Tag Archive for: @hendersonvancecountychamberofcommerce

TownTalk: ‘An Evening Beneath the Stars’ Sept. 11

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“An Evening Beneath the Stars,” the upcoming outdoor celebration in downtown Henderson, started out as an event to mark the nation’s 250th birthday and it’s truly living up to its theme: “Honor the past. Celebrate the present. Build the future.”

The event includes dinner, patriotic music played by DJ Jay Rogers and a special video presentation that will incorporate the nation’s history along with a tribute to veterans and first responders, said Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson.

Tickets for the Sept. 11 event are $100 each and are on sale now, but don’t delay – the deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Sept. 1. Call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 to purchase tickets or email Tanya Wilson at tanya@hendersonvance.org.

A joint collaboration of the local Chamber of Commerce, Vance County Tourism, Vance County Economic Development Commission and the City of Henderson Downtown Development Commission, “An Evening Beneath the Stars” is being planned for the Breckenridge Street area between McGregor Hall and the Henderson Police Department.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the American Legion Post 60 mission to further enhance the newly installed veterans’ memorial located in the traffic circle just outside the police department entrance.

In information from the Chamber publicizing the event, organizers described it as “a breathtaking evening of patriotism, remembrance, and community as we celebrate 250 years of the American spirit. We will gather to honor our nation’s history, reflect on its resilience, and invest in its future. This unforgettable evening will feature live entertainment, inspiring tributes, fine dining, and moments of remembrance that unite us all.”

Wilkerson and Vance County Tourism’s Pam Hester were guests on Monday’s TownTalk to discuss how the event took shape and the plan for making it an annual event.

Collaboration is a key ingredient for the success of any event, Hester said. It’s important to show the community that different agencies and groups are working together for a common goal.

“The only way to make things successful is to come together as a group,” Hester said. “Everybody does a part. Some people like to be up front and some people like to be in the back. I’m one of those “in the back” people,” she said. “I like to be behind the scenes.”

For Wilkerson, it was a no-brainer to seek partnerships with the city and county agencies.

When the four groups came together to start the planning, the Sept. 11 date bubbled up. And that’s when they realized that this year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The veterans’ memorial, newly installed on Breckenridge Street, became the perfect backdrop for the dinner, she added.

“It’s going to be a very memorable event,” Wilkerson said.

The goal is to make this an annual event that folks want to come back for.

And that’s where the third prong of the theme comes in: Build the Future.

Hester said she expects the monument to draw visitors – veterans and others – to the area. It’s another attraction for downtown Henderson, which gives folks another chance to experience how caring the people are and how wonderful the city is.

“We all have to have that that positive outlook and go from there,” Hester said.

 

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Local Chamber Seeks Sponsors For ‘Shop With A Cop And Friends’

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Shop With a Cop and Friends” is getting underway and it’s time for area businesses to help make the event another success by signing up to be an event sponsor.

The goal is to provide local law enforcement at least $7,000 to go on their annual Christmas shopping spree with disadvantaged youth in the community.

The Chamber is partnering once again with the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office for 2024.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson said a celebratory social is being planned to officially kick off the Shop With a Cop program and she hopes all sponsors will be present. Details will be forthcoming.

WW Properties is this year’s Presenting Sponsor, at the $3,000 level, which includes:

  • Company name on ticket board, company name on tickets, Company recognized on social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing event, recognition in Chamber publications, recognition on news media outlets and social media and 10 tickets to Celebratory Social.

Other sponsorship opportunities are:

Gold Sponsor – $1,000

  • Company name on ticket board, Company recognition on social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing event, recognition in Chamber publications, and 5 tickets to Celebratory Social.

Silver Sponsor – $750

  • Company name on ticket board, Company recognition on social media live kickoff event and raffle drawing event and 3 tickets to Celebratory Social.

Bronze Sponsor- $500

  • Company name on ticket board and ticket and 2 tickets to Celebratory Social.

To learn more, contact the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce at 252.438.8414.

SaddleRock Farm Hosts “Henderson Spectacular” For Community On April 27

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The folks at SaddleRock Farm are gearing up for the “Henderson Spectacular” on Saturday, Apr. 27, when the property will be open to the public for a host of activities and fun for the whole family.

Farm owner Larry Johnson and his granddaughter-in-law Emily Parker are weaving in a religious theme into all the activities that will be taking place on Saturday, Apr. 27.

The event is taking place just a few weeks after Easter and they want to spread the word, especially about The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Gates open at 11 a.m. and the fun continues until 3 p.m. Come early, Johnson advised, so you’ll have a chance to enjoy all the activities that are in store.

