GBACC NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2007

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner. -- English proverb

The next monthly membership meeting of the Greater Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, February 7th, 7:00 PM, at the Green Country Inn, 620 Souder Road. The speaker at this meeting will be Richard Bright of Bright Concepts Inc. Mr. Bright’s topic will be "“What You Need to Know - to Grow”". This talk will explore all the traditional components that go into a marketing plan as well as unique alternatives. Learn how to get the biggest bang for your marketing dollar and prepare to grow your business. The "“spotlight”"e; speaker will be Katherine Iacovelli of the Brunswick EDC. All new and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

The Business Card Exchange in February will be at C.A.F.E. This month’s exchange is hosted and sponsored by C.A.F.E, Coffee & Friends Exchange located in the Green Country Inn, 620 Souder Road in Brunswick, MD. There will be light refreshments and drawings for door prizes. This will be a special Business Card Exchange. C.A.F.E. is a gathering place for children and their caregivers. You are invited to bring your family with you to this Business Card Exchange. There is a play area for children. Come out, meet and get to know other business owners in the Greater Brunswick area. For more information call Jerry Knight 301-834-5774 or Carey Perkins at 301-693-6989.

Monthly membership meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Green Country Inn, 620 Souder Road, unless otherwise designated. The meeting will alternate between morning meetings and evening meetings.

All minutes to all meetings in January will be posted on the GBACC web site under Meeting Minutes. www.gbacc.net

GBACC NEWS:

On Wednesday, January 3, 2007 the first meeting for the New Year was also the first meeting with a scheduled speaker. Susan Grey of the Frederick County Library spoke to about twenty members on "Free Business Resources from the Library". It was a very informative meeting; you can read more about it in the January Business Meeting Minutes posted on the web page. Traci Giganti of Book Crossing was the "Spotlight" Speaker.

On Thursday, January 25, 2007 the first GBACC Awards Dinner was at the Hollow Creek Golf Club in Middletown, MD. Hollow Creek Golf Club is a member of GBACC. Ninety-three GBACC Members and their guests attended the dinner. Our thanks to Chris Spielman and the staff at CM Bloomers for the beautiful center pieces. Delegate Rick Weldon spoke to the guests about the type of person involved with GBACC. Rick Adams, President and CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, spoke on “Keeping the Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive”. Charlotte Klaar, 2006 GBACC Board Member, presented a gavel to GBACC President Ellis Burruss from the outgoing Interim Board. It was inscribed: Presented to the 2007 GBACC Board from the 2006 Interim GBACC Board. Awards were given to the following:

Awards were given for:

A Certificate of Appreciation was given to the Mt Airy Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Jerry Knight, GBACC Secretary, presented the award to Tim Barkley for their help in getting GBACC organized and started.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to theGreen Country Inn. Ellis Burriss presented the award to Debbie Allison, representing the Green County Inn, for hosting many GBACC events last year and helping the organization have a consistent meeting place for the board and members. Debbie was also presented with a framed print of the mural in Square Corner Park, with a plaque from GBACC. Sundance Art & Frame framed the print.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Charlotte Klaar, of College Consulting Services, a 2006 GBACC Board Member. Mary McCormack, GBACC Treasurer, gave Charlotte the award for appreciation for coordinating the writing of the Bylaws as Chair of the Organization Committee, getting the Membership Committee started as co-Chair, seeking out 2007 board nominees as Chair of the Nominating Committee, serving on the 2006 Interim Board of Directors and working to get the website up and running as the Technology Committee Chair.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Jeremy Biser, Altitude Home Inspections, Inc. GBACC Vice-President Dave Smith gave Jeremy the award for appreciation for serving on the Organization and Membership Committees and accepting Co-Chair position of the Membership Committee. He coordinated the Annual Membership drive that got 70 members in our first year (2006) and coordinated the Annual Dinner with support of the Membership Committee and Board.

Chris Spielman, GBACC Board Member, presented the Community Impact Award to Buddy Riser of WTRI Vegas Radio. The award was given to Buddy for being very supportive of and promoting many local charity and community events. He is involved in the EDC and partners regularly with Main Street and GBACC. He volunteers both his time and resources to make the greater Brunswick area a better place to live, work and visit. He is a role model of a good business citizen.

The award for Best Business Innovation was presented to Hanna Politis of Beans in the Belfry. Hanna accepted the award from GBACC Board Member Jeremy Biser. Jeremy told what one nominations stated, “This café turned a vacant church building into a fun and beautiful place for people to meet and dine” He went on to say "“Beans”" has also helped to attract people to the Brunswick area through extensive marketing and promotions beyond the city limits.

The Outstanding Service Award was awarded to CM Bloomers Florist & Gifts. Chris Spielman, owner, accepted the award from Mary McCormack. Mary told Chris "“Bloomers”" is a role model for customer service in the community; friendly and knowledgeable staff always smiling and willing to help; stands by quality flowers and gifts.

The 2006 Business of the Year Award was awarded to Book Crossing. Sherri Wright and Traci Giganti accepted the award from Dave Smith, GBACC Vice President. Dave told Sherri and Traci, Book Crossing has quickly become a destination point for shoppers throughout the area; outstanding selection of products and a staff always willing to find special requests. Book Crossing is an example of how a business can grow quickly and build an excellent reputation among customer in the greater Brunswick area through hard work, smart marketing and leadership in the community.

