Business Magazine November 2015

November 2015

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IN E D A M #

A G , Y N A B L A

B U S IN E SS Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Magazine

Interim President and CEO Editor Bàrbara Rivera Holmes Chair Tommy Clark Chair-Elect Ed Newsome Director of Communications Rachelle Bitterman Printing Colson Printers Photography Todd Stone Rachelle Bitterman Director of Sales Donna Gray Business (U.S.P.S. 886-680) is published bi-monthly by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, 225 W. Broad Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701. Subscription rate of $50 is included in membership investment.

Periodicals postage paid at Albany, Georgia.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Business Magazine, 225 W. Broad Avenue, Albany, Georgia, 31701. For more information about this publication or advertising rates, call (229) 434-8700. This publication is produced by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without expressed written consent of the publisher is prohibited. All claims, materials, and photos furnished or used are, to the publisher’s knowledge, true and correct. Hence liability cannot be assumed by the publisher for errors or by the publisher for errors or omissions. Advertisements and editorial information published in this publication is subject to the unrestricted right to edit of, and by, our editor/publisher.

U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation Date of Filing: 09/15/14 Business (U.S.P.S. 886-680) is published bi-monthly by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, 225 W. Broad Avenue, Albany Georgia 31707. Subscription rate of $50 is included in membership investment.

Periodicals postage paid at Albany, Georgia.

Owner/Publisher: Albany Chamber of Commerce 225 W. Broad Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701 Extent and Nature of Circulation:

A. Total No. Copies (Net Press Run) B. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 1. Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales (Not mailed) 2. Paid or Requested Mail Subscriptions (Include Advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies) C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of B (1) and B (2) D. Free Distribution by Mail E. Free Distribution Outside the Mail (carriers or other means) F. Total Free Distribution (Samples, complimentary and other free) (Sum of D and E) G. Total Distribution (Sum of C & F) H. Copies not Distributed 1. Office Use, Leftovers, Spoiled 2. Returns from News Agents I. Total (Sum of G, H(1), and H(2)

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

Avg No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

1,700 1,540 0

10,200 9,240 0

0

0

1,540

9,240

0 110

0 610

110

610

1,650

9,900

50 0 1,700

300 0 10,200

www.AlbanyGa.com

N OV E M B E R 2 01 5

06

C O N T E N T S

Comments from the 2015 Chair of the Board

15 Chamber Holds “Plug Into the Chamber” Breakfast

08 Think Local Business Expo Surpasses All Expectations

16 Chamber, Schools Partner for Local Feedback

VO LU M E 1 4

11 Weber Gas Grill Drawing Finale of Business Expo

18 Star Business of the Week

26

29

30

Welcome To Our New Members

AMA, Cintas, WSWG and Locos Grill & Pub Team Up For Business After Hours

Thank You, Renewing Members

NUMBER 5

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14

UniFirst Wins Best Booth at Business Expo

Mark Your Calendar

CVB Update

21

22

Institute for Leadership Development Begins Second Year

32 Message from the President and CEO

Ribbon Cuttings

24 Morningside of Albany Business After Hours

34 Better Business Bureau Urges Businesses To Get New EMV Chip Card Readers

ABOUT THE COVER 2015 Business Expo was busting at the seams with exhibitors and patrons. Read about this years’ successful Expo starting on page 8.

Design by Rachelle Bitterman Photography by Todd Stone

w w w. a l b a n y g a . c o m

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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COMMENTS FROM THE 2015 CHAIRMAN It has certainly been an exciting time for your Albany Area Chamber. The annual Business Expo continues to be a signature event as evidenced by the record attendance and the quality of booths of the businesses that participated. I think the hardest job for this event may have been the judging. There were spectacular booths set up and we continue to see an increase in both numbers of participants and the creativity by our member businesses. If you haven’t attended a Business Expo in a while, I invite you to come next year. You will be blown away, I promise.

Tommy Clark Renasant Bank

There are some wonderful things going on in our community that your Chamber continues to support and many organizations that we collaborate with to move Albany and our surrounding area forward. The annual State of the Community luncheon is proof of a great collaboration between the Chamber, the City of Albany, Dougherty County and the Dougherty County School System. The State of the Community was another huge success and the format change was well received. This is yet another great example of a chamber-led initiative that pulls our community together for discussion with our local elected officials to talk about the issues affecting our community and how we can continue to work together for progress.

I will say it again, as I outlined in the annual meeting in January when I took over as your chamber chair: please get involved and make your mark on this community you call home. Albany and the surrounding area have a lot going on and it is up to all of us to continue to make our community a great place to live and do business.

There is opportunity before us to move Albany forward into the future. What can you do? Get involved. Get educated on what issues affect our community and how we can all collaborate for progress going forward.

As I close this letter, please look no further than our military as a true example of service and community leadership. We recently celebrated two signature events related to our military: the first being Veterans Day on November 11th and the second being the Marine Corps 240th birthday. What a great example of service and sacrifice as we ponder what we do can do to help make our mark on this great place we call home.

What is your value without involvement? I hope you answer this question in a heartfelt way and join the many others who are loyally working every day to move the chains of progress.

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

www.AlbanyGa.com

Opportunities ...

