The Weekly
Thursday February 4, 2010

Chamber Calendar

Ribbon Cutting
Mountain Home Care

February 9, 4 p.m.

Celebrate the Grand Opening of their Waynesville Office!

Elected Officials Reception

Presented by: Champion Credit Union & The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce
February 18, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Laurel Ridge Country Club

Event Free to Members, RSVP Requested

Click Here to RSVP

Presenting Sponsor:

Event Sponsored By:

Women in Business Luncheon
Leaders in Fashion

February 25, 11:30 a.m.

The Gateway Club

$20 Chamber members & $25 non-members

Click Here to register today.

First Coupon Page of 2010

Set to Release February 8!

The Chamber is currently working on our first Chamber Member Coupon page of 2010. The coupon page is a free method of advertising exclusive to members of the Chamber. Take advantage of this great opportunity to offer a discount to locals and visitors alike. Top coupons have been 20% off one regularly priced item, Buy one get on 1/2 off, and dining specials of all types. Please email kmclean@haywood-nc.com to submit a coupon for your business.

From Ice Carvers to Fierce Fashions, The Chamber Hosts a Successful Fire & Ice Winterfest

The Chamber hosted their first annual Fire & Ice, a Mountain Winterfest, January 22 - 24, 2010. The event promoted Haywood County as a destination for all seasons and featured weekend events in the towns of Waynesville and Maggie Valley.

The premier event, hosted by the Chamber brought over 150 people to A Snowy Evening at the Waynesville Inn, Golf Resort and Spa. Attendees had the opportunity to marvel at seven Ice Carvers as they transformed blocks of ice into winter wonders in the Ice Carving Competition. Edwin Hutchinson, Todd Dawson and Travis Dale took top honors with sculptures ranging from Penguins on blocks to a tribute to Olympic Skiing. "The competition was exciting, the carvings spectacular, and the carvers were courageous in their efforts to win first place. I was proud to be a part of the event knowing that it was the first time three of the carvers had ever competed", said Jeff Pennypacker of Masterpiece Ice Sculptures. Jeff worked with the chamber to both organize and promote the competition.

Local Restaurants, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and the President of the North Carolina Culinary Institute demonstrated their culinary expertise. Attendees watched intently as chefs created dishes like Sweet Potato and Beet soup and a breakfast fit for a king. NC Wine provided by Shadow Springs Vineyard, Rain Tree Cellars and Lake James Cellars Winery was available for sampling. Heinzelmannchen Brewery of Sylva & Highland Brewery of Asheville donated locally crafted beer for festival goers to sample as well.

Families cuddled up and enjoyed the mountainscapes of Western North Carolina in horse and carriage rides along the outskirts of the Golf Course provided by Classic Carriage Rides. Children both young and old roasted marshmallows over fire pits and enjoyed the culinary delights provided by the Chefs at the Waynesville Inn. Area artists from the Blue Ridge Watercolor Society set up their easels and showcased their artistic talents as a representation of the rich art culture of WNC.

The evening kicked into high gear with a Spring Preview of local fashions and music provided by David Tomlin of Indigo Salon. Retailers including The Marriage Vine, The Cousins of Doncaster, The Waynesville Inn Pro Shop and High Country Style dressed models in upcoming Spring fashions, and the ladies from Hello Gorgeous where on hand to do hair and makeup. Melissa Smith, Katie Eason, Cassie White, Michelle Lennon Balog, Lila Eason, Dr. Robin Matthews, Jennifer Jacobsen, Allison Baldwin and Brittany Ward donned the upcoming trends all in the name of promoting local retailers.

Dave Stubbs, Co-owner of the Waynesville Inn, commented "The first Annual Fire & Ice festival was a great success. The Chamber envisioned a number of unique events which were great fun. This event has the potential to be the finest in Haywood County."

Event sponsored in part by: Harrah's Hotel & Casino, Insight Marketing, The Maggie Valley Club, A to Z Signs and Engravings, The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa, BluePrints for Business, The Enterprise Mountaineer, Masterpiece Ice Sculptures, Beth Brown Photography, Smoky Mountain News and the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.

