"Simply the Best" is our theme for the 2016 Annual Meeting!

As you start thinking about your calendar for 2016, you'll want to make plans to attend our 68th Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2016, from 6-8pm at The Newnan Centre, 1515 Lower Fayetteville Rd., Newnan. Presented by Georgia Power, this year's annual meeting has the theme "Simply the Best" and will celebrate all of our Chamber's achievements of the past year, including our selection as National Chamber of the Year!

To attend the 2016 Annual Meeting, please RSVP by January 28, 2016. You can register through ChamberMaster now by clicking here.

For more information, email info@newnancowetachamber.org or call 770.253.2270.

Chamber publishes 2015 Healthcare Annual Report

The Chamber has released its 2015 Coweta Healthcare Annual Report. This document is published each year as part of our "Prosperity's Front Door" community marketing and branding campaign. You can access the digital version of the report by clicking here: http://365publicationsonline.com/CowetaHealthcareAnnualReport2015.

Also, if you are interested in obtaining printed copies to use in your organization or business marketing and sales efforts, which we highly encourage, you can order copies of the report at www.chamber.theprintsource.net.  Also available are pocket-sized "Prosperity's Front Door" messaging cards, another great tool to use to promote our community.

We invite all Chamber members to use this valuable information to help us tell the Coweta healthcare story as we work together to create increased prosperity for our community.

A great stocking stuffer idea!

Now that we're at the halfway point in our 52-Week Raffle, we've decided to offer you an incredible value on our Raffle Tickets, which make great gifts and stocking stuffers! Each ticket gives you or your recipient the chance to be named winner of our weekly giveaway of $104. The name stays in the pot for the rest of the year, and yes, we have had several winners win more than once!

As of now, ticket prices are:

• 1 for $25

• 3 for $50

• 10 for $100

As a bonus, each ticket purchased gets you an additional entry into our drawing for the Montreal trip that will be given away at the Golf Classic on May 4, 2016!

Click here to purchase tickets now!

RSVP now to attend next week's Women of Prosperity Luncheon!

We know everyone is busy getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, but don't forget that our Business Women's Network will host its final Women of Prosperity Luncheon for the year on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Newnan Country Club, and the speaker will be Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and Dean of Morehouse School of Medicine. Click here to read her impressive bio!

The Newnan Country Club luncheon begins with networking at 11:15am and lunch at 11:45am. Admission is $35 for Chamber Members and Guests, $50 General Admission. The Business Women's Network is sponsored by LifePlan Financial Advisors, Inc. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP early, as seating is limited. Deadline for reservations is Monday, November 30.

For more information, email info@newnancowetachamber.org or call 770.253.2270. Click here to register through ChamberMaster now!

RSVP now for the Young Professionals' Holiday Party on Dec. 4!

The Young Professionals are busy making plans for their annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 4:30-7:30pm at Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club in Douglasville! Admission is $55 per person, and Optional Skeet Shooting beforehand is available for an additional $35 per person.

Those attending this event will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, fun games, team building exercises, fun activities and prizes.

The party is sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and you can RSVP now by emailing info@newnancowetachamber.org or calling 770.253.2270. Click here to register now through ChamberMaster.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice to speak at next Women of Prosperity Luncheon

Our Business Women's Network will host its final Women of Prosperity Luncheon for the year on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Newnan Country Club, and we're excited to announce that our speaker will be Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and Dean of Morehouse School of Medicine.

The Newnan Country Club luncheon begins with networking at 11:15am and lunch at 11:45am. Admission is $35 for Chamber Members and Guests, $50 General Admission. The Business Women's Network is sponsored by LifePlan Financial Advisors, Inc.

Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP early, as seating is limited. Deadline for reservations is Monday, November 30. For more information, email info@newnancowetachamber.org or call 770.253.2270. Click here to register through ChamberMaster now!

