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In This Issue
- Chamber Events
- Membership Golf
- Leadership Columbus
- Business After Hours
- YP Day of Action
- Legislative Express
- Small Business Week
- Eye Opener Breakfast
- TRC Reward Lunches
- Ribbon Cuttings
- Business News
- Crime Stoppers Announcement
- Unemployment Statistics
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Our Mission Is To Promote Business Success By Being The Leader In Economic And Community Development In The Region
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THANK YOU to our Continuous Sponsors for your support.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Please register for all Chamber events online at www.columbusgachamber.com
Total Resource Campaign Victory Party
Tuesday, June 5
6 - 7:30pm
TSYS lobby
Sponsored by: TSYS
Contact Ashley Chism at achism@columbusgachamber.com to RSVP.
Power Lunch
Thursday, June 14
Noon - 1:30pm
CSU's Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center
Sponsored by:
Serenity Hospice Care
Space is limited. Register online today!
Business Owner Speaker Series
Topic: How to Use Social Media to Drive Your Business
Thursday, June, 21
11:30am - 1pm Register for FREE today!
Eye Opener Breakfast
Thursday, June 28
7am - 8:30am
Convention & Trade Center
Sponsored by: Troy University
Reserve your space at the breakfast today.
Business & Healthcare Expo
Thursday, August 9
Convention & Trade Center
This year's Theme is TV Game Shows!
If you need more information contact Michael Dunbar at 706-327-1566 or mdunbar@columbusgachamber.com
Annual Inter-City Leadership Conference to Oklahoma City
September 26-28
Register now to get the early bird registration rates before August 1st.
Contact Becky Gordon at bgordon@columbusgachamber.com
or click on the Registration Form for more information.
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UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS
Georgia Military College Groundbreaking
Thursday, June 14th
11:30am
7300 Blackmon Road
Columbus, Georgia
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MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
Chamber members, we want to hear from you! Your input is important to us. Please take a moment to complete this short survey as we review levels of satisfaction of our activities, programs and events. Thank you for your support!
Take Survey
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JOIN A CHAMBER COMMITTEE
Joining one of the many committees of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is a great way to expand your business network by building contacts throughout the business community.
Sign up for a committee today!
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2011 ANNUAL REPORT
View the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce 2011 Annual Report online. This annual printed publication is also available at the Chamber Depot and at Chamber events.
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WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS - American General
- BP Food Mart
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America of the Southeast
- Certus Bank
- Cherry Berry of Columbus
- Clark Realty Capital
- Columbus Aesthetic and Family Dentistry, P.C.
- Edward Jones
- Extreme Outfitters
- Fade to Black Productions
- J. Bruce Carden Leadership
- JP Auto Care
- McAlister's Deli
- Mercer University
- My Gym Children's Fitness Center
- Pound Construction Company
- PTAP
- R.H. Brent & Son
- Robins & Morton
- Safeguard Business Systems
- Sony Pictures
- South East Regional Med Spa
- Spectra Contract Flooring
- SWI Enterprise Inc
- The Eidson Company
- The Miller Clapperton Partnership
- Windsor HR Services, Inc.
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 Quick Links |
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Chamber Events |
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Membership Golf Extravaganza
The Annual Membership Golf Extravaganza was held on Friday, May 4. More than 250 people attended the event at Maple Ridge Golf Course. The overall tournament winner was the Staff Zone Team and 2nd place went to the Colony Bank foursome. Carmike Cinemas was awarded the overall best decorated tee and ServPro of Columbus won 2nd place. Thank you again to event sponsors J. Smith Lanier, Knology, DJI Builders, Sony Pictures, Georgia Power, Carmike Cinemas, WRBL, Royal Cup, Acura/BMW of Columbus, Mayer Electric Supply Company, ATC Associates, Merrill Lynch, KPMG, HD Supply Electrical, CWC Carithers Wallace Courtenay. Mark your calendars for next year's tournament scheduled for May 3, 2013.
 | | Carmike Cinemas at the Men In Black 3 Tent |
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Leadership Columbus State & Local Government Day
The Leadership Columbus class explored state and local government led by day chair, Colin Martin, Tuesday May 15th. AT&T sponsored this day, which began with remarks from Mayor Teresa Tomlinson. Throughout the day, the class learned the foundations of running for office, city services, legislative policies, and judiciary responsibilities. After hearing how the city and state run, the class took a shot at running the city with a mock election and council session. The participants of the Leadership Columbus class are determined each year through an application and selection process. Applications are now available for the 2012-2013 class. To apply, click here and submit the packet by June 22nd. If you have any questions about this program, contact Amy Askew.
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LC Participants during Mock Council Session
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Business After Hours
Valley Healthcare System sponsored the May Business After Hours on May 8 at the Wynn House. Guests were treated to refreshments and music at the historic Columbus location. Valley Healthcare donated several door prizes including an engraved pen and pencil desk set. Our next Business After Hours is scheduled for September 6. Mark your calendars for this great after hours event.
