Membership Opportunities

Get more exposure, more networking, and more resources for your business at the Blount Chamber.

• Networking
• Network Through Groups and Committies
• Event Planning
• Free Exposure
• Super-Size Your Exposure
• Resources

Networking

Enjoy meeting new people, or reconnecting with friends and colleagues. These networking opportunities offer something for every Chamber member. Sign-up and start networking today! 

• Become an Ambassador: Connect with fellow chamber members with one-on-one personal calls to new members. Ambassadors meet monthly. Contact Julia Kyle (865) 273-1213 or email:jkyle@blountchamber.com.
• Annual Meeting: This sell-out event is a must-do for new and existing members each January. Contact Tammi Ford, 273-1211 or tford@blountchamber.com  
• Coffee Clubs: Wake up to new business contacts at monthly Coffee Clubs held at the sponsor's location or at the Chamber office. Contact Julia Kyle, 273-1213 email jkyle@blountchamber.com
• Afternoon Mixers: Quarterly after-work meet-and-greet held at sponsor's location or at the Blount Chamber. Contact Julia Kyle, 273-1213 jkyle@blountchamber.com
• Operation Thank You: Meet fellow members while doing a good deed. Volunteer to deliver 2008 Chamber member information packts and make great contacts along the way. Help as much, or as little as your time permits.Chamber 

• Speed Networking: Everyone plays during these roundtables where all get a chance to share information about their business, product or service. Seats fill fast for these fun networking events held in March, May, July & October. Contact Julia Kyle (865) 273-1213 or email:jkyle@blountchamber.com. Check out our Chamber Calendar for  events.
  
  
  

                                                                                         
  

  "Being involved in the Chamber has given me opportunities to network with many people that otherwise I may not have had the chance to meet. It has definitely been a positive experience for me." Julie Draper, CBBC

Network Through Targeted Groups and Committees:

• Air Quality Improvement: Breath easier with those dedicated to sharing information about efforts to improve air quality. These pros also assist with the Earth Roundup event set for April 19th. Contact Kathy Delozier (865) 273-1214 or email:kdelozier@blountchamber.com.

• Business Excellence Awards Committee: Help find the Chamber's best businesses and industries, and plan the recognition event. Contact Bryan Daniels, 983-7715 bdaniels@blountindustry.com
  

• Growth Discussion: Join the dialogue on the challenges of growth and find out what you can do to shape a safe, strong, sustainable community. Contact Kathy Delozier 273-1214 kdelozier@blountchamber.com

• Housing Committee: The housing committee will address local housing issues and promote practices to enhance the local housing market and the community's quality of life. Meetings begin in march and will be held as needed. Contact Kathy Delozier (865) 273-1214 or email:kdelozier@blountchamber.com.

• Human Resources Focus Group: Stay updated on crucial employment issues with other HR professionals, and plan the annual HR training session. Meets monthly. Contact Kathy Delozier (865) 273-1214 or email:kdelozier@blountchamber.com.
  
  
• Government Affairs: Briefings, meetings and a trip to Nashville in February will keep you in the know on local, state & federal legislation. Contact Kathy Delozier (865) 273-1214 or email:kdelozier@blountchamber.com. Check out Chamber Calendar.
  
  
• Existing Business & Industry: Get in on the front end of surveying existing industry, investingating a manufacturing summit and launching a manufacturer's association. Contact Bryan Daniels, (865) 983-7715 bdaniels@blountindustry.com  
• Transportation Committee: Drive the discussion on regional transportation issues during quarterly meetings to help develop transportation priorities that come before the Chamber's Board of Directors. Contact Kathy Delozier (865) 273-1214 or email:kdelozier@blountchamber.com.
  
  
• NEW! Technology Group: Get ahead of the technology curve with this new group that will address the latest trends. Help plan and host a special member event to share tech ideas. Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211 or email tford@blountchamber.com
  
  
• Women in Business Focus Group: Build new relationships and share best practices with your sisters in business during these quarterly lunch meetings. Contact Julia Kyle (865) 273-1213 jkyle@blountchamber.com
  
  
• Volunteers in Progress: Power-up your membership with an additional membership fee and become a VIP of economic development. VIP's gain valuable exposure through exclusive business and social events. Contact Bryan Daniels (865) 983-7715 bdaniels@blountindustry.com

To stay informed on Blount Chamber meetings & events visit the Blount Chamber Calendar often.

