Mike Baker was a native of Lebanon. He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy. He began working for Wilson Bank & Trust in 1991 and would become Vice President and Manager of the main office. He was very active in the community serving as President of the Rotary Club and President for the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber. He was a Leadership Wilson Graduate, served on the Fair board and co-chaired the great giveaway. Mike loved people and there are numerous stories of him helping others in the community. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and always put God and his family first. He passed away in the Fall 2001, survived by his wife Tammy and three children, Austin, Brent & Zack.

The Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Celebration is one of the largest gatherings of executives, elected officials, business owners, and civic leaders.

Hear about our top priorities and vision for doing business Chamber President & CEO, Melanie Minter, outgoing Board Chairman, Necole Bell and incoming Board Chairman Greg Butler. The meeting and celebration is for all members to attend.

The evening included dinner, a brief meeting, followed by the swearing-in of the upcoming Board of Directors and award recipients. Celebration Cocktails @ 5:30, Dinner @ 6:30 and Program @ 7:00

The following awards will be presented:

• Ambassador of the Year
• Retailer of the Year
• Shop Small Business Award
• Industrialist of the Year
• Business Person of the Year
• Friend of Education
• Lifetime Member Award
• Volunteer of the Year
• Lebanon Wilson County Sports Council Award
• on Profit of Excellence Award
• Woman of Excellence
• Cedar Tree Awards and Distinguished Alumni.

Call the Chamber for more information 615-444-5503.

Landmark Homes of Tennessee, Inc. hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the launch of Walker Estates by Landmark Homes. Thank you to Owner, Gary Wisniewski, Marketing Director Ashley Belcher and their sponsors The Juice Bar, Active Life Chiropractic and CareyAnn & My Mortgage Team Powered by CMG Financial for making it a great success. Representatives included the Ambassador Division, Board of Director and membership.

For more information:
Landmark Homes of TN. 6064 Central Pike Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
http://www.yourlandmark.com/…

Ribbon Cuttings are sponsored by Anytime Fitness of Lebanon, TN

The holidays are quickly approaching and everyone is beginning their Christmas shopping for friends and family. While it is both easy and convenient to shop online and have everything shipped to your doorstep, we ask that you keep your local small businesses in mind as you plan out your gifts.

Think about these 5 benefits of shopping small on Small Business Saturday, November 30 and every day.

1. Supporting small businesses keeps money within the community and enhances the local economy.
2. Customer service at small businesses can be a more personal experience.  Customers may easily build relationships with owners and staff, and perhaps even feel like they’ve become part of a family.
3. Small business owners are often members of the community that they are located in. This means they have pride in the town and are likely to support it through different functions.
4. Small businesses create jobs that keep you close to home. Also, during holiday seasons they create additional jobs through their part-time positions.
5. Small businesses are more likely to tailor their products to the needs and desires of the community. And if they don’t have a specific thing that you are looking for, they are likely to order it in for you.

Small businesses are vital to the success and growth of the city and county. When you support a local business, you are supporting your neighbor.

Attend New Member Orientation

     Held quarterly, the New Member Orientation is a special reception held to welcome all of the new Chamber members, allow them to introduce themselves and promote their business, and network extensively. A review of all of the Chamber member benefits will reinforce and teach all in attendance how to utilize their membership to the fullest extent. Board Members and Division Vice Chair Persons attend these as well to give a brief description of what role their committee plays in the Chamber. This orientation is not exclusively for New Members.  If you are not a member and want to know more about the Chamber, you are welcome to attend.

Attend Monthly Committee Meetings

     The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce currently has seven different committees that meet monthly. The Committees are – Membership, Ambassadors, Special Events, Economic Development, Government Relations, Education, and Sports Council. To read more about how each committee impacts the Chamber members and our community, click here. By attending these monthly meetings, you have the opportunity to not only network with those who share similar interests, but also the chance to get more involved in the community through projects and events that will help your business prosper or engage you with a personal passion or purpose! If you have questions about any of our committees or would like to attend a meeting, please contact the Chamber office at 615-444-5503.

