Chamber of Commerce

2017ANNUAL REPORT

HABERSHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Existing Business Support♦ Hosted second Business Expo at Cornelia Community House to

support and promote existing businesses. A packed exhibition hall of 46 businesses showcased their wares.

♦ Hosted a Seminar/Luncheon at the Cornelia Community House to celebrate National Small Business Week. An expert panel shared ideas for marketing, customer service and retail presentation for small business.

♦ Co-partner in the Shop Local campaign for Small Business Saturday and with The Northeast Georgian for Hello Habersham (county resource guide).

♦ Hosted Existing Industry breakfast meetings, membership meetings with timely topic presentations, and pre- and post-legislative breakfasts to provide opportunities for community to interact one on one with elected officials.

2017 Business Expo: Exhibitor Nick Frady, Benchmark Therapy explains their services to Whitney Eilers.

2017 Small Business Week Membership Luncheon Panel Discussion on Marketing, Branding and Customer ServiceL-R: Rush Mauney, Abby Jackson, Chris Wright, Kelley Herrin,

John Herrin and Judy Taylor

HABERSHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Tourism♦ Hosted a community-wide meeting for the State Tourism Product

Development Team to present its findings and recommendations from the 2016 visit. As a result, grants have been received and recommended projects implemented.

♦ Co-Sponsored and co-partnered with delivery of Habersham’s Total Eclipse of the Park in Pitts Park on August 21 - Huge event that brought thousands to Habersham County.

♦ Working with Banks & Rabun County CVBs and the Banks/Habersham/Rabun Joint Development Authority to create a GORGEous Mountain Parkway, U.S. 441 North through the three counties.

♦ Served on the Habersham County Bicentennial Committee and marketed the event nationally.

♦ Served as the marketing point-of-contact for the Committee for Preservation of Georgia’s Oldest and one of the 10 oldest white oak trees in the United States located in Habersham County.

♦ Marketed Habersham County in statewide and national publications - specifically targeted events and audiences to reach millennials.

♦ Initiated and working on new website to be launched before the end of the year or early 2018.

Administrative Improvements♦ Applied for and received 5-STAR re-accreditation with the U.S.

Chamber of Commerce.

5-STAR Re-Accreditation Call from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Habersham’s Total Eclipse of the Park - Pitts Park

HABERSHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Member Initiatives (New)♦ Initiated, trained for, and implemented a SCORE program. SCORE,

a national organization of expert volunteers, provides free business mentoring and resources for small business startups and growing existing business.

♦ Working towards starting a Toastmasters Club in Habersham County at the request of Chamber and community members.

♦ Supported and promoted member businesses by featuring 36 representatives on Windstream Cable TV Chamber Chat programs; approximately 50 WCHM and WCON Radio programs featuring 2 members each time; 60 or more members featured on the Chamber Connections page in The Northeast Georgian, and countless members in 12 Chamber Member-to-Member ads, 52 newsletters, etc.

♦ Supported members through a LEADS group, a small business networking group, a non-profit networking group, and the Northeast Georgia Safety Association monthly meetings.

Member Initiatives♦ Promoted and supported businesses and industries through 10

Business after Hours, a Business before Hours, 30 Ribbon Cuttings; 1 Beautification Award; 4 Professional Women (S.O.A.R.) meetings; 12 Members of the Month plus other initiatives mentioned under different categories.

First SCORE mentoring session

S.O.A.R. - first meeting of 2017 StrengthsFinder 2.0

HABERSHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Economic Development♦ The Chamber and Habersham Partnership for Growth/EDC provided

a three-industry tour for Ninth Grade Academy teachers and administrators.

♦ Worked with Habersham Central High School, Habersham Partnership for Growth/EDC and local industries to organize an Industry Summit featuring 6 local companies presenting to over 125 seniors about careers in manufacturing.

♦ Worked with Habersham Partnership for Growth/EDC to implement the program and hire an Executive Director of Economic Development.