Chamber releases new Healthcare Annual Report

After months of work by the Chamber’s Healthcare Communications Committee, the Chamber’s 2015 Healthcare Annual Report was officially launched Monday night at a reception held at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Newnan. Above, Cathy Wright of the University of West Georgia Newnan Center and Mary Ann Bell of Coweta-Fayette EMC look over a copy of the report.

Above are Chamber President and CEO Candace Boothby and COO of CTCA at Southeastern Regional Medical Center David Kent. Kent welcomed everyone to CTCA, and other local healthcare officials speaking at the event were Mike Robertson, CEO of Piedmont Newnan Hospital; Ilona Wozniak, CEO of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital; and Lisa Davies, Administrator at Ansley Park Health and Rehabilitation.

Boothby noted that in the Chamber’s “Prosperity’s Front Door” branding campaign, Healthcare is one of the six pillars, with the other five including Education, Business, Shopping, Housing and Quality of Life. Since Coweta is fortunate to have a growing reputation as a healthcare destination, community leaders thought it wise to capitalize on the county’s excellent healthcare facilities by promoting them in an annual report. A digital edition of the report first appeared last year, and a number of newly updated print copies were available at the reception on Monday. 

Community leaders were encouraged to share the new report with their constituencies, and a digital edition will soon be available for all Chamber members to share and use as we promote Coweta County as a center of healthcare excellence!

Winter Wonderland Big Expo kicks off today at 3 p.m.!

The big day has arrived! In just a few hours, we'll kick off the holidays in Coweta County when our 21st Annual Winter Wonderland Big Expo comes to the Summit Family YMCA in Newnan. The Expo runs from 3-7 p.m. at the YMCA, which is located at 1765 E. Highway 34 in Newnan.

Presented by Delta Community Credit Union, the Expo is Coweta’s biggest and most influential business exposition, featuring the newest products and services in Coweta and the metro Atlanta business market. This event will showcase local businesses to the public and is packed with fun-for-the-whole-family activities. Last year’s Expo was a huge success, with more than 100 exhibitors and more than 1,500 visitors.

New this year is the addition of our own fun holiday character, Expo Elf, and you can also meet Santa, do some holiday shopping that keeps those dollars local, and sample cider, hot chocolate and cookies, all while listening to Christmas carols and enjoying a fun and festive holiday time.

There will also be product demonstrations, health screenings, prize giveaways and tasty food samples. Visitors will get to meet some of the local merchants and enjoy Expo-only specials on merchandise and services as well.

General Admission tickets are $5 each, and Chamber members may download tickets for FREE and save $5! Click here and scroll down to print your ticket. For more information, call The Chamber office at 770-253-2270 or visit newnancowetachamber.org.

Coweta County Safety Council seeking nominations for officers

At the most recent meeting of the Coweta County Safety Council are, from left, Larry Alford of Georgia Tech, Jeff Johnson of Kason, Sammy Karvelas of Summit Urgent Care, Tina Tinch of Yamaha, Larry Robertson of Winpak and Mike Lake of KCMA Corporation.

Now two years old, the Coweta County Safety Council is ending another year of service to the local business community and is about to elect new officers to lead the group in 2016.

 

The Coweta County Safety Council was formed under the leadership of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber, and its purpose is to provide guidance and training to businesses in Coweta County. Its membership includes safety professionals who desire to share their collective knowledge to help local industry comply with OSHA regulations and ultimately keep the Coweta County workforce healthy and safe. In these first two years, the group has hosted programs on such topics as First Aid, Disaster Preparedness, Building Security, Ergonomics, and the Globally Harmonized System, or GHS, a system of labeling hazardous chemicals.

 

The group's most recent meeting was October 20, 2015 at the Summit Community Room in Newnan. Group members discussed plans for outreach to small companies that may not have a safety professional on staff, and they also plan to offer more safety training opportunities for local companies. The Safety Council believes that it takes the combined efforts of local companies and community resources to effectively promote safe work practices.

 

The next meeting of the Coweta County Safety Council will be Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Summit Community Room, and election of new officers will take place at that time. Anyone interested in serving on the Safety Council or in nominating someone to serve is asked to contact the outgoing chair, Mike Lake, atmlake@kcmcorp.com.

