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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 Hill, 6233 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. |
Member of the Month
Congratulations to Connie Mahan, left, of Connie Mahan Realty Group, the Chamber's Member of the Month. She was recognized at the November Chamber Lunch Exchange for her work on the Beef and Boogie Festival. Presenting the award was Ambassador Dawn Hodges of the Sumter Shopper. |
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Sparr Building and Farm Supply is Getting Valuable Exposure on the Chamber's Website. You Can Too!
Traffic on the website (www.sumterchamber.org) has jumped more than 400% in the past year (up 850% in October) and continues to grow. That makes advertising on the site an even greater marketing tool for your business.
The chamber has new advertising opportunities available on the website, and on this newsletter. Ad prices fit any business' budget but availability is limited. Contact Andy Cripps at the chamber at (352) 793-3099 or via e-mail. |
Holiday Shopping Made Easy: Order Sumter Cookbook Online
Recipes and Reminiscences
is the first Sumter County cookbook produced by the Sumter Chamber. The beautifully bound hardback cookbook includes recipes from local restaurants and longtime Sumter County residents.
The first run of Recipes and Reminiscences sold out in two months, but IT'S BACK. Order your copy online by clicking the image above, or contact the chamber office at 352-793-3099.
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Annual Meeting and Dinner Committee
Plans for the Chamber Annual Meeting and Dinner, to be held Friday, January 27, are getting underway. If you would like to be involved in the planning, please contact the Chamber office at 352-793-3099 or via e-mail.
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Sumter County Chamber E-News
Monday, November 28, 2011
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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. |
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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. |
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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>> |
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Member News
Events and information from your fellow chamber members.
Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home in Wildwood will hold its 8th annual Candlelight Remembrance Service on Saturday, December 3 at 11am. Many people have a difficult time during the holidays. This is a very special service, open to anyone that would like to remember a loved one during the service and fellowship with others over refreshments after. Please RSVP to 352-748-1000 Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm.
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>>
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.
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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, Executive Director
Sumter County Chamber of Commerce
 
Visit our website at
www.sumterchamber.org
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