Chamber Profile

• What is a Chamber of Commerce?
• Blount Chamber Mission & Vision Statement
• 2008 Program of Work
• History of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce
• Hours of Operation

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

A local Chamber of Commerce is an association of business people organized to promote the welfare of their community, especially its economic wellbeing. Usually, each Chamber is governed by an elected Board of directors and its work is done through committees.

The Chambre de Commerce of Marseilles France was the first organization to use this name in 1599. The first Chamber in America was the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York and was organized in 1768. There were 40 Chamber’s in the United States by 1870.

 

Blount Chamber Mission & Vision Statement

MISSION STATEMENT

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce develops a robust economic base by providing members: 

• Access to information,
• Business Resources
• Activities that enhance the quality of life for all who live, work and play in our region.

VISION STATEMENT

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce is the leading catalyst for creating a cooperative, productive, and prosperous community.

CORE VALUES

• Integrity: Operating with fairness and the highest ethical standards
• Service: Proactively identifying and supporting the needs of members and the community
• Excellence: The commitment to continuous improvement
• Inclusion: Creating a welcoming environment
• Collaboration: Working together to address relevant issues.
• Innovation: Encouraging unique approaches in meeting challenges and maximizing opportunities.

2008 PROGRAM OF WORK (priorities)

The Blount Chamber Board of Directors identified the following areas of work for 2008.  The Program of Work includes two NEW councils to address business and community development issues crucial to our area.  Here is the focus for each of the Chamber councils in 2008.

Membership Council
Virginia Harwick, Vice-Chair
Julia Kyle, Executive Vice President

 The Membership Council guides the Chamber in recruiting new Chamber members and retraining existing members by offering benefits, services and programs that will help businesses of all sizes proper.

Communications Council
Sherri Gardner Howell, Vice-Chair
Tammi Ford, Executive Vice President

 The Communications Council communicates benefits, programs and issues to Chamber members, potential members and the general public.  This council is also responsible for communicating to newcomer and potential newcomers moving into the area.

New! Community Development Council
Andy White, Vice-Chair
Kathy DeLozier, Executive Vice President

The Community Development Council exists to work with local and state leaders in the areas of environment, planning and community partnerships to ensure that Blount County continues to have an exceptional quality of life.

Government Relations Council
Joy Bishop, Vice-Chair
Fred Forster, President/CEO

The Government Relations Council exists to promote the position of the Chamber to local, state, regional and federal legislators and regulators.

New!  Economic & Business Development Council
Mark Cate, Vice-Chair
Bryan Daniels, Executive Vice President  

The Economic & Business Development Council exists to create an atmosphere that is conducive to improving economic and employment conditions in Blount County.

New!  Tourism/Travel Council
Byron Begley, Vice-Chair
Herb Handly, Executive Vice President

The mission of the Tourism/Travel Council  is to address issues unique to this industry in Blount County.  This council works in conjunction with the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote both the leisure and business travel markets and to maintain an environment that is attractive to tourists.

History of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce

The Blount County Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1920 by the Kiwanis Club. Today the Blount Chamber has over 1,300 members whose mission is to develop a robust economic base by providing members: Access to information, Business resources and activities that enhance the quality of life for all who live, work and play in our region. The vision statement of the Blount Chamber is to be the leading catalyst for creating a cooperative, productive, and prosperous community.

The Blount Chamber serves under the direction of a 48 member Board, employees a staff of 27 and is a part of a four organization alliance known as the Blount Partnership. The members of this alliance are: the Economic Development Board of Blount County, Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau, Blount Chamber Foundation and of course, the Blount Chamber of Commerce. Although the members of the partnership share office space, supplies and often times staff, each organization is governed by a separate Board of Directors and a separate budget with different funding streams. The common goal of a thriving economic base makes this partnership very successful. The Blount Chamber is not part of any government, political party or social service organization.

Business hours of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce are:

Monday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 865-983-2241
Fax: 865-984-1386

To contact us: email info@blountchamber.com

The Blount Chamber/Welcome Center is located at 201 S. Washington, Maryville, Tennessee 37804. Get directions.

Check the Blount Chamber Calendar for upcoming events.