Expo Elf is ready for Big Expo! Are you?

Next week, we'll kick off the holidays in Coweta County when our 21st Annual Winter Wonderland Big Expo comes to the Summit Family YMCA in Newnan. On Thursday, November 5, 2015, the Expo will run from 3-7 p.m. at the YMCA, which is located at 1765 E. Highway 34 in Newnan. Presented by Delta Community Credit Union, above, the Expo is Coweta’s biggest and most influential business exposition, featuring the newest products and services in Coweta and the metro Atlanta business market. This event will showcase local businesses to the public and is packed with fun-for-the-whole-family activities. Last year’s Expo was a huge success, with more than 100 exhibitors and more than 1,500 visitors.

New this year is the addition of the Chamber’s own fun holiday character, Expo Elf. Winter Wonderland Big Expo Committee Chair Nick Garrison said that Expo Elf “will be going around the community telling everyone about the Expo. Keep your eye out for the Elf!” he said. Garrison also said that as part of a good-natured campaign to encourage shopping in Coweta County this holiday season, Expo Elf “will be reporting back to Santa to let him know if you are buying local.” Above, Expo Elf pays a visit to Expo Sponsor Toyota of Newnan.

Those attending the Winter Wonderland Big Expo can meet Santa and the new Expo Elf (above at Expo Sponsor Newnan Utilities), do some holiday shopping that keeps those dollars local, and sample cider, hot chocolate and cookies, all while listening to Christmas carols and enjoying a fun and festive holiday time. There will also be product demonstrations, health screenings, prize giveaways and tasty food samples. Visitors will get to meet some of the local merchants and enjoy Expo-only specials on merchandise and services as well.

General Admission tickets are $5 each, and Chamber members may download tickets for FREE and save $5! Click here and scroll down to print your ticket. For more information, call The Chamber office at 770-253-2270 or visit newnancowetachamber.org.

RSVP now to attend our Chamber of the Year celebration!

To celebrate our Chamber winning the 2015 National Chamber of the Year Award, we're hosting an awards celebration this Thursday, October 29, 2015, from 5:30-7:30pm at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum in Newnan!

There will be cocktails, hors o'oeuvres, prize drawings, and since it's so close to Halloween, we're also hosting a costume contest and the winner will receive $200!

Other fun at the awards celebration will include rickshaw rides through downtown Newnan, a drawing for a 2016 trip to Montreal (site of our Chamber of the Year Award recognition, above), souvenir photos for all who attend, and a pumpkin carving contest where the first place winner receives $100, second place $50 and third place $25. If you'd like to RSVP for this fun-filled evening now, just click here!

Chamber of the Year celebration just one week away!

To celebrate our Chamber winning the 2015 National Chamber of the Year Award, we're hosting an awards celebration on October 29, 2015, from 5:30-7:30pm at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum in Newnan!

There will be cocktails, hors o'oeuvres, prize drawings, and since it's so close to Halloween, we're also hosting a costume contest and the winner will receive $200!

Other fun at the awards celebration will include rickshaw rides through downtown Newnan, a drawing for a 2016 trip to Montreal (site of our Chamber of the Year Award recognition), souvenir photos for all who attend, and a pumpkin carving contest where the first place winner receives $100, second place $50 and third place $25. If you'd like to RSVP for this fun-filled evening now, just click here!

Chamber members get FREE admission to Winter Wonderland Big Expo November 5!

In just a few weeks, we'll kick off the holidays in Coweta County when our 21st Annual Winter Wonderland Big Expo comes to the Summit Family YMCA in Newnan on Thursday, November 5, 2015. The Expo runs from 3-7 p.m. at the YMCA, which is located at 1765 E. Highway 34 in Newnan.

Presented by Delta Community Credit Union, the Expo is Coweta’s biggest and most influential business exposition, featuring the newest products and services in Coweta and the metro Atlanta business market. This event will showcase local businesses to the public and is packed with fun-for-the-whole-family activities. Last year’s Expo was a huge success, with more than 100 exhibitors and more than 1,500 visitors.