“I’m blessed to be a part of it…I’m glad to have it at the farm – it’s special,” Parker said in a recent interview with WIZS.

“Our farm furnishes the location,” Johnson said, and New Sandy Creek Baptist Church is a primary sponsor for this year’s “Spectacular,” which will feature horse rides and hayrides, inflatables for the kids to play on, puppet shows and much more.

Then there’s the food – think carnival food like popcorn, sno-cones and drinks to go along with all the outdoor fun – “all for zero cost,” Johnson added.

The farm is a for-profit endeavor, providing riding lessons, field trips and birthday parties throughout the year. But it’s important to Johnson to give back to the community, and hosting the event is his way of going that.

“When I bought that farm, I didn’t buy it for the public, I bought it for my family. Not too long after that, God spoke to my heart and said he had provided that farm…not just for my family but for other people. So when we opened in April 2010, we had a pretty big dedication service and we dedicated that farm to the Lord and his work. We do have to make a living – the farm does have to support itself, but it is dedicated to the Lord and every opportunity we have to provide any service that people can learn more about the Lord, we do that.”

SaddleRock Farm is located at 1786 Weldon’s Mill Rd., Henderson.

Weekend Holiday Events To Add To The Calendar

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Amid the holiday hustling and bustling, there are numerous opportunities to share fun – and free – activities with family and friends in the Henderson area between now and Christmas. The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of events and programs happening over the next week or so that can be a welcome respite from crowded shopping areas and stressful schedules.

 

Friday, Dec. 16 – through Christmas 

  • Stop by the lobby between McGregor Hall and Perry Memorial Library to see the Christmas tree display, decorated by downtown businesses for the community to enjoy.
  • Find the photo backdrops and booths around downtown Henderson to snap a fun family photo – or selfie! – to create a new holiday memory.

 

Saturday, Dec. 17

  • 2 p.m. – informational meeting of the teen entrepreneur club. Register at http://bit.ly/VanceTeenEntrepreneur.com or call Wykia Macon at 252.438.8188.
  • 7:30 p.m. – Get an infusion of the holiday spirit at a free concert by Northeast Piedmont Chorale, McGregor Hall.
  • Concerts not your thing? Then head down to Movie Night@Sadie’s. $15 gets you a spaghetti dinner, popcorn, drinks and the movies “Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Bad Santa.” RSVP to 252.572.2542.

 

Attention Ladies! Register Now for Next WOVEN Lunch & Learn Session

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-Information and flyer courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Attention Ladies!  It’s time to purchase your tickets for the next WOVEN lunch and learn session to be held April 16, 2019, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Kerr Lake Country Club in Henderson. It’s a great opportunity to network, have lunch and listen to a presentation by Holly Nix, L.M.B.T. Massage Therapist regarding “The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy.”

Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance. Call the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Office at 252-438-8414 or email sandra@hendersonvance.org.

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H-V Chamber Experiencing Challenging Time, Staff ‘Keeping the Ship Right’

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is currently experiencing a challenging time in its long history of serving the local business community.

In addition to recent news that John Barnes resigned from his position as president effective February 19, the Chamber is set to lose all funding for their Work First program effective July 1, 2019. This includes funding for the position of their Work First coordinator, a role currently filled by Vanessa Jones.

Chamber Chair Nancy Wykle, told WIZS News, “Vanessa Jones’ position was funded through the Work First Program. DSS (Department of Social Services) administered the funding for that, and they had a contract with the Chamber to administer the program.”

According to the Vance County DSS Work First website, the program was created to assist participants in becoming self-sufficient by securing and maintaining employment. Participants receive monthly cash assistance for themselves and their children by signing and adhering to a detailed plan that outlines their goals for becoming self-sufficient.

To qualify, participants are required to be involved in work-related activities for 20-55 hours per week depending on the age of the youngest child and if the family is a two-parent household.

Benefits can be received for up to 24 months if participants remain in compliance; families reaching that limit cannot reapply for welfare for three years.

In 2018, DSS informed Barnes they were pulling the contract with the Chamber saying, according to Wykle, that “we need to rethink how these dollars are being spent.”

Part of their need to reconsider the Chamber’s Work First dollars, according to DSS, included the increased need for foster care funding as a result of the opioid crisis.

At that time, Barnes reduced the blow the Chamber received by negotiating for the Work First money to only drop by 50 percent in the 2018-2019 fiscal year budget. That budget year ends, along with the Chamber’s DSS Work First grant, on June 30.