Our focus will always be on you and your needs. We will dig deeper, understand your goals and help you meet challenges.

We prepare you and your business to take advantage of the opportunities.

Timing is everything!

A UDIT | A CCO U NTIN G | T AX S ERVI CES

229-446-3600 | mjcpa.com 2303 Dawson Road | Albany, Georgia 31707

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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Think Local Business Expo Surpasses All Expectations Representatives of many of the 54 businesses that set up shop in the Hilton Garden Inn September 17 for the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Business Expo all agreed: The Expo has surpassed its designation as what Chamber Board Chairman Tommy Clark calls "the ultimate networking opportunity" and become an honest-to-goodness event.

Hundreds of curious citizens -- many of them loaded down with bags of swag they collected from the businesses whose representatives challenged themselves to one-up the booth they had the year before -wound their way around the Expo floor, talking with excited business representatives who were thankful for the opportunity to show off their 8

November 2015 | BUSINESS

product lines.

"The motto I have for our company is 'Empowering communities through technology,'" InVision Technologies Partner/Chief Business Developer Jay Carpenter said as a crowd checked out the company's exhibit. "Certainly we feel that the services we provide are essential to doing business today, and we're excited about this opportunity to show some of the Chamber members what we have to offer.

"This is the kind of event that I think opens the door for all kinds of information sharing and networking,� he said, “the kind of thing that allows businesses to develop mutually beneficial relationships."

Clark said he's been pleasantly surprised to see the Expo explode over

the last three to four years.

"The economy had a lot to do with how things were going (before), but it seems that the last few years this thing has just taken off," the Chamber chair said. "We're busting at the seams right now. I think our member businesses realize that this is the kind of exposure they need to not only market themselves to the 450 to 500 people from the community who come through here, but also to do some business-to-business marketing as well.

"We're focusing on our 'Think Local' and '#15on15alb' shop local campaigns at the Chamber, and the Expo has become a continuation of those campaigns. You'll find that a lot of the business relationships that develop among our member businesses in the www.AlbanyGa.com

near future will have started here."

Chamber Communications Director Rachelle Bitterman noted that many new company logos were among the 54 that were crammed into the Hilton Garden Inn floor space.

"What happened is that there was so much excitement about the Expo this year, a lot of the businesses that regularly sign up for exhibit space waited too long to register," Bitterman said. "By the time they got around to it, there were no more spaces left."

Kristy Everson, a manager with AT&T Mobility, which recently completed an overhaul of its new location at 2700 Dawson Road, said she was surprised at the number of individuals who visited her Expo booth who had no idea what services the communications giant offered.

"People didn't know we offer bundled services ... people didn't know we offer so many telecommunications services ... people didn't know we offer small-business discounts," Everson said.

"For a lot of people who've come by our booth -- many who own businesses in the community -- they seem surprised when I tell them all the things we can do for them. That makes the Expo even more important for us as we expand our services."

City of Albany Communications and Technology Director Jason Gauntt echoed Everson's statement.

"There are people walking through here who own their own businesses, and when we give them a rundown of the technology and utility opportunities the city currently offers, they say they had no idea," Gauntt said. "Being a part of the Expo has turned out to be an excellent opportunity for us to let the citizens and the small business owners in the community know that the city of Albany is open for business.

"We now have Utility Board sales representatives who go out and introducing themselves to business owners in the community. We are aggressively marketing our products in the community."

Innovative Senior Solutions had one of the several new booths at the Expo, and representative Whitney Kimbrough said the Expo offered the company a perfect opportunity to get the word out about its expansion into Albany.

"We've been in business since 2007, November 2015

"This is the kind of event that I think opens the door for all kinds of information sharing and networking, the kind of thing that allows businesses to develop mutually beneficial relationships."

Jay Carpenter InVision Technologies

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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and we just added an Albany location at (3200) Gillionville Road to the ones we have in Cordele and Americus," Kimbrough said. "We offer home- and community-based care and services with a goal of improving the lives of senior citizens. We even have 'sitter service' for seniors who are at risk of being placed in nursing home facilities.

"We are Medicaid-approved and accept clients within a 100-mile radius of our centers. We offer senior citizens and their families a level of comfort knowing their individual needs will be met."

One of the familiar names back for Business Expo 2015 was Stewbos, which offered samples of its goodies for hungry just-got-off-work attendees.

"We participate in the Expo every year because, one, we think it is a vital event for small businesses in the community and, two, we think it's a way of saying 'Thank you' to the Chamber," said Sandy Gregor, with Stewbos. "Plus, with all the new (business) faces in here and all the people from the community coming

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

"This is amazing. This is the kind of thing we need to stimulate business in our community, and it's the kind of thing the city needs to show our citizens and our businesses that we are ready to work with them to turn our community around."

Sharon Subadan Albany City Manager through, it gives people who don't know us a chance to sample what we have to offer.

"I know, from talking to a lot of small business owners, the Expo has become something they really look forward to each year,� she said. “It's become a really big event for businesses and for the community."

The Expo is also a way for community entities to expand knowledge about their organizations.

"With the businesses represented here today, we have an opportunity to roll out some of our innovative programs to a broader audience," said

Dougherty County School System spokesman J.D. Sumner. "The school system actually partnered with the Chamber and the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission to conduct a business survey that helped establish benchmarks in the business community.

