January 2008
IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR MEMBERS
47th Annual Meeting
Over Two Hundred and Seventy Chamber members and their guests attended the 47th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, held on January 10th at Cross Creek County Club. Billy Prim, Co-Owner of the Winston-Salem Warthogs Baseball Team, CEO – Primo Water Corporation and Founder- Blue Rhino gave a wonderful review of his struggles and accomplishments as an entrepreneur of numerous companies. The theme for this years event was the Ball Park with Chamber Ambassadors sporting Warthogs game jerseys, the crowd participating in a seventh inning version of Take Me Out To The Ballgame and door prizes such as Warthog caps, balls and game tickets being awarded at the end of the evening. The annual meeting was deemed a tremendous success and a lot of fun for those who attended. The 2007 Citizen of the Year was announced - Virginia Rogers, a retired social services worker with Surry County was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award for her continued selfless dedication to helping our local senior citizen population. Mrs. Rogers is an exemplary role model for all of us! Congratulations Virginia Rogers! The annual meeting was deemed a tremendous success and a lot of fun for those who attended.
A special thanks to our sponsors…………………….
EVENT SPONSOR: RBC Centura
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS: Bank of America – BB&T – BB&T Blue Ridge Burke – Carolina Carports, Inc. – Duke Energy Carolinas- Embarq – Granite Development, LLC - Haynes Strand and Company, PLLC – Northern Hospital of Surry County – Select Staffing – SouthData, Inc.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR SPONSOR: Workforce Carolina
Travel & Tourism Division
VisitorCenter
Assisted 1821 walk-in visitors in December and 916 phone calls for the month.1680 Visitors Guides were mailed out in the month of December through direct Advertising and Visitor Requests with over 60 of those going to Canada, Ireland and The United Kingdom. The top five States that visited the center were NC, SC, VA, GA and FL. The center assisted several International Visitors from Canada and China.
The new website has been launched and we invite you to visit it at www.visitmayberry.com and register for our NEW E-Letter
Visitor Center hours are Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 1pm - 4pm.
Occupancy tax revenue through November 2007 +28% over previous year!
Advertising Booked
AAA Go Magazine-Co-op Ad March/ 2008,
Southern Living Magazine Co-Op AD April 2008,
Oprah Magazine May 2008.
Women’s Day (April/May 2008)
Family Fun Magazine (April.May 2008)
AAA Homeaway (April/May 2008)
Our State Magazine-Feb 08, April 2008, May 2008, June 2008)
Blue Ridge Country Magazine (Jan/Feb 2008, July, August, September, October, November, December 2008)
Traveler Vacation Guide-NC Newspaper Insert Fall/Winter 2008 (Targeting NC, OH, Va)
Our State Triad Adventures Book-Greensboro Hotels-Year Round,
Winston Salem Monthly Magazine (Jan/Feb 2008)
Winston Salem Visitors Guide New 2008 Official Visitors Guide
NC Outdoor Recreation Guide 2008
The Official NC Travel Guide-2008
Blue Ridge Parkway Directory-Official 2008 guide
Blue Ridge Parkway Guidebook-New 2008
We Save Ad (NC Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus Co-op AD- a discount savings program exclusively for public employees-Nov 07-May 07)
TRAVEL & MARKETING TRENDS
American Farmers are Selling Fun and Leisure – and Food on the Side - “The Kiplinger Agriculture Letter” featured agritourism in a recent issue. While farms produce our food, more and more, they're serving up our recreation, vacations and favorite pastimes. Called agritourism, or recreational agriculture, it has farmers and ranchers providing a lot more of Americans' fun along with their food. “For most people, there's no grandpa's farm anymore," explained Martha Glass, agritourism manager for the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture. "Few of those in their 30s and 40s -- those with kids -- have family connections on a farm today," she says, but they still want to get out into the countryside. And farm-based recreation tends to be reasonably close, affordable and family-oriented, she points out. To find out more, visit http://www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/Tourists_Flock_to_the_Farm_080129.html.
Membership Division
Business After Hours
· March 6, 2008 – 5:30-7:00pm All In One Portrait Studios 788 West Lebanon Street Mount Airy, NC
· March 13, 2008 – 5:30-7:00pm MRI Mayberry Group Inc.
