Don't Miss Asheville's Premier Culinary Event!
Let the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association delight your senses on January 28, 2010 at The Culinary AffAIR hosted by Joe and Janice Brumit. Start the evening with unique hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails. Then sit down to enjoy a six-course dinner with wine pairings, served to you tableside by some of Asheville’s culinary celebs. This black tie evening is presented by the FIRC Group and will be held at the Doubletree Biltmore Hotel from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $125. Visit the event website to reserve your seats or call 828.232.2247. Discounted room rates are also available that evening at the Doubletree.  Seats are limited!

Smart Buys Partner Office Depot to Hold Chamber Reception

Please join us for “Breakfast with Office Depot” January 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Asheville, Hendersonville Rd. Office Depot store in Gerber Village. The Chamber’s newest Smartbuys partner is hosting a store event with coffee, doughnuts and samples for your office. Stop by between these hours to hear all about the program and how to save up to 40% on office supplies.

Tickets on Sale for We're For Business Award Luncheon

At the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce we take pride in the achievements of our entire business community, regardless of size or type of business. The We're For Business Awards celebrate local businesses based on their group's achievements in one of several areas. During the award reception the Chamber will recognize two winners for each of the following awards:

• Over the Top amazing customer service award
• Pearlman’s Carpet One presents One for All outstanding commitment to community award
• George’s Stor-Mor presents Out on a Limb exceptionally innovative business award
• Forest Commercial Bank presents Operating Green environmentally sound practices award

The We're For Business Award reception will be held on February 23, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort. Tickets for the luncheon are $25 per person and a table of eight can be purcahsed for $200.  Tickets can be purchased on the Chamber website.

Leadership Development Course with Human Resource Solutions

Whether your business is large or small, skillful leadership is required for ongoing success. If you supervise people, any number of people, this course is for you! This course always sells out quickly. Enroll today to secure your place! One price covers all six, three and one-half hour sessions.The course is instructed by Gregory E. Mayo a leadership development consultant and employee selection and development specialist with over 20 years experience in national accounts management, sales training, leadership development training, and pre-employment and evaluation assessments.  The six sessions start on March 10 and take place from 8:30 a.m. - noon (class on 4/15 is from 1:30 - 5 p.m.) The cost of the six-week course is $349 per individual and includes all notebooks and course materials. For specific descriptions of each class, check the Chamber events website, ashevillechamber.org/events.

Chamber Night at UNC Asheville Basketball Game

Join fellow Chamber members and root for the Bulldogs as they take on Winthrop! The game is January 21 and begins at 7 p.m., and there will be a designated section for Chamber members. Also, new this season, the Chamber is organizing a half-time "mini game." If you are interested in playing in this seven-minute, 5-on-5 game, please email or call James Carter at 828.258.6115. Not interested in playing? Tickets for the game are offered at a discounted rate of $7 for this game only for all Chamber members! To purchase tickets, call 828.251.6904 and ask for the "Chamber Member Discount." Or email Harmon Turner to request tickets! Tickets are limited.

Welcome Breakfast  Presented by WNCW

Do you do business with a company that could benefit from Chamber membership?  This Welcome Breakfast, presented by WNCW, is a casual morning networking reception at the Chamber that is an ideal opportunity to share with them the many benefits of Chamber membership.  They will hear from Chamber members like yourself on the many benefits that they receive from their membership. This reception is for community members who are not already Chamber members. Current Chamber members are encouraged to attend but must bring a prospective member with them as a guest.  The Welcome Breakfast will be held on Thursday, February 4, from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the VIsitor Center in the Chamber Building.  Please RSVP by clicking here or by contacting James Carter at 828.258.6115.

Asheville Community Theater Presents "The Big Bang Theory"

The Asheville Community Theater and Power on Community present a hilarious comedy production called, “The Big Bang” on January 28 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Arc of Buncombe County, a local nonprofit organization serving the needs of people with disabilities since 1957. Tickets are $20 each, and can be purchased by calling The Arc offices at 828.253.1255.

Lunch & Learn: Managing Turnover in Today’s Economy

Express Employment Professionals presents a lunch and learn session focusing on Managing Turnover in Today's Economy on Wednesday, January 20, from noon to 1:15 p.m. at the High Vista Country Club. During this presentation you’ll learn what you need to do to reduce turnover, increase your retention of current employees, and how to make wise hiring decisions. Come get some tools to help you keep the staff you want and recruit the staff you need! Space is limited. Reserve your seat today! RSVP to Meredith Campbell at 828.654.8101 or email meredith.campbell@expresspros.com