 

Event Planning

• Job Fair: Network with more than 40 companies seeking employees while planning the 14th Annual Job Fair set for October 21st at Foothills Mall in Maryville. Planning meetings begin in June. Contact Kathy Delozier (865)273-1214 kdelozier@blountchamber.com
• NEW! Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival: Shape great relationships during this single-day Townsend event in June designed to promote and preserve the beautiful creations of pottery artisans. Contact Jeanie Hilten, (865) 273-1242 jhilten@smokymountains.org
• Taste of Blount Planning Committee: Cook-up details for this popular September 18th event that tempts the taste buds and celebrates the culinary excellence of Blount's food service industry. Planning meetings begin in May. Contact Kathy Delozier (865)273-1214 kdelozier@blountchamber.com
• Townsend Spring and Fall Festivals: Enjoy the best seasons on the "Peaceful side of the Smokies" with fellow volunteers as you greet the multitudes who flock to the Townsend Spring and Fall Festivals. Contact Jeanie Hilten, (865) 273-1242 jhilten@smokymountains.org
• Winter Heritage Festival: Plan this annual February celebration of our regional history, natural beauty and cultural traditions in Townsend, Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Contact Jeanie Hilten, (865) 273-1242 jhilten@smokymountains.org

Free Exposure!

Getting your business in front of the right people is easier than you think. And, in some instances, it doesn’t cost a dime. Discover a number of ways the Chamber helps reveal your business to potential customers close to home, and those around the world.

• Dot Com: Your business is included and visible to more than 100,000 people who visit the Chamber website annually at www.blountchamber.com. You can receive additional visibility through reasonably-priced Chamber web ads. Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211 or email:tford@blountchamber.com.
• Reciprocal links: Member websites are linked from http://www.blountchamber.com/. Add a reciprocal link back to the Chamber to enhance your website.
• Stamp of Credibility: Use the Blount Chamber logo in your company marketing materials to add credibility to your brand. Contact Tammi Ford, (865) 273-1211 tford@blountchamber.com
• Referrals: The Blount Chamber refers members only and we track how much business is sent your way.
• Lobby for Exposure: Thousands of tourists, newcomers and business people walk-in to the Chamber lobby every year. Get their attention by displaying your brochure, or business card in this warm reception area. Contact Julia Kyle (865) 273-1213 or email:jkyle@blountchamber.com.
• Beyond Basics: Your business is listed TWICE in Basically Blount and the quick Reference Guide. These full-color membership and lifestyle guides are distributed to all members, newcomers, reception areas, real estate firms, new business and industrial firms. Super-size your exposure with advertising. Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211 or email:tford@blountchamber.com.
• Chamber Times: All members appear in this spring publication distributed by the community's daily newspaper, The Daily Times. Display advertising takes your message to the next level.Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211 or email:tford@blountchamber.com.
• Blount Today: Your membership appears in the Partnership Special Newspaper Publication each summer in blount Today, Blount County's weekly. Turn-up the exposure for your business with a well designed display ad. Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211 or email:tford@blountchamber.com.
• Print it, Post it!: Put your special event or promotion in front of hundreds of business people who use the Chamber Board room by posting the information on the Bulletin Board!
• Get it on the Web: Share your company news on the Chamber's website. Simply send us the information, and we'll post in on http://www.blountchamber.com/ . Contact Linda Lambert (865) 273-1205 or email:llambert@blountchamber.com.

SUPER-Size Your Exposure

Resonably-priced sponsorships and advertising opportunities through Blount Chamber functions are as follows:

• ABC: Each February get your marketing message in front of more than 1300 members through the Always Buy Chamber (ABC) Program. Contact us today for details on offering discounts to fellow Chamber members and how we can deliver the message for you. Contact: Julia Kyle (865) 273-1213 or email:jkyle@blountchamber.com

Be the headliner for Chamber meetings and events as host or sponsor. Choose one or several options listed below to maximize your exposure.

Resources

The Blount Chamber is a one-stop resource for everything you need to start or grow your business. Seminars, business consulting and advocacy are just a few ways we are working to put effective busiinesstools in your hands.

