March 2008 Newsletter

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COMMUNITY EXPO

The 2008 Community Expo scheduled for April 19, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Fireman’s Carnival Grounds is coming together wonderfully. If you intend to participate as a vendor, get your application in soon as booth space is close to selling out. Of special interest to parents will be Operation Kidsafe, which is a free digital child identification and safety program. Operation Kidsafe does not use any messy ink or collect any information on your child. Each parent takes home an 8-1/2 x 11 card with their child’s picture, fingerprints, and safety tips on the back. The Chamber wants to thank Tim Barkley of Barkley Law Offices for sponsoring Operation Kidsafe’s attendance at the 2008 Expo.

In addition to Operation Kidsafe, many local businesses will be selling and/or promoting their services. This event is a tremendous opportunity to learn about and support Mt. Airy businesses of all types and sizes. In our continued efforts to give back to the community, we have arranged for the blood mobile to be onsite as well. The only caveat is that we need 45 donors registered in order to request the bloodmobile at the Expo. Please sign up now to guarantee this blood drive can be part of the Expo. To pledge a donation call Alice Decker with Interstate Construction and Development Company at 410-227-2817 to register. Give blood, save a life!

MARCH BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

The next Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce (GMACC) Business Card Exchange will be hosted by Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 East Ridgeville Blvd, Mount Airy on Tuesday, March 11 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will be cohosted by the Blossom and Basket Boutique and Ray Miller, RE/MAX Realty Group. For this event our members were offered free table space via our Chamber email group to set up a display promoting their business. As in past years this is a very successful event, as it allows businesses the opportunity to showcase their business offering, in detail, to the 100 or more visitors who will be attending. Because table reservations went quickly, within hours of the announcement, a waiting list was created. To be added to the list, just send an email to blossomandbasket@ aol.com. Although you have to be a GMACC member to secure table space, our business card exchanges are an excellent time for anyone to come network with the fastest growing chamber in the region.

WEB SITE ADVERTISEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Looking to advertise to GMACC members?
We are still taking applications for a limited number of slots to display a banner ad throughout our website. As you move through the site you will see the available ads along the right side of the page. By clicking on one, you will be directed to an application. It’s that easy! It will also be that easy for visitors to our site to click on your company information and go directly to your company’s website. This opportunity is only available to members and is on a first-come basis.

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Our monthly membership meeting will be held on Thursday, March 6th at 8:00 a.m. at the Mt. Airy Fire Hall on Watersville Road. We will have our usual hour of introductions, committee reports, and discussions of new and old business. There will be a new member orientation immediately following the regular Chamber meeting at 9:00 a.m.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

To further our mission of supporting business and education, the Chamber has established a $2,500 annual scholarship to be awarded to a selected student. An additional scholarship(s) totaling up to $1,000 may be awarded at the discretion of the Chamber. The scholarship is not intended merely to further the education of an aspiring student, but to recognize and assist those students who share the vision and values of the Chamber and show potential of contributing to the greater Mount Airy community. The application for the GMACC 2008 Scholarship has been posted on our website and the deadline to apply is March 31, 2008.

Third Annual Miniature Golf Tournament

Plans are underway for the 3rd Annual Miniature Golf Tournament, but the committee is still in need of a co-chair and a new member or two to help with the planning. If you would like to help out contact Paul Clay at paul@reconsultants.com.

COMMITTEE VACANCY

The Social Committee is still seeking new members. The Social Committee organizes the Chambers social functions, including the business card exchanges. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee, contact Colleen Strube at colleenstrube@earthlink.net.