The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County invites you to join Sandy Ratliff with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance as she shares tips on how individuals can use their iPads for running a business as well as making life a bit faster & easier. This workshop is perfect for professionals, independent business owners, and folks who just want an easier option to connect and integrate technology. The workshop offers the latest updates on tips tricks and the best in affordable apps to make the most of iPad technology.  iPad for Business is hands-on and interactive with free WiFi access for all attendees.  Participants should bring their own iPads so that they may explore and download the best applications and get started organizing their personal and professional lives.

The iPad for Business Workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 24 from 9:00am-12:00noon in the Bowen Board Room at the General Francis Marion Hotel and Conference Center in Marion.  The fee for the workshop is $10 per person and includes a catered lunch.  Registration is open and available by contacting the Chamber of Commerce office at 276-783-3161.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

The Award Winning Song of the Mountains Concert Series will present a fundraising concert at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, June 30th at 7:00 pm. "Our concert series is in our eighth season of tapings", says Tim White the executive coordinator and host. "We are a non-profit organization and we are always searching for funding to keep our concert series on public television across America." says White. "We receive absolutely no funding from PBS as some people might think. We really depend on the support of bluegrass, old time, gospel, classic country and Americana music fans to step forward and make donations anytime they can. We hope many will come to our exciting fundraising concert on June 30th and enjoy a wonderful show."

The June 30th concert will not be taped for broadcast but will be presented to the public for fundraising efforts.

Scheduled to appear on the concert will be the comedy of Phil Campbell who is the son of the legendary Archie Campbell. Also appearing will be Amber Collins of No Speed Limit, the VW Boys, Skeeter & the Skidmarks, Lonesome Will Mullins, Paula Dellenback and Fox River, Rich In Tradition and the Celtic music of Night Crossing and Fire in the Kitchen. As an added bonus for this concert you will also be treated to the amazing "Magic of Dave Vaught".

Tickets for the June 30 Fundraiser Concert and other Song of the Mountains events are available at The Lincoln Theatre and on the SOTM website.

The winner of the Area Beautification Award for April 2012, the Rye Valley District, is Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.  Managing over 200,00 acres of National Forest property, including cabins, campgrounds, a visitors center, and over 500 miles of trails, the staff of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area stay busy all year.  Their work keeps the wilderness lands and trails in top condition for the more than one million visitors that come to Mount Rogers each year. 
The Area Beautification Contest is a project of the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, organized in conjunction with the Smyth County Board of Supervisors.  The Supervisors select judges for each of the magisterial districts and contests are held on a monthly basis, April-October.  One winner is selected each month and represents one of the magisterial districts.  Each of the monthly winners are eligible for the Overall Area Beautification Award.  The Overall winner is selected through an open polling process each November, with the winner being honored at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Meeting.  For more information or to make a nomination, contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161.

The Smyth County Young Professionals for Progress is partnering with Marion Downtown to host a new Summer Concert Series in 2012.  The concerts will be held at the new Marion Regional Farmer's Market stage on the second Friday of June, July, August, and September.  Concerts will begin at 8:00pm, following the Downtown ArtWalk, and last until 10:30pm.  The first concert Admission is free and the Smyth County YPP group will be selling hot dogs, bratwurst, soda, and beer.  Bring a chair and your dancing shoes to one of Smyth County's hottest summer venues!

The July 13 Concert will feature House of Fools - a rock band with classic and southern rock influences.  

Want to volunteer to help?  Contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161or signup with SCYPP online. 

A significant focus of the work that the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. does for the community is involved in supporting small businesses.  Small businesses owners and entrepreneurs help to create jobs and provide products and services to our citizens.  The Smyth County Young Professionals for Progress, an organization parented by the Chamber of Commerce, has been organizing Ca$h Mobs.  This initiative is organized not only to show support for local business, but also to draw attention to shopping opportunities in our community and provide a fun social networking event for citizens.  

The first Ca$h Mob was a success in Downtown Marion, with more than 20 mobbers spending their money at Handsome Molly's.  The second mob took place at Chilhowie's Hodgepodge on Main as part of Business Appreciation Week 2012: The Year of the Entrepreneur.  The Ca$h Mob project seeks to recognize the contributions of local entrepreneurs and drive support for "Shop Local" efforts.

The Smyth County Young Professionals for Progress are taking the Ca$h Mob concept on a tour of Smyth County and will organize their next Ca$h Mob event in the Town of Saltville. 

The Ca$h Mob events are publicized through social media, using the Smyth County Young Professionals for Progress Facebook page to list details about the event.  

For more information about Ca$h Mobs in Smyth County, contact the Chamber of Commerce office:: 276-783-3161, or check out SCYPP online.

