Membership Opportunities

Get more exposure, more networking, and more resources for your business at the Blount Chamber.

• Networking
• Network Through Groups and Committies
• Event Planning
• Free Exposure
• Menu of Marketing Opportunities
• Super-Size Your Exposure
• Resources

Networking

Enjoy meeting new people, or reconnecting with friends and colleagues. These networking opportunities offer something for every Chamber member. Sign-up and start networking today! 

• Become an Ambassador: Connect with fellow chamber members with one-on-one personal calls to new members. Ambassadors meet monthly. Contact Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241.
• Annual Meeting: This sell-out event is a must-do for new and existing members each January. Contact Tammi Ford at 273-1211. 
• Coffee Clubs: Wake up to new business contacts at monthly Coffee Clubs held at the sponsor's location or at the Chamber office. Contact Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241.
• Afternoon Mixers: Quarterly after-work meet-and-greet held at sponsor's location or at the Blount Chamber. Contact Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241. 
• Operation Thank You: Meet fellow members while doing a good deed. Volunteer to deliver 2009 Chamber member information packets and make great contacts along the way. Help as much, or as little as your time permits. Deliveries are made in February.
• Speed Networking: Everyone plays during these roundtables where all get a chance to share information about their business, product or service. Seats fill fast for these fun networking events held tice a year. Contact Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241. Check out our Chamber Calendar for  events.
• Business Industry Info Group: Construction and construction-related businesses will share best practices and troubleshoot challenges specific to this industry during three events in 2009.                                                                                 

Network Through Targeted Groups and Committees

• Air Quality Improvement: Breathe easier with those dedicated to sharing information about efforts to improve air quality. These pros also assist with the Earth Roundup event set for April 25th. Contact Kathy Delozier at (865) 983-2241.

• Business & Industry:  Be on the front end connecting with and surveying existing industry in our community. Plus, join the Business Excellence Awards Committee in planning the event to honor business and industry excellence in Blount County. Contact Bryan Daniels at (865) 983-7715.

• Growth Discussion: Join the dialogue on the challenges of growth and find out what you can do to shape a safe, strong, sustainable community. Contact Kathy Delozier at (865) 983-2241.

• Housing Committee: The housing committee will address local housing issues and promote practices to enhance the local housing market and the community's quality of life. Meetings begin in March and will be held as needed. Contact Kathy Delozier at (865) 983-2241.

• Human Resources Focus Group: Stay updated on crucial employment issues with other HR professionals and plan the annual HR training session. Meets February through November. Contact Kathy Delozier or (865) 983-2241.

• Government Affairs: Briefings, meetings and a trip to Nashville will keep you in the know on local, state & federal legislation. Contact Kathy Delozier at  (865) 983-2241. Check out Chamber Calendar.
  
  
• Transportation Committee: Drive the discussion on regional transportation issues during quarterly meetings to help develop transportation priorities that come before the Chamber's Board of Directors. Contact Kathy Delozier at (865) 983-2241.
  
  
• Building Industry Info Group: Construction and construction-related businesses will share best practices and troubleshoot challenges specific to this industry during three events in 2009. Contact: Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241.
• Women in Business Focus Group: Build new relationships and share best practices with your sisters in business during these quarterly lunch meetings. Contact Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241
• Volunteers in Progress: Power-up your membership with an additional membership fee and become a VIP of economic development. VIP's gain valuable exposure through exclusive business and social events. Contact Bryan Daniels at (865) 983-7715.

To stay informed on Blount Chamber meetings & events visit the Blount Chamber Calendar often.

Event Planning

• Job Fair: Network with more than 40 companies seeking employees while planning the 15th Annual Job Fair set for the fall of 2009 at Foothills Mall in Maryville. Planning meetings begin in June. Contact Kathy Delozier at (865) 983-2241.
• Taste of Blount Planning Committee: Cook-up details for this popular September 10th event that tempts the taste buds and celebrates the culinary excellence of Blount's food service industry. Planning meetings begin in May. Contact Kathy Delozier at (865) 983-2241. 
• Townsend Spring and Fall Festivals: Enjoy the best seasons on the "Peaceful side of the Smokies" with fellow volunteers as you greet the multitudes who flock to the Townsend Spring and Fall Festivals. Contact Jeanie Hilten at (865) 273-1242.
• Winter Heritage Festival: Plan this annual February celebration of our regional history, natural beauty and cultural traditions in Townsend, Cades Cove and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Contact Jeanie Hilten at (865) 273-1242.

