Tag: Chamber of Commerce

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Named Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurant

Posted on October 4, 2023 by - Uncategorized

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is honored to announce that it has been awarded with TripAdvisor’s prestigious Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in America for 2023.

This accolade is bestowed upon a select few restaurants in the world who have consistently received outstanding reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro not only earned this esteemed recognition worldwide, but also secured a place in the top 25 fine dining restaurants in the United States.

TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards are known for celebrating excellence in the travel and dining industry. These awards are granted to businesses that consistently deliver exceptional experiences and have met TripAdvisor’s rigorous trust and safety standards. Less than 1% of the 8 million listings on TripAdvisor receive the Best of the Best recognition, underscoring the remarkable achievement and commitment to excellence that Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has demonstrated.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive the TripAdvisor Top 25 Fine Dining Restaurants in America Award,” said Mark Oldham, CEO at Oldham Hospitality, which owns Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro. “This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team to provide exceptional Appalachian-inspired cuisine and unparalleled dining experiences. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal patrons and the TripAdvisor community for their continued support and outstanding reviews.”

Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has become a culinary destination known for its locally-sourced, farm-to-table fare and its comfortable rustic ambiance. The restaurant’s commitment to crafting innovative dishes inspired by the Appalachian region, combined with its picturesque natural surroundings, has made it a favorite among travelers and locals alike.

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has consistently received glowing reviews from diners who have praised its culinary creativity, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere. This consistent stream of above-and-beyond feedback has culminated in this prestigious accolade.

As one of the top 25 restaurants in the nation, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro continues to set the standard for excellence in the hospitality industry. This award is a testament to their dedication to providing an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.

For more information about Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and to make reservations, please visit www.dancingbearlodge.com.

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Ripley PR named Agency of the Year by Prestige Awards

Posted on October 3, 2023 by - Uncategorized

Ripley PR, the leading global public relations agency specializing in franchising, skilled trades and B2B technology, has been named the PR Agency of the Year in the Southeast United States by the Corporate LiveWire Prestige Awards for 2023-2024.

“We strive to level up each year, and we’re delighted to have been chosen during our 10th anniversary as the Southeast’s PR agency of the year by an association that truly values small and mid-sized businesses,” said Ripley PR founder and CEO Heather Ripley. “We’re proud of the fact that Ripley PR demonstrates the ideals that the Prestige Awards judges consider when making their decision. Our clients continue to find the value in the results Ripley PR’s dedicated team of professionals delivers.” 

The Prestige Awards recognize small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months. Companies are shortlisted by the Prestige Award judges and  asked to support their nomination by providing evidence of their work, positive feedback from their clients and information on previous accreditation and recognition. Nominated companies also highlight the most outstanding parts of their businesses.

The judging panel based their decisions by reviewing a nominee’s service excellence, quality of the product or service provided, their innovative practices, value, ethical or sustainable methods of working, and consistency in performance. The winners are those who can best demonstrate their strengths in these areas.

The Southeast United States winners are featured in a celebratory issue of Prestige Awards magazine published this month.

Ripley PR is a woman-owned full-service communications agency specializing in home service and building trades, franchising, B2B technology and manufacturing public relations. Ripley founded the agency in 2013 and is currently celebrating 10 years of business.

“We aren’t your typical PR agency,” Ripley said. “Ripley PR wants to be an indispensable, value-driven partner to our clients and not just another vendor. We make it a priority to develop a relationship with our clients so we can build their brand together as a team. We celebrate our clients’ victories as we would our own.”

Ripley PR offers its clients strategic communications services, including crisis and reputation management, communications strategies, media relations and strategic planning. The agency’s unique combination of expertise and creativity in public relations helps clients build brand awareness, establish a positive reputation and capture the attention of the news and trade media covering their industries.

For more information visit www.ripleypr.com or call (865) 977-1973.

CBBC Bank Celebrates 50 years

Posted on September 28, 2023 by - Uncategorized

In honor of CBBC Bank’s 50th Anniversary a joint House of Representatives Proclamation was announced on September 19, 2023, at the Main Office on Broadway. 

