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WEEKLY UPDATE Wednesday, June 15, 2011 |
| Greetings! |
We at the Chamber mourn the loss and celebrate the life of former Mayor and 1987 Greenville Chamber Board Chairman Max Heller. His vision and determination led the revitalization of downtown Greenville, creating a critical, indefinite source of economic development and talent recruitment for our area.
This week, please join us in welcoming Commerce Lexington's group of almost 200 as they visit Greenville for a second time to learn from our many successes. And also in congratulating Tami Miller for her appointment as a 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner. Just two more examples of how we are working to build one of the premier business communities in the world. We hope you have a terrific week!
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Chamber's Center for Excellence Manager Tami Miller Appointed Examiner for 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
|  Tami Miller of the Greenville Chamber's Carolina First Center for Excellence has been appointed by Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Director of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology, to the 2011 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.
As an Examiner, Miller is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The board is composed of approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations, and nonprofits (including government). Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. All members of the board must take part in a preparation course based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and the scoring and evaluation processes for the Baldrige Award.
The Baldrige Award may be given annually in each of six categories: Manufacturing, Service, Small Business, Education, Health Care, and Nonprofit. Awards have been presented to 80 organizations, including the 2010 recipients: MEDRAD, Warrendale, Pa.; Nestlé Purina PetCare Co., St. Louis, Mo.; Freese and Nichols Inc., Fort Worth, Tx; K&N Management, Austin, Tx; Studer Group, Gulf Breeze, Fla.; Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, Ill; and Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Md. Information about the Baldrige National Quality Program and the application process is available from the Baldrige National Quality Program, at 301-975-2036 or nqp@nist.gov or at www.nist.gov/baldrige. |
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| Close to 200 Business Professionals, Elected Officials & Community Leaders from Lexington, Kentucky Visiting Greenville Today through Friday! | Commerce Lexington Inc. and many of this community's key leaders and business professionals will embark on the organization's annual Leadership Visit presented by Chase / J.P. Morgan. 195 people are scheduled to participate in the 2011 trip to Greenville to study our successes and challenges in the hopes of further enhancing the Bluegrass Region.
 One of the longest-running and largest intercity visits of its kind among chambers of commerce and economic development groups nationally, Commerce Lexington's annual trip has led to the creation of numerous community initiatives and programs. Their Fayette Education Foundation, Coldstream Research Park, Access Loan small business financing program, and even garbage and recycling programs are takeaways from past Leadership Visits.
Commerce Lexington Inc. 2011 Chairman of the Board Harry Richart of PNC Bank said, "This year, we will be putting a big emphasis on studying how Greenville has transformed itself over the years. We'll be challenging participants to make note of the most effective programs, initiatives, processes, and behaviors that have led to Greenville's success. Our trip planning committee has injected a variety of on-site Discovery Sessions, where attendees will be able to explore key places within the city and hear from the people who made them happen." The list of Discovery Sessions on the agenda for Thursday, June 16, includes:
- A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School & the Kroc Community Center
- Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR)
- Tour of key downtown development projects
- Tour of Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge led by Greenville Mayor Knox White
- NEXT Innovation Center
- Metropolitan Arts Council to hear about public art
- Self-Guided downtown walking tour of Greenville's Mice on Main
Among the Bluegrass leaders making the trip are Lexington Mayor Jim Gray and Vice Mayor Linda Gorton, new University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capilouto, and new Lexington Convention & Visitors Bureau President Jim Browder, as well as educational representatives from Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Fayette County Public Schools, Transylvania University, and a variety of regional business and industry leaders.
An agenda of the visit is available at http://leadershipvisit.commercelexington.com
Follow their Twitter Updates at www.twitter.com/CommerceLex
Participate on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeadershipVisit
"Hosting visiting cities allows us the opportunity to share and celebrate our area's many successes as well as build long-lasting relationships. The economic impact of having a group this size stay in Greenville is certainly an additional hospitality business bonus."
-Ben Haskew, President/CEO of the Greenville Chamber |
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July & November Business After Hours Sponsorships Available
| | Our July & November Business After Hours sponsorships have opened up! One of the Chamber's premier networking events, Business After Hours provides an opportunity for business professionals to share ideas and learn about each other's businesses in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Please contact Lorraine Woodward for more information at 864-239-3742 or lwoodward@greenvillechamber.org. |
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Here's What's Happening This Week & Next at the Chamber:
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Sales Roundtable | Buyers Panel | DO's and DON'T's
Featuring Jason Freeman (J. Freeman & Associates), Mark McClure (International Plastics) & Diana Davis (Michelin, N.A.)
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 15, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Who Can Come: All Greenville Chamber Members Where: Greenville Chamber Board Room Cost: Free (Jason's Deli will be here with box lunches for $7.50 or you may choose to bring your own lunch. Beverages will be provided.)/ Please register here
GSA Power Hour | Economic Scorecard Discussion
Date/Time: Thursday, June 16, 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Embassy Suites, Verdae Blvd., Greenville
Cost: Individual $30/Corporate Table (10) $225
Please register here
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
Date/Time: Friday, June 17, 8:00-9:00 am
Who Can Come: All Greenville Chamber Members
Where: Greenville Chamber Board Room
Cost: Free/No registration necessary
Healthcare Providers Network
No registration necessary
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 21, 8:00-9:00 am
Where: Greenville Chamber Board Room
Business After Hours
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 21, 5:30-7:30 pm
Who Can Come: All Greenville Chamber Members Where: Larkin's SawmillSponsor: AT&T
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 22, 5:30-8:00 pm
Who Can Come: All PULSE Members Where: Quaker Steak and Lube
Business Women In Action Lunch & Learn | Creating the Vision to Achieve Your Goals
Date/Time: Thursday, June 23, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Who Can Come: All Greenville Chamber Members Where: Greenville Chamber Board Room
Getting Started with Constant Contact
Date/Time: Thursday, June 23, 3:00-4:30 pm
Who Can Come: All Greenville Chamber Members Where: Greenville Chamber Board Room
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"Is our state broke, or is our tax system broken?" | | Michael Fanning, PhD will be at Embassy Suites on June 28, 8:30-9:30 am. Come listen, learn and then take action. Join the Greenville Chamber, Greenville Forward, Ten at the Top, United Way of Greenville and six other local community organizations as we bring you this important presentation about comprehensive tax reform. Free to attend. Please click here to register. |
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Golf Tournament Date Announced - Monday, August 22! |  |
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More Upcoming Events
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June 28: Environmental Issues Committee Meeting
June 28: Comprehensive Tax Reform with Michael Fanning
July 8: Legislative Issues Committee Meeting
July 12: Business Before Hours July 12: Manufacturer's Group Social at Fluor Field
July 14: 7 Experts - 7 Tips - 7 Minutes | Cost-effective Web-based Technology
July 15: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
July 19: Business After Hours
July 20: Sales Roundtable
July 27: PULSE Leadership Luncheon
July 27: Small Business Owners' Forum: Recruiting and Selection Processes
July 28: Member Orientation
August 22: 19th Annual Greenville Chamber Golf Tournament
August 30: Public Policy Luncheon featuring South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
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Advertising Opportunities are Available at www.GreenvilleChamber.org! | |
We have banner ad space available at www.greenvillechamber.org. If you're interested in getting your company's message in front of the thousands of visitors to our website each week, please contact Marion Mann at mmann@greenvillechamber.org or 864-239-3729. |
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Connect with the Chamber on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn!
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Is your company hiring? Post 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 SmartBuys?
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 To help our members save money, we've 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. Start saving with them today!
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Building one of the premier business communities in the world! | |
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