107 West Independence Blvd. Suite 200 Mount Airy, NC
Thanks to Brintle’s Homestyle Restaurant and Marilyn’s At The Lodge for hosting Business After Hours during January. Both events were well received with Chamber members sampling great appetizers and building new relationships. These two events were attended by 90+ Chamber members and their guests!Hosting a Business After Hours is a great way to show off your business while meeting and networking with other Chamber Members and their guests! For more information about planning a Business After Hours event for 2008 call the office today…336-786-6116 X 4
The Chamber’s monthly calendar along with current event photos can be viewed at www.mtairyncchamber.org …just click on chamber calendar tab. Community events and entertainment can be viewed by clicking on the community events tab. We encourage you to visit the Chamber calendar so that you don’t miss any of our upcoming events and programs and to visit the community event calendar so you can support local events
Upcoming Dates/ Events/Programs/Meetings
· Chamber Ambassador Meeting - Friday February 15, 2008 12 noon in the upstairs board room at the Chamber
· Chamber Executive Meeting - Thursday February 21, 2008 Hampton Inn Mount Airy 7:00am
· Chamber Board Meeting - Thursday February 21, 2008 Hampton Inn Mount Airy 8:00am
· Business/Workforce Development Committee Meeting - Tuesday February 26, 2008 12noon in the upstairs board room at the Chamber
· Travel & Tourism Relocation Committee Meeting - Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 10:00am in the upstairs board room at the Chamber
· Annual Awards Luncheon – Thursday March 27, 2008 Cross Creek Country Club Mount Airy 12noon
· Career Fair – Wednesday April 2, 2008 National Guard Armory Mount Airy 8:00am – 5:00pm
· Administrative Professional’s Day – Wednesday April 23, 2008 Cross Creek Country Club Mount Airy 12noon
· Annual Golf Tournament – Thursday May 8, 2008 Cross Creek Country Club Mount Airy NC
· Greater Mount Airy Day at Ernie Shore Field – Sunday June 22, 2008 Ernie Shore Field Winston-Salem, NC 3:30pm
Chamber Surprise Patrol
The Chamber Surprise Patrol made up of the Chamber’s Ambassadors Club and the Chamber Staff are working on the 2008 schedule. The Chamber Surprise Patrol will be making surprise visits to our members real soon…will you be next?
Public Policy Division
U.S.LEGISLATION NEWS
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Supports these Bills…………………………….
Peru Free Trade Agreement – H.R. 3688 – United States – Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act – The chamber supports trade legislation that brings tangible commercial benefits to American workers, farmers, and companies while advancing the foreign policy interests of the United States.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You* - This bill will implement the Trade Promotion Agreement that the President signed in 12/2005. This agreement will immediately eliminate tariffs on 80% of U.S. industrial and consumer product exports
***President Bush signed the legislation into law December 14, 2007***
Terrorism Risk Insurance –H.R. 2761 – Terrorism Risk Insurance revision and Extension Act of 2007- The Chamber supports long-term extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act because it sparks economic activity that might not otherwise occur due to fear of terrorist attacks and the limited availability of terrorism insurance in the private sector.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You – this bill would extend for seven years a government insurance backstop to help businesses insure against catastrophic losses suffered as a result of a terrorist attack.
***Passed the House December 18, 2007 – Next Step- President’s Signature***
The U. S. Chamber Opposes these Bills……………………………………………….
Climate Change – S. 2191- America’s Climate Security Act– The Chamber opposes S. 2191 because it does not address the international nature of global climate change, promote accelerated technology develop0ment, preserve American jogs and the economy, reduce barriers to development of climate-friendly energy sources, or promote energy efficiency measures.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You* –Rather than promote greenhouse gas reducing technologies such as clean coal or nuclear energy, this bill addresses global warming by requiring American companies to reduce emissions to 15% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 70% below those levels by 2050.
***Voted Out of the Senate committee December 5, 2007- Next Step – Senate Vote***
ADA Expansion – S. 1881 –Americans with Disabilities Act Restoration Act of 2007 – The Chamber opposes this bill because it would expand the opportunity for frivolous litigation and would destroy the delicate balance of interests that permitted ADA to enacted with broad support.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You* -S. 1881 would change the definition of disability so that any individual with an impairment such as poor eyesight correctable by wearing glasses, would be considered disabled and would trigger the employer’s duty to accommodate. ADA’s current definition of disability requires individuals to have an impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major lice activities.
***Senate committee hearing held November 15, 2007 – Next Step – Committee Vote***
Redefining Supervisors- H.R. 1644 – Redevelopment of Skilled and professional employees and construction trade workers (RESPECT) Act. The Chamber opposes this unnecessary and far-reaching bill, which flies in the face of more than 50 years of settled labor law.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You*- This bill would change the National Labor Relation Act’s definition of supervisor so that more management employees would be included in union bargaining units. The bill would exclude all management employees who do not spend a majority of time performing supervisory responsibilities from an exemption under current labor law and subject them to union organizing and union discipline.