Joint House of Representatives Proclamation

Pictured left to right:

Mike Baker, CBBC Bank Board of Director

Dr. James Robertson, CBBC Bank Board of Director

Art Swann, Senator

John Proffitt, CBBC Bank Board of Director

Leann Hicks, CBBC Bank Board of Director

Bob Carroll, CBBC Bank Board of Director

Mike Hearon, CBBC Bank President & CEO

Lowell Russell, Representative

Gaynell Lawson, CBBC Bank Board of Director

Jerry Dean, CBBC Bank Board of Director

4th and Forever Sponsors make donation to Alcoa City Schools Foundation

Posted on September 27, 2023 by - Uncategorized

Alcoa Head Football Coach Brian Nix and Alcoa City School Foundation President Brian Perkins receive a check for $1500 in honor of the Alcoa City School student athletes from the 4th and Forever Sponsors Garza Law Firm, Rusty Wallace Kia and The Blount Partnership presented by The Blount Partnership President-Bryan Daniels. 

WTNZ Fox 43 Sports announced at the presentation the broadcast debut of 4th and Forever Alcoa. Beginning September 30th at 9:30am on Fox43. This 8-part documentary will air spotlighting this iconic high school football dynasty.            

Filmed in an NFL Films style, this in-depth documentary of the Alcoa High School Football program’s quest for their 6th straight State Championship is a riveting and emotional ride for the viewer and an insider’s view of their most challenging 2020 season!

Winners Announced for 21st Annual Taste of Blount

Posted on September 14, 2023 by - Uncategorized

On a pleasant late summer’s eve, a sold-out crowd of 860 people gathered to enjoy some of the best food in Blount County as a record 31 area restaurants, food trucks and caterers participated in the 21st annual Taste of Blount hosted by the Blount Partnership at the Theater in the Park in Maryville, Tenn.

“Community events like this, along with the support of local sponsors, are essential to showing the vibrancy of this area,” said Blount Partnership President Bryan Daniels. “The friendly competition among the vendors is great and Taste of Blount shows off the wide variety of places we have to eat here.”

Attendees voted for winners in seven categories while culinary experts handed out the Culinary Excellence Awards.

Taking home top honors for best presentation and overall in the People’s Choice division was Pellissippi State Culinary Institute. Also winning double honors was The Italian Apron for best appetizer and main course.

Winning best sandwich for the fifth consecutive year was REO Cheesewagon. Sugar Mama’s Cotton Candy and Single Barrel Events won for best beverage. Best dessert went to Between the Slices.

The Culinary Excellence Awards were judged by five culinary experts – Kaysey Sanford, Sherri McCall, Ed Mitchell, and Mandee & Eric McNew – who put their professional taste buds to the test and anointed winners in five categories. Vendors were asked to submit one food item for the judges to determine which topped their chart.

Winning best appetizer for the second straight year as judged in the culinary division was Pellissippi State Culinary Institute. Taking home top honors for best sandwich was the Waterfront Bar & Grill. Sugar Mama’s Cotton Candy & Single Barrel Events won for best beverage. Top main course went to the Abbey, while Ham ‘N Goody’s won for best dessert.

The event was sponsored by Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Y-12 Federal Credit Union, Ebdontics, LDA Engineering, UT Federal Credit Union, ICC International, Simmons Bank, Senior Care Partners of East Tennessee, CBBC Bank, Johnson Architecture, Brackins Blues Club, Cherokee Distributing, and Coca-Cola.

2023 Taste of Blount People’s Choice Winners

Best Appetizer: The Italian Apron

Best Sandwich: REO Cheesewagon

Best Beverage: Sugar Mama’s Cotton Candy & Single Barrel Events

Best Main Course: The Italian Apron

Best Dessert: Between the Slices

Best Presentation: Pellissippi State Culinary Institute

Best Overall: Pellissippi State Culinary Institute

2023 Taste of Blount Culinary Excellence Award Winners

Best Appetizer: Pellissippi State Culinary Institute

Best Sandwich: Waterfront Bar & Grill

Best Beverage: Sugar Mama’s Cotton Candy & Single Barrel Events

Best Main Course: The Abbey

Best Dessert: Ham ‘N Goody’s