Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce · $1,000 Small Business Partner ... Kay Baggett, Retired ... Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce. Business and Professional Women’s Organization

Our 94th Year We’re On the Move January 2016

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce

Contents:

Chamber News ……………………………..…….2

Business News…………………………………...4, 5

Community News ……..………..…...……..6, 7, 8

Charles A. Long Nomination Form……...8, 9

94th Annual Meeting………………......….….....10

Chuck Ewart, IOM, CCE, The Ewart Group, LLC, Keynote Speaker for the Bessemer Area Chamber of

Commerce 94th Annual Meeting

The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce 94th Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 7 pm at the Bessemer Civic

Center. We are excited to have Chuck Ewart, The Ewart Group as the keynote speaker.

The Ewart Group is a company dedicated to helping businesses and organizations proactively plan for the future in order to meet the needs of

their customers. Chuck Ewart, IOM, CCE, President, established the company in April 2002 after 23 years’ experience in organization

management in North and South Carolina.

During his long career in economic and community development, Ewart thrived as a skilled facilitator and speaker. He is highly sought after as

an after-dinner speaker and motivational entertainer. Chuck Ewart has facilitated planning retreats, presented seminars, and addressed over 1500

chambers of commerce, associations, organizations, and businesses throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

Having served as President of five chambers of commerce, Chuck Ewart understands the unique challenges facing non-profit organizations in

these changing times. The Ewart Group focuses its efforts on facilitating operational and strategic planning retreats and processes, leadership

program retreats, Board of Directors orientations, and workshop presentations. In addition, The Ewart Group has worked with numerous

chambers of commerce during their executive search process.

Since 1991, Ewart has taught and mentored more than 3,500 executives through the Institute for Organization Management, the premier

continuing education program for chamber and association executives. The multi-year program is an affiliate of the United States Chamber of

Commerce. Ewart is rated as one of the top instructors in the program.

Courses that Ewart has developed and taught include Strategic Planning; Thriving on Change; Small Group Facilitation; Encouraging the Heart;

Effective Boards; Team Building; Applied Membership Strategies; Revving Your Revenue Stream; Building Strategic Alliances and

Partnerships; Pitch It, Sell, Close It; Effective Presentations; Programming with a Purpose; and Strong Chambers & Associations of the Future.

In June 2012, Chuck Ewart was the lead facilitator and trainer for business development executives from North Africa. Ewart has facilitated

planning retreats and presented workshops for numerous businesses over the years. Clients include automobile dealerships, trucking companies,

network television affiliates, furniture companies, hospitals, churches, and colleges.

bessemerchamber.com JANUARY 2016

2

CHAMBER NEWS

Messer Will Pass the Gavel to Holt at Annual Meeting

The Benefit and Importance of Being a Chamber Sponsor

As a Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce sponsor, your company will automatically gain the publicity and brand recognition it needs to

compete in today’s competitive environments. By sponsoring a chamber program, your organization will reach local businesses and community

leaders who recognize and appreciate companies that help support sound economic development initiatives that create a healthy business

climate. Your recognition as a chamber sponsor within the business community will insure you make those important events necessary

connections for the future growth and success of your business.

Chamber events and programs are highly publicized….and so are our sponsors. Your company’s brand name and sponsorship recognition is

included on all collateral materials as well as print advertising to help you lock in valuable public recognition. Please review the levels of

sponsorship and consider signing up as a 2016 Sponsor. We need your support.

$10,000 Diamond Sponsor

94th Annual Meeting – Primary Seating of 8

Sponsor of Community Service Scholarship

25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – Primary Seating of 8

1 full page ad on the back cover of the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

1 page Story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Title Sponsor for the Golf Tournament or Membership Event

Plan a Business After Hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $750)

Up to $400 credit toward annual membership dues

Spotlight in Chamber Newsletter The Communique

2 Full page ads in Chamber’s Communiqué

Company Logo with website link on Chamber website

Logo recognition at all major events

Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives

Sponsor for City of Bessemer Christmas Parade (includes one entry in parade and listing on promotional materials)

Pre/Post event advertising

$7,500 Diamond Sponsor 94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8

25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – Table of 8

1 full page ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine [Inside Front Cover]

½ page story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Premiere Sponsor for the Golf Tournament or Membership Event

Plan a business after hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $500)


1 page ad in Chamber’s Communiqué



Sponsor for City of Bessemer Christmas Parade (includes one entry in parade and listing on promotional materials)



94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8

[Continued on Page 4]

Eric Messer, Shoals Ambulance did an outstanding job as the 2015 Chairman of the Board. Messer is

thrilled to leave the chamber financially sound as his chairmanship comes to end. Messer will serve as

immediate past chairman of the board. The gavel will be passed on to Joni Holt, Holt Insurance. Holt is not

a new face to the chamber. She has been actively involved with the chamber for several years. Holt served

as chairwoman of the board in 1995.

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Sponsorship Investments

Diamond $10,000

Platinum $ 7,500

Gold $5,000

Silver $3,000

SBP $1,000

View Page 2 and 4 for more details

2016 BOARD MEMBERS

JANUARY 2016

3

bessemerchamber.com

Carla Busbee

Middle Creek Medical

Center

Richard Bishop

ITT Technical Institute

Lynn Brown

Alabama Splash

Adventure

Trisha Galvez

Legacy YMCA

Carlton Jackson

Bessemer Fire

Department

Louis Jones

Mt. Hebron Baptist

Church

Vicki Lane

AAA Bessemer

Candice Lee

TBGS Holdings /

Masonry Arts

Reggie Mays

United Prosthetics and

Orthotics

Dr. Fred Primm

Bessemer Board of

Education

Kela Pryor

City of Bessemer

Cristy Richardson

America’s First Federal

Credit Union

John Sides

Alabama Power

Company

Hank Tyler

Town & Country Ford

Devron Veasley

Bessemer Business

Center

Trina Vines

Oak Trace Care and

Rehabilitation Center

Jerry Yarbrough

Bessemer Utilities

Past

Chairman

Eric Messer

Shoals

Ambulance

Chairperson

Joni Holt

Holt

Insurance

Agency

Chairman

Elect

Nathan Clark

Medical

West

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS IN STOCK at the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce

The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce has

promotional items for sale. We have X-large

Beach towels and chairs for $20.00 each. Stop by

and pick up your items at 321 18th Street N.,

Bessemer, AL 35020.

