Chamber Introduces ChamberCare

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the rollout of ChamberCare, a medical insurance plan administered by WellPath. ChamberCare will offer small businesses health plans with big business benefits. The plans will offer an area physician and hospital network along with health risk assessments from Crescent PPO. The Chamber invites you to attend one of two informational sessions on Friday, May 15 at either 8 a.m. or Noon in the Asheville Merchants Corporation Boardroom at the Chamber.   Information will be available online following Friday's meeting for those who cannot attend the informational sessions.  Please register online for the morning or afternoon sessions or by calling 258-6114.

Comment Now on the Downtown Master Plan

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the importance of downtown Asheville to the health and vitality of Western North Carolina. We thank the Downtown Commission, Goody Clancy, and city staff for their work in developing a Downtown Master Plan to help guide issues such as building height and design, maintaining small independent businesses, infill development and redevelopment of key areas. We encourage members to familiarize themselves with the plan and provide feedback, issues, and concerns regarding the plan. Please visit ActForAsheville.com for further information and to take action.

Buncombe County TDA Tourism Town Hall Meetings

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is hosting Tourism Town Hall meetings being held in Buncombe County. The BCTDA is hosting these meetings in hopes of getting feedback from residents and business leaders. The remaining meetings will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at the Chamber or  Wednesday, May 20, at the Black Mountain Public Library.  The BCTDA board looks forward to hearing from local leaders with suggestions and questions regarding the tourism industry.  Both session will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception followed by a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.

Small Business of the Month for May

The Small Business of the Month for May is Johnson, Price & Sprinkle, P.A. headquartered at 79 Woodfin Place in Asheville. Johnson, Price & Sprinkle has been in business for over 50 years and employs 70 people. As a trusted leader in accounting and consulting services in Western North Carolina for decades, JPS also has offices in Marion and Boone, allowing the company to maintain a community based approach to relationship centered customer service. Areas of expertise include retail, construction and real estate development, manufacturing, not-for-profit, and professional services with a strong focus on the health care industry.

Small Business Week Table Top Networking Event

The Chamber is hosting a Small Business Table Top Networking event on Tuesday, May 19, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Chamber. The evening is presented by FASTSIGNS and also sponsored by the Advocates for Small Business. The event is the Chamber's mini business expo with table top displays.  Table tops will be located throughout the Chamber and will be available on a "first come, first served" basis. Reserve your table online today or contact Carol Hensley at 828.258.6116.  Thank you to Laurey's Catering for providing hors d’oeuvres for the evening.

See Jeff Run Gets Smooth Legs for Speed

This week on the See Jeff Run Blog Jeff gets serious in his efforts to beat Chamber President Rick Lutovsky and gets his legs waxed at Sugar Mamas in the name of speed.  Jeff also interviews Team Mail Management that is training for the Chamber Challenge 5k.   Catch up with Jeff this Wednesday and every Wednesday at the Chamber Challenge 5k Training Session at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber.

This Week on the Chamber Blog

This week on the Chamber Blog we have news on the Asheville Shredding Company's acquisition of Carolina Shredding.  The blog also has photos and information on the $3.5 million in renovations at the Holiday Inn Biltmore Square and a virtual tour of the Diana Wortham Theatre that was made by ED Holmes & Associates.   For these stories and more Asheville business news visit blog.ashevillechamber.org.

Downtown After Five is Back

Downtown After Five returns to Lexington Avenue at the I-240 overpass on Friday, May 15, from 5-9 p.m. The event lineup includes Cadillac Jones, DJ Williams Projekt and featured local Asheville band, Wilsin. Always free, this year, DTA5 is stepping up with an "Entertainment Stimulus Package" and offering three great bands for one great price - FREE. Downtown After Five is brought to you by the Asheville Downtown Association.

Join us on Wednesday, May 27, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. for the next Meet the Geeks Networking IT Get Together, an evening of casual socializing with other IT professionals living and working in Western North Carolina at Scully's Signature Dine and Drink. It's the place to share knowledge, develop partnerships, and build our local IT industry. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided and there is a cash bar. Please RSVP to rsvp@meetthegeeks.net

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