P.O. Box 1117 | Foley, Alabama 36536 | tel: 251.943.3291 | fax: 251.943.6810 | www.southbaldwinchamber.com

The Newsletter

Oak Hollow Farm

Oak Hollow Farm is located on 300 acres of beautiful countryside in Fairhope, Alabama. Sur-rounded by historic oak trees and lush green fields, The Barn is the center of Oak Hollow Farm providing 6,000 square feet of entertain-ing space filled with rustic charm for your catered event. Our smaller venue, The Lodge, can accommo-date up to sixty-five guests. The most popular wedding ceremony loca-tion on the property is The Tunnel of Trees fea-turing majestic oaks with beautiful white lights and a large open space for a natural, yet elegant ven-ue. “For weddings and receptions, rehearsal din-ners, corporate retreats, a company family fun day, family reunions, or any type of event, we would be honored to help you!” In addition to the beautiful event spaces, Oak Hollow Farm also offers horseback riding, skeet shooting, pheasant hunting, and bunkroom rentals. Call 251-928-4840 or stop by for a tour at 14210 Greeno Road, Fair-hope, AL; find us online, www.oakhollowfarm.net.

SPONSORED Cover Story . . .

FOUR REASONS EVENTS HELP YOUR START UP

believe events are the best way to get your business in front of potential customers and hires. As a startup founder, you should be going to as many events as possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pitch competition, networking or an award ceremony — events are the easiest way to get exposure for your startup. Even if you're just getting your company off the ground, talking it up at events can lead to greater things. Here are four ways events can give your startup the boost it needs.

EVENTS ARE GREAT FOR RECRUITING. Local events are perfect recruiting oppor-tunities. Beyond career fairs, any networking event can turn into a bigger opportunity for recruiting. You can network and spread the word about openings at your company, talk about your culture and get to know potential applicants. You can meet future candidates in a less formal setting to get a feel for their personality. […] YOU CAN FIND POTENTIAL PARTNERS. Events are free opportunities to boost brand awareness. You can spread the word about your company, your story and what makes your company great — at little or no cost to you. If you aren’t finding new leads, there’s still the opportunity to find potential business partnerships. Partnerships can be

By Suneera Madhani | CEO/Founder of Fattmerchant | JUL 2019

your best source for qualified leads and cus-tomers, which is always good for revenue. Partner-generated referrals can be your most qualified leads and biggest brand advocates as customers. […] FREE PRESS MEANS MORE LEADS. Getting eyes on your brand means meeting potential new customers. Exposure is big for your brand. The more brand awareness you generate, the wider your reach will be for marketing and sales. This starts up a positive feedback loop. […] GET FACE TIME WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS.

Industry events and pitch competitions are some of the best places to meet experts in your field. You could have the most ground-breaking, disruptive idea, but without pro-moting it, it won’t go anywhere. Or, worse, someone else could take your idea for them-selves and start their own company with it. You’re your startup’s biggest advocate, so getting in front of industry leaders and pitch-ing your idea or getting advice is crucial. Events are perfect opportunities to ex-pand your startup’s brand and give you a leg up on your competition. Free exposure means more leads, more partnership opportunities and potential new hires. They’re perfect for generating buzz, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t attend every event you can.

Photo courtesy of www.releaseyourvoice.com

I Where Southern Charm Meets Rustic Beauty

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DIPLOMAT OF THE MONTH

Highlight YOUR Business!

AD SPACE AVAILABLE

Full, Half, &

Business Card Size.

Our newsletter reaches over

700+ readers in print each

month; also available online!

Contact Lori @ 251.943.5510

or lori@mylocalchamber.net

Did you know: in 2016 and 2017 the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation awarded TWO student-teacher grants (nearly $9K) to Foley High School to help fund aspects of a community garden project on the property at 9th Ave and S. Pine Street (Foley). Today, the Foundation and Gateway Initiative Team have formed an exploratory committee to carry this project through to development and use in our community. Representatives from Foley High School, local businesses, the City of Foley (including the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market) are meeting and forming plans. For more information or to see how you can help, please contact Gale Croft or Sally Westendorf at 251-943-3291.

AMERICA’S HIDDEN WORKFORCE OUR NATION FACES A UNIQUE CHALLENGE

By Thomas J. Donohue | JUL 2019 | uschamber.com

Our nation faces a unique challenge. There are

currently more jobs available than there are people to

fill them. The unemployment rate is at a remarkably

low 3.7%, but 7.5 million jobs sit vacant. One of the

many ways the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is working

to fill that gap is helping formerly incarcerated

individuals reenter the workforce and rebuild their

lives.

