KINGSPORT CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE The annual Kingsport Chamber Golf Scramble is the second biggest fundraiser for the Chamber, and after twenty-two years, it is an ever-popular event. The event has grown over the years that two tee times are now played making it an entire day of golf. Players and teams are treated to breakfast, lunch, and dinner by local caterers and restaurants and are given fantastic prizes throughout the day. Funds raised from the event benefit the Kingsport Chamber and its Keep Kingsport Beautiful and Leadership Kingsport programs.
For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.kingsportchamber.org.
KOSBE AWARDS In 2004, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and City of Kingsport jointly formed the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization, to specifically nurture, counsel and encourage the continued robust growth and development of startups and existing small businesses in Kingsport, Tennessee.
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The Kingsport Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization composed of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.
KOSBE’s intent is to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their business, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. Each Year the non profit holds an award ceremony for those small businesses around the community. Awards include categories such as Veteran Owned, Woman Owned, New Business, Steady Performer, Small Manufacturer, Home Based, and Impact Award. There are many other awards given as well. To learn more about KOSBE, please visit www.kosbe.org.
OKTOBERFEST Kingsport Oktoberfest is a one day family festival in the heart of Downtown Kingsport. Thanks to the fabulous sponsors, the admission is free to the celebration of Bavarian heritage. The Kingsport Oktoberfest began in 2011 and has grown in popularity to over 16,000 attendees last year. Ranked “Top 50 Festival” by Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine in 2012 and 2013, the festival includes a kidzone, craft tables, craft artisian market and of course crowd pleasing wiener dogs and craft beer. From Gatlinburg’s German heritage to the original settlers in the Tri-Cities, German heritage plays an important role in the Appalachian Mountains. The Kingsport Oktoberfest embraces our German influences by having Oktoberfest, a celebration of German heritage and fun for everyone.
PIE WARS Pie Wars has become a legendary event in our region the past four years. Taking place in downtown Johnson City, every year the creative fundraiser continues to grow. Pizza connoisseurs came out and donated some of their hard earned ‘dough’ to support CASA of Northeast Tennessee. The name of the game is to serve the best pie in the Tri-Cities. Atendees get to try and judge from multiple types of pizza from unnamed sources. Then at the end of the night when all the judges are finished voting, a Pie Wars Champion is crowned. CASA NETN is a nonprofit, community based, volunteer service organization. They work hand in hand with the juvenile courts in Johnson City, Washington, Greene, and Unicoi Counties. What this actually means is caring, dedicated volunteers acting on behalf of abused and neglected children who must depend on the juvenile courts to ensure that they will have a safe, stable, and caring home. Pie Wars is one of the many great fundraisers that benefit CASA. JUNE 2014 | VIPSEEN | 81