The Wilson County Sports Council has stayed busy this summer by hosting the Annual Dr. Cary Harbrecht Memorial Chamber Summer Scramble and the Annual Two Rivers Ford Open Bass Tournament. The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce would like to highlight the winners of each event.

Dr. Cary Harbrecht Memorial Chamber Summer Scramble

1^st Flight

1^ST PLACE –  Bates Ford                    Rick Robinson, Stanley Everett, Steve Everett, Doug Sarro

2^ND PLACE –  Poling                           Jeff Poling, Casey Moore, Adam Maxwell, Michael Shinn

3^RD PLACE –  Sloan                            Mike Sloan, Case Sloan, Paul Sloan, CK Smith

2^nd Flight

1^ST PLACE –  Hot Springs Spa of Music City              Kevin Croteau, Dennis Croteau, Adam Thorup, Ted Witkus

2^ND PLACE –  CRV                                                      Jeremy Hunley, Mark Connor, Corey Ross, Taylor Vandever

3^RD PLACE –  HTK Wealth Management                    Chuck Gore, Dave Smith, Jamie Reynolds, Tim Chance

3^rd Flight

1^ST PLACE –  Southern Bank of TN              David Penuel, John Pope, Matt Smith, Joe Shade

2^ND PLACE –  Journey’s                                Ja’Rob Coggins, Carl Brewer, Adam Vanatta, James Rutledge

3^RD PLACE –  First Freedom Bank                JB Owens, John Bradshaw, Phillip Vance, Nicole Frank

Spirit Award                                       Famous Footwear

Closest to the Pin Hole #3            Jonathan Parker, BankTennessee

Closest to the Pin Hole #8            Mike Keen, Thompson Team

Closest to the Pin Hole #13          Wes Dugan, Wilson County Farm Bureau

Closest to the Pin Hole #16          Mike Keen, Thompson Team

Air Cannon                                    JD Lowery

Straightest Drive                           Lynn Farmer, Pro Tech

Longest Drive                               Brent Dewitz, The Pointe @ Five Oaks

Putting Contest                             Phillip Vance, First Freedom Bank

Ball & Tee Guess                          Case Sloan

To view the photos taken by House on a Hill Photography, Click Here.

Two Rivers Ford Open Bass Tournament

1^st Place: Jessie Rigbys and Scott Rigbys – Weight 19.06 lbs.

2^nd Place: A.J. Harvey and Anthony Guffie – Weight 15.17 lbs.

3^rd Place: Billy Thorne and Scotty Webster – Weight 15.12

Read the Weekly Newsletter

The Chamber E-News goes out every Tuesday afternoon. This newsletter has all the information regarding upcoming events both chamber and community related. We have even recently updated the look so that it only takes a quick glance to see what is coming up. If something catches your eye, there is generally a link attached to give you more information. The E-News also gives members the opportunity to share what they have coming up!

Any member that wishes to advertise in the newsletter can send a graphic/flyer and website link (if needed) to marketing@lebanonwilsonchamber.com. Ads can be showcased for up to 2 weeks and need to be submitted by 4:00 pm the Monday prior.

Attend Networking Events

The Chamber has many opportunities to get involved in your community and meet with other local businesses including, Business After Hours, Business Card Exchanges, and Ribbon Cuttings.

Business After Hours are held monthly on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays, these networking events provide a relaxed way for members of the Chamber to connect with one another. Member organizations may host these events, which bring together an average of 50-100 people, to showcase their facilities. Here, new members are introduced and may give a brief commercial about their business.

Business Card Exchanges are held once a month at a local organization that is a member of the Chamber. It is a lunch-time networking event during which other members can meet and exchange information with one another, and introduce themselves to the group as a whole through a brief talk about their organization. 

Ribbon Cuttings are a great opportunity to not only network but also showcase your business. Whether it is a new location, expansion, or you are a new member that wants to celebrate your membership. Ribbon Cuttings are a great way to invite people into your workplace and get to know them. To get in on the fun of Ribbon Cuttings, you do not have to personally host one. All Ribbon Cuttings are open for members to attend.

For more information on hosting or attending any of these events, contact Tonya 615-444-5503 or tonya@lebanonwilsonchamber.com.