***Voted our of House Committee 9/19/2007 – Next Step - House Vote
***For the latest go to http://www.uschambermagazine.com***
N.C. LEGISLATION NEWS
To look up a N.C. bill to view the full text and find its status, visit http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl
Last Action on Bills with Actions in 2007http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/lastaction/lastaction.pl?bPrintable=true&Biennium=2007&SessionNumber=1&StartIndex=100
The North Carolina Chamber's two-part newsletter called THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITAL has moved to the Chamber's website. Check out the Chamber's Competitiveness Update for new bills and changes in status on recurring bills as well as read about the hot topics in the capital city this week: http://www.ncchamber.net/mx/hm.asp?id=ThisWeek
Business/Workforce Development Division
Economic Census
More than 4 million businesses have received a questionnaire from the U.S. Census Bureau. Here are some facts about the economic census and why you need to respond.
Q: What is the economic census?
A: The economic census, conducted every five years by the Census Bureau since 1810, measures business activity throughout the country.
Q: What information is Census looking for?
A: Number of employees, annual payroll, and the value of goods and services provided during calendar year 2007 are some of the business details Census is seeking.
Q: What are the data used for?
A: Federal agencies use the data to measure economic activity, including monthly retail sales and gross domestic product. State and local agencies use the findings to assess their economic development and to conduct regional planning.
Q: How does the information benefit businesses?
A: The economic census provides businesses of all sizes with data allowing them to gauge the competition, calculate market share, locate markets and distributors, choose new site locations and sales territories, and evaluate opportunities.
Q: What's new this year?
A: Questions about franchising, outsourcing, and health and pension benefit expenses were added to some of the 500 different census forms to better measure changing business characteristics.
Q: Do I have to respond? What happens if I don't?
A: The Census Bureau is required by law to conduct the economic census. Businesses that receive a form are required by law to respond or face a $5,000 fine.
Q: When is the due date?
A: Responses, which are confidential, are due by February 12. Results will be available in early 2009.
Mount Airy 2007 Permits and Alterations Annual Report
· YTD New Construction Permits in Mount Airy $ 22,040,105
· YTD New Commercial Alterations in Mount Airy $ 2,278,000
· New Residential & Alterations Permits
52 total permits $3,085,500
24 located in the ETJ $1,170,800
Holiday Sales Numbers
According to TNS Retail Forward, total holiday 2007 sales (including on-line, mass retailers, home goods, etc.) grew 3.4% over 2006. On-line and catalog sales were up 10.2%, home goods were up 1.7%, mass retailers experienced a decline.
Education
Youth Leadership
Youth Leadership students will meet on February 13th for the Law Enforcement session. Remaining course topics for the program include Local Government, followed with State Government which includes a trip to Raleigh and a year End Celebration and Year End Review. Youth Leadership is patterned after the adult Leadership program.
Upcoming Business Seminars
|
Business Related Seminars through Surry Community College |
|
Schedule |
Days |
Time |
Location |
CST |
Instructor |
|
How to Start a Successful Business |
Feb 19 - Mar 18, 2008 |
6:30-9:30pm |
SCC, Room J103 |
Free |
Roy High |
|
Traits of Successful People |
Mar 4, 2008 |
11:00am-2:00pm |
Workforce Development Center, Mount Airy
Room 111 |
Free |
Tim Dannelly |
|
Networking for Results |
Mar 5, 2008 |
1:30-4:30pm |
Yadkin Center
Room 216 |
Free |
Denise Ryan |
|
Beyond the Basics: Starting an eBay Store |
Mar 13, 2008 |
6:00-9:00pm |
SCC, Room J-115 |
Free |
Nick Hawks |
|
Refresh, Rejuvenate, Refocus: The Professional Woman's Guide for Success |
Apr 24, 2008 |
1:30-4:30pm |
SCC, Presidents' Dining Room |
Free |
Linda Rozelle |
|
Business Bookkeeping |
May 6, 2008 |
6:30-9:30pm |
SCC, Room J-103 |
Free |
Jerry Sawyers |
|
Understanding Payroll |
May 13, 2008 |
6:30-9:30pm |
SCC, Room J-103 |
Free |
Jerry Sawyers |
Business Continuity Planning and Your Business –
Wednesday February 20th 9:00am -11:00am Cross Creek Country Club Mount Airy.