Wykle said the DSS Work First grant being cut by half and then dropping to zero hurts. “Coupled with losing some sponsorship or folks just choosing to spend their dollars another way, that has made for an interesting financial picture, and we know what we’ve got to do to make up the difference.”

She said, “The staff is really focused on what they need to do, and what they want to do. We are really lucky that we have the staff we have in place because I can’t imagine a more capable group of people keeping the ship right.”

In a press release issued Friday, February 22, the Chamber stated that an interim will be appointed while the organization searches for the next president.

“The chamber board is actively engaged in the process of naming an interim president and will be providing any support the staff needs to ensure that all member services will continue without interruption,” said Wykle.

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Reminder: ’15 Under 40′ Reception to Honor Vance County’s Emerging Leaders

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-Information courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce will host a “15 Under 40” reception at the Henderson County Club on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, from 6 – 8 p.m. This reception honors Vance County’s recently nominated emerging leaders age 40 or younger.

Recipients include Nathan Baskerville, Bert Beard, Joel Beckham, Kristen Boyd, Amanda Walker Ellis, Trevei Foreman, Cara Boyd Gill, Turner Pride, Carice Sanchez, Eric Sanchez, Tremanisha Taylor, Josh Towne, Kendrick Vann, Jessica West and Daniel White.

This event is made possible by a partnership between The Daily Dispatch, Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, Henderson Optimist Club, Henderson Kiwanis Club and Henderson Rotary Club.

 

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H-V Chamber Members Encouraged to Host Business After Hours

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-Information courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

If you are interested in hosting a Business After Hours, please contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. Business After Hours is a great opportunity to showcase your business.

What is a Business-After-Hours?

Business-After-Hours (BAH) is a social/networking function arranged by the Henderson Vance Chamber of Commerce, by and for HVCC member companies.

Purpose

It provides an outstanding evening of fun, food and fellowship between Chamber members and their guests. With a chance to network, make new friends, and meet potential customers, hosting a BAH is a unique opportunity to showcase your business. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce your particular products and/or services to fellow chamber members.

One of the obvious benefits of hosting a BAH is name exposure. Your event will be listed in a variety of places including Focus newsletter, HVCC website, Facebook page, reminders and in our weekly email (through fax, learn more at gmailfaxhelp.com) to our Chamber membership. After the event is over we will include a sponsor photo in the Chamber’s Focus newsletter and all of the photos from the evening will be posted in an album on our Facebook page. You may submit a short article to be included with the photos.

Another notable benefit of being a sponsor is that we will give to you all of the attendee business cards that we collect at the event! Attendance is free to members and prospective members who are in the Chamber database.

Call the Chamber Office to schedule a date

This will ensure an “official” date on the HVCC calendar. Office staff maintains the Chamber calendar, and will help you decide a date that is non-conflicting, and would be optimum for both your business and Chamber members. The BAH is usually held on Monday through Thursdays, 5:15-7 p.m.

Decide the type of After Hours that you would like to sponsor

It can be a simple affair or elaborate depending on your preferences. Some considerations include: An open house with sandwiches and/or appetizers and beverages? Do you want to have the food catered (easier for you, but more expensive)? There are Chamber businesses in the food industry that would be glad to assist you.

RSVP List

The Chamber takes the RSVP’s and can give you an approximate head count two days prior to the event.

Make your After Hours “inviting”!

Themed events are festive and attractive to Chamber members. The possibilities are endless! Most of all – have fun and if you need any assistance, call the Chamber office.

Entertainment

Entertainment is welcome but not necessary.

Door Prizes

Door prizes are also attractions to the BAH. Most local businesses will provide you with door prizes for the BAH recognition at the event if you ask them ahead of time. Or, you can provide goods and/ or services from your business.

Set Up

You will need to have your space ready by 5 p.m the day of the BAH. Please provide a table and two chairs for registration and name tags at the entrance of your business. Chamber staff and/or ambassadors will register guests here and pass out name tags.

Program

Just after the event has started, Chamber President, John Barnes, will welcome the BAH attendees, thank you as the host and your company. He will also make any Chamber related announcements and then turn the floor over to your spokesperson for a sponsor address. Once announcements are finished, door prizes will be given out.

Weather Contingencies

If you are holding an outside BAH, you should have a rain plan in place and notify the Chamber of your rain plan so we can properly inform the membership.

Questions

We are here to help and want to see you succeed in business and become a viable asset to the Henderson-Vance County business community! If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the Chamber office at 252-438-8414; Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Administration and Events sandra@hendersonvance.org; Jay Andrews, Director of Membership jay@hendersonvance.org; John Barnes, President john@hendersonvance.org

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