Author: Brad Dawson

What a fantastic evening last night as we celebrated our annual Chamber Membership Banquet and Awards Show at Lebanon’s Capitol Theatre. Some 330 Chamber members and their guests enjoyed a great meal and fellowship as 16 community leaders or businesses were acknowledged for their contributions to Lebanon and Wilson County. We unveiled our Wilson County promotional video that was funded in part through a State of Tennessee grant. This video tells Wilson County’s story and highlights each community within it. Our plans are to incorporate all or parts of the video on our website later this year. 

It is truly an honor to serve as the Chairman of our Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. My thoughts from last night’s speech were sincere when I challenged our membership to stay involved and participate in Chamber events. You definitely get out what you put in and the benefits of getting involved in Chamber events outweigh the effort tenfold. 

Here is a run-down of the awards that were given last night:

1. The Best New Professional or Commercial Building, completed this year:

WILSON COUNTY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC

2. The Best Structure Converted to a New Use/Conversion/Adaptive Use completed this year:

CUSTOM PACKAGING INC.

3. The Best Improvement of Land Usage to enhance the area’s aesthetic or quality of life completed this year:

CEDARSTONE BANK for the Acquisition, Clearing and Development of Adjacent Property at 900 West Main Street 

4. The Best Restoration or Preservation of a Historical Site:

THE CAPITOL THEATRE

5. Industrialist of the Year: 

MIKE & RICHARD MOSCARDELLI – PFP, INC.

6. Business Person of the Year: 

MIKE MANOUS – MANOUS DESIGN

7. Retailer of the Year:  

CARLTON BEAL, CHICK-FIL-A

8. Ambassador of the Year: 

DEREK TRUELOVE

9. Tapped by Tourism:

GWEN SCOTT  

10. Public Servant of the Year:

MR. W.J. “MAC” MCCLUSKEY

11. Lebanon Wilson County Sports Council  “Sportsman of the Year”

LEBANON YOUTH BASEBALL

12. Friend of Education: 

MEL BROWN, PRINCIPAL OF MT. JULIET HIGH SCHOOL

13. Corporate Friend of Education: 

BAYS SOUTHERN BREAD

14. Distinguished Alumni: 

RANDALL HUTTO, MAYOR OF WILSON COUNTY

15. Volunteer of the Year:

ANDREW & BEVERLY VALENTINE

16.  Lifetime Member: 

B.F. “JACK” LOWERY

Another packed week for our Chamber is a wrap!

We celebrated three ribbon cuttings and open house events on Thursday, January 30. The activities started with a ribbon cutting at Pro Equities on East Main at noon and ended with two ribbon cuttings back-to-back at Premier Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at 4:30 and Dr. Nancy Barrett of Wilson Surgical Associates at 5:30 – both located just off South Hartman Drive on Physicians Way in Lebanon.

Earlier in the week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Kiwanis Club of Lebanon (Monday) and the Noon Rotary Club (Tuesday) about our upcoming Chamber year.  These two fine civic organizations do a great deal for our community. The recent (2013) combining of our youth baseball leagues within the two clubs set a great example of what can happen when two separate organizations, both working for the good of the citizens of Lebanon and Wilson County, come together, check egos at the door and produce a product that is second to none in the mid-state. Lebanon Youth Baseball serves over 600 kids in the Lebanon area who want to play youth baseball. They charge zero to play, and it has been that way for 60-plus years.

We held our second Chamber of Commerce Past-Chair/Presidents Luncheon on Wednesday, January 29 at the Chamber Board Room. We had a great meeting and got some great insight from these fine ladies and gentlemen. Those attending included Ed Callis, Paul Stumb, Paul Jewell, Chris Crowell, Max Smith, Don McDougle, Bob Vanhoosier, Randall Clemons, Richard Macon, Don Simpson, Eric Thompson, Barry Tatum, Ken Caldwell, Becky Jennings and Pat Bone. Chris Crowell chairs that committee.

The Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber will be honoring all the past chairpersons at the upcoming annual Membership Banquet and Awards Ceremony next Thursday, February 6 at Lebanon’s newly renovated Capital Theater. This event is probably sold out by the time this blog hits the website, but call the Chamber office to see if any seats are left.

We have another busy week and month ahead of us in February, stay tuned for more and check back with us next Friday for a new blog from your Chairman.

John B. Bryan
Chairman
Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce

We finished a busy week of Chamber activities with our annual Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Board retreat on Friday, January 24. The Chamber staff lined up our retreat at The Mitchell House, the new home of Sigma Pi Fraternity International Headquarters. We had a great day of planning and enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by Sammy B’s.

Several committee meetings were held this week along with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday at Tony Bates Equipment. The new WEMA Station No. 9, located on the north side of Lebanon on Hwy. 231 North and Rutledge Lane, held an open house and ribbon cutting on Thursday.

