Our 94th Year We’re On the Move January 2016
Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce
Contents:
Chamber News ……………………………..…….2
Business News…………………………………...4, 5
Community News ……..………..…...……..6, 7, 8
Charles A. Long Nomination Form……...8, 9
94th Annual Meeting………………......….….....10
Chuck Ewart, IOM, CCE, The Ewart Group, LLC, Keynote Speaker for the Bessemer Area Chamber of
Commerce 94th Annual Meeting
The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce 94th Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 7 pm at the Bessemer Civic
Center. We are excited to have Chuck Ewart, The Ewart Group as the keynote speaker.
The Ewart Group is a company dedicated to helping businesses and organizations proactively plan for the future in order to meet the needs of
their customers. Chuck Ewart, IOM, CCE, President, established the company in April 2002 after 23 years’ experience in organization
management in North and South Carolina.
During his long career in economic and community development, Ewart thrived as a skilled facilitator and speaker. He is highly sought after as
an after-dinner speaker and motivational entertainer. Chuck Ewart has facilitated planning retreats, presented seminars, and addressed over 1500
chambers of commerce, associations, organizations, and businesses throughout the United States and several foreign countries.
Having served as President of five chambers of commerce, Chuck Ewart understands the unique challenges facing non-profit organizations in
these changing times. The Ewart Group focuses its efforts on facilitating operational and strategic planning retreats and processes, leadership
program retreats, Board of Directors orientations, and workshop presentations. In addition, The Ewart Group has worked with numerous
chambers of commerce during their executive search process.
Since 1991, Ewart has taught and mentored more than 3,500 executives through the Institute for Organization Management, the premier
continuing education program for chamber and association executives. The multi-year program is an affiliate of the United States Chamber of
Commerce. Ewart is rated as one of the top instructors in the program.
Courses that Ewart has developed and taught include Strategic Planning; Thriving on Change; Small Group Facilitation; Encouraging the Heart;
Effective Boards; Team Building; Applied Membership Strategies; Revving Your Revenue Stream; Building Strategic Alliances and
Partnerships; Pitch It, Sell, Close It; Effective Presentations; Programming with a Purpose; and Strong Chambers & Associations of the Future.
In June 2012, Chuck Ewart was the lead facilitator and trainer for business development executives from North Africa. Ewart has facilitated
planning retreats and presented workshops for numerous businesses over the years. Clients include automobile dealerships, trucking companies,
network television affiliates, furniture companies, hospitals, churches, and colleges.
bessemerchamber.com JANUARY 2016
2
CHAMBER NEWS
Messer Will Pass the Gavel to Holt at Annual Meeting
The Benefit and Importance of Being a Chamber Sponsor
As a Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce sponsor, your company will automatically gain the publicity and brand recognition it needs to
compete in today’s competitive environments. By sponsoring a chamber program, your organization will reach local businesses and community
leaders who recognize and appreciate companies that help support sound economic development initiatives that create a healthy business
climate. Your recognition as a chamber sponsor within the business community will insure you make those important events necessary
connections for the future growth and success of your business.
Chamber events and programs are highly publicized….and so are our sponsors. Your company’s brand name and sponsorship recognition is
included on all collateral materials as well as print advertising to help you lock in valuable public recognition. Please review the levels of
sponsorship and consider signing up as a 2016 Sponsor. We need your support.
