Legislation Session Coffee” with Senator Butterworth, Representative Harden and legislative aides
· Organized a delegation to attend the Georgia Chamber’s Eggs & Issues event
· Partnered with the Development Authority, City and County to organize a delegation to attend Toccoa-Stephens County, Fireworks Over Toccoa Day at the Capitol
Citizens Advisory Panel Against Litter and Blight
· Meet monthly to hear the Marshal’s citation reports and prepare recommendations to the City and County Commissioners. Resolutions were signed by both the City and County Commissioners.
· Q4-Present the first Beautification Award
Humane Shelter
Meet regularly to hear progress on moving the Animal Control operation to the old jail and build a new Humane Shelter for T-SC.
Organizational Effectiveness
· Met funding goal from Currahee Military Weekend fundraisers: BBQ and Currahee Challenge
· Identified fundraising partnerships with NEGA CASA and Sonic Drive-In
· Completed application to receive accreditation designation by the Georgia Chamber
· Successful Golf Tournament Fundraiser in “co-op-petition” with Franklin County