No Charge but must pre-register at steve@smarttsolutions.org or (336) 352-3832.
Service and Equipment companies are now being required to have Business Continuity Plans in place by their customers. Smart Solutions can develop and write Continuity Business Plans so during an emergency either internal or external critical services to customers will not be disrupted.
Career Fair – April 2, 2008 8:00am – 5:00pm - National Guard Armory located at 185 Patrol Station Road Mount Airy.
The Career Fair will open at 8am – 3pm for Surry County high school juniors interested in career information; 3pm – 5pm for the general public seeking employment opportunities.
Last years event was a tremendous success and this year promises to be even better. If you are interested in participating please contact Merry Alice Davis at mdavis@mtairy.k12.nc.us
Chamber Member Programs
New Programs
Want to Increase Your Business and Save Money?
Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce members prefer to do business with one another whenever possible because it means doing business with people whom you know and trust, and it keeps our hard-earned dollars close to home.
Through the Chamber’s new Member-to-Member Program, members can voluntarily choose to offer discounts to other members. With hundreds of Chamber members, the Program has the potential to significantly increase your business.
As the Program’s popularity grows, you’ll also save money on all sorts of products and services you use everyday, simply by doing business with fellow Chamber members. Remember to ask the businesses you frequent if they offer member-to-member discounts.
To participate, contact the Chamber at membership@mtairyncchamber.org or call 336-786-6116 ext. 4.
Business Bulletin Board is the Chamber’s newest communication tool not only with our membership but with the general public. In partnership with the Mount Airy News, a weekly column (every Tuesday) titled Business Bulletin Board will share chamber news with the readership. If you have business news that you would like to share with the membership please forward to president1@mtairyncchamber.org. for consideration.
Ongoing Programs
The Good Neighbors Program has been a big success from the member’s standpoint and from the Chambers standpoint. We have been able to sit down and talk face to face with our members without taking away from their daily work routines by having lunch together. Thanks to our Chamber member, Sagebrush for making the Good Neighbor’s Program possible. Photos from previous Good Neighbors Program are on our website. We hope to be contacting your business to join us for lunch real soon!
Gifts/Rewards/Incentives
Looking for an employee gift, reward, incentive … while keeping dollars in the community? CertifiChecks is a gift certificate program offered by the GMACC redeemable only at Chamber member businesses. Log on to www.mtairyncchamber.org : go to Membership Information tab - Chamber Benefits tab.
Announcements
- Making its debut at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show, “My Theater Acoustic Panels™” from United Plastics Corp. of Mount Airy, N.C. improves speaker sound quality by reducing reflective sound waves that bounce off hard surfaces like walls, floors, and tables. These innovative acoustic panels improve speaker sounds, creating a rich listening experience. The 60-year old company which has served the automotive and building industries is entering the home consumer market with these fine acoustic panels and three additional new products that are also making their debut at the Consumer Electronics Show—My Theater Acoustic Professional Panels™ which offer premium absorption and sound quality; My Theater Walls™, a first of its kind sound absorbing wall covering; and dB-3 Sound, Air & Moisture Barrier™ for new home installation. dB-3 is designed to provide a high quality sub-surface wall and floor acoustical treatment that promotes noise reduction, energy efficiency, and acts as a moisture barrier. For more information go to www.mytheater.net
- John S. Clark Company is pleased to announce that Greg Savage, LEED AP and Senior Project Manager has assumed the role of Directory of Sustainable Construction. Greg will be the internal coordinator of LEED projects for Clark and develop training for Project Managers and Superintendents for green, sustainable and high performance buildings; also assuming the role of assuring that the company is up to date on environmental technologies, issues and news.
- The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce proudly announces that Yvonne Nichols, Executive Assistant of the Chamber has also been named Autumn Leaves Festival, Director. Yvonne has held an executive position with the Chamber for 15 years providing invaluable service to the membership organization. Yvonne has played an active and integral role in all stages of the Autumn Leaves Festival but now will plan, oversee and execute the annual festival. Recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events in 2006; the 42nd Annual Autumn Leaves Festival is slated for October 10th, 11th and 12th 2008.
- 2008 Community Guide and Membership Directory- We hope that you are enjoying your copy and will find it to be a useful and informative resource book. There are some changes that we would like for you to make in order to have the most current information.