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Valley Healthcare Board Members and Staff |
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YP Day of Action
140 Young Professionals participated in the Greater Columbus Georgia Young Professionals' Day of Action, sponsored by Columbus Home Enhancements and Max Fitness. This day was committed to raising awareness of service learning projects available in Columbus, GA. Volunteers from the Servant Leadership Committee, led by Alicia Herring (TSYS) produced more than 460 hours of service between Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th. Participants completed various projects with the Paws Humane, Habitat for Humanity, the Alzheimer's Association, House of Heroes, Vapor Thrift Store, Feeding the Valley and Oxbow Meadows. To see upcoming events like this, visit the Young Professionals' Website http://www.ypcolumbusga.com.
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YPs at Lowe's Women's Build
(Habitat for Humanity)
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Legislative Express 2012
The Chamber held the premier political networking event on May 17. Legislative Express is a great opportunity to thank our elected officials and mingle with the decision makers in our state. Special thanks to Aflac for being the Legislative Express 2012 Gold Sponsor.
 | | Local officials at Legislative Express |
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Small Business Week
The Chamber celebrated Small Business Week in conjunction with National Small Business Week May 21-24. Local businesses were connected, educated, inspired and honored during the week's events.
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The week kicked off with Taste of Columbus at the Springer Opera House. |
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Congratulations Country's BBQ for winning the Taste of Columbus Show Stopper Award! |
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Business Symposium at the Cunningham Center
Russ Carreker, President of Starrett-Bytewise, spoke on the Lifespan of a Small Business |
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On Wednesday participants headed out on a bus tour to local businesses including Ankerpak, Lane Dermatology, Footique, Sugga's Restaurant, Kudzu and W.C. Bradley. |
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Bus Tour participants at Footique |
Small Business Week concluded with the Business Recognition Awards Dinner and Gala held on Thursday night at the RiverMill.
2012 Small Business Award Winners are:
Defense Contractor of the Year: BAE Systems, Bob Jordan
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: ERA Realty, Travis Chambers
Small Business Giant of the Year: Wiggins Insurance, Terry Wiggins
Drug Free Workplace of the Year: Bradford Health
Visionary Award: Ranger Joe's, Paul Voorhees
Congratulations to this year's honorees.
Thank you to our sponsors of Small Business Week 2012, Columbus Bank & Trust, WRBL, SunTrust Bank, Goo Goo Car Wash, and Troy University.
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May Eye Opener Breakfast
The May Eye Opener Breakfast was held on May 24 at the Trade Center and was sponsored by Lane Dermatology. Software Made Simple, Inc. was honored as the Small Business Giant for May. Congratulations Becky Parnell and team. Colby Cardin from CB&T was a featured speaker at the breakfast. Attendants also heard an update from Environmental Protection Division Director, Judson Turner. Make plans to attend our next Eye Opener Breakfast Thursday, June 28.
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Becky Parnell, President of Software Made Simple and Jay Alexander, 2012 Chamber Chair |
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Total Resource Campaign Reward Lunches
Total Resource Campaign volunteers met for lunch at the Chamber each Thursday of the Campaign. Each week they heard from an influential leader who shared their leadership journey and life lessons. Thank you to all our leadership speakers for the 2012 Campaign: Becca Hardin, Greater Columbus GA Chamber of Commerce; Billy Blanchard CB&T; Jacki Lowe, Georgia Power; Joel Ames, Atmos Energy; Mike Gaymon, Greater Columbus GA Chamber of Commerce; Jay Alexander, Alexander Electric; Cedric Hill, Hill, Watson, People's Funeral Service; Russ Carreker, Starrett-Bytewise; Ross Cathy, Chick-Fil-A and Carmen Cavezza, CSU Cunningham Center.
The Chamber's Total Resource Campaign ends June 5. If you are interested in taking advantage of marketing opportunities offered by the Chamber please contact us for more information. The Chamber offers sponsorships that suit a variety of needs and will help you market your business. Visit the TRC website to view available sponsorship opportunities. Contact Ashley Chism at achism@columbusgachamber.com for more information.
 | | TRC volunteers at final Reward Lunch of 2012 Campaign |
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Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings |
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Goodwill Columbus Training Center
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers
2601 Cross Country Drive
Columbus, Georgia
Learn more about Goodwill's mission at www.gwisr.org |
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Cherry Berry
Frozen Yogurt Shop
5413 Whittlesey Boulevard, Suite E
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus Park Crossing
(762) 821-1213
Follow Cherry Berry on Twitter @CherryBerryGA for discounts and updates. |
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Business News |
Crime Stoppers Announce TipSoft
Valley Area Crime Stoppers, a program of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, announced TipSoft on May 23. TipSoft is a new crime fighting program added to the tools of the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff and Muscogee County Marshal's Department. It will provide the departments with tips via SMS Text Tips. Citizens can text tips to 274637 then type in the message and include the acronym "VACS"; send the encrypted message and receive an ID number immediately. Investigators will receive and can reply to encrypted test tipster to get any additional information. Tip Submit Mobile has a free tip submission application for iPhone and Android platforms with unlimited length messages and an image and video can be attached with a 2-way dialog. This is another way the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is impacting businesses through The Valley Area Crime Stoppers program. |
Region Unemployment Numbers
Unemployment rate down to 8.4% for Columbus, GA region. Click the link below for the entire breakdown for April 2012.
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