We have a busy week ahead of us with our Chamber Education Committee meeting on Tuesday, our Past Chairs Luncheon on Wednesday, and a ribbon cutting at Pro Equities on Thursday at noon. Later on Thursday a ribbon cutting is set at 4:30 at Premier Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at 100 Physicians Way, Suite 110. A special guest from Duck Dynasty will also be on hand. Just an hour after that, a ribbon cutting will be held at the medical practice of Dr. Nancy Barrett. Dr. Barrett will host a Ribbon Cutting ceremony & Open House till 7:00 to showcase her new office location, (103 Physicians Way, Suite 140) in front of the Physicians Plaza.

Please remember to make your reservations to our annual Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, February 6, at Lebanon’s newly renovated Capitol Theatre.

Until next week,
John B. Bryan,
Chairman
Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce

Christmas is a special season – a time for coming together with friends and family. And what better way to create memorable holiday moments than Christmas 1 2 3 Lebanon?
Christmas 1 2 3 consists of three events organized by the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce: the Festival of Lights, Christmas on the Square in Lebanon, and the Lebanon Christmas Parade with Grand Marshal Daryle Singletary, country music recording artist.

 
The 16th Annual Festival of Lights opens early this year on Thursday, Nov. 21 and remains open every Thursday through Sunday for the remainder of 2013, along with being open weeknights from Dec. 19 through Dec. 31. The popular drive-through Christmas light show is located at the James E. Ward Agricultural and Community Center in Lebanon and is open from 5 until 9 p.m. Admission is $5 per car or $10 for vans and buses carrying 12 or more passengers.
Christmas on the Square, on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m, is hosted by downtown merchants and businesses, along with the Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy shopping, visits with Santa, sending off your child’s letter to the Jolly Ol’ Elf, storytelling, musical entertainment, Big O’s Concessions and more on Lebanon’s historic square. Additionally, Lebanon Mayor Phillip Craighead will flip the lights on for the city’s Christmas Tree at 5 p.m.
A highlight of the evening is Dinner at the Arcade. Enjoy a delicious holiday meal in the Arcade for $25 per person. Recording Artist Terry Weeks of the Music Lab will provide piano and vocal ambience focusing on Christmas favorites to set the tone for a relaxing and festive meal. Dinner is limited to 50 individuals per seating, with serving times at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. In addition, ticket holders will be treated to a carriage ride. Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, Dec. 3 for the Arcade dinner package including entertainment and carriage ride. Tickets are available at the Lebanon Chamber office.
Historic Lebanon is also hosting their 6th Annual Historic Places Tour from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in conjunction with Christmas on the Square. Tickets are $10 and are available in advance at the Chamber of Commerce, the main office of Wilson Bank & Trust and Historic Lebanon. Tickets will also be sold on Dec. 7 at the Capitol Theatre’s box office.
Finally, on Sunday, Dec. 8, come out on Main Street to enjoy the Lebanon Christmas Parade. This year’s parade theme is “A Taste of Christmas Fun” and begins at 2 p.m. from the old Lebanon High School, traveling down Main Street to the D.T. McCall shopping center parking lot.
The deadline for parade entries is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. For a parade entry form, visit the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce at 149 Public Square, Lebanon, call 444-5503 or visit www.lebanonwilsonchamber.comand download the application.

Earlier this year, our chamber considered a drive to increase membership.  When the idea was introduced by Sue, there was some enthusiasm and interest and many questions on how the campaign would occur.  We looked around at other chambers throughout the country and based on previous results, we selected a firm who specialized in growing membership. 

When Jimmy the facilitator arrived, he wore a red zoot suit and you could hear him when he entered the room.  Needless to say, many of us were skeptical about his flamboyant approach and how it would go over.  During the first team captain meeting, he caught someone reading an email instead of being attentive and asked the person next to him to do “push-ups” to compensate.  There was a little laughter and much surprise.  There was also increased apprehension on how he would treat our chamber volunteers in the two day event.  Would he actually run members away instead of attracting them? 

The big day soon came.  Our membership showed up to participate.  We hoped to gain 250 new members.  Jimmy took center stage.  We were anxious to see the event would unfold.   His speech is one that I wish everyone in our community could hear.  He told of how his hometown of Pecos, Texas is the fastest growing community in America.  It’s not because citizens waited on their leaders or were antagonistic with them.  It is due mainly to proactive citizen leaders and business owners across the spectrum who instead “raised their hand” to help instead of waiting on their neighbor.  Those who daily run their businesses well and daily intentionally seek opportunities to tell the story of their growing, exciting community to those who can add to or multiply their market.

Then came the exciting part.  He pointed to a picture on the wall of the old arcade building on the square where we held the event. The building was previously owned by several including T.H. Eatherly, (my grandfather) and others and now owned by Hal Bone and Mike Manous.  This black and white photo showed a civic club which met in the arcade for many years.  He reminded us that these citizens and others came before us in our community to accept the responsibility of making Lebanon a better place.  They did so in very harsh economic times and with fewer resources.  They looked for ways to make our location one that others would seek before the interstate came through Wilson County —  before we had any real manufacturing or transportation industries.  They weren’t looking for excuses or someone to blame.  They were looking for answers and solutions – subtly offered by our Creator – and made them happen.
 
