sponsored y jessica vaughn | gulfoastnewstoday.com | feb ... · on sunday, march 17th, foley main...
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P.O. Box 1117 | Foley, Alabama 36536 | tel: 251.943.3291 | fax: 251.943.6810 | www.southbaldwinchamber.com
SPONSORED Cover Story . . .
Wolf Bay Restaurants & Bar is a family-owned Gulf Coast tradition known for its high-quality fresh seafood & local ambiance. Its rich history be-gan in the 1940s as a bait shop nestled in the trees along the beautiful waters of Wolf Bay in Elberta, Alabama. Charlie and Sandra Wrape purchased it in 1973. Through their hard work and determination, they began serving a full menu of delicious seafood recipes, many of which were created by ladies that worked there or lived nearby. Although the restaurant was “off the beaten path,” it soon became a favorite among the locals and area visitors alike. On December 7th, 2008 the original lodge was completely destroyed by fire. It has since reopened in three locations – Foley (AL), Orange Beach (AL), Pensacola (FL) – where it con-tinues to be family owned and operated by Charlie and Sandy’s daughter, Charlene Haber. Wolf Bay is known for being a local seafood icon and prides itself in serving high quality, fresh meals in a family-friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, many of the dishes enjoyed today are recipes from the Wrapes’ original menu includ-ing the seafood gumbo, crab stuffing, stuffed shrimp, stuffed whole flounder and many of our salad dressings. Along with the restaurants, Wolf Bay Catering provides unique customized on and off site catering and is one of the premier caterers for wedding receptions, social and corpo-rate events on the Gulf Coast.
MAGNOLIA RUN RETURNS By Jessica Vaughn | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | Feb 11, 2019
For the first time since 2015, the Magnolia Run will be held by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce in Magnolia Springs. The run is returning by popular demand after the chamber received inquiries on why it was no longer taking place and if it would be brought back. After obtaining proper approvals from Magnolia Springs town council, the run is officially taking place on Saturday, April 6. The 5K Run, Race/Walk will begin at 8 a.m., with the one-mile Fun Run beginning at 9 a.m. The 5K Run costs are $25 for pre-registration and $30 on race day. The 5K Race-Walk (no running permitted) will be $25 for pre-registration and $30 on race day. The one-mile Fun Run will cost $15 regardless if paid by pre-registration or on race day. The Magnolia Run 5K Run/Race-Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run takes place in Magnolia Springs down a scenic route with majestic oak branch canopies overhanging the road, lovely
azaleas, flowering plants and historic homes. An awards ceremony will
commence after the race and will be presented to a wide variety of age groups.
Post-race activities for the runners will include lively music, delicious food provided by Jesse’s Restaurant, beverages and door prizes including a two-night stay from Kaiser Realty. Presenting sponsor for the event is South Baldwin Regional Medical Center. Those interested in pre-registering for the race or looking for more details can visit the website www.southbaldwinchamber.net
SouthBaldwinChamber.com Business Resources
DIPLOMAT OF THE MONTH
LUCKY TO LIVE IN FOLEY On Sunday, March 17th, Foley Main Street will host an afternoon concert to celebrate downtown Foley, introduce Foley Main Street and to encourage folks to shop local. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy music provided by Four A Change from 3 PM to 5 PM and share your ideas for downtown Foley. The concert will be held in the parking lot behind Stacey’s Drug Store & Old Tyme Soda Fountain. Four a Change is a local, four person group who likes to get together and make music! Their choral pieces range from Broadway show tunes, to contemporary pop, to country and a little jazz. They may even throw in a couple of Irish tunes in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Also, anyone who shops in downtown Foley between March 4th and March 17th will be eligible to WIN the “Pot of Gold.” Just bring your receipt(s) with your name, email and phone number on the back and place it in the gold barrel for your chance to win! The “Pot of Gold” will include cash and gifts from participating merchants. You must be present to win! The event is sponsored in part by OWA, Frances Holk Insurance Co., Inc./State Farm, Ebert Agency, Inc., Katapult Properties LLC, Baldwin Mutual Insurance Co., Inc., and WHEP Radio Baldwin.
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS EXPERTS SHARE EIGHT WAYS TO MASTER THE WAY YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS
1. Organize Your Organization
Every business is different, so
determining the organizational
structure that best suits a particular
business is crucial. […]
2. Create the Right Space
A well-planned office space can work
wonders for any team, and planners
need to give serious thought to what
type of physical—or remote—office
situation might be most effective. […]
3. Master Your Finances
Staying on budget and on top of a
company’s financial situation can be a
lot of work for any business, and the
independent planning segment is no
exception. Professional help may be
worth the cost. […]
By Mark Chesnut | Meetings & Conventions | Vol.54 No.2, Feb 2019
Independent planners are a busy lot. They can easily find themselves juggling everything from day-to-day business and staffing to event planning and long-term strategizing. Successful planners are those who learn to balance and master the intricacies of running a business, while still excelling at what they do best: planning events and making clients happy.