Free Exposure!

Getting your business in front of the right people is easier than you think. And, in some instances, it doesn’t cost a dime. Discover a number of ways the Chamber helps reveal your business to potential customers close to home, and those around the world.

• Dot Com: Your business is included and visible to more than 100,000 people who visit the Chamber website annually. You can receive additional visibility through reasonably-priced Chamber web ads. Contact Tammi Ford at (865) 273-1211.
• Reciprocal links: Member websites are linked from the Blount Chamber website in our online Business Directory. Add a reciprocal link back to the Chamber to enhance your website.
• Stamp of Credibility: Use the Blount Chamber logo in your company marketing materials to add credibility to your brand. Contact Tammi Ford at (865) 273-1211.
• Referrals: The Blount Chamber refers members only and we track how much business is sent your way.
• Lobby for Exposure: Thousands of tourists, newcomers and business people walk-in to the Chamber lobby every year. Get their attention by displaying your brochure, or business card in this warm reception area. Contact Julia Kyle at (865) 983-2241.
• Beyond Basics: Your business is listed TWICE in Basically Blount and the quick Reference Guide. These full-color membership and lifestyle guides are distributed to all members, newcomers, reception areas, real estate firms, new business and industrial firms. Super-size your exposure with advertising. Contact Tammi Ford at (865) 273-1211.
• Chamber Times: All members appear in this spring publication distributed by the community's daily newspaper, The Daily Times. Display advertising takes your message to the next level.Contact Tammi Ford at (865) 273-1211.
• Blount Today: Your membership appears in the Partnership Special Newspaper Publication each summer in Blount Today, Blount County's weekly. Turn-up the exposure for your business with a well designed display ad. Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211.
• Print it, Post it!: Put your special event or promotion in front of hundreds of business people who use the Chamber Board room by posting the information on the Bulletin Board!
• Get it on the Web: Share your company news on the Chamber's website. Simply send us the information, and we'll post in Member News. Contact Tammi Ford (865) 273-1211.
• Get the Word Out: If you have an upcoming event and want to get the word out send the information to Tammi Ford. We will post it on our website under Member Events.

      Menu of Marketing Opportunites

• Below is a “menu” of optimal website and email marketing opportunities that will gain additional exposure for your business through the Blount Chamber.
  Menu of Opportunities
  
  
  

SUPER-Size Your Exposure

• ABC: Each February get your marketing message in front of more than 1350 members through the Always Buy Chamber (ABC) Program. Contact us today for details on offering discounts to fellow Chamber members and how we can deliver the message for you. Contact: Julia Kyle  at (865) 983-2241.

Be the headliner for Chamber meetings and events as host or sponsor. Choose one or several options listed below to maximize your exposure.

Resources

The Blount Chamber is a one-stop resource for everything you need to start or grow your business. Seminars, business consulting and advocacy are just a few ways we are working to put effective business tools in your hands.

• Blount Area Job Board: Post your job opening online. This board is available at no cost to Chamber Members and will serve as a great way to match local employers with job seekers. 
• Business Consulting: Free confidential business assistance from professionals is available through the Blount Chamber. Find help for growing your business, developing business or marketing plans, creating a budget, or getting an analysis of your operation. Contact Vicky Jones (865) 273-1207.
• Business Startup: Monthly seminars tackle the questions and issues associated with new businesses.
• Chamber Website: Access to ALL Chamber resources can be found online. This comprehensive website is your one-stop business solution.
• Business Advocate: The Chamber will act as your business advocate before local, state and federal governments. Submit your issue to the Chamber's Advocacy Team.
• Economic Downturn Help Center: Find business advice and contacts to help you.  Visit for updated information to help you navigate your business in this challenging economy. How to Maximize Your Membership: The Blount Chamber will host three events in 2009 to help members get the most from their membership. The events will be designed to help you network effectively through Chamber programs, events and committees.
• Technology Workshops: Learn the latest software techniques or how to build a website, utilize online social networking and where to find free internet tools.
• Members Only! Create your own log-in and manage your elements of the Chamber website. Update company information, register for special events, reserve meeting space and manage email distribution lists.
• U.S. Chamber Federation: Your Blount Chamber membership also gives our small business owners membership AND access to resources in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Find Small Business toolkits, email newsletters, notifications and discounts.
• Direct Mail & Customized Business Labels: Target your marketing efforts with custom Chamber mailing labels. Tailored, ready-to-use labels sorted by zip code or business category, cost 12 cents per label, plus $15 processing fee. The processing fee is waived when purchasing labels for the full 1350+ membership lists. For additional information or to order mailing labels log in to Members Only and look for the Membership Mailing Label form. Due to the frequency of membership address changes, the above database is not available in electronic format.
• "How to Maximize Your Chamber Membership": Three of these events scheduled in 2009 to make sure you're getting the most out of your memberhship.
• Targeting Newcomers: For an annual fee of $100, receive bi-monthly lists of those who have requested relocation information from the Blount Chamber. Or, for $350, let the Chamber do the work for you by including your marketing materials in newcomer packets distributed to all inquiries by phone, mail, email and walk-ins.
• Meeting Space: Host special meetings in either the Chamber Boardroom or small conference room for a nominal fee. An adjacent kitchen is included for catered meals and coffee services.
• FREE Notary: Legalize your documents with the Chamber's FREE notary service.
• Manufacturers, Suppliers, Headquarters & Office Operations: Nail down addresses, phone and contact personnel in this directory for $10.