2017 Teacher Tour of Industry

Habersham Partnership for Growth First Executive Committee Meeting with Tim Lee

2017 Industry Summit at Habersham Central High School

Education♦ Continued sponsorship of Star Student/Star Teacher recognitions at

both Habersham Central High School and Tallulah Falls School.♦ Provided Senior Valedictorian recognitions and scholarships at

Habersham Central High School, Tallulah Falls School and Mountain Education Charter High School.

♦ Sponsored GOAL Awards for finalists at North Georgia Technical College.

♦ Sponsored Habersham County Day at the Capitol. Over 50 Habersham Countians, including Leadership Habersham participants, were recognized in the Senate and House during a legislative session in February. Attendees heard from and interacted with state-wide elected officials during a catered lunch.

HABERSHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Leadership♦ Co-sponsored Youth Leadership at Habersham Central High School.

Provided annual graduation banquet and awarded completion certificates.

♦ Doubled size of the Chamber Junior Board to 24 to give more students at both Habersham Central High School and Tallulah Falls School the opportunity for this leadership training and career awareness with Habersham companies.

♦ Graduated the 2016-2017 class of Leadership Habersham and kicked off the 2017/2018 class year of Leadership Habersham with 24 members.

2017/2018 Leadership Habersham (pictured above): Kevin Addis, Heath Barrett, Tim Lee, Tricia Hise, Melany Ward, Abby Jackson, LaQuilla Porter, Scott Smith, Lisa Downs-Smith, Greg Reabold, Richard Funderburk, Shelby Ward, Amy Brown, Craig

Beatty, Sherri Whiten, Matt Hayes, Justin Williams, Cameron Lopez, Greg Sprayberry, Vonda Brown, Barbara Kesler and Robb Kiker. Not pictured: Caitlin Woodall,

Lindsay Underwood, Donna Meeks, Rick Salemi and Beverly Lucas.

2017 DIRECTORS AND PRESIDENT

President Dr. Judy TaylorChairman Larry Peevy Tallulah Falls SchoolPast Chairman David C. Foster Habersham EMCChairman Elect Philip Smith Compass Pest ManagementChairman Elect-Designee Amy Higgins Hulsey North Georgia Technical CollegeTreasurer Joey Duncan Duncan & Kitchens, LLCAgribusiness/Tourism Wendy Behrens North GA Shutters & Blinds John Jackson FieldaleCommunity Dev./Health/Wellness Ivy Hall Hall & Co. Amy Higgins Hulsey North Georgia Technical CollegeExist. Bus.find. Support/Economic Brent EdwardsDevelopment GA Power Brian Horton South State BankEntrepreneurship/Small Business Wade RhodesDevelopment Norton Agency Sidney Roland Southern Bank & TrustFinance Jack Keener United Community BankGovernmental Affairs Mike Franklin The Torch Worship CenterMembership Committee Myra Chandler Mountain Education Charter High SchoolSpecial Events/ Fundraising Judy Forbes ConsultantWorkforce Development/Education Mike Franklin The Torch Worship Center Wade Rhodes Norton Agency Kelly Woodall Tallulah Falls SchoolBoard Advisors Richard Hagler Robert Nichols Guy Rechtoris

HABERSHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Habersham Chamber of CommerceMission Statement

Be vital to existing businesses, promote economic development, and enhance the quality of life in Habersham County.

The third annual Lake Russell 5K & Fun Run was rebranded to Habersham Freedom Run @ Lake Russell. The Chamber developed, marketed and hosted the race at Lake Russell in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to recognize, honor and pay tribute to the veterans who have given so much for so many. This event raised funds for the Habersham Veteran’s Wall of Honor and the Chamber’s educational and community projects. Larry A. Peevy, chairman of the Chamber Board, presents the Wall of Honor Board a check for $3,000 from the Chamber from proceeds of the 2017 Run. This was the third annual donation to the Wall of Honor.

Habersham Chamber of CommerceP. O. Box 366 • Cornelia, GA 30531

706-778-4654www.habershamchamber.com