Governmental Relations Committee Announcement

Governmental Relations Committee Members:

Please mark your calendars for the following Governmental Relations Committee meetings chaired by Mark Clasby.  This schedule is based upon the General Assembly schedule and the date session convenes.  The short session of the General Assembly  begins May,2010.

Also, chamber members interested in serving on the Governmental Relations Committee are welcome. 

Tuesday, February  9 @ 8:00-9:30 (if needed)

Thursday, February 18 @ 5:30-7:30- Elected Officials Reception at Laurel Ridge Country Club

June 2010- Annual Visit to Raleigh

A schedule is established based upon when the General Assembly convenes. 

This year the General Assembly convenes in May, 2010

 January: Committee approves survey and staff emails membership to determine priorities of concern Governmental Relations Committee meets to hear presentations by key community partners and discuss top priority issues. Sub-Committees may become necessary to address issue requiring discussion and research Governmental Relations Committee determines legislative agenda based upon membership surveys and meeting with community stakeholders. The draft legislative agenda is presented to the Board of Directors for vote of approval. 

February: Annual Elected Officials Reception is held and legislative agenda is presented

I-40 Travel Advisory

A rockslide has forced the closure of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina/Tennessee State line at exit 451. The last exit to detour off of I-40 Eastbound will be exit 435. According to the NC Department of Transportation, initial estimates indicate that it could take several months to clean up the site and restore traffic. The last exit available on I-40 Westbound will be exit 20 at U.S. 276 (Maggie Valley). Travelers heading to Haywood County (Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Canton & Clyde) on I-40 from Asheville and points East are not affected, with exits 31,27,24 and 20 still accessible. Please Click HERE to view an updated travel alert and detour options.

The Green Initiative

 The pilot group of Chamber business have achieved their Going Green status and have made great waves in the community by greening their businesses. The Chamber is currently looking for member businesses to participate in the second session of Going Green beginning 2010. If you would like to participate in the Chamber's Green Business Initiative please email CeCe Hipps chipps@haywood-nc.com.

Current Job Postings

State Farm Insurance
Are you outgoing & customer focused? Do you enjoy working with the public? Insurance professional needed. Prior experience not required. Desired qualities include: ethical and honest, excellent communication skills- written, verbal and listening, and an ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.  Contact Clay at 280-2581 or clay@claydangerfield.com 
 

Champion Credit union
Seeking candidates for Vice President of Lending. Primary responsibilities: participate in strategic planning and the development of credit union lending policies, procedures, and goals; responsible for the credit union's administrative management of loan functions; develop and implement consistent organizational policies and procedures that comply with State and Federal regulations and lending laws; supports, oversees, and leads business lending, residential lending, indirect lending, and consumer lending; ensure maximum profitability of lending activities that are also in the best interest of the member. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and 2 years of commercial lending experience.  Credit Union lending and mortgage lending experience preferred.  Champion Credit Union offers an excellent benefits package and competitive salary.  Benefits include: Medical and Dental Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation and Sick Leave, Life Insurance, and Short-term and Long-term Disability.  Qualified candidates may submit a resume to ccujobs@championcu.com.

Indigo Salon
Licensed Massage Therapist, Manicurist and Hairstylist with clientele needed. Station rental. Indigo Salon, Call Caroline 828.246.8246.

Maggie Valley Club
New Spa Opportunity! Looking for a Highly Skilled Nail Tech. Call 828.246.5285 today.

The Chamber is now featuring local job postings and resumes from Chamber Member Businesses and former employees of Chamber Member Businesses. If you or your business have a position or resume you would like to post please email kmclean@haywood-nc.com and we will run it in a special section of the weekly.

Automatic Bank Draft Option Available

The Chamber is pleased to announce an automatic bank draft option for new and renewing members alike. This option will break membership dues into monthly or quarterly payments to simplify the payment process. Please contact the chamber 828.456.3021 for additional information.

Exclusive Member Advertising Opportunities

Membership with the Chamber provides you with multiple advertising opportunities that are exclusive to Chamber Members. The Following are currently available:

Please contact the Chamber office for any additional information or requests. Email kmclean@haywood-nc.com or call 828.456.3021.