Newsletter - February 2007

Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce

Business Briefs

February, 2007

IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR MEMBERS

Chamber Website/Database Update

Membership Verification Reports -
We have sent each of our members a letter that includes our current information on your business. Information such as business contacts, business address, email addresses, etc. We are asking that you review this information and respond back to us with any corrections or changes that need to be made. Since we are merging our database information into our website the accuracy of this information is critical to having a useful database and website. This information is not only how we communicate with you but also how the entire membership and website visitors communicate with you and your business. We have received 187 reports back…….
If you have not responded back with your correct information, please do so as soon as possible. Review the information and make any changes and or corrections then forward back to Robin Dollyhigh, our Membership Specialist.

Website Listing –
Each Chamber member has a listing under the business directory. This listing includes the business name, address, phone, contact, business website, map and an email option where the visitor can send an email directly to the business/company.
The Chamber can now offer each business an upgrade to their listing with the Enhanced Listing. This special feature enables the business to include up to two (2) photos and a description along with the features mentioned above to their Chamber listing for only an additional $50.00. This introductory offer is only available at this price for this year. The following businesses have been upgraded to the Enhanced Listing: SMARTTSOLUTIONS, Opie’s Candy Store and Management Recruiters, The Mayberry Group.

Why would a business consider upgrading to the enhanced listing?
One reason might be the average of 179,600+ website hits or 9700+direct visits to the Chamber’s website monthly….where else could you advertise to this potential customer base for $4.17 per month? Over the past 26 weeks we have averaged 2439 visits per week/9758 visits per month directly seeking out the Chamber’s website. Over the past 26 weeks we have had 1,153,018 website hits where the Chamber website was a possible site for additional information. We believe this is an invaluable tool to our membership. Please see the statistics below…..

Our website statistics for the past six months and two weeks were as follows:

August 2006 222,452 website hits 26 average pages per visitor 8590 visits
September 2006 286,429 website hits 28 average pages per visitor 10,331 visits
October 2006 463,022 website hits 33 average pages per visitor 13,942 visits
November 2006 210,245 website hits 29 average pages per visitor 7262 visits
December 2006 163, 422 website hits 17 average pages per visitor 9280 visits
January 2007 194,638 website hits 21 average pages per visitor 9226 visits
Thru February 14, 2007 75,369 website hits 18 average pages per visitor 4797 visits
1,153,018 hits 18 average pages per visitor 63,428 visits

Who is visiting our Website?
A sampling of our visitors this past month was:

AT&T Broadband….. UUNET Technologies…Virginia
America Online….Virginia Web TV Network…California
Imaging Assoc…South Carolina Global Crossing…California
Fibercon….Texas Wofford College…South Carolina
Telecommunications…Canada University of South Carolina
XO Communications…California Microsoft…..Washington
Fort Mills School District…South Carolina Verizon…….Virginia

Where are our visitors from?

1498 visits from North America
60 visits from Europe
14 visits from Asia
2 visits from Oceania
1 visit from Africa

What search engines are our visitors using to find us?
Netscape….. 1997
AOL………... 670
MSIE……….. 572

For a comparison of a complimentary listing and an enhanced listing please go to the chamber website at www.mtairyncchamber.org

A. click on the business directory tab -left hand side of page, second tab from the top at the next screen Business Directory….

B. enter business name in the search block - for the purpose of viewing a complimentary listing enter Mayberry on Main or enter business name in the search block - for the purpose of viewing an enhanced listing enter Opie’s Candy Store you can either search by all listings or by names ….once selected…. click search

C. search results screen comes up. click on Mayberry on Main for complimentary listing or click on Opie’s Candy Store for enhanced listing
other options available at the search screen…..a business name can be entered here…. example…. Hardy Tree Service or a category listing can be entered here….. example…. Landscaping.

D. at the business listing you can view their information (either the complimentary listing or the enhanced listing), email them directly, pull up a map to their business/company and if available visit their website.

The Enhanced Listing offers a business individuality, where it’s own unique personality can stand out. Being a visual person, if I can see a photo I am more apt to become interested verses having only text. Your business can stand out from the rest….call Robin Dollyhigh our Membership Specialist at 786-6116 ext. 4 for more details.

New Programs

TheChamber Surprise Patrol paid a surprise visit to Pinky Shelton and her staff at Bank of America. Pinky was greeted by Chamber Ambassadors with cookies, candy and balloons. The Chamber Surprise Patrol just wanted to let Pinky and the staff at Bank of America know how much we appreciate their support of the chamber! Photos from the surprise visit are on our website. The Chamber Surprise Patrol will be making surprise visits at least twice a month…will you be next?

The Member to Member Discount Program is currently being developed and we hope to be able to have it operational by April. This program will allow our members to offer discounts and specials to the Chamber membership through our Chamber website. Under the Membership Information tab will be the Member to Member Discount Program, participating businesses can post their specials, discounts and services that are only available to other chamber members. We recognize the importance of doing business locally and keeping our dollars here at home but also the importance of doing business with other Chamber members. This unique advertising opportunity will result in Chamber members coming in your front door to do business with you! Contact Robin Dollyhigh, Membership Specialist at 336-786-6116 X 4 to get on board!

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. So far we have invited 17 different businesses/chamber partners to lunch. Just a few of our lunch buddies have been: WSYD, WPAQ, Waste Management, MAFD, MAPD, Inman & Sparks Realty, Allstate Insurance, Surry Senior County Services, Community Service Program, and Mount Airy City Public Works. Photos from previous Good Neighbors Program are on our website. We hope to be contacting your business to join us for lunch real soon!

