Click to view the online version of the Blount Partnership weekly newsletter for February 19, 2024
Blount Partnership Newsletter – February 19, 2024
Category: Uncategorized
TNECD Celebrates Tennessee’s Skilled Workforce with Release of “Born to Make”
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) released its newest anthem video, “Born to Make,” in conjunction with February serving as National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Tennessee.
CTE gives students and adults the academic skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers while also building upon skills to prepare them for a wide range of jobs in high demand. While CTE is taught to school-aged students in middle and high school, it is also offered to adult students at postsecondary institutions in an effort to give more Tennesseans the skills they need to obtain careers across a variety of industries.
Gov. Bill Lee issued a proclamation asking Tennesseans to join him in celebrating February 2024 as Career and Technical Education Month and highlighting how CTE gives Tennessee students opportunities to advance their education and training in order to better position them for future success while also strengthening Tennessee’s workforce pipeline.
“The pathway to success doesn’t look the same for every Tennessean and while attending a four-year institution may be the right option for some, a certification from one of our Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology may be right for others,” said Gov. Lee, “We have prioritized career readiness so that more Tennesseans are given the opportunity to follow the career path of their choosing.”
“Born to Make” focuses on the Tennesseans that create products known around the world from here in the Volunteer State. From cars and boats to whiskey and chocolate to chart-topping songs and motion pictures, “Born to Make” celebrates Tennessee’s workforce across a number of industries.
“The strength of Tennessee’s brand wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for the men and women who contribute to exceptional products that are made in our state,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “In ‘Born to Make,’ we recognize and applaud the skilled individuals that dedicate their talents to the success of Tennessee’s businesses and the reputation we are known for around the globe.”
Watch “Born to Make” here and follow TNECD on social media to see highlights of the businesses and workforce that shape Tennessee.
More than 50 Employers Expected for Blount County Job Fair
Anyone looking for a job or wanting career development opportunities should attend the Blount County Job Fair February 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Foothills Mall in Maryville. This event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Attendees are asked to utilize the entrance between Cancun Restaurant and TJ Maxx.
More than 50 employers, including Smith & Wesson and Amazon, are expected on site offering employment in the areas of healthcare, internet technology, hospitality, public services, construction, aviation, education, banking and more. Go to www.blountchamber.com/jobfair for a complete listing of employers.
“This is a great opportunity for potential employees to meet one-on-one with area companies or for anyone wanting to further their career,” said Jeff Muir, Blount Partnership communications director. “We have a variety of employers offering full-time or part-time employment.”
Additionally, the American Job Center in Maryville will be on site to assist job seekers with training and educational opportunities, job searches, writing resumes and cover letters as well as doing research on prospective employers.
Sponsors of the event are GEAR Staffing, Amazon, Blackberry Farm, Massey Electric, Smokies Life, UT Federal Credit Union, @Work Personnel, Cherokee Millwright, Cirrus Aircraft, DENSO and Chick-fil-A.
The Dialogue with Chara Boring
This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 206th installment visiting with Chara Boring, owner of DeVine Moon. DeVine Moon, located in Foothills Mall, sells crystals, gemstones and gemstone jewelry.
Tell me more about Divine Moon. We specialize in different assortments of rocks, crystals, and gemstones….raw and polished and we like to let our shoppers know what each crystals healing properties are when you carry them or have them as home decor.
How did you get started? We started as vendors at Natural Mystic over in Midland shopping center. We do still currently vend there so our products can still be purchased at that shop. But we have just done so well with putting items on a couple tables in their shop and decided we wanted to try to have our own shop.
What is your background? It started as a hobby for my husband and I as we took more interest in stones. We started getting more and more knowledgeable. We were regular shoppers at Natural Mystic and with us having a direct contact with a stone miner we asked to become vendors and it just took off within a few months.
Who is your mentor? Hunter Johnson from Natural Mystic has been a huge support. He educated us on different stones when trying to identify them and even taught us about different textures to look for. Eon Carson is another friend from the spiritual community that has been nothing but supportive and a helping hand on anything we need for the shop. Ally B Inked has been another huge support with our shop. She’s a longtime friend and tattoo artist who made sure to be our first customer on our opening day.
Describe your customers. Our customers range from all ages and all different types of people. You don’t have to be a part of a group or have a certain belief to enjoy a beautiful stone that came from the earth.
Blount Partnership Newsletter – February 12, 2024
Click to view the online version of the Blount Partnership weekly newsletter for February 12, 2024
The Dialogue with Amanda Grosvenor
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.
Register for the Mega Social Media Package
Mega Social Media Package
Register for Mega Social Media Package
Tremont Writers Conference now accepting applications
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 Earns Named to OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants
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.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.DancingBearLodge.com/Events or contact 865-448-6000.
Blount Partnership Newsletter – February 5, 2024
Click to view the online version of the Blount Partnership weekly newsletter for February 5, 2024