COAST CONNECTIONS  April 1, 2014
Is YOUR Business Prepared for a Disaster?
GOVERNOR BENTLEY ADDRESSES RECORD CROWD
AT CHAMBER BREAKFAST
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Governor Robert Bentley addressed a record-sized crowd at a Chamber breakfast on March 21.  Governor Bentley gave an update on his administration's efforts on a variety of issues affecting business at the event, which was sponsored by The Wharf.  Above, Chamber Chairman Susan Sizemore welcomes Governor Bentley to Coastal Alabama.   For additional photos of this and other Chamber events, please click directly on the photo to view our Flickr Photostream.    And, if you missed the event, you can view a video here, courtesy of Paul Doss of Alabama Gulf Coast Video.
HOW DO YOU SPELL "SUCCESS?"
"YEA!"
Havana Red Owner Joan-Manuel Poupanna, with his mentors, John and Jennifer Blanchard of Gulf Chysler-Dodge-Jeep


Five high school students from Gulf Shores High School pitched their business ideas before a panel of investors to compete for funding at the First Annual Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Investor Panel Presentation Event. The students presented before representatives from the local business community as well as an audience filled with family, friends and members of the high school staff, for the opportunity to gain funding for their original ideas- that could be the next big thing!  About 80 people attended the event, held at the Erie Meyer Civic Center.  For the complete story, please click here.   VIDEO:  Did you miss the event?  Click here to watch the video, courtesy of our friends at Design Print Promote.
 
Leadercast Returns In May!
MARDI GRAS FUN
 
 
The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber once again participated in the annual Mardi Gras Parades in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.  Special thanks to Baldwin EMC for sponsoring our parade float and to Ron Kutter of Kutter's Grounds Maintenance, Inc. for serving as our driver and transportation coordinator for the events.
 
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
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The March Business After Hours was held at Fisher's at Orange Beach Marina.  Business After Hours is a great way to meet new business contacts and to catch up with old friends!  (Click on the above photo to view additional pictures of this and other Chamber events on our Flickr Photostream.
RIBBON-CUTTINGS   
Defender Technologies- Gulf Shores  

Pointe South - Orange Beach
 
Liquid Freeze Ice Cream - Gulf Shores
  

Island Life Beach Rentals & Charters - Gulf Shores


 Gulf Coast Cross Project - Summerdale  
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley at the Chamber's Friday Forum
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley at the Chamber's Friday Forum
 (Video courtesy of Paul Doss of Alabama Gulf Coast Video)

   YouTube
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UPCOMING
CHAMBER MEMBER
& BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 
 
Apr 1 Tourism & Special Events Council 
Apr 2Educational Affairs Council 
Apr 2 Marine Trades Council 
Apr 2Ribbon Cutting Cayman Grill 
Apr 3Economic Development Council 
Apr 4 First Friday Forum 
Apr 4Civic & Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting 
Apr 8Executive Committee Meeting 
Apr 8How to Research Export Markets for Small Business: A Primer 
Apr 9Ribbon Cutting for Big Daddy's Grill 
Apr 10 Ribbon Cutting Southern Exposure 
Apr 10Ribbon Cutting for Alabama Cruises 
Apr 11Chamber 101 - Maximizing Your Membership Workshop 
Apr 11Ribbon Cutting for Rainmaker Business Services 
Apr 16 Ambassador Meeting 
Apr 16Ribbon Cutting for Kesling & Bozeman 
Apr 17Business After Hours - Cottages at Romar 
Apr 22Leadership Baldwin Town Hall Meeting on Insurance 
Apr 24Island Spirit Committee Meeting 
 
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COMMUNITY EVENTS 
Community Calendar  
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Register for any Chamber event by clicking on the link above OR from our new smartphone app, Gulf2Go. 

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Member News
Do you have news about your business? New location? New manager? New owner? Important award or recognition? Share the news with us and we 'll do our best to share it with our members.
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DID YOU KNOW?


FREE PUBLICATION DOWNLOAD:
IS YOUR BUSINESS AHEAD OF THE CURVE?

John Henry, the legendary "steel drivin' man" who tried to beat a machine driving spikes along a railroad, lost his race. According to a recent study by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the John Henry phenomenon is real: companies that lag in technology implementation are losing the race with "smarter" firms. BCG found that small and medium-sized firms in the "leader" category in such things as Internet connectivity and cloud-based services created nearly twice as many jobs and 15 percent more revenue than their "laggard" peers.

At the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, we would like to see our economy grow and our members prosper. We encourage you to look at the BCG study and get a better feel for the advantages of becoming better versed in technology.


Maybe it's time for all of us to put down our sledgehammers and reach for the cloud.

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QUICK LINKS

 

 Coastal Alabama Business Chamber

 

Download Gulf2Go

 

Baldwin Economic Development Alliance

 

Business Support Center 

 

Coastal Baldwin Educational Enrichment Foundation

 

Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Tourism

 

 

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Reach over 1,800 email addresses. 

Contact Vicki Stillings at vicki@mygulfcoastchamber.com

or call 251.968.7200 

South Baldwin Regional Medical Center