New this year is the addition of the Chamber’s own fun holiday character, Expo Elf. Winter Wonderland Big Expo Committee Chair Nick Garrison said that Expo Elf “will be going around the community telling everyone about the Expo. Keep your eye out for the Elf!” he said. Garrison also said that as part of a good-natured campaign to encourage shopping in Coweta County this holiday season, Expo Elf “will be reporting back to Santa to let him know if you are buying local.”

Those attending the Winter Wonderland Big Expo can meet Santa and the new Expo Elf, do some holiday shopping that keeps those dollars local, and sample cider, hot chocolate and cookies, all while listening to Christmas carols and enjoying a fun and festive holiday time.

There will also be product demonstrations, health screenings, prize giveaways and tasty food samples. Visitors will get to meet some of the local merchants and enjoy Expo-only specials on merchandise and services as well.

General Admission tickets are $5 each, and Chamber members may download tickets for FREE and save $5! Click here and scroll down to print your ticket. For more information, call The Chamber office at 770-253-2270 or visit newnancowetachamber.org.

CTCA President and CEO to speak at October 27 NuLink Early Bird Forum

The President and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Gerard van Grinsven, will be the guest speaker for the Newnan-Coweta Chamber’s NuLink Early Bird Forum on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Mr. van Grinsven joined Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2013, inspired by a personal vision to take integrative cancer care to a new level of clinical excellence and a commitment to deliver unparalleled patient satisfaction.

Mr. van Grinsven, a native of Maastricht, Netherlands, has a distinguished career in both the healthcare and hospitality industries. Prior to joining CTCA, he served as a senior executive with the Henry Ford Health System (Detroit), where he was President and CEO of its award-winning, 192-bed West Bloomfield Hospital. 

Mr. van Grinsven holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Management from the Hotel Management School in Maastricht, Netherlands. He is a member of the Cornell University Division of Nutritional Sciences Advisory Board. His board and charitable work includes appointments to the Henry Ford Health Sciences Western Wayne/Downriver Board of Trustees and the Michigan Kidney Foundation.

The NuLink Early Bird Forum on October 27, 2015 will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. at The Newnan Centre, 1515 Lower Fayetteville Rd., Newnan, and Chamber member admission is $20. To register through ChamberMaster, click here.

Our next Coffee Call is October 13!

If you haven't yet attended one of our newest networking events for members, the Coffee Call Business Card Exchange, then mark your calendar for tomorrow, October 13, because it's time to get your business cards together and join us for breakfast! At Coffee Call, you'll want to come hungry and have a great time connecting with other Chamber members while also enjoying scrumptious treats from Waffle House, our food sponsor!

Coffee Call will be held from 8-9 a.m. at the Chamber office. A great way to jump start your day, Coffee Call allows you to enjoy coffee and a light breakfast while connecting with vital contacts. This event is free to members and $20 for non-members.

Click here to register for the Coffee Call through ChamberMaster. For more information, call 770-253-2270 or e-mail info@newnancowetachamber.org.

YPs' Cocktails and Connections is this Friday!

It's time once again for our Young Professionals to meet for their monthly Cocktails & Connections, and this month's event will be Friday, October 9! Open to those 21-45 and anyone who is young at heart, Cocktails & Connections will be Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at 10 East Washington in Newnan.

Everyone is asked to bring their business cards and get ready for a night of networking, appetizers and drinks! Cost to attend is $10, and you may click here to RSVP and register through ChamberMaster.

Cocktails & Connections is sponsored by Piedmont Newnan Hospital.

Make new connections at October 13 Coffee Call!

If you haven't yet attended one of our newest networking events for members, the Coffee Call Business Card Exchange, then mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 13, because it's time to get your business cards together and join us for breakfast! Above are some of the members who attended our August Coffee Call and had a great time connecting with other Chamber members.