• Business Consulting: Free confidential business assistance from professionals is available through the Blount Chamber. Find help for growing your business, developing business or marketing plans, creating a budget, or getting an analysis of your operation. Contact Vicky Jones (865) 273-1207 or email: vjones@blountchamber.com.
• Business Startup: Monthly seminars tackle the questions and issues associated with new businesses.
• Chamber Website: Access to ALL Chamber resources can be found online. This comprehensive website is your one-stop business solution.
• Business Advocate: The Chamber will act as your business advocate before local, state and federal governments. Submit your issue to the Chamber's Advocacy Team.
• Members Only! Create your own log-in and manage your elements of the Chamber website. Update company information, register for special events, reserve meeting space and manage email distribution lists.
• U.S. Chamber Federation: Your Blount Chamber membership also gives our small business owners membership AND access to resources in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Find Small Business toolkits, email newsletters, notifications and discounts by visiting www.uschamber.com/sb.
• Webinars: Save time and travel expenses by taking seminars online. Attend workshops from the comfort of your office, breakroom, or boardroom. Presenters are from the Harvard Business School and the Kiplinger Business Institute.
• Direct Mail & Customized Business Labels: Target your marketing efforts with custom Chamber mailing labels. Tailored, ready-to-use labels sorted by zip code or business category, cost 12 cents per label, plus $15 processing fee. To purchase labels for the full 1300 plus membership, the cost is 12 cents per label with no processing fee. For additional information or to order mailing labels contact Amy Lawson at alawson@blountchamber.com. Due to the frequency of membership address changes, the above database is not available in electronic format.
• Targeting Newcomers: For an annual fee of $100, receive bi-monthly lists of those who have requested relocation information from the Blount Chamber. Or, for $350, let the Chamber do the work for you by including your marketing materials in newcomer packets distributed to all inquiries by phone, mail, email and walk-ins.
• Meeting Space: Host special meetings in either the Chamber Boardroom or small conference room for a nominal fee. An adjacent kitchen is included for catered meals and coffee services.
• FREE Notary: Legalize your documents with the Chamber's FREE notary service.
• Manufacturers, Suppliers, Headquarters & Office Operations: Nail down addresses, phone and contact personnel in this directory for $10.

News & Alerts:

• Chamberlink: The latest Chamber News is published monthly in the daily newspaper, The Daily Times. Additionally, an electronic version is emailed to members.
• Blount Chamber Notes: This monthly blast email serves as a friendly reminder of upcoming events and opportunities. Contact Linda Lambert, llambert@blountchamber.com to be added to the list.
• Tourism E-clips: For members intereseted in tourism and travel, receive Tourism E-clips from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Tourism E-clips is a roundup of important industry developments as covered by local and nationalpublications.
• Legislative Updates & Alerts: For members interested in government affairs, receive email updates on state and federal legislative issues that affect businesses. Contact Vicky Jones (865) 273-1207 or email: vjones@blountchamber.com.
• Environmental News & Alerts: Concerned about the environment? Receive notices of upcoming programs and meetings in partnership with the Little River Watershed Association, university of Tennessee, Blount County Environmental Health Team, Beautiful Blount and the Regional Clean Air Coalition. Contact Vicky Jones, (865)273-1207, vjones@blountchamber.com.
• Alcoa Crime Alerts: Get a heads-up from the  Alcoa Police Department on crime-related reports that may affect your business.
• Innovation Valley Technology Council News: Interested in technology? Receive regular updates from this council which is a partnership of Technology 2020, Blount Chamber, Knoxville Area Partnership and the Morristown Chamber of Commerce.

WEBSITE

You can find and easily access membership benefits and business tools by visiting the Chamber's website at www.blountchamber.com.  With user-friendly tools and an easy-to-navigate format, your Chamber literally is at your fingertips.  We strongly encourage you to tour the website, but also provide this guide to its many features.  We look forward to your suggestions on information or links of interest to add to our website business information.  If you have a suggestion for the Blount Chamber website, email Julia Kyle at jkyle@blountchamber.com or Tammi Ford at tford@blountchamber.com.

• Your Business Listing - Potential customers can find you online in our business directory. Your listing includes all your company contact information. Customers can search for you by company name, or by business category.
• Business Resources Section- The form you're looking for is probably right here! The Chamber website includes the most used tax forms and links to information critical to you business. In addition, there is a section dedicated exclusively to maintaining and growing your business. Are there other forms and links that would assist you?
• Calendar of Chamber and Community events: Two calendars with one objective: to keep you posted! Find networking opportunities, meeting notices and Chamber-related schedules on the Chamber Calendar. Check out the Community Events calendar to post your own company event or look for potential event conflicts by visiting the community calendar.
• Governmental and Advocacy Issues: Stay informed and up-to-speed on local, state and federal government issues that may affect you, or the way you do business.
• Access to U.S Chamber resources: Through a partnership program with the U.S Chamber our small business owners have membership and access to a rich resource of online business information and tools. Visit the Blount Chamber website for an easy link to the U.S. Chamber website.
• Members ONLY! Create your own log-in, manage your own business listing and track email lists. The new Members Only section gives you the ability to register for events online, purchase Chamber publications, maps, or membership renewals, reserve meeting rooms and take advantage of other value added perks. Your personal password is coming your way. Forgot your password? Call Amy Lawson at 983-2241 or email alawson@blountchamber.com.