Skip to main content

2013 Festival of Lights, Christmas on the Square, Parade make Season Bright

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.

WOW for the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber

The 2012 theme for YOUR Chamber is THE WOW FACTOR, and as of July 2012 we have had many WOW’S.

  • Beginning in January with 306 new members in 3 days, and the annual Board Retreat. 
  • February, an outstanding Annual Banquet with over 300 people in attendance.
  • March, over 400 members and their guest attended the annual St. Patrick’s Day open house.  Thanks to 34 restaurants and caterers for the wonderful food throughout the day.
  • April, the Prime Time Trade show at the arcade.  65 booths displaying their product and showcasing their business.  Again over 400 atendees.
  • May, The Go Johnny Go run/walk with 450 participants and the Annual Fishing Tournament with 50 boats.
  • June, the annual Dr. Cary Harbrecht Golf Tournament, 11 teams in the morning and 37 teams in the afternoon.
  • July,  a mid-year Board retreat, and the opening of the new Lebanon High School.  Your Chamber served ice cream sandwiches to all incoming Freshmen and visited LHS, Wilson Central and Friendship on opening day greeting all students and wishing them a safe and great year.

And now it is August.  Wilson County Fair time.  Approximately 120 Chamber volunteers       have signed up to work both information booths at the fair all 9 nights, both Saturdays and Sunday.  Chamber night at the Fair on August 23 in cooperation with the Mt. Juliet Chamber, the Watertown Chamber, the Visitors Bureau and the JECD.

Also in these past 8 months we have had numerous ribbon cuttings, business after and before hours and many meetings in the Chamber office.

Watch out for the rest of 2012, YOUR CHAMBER is on the move.  Our WOW will continue and our excitement will keep building.  Upcoming in September will be a Retention Blitz, another opportunity to showcase your business at the September Business Extragavanza,  Halloween on the Square, a luncheon that you will not want to miss with exciting news.  Victorian Christmas on the Square, the Jingle Jog, the Christmas Parade and the Festival of Lights.   

We hope you are proud of YOUR Chamber and you are INVOLVED.  If not call the Chamber today at 615-444-5503 get your name on the volunteer list.  YOUR CHAMBER NEEDS YOUR HELP. 

The Next Level

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…Why Not?

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

Meet with us at YOUR Chamber

I try every week to think of ways I can reach out to our Chamber members to inform them of why being a chamber member has great benefits.  One of the perks we get complimented on the most is our available meeting spaces that we offer to our members free of charge.  As a matter of fact, I know of some members who decided to become part of our chamber because of this wonderful benefit.  With so many of our current members working from home or having various clients throughout the county the available meeting spaces that we offer have become their place to meet potential clients and/or conduct business. 

Here at YOUR Chamber we offer four meeting rooms.  Pictured below is our largest meeting room, the Wilson Bank and Trust Room.  This room is equipped with a built-in screen and projector and seats 30-32 people.  This room is ideal for an all-day meeting or business conference.  This room is great for business lunches or dinners with convenience to the chamber’s kitchen.

 WBT Room

The second room The First Freedom Room is equipped with a television and DVD player as well as a drop down screen.  This meeting room seats 28-30 people comfortably.  The First Freedom Room is located upstairs and is a great, quiet meeting space. 

First Freedom Room

The third room is the UMC Room.  This room is great for small meetings and seats eight to ten people.

UMC Room

The Lebanon Wilson Chamber also offers a Small Business Resource Center located upstairs.  The resource center is available for use on Thursdays and Fridays.  This room is ideal for smaller meetings including four or less people.  The business resource center was established by the Chamber and Cumberland University to offer business start-up and expansion advice.  Members can seek personal advice from staff on hand or access the SBRC’s website at www.bizresources.org or visit the Chamber Biz link on this website. 

BRC

If you are interested in booking any of these meeting rooms or would like more information on the benefits of membership please contact me at the chamber office 615.444.5503.  The friendly staff here at YOUR Chamber will make sure you are provided with all the equipment and resources needed to make your meeting the best possible. 

Hope you as a member or nonmember will find this information helpful.  As always, we are here to answer any questions about YOUR Chamber. 

“There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.” ~Anonymous

Have a great day!

Heather

Being a Part of YOUR Chamber

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

 

Call Now Button