The Wilson County Sports Council, a Division of the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, welcomes the Mid-South Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to Cumberland University this week.

Sixteen college basketball teams are participating in tournament play, which begins Thursday, March 6, wrapping up March 9 with the Championship games. We are looking forward to seeing some talented athletes compete at CU’s Dallas Floyd Gymnasium, and encourage to public to come out for the games. For the tournament schedule, visit http://www.gocumberlandathletics.com/championships/2014-msc-bkb/

We are also welcoming this year’s Leadership Middle Tennessee class, visiting Wilson County March 5 and 6 and learning about many aspects of our community.

Next week, the Chamber will be visiting another Teacher Grant recipient, this time at Southside Elementary. First Grade Teacher Vicki Shelton will be showing members of our Education Committee how she is using the grant funds in her classroom.

We’re also excited about our New Member Orientation, set for March 12 at the Chamber office. We have over 20 new members who have joined the Chamber since the calendar flipped over to 2014.

A Business Before Hours, the first of 2014, is set for Friday morning, March 14, Come on out to Nutter Equipment , 101 Jennings Ave., Lebanon, at 7:30 a.m. to enjoy a breakfast reception an networking with other Chamber members.

And be sure to mark your calendar for our St. Patrick’s Day Open House at the Chamber office, 149 Public Square, on Monday, March 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’ll have lots of great food from area restaurants and caterers!

We are also live on www.active.com and accepting registrations for Go Johnny Go, our 5K/10K/Run/Walk set for May 17. Proceeds benefit the Johnny Keel Wellness Foundation.

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last blog. That may tell you how busy we have been at the Chamber. Ribbon cuttings, a few committee meetings and our February board meeting filled the last two weeks.

Serenity Dental held their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 13.  Dr. Teresa Larkins and her staff have a fabulous new dental office, and the addition of that new structure to West Main definitely adds to the neighborhood. I appreciate Dr. Larkins’ investment in this community.
Southern Kitchen on Cedar Street cut the ribbon on their new location on Wednesday, February 19. Michael and LaToya Lewis offer barbecue and southern cooking at its finest. It’s exciting to see this restaurant add to the flavor of Lebanon’s dining community.
Our Tourism Committee met on Tuesday, February 18, and plans are in full swing for the Second Annual Jammin’ With the General. Three consecutive musical masterpieces are planned for the summer on the Public Square in Lebanon. Additional sponsors for the event are being sought, so if you or your business has an interest, please contact the Chamber office. Stay tuned for more on these special events.
Our Education Committee Chair Scott Jasper and I met with another Teacher Grant recipient at Byars Dowdy Elementary on Thursday. Cathy Fraley, a kindergarten teacher, used the funds to purchase three Leappads for her class. The kids love learning on the devices, and we could easily see that was money well invested.
On Monday, February 24 Frank and Patties celebrated a ribbon cutting at the Outlet Village in Lebanon at 2 p.m. The next day Southern Bank of Tennessee held a ribbon cutting at their new full service branch office on West Main Street in Lebanon at 12 noon.
The community is always welcome and encouraged to come out and help us welcome new businesses to the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

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.

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. 

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