$10,000 Diamond Sponsor
94th Annual Meeting – Primary Seating of 8
Sponsor of Community Service Scholarship
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – Primary Seating of 8
1 full page ad on the back cover of the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
1 page Story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Title Sponsor for the Golf Tournament or Membership Event
Plan a Business After Hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $750)
Up to $400 credit toward annual membership dues
Spotlight in Chamber Newsletter The Communique
2 Full page ads in Chamber’s Communiqué
Company Logo with website link on Chamber website
Logo recognition at all major events
Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives
Sponsor for City of Bessemer Christmas Parade (includes one entry in parade and listing on promotional materials)
Pre/Post event advertising
$7,500 Diamond Sponsor 94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – Table of 8
1 full page ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine [Inside Front Cover]
½ page story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Premiere Sponsor for the Golf Tournament or Membership Event
Plan a business after hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $500)
Up to $400 credit toward annual membership dues
1 page ad in Chamber’s Communiqué
Company Logo with website link on Chamber website
Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives
Sponsor for City of Bessemer Christmas Parade (includes one entry in parade and listing on promotional materials)
Pre/Post event advertising
$5,000 Diamond Sponsor
94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8
[Continued on Page 4]
Eric Messer, Shoals Ambulance did an outstanding job as the 2015 Chairman of the Board. Messer is
thrilled to leave the chamber financially sound as his chairmanship comes to end. Messer will serve as
immediate past chairman of the board. The gavel will be passed on to Joni Holt, Holt Insurance. Holt is not
a new face to the chamber. She has been actively involved with the chamber for several years. Holt served
as chairwoman of the board in 1995.
Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Sponsorship Investments
Diamond $10,000
Platinum $ 7,500
Gold $5,000
Silver $3,000
SBP $1,000
View Page 2 and 4 for more details
2016 BOARD MEMBERS
JANUARY 2016
3
bessemerchamber.com
Carla Busbee
Middle Creek Medical
Center
Richard Bishop
ITT Technical Institute
Lynn Brown
Alabama Splash
Adventure
Trisha Galvez
Legacy YMCA
Carlton Jackson
Bessemer Fire
Department
Louis Jones
Mt. Hebron Baptist
Church
Vicki Lane
AAA Bessemer
Candice Lee
TBGS Holdings /
Masonry Arts
Reggie Mays
United Prosthetics and
Orthotics
Dr. Fred Primm
Bessemer Board of
Education
Kela Pryor
City of Bessemer
Cristy Richardson
America’s First Federal
Credit Union
John Sides
Alabama Power
Company
Hank Tyler
Town & Country Ford
Devron Veasley
Bessemer Business
Center
Trina Vines
Oak Trace Care and
Rehabilitation Center
Jerry Yarbrough
Bessemer Utilities
Past
Chairman
Eric Messer
Shoals
Ambulance
Chairperson
Joni Holt
Holt
Insurance
Agency
Chairman
Elect
Nathan Clark
Medical
West
PROMOTIONAL ITEMS IN STOCK at the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce
The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce has
promotional items for sale. We have X-large
Beach towels and chairs for $20.00 each. Stop by
and pick up your items at 321 18th Street N.,
Bessemer, AL 35020.
2016 Investors
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS
AG Gaston Construction Company
Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice Engineering Environmental Forestry Service
Legacy YMCA
Paden & Paden, PC
Regional Paramedical Services
State Farm Insurance Agent, Julie Bell
Trustmark National Bank
William Parsons CPA
Treasurer
Connie Fuell
Dex Imaging
Place Your Ad in
the Chamber
Communique
FULL PAGE AD
$75 per occurrence
SMALL AD
$50 per month or 6
months for $240
BUSINESS
JANUARY 2016
4
CHAMBER NEWS (Continued)
bessemerchamber.com
The Benefit and Importance of Being a Chamber
Sponsor [Continued from page 2]
$5,000 Diamond Sponsor [continued from page 2] 25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders
Gala – Table of 8
1 full page ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine (preferred spot)
¼ page Story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Silver Sponsor for Golf “FORE” Progress
Plan a business after hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $250)
Up to $400 credit toward annual membership dues
½ page ad in chamber Communiqué
Company Logo with website link on Chamber website
Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives
Pre/Post event advertising
$3,000 Diamond Sponsor
94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders
Gala – 2 tickets
$500 credit toward an ad in 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament (Team of 4 and
Name/Logo on all promotional material)
¼ page ad in Chamber Communique newsletter
Company Logo with website link on Chamber website
Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives
Pre/Post event advertising
$1,000 Small Business Partner
94th Annual Meeting (4 tickets) with option to upgrade
$200 credit toward an ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament - Hole Sponsorship
Business Card ad in one issue of the Communique newsletter
Chamber listing for up to 2 company representatives
Pre/Post event advertising
Farmers Furniture Ribbon Cutting Held December 10, 2015 at 9 am
They are located at 530 West Town Plaza, Bessemer
__________________________________________________
to submit your nomination for
the Charles A. Long Sr.
