Chamber hosts Google Analytics 101 Webinar

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, The Chamber hosted a Google Analytics 101 Webinar presented by Tim Zach, the Interactive Marketing Director at Red Clay Interactive. The webinar covered an introduction to Google Analytics as well as a “deep dive” into Google Analytics reports that can help businesses meet their goals.

Among those attending the webinar was Tina Bralley, accountant, of Balanced Accountant.

Mark Sprague, owner of Snapshot Graphics, also attended the webinar.

Another of those attending was Judy Peeler, SPHR, Marketing, of Paul Peeler Leadership Development. The webinar was held in conjunction with Chamber University, the Training and Development arm of The Chamber.

Chamber members know the value of networking

One of the many ways The Chamber benefits its members is by regularly hosting great networking events where you can meet other members and help build your business. Last week, The Chamber followed up its Small Business Awards Lunch and B2B Small Business Showcase with a Business-After-Hours networking event hosted by Progressive Heating and Air. At this networking event are, from left, Mike Meyer of Something Special, Sandy Lee of Hampton Inn/Newnan and Gary DeGeorge Jr. of Atlanta Range & Ordnance.

If you’re skilled at networking that’s great, and even if you’re an introvert, that quality may give you an advantage as well. How? According to a recent article in Inc. magazine, introverts may make even better networkers because, among other reasons, they’re selective about whom they talk to, they get to the point, and they give others time to share. To read the full Inc. magazine article, click here.

Whatever your networking style, make it a point to check out The Chamber’s monthly networking events. The next Business-After-Hours event is set for Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at SouthCrest Bank's office on the Court Square in Newnan, and we hope to see you there!

Newnan GNC named Small Business of the Year!

More than 100 small businesses entered The Chamber and SouthTowne Motors' 2014 Small Business of the Year competition, and Newnan GNC was named the overall winner at a luncheon at The Newnan Centre on Aug. 21, 2014. “We were surprised,” said Sharon Rogers of Newnan GNC. “There are a lot of really, really good companies in this county.” Here are GNC's newest hire, Rebecca Neely (GNC's “Morph Greeter” at the afternoon's B2B Small Business Showcase), Lynn Butterfield, Sharon Rogers and Sonya Denny.

Rogers, shown here at right with GNC staff accepting the award, said Newnan GNC has been involved with The Chamber since the Newnan store first opened 18 years ago.

Here are Steve Mader of SouthTowne Motors and Candace Boothby, Chamber President and CEO. As Steve said, “We’re all small businesses. This really is the backbone of our economy.” For this year's award, there were the Top 10 Finalists as well as six Honorable Mentions. The Top 10 Finalists were 85 South Out and About Magazine; Air Power Hydraulics, Inc.; Higgins and Smith, CPAs; Key Promotions; My Kidz Dentist, PC; My Rent Source, LLC; Newnan GNC; PrintSource; Something Special Events Facility; and UNIGLOBE Travel Partners. The Honorable Mention winners were Balanced Family Wellness; Bubbles and Brushes Art Studio; Keith Ross, Country Financial; Meineke Car Care Center; Shine 'n Drive Car Wash; and Southern Crescent Solutions. Category Recipients at this year's awards presentation were: Entrepreneur Category (1-5 employees), Sally Anderson of Key Promotions; Growth Category (6-19 employees), Andy Miller of PrintSource; and in the Employer Category (20-99 employees), Mitchell Hicks of UNIGLOBE Travel Partners.

Congratulations to Newnan GNC and all of this year's winners!

It's Raining Members at The Chamber!

It's not often you hear cowbells and cellphones ringing at the same time, but that’s exactly what happened July 29-31, 2014 when The Chamber hosted its highly successful “It’s Raining Members” event. Chamber members whipped out their cellphones to dial up prospective members to ask them to join The Chamber, which began the campaign with 747 members. Each time a new membership came in, a volunteer rang a cowbell. As a result of everyone’s efforts The Chamber now has 155 new members, bringing the total membership to 902. Here, Jay Boren of the Coweta Water and Sewerage Authority celebrates a new Chamber membership.

Motivational speaker and humorist Jimmy Cusano of Your Chamber Connection was ringleader for the fun, high-energy event. Wearing a colorful zoot suit each day, he told Chamber volunteers to take advantage of Coweta’s great reputation to encourage others to join The Chamber. “Bragging is a great thing if you can back it up,” he said. And above all, he told the volunteers—channeling his inner Donald Trump—“Close the deal.”

Members did just that. New member “Maybelle Hawkins,” at left, who was recruited by friends at Headley Construction, visits with Chamber Chair Sharon Szymanski of Canongate Golf Clubs.

Otis Jones of Matrix Insurance Agency shows some of the memberships he sold during the event.

Jason Eaker of the Financial Planning Group and Maggie McSweeney of Cardinal Waste Solutions have a good time recruiting new Chamber members.

Jimmy Cusano gathers some of the volunteers for a group photo to celebrate the success of the “It’s Raining Members” event. Thanks to all those who worked so hard on this membership campaign. Our Chamber rocks!