"Our partnership with the business community is vital; if we don't produce a quality product -- a well-educated work force -- the business community suffers. We also make contact with potential Partners in Excellence that have become an important part of making connections with the business community and our students and schools."

Albany City Manager Sharon Subadan, who attended her first Business Expo, came away impressed.

"This is amazing," she said. "This is the kind of thing we need to stimulate business in our community, and it's the kind of thing the city needs to show our citizens and our businesses that we are ready to work with them to turn our community around."

www.AlbanyGa.com

Weber Gas Grill Drawing Finale of Business Expo Door prize drawings are just one of the factors that makes Business Expo so much fun for vendors and guests.The Chamber wants to thank all our exhibitors who generously donated items. The finale of the evening’s drawings was the Albany Area Chamber’s door prize — a Weber Spirit 210 Gas Grill from Modern Gas. Congratulations goes to Liz Lewis with CTSI who was the winner. It was great to see all the excited recipients of the different door prize drawings, but the photo of Liz with her new grill says it all.

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November 2015

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www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

11

UniFirst Corporation Wins Best Booth at Business Expo The competition for the best booth at Business Expo 2015 was the toughest to date. Three judges were given the task of picking two runners-up and the winning exhibit.

Congratulations goes to Stewbos ~ Harvest Moon, The Catch, Henry Campbell's and Southern Point Staffing as

runners-up. UniFirst Corporation was the big winner.

Runners-ups will receive a free 1/3 page ad in the “Business” magazine and the winner will receive a 1/2 page ad. Each booth was judged on creativity, overall appearance, information available, engagement and interactivity.

UniFirst is one of North America's largest workwear and textile service companies, providing managed uniform, protective clothing, and custom corporate image apparel programs to businesses in diverse industries. UniFirst also provides quality floorcare, restroom, and other ancillary products to help business create a safer, cleaner, healthier, and more attractive work environment.

Southern Point Staffing is a temporary staffing agency that bridges part-time employees back into full-time work.

They also provide a full service HR option and function as an HR department. Focus areas are construction, light industrial and warehousing, clerical and agriculture.

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

Stewbos is the parent company of Merry Acres Inn, Albany’s only boutique hotel, Harvest Moon, The Catch, Henry Campbell's, Shackelford House and the Manor House.

Stewbos puts nearly 200 people of all ages, credentials, backgrounds and those with special needs to work. www.AlbanyGa.com

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www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

13

CVB UPDATE Albany Marathon Inc. held a press conference to present a $25,000 check to the Willson Hospice House.

#RunAlbanyGA

The Albany CVB attended the Georgia’s Governor’s Tourism Conference in September during which Rashelle Beasley the director of the Albany CVB was awarded the Larry Allen Tourism Leadership Award for her leadership in the Tourism industry.

Marathon and Half Marathon At the press conference, Albany Marathon Inc. unvailed its new SNICKERS® branding and the new logo for the marathon. 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the marathon.

The Albany CVB is excited to welcome back Teresa Smith as the Welcome Center Manager.

In September, the CVB hosted a successful Family Reunion Workshop at the Hilton Garden Inn. Judy Randall with Randall Travel Marketing, Inc. visited Albany in September to report on the recent study conducted by her top travel marketing research team and share their findings and recommendations with business and civic leaders. Randall stated that the community has made great strides since its initial analysis of Albany and Dougherty County in 2005.

Visit the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) at www.visitalbanyga.com for information on upcoming events, attractions, historic sites, dining, shopping and much more. Come by and see us at 112 N. Front St. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday noon-4pm or call us at 229.317.4760 and we will personally help you plan your family gathering, meetings or special event.

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Chamber Holds “Plug Into the Chamber” Breakfast for New Members

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the “Plug Into the Chamber” for new members. The breakfast is designed to enlighten new members on what the chamber has to offer, from networking at Business After Hours, to using the website to get more exposure for their business.

The breakfast was organized by the membership committee, chaired by Tammy McCrary with CTSI. Thank you to McDonalds for furnishing breakfast for the participants.

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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Chamber, Schools Partner for Local Feedback

By J.D. Sunmer, Dougherty County School System Public Information Office For some, an exposition of local businesses seems like an odd place for a Dougherty County School System booth. And yet, there it was, planted right outside of the Flint Room of the Hilton Garden Inn, with staff greeting passersby and answering questions.

This kind of community outreach is the beginning of a new era for the Dougherty County School System.

One where words such as “collaboration,” “partnerships,” and “feedback” are more than just cliches scribbled on some forgotten page deep in a shelf-bound strategic plan; they’re lived-out daily in the classrooms and board rooms of Albany.

For the first time ever, the Dougherty County School System bought a booth at the Business Expo to both show its commitment to the local J.D. Sumner with DCSS public information office explains to onlookers about an online business community and survey that debuted at Business Expo. Business representatives were able to immediately to get feedback from take the survey on one of the new tablets that students are using system wide.

Albany’s business leaders.

The goal is simple: To provide teaching and mentoring To take the engage our business leaders in opportunities to students looking to Dougherty County education. The DCSS wants their input; pickup workplace skills.