2016 Investors

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS

AG Gaston Construction Company

Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice Engineering Environmental Forestry Service

Legacy YMCA

Paden & Paden, PC

Regional Paramedical Services

State Farm Insurance Agent, Julie Bell

Trustmark National Bank

William Parsons CPA

Treasurer

Connie Fuell

Dex Imaging

Place Your Ad in

the Chamber

Communique

FULL PAGE AD

$75 per occurrence

SMALL AD

$50 per month or 6

months for $240

BUSINESS

JANUARY 2016

4

CHAMBER NEWS (Continued)

bessemerchamber.com

The Benefit and Importance of Being a Chamber

Sponsor [Continued from page 2]

$5,000 Diamond Sponsor [continued from page 2] 25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders

Gala – Table of 8

1 full page ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine (preferred spot)

¼ page Story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Silver Sponsor for Golf “FORE” Progress

Plan a business after hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $250)


½ page ad in chamber Communiqué





94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8

25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders

Gala – 2 tickets

$500 credit toward an ad in 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament (Team of 4 and

Name/Logo on all promotional material)

¼ page ad in Chamber Communique newsletter




$1,000 Small Business Partner

94th Annual Meeting (4 tickets) with option to upgrade

$200 credit toward an ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament - Hole Sponsorship

Business Card ad in one issue of the Communique newsletter



Farmers Furniture Ribbon Cutting Held December 10, 2015 at 9 am

They are located at 530 West Town Plaza, Bessemer

__________________________________________________

to submit your nomination for

the Charles A. Long Sr.

Outstanding Civic Award with

the enclosed form TODAY.


5

BUSINESS [Continued]

America’s First Federal Credit Union Ribbon Cutting

Held Tuesday, December 15, 2016 at 8:30 am

They are located 2131 19th Street North, Bessemer

2016 CHAMBER

AMBASSADORS

Coordinator

Lori Chisem Lawson State Community College

Co-Coordinators

Daryl Owens

Bessemer City Schools

Andie Sloan

Comfort Care

Secretary

Nelda Pate, Retired

Kay Baggett, Retired

Sarah Beasley,

Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc

Sarah Belcher, Retired

Erin Cooney, Holt Insurance Agency

Sadie Harris, Retired

Shirley Horn, Retired

Latesia Jefferson,

Oak Trace Care and Rehab

Charles King,

Regional Paramedical Services

Doris Lewis, City of Bessemer

Claire Mitchell,

Visalus - Body by Vi

Kenya Rose

Lula Walter, City of Bessemer

Trisston Wright Burrows, Moore Coal Co.

Ambassadors are the key resource in

extending hospitality in the Bessemer area

and are experienced in business,

community, and promotional arenas.

An Ambassador must serve as an active

public relations arm of the Chamber and be

prepared to meet visitors, local businesses,

and various forms of the media.

We encourage you join the ambassador

program. The ambassadors meet on the 1st

Tuesday of each month at 8:30am at the

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce.

Business and Professional Women’s Organization Gathers for Christmas

bessemerchamber.com

COMMUNITY

A Musical Christmas in Bessemer

The City of Bessemer Christmas Parade was a huge success. Grand Marshal, Haley Spates, actress and soloist in the movie “Woodlawn” and

over 190 entries, drew an overwhelming crowd to downtown Bessemer. Bessemer City Officials, Bessemer City High School Band, many

floats, vintage cars, churches and horses was a crowd pleaser.

A special thanks to the parade sponsors. They were Birmingham Healthy Start Plus, Fountain Building and Supply, J. B. Processing LLC,

Senator Priscilla Dunn and Weil Wrecker Service.

Winners of the 2015 Christmas Parade were:

VEHICLES:

Winner – Spring Chapel Baptist Church

1st Place - Canaan Baptist Kindergarten

FLOAT 15 FT. OR LONGER:

Winner – The Church of God

1st Place – Committee to Elect Rukeya McAdory McCullough

The Christmas Parade is always filled with excitement and it’s a good kickoff to the holiday season. Events like this could not be a success

without the support of our chamber ambassadors, Mayor, Bessemer City Council members, Bessemer Police and Fire Department and the

Bessemer Street and Sanitation Department.

JANUARY 2016

6

FLOAT LESS THAN 15 FT.:

Winner – McNeil Baptist Church

1st Place – Canaan Baptist Kindergarten

EQUESTRIAN:

Winner - Neil Williams

COMMUNITY


7

COMMUNITY


8

City of Bessemer Holiday Open House Draws a Large Crowd

The City of Bessemer Holiday Open House was held in the City Hall Auditorium on December 18th. City employees, business and community leaders were in

attendance. It was all smiles, networking and socializing as Mayor Kenneth Gulley and Bessemer City Council Members greeted guests. The food was the

highlight of the occasion. We applaud Mayor Gulley and Bessemer City Council members for their involvement.

Business and Professional Women’s Organization Gathers for Christmas [Continued]

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce · $1,000 Small Business Partner ... Kay Baggett, Retired ... Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce. Business and Professional Women’s Organization

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