Christmas is finally here. We hope you get to spend time with family and friends. The Blount Partnership office will be closed Dec. 24-26 for the Christmas holiday.

 

Please join the Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and Blount County Chambers of Commerce as we present our Regional Legislative Agenda Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. at the Riverside Grill, 100 Melton Lake Peninsula in Oak Ridge. Tickets are $25 per person which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets.

 

For reservations - contact Vicky Jones at 983-2241 by January 3, 2014

 

More than 100 people have gone through the Blount Tourism Ambassador Program since the first class in August. This free program is where you'll learn facts about Blount County and this unique region that will help you better serve your customers, provide accurate information and give the "inside story" about our individual communities.

 

The BTAP's objective is to increase regional tourism by inspiring frontline hospitality employees and volunteers to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. This class inspires, trains and designates you as a Certified Tourism Ambassador. Certified Tourism Ambassadors enhance their capabilities to: (1) listen effectively to visitor inquiries and respond courteously and professionally; (b) know a great deal about the Blount County and Smoky Mountain area - its attributes, features and attractions; and (c) answer the majority of visitor questions (or refer them to those who can). Once certified, ambassadors will be recognized and rewarded in a variety of ways and have the opportunity to renew their certification annually to ensure they stay current.

 

Register for the free class at www.ctanetwork.com (click sign up for a class). For further information, contact: Deborah Nye at 865.273.1257

 

For the second straight week, I'll delve into Christmas music. Although this song peaked at No. 69 in 1958, it remains a holiday favorite. It is Chuck Berry's "Run Run Rudolph." It was the B-side to "Merry Christmas, Baby." You may have heard this song in these movies: Cast Away, Diner, Home Alone, Jingle All The Way, The Santa Clause 2, Stealing Christmas and Deck the Halls.

Chuck Berry -- Run Rudolph Run

No Events Scheduled

No Events Scheduled

Jan. 9 -- Afternoon Mixer at Trinity Dental
Jan. 13 -- Women in Business
Jan. 30 -- Coffee Club at CBBC

You can access the entire calendar here to see other community events and submit your own.

Don't forget to check out the Hot Deals brought to you from other Chamber members. Add your Hot Deal by emailing Amy to get your login info.