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WEEKLY UPDATE Wednesday, April 27, 2011 |
| Greetings! | |
We have several things going on this week and next that are critical to realizing our vision to build one of the world's premier business communities. We hope you will join us! |
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Congratulations to our April Small Business of the Month: International Plastics! | |
This month's small business award goes to a company with an entrepreneurial legacy that is the epitome of "The American Dream." Founded in 1964 by J.R. McClure (with a $500 loan from his mother) as a convertor of plastic bags for the textile industry, International Plastics continues as a thriving, second-generation, family business that employs 33 associates. From inception, their mission has been simple: "To help customers succeed by providing complete packaging solutions."
International Plastics has done just that for 35,000+ customers, many of which are "Fortune 500" companies in all 50 states and over 20 countries.
International Plastics manufactures, imports, and supplies all types of protective flexible packaging for a variety of industries. Specializing in poly/plastic bags, box liners, drum liners, reclosable zip-lock bags, retail shopping bags, trade show bags, poly tubing, and poly films, they are able to custom design and manufacture flexible packaging to just about any specification. Their website boasts over 600 sizes of poly bags and over 4,000 packaging-related products ready for same-day shipping.
Over the past 47 years, International Plastics has established an industry reputation of "Operational Excellence." Their corporate philosophy and policies are firmly based on their mission, vision and values. All associates are encouraged and empowered to make decisions based on those core principles. When asked about International Plastics' culture, VP of Operations Mark McClure said, "We work hard to exemplify 'The Golden Rule' in ALL relationships; employees, customers and vendors alike. The end result is not only found in satisfied customers, but in a company culture that is appreciated by our associates and envied by our peers."
In spite of the recession, International Plastics has seen significant growth in revenue and profitability. In a time where most companies are cutting back, International Plastics never laid an associate off and has been profitable in all 47 years of its existence. Owners Steve McClure, Mark McClure, and Carolyn M. Robinson accepted the award at the Chamber's monthly Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, April 21. Learn more at www.interplas.com. |
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Upstate Young Professionals Hangar Party this Evening! | |
The Upstate Young Professionals' Hangar Party features Upstate resturants, music and fun atmosphere. There is no cost to attend and it's open to ALL Upstate Young Professionals (over 21 years old). Click here to register.
If you'd like more information on PULSE, click here.
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Congratulations to our Ambassador of the Month: Melissa Sams! | |
 Melissa is a Greenville native and graduate of Winthrop University. She works with Total Comfort Solutions serving clients by delivering innovative HVAC Solutions. Preventative Maintenance is the core business of Total Comfort Solutions, in addition, they also specialize in automation and controls service, building analysis, and refrigerant management. Their primary customer focus is mid-to-large sized facilities across South Carolina and eastern Georgia in the healthcare, industrial, technology, institutional, and office markets.
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Operation FUEL is underway! Help celebrate our volunteers with prizes! |  Operation FUEL is a resource initiative aimed at prompting awareness and obtaining resource commitments. Volunteer teams are soliciting memberships, sponsorships, and scholarships for Chamber programs. From small businesses to corporate giants, members are contributing merchandise and services as prizes to reward our volunteers. We have 15 teams participating and hope you can help us reward them for their hard work! If you would like to make a donation, please contact Jennifer Powell at 864-239-3731 or jpowell@greenvillechamber.org. |
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Salute to Quality Tomorrow, April 28th from 4-6pm at the Chamber! | |
We asked Eddie to help us create an invitation for our upcoming
Salute to Quality event. To our surprise and delight, he utilized one of our program's Quality Tools - an If... Then Chart* - to relay the message!
Eddie Zahiu is a third grade student engaged in the Greenville Chamber's Carolina First Center for Excellence program at partner school Ellen Woodside Elementary.
We hope you can come see our Center for Excellence partner schools display their use of Quality Tools and Principles at this annual event.
There is no cost to attend and we hope you will bring guests. Click here to register!
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Leadership Greenville Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations Due This Friday! | |
 Leadership Greenville Alumni recognizes an outstanding graduate of the Leadership Greenville Program for their outstanding civic and community contributions each year. Past winners include Sarah Fletcher, Fred Carpenter, and Joseph Swann. Click here to learn more and download a nomination form.
NOTE: Applications for Leadership Greenville Class 38 are due June 1st. Learn more here! |
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Join us for the Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards Dinner Next Tuesday! |  |
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GROW Your Thinking | GROW Your Influence | GROW Your Relationships
Have You Reserved Your Booth for the GROW EXPO on May 17th? | |
 GROW EXPO is the Greenville Chamber's salute to regional businesses and celebration of National Small Business Week!