“To get the insider scoop on how to handle some of the most pressing issues facing business owners in the planning segment, we asked the experts about their best practices and favorite hacks.” [Full article available in Meeting & Conventions Magazine, Feb 2019]
4. Be Ready for Surprises
As the old saying goes, it’s smart to
hope for the best and plan for the
worst. Prepare yourself for what’s
coming down the road. […]
5. Know When to Outsource
Financial and legal issues aren’t the only
areas that might be best addressed by
an outside person or a new staff
member. The trick is to understand
when it’s better to delegate
responsibilities to someone else. […]
6. Harness Technology
High-tech gadgets, apps and programs
are designed, ideally, to make it easier
to run a business. Identifying the tools
that are useful for specific tasks, such as
storing and sharing are important. […]
7. Make Time to Toot Your Horn
Businesses need clients and
connections in order to thrive. And
the best way to stay in the minds of
current and potential clients is
through promotion. […]
8. Find What’s Next
Independent planners who run their
own business need to keep their eye
on the big picture and be looking for
their next sale; make sure you never
get too comfortable with one
account. […]
Article courtesy of
Meetings & Conventions
Vol.54, No.2
Feb 2019
Baldwin County businesses have spoken, and Youth Apprenticeships are about to become a reality beginning with Hospitality and Tourism. 24 businesses, who employ more than 8,000 workers, have joined forces to offer this first-of-its kind opportunity. There are currently five high schools offering coursework in this field, and during the month of March, students will have the opportunity to jump-start their careers by accepting a paid youth apprenticeship with a participating business. On April 5th, more than 240 students studying Hospitality & Tourism will take part in a career development day sponsored by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Students from five high schools will be bussed to The Lodge at Gulf State Park to participate in a tour and learn about career opportunities in the field. Industry leaders will be on hand to share opportunities in Lodging Management, Restaurant Management, Recreation & Events, and Culinary Arts. Brian Harsany of Cosmos Restaurant group states that, "Our local hospitality industry presents tremendous opportunities for employees to have long and rewarding careers. We believe that more parents and students should be aware of the long-term value and growth opportunities in a career in this industry. There is a workforce pipeline issue in South Baldwin County. We need students to be aware of the careers available right here in our area, and that they are rewarding, and high paying careers." According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Americans whose first job was in the hospitality and tourism industry obtain an average career salary of $81,900, and nearly 40% who began a career in hospitality and tourism reach an annual career salary in excess of $100,000. Youth Apprenticeships make sense for a number of our industry clusters in South Baldwin County, says Ed Bushaw of the Gateway Team. We are piloting this program with the Hospitality cluster and plan to move to other clusters in the near future. For more information on this opportunity contact Ed Bushaw, Workforce Development Director with the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at 251-751-7070 or [email protected].
Advocacy:
• The Baldwin County Chamber Coalition Develops a Business Legislative Agenda; Sends to Delegation in Montgomery and Washington!
Business Growth:
• L.A. Young Professionals Group Formed in Collaboration with Coastal Alabama Business Chamber; March 14 Event at OWA
• Gateway to Great Customer Service Training Hosted at Columbia Southern University; Local Businesses Prep for Incoming Spring Breakers
Workforce:
• Sixty-three Baldwin County Businesses Respond to the FIRST Hospitality and Tourism Industry Wage and Benefit Survey
• Over 20 Baldwin County Businesses Sponsor Youth Apprenticeship Program; Chamber/SAWDC Facilitates Coordination between Local High Schools, Businesses, and High Ed Institutions
Youth Apprenticeship Committee Members: (LtoR) Chad Leonard, Jennifer Gordon, Brandi Ingram, Brian Harsany, Amy Hitchner,
Edward Bushaw, and Michelle Hodges.