Relocation Packages – The Chamber continues to get an amazing amount of inquiries from our website and phone calls asking for relocation information. Our standard package includes information about the quality of life here in Mount Airy and Surry County such as information about health care, education, recreation, real estate, retail businesses and service industries that a newcomer would need. Our hope is to be able to partner with an industry member or business member to produce a quality brochure that would meet the needs of a potential newcomer, addressing questions about municipal services, county services property tax rates, entertainment diversity, service and interest organizations, available health care facilities, local school information, religious organizations, shopping and service diversity, real estate opportunities, recreation opportunities, services for seniors, continuing education, etc. We average sending out 10-12 relocation packages per week and this does not include packages that walk-ins ask for. What great advertising vehicle this could be for businesses such as: real estate offices, banks, investment businesses, etc. For more information contact Betty Ann at 786-6116 X 6.

Ongoing Programs

SCORE can help you with free and confidential counseling. Learn to write a business plan, apply for a loan, hone management skills and become a more confident business owner. The local SCORE group has one-hour confidential counseling
Services. SCORE not only serves the new potential business owner BUT any existing businesses. Contact Yvonne
Nichols at the Chamber (336) 786-6116 Ext. 5 to schedule an appointment.
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. If you’d like more information contact the Chamber office at 336-786-6116 or admin@mtairyncchamber.org or log on to www.mtairyncchamber.org : go to Membership Information tab - Chamber Benefits tab.

Upcoming Chamber Events

· February 24, 2007 – 1:00pm Ribbon Cutting at Salon Wet.
Salon Wet is a new upscale hair salon located at Suite 100 at the Surry Plaza on West Pine Street Mount Airy, NC. 336-783-9381. Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Ceremony 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Co-owners Carlos Cuellar and Lamont Allen invite everyone to drop by for refreshments, Tee Shirt giveaways and a lot of other great prizes.

· March 1, 2007 – 3:30pm Ribbon Cutting at Poppy’s Gourmet –To- Go.
Poppy’s Gourmet To Go is located at 615 West independence Blvd. (New Market Crossing Shopping Center) Mount Airy NC. 336-789-6007. Meredith Lloyd invites you to stop by and choose from the large selection of entrées, side dishes, soups, salads, breads and desserts…fully cooked meals just take home and heat! Tuesday – Thursday 11am-6pm and Friday 11am-7pm. Poppy’s Gourmet-To- Go is the working woman’s best friend!

· March 9, 2007 – 10:00am Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening at Gobble & Associates
Gobble & Associates is located at 146 North Renfro Street (former Randstad location) Mount Airy NC. 336-786-8215. Regina Gobble and her staff invite you to stop by for refreshments and see their new office. Gobble and Associates would love to discuss your insurance options with you, call today and make an appointment!

· March 13, 2007 Executive Board Meeting 10:00am Chamber Board Room
· March 15, 2007 Chamber Board Meeting 8:00am Hampton Inn Board Room
· March 29, 2007 Awards Luncheon 12:00 Noon at Cross Creek
· April 17, 2007 Executive Board Meeting 10:00am Chamber Board Room
· April 19, 2007 Chamber Board Meeting 8:00am Hampton Inn Board Room
· April 25, 2007 Administrative Professionals Day 12:00 Noon at Cross Creek

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 calendar so that you don’t miss any of our upcoming events and programs!

Business after Hours

· March 1, 2007 – 5:30pm-7:00pm Mister Sparky, America’s On-Time Electrician, a company specializing in residential electrical service. Owned by Stephen and Mary Hutson (formerly Hutson Electric, Inc). Event to be held at the Chamber.

· April 5, 2007 - 5:30pm-7:00pm Millennium Charter Academy

· May 3, 2007 – 5:30pm- 7:00pm Something Different on Main

**We are currently scheduling 2007 Business after Hours events and we would love to include your business on our calendar.** This is a great way to show off your business while meeting other Chamber Members!
For more information about planning a Business after Hours event call the office today…336-786-6116

Welcome

Welcome to New Chamber Members

· Clyde C. Rodgers, Jr. (Cliff) – Cliff and his family will be moving from Pennsylvania to Mount Airy this spring to be closer to family already in North Carolina and Tennessee. Cliff has been an active member in his local Chamber of Commerce and decided to join the Greater Mount Airy Chamber as an associate member so he can become familiar with our Chamber before his move. We hope to get Cliff involved when he gets settled here.

· Glenwood Development Company, LLC/ Robert Dunlap – Robert Dunlap, Leasing Representative with Glenwood Development Company which owns Surry Plaza located here in Mount Airy. He can be reached at 336-480-8141. Glenwood Development Company. L.L.C is a full service commercial real estate development, management and Investment Company, with offices in Huntersville, NC (main office), Raleigh, NC, Greensboro, NC and Atlanta GA. Glenwood currently owns approximately 2,500.000 square feet of retail properties in six states. www.glenwoodco.com

· Liberty Business Partners – 502 West Lebanon Street Mount Airy NC 27030, 336-710-5703. www.libertybusinesspartners.com. A full service business brokerage firm, serving the needs of business owners, companies, investors and entrepreneurs. Owner and Business Broker - Robert L. Meinecke invites the chamber membership to contact him about business brokerage.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce is to be the leading advocate for business, to facilitate community alliances, to provide valuable benefits and services to our members, all in a financially responsible manner.

Phone: (336) 786-6116
Fax: (336) 786-1488

Website: www.mtairyncchamber.org
Email: admin@mtairyncchamber.org
Email: president1@mtairyncchamber.org
Email:membership@mtairyncchamber.org