October 2009

Public Safety Appreciation Week

   Be sure to let a firefighter, police officer, EMT or other public safety official know how much you appreciate them this week during a weeklong community effort Oct. 4 -10 sponsored by the Cobb Chamber. Cobb County businesses, civic groups, places of worship and schools are encouraged to participate in Public Safety Appreciation Week. Posters signifying the week are available at the Cobb Chamber for organizations to display. Businesses also can participate by displaying a public safety appreciation message on their sign or marquee. Businesses personally can thank public safety personnel by delivering a basket of store-bought food to their local precinct or fire station or writing a thank you note. The Chamber also has a list of public safety resources and programs, such as fire extinguisher classes and disaster planning, available for use in the business community and schools.
   Click here to view photos from the event.
   For more information on how your business can get involved or to receive a list of available public safety resources, contact Megan Stambaugh at 770-859-2336 or mstambaugh@cobbchamber.org.
   (upper right) Sergeant Clifton Halten of Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) was presented the 2009 Public Safety Employee of the Year award by Public Safety Committee Chairman Colonel Milton Beck (left) and Former Professional Athlete and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker (right) at the Public Safety Appreication Week kick-off on Oct. 5.

Are you ready for the Biggest Competition of the Year?
Chamber Chargers vs. Government Gorillas Annual Softball Game

   Come find out who will be this year’s champion at the 34th annual Chamber Chargers vs. Government Gorillas Softball Game on Wednesday, October 14 at Tolleson Park in Smyrna.
   The game begins at 5 p.m. Watch our elected officials (Government Gorillas) as they battle the Cobb Chamber board members (Chamber Chargers) in one of the most competitive events of the year. All Chamber members are invited to be spectators and cheer on your favorite players and team and enjoy raffle prizes, free drinks and Williamson Bros. BBQ after the game. The game is sponsored by Georgia Power Company. Online registration closes on Oct. 12 at Noon.
   To R.S.V.P., go to www.cobbchamber.org. For more information, contact Alexis Taylor at 770-859-2320 or ataylor@cobbchamber.org.
   Right: Chamber Chargers Coach Rob Garcia and Government Gorillas Coach Judge Ken Nix hand out awards during the 2008 Softball Banquet Ceremony.

Do you have a Passion? Passion Driven Life premieres this month

   The Cobb Chamber has teamed up with the Passion Driven Life to present This is Your Life, Live it with Passion which premiers Oct.10-11 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Passion Driven Life is a leading-edge consumer lifestyle event geared at helping support Atlanta’s struggling business community and will feature more than 100 exhibitors.
   Expected to attract more than 7,000 consumers, attendees will enjoy gourmet cooking and demonstrations, live music, inspirational speaking from experts, educational seminars and more. The event will focus on health, wellness, beauty, travel, leisure home, automotive, garden, fine arts, personal finance and more.
   Ticket prices for adults are $15 per day and free for children under 12.
   For more information about Passion Driven Life, visit www.passiondrivenlife.com, email info@passiondrivenlife.com or call 404-816-5594.

Have you checked out the Cobb Chamber Newsroom?

    The Cobb Chamber Newsroom is the place for members to easily find information about the Cobb Chamber, the county’s economic development activities, small business issues, the Cobb community and additional resources.
    The Chamber Newsroom, located on the homepage of the Chamber’s Web site, features links to the Chamber’s Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages, award-winning Cobb in Focus magazine, DIRECT newsletter, press releases, Chamber E-Newsletter, Cobb County’s CobbLine E-Newsletter and much, much more.
    The Newsroom also features Chamber INK, the official Cobb Chamber blog. Chamber INK is a place to stay up to date on important business issues and information on the Cobb Chamber and Cobb community. Chamber INK also offers Chamber members the chance to post their business news and updates for other Chamber members, community residents and business leaders to see.
    Click here to check out the Chamber’s Newsroom.

Cobb Chamber Celebrates Education in Cobb County

   The Cobb Chamber is proud to be celebrating 21 years of Give Our Schools a Hand (GOSH). GOSH is an annual celebration that honors more than 130 Teachers of the Year from Cobb County, Marietta City, and post-secondary education systems. This salute to public education is one of the largest in the nation. The purpose of GOSH is not only to show appreciation for teachers in the community, but also to encourage area businesses, parents, and civic groups to take an active role in enhancing the quality of education.
Events this year include:
Handprint Unveiling Ceremony:
    The Cobb County and Marietta City District Teachers of the Year placed their handprints in the Teacher Walk of Honor on the Marietta Square on Oct. 7. Make sure to stop by the square and look at the hands of this year's finest teachers.
Teacher of the Year Celebration Breakfast:
    All Teachers of the Year, their guests, and principals are invited to the Teacher of the Year Breakfast at Roswell Street Baptist Church on Oct. 27. The doors will open at 8:30 a.m., the program starts at 9 a.m. Reservations are required. Seats are limited.
Teacher of the Year Pep Rally:
   All Teachers of the Year will be honored at the annual Pep Rally at Roswell Street Baptist Church. The public is invited to attend the Pep Rally on at 11 a.m. on Oct. 27.
      For more information on Give Our Schools a Hand or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Katie Henderson at 770-859-2360 or khenderson@cobbchamber.org.

Join us for Business-After-Hours at Social Vinings in October

     Come join us at the next Business-After-Hours on Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Social Vinings. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks and networking with fellow chamber members. The Chamber’s Business-After-Hours events are a great opportunity for business people to connect in a casual environment.
    Members: Free online; $20 at door. Non-Members: $20 online; $30 at the door. Online Registration closes on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Noon. Click here to register now.

Thank you to CIF Sponsors for September/October 2009

Cobb Chamber of Commerce is Ready to Help Flood Victims

    The Cobb Chamber of Commerce offers its heart-felt concern to those impacted by the massive flooding throughout the area.
    Business owners across Cobb are waiting to see if their companies, along with their homes, are damaged or in worse case scenarios, a total loss. But the Cobb Chamber of Commerce is not waiting to offer assistance; we are ready now.
    The Cobb Chamber is leading efforts to help businesses recover quickly in targeted areas. The Chamber is positioned to recommend its membership base and local relief organizations to provide assistance to businesses that were impacted by the flooding. This will help provide reassurance to flood victims that these businesses are qualified and in good standing.
    “A natural disaster impacts the entire community but it can be doubly devastating to business owners who are dealing with personal and business losses,” says Chamber Chairwoman Dr. Lisa Rossbacher. “We want to help get these businesses back on their feet. The sooner they recover, the sooner the community as a whole recovers.”
    Click here for a list of resources.

Member Spotlight

    Sparkles Family Fun Centers, located in Kennesaw and Hiram, have been providing clean, friendly and safe fun to Cobb and Paulding families for 50 years. In addition to roller skating, Sparkles offers laser tag, an indoor playground and an arcade. Sparkles is the perfect place for your next birthday party, team building event, corporate family party, church group or sports team party. Available for both public sessions and private rentals. For more information on Sparkles, visit www.sparklesrollerrinks.com.