Coffee Call will be held from 8-9 a.m. at the Chamber office. A great way to jump start your day, Coffee Call allows you to enjoy coffee and a light breakfast while connecting with vital contacts. This event is free to members and $20 for non-members.

Click here to register for the Coffee Call through ChamberMaster. For more information, call 770-253-2270 or e-mail info@newnancowetachamber.org.

Exhibiting at Winter Wonderland a great way to gain exposure for your business!

The Winter Wonderland Big Expo, presented by Delta Community Credit Union, is the biggest, most influential business exposition in Coweta County and has been used to promote Coweta's business community for 21 years now! 

Shown here are some of our many exhibitors at the 2014 Winter Wonderland Big Expo. This year's event will be Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the Summit Family YMCA in Newnan. Several options are available depending on your business needs. We have options available for Corporate Sponsorships, which offer premium booth locations; Booth Participants, who are placed together in an exciting centralized exhibition area; and Table Participants, whose displays are placed along the visitor walk paths.

To download a copy of the registration brochure, click here. Final registration deadline is October 9.

Sept. 29 is the deadline for Winter Wonderland Early Bird Exhibitors!

It's time once again for our Winter Wonderland Big Expo, and the 2015 event will be Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 3-7pm at the Summit Family YMCA, 1765 E. Highway 34, Newnan.

Presented by Delta Community Credit Union, this event is the biggest, most influential business exposition in Coweta County and has been used to promote Coweta's business community for 21 years now! If you'd like to take advantage of Early Bird Exhibitor Registration rates, click here and register by September 29.

Several options are available depending on your business needs. We have options available for Corporate Sponsorships, which offer premium booth locations; Booth Participants, who are placed together in an exciting centralized exhibition area; and Table Participants, whose displays are placed along the visitor walk paths.

To download a copy of the registration brochure, click here.

It's time for our quarterly Power Networking Lunch!

Got lunch plans? Our quarterly Power Networking Lunch is today, September 23, 2015 from 11:30am - 1pm at Olive Garden in Newnan!

 

Hugely popular, the Power Networking Lunch is pure networking. You'll introduce yourself to fellow Chamber members and enjoy a great lunch at a popular member restaurant, with open networking before and after, so bring plenty of business cards.

These luncheons are held four times a year at area Chamber member restaurants.  Cost is $15 for Chamber members. To RSVP now, click here!

It's time to register for our Winter Wonderland Big Expo!

Remember these fun scenes from last year's Winter Wonderland Big Expo? Well, it's time to start making plans for our 2015 Winter Wonderland Big Expo! This year's event will be Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 3-7pm at the Summit Family YMCA, 1765 E. Highway 34, Newnan.

Presented by Delta Community Credit Union, this event is the biggest, most influential business exposition in Coweta County and has been used to promote Coweta's business community for 21 years now! If you'd like to take advantage of Early Bird Exhibitor Registration rates, click here and register by September 29.

Several options are available depending on your business needs. We have options available for Corporate Sponsorships, which offer premium booth locations; Booth Participants, who are placed together in an exciting centralized exhibition area; and Table Participants, whose displays are placed along the visitor walk paths.

To download a copy of the registration brochure, click here.

Next Member Connect Luncheon is September 30

On Thursday, September 30, from 11:30am-1pm, the Chamber will host our quarterly Member Connect luncheon! Guests can come play the game show "Chamber Challenge," hosted by the always funny Danny Beck, 2015 Chamber Chair! Here, past chair Dennis McEntire of Newnan Utilities leads the most recent Member Connect luncheon held in June.

The celebrity judges for that event were Samantha Brazie of Progressive Heating and Air, Chip Barron of Lindsey's Realtors, Vickie Kaiser of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Frank Barron of Lindsey's Realtors.

These quarterly lunches help Chamber members explore and discover opportunities for involvement and ROI while connecting to Chamber benefits and advantages to help grow your businesses and prosper. Reservations are required, and you can register through ChamberMaster by clicking here.

Special thanks to Honeybaked Ham, our sponsors for the September 30 luncheon!