School System their ideas and their help transforming The system is also working with the survey. the lives of students in Dougherty chamber and Albany-Dougherty County.

Economic Development Commission to superintendent of schools for the To start that process, the system has put students in part-time, paying roles Dougherty County School System. created an easy online survey that with local industry.

“Before we can work together, our helps evaluate the perceptions of its Finally, the system’s charter system business community has to trust that stakeholders. The survey was launched process requires business leaders to we know what we’re doing. These at Business Expo via tablets that the serve in advisory roles for each school system is deploying in its classrooms to surveys help us learn where we are in the district. These local school when it comes to earning that trust.” elementary students. Nearly 35 governance teams will allow for input The DCSS has several opportunities business leaders took the survey at the on most aspects of daily school life. for partnerships for small businesses on expo.

For more information on the the horizon. The Commodore Conyers “Open and honest communication community survey, the college and College and Career Academy will have with our business community is career academy or the charter system, business leaders on its board of important to the things we’re trying to call the DCSS Public Information Office directors and will allow businesses to do,” said Dr. David Mosely, at 229.431.1264.

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

www.AlbanyGa.com

Star Business of t The Star Business of the Week initiative is an exciting "random draw" p

WALKER BROS. HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING CO., INC. 1614 Greenvale Ave. | 229.439.1669

ALBANY VASCULAR SPECIALIST CENTER 2300 Dawson Rd. | 229.436-8535 www.albanyvsc.com

Contact: Grant Walker

Contact: Layne Cox

Sponsored by

GLASS SERVICE CENTER 237 Flint Ave. 229.432.7454 Contact: Vernon & Calvin Lightfoot Thank you for providing donuts to our Star Businesses

Thank you to our additional sponsors ...

7 18

November 2015 | BUSINESS

www.AlbanyGa.com

the Week

rogram for our 1000+ regional member businesses in good standing.

ALBANY MOTORCARS/BMW OF ALBANY 805 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. | 229.883.2040 www.albanymotorcars.com

INTERSTATE WAREHOUSE SERVICES 2702 Palmyra Rd. | 229.883.5200 www.interstatewarehouse.com

Contact: Chris Grasman

Contact: Jim Saunders

GRACEWAY RECOVERY RESIDENCE 412 West Tift Ave. | 229.446.4550 www.gracewayrecovery.com

JIM BOYD CONSTRUCTION, INC. 1810 West Oakridge Rd. 229.420.9898 | www.jimboydconstruction.com

Contact: Debbie Mazur

Contact: Jim Boyd

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

19

Institute for Leaderdhip Development Begins Year With An Overnight Orientation At MCLB Albany

The Institute for Leadership Development class of 2016 began in August with a retreat and orientation at the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.

It kicked off with a cocktail hour and a fun speed networking exercise for the participants to interact with all the mentors. After a wonderful dinner and comments from the Chamber, Colonel James C. Carroll III, Commanding Officer, MCLB Albany and Major General Craig C. Crenshaw Commanding Officer, LOGCOM, the participants spent the night on the base and got a chance to get to know each other better. They spent the next morning with Kelvin Redd, in an Emergentics class, reviewing their profile and how to better understand the different communication styles of themselves and others.

Miller/Coors is new this year to the program and gave the class a full tour of its facility, complete with a tasting afterwards. The Chamber program is working with the Leadership Institute at Columbus State University to utilize the talents of their staff by providing classes on Foundations of Leadership, November 2015

Walk the Talk – Communicating Visions, Purpose and Values and Leading a High Performance Team.

The Political Savvy class was facilitated by Cynthia George, chair of the chamber’s Legislative Affairs committee, and a panel that included; Louie Perry who has 23 years of experience in Washington, D.C. with an emphasis on healthy, travel industry, agriculture and forestry issues; Jerry Usry who specializes in state government relations and political advocacy and has a strong track record of accomplishments with the Georgia General Assembly; and Bridges Sinyard, vice chair of the chamber’s Leadership Development committee, who served for several years in Washington D.C. on the staff of Senator Saxby Chambliss and also worked on several Congressional and Senate campaigns.

In December, the participants again head to the MCLB Albany for dinner and a Fireside Chat with Major General Crenshaw, who will talk about his experience with leadership and what it has meant in his life.

In 2012, the chamber’s Leadership

Development Committee began exploring how to better utilize the resources of the chamber and the strengths of the community’s young professionals in order to prepare them to become future leaders, while focusing on personal and professional training. The result of that process is the Institute for Leadership Developement.

Along with classroom learning and chamber events, this program has a unique component added to its curriculum is mentorship. Each participant is paired with a community leader who will serve as their personal and professional mentor. Even though the classroom portion of the program is nine months long, the relationship continues after the participant graduates. Other areas of leadership development focus on include Emergenetics; financial understanding; foundations of leadership; political savvy; communicating vision; purpose and values; personal and social networking; leading a high performance team; and effective delegation.