It's the region's largest business-to-business trade show with hundreds of members exhibiting and more than a thousand attendees.
Click here for exhibitor and sponsorship information! |
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Help Celebrate International Companies Investing in the Upstate! | |
 GE Energy will receive the 2011 International Economic Development Award at the Chamber's 19th Annual International Luncheon on Tuesday, May, 24 at the Marriott Greenville.
Sponsorships are Available!
Click here for information about sponsoring and/or attending this important event to recognize the investment and employment by international companies in the Upstate! |
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Is Your Facility in Compliance with the Latest Safety Standards? | |
 The Chamber's Manufacturers Roundtable, in partnership with SC OSHA, will be providing a luncheon session on Hazardous Communications Standards on May 17th.
Van Henson, Training & Education Supervisor, will provide the training.
Cost to attend is only $10, which includes lunch.
Click here to register or contact hhyatt@greenvillechamber.org for additional information. |
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Need Money to Train Your Employees? | |
The Greenville County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) will begin receiving applications on April 6, 2011 for the Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Program, funded through the Federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-220). IWT provides funding for training needed in current businesses due to expansion, new technology, retooling, new services/product lines and new organizational structuring or as part of a layoff aversion strategy. IWT may also fund training in new businesses if those jobs are ineligible for assistance through ReadySC. This year's IWT solicitation will give priority consideration to the following in-demand, high growth areas:
- Aviation/Aerospace
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Energy
- Life Sciences
- Chemicals and Films
- Automotive
To obtain a copy of the IWT application, contact Katie Falconer at Greenville County Workforce Development, 864-467-7381,TTY: 711 or kfalconer@greenvillecounty.org or go to
http://www.greenvillewib.com. Applications are due by 3:00 pm on May 5, 2011. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Applications can also be accessed here: http://www.greenvillewib.com/notices.asp |
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Dream It! Do It! Help Students Explore Careers in Manufacturing! | |
Building a talent pipeline is critical to the success of manufacturing in our region. Dream It! Do It! will host a Career Day at McAlister Square on Thursday, May 5th to introduce high school students pursuing manufacturing-related educational programs to leading area manufacturers. If your firm would like to participate (at no cost) or to find out more details, contact jblankenship@scpathways.org. |
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Are You Hiring? Post Your Local Jobs for FREE at NationJob! | |
Greenville  Chamber Members can post local job listings for FREE at NationJob! Take advantage of this valuable benefit by E-mailing the job description to njlistings@nationjob.com and note that you are a Greenville Chamber member, or call 888-256-0919 for further details. | |
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Are You Saving Your Company Money with the Chamber's SmartBuys Programs? | |
 The bottom line is this: Your company wants to save money. And to help our members do this, the Greenville Chamber has selected the best discount offerings for health insurance, office supplies, and telecommunications that we could find.
Our SmartBuys partners are BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Office Depot, and Windstream Communications. Click here to start saving today! |
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Here's What's Happening Next Week at the Chamber: | |
Small Business Council on Growth
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 3, 8:00 - 9:30 am
Who Can Come: All Chamber Members
Location: Greenville Chamber Board Room
Cost: Free, breakfast included
7th Annual Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards Dinner
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 3 at 5:30 pm
Location: Carolina First Center
Who Can Come: All Chamber Members
Cost: $75
Register: Click here
PULSE Orientation
Date/Time: Tuesday, May 3, 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Location: Greenville Chamber Board Room
Who Can Come: New and Potential PULSE Members
Cost: Free
Register: Click here
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Mark Your Calendar for More Upcoming Chamber Events! | |
May 10: Business Before Hours
May 10: Business Women in Action & DWEN Co-Meeting
May 11: Manufacturers Roundtable - May
May 12: Youth Leadership Class 5 Graduation
May 13: Legislative Issues Committee Meeting
May 17: GROW EXPO
May 17: OSHA Training - Hazardous Communications Standards
May 18: Sales Roundtable
May 20: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
May 20: LG Alumni Association Brown Bag Luncheon Series
May 24: 19th Annual International Luncheon
May 25: PULSE Leadership Luncheon
May 26: Member Orientation
May 26: Leadership Greenville Class 37 Graduation
May 31: Environmental Issues Committee Meeting
June 1: Leadership Greenville Class 38 Applications Due
Click here to see the complete Greenville Chamber Calendar!
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Building one of the premier business communities in the world! | |
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