“Healthier Business” continued from pg. 77
Power 30 Speed Networking – These high-energy events are
January 22 - “Social Media for Non-Profits – Effective Tactics to Build Awareness, Share Your Story & Raise Support,” presented by Nicole Denton of Pyxl Inc.
limited to 30 Chamber members per session and are held quarterly. Everyone in attendance is guaranteed to meet 15 businesspeople and spend five minutes with each of them. It is a lot like speed dating – but for business. The event concludes with a reception where attendees are provided time to meet with those they didn’t get a chance to or circle back up with attendees they had a connection with. a.m. Exchanges and Business After Hours – These are traditional, unstructured networking events that provide a forum for businesspeople to either catch-up with existing contacts or make new ones. The Chamber traditionally hosts at least one of these events each month. Schmoozapalooza – The name says it all! The Chamber hosts two of these lively and casual networking events each year (September & March). The event averages over 500 attendees and provides businesses the option of showcasing products and services in the “Tabletop Expo.” “The members that take full advantage of the networking opportunities available to them throughout the year are the members who thoroughly realize the value of their Chamber membership,” said Fuller. “There is no substitute for getting to know someone face-to-face, building a relationship with that person, and receiving referrals because of it. The process might feel old-fashioned and requires patience, but it is a viable way to market your business.” Visit the Chamber’s online calendar of events to find a networking event to attend, grab a stack of business cards, and start relationship building to create some awareness about your product or service!
January 29 – “Social Savvy – Tips & Tricks for Valuable Online Interaction,” a panel discussion featuring social media gurus from Castleton Farms, Tupelo Honey, and AC Entertainment “Social media is a moving target and keeping up with trends is a full-time job,” commented the Chamber’s Vice President for Marketing and Events Lori Fuller. “We initiated the Social Media Series in 2010 to provide small business owners and marketing professionals with some insight into a complex yet important marketing tool. It is a popular series, so I think we have found a topic our membership is interested in learning more about on a yearly basis,” she continued. Learn more about each of the 2013 seminars and register for any (or all!) of the presentations by visiting the “Events and Programs” section of www. knoxvillechamber.com.
GET KNOWN UTILIZING IKNOWKNOXVILLE.COM The Chamber’s online business directory provides members the opportunity to market their businesses year-around. Launched in November 2010, the directory is search engine optimized and has logged over 160,000 page views between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. Chamber members at all membership tiers receive a promotional page on the website and page features are increased as the membership level increases. The most basic of pages provides the business name, contact information, and a 15-word brief business description. The most advanced pages include a dynamic visual representation of the business, including the ability to embed Google 360 tours, embed video, upload coupons, and much, much more. “Launching iKnowKnoxville.com was a key factor in us receiving the 2011 Chamber of the Year recognition because it is such a dynamic benefit for our members” remarked Field. “We continue to educate membership on the importance of taking advantage of this tool to market their business and we hope they will take time to evaluate their exposure on the website.” Visit iKnowKnoxville.com and explore how your business is being represented on the website (or see what your competitor is doing with their page). Contact the Chamber to learn more about iKnowKnoxville.com and how you can enhance your company’s exposure on the online directory!
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK While it is a misnomer that the Chamber is only a networking organization, providing opportunities for businesspeople to meet each other is something the Chamber does regularly and well. Even with the explosion of social media and online searches, the power of personal relationships is still relevant for most businesses and businesspeople and a great way to market your business. Networking can obviously occur at any Chamber event, but there are several that are programmed especially to promote relationship building.
B2B BULLSEYE – CHAMBER ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIPS The Chamber offers several opportunities outside of its benefits structure that provide marketing exposure to businesses looking to expand reach or create awareness. Businesses looking to target the 2,000 member companies that make up the region’s largest chamber of commerce have several options available to them. Options include online advertising on knoxvillechamber.com, iKnowKnoxville.com and the weekly email digest, print advertising in relocation packets and publications, or scrolling advertising on the plasma screen in the Chamber’s lobby. Members also have the ability to sponsor any of the 70+ events hosted by the Chamber. Benefits range from hosting networking events at your business to introducing coveted speakers such as the Governor in front of hundreds of businesspeople, and can be customized based on desired outcomes. “Chamber event sponsorships and advertising opportunities are cost-effective ways for businesses to target the businesspeople that represent the region’s most engaged companies. By associating a business’ brand with one of the oldest and most respected brands, the ‘chamber of commerce,’ a business can automatically enhance its stature and relevance within the local business community,” commented Director of Membership Development Michelle Kiely. Businesses interested in leveraging their Chamber membership to help gain exposure and create awareness within the Knoxville business community should contact Kiely by calling (865) 246-2617.
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