At the end the program our goal is that the participants will have a greater understanding of the components of leadership, what their strengths and challenges are and how they fit into the fabric of the community of Albany. www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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DUNKIN' DONUTS

Contact: Jamie Ogiba 121 West Oglethorpe | (229) 420-7765

Contact: Teresa Salter 2409 Dawson Rd www.dunkindonuts.com (229) 496-1210

SHERWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Contact: Brian Dougherty 1418 Old Pretoria Rd. www.SCAEagles.com (229) 883-5677

GREAT EXPECTATIONS, A 4D ULTRASOUND EXPERIENCE Contact: Hope Phillips 1115 Dawson Road (229) 405-3470

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on a bicycle QUICKIE RESTAURANT

AMERICA'S CAR-MART

Contact: Tamara Layfield 1906 N. Slappey Blvd.

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Contact: Joshua Wolf 406 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. www.car-mart.com (229) 405-6801

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BIKE RENTALS AVAILABLE Albany Welcome Center 112 N. Front St. 229.317.4760 www.visitalbanyga.com

Contact: Adam Hutchins 406 N. Westover Blvd.| www.hcrhcpa.com 229-435-4611

Contact: Kent Nance 110 Cordele Rd., Suite 5 www.kentnanceismyagent.com (229) 485-1385

If your business has moved or expanded and you would like to have a Ribbon Cutting or Groundbreaking contact Mary Bickerstaff at 317.7183 or mbickerstaff@albanyga.com.

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

2 LOCATIONS IN ALBANY SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR-B-Q 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN ALBANY Contact: Eric McCallum 1900 N. Slappey Blvd. www.sonnysbbq.com (229) 883-7427

ORTHOTIC SERVICES ADULTS AND PEDIATRIC • Diabetic Shoes/Inserts • Wrist Braces • AFO’s • Knee Braces • Spinal Supports • Pediatric Bracing • Custom Bracing • Toe Off • WalkAide

PROSTHETIC SERVICES UPPER & LOWER EXTREMITIES • Upper Extremity - Arms Below & Above Elbow i-LIMB™ Hand (body powered or myoelectric limbs) • Lower Extremity - Light Weight - Legs Below & Above (Microprocessor) Rheo Knee® • Post Mastectomy Certified Mastectomy Fitter

Open 5 Days a Week 24-Hour Emergency Call Free Evaluation FLINT RIVER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. Contact: Jennifer Vanston 717 Pine Ave. www.flintriverhabitat.org (229) 446-8199

1.855.639.3202 www.limbcareonline.com

HARDTIMES CAR AUDIO Contact: Brandon Snead 721 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

(229) 496-1009

FARMERS INSURANCE SOLOMON NIXON AGENCY Contact: Solomon Nixon 2726 Ledo Rd., Suite 8 www.farmersagent.com/snixon1 (229) 518-1655

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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Morningside of Albany Business After Hours

Morningside of Albany, a personal care home and memory support community, opened its doors for the August Business After Hours. Being able to mingle and chat with the residents of Morningside gave Business After Hours a new twist bringing together seasoned retired business leaders with a newer generation of entrepreneurs.

Morningside promotes independence and dignity for each resident with all the comforts of home. Unique programs and resources are available that are designed to meet the total needs of both the resident and their family. Morningside provides meals for residents. Staff is available 24 hours a day so if any emergencies occur no matter the time - there will be someone ready to help.

Sharon Nixon with Farmers Insurance was the lucky winner of the $100 drawing.

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

www.AlbanyGa.com

“The best banking relationships are built on intangibles.”

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good as gold

At AB&T, we believe businesses deserve the gold standard in their banking relationship. That’s why our commercial bankers, like Matt Rushton, are highly experienced, passionately involved and offer incomparable service. Connect with us and experience it for yourself. We’d enjoy learning more about your business and discussing the customized solutions we can provide.

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START SAVING ON OFFICE PRODUCTS TODAY The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Office Depot to provide our members with deep discounts on office supplies.

November 2015

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www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS August/September

VISIT WWW.ALBANYGA.COM AND VIEW THE WEB PAGES FOR ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS. America's Car-Mart AUTOMOBILE DEALER-NEW/USED

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2925 Ledo Road, Unit 8 Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Dennis Mayer (229) 883-5535 Toll-Free (877) 700-5535 www.conciergecateringalbany.com dmayer@mchsi.com

22610 Dawson Rd., Suite 13 Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Sebrina Moore (229) 431-3399 beyondtheroot@outlook.com Concierge Catering

4876 Woodlane Circle Tallahassee, FL 32303 Contact: Brandi Brown (850) 514-1793 Fax: (850) 514-0044 www.astrotravel.com info@astrotravel.com Atlanta Hound Inc. TRAVEL/SHUTTLE SERVICE

1216 Dawson Road Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Starlette Fedd (229) 496-1652 www.atlantahound.com Barlow Amusement AMUSEMENT/RECREATION

832 Pine Ave. Albany, GA 31705 Contact: Bubba Barlow (229) 436-9421 www.barlowamusement.com 1jukeboxman@gmail.com Beverly Pressley Mary Kay Independent Consultant BEAUTY CONSULTANT

2800 Old Dawson Rd Ste 2 #312 Albany, GA 31707 (229) 894-4634 Contact: Beverly Pressley www.MaryKay.com/bpressley4 bpressley4@marykay.com