Our chamber responded with an increase in membership unlike any we’ve ever seen.  The new member goal of 250 was shattered by reaching a total of 305.  This increased our size to 1130, one of the largest in Tennessee.  Our campaign outperformed similar efforts in Oak Ridge and Kingsport with larger populations and more resources.  Jimmy credited the staff, team captains and members who worked hard.  Many are owed a debt of gratitude for their efforts.  The consensus is that we used the same approach our forefathers did – leave no stone unturned, keep thinking of opportunities, and cooperate to reach the goal.  The results take us to another level. 

This year we are on our way.  Amazon is open here.  A new Lebanon High School is welcoming students.  Our community and our chamber are on the move.  Come be a part of this exciting adventure.  Let’s continue to make it happen here as we use this approach in our lives and take our community to the next level.  We owe it to our forefathers – and the next generation.

Blogging…what is blogging?  Blogging is a powerful tool for marketing and content promotion.  It has become very popular in the business world.  By creating a blog you are creating a “face” and “name” for your products and services.  Blogging can add value to your website; it keeps people interested in what is to come, and it can be a fun way to communicate what your business has to offer.  

Using a blog for your business can be done in several ways.  One way is through promotions.  You can blog daily or weekly on different sales, events, and give-a-ways.  This is a way to get members or clients to come back.  Like promotions, contests and games are a great promotion in a blog.  What person doesn’t like games?  Blogging also allows you to showcase what is new and exciting in your business.  It is an inviting way to get customers to your website to see what’s in store.  Businesses can also use their blogs as a way to reach out for feedback on new products and services.  In a sense collect a survey on what is effective and what to omit.  Testing ideas in your blog community first is a great way to “test the waters.”  By throwing certain questions or ideas out there through a blog, the research is cost-effective and it’s a quick way to get a response. 

Blogging doesn’t always have to be just words.  Use photographs to sell your products or to promote your member of the month.  Including pictures into your blogs will make it more bright and exciting for your viewer.  Post your blog to Facebook and Twitter to get more feedback and to open up to a whole new target market.  Creating a dialogue with your customers can lead to powerful business benefits. Having a constant customer connection can help you and your business build credibility and trust. 

In the end, the key is to make sure to blog often.  The best blogs have regular updates…daily, weekly, monthly, just get to blogging!  Please let me know how it goes and I am always here for questions and answers.

Heather

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
Benjamin Franklin

Being a part of YOUR Chamber

Often when people ask me where I work and what I do, I get the same question, “What does the Chamber actually do?”  The Chamber of Commerce opens up several opportunities for individuals and business owners in the community.  Not only does the Chamber provide you with ways to interact with other business owners throughout your community, we provide you with ways to showcase “YOU”! 

There are several reasons why being a part of your Chamber is important.  Advertising, Networking and business opportunities are three major areas for me.  As a local business owner these three incentives are enough for me to say “Sign me Up” or “When is my renewal due?” 

Advertising: Every year the Chamber provides a membership magazine with a directory and buyers guide.  The magazine is distributed to 10,000 members, visitors, new residents and business prospects.  Advertising is also done through our website at www.lebanonwilsonchamber.com.  The Chamber’s home page includes a directory of members in categorical order, giving each member FREE worldwide exposure.  The Chamber’s website receives more than 20,000 hits per month…WOW!!  The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce also publishes a city, county and area map that is distributed to over 5,000 individuals and businesses.  The advertising on the map is limited to ONLY Chamber members.  Other ways to advertise include ribbon cuttings, grand openings,newsletter, member sponsorships and ad promotions through our website. 

Networking Opportunities: As stated above, showcasing “YOU” is key to being a Chamber member.  We host business before and after hours that bring businesses and individuals together on a monthly basis.  During these events relationships are formed and business cards are exchanged.  Also, twice a year a new member orientation is held to welcome all of the new Chamber members.  This allows you to introduce yourself, promote your business and network extensively. 

The Chamber also has six committees that you can participate in, which is highly recommended: Membership, Education, Community Tourism, Sports Council, Economic Development and Governmental Relations. 

Business Opportunities: Being a part of YOUR Chamber offers many business perks.  Members may receive one set of labels free for direct mailing information to 1200 plus Chamber members per year.  Your chamber offers a promotional display for flyers and business cards, a calendar of events, certificates of origin for over-seas shipping, a notary public, nice meeting rooms and a bulk mailing permit stamp allowing savings based on the number of pieces.  All these perks are FREE, Yes FREE to Chamber Members!

So the question is not “What does the Chamber actually do?”, it’s “Why not be a Chamber Member?”  You SHOULD be a Chamber Member!

Because you prosper as our community prospers.  By helping to build a thriving community your investment is strengthened and your opportunities are broadened. 

Heather