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In This Issue
Education Subject of December Lunch Exchange
Break Out Your Festive Sweater or Necktie for "Sweets and Sweaters"
Deadline Extended for Leadership Sumter County
Promote Your Business with Chamber Sponsorships
Enjoy Holiday Events in Sumter County
Education Subject of December Lunch Exchange
Sumter County Schools' Career Academies and Lake-Sumter Community College's plans to offer four-year degrees will be discussed at the next Chamber Lunch Exchange, Wednesday, December 14, at the NASCAR RV Resorts at Blueberry Hill6233 CR 609 (next to Walmart) in Bushnell. It is sponsored by the Salon Professional Academy in The Villages.
The cost to attend is $10 for members and $15 for non-members  and RSVP is required. Email assistant@sumterchamber.org or call 352-793-3099 to reserve your seat. Don't forget to ask how to get
premium exposure in the Member Midway. 
Ribbon Cutting
ribbon cutting   
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 4pm
Downtown Wildwood Fire Station 31
227 Hall Street, Wildwood
Join us and the Board of County Commissioners for the ceremonial hose uncoupling to open the new station.

Holiday Shopping Idea: Sumter Cookbook makes a great giftCookbookCover

Recipes and Reminiscences is the first Sumter County cookbook produced by the Sumter Chamber. The beautifully bound hardback cookbook includes recipes from local restaurants like Cotillion Southern Café, State Senator Alan Hays, longtime South Sumter High School principal C.L. Brooks and many more. 

 

In the south you can never have a good meal without a good story, and Recipes and Reminiscences gives you both. Read rumors about what started the fire in the original county courthouse, find out about a famous Baseball Hall of Famer who called Sumter County home, and many more from the residents who lived it. Letters, photos, and infamous headlines decorate the pages of what is sure to become a favorite in your home. 

 

The first run of Recipes and Reminiscences sold out in two months, but IT'S BACK. Contact the chamber office at 352-793-3099 to reserve your copy for only $13.00 (including sales tax) today.
 

Leads Groups Grow Your Client Base

Handshake 

LEADS LUNCH
every Monday (except holidays) at noon 

Beef O'Brady's, 2586 W. CR48, Bushnell
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LEADS SUNRISE
every Tuesday at 7:30AM
Steeplechase (new location),
12029 County Road 103,  Oxford 
These groups are active networking and referral groups of local business people, providing a variety of products and services. You are invited to attend a meeting. Bring business cards, brochures, etc. For details call the Chamber office at 352-793-3099. 

Click here to visit our website calendar and add your events

Join Our Mailing List

Sumter County Chamber E-News

Monday, November 21, 2011

(Note: The Chamber offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25)

Break Out Your Festive Sweater or Necktie for First Thursday "Sweets and Sweaters"
Break out your favorite holiday sweater or necktie for the Chamber's First Thursday networking reception on Thursday, December 1, 5:30 to 7:30pm at CenterState Bank 114 W. Belt Avenue in Bushnell. We will hold contests for the most distinctive holiday sweater and neckware. We are also collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Refuge at Jumper Creek. Come enjoy some holiday networking and refreshments from the Chamber.

Admission to First Thursday is free for Chamber members, and RSVP is not required.
Leadership LogoDeadline Extended for Leadership Sumter County Program 
Do you know someone who has the right stuff to become a leader in Sumter County? Nominate him or her for Leadership Sumter County.

Leadership Sumter County strengthens the Sumter community by training its leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. The program focuses on developing informed leaders and channeling their ideas and experiences toward community resources, including issues and concerns, so that they might help direct the future of Sumter County. The deadline for non-government applicants is extended to November 25.  Read More Here>>
Plan Ahead for 2012: Promote Your Business with Chamber Sponsorships
The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce offers many opportunities for you to increase your businesses visibility and improve your image by sponsoring chamber events. The chamber has published a guide to sponsoring chamber events, and advertising on its website and e-newsletter. Click Here to Download the Sponsorship Guide>>

It makes sense to plan now for sponsoring chamber events in 2012. Chamber membership and sponsorship sets you apart from your competition and helps you stand out as a community leader. According a research study by The Shapiro Group and Market Street:
  • When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
  • When consumers know a restaurant is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 40% more likely to eat at the restaurant in the next few months. 
  •  When consumers know an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it. 
  • Most consumers (59%) think being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable.
  • If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber, consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition. Those consumers infer that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.
Review the chamber sponsorship options and choose a package that meets your company's needs. Business that support the chamber's mission at higher levels, receive additional recognition and promotion. 
 
For more information about sponsoring chamber events, contact Samantha Merritt, Membership Representatrive at 352-793-3099 or e-mail her at membership@sumterchamber.org.
Enjoy Holiday Events in Sumter County

The GFWC Wildwood Women's Club is pleased to present "Creating Christmas Magic" with its Silver Anniversary Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 1pm until 5pm. 

Read more here>>


The City of Wildwood's annual Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 3, at 3pm. The parade will begin at Wildwood Middle High School, travel west on Huey Street, then north On Gamble Street, to end at the old Wildwood Middle School. Judging will be on Gamble Street behind City Hall. Read More Here>>

 

The Lake Panasoffkee Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, at 10am. It begins in Downtown Lake Panasoffkee and goes to Recreation Park. Festival to follow with Santa Claus!!  Click here for entry application>>

Member News

Events and information from your fellow chamber members

 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bushnell City Manager Vince Ruano and his family on the tragic passing of his son.

 

The Purcell Chapel-Beyers Funeral Home & Crematory of Bushnell invites families of Sumter County who have suffered the recent loss of a loved one to attend their Evening of Remembrance servince on Tuesday, December 13, at 7pm. It will be held at the First Baptist Church of Bushnell, 125 Anderson Ave. in Bushnell. Call 352-793-4531 to make reservations by December 9.

 

The University of Florida Career Showcase is accepting registrations for Spring 2012. Recruit from 6000+ UF students and alumni at the bi-annual Career Resource Center's Career Showcase on January 24th (non-technical day) and January 25th (technical day) for your full-time and internship needs. Registration is now open. January 3rd is the early registration deadline. Registration and additional details can be found at www.crc.ufl.edu/careerfairs. Contact Career Events at crcfairs@crc.ufl.edu or (352) 273-2331 with questions.  

 

The Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County welcomes JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show, a non-stop, action packed Las Vegas canine thrill show on Saturday, November 19th, 2011. Read more here>>

 

Lake-Sumter Community College offers both 16-hour and 40-hour Security Officer Training classes staring in November on its  Leesburg Campus.  Read More Here>>

Remember, our chamber of commerce is here to serve you and your business. If you have a suggestion for how we can help, please call us at 352-793-3099 or e-mail us at sumter-coc@sumterchamber.org.
  
Sincerely,

 Andrew Cripps

Andrew Cripps, Executive Director

Sumter County Chamber of Commerce  

 

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