Governor Phil Bredesen

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen spoke today at the Knoxville Chamber's
bi-annual Governor's Luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center. He discussed issues facing the state - most notably education and workforce development.

Click the headline to read more and watch video of the event.

Kevin Anton, President of Materials Management for Alcoa, Inc., today described Alcoa's local mission and how it fits into the global market during a Premier Partner event at the Knoxville Chamber.

When it comes to business networking, you never know who people know. Diversity is one of the important keys to being successful at building a powerful personal network.

Comcast provides digital cable television, high-speed internet and digital phone services. Enhancements to those products include high-definition television, ON DEMAND, digital video recorders, and a communications center that links voicemail and email.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) will soon begin offering CORE FOUR instruction to its small business clients. The classes will help businesspeople design better business plans.

Having your voice heard on Capitol Hill is one of the major reasons for joining the Chamber, and it is one of the ways you can help lead the organization. There is an upcoming opportunity for you to get involved.

Commerce recently sat down with former State Senator Ben Atchley to solicit his advice on the best ways for businesspeople to make their voices heard in the halls of the General Assembly.

On February 1, just days after the State of the State Bredesen will be in Knoxville to speak at the Chamber’s biannual Governor’s Luncheon sponsored by Alcoa, Inc. and Aqua-Chem, Inc. The event will begin at 11:30 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

Too many representatives, senators and even members of the administration are interested in politics more than they seem to be interested in good policy. The sides square off with dueling press conferences and rallies. They advance pieces of legislation simply to get the “other side” on the record. And they plan to use those “gotcha” votes against their rivals in the next election with designs of defeating them at the ballot box.

A lot of the issues that affect businesses are discussed and decided in the public policy arena. Things like tax rates, transportation infrastructure, labor relations, insurance requirements, and many other issues are ultimately public policy issues. And that’s why every businessperson needs to be engaged and vocal. Now is the time to do just that, because the Tennessee General Assembly is back in session.