Help Shape the Chamber's Legislative Priorities

As a member of the Chamber, you receive many services and benefits. The Public Policy staff is working hard to provide the best service possible as we continue to address local, state, and federal issues that impact your business. The Chamber is gearing up to develop a legislative agenda, which accurately represents the voices of all of our member organizations. We developed a survey to capture your businesses’ interests, needs, and concerns for 2010.We encourage you to use your membership to its greatest potential and inform us of your needs and agenda for the following year. Please take a few moments to complete our survey by Tuesday, September 22.

Doing Business with Local, State, and Federal Government

The United States government alone spends more than $450 billion annually on various products and services. Yet each year, thousands of contracts totaling billions of dollars bypass small firms that do not know about or understand government procurement. During this seminar you will learn:

• How to identify the codes you need to do business with government agencies
• How to register your business with federal and state governments
• How to market to government agencies
• How to search for opportunities
• How to prepare a bid

This session takes place September 25 from 9 - 11:30 at the Asheville Merchants Corporation Boardroom in the Chamber Building and is presented by the Advocates for Small Business.  To learn more or to sign up for the program please visit the Chamber website.

Chamber Blog Bites....

The Chamber Blog is full of great stories from our members; here are a few of the stories on the blog this week:

• Wick and Greene Jewelers is hosting a scavenger hunt for a $20,000 diamond ring on September 27
• Weaverville Business Association is hosting the third Annual Art in Autumn outdoor arts and crafts festival
• Asheville Independent Restaurant Association is hosting a Bosses Day Golf Tournament on October 15, solving that dilemma of what to get your boss.
• New Chamber member Camilla Calnan Photography is now offering mini sessions (15-minute photo session)
  

Nominations Now Being Taken for the Sky High Growth Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Sky High Growth Awards presented by Advanced Business Equipment in conjunction with the Advocates for Small Business.  The Sky High Growth Awards is an annual event recognizing the area's fastest growing small businesses for their outstanding achievements and contributions to our region's economy. The event is the October Business After Hours on October 29 at the North Carolina Arboretum but nominations are being accepted now.  Learn more about the awards, the event, and nominations by visiting the event website. The Business After Hours are presented by Clear Channel Asheville.

Performance to Benefit Children First/CIS through Power On Community

Children First/CIS has been chosen to participate in the Power On Community program for the upcoming performance of Peter Pan, Thursday, September 24th at 7:30 pm at the Asheville Community Theatre. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased by contacting Jennifer Hampton at 828.259.9717 or jenniferh@childrenfirstbc.org. Tickets can also be purchased to sponsor a Children First/CIS Project MARCH student to attend the performance. 100% of the allotted ticket sales will go directly to Children First/CIS. Power On Community, sponsored by Charlotte Street Computers and Asheville Community Theatre, assists non-profit organizations in our community and provides them with the opportunity to participate in designated Preview Night performances at Asheville Community Theatre throughout their main stage season.