CenterState Bank is taking advantage of the Chamber's
Best-Kept Secret!
You Can Too!
CenterState advertises on the Chamber's Time and Temperature telephone service (352-568-8367). More than 1,000 callers check the time and temperature each month. That makes advertising on the service a great marketing tool for your business.
The chamber has new advertising opportunities: on Time and Temperature, on the chamber 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.
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VisitFlorida Nature Tourism Insider to Speak at January Lunch Exchange
|  Kevin Mims, right, VisitFlorida's Nature Tourism Insider, will discuss how Sumter County can better promote its wealth of natural attractions at the January Chamber Lunch Exchange on Wednesday, January 11.
Mims is a freelance writer and videographer, and spends most of his days exploring Florida's natural wonders from a kayak, a bike or rambling down a hiking trail. A Florida native living in Citrus County, he's always sharing stories, photos and videos. |
The Lunch Exchange begins at 11:30am. Wildwood Country Resort is at 1504 Heritage Blvd. in Wildwood. The cost to attend is $12 for members and $18 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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Annual Meeting and Dinner Committee
Plans for the Chamber Annual Meeting and Dinner, scheduled for Friday, January 20, are getting underway. Sponsorship 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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Looking for a Last-Minute Gift? 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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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 19, 2011
The Chamber offices will close at 2pm Friday, December 24, and will be closed Monday, December 26, and Monday, January 2.
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Sumter Chamber Seeks Nominations for Business/Industry Awards
The Sumter County Chamber is seeking nominations for its annual Business & Industry Awards, to be presented at the Annual Meeting and Installation Dinner on January 20, 2012, at Lakeside Landings Clubhouse.
We are accepting nominations for:
- Outstanding Sumter County large business/industry of 2011* (81+ employees)
- Outstanding Sumter County small business/industry of 2011* (1-80 employees)
- Outstanding Sumter County non-profit of 2011*
- Chamber volunteer of 2011*
- Outstanding Sumter County Chamber Citizen of 2011:
- 2011 Beautification Award (Commercial)*
- 2011 Beautification Award (Retail)*
*Nominee must be a chamber member in good standing.
Download a nomination form here, call the Chamber at (352) 793-3099 or e-mail us at sumter-coc@sumterchamber.org |
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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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Governmental Affairs
Florida Chamber Releases Its 2012 Legislative Agenda
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has released its Business Agenda for the 2012 Legislative Session. The state chamber's goals include:
- Make Florida the No. 1 private-sector job creator,
- Create a competitive and stable insurance market,
- Double Florida-origin exports and further diversify Florida's economy,
- Reduce burdensome regulations on Florida's businesses,
- Create a competitive business climate in the global marketplace, and more.
Read More Here>>
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Plan Ahead and Get Extra Exposure: 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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Member News
Events and information from your fellow chamber members.
Governor Rick Scott has announced new members to Lake-Sumter Community College's District Board of Trustees. Representing Sumter County are Kelly L. Flores of Oxford and Kelly S. Rice of Webster. Both started their terms on December 8, which are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. Read More Here>>
The Alzheimer's Family Organization is expanding its volunteeer program. Opportunities include: assisting with fund-raising and educational events, office help, health fairs, creating gift baskets, contacting newspapers and much more. Call the AFO at (727) 848-8888. |
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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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