This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 205th installment visiting with Amanda Grosvenor, account manager for Asen Marketing which assists businesses with their marketing strategies.
Describe what your business does: Asen is an all-inclusive marketing and advertising agency that understands today’s market is highly competitive. The team’s secret to success? Aligning, advancing, and adapting.
Aligning internal teams, advancing marketing and sales strategies, and proactively adapting to industry shifts—all to improve business and generate real results.
Though proficient in the latest design trends, Asen goes beyond creative branding to grow businesses in major industries like B2B, healthcare, foodservice, retail, nonprofit, and beyond. It all starts with a simple question: What do you need to thrive?
What do you enjoy about working at Asen? I enjoy working with our internal team, who are all so talented and amazing at what they do. We also have a great group of clients that make our jobs so enjoyable.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is pleased to announce the second annual Tremont Writers Conference, an intensive five-day retreat for writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry coordinated in partnership with Smokies Life, formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association. Applications to participate in the event may be submitted online now through April 30 at writers.gsmit.org.
From Wednesday, October 23, through Sunday, October 27, a small group of selected writers will join renowned authors and professional park educators on Tremont’s campus in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Participants will enjoy brainstorming and fine-tuning their work with award-winning author workshop leaders while also learning and writing throughout the day.
Morning workshops in fiction, nonfiction and poetry will take place outdoors, led by faculty members Monic Ductan (fiction), David Brill (nonfiction) and Maurice Manning (poetry). Guest author Frank X Walker, the first African American Kentucky Poet Laureate and workshop leader at the 2023 conference, will lead several sessions for the entire group, including a guided discussion on the craft of writing. Each afternoon, writers will join experienced Tremont naturalists for guided explorations that spark curiosity and wonder through a deeper connection to the region’s cultural and natural history. Evenings will conclude with hearty dinners, fellowship with peers, and readings by writing faculty. Meals and lodging are provided.
“A sense of community came from the gathering of creative souls dedicated to their crafts — attendees seeking growth and honing, and leaders sharing their insights and guiding us with their experience,” said writer and photographer Michele Sons who participated in the inaugural Tremont Writers Conference in October 2023, which brought together 20 writers from all over the country. “By stepping out of my comfort zone, I gained confidence in my writing, and I came home with concrete ways to improve my manuscript based on the feedback of our leaders and the group at large.”
Applications for the October conference should be submitted no later than April 30. Acceptance to conference workshops is based on manuscript evaluation, with chosen writers notified by July 14. Additional information about the Tremont Writers Conference and complete 2024 application guidelines can be found at writers.gsmit.org.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, nestled in the heart of East Tennessee at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, has been honored with the distinction of being named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA by OpenTable. This exclusive recognition was officially announced on January 31st, 2024, solidifying Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro as a standout establishment in the realm of romantic dining experiences.
OpenTable, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations, compiled this annual list based on millions of verified diner reviews across the country. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro’s commitment to exceptional culinary offerings, warm hospitality, and an enchanting ambiance has set it apart as the sole representative from East Tennessee.
Known for its rustic charm and idyllic setting on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has captivated the hearts of diners seeking a romantic and memorable experience. The restaurant’s dedication to crafting innovative Appalachian-inspired cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients has garnered widespread acclaim, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in the USA in 2023.
Mark Oldham, CEO of Oldham Hospitality, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “We are thrilled to be acknowledged by OpenTable as one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA. This accolade is a testament to the hard work and passion our team puts into creating an unforgettable dining experience. Being recognized for providing a uniquely romantic setting is a really fun and appreciated honor as we begin celebrating the Valentine’s Day holiday with our guests this month!”
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro invites patrons to celebrate this accomplishment by experiencing the romance and culinary excellence that have earned them a place among the nation’s elite dining establishments. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the restaurant is set to deliver an enchanting celebration for couples seeking a memorable and romantic evening between February 10th-17th where they will feature curated Sweet Heart menus for guests.
Eight individuals and businesses that gave their time and resources to make Blount County a special place to live, work, and thrive were honored at the Blount Partnership Best of Blount Awards held at the Airport Hilton Friday evening. Amazon, DENSO, GEAR Staffing, Joseph Construction, Massey Electric, Hilton, Above the Rest Balloon and Event Design, Brooke Nix Medical Aesthetics, CBBC Bank, Roane State Community College, AMR, Avero Advisors, and the Titanic Museum sponsored the event.
The awards program, which saw more than 600 attend, was hosted by Star 102.1 personalities Kim Hansard and Marc Anthony.
“This was a special night to honor those that give back so much to the Blount County community,” said Blount Partnership President/CEO Bryan Daniels. “These individuals and businesses work tirelessly to make sure that this community remains strong and vibrant.”
The program included a year in review video for the Blount Partnership and paid homage to Chuck Alexander, Teri Brahams and Joe Swann, who were named Blount County of Chamber Commerce lifetime members due to their outstanding dedication and work with the chamber and the community during their careers.
Tom Hatcher, was named the Philanthropist of the Year for his dedication to Alzheimer’s with the Tom Hatcher Charity.
Visual Voice took home the Small Business of the Year honor and First Horizon won for Large Business of the year.
Its work with many community issues, including being a resource for children, New Hope of Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center won the Community Impact Award.
The Tourism Award was given to Big Slate Media for its video work in promoting tourism in the county.
The Bright Future Award went to Balloons and Company TN and the Young Professional of the Year was Megan Seaton of Avero Advisors.
Townsend Fire Chief Don Stallions earned the First Responder Award for his leadership during the fire in Townsend last year. He was presented a $5,000 check from Cirrus Aircraft as part of the company’s initiative to recognize those who assist with emergencies.
Pictured: Big Slate Media owner Jonathan Halley is joined by staff members as they took home the Tourism Impact Award at the Blount Partnership’s Best of Blount Awards.
The American Pickers are excited to return to Tennessee! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout our area in March 2024.
AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable Characters and their collections.
As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.
The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell…we would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers DO NOT pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: [email protected] or call (646) 493-2184 facebook: @GotAPick