Page 17…Music and Events – Merry-Go-Round & Saturday morning Jam Sessions – contact should be WPAQ Radio at 336.786.6111
Page 23…Business Broker…Liberty Business Partner… address should be 820 West Pine St. Suite B, Mount Airy, NC
Phone336.719.2345
Page 24…Dentists – Smith & Smith, DDS – phone number should be 336.789.5306 and no email address
Page 28…In column three the ad for Burke Robertson should be changed to Coldwell Banker Mount Valley Properties with a website of www.mvproperties.com …phone, fax and address correct.
If you need additional copies please stop by the chamber office.
- John S. Clark Company, LLC Celebrates Traditions and 50th Anniversary of Service
Over the years, John S. Clark Company LLC has grown from a start up to become the largest general contractor in the Triad and one of the largest in the Southeast. It has consistently been ranked in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 General Construction Firms in the U.S., and in The Business Journal's Top 5 General Construction Firms in North Carolina.
John S. Clark Company has completed projects in 24 states. With an annual payroll in excess of $18 million, payouts for goods and services of $250 million dollars, and many charitable interests, Clark continues to have a tremendous economic and social impact on the Triad. The company’s broad expertise covers industrial, commercial, multi- family, retail, health sciences, technology and church construction. Clark also handles tenant upfits and building improvement projects regardless of size. Nearly 300 employees work from the company’s headquarters in Mount Airy and at offices in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Wilmington.
Last month, John S. Clark announced a new Triad Commercial Division in Greensboro to better serve the changing needs of the Triad’s commercial-construction marketplace. Clark’s Winston-Salem office, home to the Retail Division, is undergoing a major expansion and a $600,000 renovation to keep up with growth in the retail-market sector. The Building Improvement Division (formerly known as Special Projects) will be moving to new space in downtown Winston- Salem at 11 Brookstown Avenue, as soon as renovations can be completed there.
- 2008 Better Business Bureau Marketplace Ethics Award
The Better Business Bureau is issuing the following announcement to all for-profit and non-profit businesses. “Does your business do the right thing when no one is looking?”
If the answer is yes, then this is a golden opportunity for your business to enter the 2008 BBB Marketplace Ethics Awards to be held on Thursday March 20th 2008 at 11:15 am, in Winston-Salem North Carolina at the Benton Convention Center.
The BBB Marketplace Ethics Awards will be presented to companies who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to exceptional standards in relationships with their consumers, employees, suppliers, competitors, shareholders and communities. Applications must be received by February 8, 2008. Awards will be presented in five different categories during a gala luncheon.
The awards are open to all for-profit and non-profit businesses in the Northwest North Carolina BBB service area. The BBB serves Ashe, Alleghany, Alexander, Caldwell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, Watauga, and Yadkin counties. A BBB membership is not required but nominees must be in good standing with the BBB.
An independent panel will judge all applicants, selecting 3 top finalists in each category from which a final winner will be chosen. As David Dalrymple, President and CEO of the BBB of Northwest North Carolina stated: “This is an exceptional opportunity to show the world your business is a leader with the highest ethical standards.”
To enter your company and to find out more about sponsorship opportunities or for reservations for the event: Visit www.BBBMarketplaceEthicsAwards.com or call 336-201-0787.
Congratulations
- Johnson Granite Inc. in Mount Airy was awarded “The Rocky Advertising Award” for 2007 from the Marble Institute of America (MIA). The Marble Institute recognizes the best advertising and promotional materials submitted by MIA members. The award was presented to Brian Johnson, vice president of the company, for Johnson Granite’s brochure. The brochure, which highlights the company’s design and installation of custom-crafted granite, marble and natural stone, was designed by OLA Design Works of Winston-Salem.
- Virginia’s Highland Course Named By Golf Digest As Top New Public Course In America
The Highland Course at Primland has been named at the top of the list of best new public courses in its category
in the U.S. in a poll conducted by Golf Digest and appearing in their January 2008 issue now in circulation.
The Virginia mountain masterpiece has been attracting media attention since it opened in 2006 and was named by Travel and Leisure Golf in 2007 as one of America’s best new courses.
Perched atop one of the highest ridges of the 12,000-acre resort, the course was designed by world-famous links course golf architect Donald Steel.
“The Golf Digest ranking is a testament to the imagination of its creator, who carved out the 18-hole championship course while retaining most of the natural terrain; and the local maintenance staff who have worked so diligently to maintain the fairways and greens to the highest level possible,” said Steve Helms, Vice President and General Manager of the golf, hunting and fishing resort.
As part of the property’s evolution, three new two-bedroom fairway cottages will open next spring and a new golf lodge is