Second chance hiring not only reduces recidivism

rates but also helps well-intentioned and hardworking

Americans make the most of their talents and abilities.

And by tapping into America’s hidden workforce – the

more than 600,000 former inmates who return to

society each year – it will ensure that our economy is

reaching its full potential.

To that end, we must do more to help the 75% of

former inmates who find themselves still looking for

jobs a year after being released from prison –

often due to stigma. That’s why we are working

closely with the Trump administration to promote

second chance hiring. Last month, I joined the

president at the White House where he announced

plans to encourage public-sector and private-sector

employers to give ex-offenders meaningful job

opportunities.

Also, the U.S. Chamber Foundation launched

America Working Forward: Hidden Workforce, a

project exploring employer-led programs that give

people who have been or will soon be released from

prison training and support as they navigate the job

market. This project highlights the human stories

behind second chance hiring, including the success of

companies that have made this hiring practice core to

their business model.

Take, for example, Dave’s Killer Bread, an organic

bakery in Oregon that was founded by an ex-offender

and today employs more than 200 formerly

incarcerated individuals. Or consider the rapid growth

of ConBody, a minimalist fitness gym with “prison-

style” workout classes led by ex-convicts. Ask the

CEOs of these companies and both will tell you the

same thing – they have succeeded not in spite of but

because of second chance hiring.

We introduced our Hidden Workforce project last

month at America Working Forward, an event

featuring business leaders, nonprofits, and

entrepreneurs building pathways for inmates and ex-

offenders to join the workforce. There we heard from

several advocates for criminal justice reform, including

Piper Kerman, whose memoirs about her experience

in prison inspired the critically acclaimed Netflix

series, Orange Is the New Black.

We stand with Piper, the president, and

employers across the country in supporting efforts to

help formerly incarcerated individuals secure good

jobs and build fulfilling lives. These men and women

have paid their debt to society and have earned a

second chance at the American Dream.

Catering to millennials | Millennials (those ages 18-34) are expected to represent 50% of all travelers to the USA by 2025, according to the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. Companies need to define their strategies based on this demographic group’s personality traits and habits—they travel a lot; are early adopters of technology; like personalized interactions and are spontaneous. Hotels will want to please them with easy check-in and gourmet dining experiences at reasonable prices. In return, satisfied millennials will actively promote their businesses on social media channels.

• Update — Smart Meetings’ personal research found that travelers of all ages seem to enjoy easy check-in and gourmet dining at reasonable prices. Who knew? But more to the point, a 2018 Future of U.S. Millennial Travel report based on a Resonance Consultancy survey of U.S. 20 to 36-year-olds found that 85 percent put a priority on venturing out of their comfort zones and learning new things. That ranked right behind dining (91 percent) and fun attractions (90 percent).

Tech explosion | The majority of guests today are self-sufficient, tech-savvy travelers who are comfortable using apps or mobile websites. Lodging companies, restaurants, and attractions need to make sure their offerings are up-to-date and user-friendly.

• Update — In the meeting room, planners are leveraging cloud-based digital registration and event app tools to deliver greener, more personalized experiences. From chat to VR and AR, tech has gone from gee-whiz to must have as a tool to understand attendee preferences.

Increased emphasis on health and well-being | Guests today are taking charge of their health; lodging businesses are responding with well-equipped fitness centers, pools and spas. Increasingly, travelers are expecting innovative wellness options. In addition to healthy food options, growing trends include lighting that energizes, air purification, yoga spaces, in-room exercise equipment and even vitamin-infused shower water.

• Update — Wellness tourism is estimated as a $563 billion industry. From MGM Resorts and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ Stay Well rooms to Pullman’s focus on sleep, food, sport and spa, and Hilton’s Five Feet to Fitness program that puts the capability of a gym in the guest room, the hospitality industry has made it easier to stay healthy on the road.

Smart Meetings Monthly Offers Marketing Strategies in Today’s Hospitality & Tourism Market:

THINK OUTSIDE… —GULF SHORES, AL Family-owned and operated, Think Outside is the premier retailer of fine patio furniture

and accessories on the Alabama Gulf Coast. They offer comfortable, stylish, durable patio

& balcony furniture and outdoor accessories so you can enjoy resort-style relaxation at

home. Among their curated inventory, you’ll find the best brands, diverse designs, and

pieces that are just as beautiful as they are durable. Think Outside will outfit your balcony,

patio or porch with high quality items that are suited to our coastal conditions. They

feature some of the best poly-lumber, aluminum, and resin wicker outdoor furniture

brands, as well as patio umbrellas, fire pits, rugs and home decor. Furniture delivery is free to the local community. Located on Highway 59,