Outstanding Civic Award with
the enclosed form TODAY.
bessemerchamber.com JANUARY 2016
5
BUSINESS [Continued]
America’s First Federal Credit Union Ribbon Cutting
Held Tuesday, December 15, 2016 at 8:30 am
They are located 2131 19th Street North, Bessemer
2016 CHAMBER
AMBASSADORS
Coordinator
Lori Chisem Lawson State Community College
Co-Coordinators
Daryl Owens
Bessemer City Schools
Andie Sloan
Comfort Care
Secretary
Nelda Pate, Retired
Kay Baggett, Retired
Sarah Beasley,
Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc
Sarah Belcher, Retired
Erin Cooney, Holt Insurance Agency
Sadie Harris, Retired
Shirley Horn, Retired
Latesia Jefferson,
Oak Trace Care and Rehab
Charles King,
Regional Paramedical Services
Doris Lewis, City of Bessemer
Claire Mitchell,
Visalus - Body by Vi
Kenya Rose
Lula Walter, City of Bessemer
Trisston Wright Burrows, Moore Coal Co.
Ambassadors are the key resource in
extending hospitality in the Bessemer area
and are experienced in business,
community, and promotional arenas.
An Ambassador must serve as an active
public relations arm of the Chamber and be
prepared to meet visitors, local businesses,
and various forms of the media.
We encourage you join the ambassador
program. The ambassadors meet on the 1st
Tuesday of each month at 8:30am at the
Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce.
Business and Professional Women’s Organization Gathers for Christmas
bessemerchamber.com
COMMUNITY
A Musical Christmas in Bessemer
The City of Bessemer Christmas Parade was a huge success. Grand Marshal, Haley Spates, actress and soloist in the movie “Woodlawn” and
over 190 entries, drew an overwhelming crowd to downtown Bessemer. Bessemer City Officials, Bessemer City High School Band, many
floats, vintage cars, churches and horses was a crowd pleaser.
A special thanks to the parade sponsors. They were Birmingham Healthy Start Plus, Fountain Building and Supply, J. B. Processing LLC,
Senator Priscilla Dunn and Weil Wrecker Service.
Winners of the 2015 Christmas Parade were:
VEHICLES:
Winner – Spring Chapel Baptist Church
1st Place - Canaan Baptist Kindergarten
FLOAT 15 FT. OR LONGER:
Winner – The Church of God
1st Place – Committee to Elect Rukeya McAdory McCullough
The Christmas Parade is always filled with excitement and it’s a good kickoff to the holiday season. Events like this could not be a success
without the support of our chamber ambassadors, Mayor, Bessemer City Council members, Bessemer Police and Fire Department and the
Bessemer Street and Sanitation Department.
JANUARY 2016
6
FLOAT LESS THAN 15 FT.:
Winner – McNeil Baptist Church
1st Place – Canaan Baptist Kindergarten
EQUESTRIAN:
Winner - Neil Williams
COMMUNITY
bessemerchamber.com JANUARY 2016
8
City of Bessemer Holiday Open House Draws a Large Crowd
The City of Bessemer Holiday Open House was held in the City Hall Auditorium on December 18th. City employees, business and community leaders were in
attendance. It was all smiles, networking and socializing as Mayor Kenneth Gulley and Bessemer City Council Members greeted guests. The food was the
highlight of the occasion. We applaud Mayor Gulley and Bessemer City Council members for their involvement.
Business and Professional Women’s Organization Gathers for Christmas [Continued]
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