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

Davpro Wireless & More SPECIALTY SHOPS TELECOMMUNICATIONS

311 W. Broad Avenue Albany, GA 31701 Contact: Joel Davis (229) 329-7463 www.davprowireless.com sales@davprowireless.com Douglas H. Dean INDIVIDUAL

douglas.h.dean@gmail.com Doo Dah's Bar & Grill RESTAURANTS

411 Philema Rd Albany, GA 31701 Contact: Dale Hathcock (229) 405-3651 doodahlrfmc@gmail.com

(423) 531-1732 | Fax: (423) 531-1566 www.itseesy.com mhuth@itseesy.com Family Literacy Connection NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 406 West Highland Avenue Albany, GA 31701 Contact: Sandy Bamford (229) 888-2414 sandy@familyliteracyconnection.com Farmers Insurance Solomon Nixon Agency INSURANCE

2726 Ledo Road Suite 8 Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Solomon Nixon (229) 518-1655 | Fax: (229) 405-2465 www.farmersagent.com/snixon1 snixon1@farmersagent.com Great Expectations, A 4D Ultrasound Experience HEALTH/PHOTOGRAPHY

1115 Dawson Road Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Hope Phillips 229-405-3470 greatexpectationsalbany@gmail.com Gieryic's Automotive Repair AUTOMOTIVE/REPAIR/PARTS 2401 Dawson Road Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Tom Gieryic (229) 432-0351| Fax: (229) 432-0371 www.albanyautoservice.com gieryicsauto1@aol.com

Hardtimes Car Audio SOUND SYSTEMS / SPECIALTY Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Consulting (EES) 721 W. Oglethorpe Blvd Albany, GA 31701 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS Contact: Brandon Snead 101 South Crest Road (229) 496-1009 Chattanooga, TN 37404 hardtimescaraudio@gmail.com Contact: Mark Huth

www.AlbanyGa.com

NEW MEMBERS continued Harper Painting

Sam's Merchant Services

HOME/BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT

CONSULTANT

135 Crisann St. Leesburg, GA 31763 Contact: Earl Harper (229) 809-0364 www.earlharperpainting.com eharper72@me.com

301 N Mattie Ave Sycamore, GA 31790 Contact:Thomas Coker (229) 376-8140 | www.clover.com thomas.coker@first.com Sky High Bounce

INDIVIDUAL

Henry Brigmond, New York Life Agent

RENTAL SERVICES

bufu1302@yahoo.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES & INSURANCE

2215 Arrowwood Drive Albany, GA 31721 Contact: Henry Brigmond (229) 854-1962 Fax: (478) 477-5533 www.newyorklife.com/agent/ hbrigmond hbrigmond@nyl.com

239 Kinchafoonee Creek Rd. Leesburg, GA 31763 Contact: Wanda Nowicki Phone: (229) 421-9533 www.skyhighbounce.com wanda@skyhighbounce.com Sunniland Corporation CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES

(229) 436-5358 jjasper497@att.net

2815 B Old Dawson Rd. Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Jason Cobb (229) 317-5515 | Fax: (229) 317-5516 www.sunniland.com jcobb@sunnilandcorp.com

Leadership Consultant, Certified John Maxwell

BEAUTY SALONS

Joanne Jasper INDIVIDUAL

CONSULTANTS

144 Hardwood Ln. Albany, GA 31707 Contact: Darla Harms (618) 751-4041 www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/ darlaharms.com darlaharms356@yahoo.com

Tabernacle Beauty Salon 2610 Dawson Rd. Suite 12 Albany, GA 31707 (229) 431-3399 sebrica@icloud.com Terry Lee's Old World Sandwich Shoppe RESTAURANT

1116 W. Broad Avenue Suite A

Albany, GA 31707 (229) 436-6496 Contact: Debbie Drury www.tlowss.com oldworldsandwichshop@gmail.com Tuan Nguyen

URS 4 MYN CONSIGNMENT STORE

1027 N. Westover Albany, GA 31721 (229) 364-5740 Contact: Miesha Young www.urs4myn.com urs4myn@yahoo.com Utopia Concierge Travel TRAVEL/TRAVEL AGENCIEs

(229) 291-6805 FAX (706) 243-6174 Contact: Angela Jackson www.utopiaconciergetravel.com angelapjacks@gmail.com Waffle House - Downtown RESTAURANT

121 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

Albany, GA 31701 (229) 420-7765 Contact: Jamie Ogiba www.wafflehouse.com jamiejogiba@wafflehouse.com

PRINCE OF ALBANY

2701 Ledo Road, Albany 229-432-6271 PrinceAutoAlbany.com November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

27

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

www.AlbanyGa.com

AMA, Cintas, WSWG and Locos Grill & Pub Team Up For Business After Hours For the last several years, the Albany Museum of Art, Cintas, WSWG-TV and Locos Grill & Pub have teamed up to put on the September Business After Hours.

The Albany Museum of Art’s 200-seat auditorium was a perfect setting for this combo BAH. The facility offers more than 20 art exhibitions annually, including its permanent collection exhibits. It is nationally accredited with a growing collection, including an impressive collection of 19th and 20th Century American and European art and also houses one of the largest collections of traditional African art in the Southeast.

Business After Hours gave Locos the opportunity to showoff its catering specialties. Locos also has a wide variety of pub food available in its restaurant, located at 547 N. Westover Blvd. in Albany.

