Callaway Gardens in the News

Callaway Gardens, a jewel in our region, was featured in two articles by USA Today recently - complementing the theme we've been espousing of staying in the area for your vacation.

Skimping on vacations this summer? You're not alone:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/2009-05-21-travel_N.htm

Economy forces many to shorten summer vacation plans:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/2009-05-21-travelside_N.htm

Piece of Art

The LaGrange Art Museum has graciously loaned us Jon Eric Narum's "Chief" to hang in our lobby. Now when you walk in the chamber's front door, you'll be greeted by Valeri's smiling face as well as a wonderful piece from the museum's collection.

Visit the museum in downtown LaGrange, Georgia, at 112 LaFayette Parkway to see their current exhibit as well as pieces of the permanent collection on display. They can also be reached at (706)882-3267.

Online Marketing Author Shares Tips

Brandon Eley, who is the interactive director at Kelsey Advertising & Design, is also the author of several articles about websites and is soon to release a book on e-commerce called “Online Marketing Inside Out.” He shared his expertise with chamber members at a seminar today and when Lori Rhoney, of Genesis Physicians, answered his first question correctly, she won a copy of the new book, to be released next week.

Eley told us that "online web use will double by 2014" and the use of social media (such as blogs) is on the rise. He noted that there's also "a shift in spending from traditional to online." The benefits of marking online include the ability to measure the response to your efforts, you can target specific customers, and it's not intrusive.

To learn more, visit brandoneley.com.

Environment

When Leadership Troup studied the environment recently, they saw all aspects - from the landfill to beautiful West Point Lake's Highland Marina.

In addition to environmental issues, Leadership Troup educates current and future community leaders about youth issues, government, health, and economic development. Nominations are now being accepted for the Class of 2009-2010. For an application, contact the chamber at 706-884-8671.

Business on the Plaza

Twenty small businesses set up displays on LaFayette Plaza for the first "Business Builders" B.A.H., co-hosted by the chamber and the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority. There was live music and delicious food, but the best part was the networking as people shared business cards and expertise in their fields.

Excellent School

Unity Elementary School in LaGrange has been selected by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education as one of only six stops on the 17th annual "Bus Trip Across Georgia." The focus of the tour is "innovation that has led to increased student achievement," which can then be used by the tour participants in their own communities. Your chamber of commerce salutes you, Unity!

Featured in the News

The LaGrange Daily News has given a nice salute to National Tourism Week with a front-page feature story on tourist attractions in Troup County and the region. You can see the story online and the photo in the paper is the one we're including here of a visitor at the well at Explorations in Antiquity, 130 Gordon Commercial Drive, LaGrange.

Stay & See

This is National Tourism Week and we encourage you to Stay & See Georgia - but most particularly, we encourage you to stay in our area and see all the great things here. Visit our website at www.lagrangechamber.com for local visitor information. Also, note the rotating pictures on the blog for a quick preview of what's here.

Coming up on May 22 & 23, Callaway Gardens will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Masters Water Ski Tournament.

There's always something fun to do when you "Stay & See" Georgia.

Miss Georgia Sings

Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman told the chamber of commerce today that there are four steps to realizing your dream: 1) have a positive attitude; 2) realize what your dream is; 3) write down your goal; and 4) work hard. Her steps led her to be able to believe in herself and enter the Miss Georgia contest. She now shares her lessons of empowerment with young people through music, such as the song she performed for the chamber - click on the video arrow to hear a quick portion.

Small Business of the Year

Jerry Johnson of ERA First Realty of LaGrange is all smiles, not just because he's surrounded by beautiful women, but because he's been named the Small Business of the Year by the chamber. Celebrating with him are from left Miss Troup County Whitley Cooper, Chamber Chair Carol Todd (W. Ga. Health System), Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman, and Chamber Small Business Committee Chair Libby Willingham (Mallory Agency).

EBB Winners

The Miss Troup County Scholarship Pageant is a member of the chamber, but the reigning queen Whitley Cooper (left) was surprised to win a door prize after giving the invocation at the Early Bird Breakfast this morning.

Also winning today were Truett Pirkle of Caravelle Storage and Randy Jackson of KIA, who are flanking Miss Georgia Chasity Hardman.

Ms. Hardman, the first runner-up in Miss America, was the breakfast keynote speaker. She has earned $50,000 in scholarships and her platform is "empowering young people to be the best they can be" She has formed a non-profit organization called "Dream Through Music" for children ages 7 to 12.

Energy Talk

Georgia Tech's Dr. Sam Shelton was featured at the chamber's "Lunch & Learn" today. Speaking on energy and alternatives to current use, he noted that a lot of the data shows that we (the U.S.) have already peaked in oil production, and that it will, overall, decline from here.

Some statistics he shared:
25% of the world’s oil is used by the US (we only produce 2%)
8% is used by China, followed by 7% by Japan.
Saudi Arabia produces the most, with 20%; followed by 10% Iran and 9% Iraq.

Dr. Shelton said what looks to be our (particularly in the southeast) best bet for reducing our usage of oil will be to start using “southern pine cellulosic ethanol.” We have the crop. There are 18-million tons of timber grown that are not harvested. If we used what we have now, we could offset, by 15-20%, Georgia’s petro use. And that is without replanting. So, with the replanting of timber used, we could continue to offset petro. (And we’re not the only state that can do that.) Using pine cellulosic ethanol would be beneficial locally. Timber grown here, would go to ethanol plants built here and ethanol would be used by autos here. Using pine cellulosic ethanol also creates electricity that can be used.

Teacher of the Year 2009

Rochelle Pompey has been selected as the Troup County Teacher of the Year. Pompey, a third-grade teacher at Whitesville Road Elementary School, is shown with School Superintendent Dr. Edwin Smith.

She will now represent Troup County at the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition.

Congratulations, Ms. Pompey, and best wishes!

The Chamber and Your Business

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) commissioned a study, along with IBM, Administaff, Small Business Network, Inc., and Market Street Services in 2007. The Schapiro Study discovered some interesting information about chambers and business. You may view the full report on ACCE's website, http://www.acce.org/. But here are some highlights:

• Most consumers (59%) think that being active in the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable.

• If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

• When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader.

• When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 40% more likely to eat at the franchise in the next few months.

• When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it.

• When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

Business of the Month

Rick Brock, owner of DB Green Enterprises at 1691 Vernon Road, incorporated his residential contracting and repair business in LaGrange in April of 2006. He and his wife Diana felt their hometown in Florida had lost its identity as it grew. But, LaGrange has embraced change and still cherishes its history - a concept he says the chamber of commerce embodies. The Brock family believes that part of building relationships is giving to the community. They support several local projects, including the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry. Rick is a member of the 2009 Class of Leadership Troup.