News from Camden County Chamber of Commerce

January 2011 Monthly

News from Your Chamber

Greetings!

Happy New Year as we welcome 2011! Only positive things are going to occur this year, so be prepared and keep those positive thoughts. January will bring many opportunities to learn about additional business practices and further your own professional development.

Your Chamber staff looks forward to working with you as we continue to provide better resources and opportunities to grow yourself and your business.

Chris, Christi, & Julie

Happy New Year

Important Chamber Dates & Future Events (Save the Date)

Wednesday, January 12th - Procurement Seminar "How to do Business on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay" from 8 am - 9:30 am held at the College of Coastal Georgia, Camden Center Auditorium

Wednesday, January 12th - Small Business Committee Meeting at 6:15 pm at the Chamber

Tuesday, January 18th - Membership Committee Meeting at Noon held at the Chamber. Bring your lunch!

Wednesday, January 19th - Board of Director's Meeting at 8 am held at the Chamber

Thursday, January 20th - Business After Hours co-sponsored by O'Brien's Grille & Di's Catering hosted at O'Brien's Grille, St. Marys (located behind Navy Federal)

Tuesday, January 25th - New Member Welcome Breakfast from 8-9:15 pm held at Citizens State Bank Community Center in Kingsland

Wednesday, January 26th - Modernize Your PC Seminar held at Ward Hernandez Building (Formerly St. Marys Economic Development Building) from 11 am - 1 pm Lunch is provided

Thursday, January 27th - Military Community Affairs Meeting at 8:30 am at the Chamber

Friday, January 28th - 2011 Economic Outlook Luncheon held on Jekyll Island (Contact the Chamber if you would like to purchase a ticket) Seating is limited

Monday, January 31st - Workforce Development Committee at 1:30 pm held at the Chamber

Future Events - Save the Date

Friday, May 6th - Chick-fil-A Leadercast held at Southeast Community Church (Contact the Chamber to reserve your ticket)

Thank You to Our December New & Renewing Members

Thank You to Our December New Members

Camden County Emergency Management - Mark Crews
Kingsland Grocery - CB Yadav

Kevin Kesterson - Individual
Eicher's Pro Vinyl & Roofing - Joe Hochstetler

Shoney's Restaurant - Michael Harris

Thank You to Our December Renewing Members

Camden Newcomers' Club - Mary Smith - 5 years

Tri-Lane Equipment Rentals, Inc. - Larry Singletary - 5 years

Wild Way - Tom Schwarz - 3 Years

Aldridge Insurance Agency - Clyde Aldridge - 19 years

Camden/Charlton Board of Realtors - Wendy Beltramo - 21 years

Wesley Glen Ministries - Stella Ideozu - 6 years

Rotary Club of Camden County - Mitch Eby - 4 years

College of Coastal Georgia, Camden Campus - Holly Christensen - 17 years

Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford and Martin PC - Pat Keene - 21 years

Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden Campus - Howard Sepp - 22 years

TDS Telecom - Frank Holcomb - 17 years

Camden Seventh-Day Adventist Church - Dean Read - 2 years

Coastal Oaks Home Inspections - Doug Cooper - 4 years

Georgia Power Company - Joel Hanner - 22 years

Satilla Business Services - Mary Root - 22 years

SONCEL, Inc. - Marjorie Misner - 22 years

United Way of Camden County - Steve Romine - 17 years

Tribune & Georgian - Jill Helton - 22 years

*Highlighted Members 10+ years Membership

Thank You to Our December Sponsors

December Sponsors

Business After Hours
Bennett Suzuki & Borrell Creek Restaurant

Business of the Month

Chick-fil-A

Tools for Business
TDS Telecom

Auction Items

Advance Rehabilitation

Aflac

Belk

Brenau University - Kings Bay Campus

Brenda Barber Photography

Camden Bicycle

Camden County Clinic of Chiropractic

Citizens State Bank

Coastal Oaks Home Inspections

Colby's Bar & Grill

Cumberland Financial Group

Dina Barone's Vocal Studio

ERA Kings Bay Realty-Nancy Stasinis

Georgia Power

Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin PC

Gull & Royal Weaver

Harrietts Bluff Wine & Spirits

Scentsy Candles-Sandy Rickett

J. Green & Co. Fine Jewelers, Inc.

Leadership Camden Alumni

Military Realty of Kings Bay

On the Green Salon & Day Spa

Pampered Pets Resort

Salon Ella Par

Service Master of Camden-Charlton Co.