Cintas used BAH as an opportunity to network with potential customers. Cintas leads the industry in supplying corporate identity uniform programs, providing entrance and logo mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services, and industrial carpet and tile cleaning.

WSWG-TV, the region’s CBS affiliate, introduced its new lineup of shows for the 2015-2016 season.

Jenny Collins with Darton State College won the $100 drawing.

547 N. Westover Blvd.

229.888.5055 • www.locosgrill.com

SHOP AT PJSFABRICS.NET 511 W. Broad Ave., Albany, GA 229.439.7265

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

29

THANK YOU RENEWING MEMBERS July/August 2015

1 Key Realty LLC .........................2008 ACC Distributors, Inc. ...................2013 ACMI Inc. .....................................1993 Affinis Hospice..............................2014 AHERA Response Services, Inc..2007 Albany Advocacy Resource Center, Inc. ................................1989 Albany Auto Service .....................2008 Albany Board of REALTORS, Inc.........................1986 Albany Civil Rights Institute..........1998 Albany Land Co., Inc. ...................1979 Albany Mall, LLC ..........................2001 Albany Motorcars/ BMW of Albany .........................2004 Albany OB-GYN, LLC ..................1984 Albany Symphony Association .....1988 Albany Typewriter Exchange ........1975 AlbanyCEO...................................2010 Aldridge-Jordan, Inc. ....................2010 All American Fun Park..................1982 America's Home Place .................2011 American Business Center, Inc. ...2013 Amputee Prosthetic Clinic Company .........................2013 Applied Fiber ................................1996 Badcock Home Furniture & More .......................................2010 Barkley Estates ............................2008 Battery Source .............................2007 Berney's Tire Service....................2012 Bishop Clean Care, Inc. ...............1975 BJ's Country Buffet .......................2013 Burks Real Estate Investments .....2011 Byne Memorial Church .................2013 Cancer Ties, Inc............................2014 Captain D's Albany .......................2013 Carrington Plastering & Dry Wall, Inc. .........................2003 Colson Printing Company .............2010 Country Hearth Inn & Suites.........2013 D&D Kitchen Center.....................2007 Dawson Road Pawn Shop Dawson Road ............................2013 Divine Finney, PC .........................2011 Doublegate E-Z Mart, LLC............2013 Drug and Alcohol Compliance ......2014

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

Ellis Management Group, LLC .....2002 EMC Engineering Services ..........2014 Enterprise.....................................2009 Evangelical Faith Vision Ministries, Inc. ...........................2008 Fast Copy and Blueprint ...............2013 Flint Office Furniture.....................2000 GA Foam Solutions.......................2011

WE DO COMPOUNDING

229-434-1414 • 610 N. Slappey Blvd.

Girls Incorporated of Albany.........1986 Golden Corral...............................1998 Griffin Lumber & Hardware ...........2014 Hall, Williamson & Hart, PC..........2001 Henrietta Singletary ......................2012 Hilton Garden Inn Albany .............2005 Hydra Engineering & Construction, LLC......................2014 Industry Insulation, Inc. ................2007 Jones Welding & Industrial Supply, Inc. ................................2010 Junior League of Albany, Georgia Inc., The ......................2006 Kirbo & Kirbo, PC .........................1994 Knights of Columbus ....................2006 L. Clayton Smith, Jr., P.C...............2011 Labor Finders ...............................2000 Landmark Auto Sales ...................2009

Levy & Thompson, LLC................2009 Magnolia Plantation......................2001 Majors Electric & Mechanical Co., Inc...................2002 Malone's Paint & Body Shop, Inc. .........................2001 Mann's Storage Inc. .....................2002 Master Body Works, Inc. ..............2000 McAfee, Emily Jean......................1988 Merle Norman Cosmetics & Gifts......................1987 Merry Acres Landscape & Lawn Maintenance.................2008 Microf Financial Services..............2012 Mikata Japanese Steak House & Lounge .......................1987 Nash Engineering & Surveying, LLC ......................2006 National Distributing Company, Inc. ...........................1975 Navy Federal Credit Union ...........2002 NEOS Technologies .....................2006 Newell Construction......................2013 Nexus Pain Center of Albany, LLC ...........................2013 Nonami Plantation ........................2013 North Slappey Pawn Shop ...........2013 Overhead Door Company of Southwest Ga. .......................2012 Papa John's Pizza........................1995 Parrish, Robert A., DDS, PC ........1984 Paul Davis Emergency Services...2013 Pearly's Famous Country Cooking........................2013 PetroSouth, Inc. ............................2012 Phoebe Health Partners, Inc. .......2009 Phoebe Putney Health System.....1975 Professional Networking ..............2007 Publix Super Markets #450 ..........2005 Quality Wrecker Service, Inc.........2011 RE/MAX - Sylvia Phillips ..............2009 Reeds Jewelers............................2006 Reynolds, Shugart & Associates, Inc.......................2002 Robert Lane Trucking, Inc.............2014 Rock Albany, The..........................2007 www.AlbanyGa.com