The 2006 Leadership Award was present to Jerry Knight of Cripple Creek Antiques by Ellis Burruss. Ellis said Jerry recognized a need to start an organization that would help bring businesses from throughout the greater Brunswick area together and help them all continue to grow and attract new customers, he was the driving force behind getting GBACC started, and he has continuously worked to keep all members informed about the progress of the organization and opportunities available to everyone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

Tracie Giganti– Book Crossing 02/04
Debbie Allison – Green Country Inn 02/20
Edie Sims – Antiques n’ Ole Stuff 02/01
Bryan Mattraw – Wood Fired Pottery 02/18
Cathy Gannon – Office Manager, Hollow Creek Golf Club 02/21
Anneliese D’Souza – D’Souza Financial Strategies 02/22

If your name is not mentioned in this column during your birth month please let me know so I can add it to our GBACC Birthday list.

NEWS AROUND TOWN:

Vegas Radio 1520 AM – WTRI. Listen to the “Buddy Rizer Morning Show”. Buddy hosts a show based on great music and shares important information for the local listening area. Buddy will make you feel good about starting your day.

Don’t forget to visit the newly reopened Emerald Garden Chinese Cook House (formerly the Pacific Café) at 12 South Maple in downtown Brunswick. It has been remodeled and the food is better than ever, just ask Sherri Wright at Book Crossing. They have take out and delivery so if you are tired and don’t feel like cooking give them a call at 301-834-3338.

GBACC Member Lloyd McIntire, 2006 GBACC Treasurer, had lung surgery and is still in the hospital but he is doing well and can walk around some with assistance. He should be home next week or the next one at the latest. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Catherine Tynan, owner of Phoebe’s Travel Trunk, was in a truck accident but fortunately escaped with minor injuries. We hope you will be back to your full of vigorous self soon, Cathie.

During our January Business meeting at the Brunswick Library I became more award of what the library has to offer. I always thought of the library as a place to just get a book or for children reading groups. I was quite surprised to see a great selection of movies and books on tapes. Any time I have to take a trip anywhere I always spend time tracking down some books on tapes to play while I drive and here was a fantastic selection for free. Needless to say I am a new member of the library and have already checked out some books and tapes. My point is, take a few minutes and see what our library has to offer, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Editor’s note: If you have any news about what is good around the area drop me a line and let me know and I will add it in this space

NEWS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP:

Vegas Radio 1520 AM – WTRI - GBACC Member Buddy Riser writes we're starting a new Broadway show in February with legendary Baltimore DJ Alan Field, it's called "It's Showtime" and will run every Sunday at 12noon. On Valentines Day, we're asking everyone to send in their requests and dedications via email, and we'll play them back all day on February 14th.

Bethany Lutheran Church – Donna Getzandanner GBACC representative for the Bethany Lutheran Church sends the following information: Bethany Lutheran Lenten Fair, Mardi Gras Dinner, Family Fun Lenten Fair is Sunday, February 18, at 6:00 p.m. Bethany Lutheran, downstairs Fellowship Hall on the corner of First and 'A', Brunswick. Call 301-834-8003 for more information.

Ash Wednesday Worships, 7:00 a.m. Prayer Service with Impostion of Ashes 7:30 p.m. Holy Communion Service with Imposition of Ashes

Bethany Lutheran Church, on the corner of First and 'A', Brunswick. Call 301-834-7372 for more information.

Trailside Outfitters – GBACC Member and owner of Trailside Outfitters, David Swope would like the GBACC Membership to know Pine Wood Derby Supplies are available at the shop. We have plenty of cars, decals, weights, trophies, ribbons, etc. for the event. For Paintballers & Airsoft enthusiasts - Huge paintball & airsoft sale on now! Winter Sale will be in full force in Feb with 50% off most winter items, sweaters, coats, etc.

HARPERS FERRY HOSTEL, a new member of GBACC - The Harpers Ferry Hostel, located on Sandy Hook Road in Maryland provides safe, economical overnight accommodations to travelers. It is part of Hostelling International-USA and is owned and run by the Potomac Area Council. Hostelling International-USA works to develop intercultural exchange and understanding through hostels and programs across the U.S.A. The Hostel is only open for group rental until March 15 when it reopens for the season to all. Camping and indoor bunk bed sleeping arrangements are available. The building can also be rented for day use as it has a big fully furnished kitchen and common room that can accommodate around 30 people. The Friends of the Harpers Ferry Hostel are volunteers who help support the hostel by giving time, energy and ideas to the hostel. Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Next meeting will be Feb. 7. To learn more about the hostel you can go to harpersferryhostel.org or to contact the hostel e-mail at harpersferryhostel@hotmail.com

KJM Marketing is other new member of GBACC. Jon Giganti, KJM owner, can get many kinds of advertising items for you. Jon has advertising mugs, beverage or wine glasses, window decals, badges/name tags and many more advertising items. Rather than deal with a company out of town give Jon a call and deal with someone local. Jon can be reached at 301-432-4421.