News & Alerts:

• Chamberlink: The latest Chamber News is published monthly in the daily newspaper, The Daily Times. Additionally, an electronic version is emailed to members.
• Blount Chamber Notes: This monthly blast email serves as a friendly reminder of upcoming events and opportunities. Contact Tammi Ford at (865) 273-1211 to be added to the list.
• Tourism E-clips: For members intereseted in tourism and travel, receive Tourism E-clips from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Tourism E-clips is a roundup of important industry developments as covered by local and nationalpublications.
• Legislative Updates & Alerts: For members interested in government affairs, receive email updates on state and federal legislative issues that affect businesses. Contact Vicky Jones at (865) 273-1207.
• Environmental News & Alerts: Concerned about the environment? Receive notices of upcoming programs and meetings in partnership with the Little River Watershed Association, University of Tennessee, Blount County Environmental Health Team, Keep Blount Beautiful and East Tennessee Regional Clean Air Coalition. Contact Vicky Jones at (865) 273-1207
• Innovation Valley Technology Council News: Interested in technology? Receive regular updates from this council which is a partnership of Technology 2020, Blount Chamber, Knoxville Area Partnership and the Morristown Chamber of Commerce.

WEBSITE

You can find and easily access membership benefits and business tools by visiting the Chamber's website at www.blountchamber.com.  With user-friendly tools and an easy-to-navigate format, your Chamber literally is at your fingertips.  We strongly encourage you to tour the website, but also provide this guide to its many features.  We look forward to your suggestions on information or links of interest to add to our website business information.  If you have a suggestion for the Blount Chamber website, email Julia Kyle or Tammi Ford.

• Your Business Listing - Potential customers can find you online in our business directory. Your listing includes all your company contact information. Customers can search for you by company name, or by business category.
• Business Resources Section- The form you're looking for is probably right here! The Chamber website includes the most used tax forms and links to information critical to you business. In addition, there is a section dedicated exclusively to maintaining and growing your business. Are there other forms and links that would assist you?
• Calendar of Chamber and Community events: Two calendars with one objective: to keep you posted! Find networking opportunities, meeting notices and Chamber-related schedules on the Chamber Calendar. Check out the Community Events calendar to post your own company event or look for potential event conflicts by visiting the community calendar.
• Governmental and Advocacy Issues: Stay informed and up-to-speed on local, state and federal government issues that may affect you, or the way you do business.
• Access to U.S Chamber resources: Through a partnership program with the U.S Chamber our small business owners have membership and access to a rich resource of online business information and tools. Visit the Blount Chamber website for an easy link to the U.S. Chamber website.
• Members ONLY! Create your own log-in, manage your own business listing and track email lists. The new Members Only section gives you the ability to register for events online, purchase Chamber publications, maps, or membership renewals, reserve meeting rooms and take advantage of other value added perks. Your personal password is coming your way. Forgot your password? Call Amy Lawson at 983-2241.
• Ask a Professional: Chamber members can get help from the experts with this new service. This section enables members to ask questions that will be routed to the appropriate professional for a timely answer.