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On January 20th Tom Donohue, president of the US Chamber, sited the Knoxville Chamber's STEM initiative that will pair 500 middle and high school teachers with area businesses as an example of outstanding business' efforts to support education across the nation. The comments came during a hearing on the reauthorization of the America Competes Act. Read the text of Donohue's testimony here. The Chamber initiative is a partnership with The Knox County Schools to provide a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) employer experience to all middle and high school math and science teachers in Knox County Schools. This effort will allow 500 teachers to learn what skills are needed as a STEM professional and how to apply the concepts they are teaching in daily classroom lessons. This is an incredible opportunity for these teachers to learn directly from employers. This program is being led by Vols4STEM, a collaborative effort involving several area organizations and individuals, including the Knoxville Chamber, American Society of Civil Engineers, Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers, Knox County Schools, Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, and Innovation Valley Inc. The mission of Vols4STEM is to facilitate collaboration among area STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals and STEM educators and students, primarily through the Vols4STEM website, www.vols4stem.org. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center, a partner of the Knoxville Chamber, recently released its 2009 Annual Report. The organization's results for the year are impressive. In 2009 TSBDC consulted with 782 clients and taught 1335 students in its classes about starting and running a small business. Its clients started 44 new businesses, created 225 new jobs, and invested more than $12.2 million. You can read the full report here. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the State of Tennessee. The organization helps small businesses by providing existing and potential companies consultation, education, referral, and support services. You may contact the TSBDC by calling 865-246-2663. “The first thing we think about before producing a television program is whether or not there is a need out there,” Haslam said. “Is this (program) something people are interested in and is there a void that is not being served?” After careful consideration, the coalition of chambers of commerce recommended the following slate of issues to members of the General Assembly: First and foremost: education. A skilled, well-prepared workforce is the key to this region’s success in the global economy. VISIT THE PINNACLE BUSINESS AWARDS WEBSITE Clear your calendar and SAVE THE DATE! Join us for the sixth annual Pinnacle Business Awards Gala, presented by BB&T, on April 30, 2010, in the ballroom at the Knoxville Convention Center. A reception and silent auction will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards at 8:00 p.m. The gala has become the Knoxville business community's premier social gathering. Over 550 businesspeople attended last year's event. The Chamber is currently accepting nominations for the Pinnacle Business Awards. Anyone may nominate a deserving company or individual. Award categories include: Business Excellence, Small Business Excellence (business with 50 or fewer employees), Minority Business Excellence, Woman-Owned Business Excellence, Impact, Innovator and Young Entrepreneur. A full description of each of the awards is included on the nomination form. Nominees do not need to be a member of the Knoxville Chamber. Companies that are nominated for a Pinnacle Business Award will be sent an application that must be completed and returned to the Knoxville Chamber. The nomination deadline is February 19 and the application deadline is March 5. Download a nomination form here. For ticket or table sponsorship information please contact the Chamber by calling (865) 637-4550. Knox County’s EMIS is the first of its kind in the country. Along with student and academic data, the system incorporates financial information. On February 15, 2010, the Knoxville Chamber is partnering with The Knox County Schools to provide a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) employer experience to all middle and high school math and science teachers in Knox County Schools. This effort will allow 500 teachers to learn what skills are needed as a STEM professional and how to apply the concepts they are teaching in daily classroom lessons. This is an incredible opportunity for these teachers to learn directly from you and we hope you will participate by allowing as many teachers as you can to visit your offices, learn about your company, and shadow your employees that day. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form and send to Ahnna Estes at aestes@knoxvillechamber.com or mail to 17 Market Square #201, Knoxville, TN, 37902. For questions or comments, please call (865) 246-2658. This program is being led by Vols4STEM, a collaborative effort involving several area organizations and individuals, including the Knoxville Chamber, Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers, Knox County Schools, Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, and Innovation Valley Inc. The mission of Vols4STEM is to facilitate collaboration among area STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals and STEM educators and students, primarily through the Vols4STEM website, www.vols4stem.org. The Knoxville Chamber is launching a Mentor/Protégé program in January 2010. As we all know, mentorship is essential to small business owners and because of this, the Chamber is starting this program. To be included in the Knoxville Chamber's Mentor/Protégé Class of 2010 please read the attached Frequently Asked Questions document and complete the application. Here are some highlights of the Mentor/Protégé program:
One of Downtown Knoxville’s favorite holiday traditions, Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice, will kick off a festive season of ice skating and events with a ribbon-cutting this Friday, November 27 at 10 a.m. at the ice rink on Market Square. This year, the first 50 skaters on the ice are FREE. Make plans now to join us and launch a festive holiday season with your friends, family and community. Worried the Holidays on Ice ribbon cutting will cut into Black Friday shopping time? In addition to the downtown’s unique shops that are sure to have a gift for everyone on the list - skaters will enjoy two special additions to the ice rink this year. The Cupcakery will be offering a special cupcake and box set available only at the rink. Mast General Store will also open a satellite shop within the ice rink area. KNOXVILLE, TN - Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist recently presented area businesspeople a State Collaborative on Reforming Education final report update at the Knoxville Chamber. As Chairman of SCORE, Senator Frist says he’s well aware of the improvements needed within this area’s education system. Dr. Frist and Tennessee SCORE have developed four key strategies to acheive the goal. Embracing high standards, cultivating strong leaders, ensuring excellent teachers, and utilizing data to enhance learning will help Tennessee become the Southeast's top education achiever. Check out these newly added benefits! If you are a member at one of the levels below (or at a higher level), please call Member Services at 637-4550 to take advantage of your new benefit. Executive I - Multiple category listings (3) Executive II - Multiple category listings (4) Gold - Multiple category listings (5) Click here to see all levels of member benefits. On Wednesday, December 2 the Knoxville Chamber and its economic development partners in the region will be contacting manufacturers, distribution centers, and other significant employers to discuss ways to support those businesses. During the economic downturn many companies have tightened their belts to stay in business. The regional economic development partners will be providing advice and directing companies to resources that could help reduce costs, train employees, and prepare for the recovery. "More than 25 businesspeople have volunteered to help the Chamber staff visit companies across the area," said Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development. "We're going to drop in on 100 businesses discuss the assistance available. Chamber staff will then follow up with specific information and resources to address the individual issues we uncover. These businesses are key contributors to the local economy and it's important that we do all we can to support them." The Existing Industry Blitz Day is an initiative of Innovation Valley Inc. a regional economic development effort that brings together chamber of commerce and economic developers from across the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area. The partners in Innovation Valley are Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Chamber, Loudon County Economic Development Agency, Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, The Roane Alliance, and Tellico Reservoir Development Agency. The Oak Ridge Economic Partnership will also be visiting existing industries. The other partners will be contacting the manufactures and other industrial businesses in their areas. The agencies will be discussing business strengthening programs, utility efficiencies, job training resources, and how find the right employees. Knoxville Chamber volunteers will be visiting all areas of Knoxville and Knox county - north, south, east, and west. The Knoxville Chamber announced the beginning of the Office Depot Advantage program during November’s a.m. Exchange held at Office Depot, 7111 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. The program affords current Chamber members discounts of up to 90 percent on many commonly purchased office supplies. This includes pens, paper, folders and staples. “We’re excited to be able to offer our members this program,” said Chamber Vice President of Membership Mark Field. “This partnership between the Chamber and Office Depot will provide our members with terrific Office Depot discounts. Chamber members that sign up for the plan will immediately notice great savings. For some members that order a lot of office supplies, this is going to pay for their Chamber membership." The program was developed to deeply discount the office supplies that businesspeople purchase most often. Members receive substantial savings (average discount about 52 percent) on nearly 200 core-list items and from 10 to 15 percent discounts on most other items. Discounts on copy and print items are included in the program (digital printing, forms, letterhead, envelopes, etc.) and can be completed at any area Office Depot location (Kingston Pike, Broadway, and Alcoa). “We’re excited about this opportunity to work with and help Chamber members save,” said Office Depot Territory Development Manager James Goins. “We’re very happy that the Chamber has decided to make Office Depot its preferred vender for office supplies.” The exclusive program is available to all members regardless of employee size or the frequency of ordering. In addition, members will enjoy the ability to receive next day delivery and monthly reporting of company expenses. Members will also save time by conveniently ordering by phone, fax, or internet. Chamber members may sign up by visiting any Knoxville Office Depot location or online at www.knoxvillechamber.com/chamber/membership/office-depot-purchase-program. To receive discounts, members simply provide an existing credit card number. When making purchases at Office Depot the credit card is presented and the discount is applied to the customer’s purchases. The purchases do not need to be applied to the credit card – members can pay with check or cash. As long as a company remains a Knoxville Chamber member in good standing the discount will be available to the business. For more information about Office Depot products or services, call (865) 558-6024 or visit the company’s website: www.officedepot.com. Knoxville, TN – The Knoxville Chamber and other organizations across the state are asking the Tennessee Department of Education to set the “cut scores” for state standardized assessments now instead of after the tests are taken in the spring. The Chamber’s board of directors recently adopted a resolution expressing its desires. The Department must define “proficiency” for students taking the tests. In the past Tennessee has defined proficiency at a very low level - particularly low in math and science. That has resulted in the state telling parents that students are proficient, when in fact they are scoring at rather low levels. Tennessee “gamed” the scores in an effort to keep No Child Left Behind funding and avoid penalties. However, the result is a low bar, low expectations, and low achievement for students. The Knoxville office of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center has added additional