Prize Winners

Not only do you have a good breakfast and get to hear a speaker on an interesting topic, but the chamber's Early Bird Breakfast meetings also offer an opportunity to win door prizes!
This month's winners are from left: Jane Wylie Plagens of American Red Cross, who won a carpet cleaning from Citrus Solutions; Elaine Carr of Mimi's Apparel & Designs in Hogansville, who won the gift basket from Creative Call-Ins; Wade Hall of Diverse Power garnered a Red Cross bag and tee; and Libby Willingham of Mallory Agency was rewarded with a plant from US Lawns.

Tourism Targets

Charlie Gatlin, deputy commissioner for tourism at the Georgia Department of Economic Development, spoke at our monthly chamber meeting and told us about the State’s campaign to have visitors “Discover the Unexpected.” Currently the target audience for tourism includes families, but especially the mothers who are the decision makers. He noted that the department’s next target audience will be active empty nesters.

(Photo: Gatlin on left, Chamber Chair of the Tourism Committee Rick Waterhouse on right)

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.

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.

Miss Georgia to Reign at EBB

The next Early Bird Breakfast will be on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 a.m. at Best Western Lafayette Garden Inn, 1513 Lafayette Parkway. Our featured speaker will be Miss Georgia 2008 Chasity Hardman, whose platform is “Developing, Reaching, and Educating through Music.”
Prior to the breakfast, join us for coffee and networking at 7:00 a.m. in the lounge, courtesy of RBC Bank.
The breakfast is $11.00 for members with reservations ($12 at the door) and the coffee networking is free. Breakfast reservations are $13 for prospective members ($15 at the door).
You may register by calling the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce at 706-884-8671. We accept cash, checks, VISA, and MasterCard. Those who pay before May 6, will be eligible for the door prizes.

April EBB

Learn about the current economy and the forecast for the future at the chamber of commerce Early Bird Breakfast on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:30 a.m. at the Best Western Lafayette Garden Inn, LaGrange.

The speakers at this Economic Summit will be (from left above) Joe Battipaglia, market strategist for Stifel Nicolaus, Dr. Tim Mescon, president of Columbus State University, and Greg Wright, regional project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Reservations must be made in advance by calling the chamber at 706-884-8671 or e-mail membership@lagrangechamber.com

The cost is $11 for members and $13 for prospective members.