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Annual Meeting and Dinner Committee
Plans for the Chamber Annual Meeting and Dinner, scheduled for Friday, January 20, are getting underway. Sponsor ship opportunities are available. If you would like to be involved in the planning or to sponsor the dinner, please contact the Chamber office at 352-793-3099 or via e-mail.
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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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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. |
Leads Groups Grow Your Client Base
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.
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Sumter County Chamber E-News
Monday, December 12, 2011
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 Education Subject of December Lunch Exchange
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. |
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New Slate of Chamber Officers, Directors for 2012 Announced
 The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has nominated its slate of officers and directors for 2012. Current Vice President Bob Hunt, shown right, of Wildwood Country Resort is slated to move up to President. Lt. Bob Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office is set for Vice President, and Brooke Hibbard of CenterState Bank for Treasurer. Brandell Campbell of CEMEX will stay on as Secretary.
The slate also includes three new board members: Steve Stifffler of InsurAmerica-Florida has already been selected by the board to fill an unexpired term. Randy Mask of Sumter Electric Cooperative and Connie Mahan of Connie Mahan Real Estate Group were also named to the 2012 Board.
 Our thanks to Jim Duncan of Sumter Electric Cooperative, Brad McNeill of C.W. Roberts Contracting, and Joe Santoro, entrepreneur, for their service on the chamber board. Thanks also to outgoing President Dawn Cary, right, for leading the board for the past two years.
Additional names of candidates for directors can be nominated by petition bearing the genuine signatures of at least five qualified members of the Chamber. Such petition shall be filed with the Nominating Committee within 10 days after the board's slate is announced (Deadline December 22, 2011). The determination of the Nominating Committee as to the legality of the petition is final. If no petition is filed within the designated period, the nominations shall be closed and the nominated slate shall be declared elected by the Board of Directors.
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Plan Now 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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Sell Value, Not Cost
 Dr. Jerry Osteryoung writes, "There is no question that sales are the heart and soul of a business. This is not to say that you should ignore profits, which are absolutely essential, but you will not have profits unless you produce revenue.
"Make sure all your sales materials highlight the value your product or service brings. The key is conveying that value clearly and succinctly. You can do this a number of ways. One possibility is to quantify for the customer how your product or service can improve their bottom line. If it helps them increase sales by 1 percent, for example, that is so many more dollars going to their bottom line that will reduce the cost. Additionally, sometimes you can clearly show that by spending this money on a project you will incur significant cost savings." Read More Here>> |
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Member News
Events and information from your fellow chamber members.
 The AGRItunity Planning Committee has announced the keynote speaker for the upcoming conference, scheduled for January 28 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds. Ben Hewitt Farmer/Author will speak about "The Future's in the Dirt: Digging into localized agriculture and its potential to revitalize health, environment and regional economies." Read More Here>>
Do you really know how to position your product in the marketplace? Are you satisfied with your process to identify sales prospects, get in the door, offer your solution and close the deal? If you answered "NO" you can participate in GrowFL's Webinar: "How to Position your Product as a Solution!" Tuesday, December 6, 9-10am. Read More Here>>
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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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