classes to its online offerings and made it easier for small businesspeople across the state to access classes, counseling, and expertise. Classes have increased from six to 21 offerings. Entrepreneurs and others will be able to attend online classes by visiting a local chamber of commerce instead of traveling to TSBDC offices, which are commonly located in metropolitan areas. "Small businesspeople are really pressed for time," says Patrick R. Geho, J.D., TSBDC state executive director. "Making classes and counseling available online allows clients to spend more time focusing on making the business a success and less time traveling to get the valuable information and advice TSBDC has to offer." Local chambers of commerce have entered into agreements with TSBDC to provide the scheduling for use of the computer and an orientation to prospective TSBDC clients. In return, TSBDC will be providing a computer, webcam, and the necessary software to connect clients with the statewide online counseling center in Oak Ridge. Not only will businesspeople be able to view the 21 online classes, they will also be able to speak with a live TSBDC business counselor, Jutta Bangs. Eventually 60 computers will be placed in chambers of commerce across the state of Tennessee to facilitate the connection of TSBDC counselors and businesspeople. Available online, TSBDC classes cover business basics, financing, managing a business, human resources, accounting and budgeting, and marketing and sales. Online classes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That allows small businesspeople to fit the training into their busy schedules. They do not have to attend a TSBDC class during regular office hours. Additional information about the online courses and counseling is available at www.tsbdc.org. The Knoxville Chamber is currently seeking proposals for its educational series, Chamber U. The application deadline for workshops to be given during the first two quarters of 2010 is December 11, 2009. An application is available online. Chamber U workshops and seminars can range in length from 1-hour to 3 hours, depending on the time needed to thoroughly cover the subject. These sessions are normally lunch-n-learn seminars. Applicants must be members of the Knoxville Chamber. Submissions will be reviewed by a taskforce of Chamber members, and speakers will be selected in early January 2010. The Knoxville Chamber hosted the first SCHMOOZAPALOOZA co-sponsored by Comcast Business Class, the Greater Knoxville Business Journal, Pershing Yoakley & Associates, P.C., American Airlines, and Cellular Sales of Knoxville a Verizon Wireless Authorized Retailer, on November 5 at Rothchild Catering & Conference Center. Over 500 people attended the three-hour event. The Knoxville Chamber held its first annual Frightful Sight Race on Friday, October 23 on Market Square in downtown Knoxville. Chamber Vice President of Membership Mark Field, Vice President of Economic Development Doug Lawyer, Government Relations and Marketing Director Garrett Wagley, Business Development Manager Doug Minter and Communications Coordinator Justin Kropff wore high heels, skirts and tights during the competition. "I didn't know if I'd make it to the finish line without falling," said Lawyer, the event's champion. "I was shocked to come away with the Golden Heel Medal."
Nearly 150 Chamber members attended February’s a.m. Exchange that was held at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, 700 Hall of Fame Drive, Knoxville. In addition to utilizing the building’s elegant and spacious lobby to get connected with other members of the area’s business community, guests were able to tour the facilities’ 30,000 square feet of exhibits and hands-on experiences celebrating women’s basketball at the youth, collegiate and international levels. Knoxville’s WBHOF is the only women’s basketball hall of fame in the world. The building offers a great venue for you or your business to host corporate parties, weddings, proms, birthday parties, retreats or education programs.
RIVR Media Co-Owner and CEO Dee Haslam was the featured speaker at an exclusive Premier Partners event sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners. Haslam spoke about her company’s Knoxville roots, history and about the many benefits of conducting business in East Tennessee. She also shared what she believes to be the key to RIVR’s production departments’ abilities to produce high-quality documentaries and series: meticulous research.
ALCOA, TN - The Knoxville Chamber, along with the Blount County Chamber of Commerce and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce recently presented the 2010 legislative agenda at the Airport Hilton in Alcoa. The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority and Alcoa sponsored the event. The business breakfast and presentation was held to help the regional legislative delegation begin to work on issues that will benefit the regional economy.
Knox County Schools, the Knoxville Chamber, and Follett Software Company recently launched the Education Management Information System that had been under development for the last eighteen months. EMIS, which includes a data warehouse to tie all sources of student and system data together, is enabling Knox County administrators and teachers to make data-supported and well-informed decisions about the future direction of the school system and each individual student.
The deadline for turning in the applications is Tuesday, December 15th. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Doug Minter. We only have 15 slots available!!!
Knoxville area residents now have a new choice for their television and communications services, powered by the most advanced technology. AT&T has launched AT&T U-verse services in parts of the Knoxville area, including AT&T U-verse TV, AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet, and AT&T U-verse Voice.
AT&T showcased the advanced video services at a Knoxville Chamber Business After Hours with about 200 business leaders in attendance. AT&T State Director-External Affairs Dennis Wagner and Regional Director Alan Hill hosted the event at the AT&T offices on Cedar Bluff Road.
SCHOOZAPALOOZA helped local businesses increase relationships that will lead to increased bottom lines. Event exhibitors (59 tables and three sponsor booths) and attendees enjoyed a laid-back, casual experience that was very different from larger, more elaborate tradeshows. Instead of 10-foot by 10-foot booths, exhibitors featured company information on six-foot tables.
