Hop Into Spring at the April First Thursday
 
Thursday, April 5, 5:30 to 7:30pm
Lakeside Landings Clubhouse
10052 Regatta Blvd.
Oxford, FL 34482 (From US 301 turn east onto CR 472 and travel 1.2 miles. Entrance to Lakeside Landings is on the right. Enter gate and proceed to the clubhouse.) Wear your finest Easter bonnet or brightest spring necktie. Admission to First Thursday is free for Chamber members, and RSVP is not required. |
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Ribbon Cutting
Thursday March 22, noon
Edward Jones Investments-David Caraway
110 West Belt Ave., Bushnell
David is a long-time resident of Hernando County and recently joined the Bushnell business community and the Chamber. Please help us welcome David. You are also invited to stop back at David's office between the hours of 2pm-6pm for refreshments and light snacks. |
CenterState Bank is getting valuable exposure on the Chamber's website.
You Can Too!
The chamber has advertising opportunities available on the website, and on this newsletter. Ad prices fit any budget but availability is limited. Contact Andy Cripps at the chamber at (352) 793-3099 or via e-mail.
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Click the image above to see video highlights from the panel discussion.
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Missed Our Real Estate Panel Discussion?
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Thanks to Connie Mahan of Connie Mahan Real Estate Group, Kelly Rice of Century 21 Prime Property Resources, and Danny Smith of Smith and Smith Realty for leading our panel discussion.
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Member of the Month
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Congratulations to Fred Clark, left, of Ink4Less Plus, who was named Member of the Month for February by the Chamber Ambassadors. Ambassador John Rodgers, right, of Canadian Meds of Wildwood, presented the award at the Chamber Lunch Exchange last week. Both Fred and John are former New Yorkers who wisely escaped to the Sunshine State.
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Poker Run on Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway
Saturday March 249am-Noon signupDowntown WebsterCR 471 (S. Market) & E. Central Ave.
- $10.00 per hand
- 4 Mystery Card Stops (Free Extra Cards)
- Lunch Included with participation
- Door Prizes (Attendance Required)
For information call or email Diane Boorum at the
Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, (352) 793-3099.
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 Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Passport Sponsors
Gold Level
Silver Level
Bronze Level
For more information about sponsoring chamber events, contact Andrew Cripps, Executive Director at 352-793-3099 or e-mail him at director@sumterchamber.org.
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Sumter County Chamber E-News
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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Make Social Media Pay Off for Your Business
Are you struggling to understand how social media can help your business?
 The Sumter County Chamber and THAT! Company will present two social media workshops on Friday, April 27, Hampton Inn & Suites, 11727 NE 63rd Drive in The Villages. These workshops, led by Amanda Wettstein, APR, CPRC, of THAT! Company, will help you define and execute your social media strategy for maximum results.
Session One: 9:00 to 10:30am
* Social Media Setup: Why it's important to have a Facebook Landing Page?
* Social Media Advertising: How to advertise effectively with Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn
* How to convert an offline customer into an online advocate.
* Content Campaigns: The Dos and Don'ts. How to be engaging.
Session 2: 10:30am to noon
* Location Based Social Media: Facebook Location Check-In Campaigns/Foursquare
* What is Twitter? Why should I use it? How do I get started?
* YouTube. What can it do for my business?
* LinkedIn: Generating business through new connections.
Pre-register and SAVE! Pre-register for one session for $20 or both for $35, cost will be higher at the door. Call the chamber at (352) 793-3099 or e-mail sumter-coc@sumterchamber.org for information and registration. |
Boost Your Sales and Profits at Chamber Workshops
The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce and Lake Sumter Community College are offering workshops designed to help you boost your sales and profits.
"Increasing Sales Through Networking: Maintaining a Successful Network" will be presented Thursday, March 29, 8 to 9:30am by the Delfin Group of Yalaha, Fla., at the Sumter County Schools Professional Center, 200 Cleveland Avenue in Wildwood.
This 90-minute session focuses on:
* Why You Should Network
* Developing a Positive Attitude for Networking
* Preparing for Networking Events
* Tips for Successful Networking
* Networking Etiquette
* Maintaining Your Network
"Winning At Sales: Reaching the Decision Makers and Generating Results," Thursday, April 12, 8 to 9:30am, also at the Sumter County Schools Professional Center, focuses on:
* Creating a Sales Attitude
* Prospecting Those Who Want to Buy Your Products and Services
* Identifying and Understanding the Buying/Selling Process
* Learn To Ask Effective Questions
* Strategies for Transforming Your Organization Into a Sales Dynamo
* Leading Your Organization to Focus on Results
Registration is $30 for each workshop. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Contact the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce at (352) 793-3099 for information and registration. Read More Here>>
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FEMA Flood Maps Introduced at Open House Wednesday
 The Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold an open house Wednesday, March 21, 4:30-7:30pm at the Sumter County Fairgrounds Expo, 7670 SR 471, to discuss a new preliminary Flood Insurance Study and new Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Sumter County.
Representatives from FEMA will be present. Learn about your risk of flooding, what the new flood maps mean to you,and steps you can take to protect yourself from flood damage. Contact Sue Farnsworth at the Sumter County Planning Department (352) 689-4460 for details. |
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Did You Miss Something?
Last week we put a small note at the bottom of the newsletter. If you read it and called the chamber to tell us, you could have won a free promotional link to your business.
We'll do it again from time to time, so read through the e-news each week to make sure you're getting all you should from your membership |
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Events and information from your fellow chamber members
The Sumter County Times is preparing for its second annual Portraits of Success special section, for publication April 19. Half and full pages are available. With your ad you will receive an equal amount of advertorial. Contact Mike Taylor at (352) 793-2161. Read More Here>>
South Sumter High School Head Football Coach Inman Sherman is asking for tournament sponsors for the 3rd annual SSHS Raider Pride Football Trout and Redfish Invitational on Saturday, April 21. Cost of sponsorship is $200.00, includes your company logo on tournament shirts each contestant will receive and tournament banner, and special recognition at the tournament awards dinner.
Read More Here>>
Sumter County Schools is seeking business sponsors for a presentation by Champions of Choices Inc. Champion of Choices' mission is to empower people to make positive choices that lead to lifelong success. It is led by former WCW and WWE wrestling champion Marc Mero, who addresses schools about bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse, and suicide prevention. For information about sponsorship, contact John Rogers at (352) 793-2232. Read More Here>>
Florida Special Olympics will hold a Kick-Off BBQ for its Law Enforcement Torch Run on Friday, March 23. For just $5 you get a chicken leg quarter, BBQ beans, potato salad and roll. Place orders now and they will deliver to your place of business! Contact Sumter Correctional Institution at (352) 569-6104 or (352) 569-6134.
Florida's United Ways and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) are working together to increase children's access to nutritious food in safe, supervised settings over the summer months when school is out. United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties is participating in statewide outreach to increase child participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), through which the USDA provides nutritious meals to all children 18 and under. 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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