Fannin Chamber Monthly Newsletter

February 2012 eNewsletter

February Business After Hours
February 21, 2012
L & L Beanery - 260 West Main St.
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Please note: The Chamber will not mail out reminder postcards for Business After Hours this year, so please watch your e-News for dates and reminders.
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2011 CHAMBER AWARD WINNERS
Chamber Award Winners
Congratulations to the award winners recognized at the Chamber's Annual Banquet:
Gilita Carter, Honorary Lifetime Membership
Lisa Hood, Ambassador of the Year
Lynda Thompson, Member of the Year
TDS Telecom, Business of the Year
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LEADERSHIP FANNIN
Leadership Fannin Class of 2012
Members of the Leadership Fannin Class of 2012 include: Becky Hulsey, Beverly Seckinger, Billie Queen, Cathy Holloway, David Lewis, David Sanders, Debbie Jackson, Debbie Peterson, Dr. Allan Lee, Gregg Martin, Kay Leach, Kevin Panter, Kim Foster, Lynda Thompson, Paige King, Ray Gaines, Ron Buening, Sandy Wilbanks, Susan Catron, Susan Jackson, Susan Todd Racque and Vicki Hudson.

Leadership Fannin is being chaired by Wanda Dostall. Other members of the Steering Committee are Eddie Ayers, Lisa Hood, Rick LaRosa, Rita Kirby, Stephanie Scearce and Art Hubbard. The first program takes place on February 1 at the Ocoee Whitewater Center.
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WEBSITE UPDATE
Website Update Underway
The Chamber is currently updating the website, www.blueridgemountains.com. Part of the update will be a conversion of the Business Directory to a new format driven by Chambermaster database software, similar to the websites of the Blairsville and Ellijay chambers. Members will be given a password so that they will be able to update their own Business Directory listings and enter their own hot deals and specials. Soon, you will hear more about this transition, and the availability of enhanced listing pages.
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TOURISM
More Survey Results
Top Activities for Visitors
Dining Out (82.3%)
Scenic Drives (70.3%)
Relaxing (65.9%)
Shopping (62.5%)
Mercier Orchards (61.2%)
Antique Shopping (58.5%)
Seeing Mother Nature (57.6%)
Sightseeing (52.3%)
Visiting Waterfalls (46.6%)
Hiking (43.0%)
Attending Festivals (41.3%)
Visiting State Park (41.5%)
Visiting National Forest (36.2%)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (29.9%)
To see a full copy of the survey, click here.

SHORT SUBJECTS...

The Sweet Shoppe is being featured on "Cupcake Wars" on the Cooking Channel on Sunday, February 12 at 8 p.m. Root for our local stars Nikki Gribble and Susan Catron as they take on the competition!

The 15th Annual Blue Ridge Mtn Adventure Race takes place on Saturday April 14th this year. This year there will be a shorter "Sport" race for beginners and a longer "Elite" race like the more challenging adventure race of the past. For more information about this year's race, see the website. Another adventure race, the Atomic, is coming to Blue Ridge on May 12th.

The Chamber's Winter eNewletter for tourism explores 12 Winter Blue Ridge Experiences. You can see it for yourself by clicking here.

Send us your news! We would like to include more business news in the e-letter. Send us your news and special events.
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MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members!
Mountain Maids - Mountain Men
Martha Prince
Copperhill
706-455-4125
www.mountain-maids.com
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Troy Jenkins
Individual Member
Stone Mountain
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Women's Networking Group
Vicki Wagoner
49 Big Tree Ct.
Blue Ridge
239-248-0586
www.womensnetworkinggroup.net

--Use our Self Guided Tour Maps on the website
for great info and directions on hiking, waterfalls, restaurants, shopping, scenic drives and history.

--Help us promote Buy Local! Look for a mailing in early August containing Buy Local marketing materials, including poster, window decal, flier and more. Support your neighbors, your community and yourself.

"Buy Local" artwork offered
Download and display the Buy Local campaign artwork from the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce. The program is co-sponsored by the News Observer.

Buy Local Poster small
Buy local Final