TheSaltville-Rich Valley annual COLE RIDES carnival, now in its 59th year, will be in town Tuesday, July 10, and ending on Saturday, July 14, at the Lions Club's carnival grounds.  Opening  every night at 6 p.m., there will be fun for all with lots of rides, food and bingo.  Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. every night with cash prizes.  The carnival is the Saltville-Rich Valley Lions Club's largest fundraiser for the year with proceeds spent on providing eye glasses, hearing aids, sight and hearing preservation, scholarships, disaster relief, and additional community projects. There will be daily unlimited ride specials. This year every person up to 18 years of age when purchasing an arm band will have the opportunity to enter his or her name in a drawing for a 20" Huffy bike donated by Walmart in Marion.  The drawing will take place on Saturday evening at 10 p.m. in the bingo stand.  Winner does not have to be present to win. 

For details contact Mamie Maul, President of the Saltville-Rich Valley Lions Club: 276-496-4253.

The Annual Family Fish & Fun Day, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. was held on Saturday, June 2 at Hungry Mother State Park.  The Chamber joined with Hungry Mother State Park Staff to coordinate this event again for 2012, and were pleased to have a great turnout and beautiful weather.

Family Fish & Fun Day is organized annually to take place during Virginia's Free Fishing Days, sponsored by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, when no license is required to fish.  The 2012 Carp Tournament had approximately 50 participants.  Awards were given for the largest fish in each age group and the Overall Winner.  While the 2012 tournament saw an increase in registered participants, there was a decrease in the number of fish caught.  No carp were weighed in for the 7 and under age group or the 8-15 age group.  All fish caught were from the 16 and up category.  Special prizes were given for the three largest fish.  Third Place went to Pete Glass and his carp that was 20 inches long and weighed 3 pounds and 9 ounces.  Rebecca Hayden caught the Second Place fish at 21.25 inches long and 3 pounds, 13 ounces in weight.  Hayden was given the trophy for the largest fish in the 16 and up age group.  The largest fish of the day was caught by Glen Buchanan, who was also the very first to register for the tournament and winner of the Overall trophy.  His fish was 22.5 inches long and weighed 5 pounds and 7 ounces.  As the Overall Winner of the Carp Tournament, Buchanan will have his name included on the record trophy kept at the Chamber office.

Following the final weigh in, the Chamber hosted a hot dog lunch that was free for all tournament participants.  In addition, drawings were held for prizes that included tackle, gift certificates, a fishing pole,a FishNPack backpack, and more.  Trout Unlimited of the Mountain Empire provided fly fishing demonstrations and lessons, as well as a special interpretive program with naturalist Carrie Sparks.  Sponsors for the Chamber's Family Fish and Fun Day included Army Navy Store, FishNPack, Lewis and Clark Outdoors, Sportsmen's Den, and Trout Unlimited of the Mountain Empire.

For details about this and other community events, contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161.

The sun was shining brightly through the 30 foot glass walls of the River Ridge Cafe as the Chamber of Commerce hosted its Summer Networking Breakfast event at the new Smyth County Community Hospital.  The event was held on Wednesday, June 20 and offered attendees the opportunity to see beautiful views that the facility has to offer.  The Networking Breakfast was open to all Chamber Members and non-members from the community, and was sponsored by Mountain States Health Alliance and Smyth County Community Hospital.  

Networking Breakfast events serve as an opportunity for community leaders to network, learn about new businesses, and provide updates on the latest developments with their own businesses and organizations.  In addition to networking opportunities, the June event featured a program by Dr. Marilyn Bishop and David Poe entitled "Occupational Medicine: An Employer's Guide."  The presentation provided an overview of occupational medicine, as well as information regarding benefits of medical programs in the workplace.  Attendees learned about how healthcare can impact a business's bottom line and how workplace health initiatives can provide cost savings to individual employees as well as the employer. 

For details about MSHA Employer Health Services, contact Teronya Holmes or visit their website.

The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. joined the statewide celebration of Virginia Business Appreciation Week 2012 from June 4-8, 2012.  This year the theme "2012: The Year of the Entrepreneur" was chosen to reflect on the role that the Commonwealth of Virginia and the local community can have in supporting entrepreneurship. 

The Chamber hosted the annual Business and Industry Appreciation Luncheon at the General Francis Marion Hotel and Conference Center in Marion on Friday, June 8.  Registration for the event was open and attendees represented various businesses and industries in Smyth County. The luncheon served to celebrate the accomplishments of Smyth County's businesses and industries, recognizing their leadership and contributions to our community. Tom Graham, Chair of the Chamber's Commercial and Industrial Support Committee that served as the host of the event, gave opening remarks that noted recent investments in business development for the Smyth County Community.  He noted that including projects such as the new Smyth County Community Hospital, courthouse renovations, new elementary school, industrial machinery, and grants programs that there has been more than $150 million in new investments brought to Smyth County in the past year.  In addition, the Business and Industry Appreciation Luncheon featured a special presentation by Jim Flowers, Executive Director for Virginia Tech's VT Knowledgeworks.  He shared insights on how the Smyth County community can develop and support an entrepreneurial spirit and what individuals can do to inspire and support entrepreneurship among their business peers.     

The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County celebrates Virginia's Business Appreciation Week annually, but works throughout the year to assist businesses, industries, and entrepreneurs by providing workshops, resources, and other support.  The Chamber pleased to work with the local and state government to develop opportunities for business growth in Smyth County.