Salt Lick Sausage Company.........2013 Sample, Steven, DDS, PC............1998 SB&T............................................1975 Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. ....................2003 Sleep Inn ......................................2001 Southeastern Aluminum Recycling/Paper Stock ..............2008 Southern Commercial Materials, Inc.............................1988 Southern Woods Plantation .........2003 Southwest Georgia Dermatology, P.C.......................2002 Southwest Georgia Obstetrics & Gynecology ............................2012 Southwestern Machine & Tool Works..............................2013 Sowega Chlorinator Co., Inc. .......2009 St. Teresa's School .......................2012 State Farm Insurance - Andy Christo............................2013 Sunbelt Business Forms, Inc. ......1989 Tara Foods ...................................1976 Theatre Albany .............................2006 Thrush Aircraft, Inc. ......................2005 Todd Stone Photography ..............1996 Tommy Johnson Painting Contractor ....................2011 Total Merchant Services of Georgia .................................2009 TTL, Inc. .......................................1991 Turpin & Turpin, O.D., PC .............1997

Rest easy.

It’s Wingate.

Continental Breakfast Bar • Free Wireless and Wired Internet Access • Pool • Fitness Center • Whirlpool • Micro-Frig In Every Room • Meeting and Banquet Facilities • Business Center

Afternoon receptions Mon-Wed.

2735 Dawson Road, Albany • 229.883.9800 Reservations 800.228.1000 • Fax 229.883-9855

www.wingatehotels.com

Vision Source Albany Eye Care....1985 Vital Smiles Georgia P.C. .............2009 Water, Gas & Light Commission ..1975 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC ...........1975 Williams Transmission Service.....2009 Windham Builders ........................2010 Wingate Inn Hotel.........................1998 WJ Kirksey Construction, LLC .....2007 Woodall and Pflepsen ..................1997 Wright Turf Farms .........................2001 Yielding, Wakeford & McGee, Architects, PC ...........................2013 Zion Christian Fellowship Ministries International, Inc. ......................2002

November 2015

www.AlbanyGa.com | BUSINESS

29 31

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO If you consult the dictionary, the word “local” is an adjective. At the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, “local” is a state of mind, a priority, a cause.

Keeping more dollars in our home economy is why the chamber launched its successful “Think Local” campaign at the start of 2015. The campaign creates awareness about the benefits of doing business locally, promotes the products and services of member businesses and encourages consumers and businesses to make local buying decisions whenever possible.

The chamber often is the organization that helps connect the dots throughout the community. It’s also the organization that facilitates member business-to-business and businessto-consumer networking through its events and programs.

Bàrbara Rivera Holmes Interim President and CEO

Business Expo, the chamber’s signature annual event, provides businesses the opportunity – at one time and in one location – to market to each other and consumers, so that when either seeks a product or service, “thinking local” happens first. This year’s event surpassed the success of the 2014 event as well as the goals set for 2015. And already, slots for Business Expo 2016 are selling.

Business Expo clearly demonstrates a few key points – the need for continued awareness about the array and quality of products and services offered by local businesses; the desire from our members for effective networking opportunities; and that business engagement and participation in chamber programs and events strengthens the stability and sustainability of our local economy and community.

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to promote its member businesses through its programs and events, and will continue to embrace and enhance its role as the connecting dot throughout the Albany Area community.

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November 2015 | BUSINESS

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33

Better Business Bureau Urging Businesses To Get New EMV Chip Card Readers Article courtsey of the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau is urging all retail businesses to get new EMV chip card readers installed, if they haven't done so already.

Most countries - including Canada and Mexico - have required microchips in credit and debit cards for some time (80 countries so far, with 2.37 billion chip payment cards in use). The United States is catching up; by the end of 2015, 70 percent of credit cards and 40 percent of debit cards in the U.S. will have embedded security chips called EMV (for Europay, MasterCard and Visa). EMV cards will eventually replace magnetic stripe cards completely, and many banks and credit unions are already issuing EMV cards to current account holders.

The EMV cards allow consumers to use their cards globally, and they also help reduce card fraud and identity theft, and make in-store transactions more secure. The chip generates a unique, one-time code that is difficult to counterfeit but is needed for each transaction to be approved.

October 1, was an important deadline for American businesses; that's when a "liability shift" occured that moved the responsibility for covering losses to the business where a fraudulent charge occured. If a business does not have the new EMV reader, they are liable for the cost of any 34

November 2015 | BUSINESS

purchases made with a counterfeit card. In other words, the card issuer will no longer absorb the loss.

Businesses need to replace the old magnetic swipe machines as soon as possible. Most large retailers have already made the change, but many small and independent businesses have not. EMV readers run from under $25 for a basic device that plugs into a smart phone, up to about $300 for a countertop model with all the "bells and whistles."

They are available from major electronics retailers and online. A business' credit card processor may be able to provide additional information or recommendations.

Many consumers have already received new credit and debit cards with the EMV chips (it's the small metallic square). The only other noticeable change for consumers will be when they shop at retail stores with EMV technology; instead of "swiping" their card, consumers will "dip" the card into a slot in the terminal or, in some case, "tap" the card on a flat reader. It may take a few moments longer than the old swipe card, but the transaction will be more secure.

For more information, go to www.emv-connection.com (for business information) or www.gochipcard.com (for consumer information). www.AlbanyGa.com