Sheila's Hallmark
Southeast Georgia Health System, Camden Campus

Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings

Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, February 3rd
Behavioral Consultation Services
921 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Government Community Affairs Committee

The Government Community Affairs Committee is entrenched in the planning process for the Atlanta and DC Fly-Ins. During the preparations this year the committee has decided to change the format a bit in regards to presentation. The theme will embrace all the positive things Camden has to offer the State of Georgia and the business community.

If you would like to get involved and be a part of the the Government Community Affairs Committee, please join us for the monthly meetings scheduled the first Wednesday of each month beginning promptly at 8 am in the Chamber's conference room. Please contact our Committee Chair Charlie Smith at charlie@tcfg-fl.com if you have further questions.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee continues to work on contacting members who have not renewed their membership and creating some great networking ideas for the new year. This months meeting will be changed due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday. The rescheduled meeting is Tuesday, January 18th at noon in the Chamber Conference Room. Don't forget to bring your lunch and all your creative ideas. If you have questions about the Membership Committee, please contact our Committee Chair Nancy Dervaes at nancy_dervaes@us.aflac.com. See you at our next meeting!

Military Community Affairs Committee

The Individual Augmentee Christmas Party hosted by Mr. & Mrs. John Stewart was a huge success and a great way to show our support of both the families and their loved ones protecting our country. The Camden County Chamber's Military Community Affairs Committee hope to have an annual Christmas Party.

The Military Community Affairs meeting for January is 27th at 8:30 am held at the Chamber in the Conference Room. If you are interested in participating on this committee you can contact the co-chairs Allen Eldridge at allen@karlenhomes.net or CMC Jimmy Schubert at james.schubert@navy.mil. Look forward to having you join us!

Small Business Committee

The Small Business Committee's reorganization continues and thus far has been very busy. There are two seminars scheduled for the month of January that will provide small business owners more knowledge on how to do business at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and how to improve on technology for your office. The seminars offered are:

Procurement Seminar
Wednesday, January 12th from 8 am - 9:30 am

Held at the College of Coastal Georgia Camden Campus Auditorium

Modernize Your PC

Lunch will be served

Wednesday, January 26th from 11 am - 1 pm

Held at the Ward Hernandez Building

400 Osborne Street

(formerly St. Marys Economic Development Building)

Members free - Non-Members $25

The Small Business Committee's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12th at 6:15 pm held at the Chamber. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact the Co-chairs Dr. Jon Shiels at chiro559@tds.net or Alex Blount at councilcat79@yahoo.com. The more business people we have on this committee the more information we can provide to our membership. Look forward to having you on the committee.

Workforce Development Committee

The Workforce Development Committee and partners have recently submitted a Georgia Work Ready Regional Trident Coast Grant RFP. They were notified over the holidays that the regional grant was awarded to the Trident Coast in the amount of $350,000. The Trident Coast consists of the following Counties: Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, McIntosh & Wayne.

Press Release

We invite you, any business or industry, that is interested in participating on the Workforce Development Committee to attend our monthly meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 31st at 1:30 pm held at the Chamber. If you have questions or would like to participate please contact Rachel Baldwin, Committee Chair at rbaldwin@camden.k12.ga.us.

Bennett Suzuki & Borrell Creek Co-Sponsor & Host the December Business After Hours

Special thanks to Bennett Suzuki & Borrell Creek Landing Restaurant for co-sponsoring and hosting the December 2010 Business After Hours. The holiday Silent Auction was the back drop for a very festive and fun filled evening for those in attendance.

Join us on Thursday, January 20th from 5-7 pm for our Business After Hours co-sponsored by O'Brien's Grille & Di's Catering. O'Brien's Grille will host the event at their restaurant located at 2796 Colerain Rd, St. Marys (Across from Navy Federal Credit Union and next to Green Cedar). Take this opportunity to support our local businesses, enjoy great networking, build your contact list, and also sample great food and drink.

Photo Gallery

Chamber Member Milestones

Congratulations to all our Members voted Best of Camden County 2011

****************************************************************************************************

Congratulations to Deborah Thrift, Mary Kay Independent Sales Director for earning a Chevrolet Equinox. Way to go, Deborah!

*****************************************************************************************************

Congratulations to Ballast Pointe Trading Company for being noted in the October Issue of the Coastal Living Magazine.

New Member Welcome

You are invited to attend the New Member Welcome Breakfast on Tuesday, January 25th from 8 am - 9:15 am held at the Citizens State Bank Community Center.

Help us to welcome our newest members to the Chamber and also learn first hand how you can make the most of your Chamber Membership. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business to the new members and those in attendance. Please call the Chamber at 912-729-5840 or email us at info@camdenchamber.com to let us know you will be in attendance. See you there.

In This Issue

Important Chamber Dates & Future Events (Save the Date)

Welcome & Thank You December New & Renewing Members

Thank You December Sponsors