Think Outside is easily-accessible to the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley communities. Visit today and shop their impressive selection;

6642 B State Hwy 59, Monday-Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. • 251-968-9775 • thinkoutsideinfo@gmail.com • ThinkOutsideGulfShores.com

6 TIPS FOR GETTING ONLINE REVIEWS

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

nline reviews are simply good for business. Positive reviews, and a good number of them, can build immediate trust with new customers, increase a website’s conversion rate, and even create publicity or buzz around the brand. But you don’t have to take my word for it; the data agrees. According to a 2018 survey by BrightLocal, consumers read an average of ten online reviews before feeling that they can trust a company and 57% of consumers will only do business with a company if it has 4 or more stars (out of 5). On the other hand, a whopping 92% of consumers, reported from a survey by Fan & Fuel, hesitate to make a purchase if there are no reviews. “Good reviews, word-of-mouth buzz, and consistent positive publicity – that’s the lifeblood of any serious, scalable business,” says Justin Wu, the founder of Rebl, a new online credit card company. Of course, getting consistent online reviews for a new business is easier said than done. Let’s take a look at six ways to get positive reviews for your business. Offer A Gift For Every Review The first step to getting more online reviews is to simply ask for them. If you don’t ask, few customers will remember to leave a review and even fewer will spend time figuring out where or how to leave a review. Sending an email blast asking customers for a review is great way to get the ball rolling. Always make it as easy as possible for the consumer. And if you want to increase the number of people who actually write a review, offer a small incentive (10% off their next purchase, for instance). […] Create A Facebook Page And Google My Business Account Collecting reviews on a company website is crucial for increasing on-site conversion rate. But that isn’t the only place that customers are looking for online reviews. According to data collected by ReviewTrackers, 63.6% of consumers check reviews on Google before visiting a local business, which is more than any other review site. Similarly, Facebook now influences 52% of online and offline buying decisions, as reported by Digitas. Ask For A Review When The Customer Is Most Motivated In addition to using small incentives to encourage customers to leave a review, it’s equally important request a review at the right time – when customers will be the most motivated to leave one. […]

AND BUILDING CUSTOMER TRUST By Jia Wertz, Contributor | forbes.com | JUL 2019

Respond To Every Single Review It might seem like a lot of work to respond to every review that people leave, but doing so can encourage new customers to leave reviews, increase your conversion rate, and even build more meaningful relationships with your existing customers. Not to mention that customers will receive a notification that you have replied to their review, creating a more personal experience. […] Share Positive Reviews Not surprisingly, 97% of consumers say that company reviews factor into their buying decision. And the likelihood of consumers purchasing a product with at least five reviews is 270% greater than the likelihood of purchasing a product with no reviews. […] Address Negative Reviews And Offer Solutions Since 89% of consumers read businesses’ responses to reviews, perhaps a response to a negative review is the most important of all. Kind, helpful, and problem-solving responses to negative reviews can save nearly-lost customers, and increase loyalty and trust of current customers. According to Fan & Fuel, 35% of people say that one negative review is enough to make them decide not to buy. Just another reason to respond empathetically to each negative review, proving to on-lookers that the company cares about its customers and is willing to solve their problems.

DONALD B. PLUMMER, MC

INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST — Accepting New Patients —

WE DIAGNOSE TREAT AND MANAGE

INFECTIOUS DISEASES INCLUDING

BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Skin Infections • Bone Infections • Blood Infections • Urinary Tract Infections • Fungal Infections • Lung Infections • Parasitic Infections

ACCEPTED PAYORS*

• AARP • BCBS • Cigna Healthspring • Medicaid • Medicare • United Healthcare • AII VA Insurance *Plus many more insurance companies

2811 N. MAIN STREET SUITE D

DAPHNE, AL 36526 251-307-5000

1715 N. BUNNER STREET FOLEY, AL

251-943-7604

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm www.CoastalAlabamaInfectiousDisease.com

SEP 26

AUG 8

AUG 20

AM CONNECTIONS

LOCATION: Wolf Bay Restaurant • Foley

TIME: 8:30 am - 9:30 am

LOCATION: Foley Civic Center

TIME: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

LOCATION: State Farm Insurance • Josh Wild

TIME: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

Visit southbaldwinchamber.com for tickets and information.

AUG 22

LEADERSHIP SERIES

LOCATION: The Gulf Bowl • Foley

TIME: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Contact Lori at 251.943.5510 or lori@mylocalchamber.net

Jefferson S. Dunn, Commissioner

Alabama Department of Corrections

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Sponsored, by:

Alabama Credit Union

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS