Did you see it yet? I'm talking about the Catalyst, the Winston-Salem Chamber's new monthly publication, containing your source for information on all things Chamber. The first issue appeared in last Tuesday's Winston-Salem Journal and Thursday's edition of The Chronicle. If you picked up a copy, you saw that: Catalyst features stories on Chamber events, recent and upcoming. Catalyst reports on Chamber initiatives like Technology, Education, Governmental Affairs and more, and how you can become involved. o Catalyst showcases photos of our members at recent events--and names names! o Catalyst recognizes our hardworking Chamber advocates, sponsors and volunteers. I'm excited about this new publication and know that it will help you stay informed on the many ways your Chamber membership benefits you and your business. Plus, because the Catalyst is seen by more than 62,000 people each month, it's the perfect way, through your Chamber involvement, to let others know about what you're doing to make every day a great day for business in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. o o If you haven't seen the premiere issue, click here for an online copy. I look forward to seeing you in an upcoming issue of the Catalyst! Now you just won’t believe it. There are so many exciting things going on at the Chamber that you’ll just have to give me 5 more minutes to tell you all about them and why they’re important to you. #1. We’re giving you an exclusive opportunity to meet North Carolina’s next governor. But hurry because only the first 200 get in. The candidates will talk about their positions and take your questions on March 25 and April 8 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel, near PTIA. We’re not telling who is coming on which date, so you’ll have to be at both lunches to be sure to see your favorite candidate. Cost is $15 for each session, and reservations are required. Click here to register for March 25. Click here to register for April 8. Log in as a nonmember. User name FORUM2008. Password (case sensitive) Gov2008. #2. 150 of your Chamber friends need your help! They’re searching for deserving companies who should be members of the Chamber but aren’t. You can help them (and us) by recommending someone you do business with for Chamber membership. Just scan the names of our campaign volunteers and call one you know with your suggestions. Lots of creativity in the names the teams chose: Team Chamber - Ed Welch, I.L. Long Construction Company Robert Egleston, DataMax Corporation -The A-Team Jimmy Flythe, Duke Energy -Team Energy Gary Green, Forsyth Tech - Team Green Peter Grzan, Piedmont Club - Piedmont Players Gregg Jamback, Swiftwater Media - Touch of Class Jane Martin, Makin' It Work-Pronto! - Chamber Champions Mike Shuping, TeleData Services - Sales & Marketing Keith Vaughan, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice - Legal Beagles Tammy Watson, ERA Piedmont Realty - Too Legit to Quit Bob Whaling, Aon Risk Services - Risk Rats
Team Winston - Mike Wells, Wells Jenkins Lucas & Jenkins Betsy Annese, Annese Public Relations - Winston Whirly Girls Lionel Branscomb, Reynolda Rotary - Reynolda Rowdies Mary Benton, Forsyth Medical Center & Affiliates - Naughty Chamber Maids Michael Carbone, WSJS/WSML/WMFR - The Member Makers Lida Hayes-Calvert, S & L Painting & Decorating - Winston's Bulldogs Angela Kalamaras, Coldwell Banker Triad Realtors - Smokin' Aces Mike Klinetobe, Fain Enterprises - The Playas Chris Leak, Morgan Stanley - Major Investors Debra Marshall, Allen Tate Realtors - The Sweet Taters Bob Parker, North Carolina Baptist Hospital - Leadership Leapfrogs Team Salem - Gray Barbour, RBC Centura Terri Brackens, Wachovia Bank - CTC Barry Holmes, BB&T - USA Patriot Actors Milton Kern, SunTrust - The Mighty Sun Warriors Darryl Little, Micro Enterprise Loan Program of WS/FC - The Power Rangers Mandy Long, Southern Community Financial Corporation - Twin City 5 Andy McDowell, NewBridge Bank (Team Captain, Bridge Builders) Ward Miller, RBC Centura - The RBC Giants Janet Rule, TriStone Community Bank - The Rolling Stones Allen Suttle, First Community Bank - Fab Five #3. Is your biggest competitor already registered? Buy your booth today to sell your products and services at our BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Business Expo on April 24, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Benton Convention Center downtown. Click here to register. #4. Can you put more money in your employees’ pockets without spending a dime? You can if you tell them about the Earned Income Tax Credit. Millions of tax refund dollars go uncollected each year. Help your employees determine if they are eligible for additional refunds and free tax preparation. Find out more about the Earned Income Tax Credit. #5. Protect your organization and stay out of legal trouble by reserving your seat to get the latest information on Immigration Laws March 20 from 3-4:30 p.m. This program is sponsored by Wachovia Bank, N.A. Penni Bradshaw of Constangy, Brooks & Smith LLC, will update you on trends in worksite enforcement of immigration laws – the revised I-9 Form, the E-Verify on-line system, Social-Security “mis-match” and much more. To register, click here. #6. We’re piloting a new program to mentor potential high school drop-outs. 30 mentor coaches from the Chamber’s Education Council will be helping a select group of high school seniors reach their graduation and career goals. If the program works, we’ll be expanding in the fall. #7. Got Davis Cup Tennis Fever? Act now to purchase your tickets for the April 11-13 event where the United States plays France. Click here. Tickets will be snapped up quickly, so don’t delay. Kelly, with this much going on, you KNOW it’s a great day for business in Winston-Salem! And there’s still more . . .
I Want You to take our Government Affairs Survey. Our Government Affairs committees are going and growing in 2008! To continue our strength we need to know what is most important to you. We value your time and input and the results of this survey will help us wisely and efficiently plan our goals and objectives. The survey is short (only 10 questions) and can be accessed by clicking here. Share the Ride – Clean the Air! And win valuable prizes too! Join PART’s second annual Triad Commute Challenge from March 4 – May 31 and don’t drive alone. Everyone will breathe a little easier. Go to www.TriadAir.org to take the challenge! We need your input on how to improve Business 40 in downtown Winston-Salem! The NC Department of Transportation is conducting the Business 40 Transportation Improvement Project. This project's purpose is to gather data from downtown workers/employees to determine the effects of the Business 40 improvements within Winston-Salem. One of the major decisions is to determine whether to completely or partially close Business 40 during construction, and to identify detour routes during construction. Your input plays a key role in this decision-making process! We kindly ask you to complete a brief survey that will take about 3 minutes of your time. Please click on one of the following links to complete the survey: http://www.business40nc.com/EmployeeSurvey.asp http://www.business40nc.com/EmployeeSurveySpanish.asp
Gayle
The March President’s Letter is Sponsored by:
Thanks to our Platinum Investors * AT&T North Carolina * Bald Eagle Technologies of NC, LLC * BB&T * BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina * Forsyth County * Forsyth Medical Center & Affiliates * Hanesbrands Inc. * Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. * Inmar, Inc. * North Carolina Baptist Hospital * ReynoldsAmerican * The Winston-Salem Journal * Twin City Quarter * Wachovia Bank, NA * Wake Forest University Health Sciences * Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools * Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
Click here for new members of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce March Events To register for an event or for more information, please click on the event title. Be sure to take advantage of the free event reminder service through our events calendar. First Friday’s Business Before Hours Friday, March 7 8 – 9 a.m. Penske Truck Leasing 131 Back Forty Drive Winston-Salem, NC 27127
MBA Programs for Working Professionals in Winston-Salem Saturday, March 15 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon Wake Forest University Worrell Professional Center Winston-Salem, NC "Student for a Morning in Winston-Salem" Meet current students, alumni, and staff of the programs, Evening and Fast-Track Executive. Event includes class (taught by Babcock faculty), info session and Q&A. Free of charge. Optional afternoon session from 12 until 3 p.m. includes the opportunity to interview and/or consult with a staff member.
7th Annual Technology Briefing Tuesday, March 25 8 – 10 a.m. Salem College Salem Fine Arts Center Hanes Auditorium Sponsored by: Annese Public Relations JFK Consulting Keiger Printing Company North Carolina Biotechnology Center - Piedmont Triad Office Winston-Salem Business, Inc.
Healthcare Industry Group Tuesday, March 25 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. FTCC, Small Business Center, Room 106 601 West Fourth Street Winston Salem, NC Referral Groups and Ambassadors Triad Synergy Referral Group March 4, 11, 18 Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce 601 W. Fourth Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 March 25 (on-site visit –Anderson-Moore Builders, 425 West End Blvd.) 8 – 9 a.m. Contact Robin Brown at rbrown@winstonsalem.com or 728-9204 for more information. LIONS Referral Group March 4, 18 Holiday Inn Express 6320 Amp Way Clemmons, NC 27012 March 11, 25 – LIONS Lunch Mingle - TBD 12 – 1 p.m. Contact Robin Brown at rbrown@winstonsalem.com or 728-9204 for more information.
The Originals Referral Group March 4, 11, 18, 25 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Billy Bob’s Silver Diner 1650 Hanes Mall Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27103 Contact Robin Brown at rbrown@winstonsalem.com or 728-9204 for more information. SHARKS Referral Group March 6, 13, 20, 27 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Golden Corral Steak House - Hanes Mall 180 Hanes Mall Circle Winston-Salem, NC 27103 Contact Robin Brown at rbrown@winstonsalem.com or 728-9204 for more information. STARS Referral Group March 12 and March 26 7:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. Billy Bob’s Silver Diner 1650 Hanes Mall Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27103 Contact Robin Brown at rbrown@winstonsalem.com or 728-9204 for more information. The Ambassador’s Council March 5 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce 601 W. Fourth Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Lunch Sponsored by: Winston’s Eatery Contact Robin Brown at rbrown@winstonsalem.com or 728-9204 for more information.