EXPEDIA CRUISE SHIP CENTERS — Gulf Shores
Expedia Cruise Ship Centers is a locally owned full-service travel agency offering a free service to clients for advice and guidance when planning any type of vacation. Their expert consultants are all local independent contractors who can offer better deals than booking directly. Since Expedia Cruise Ship Centers is an Expedia Group company, the number one brand in travel, they have access to
exclusive offers, such as the upcoming SUPER SALE from March 15th - 30th with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. All are welcome to the Open House in the center on March 8th from 10 AM to 2 PM. Stop in and see why Expedia Cruise Ship Centers should be your travel agents of choice. Door prizes and refreshments will be available. Safe Travels! Phone: 251.230.8080 | Email:
Need a Breath of Fresh Air? By Shivani Vora | nytimes.com | Feb 12, 2019
More hotels are adding air purifiers and filters to their guest rooms, either because the outside air is prone to smoke or pollution, or because guests demand them for health reasons. Forget free wine hours and on-demand workout videos. An increasing number of hotels around the world are now providing guests the option to book rooms with filtration and purification systems that minimize threats of air pollution and offer cleaner air. “Interior air quality can be abysmal,” said Beth McGroarty, Research Director for The Global Wellness Institute, a nonprofit organization for the wellness industry. “Hotels are combating this by installing high-tech systems in some of their rooms that improve the air their guests are breathing.” The quest for clean air is part of the growing interest in wellness travel, Ms. McGroarty said. Outside conditions could certainly be a larger factor. According to data released last year by the World Health Organization, nine of 10 people globally breathe polluted air. Many top urban destinations, particularly in developing nations, have been recognized for unhealthy smog conditions. Wildfires are becoming more frequent, affecting the air quality of hundreds of miles. And travelers with respiratory conditions or allergies may especially benefit from breathing cleaner air. Most hotel properties generally charge a higher nightly rate for their clean air rooms, compared with their standard rooms, and while the amount varies depending on the hotel, a stay can be 5 percent to 7 percent more expensive.
Mobile's technology sector could get a boost from a new facility. Innovation PortAL, a hub for entrepre-neurship and innovation, is breaking ground on a new headquarters Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. The headquarters will be at 358 St. Louis St. Innovation PortAL is a program of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Information from Innovation PortAL said the facility will "provide entrepreneurs access to expertise, resources and funding, allowing them to rapidly scale their ventures to regional, national and interna-tional markets." Innovation PortAL will work with Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, Washington and Mobile counties.
Innovation hub breaking ground in Mobile
BizJournals.com
FEB 2019
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
ALABAMA & AUBURN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
By Michael Tomberlin| AlabamaNewsCenter.com | Feb 4, 2019
“If we do great science and great technology and it sits on a shelf, we haven’t done much.”
—Steven Leath
Auburn President Steven Leath, left, and UA System Interim Chancellor Finis St. John together at the EDAA conference. (Michael Tomberlin / Alabama NewsCenter)
There is one playing field where Alabama and Auburn are on the same side. Leaders of both institutions shared time recently at the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s 2019 Winter Conference. “We are different universities with different assets and together we can pull our state forward,” said Dr. Steven Leath, president of Auburn University. Leath said Auburn is not a rival but a collaborator with UA when it comes to boosting the state’s economy. It was a sentiment shared by Finis St. John, interim chancellor of the University of Alabama System. In fact, St. John said the entire education system from pre-K to post-graduate training and other workforce
development initiatives needs to be aligned to a greater degree today than ever before. “We must also work together to have students better prepared from pre-K through high school,” St. John said. “If all are better, the universities are better, and the state is better.” Why are we seeing this degree of cooperation? Because we must, St. John said. With state at essentially full employment and population growth flat, St. John said it is crucial the universities do what they can to contribute to the solution. One thing the University of Alabama System has been doing is recruiting students from out of state with the hope that a good percentage of them will remain in the state after graduation, St. John said. The graduate programs and job opportunities in Alabama after graduation with some of the biggest companies in the world is also an enticement for students, he said. Leath said Auburn, like Alabama, is working hand-in-hand with companies to put education to use. “If we do great science and great technology and it sits on a shelf, we haven’t done much,” he said. For instance, Auburn is working with GE Aviation in the use of additive manufacturing processes with jet engine nozzles. It is also working on an RFID program with Delta Airlines to help improve safety, efficiency and onboard inventory. Other areas of collaboration range from cyber security, canine protection training, the opioid crisis and agriculture, Leath said.
MAR 28
MAR 16
APR 6
MAR 22
BBQ & BLUES
COOK-OFF LOCATION: Heritage Park
TIME: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
GOLF
CLASSIC LOCATION: Craft Farms Cotton Creek
TIME: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
BUSINESS
AFTER HOURS LOCATION: 22394 Miflin Rd, Foley
TIME: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
MAGNOLIA
RUN LOCATION: Magnolia Springs
TIME: 6:30 am - 12:00 pm
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Visit southbaldwinchamber.com for tickets and information.
Homecare Companions, Edward Jones - Jason Kozon, Sweet
Southern Scratch, and Vosloh Properties