Author Archives: Easley Chamber of Commerce
February 2012 Powdersville Business Council Luncheon
From Left are Tammy Dankovick, BBB Vice President, and Martha Pettinato, BBB Business Develop Director
The Powdersville Business Council of the GreaterEasley Chamber of Commerceheld their monthly luncheon Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the Powdersville Library. The Better Business Bureau, based inGreenville, gave the program.
Tammy Dankovick, BBB Vice President, and Martha Pettinato, BBB Business Develop Director, gave the program. An overview of the BBB was given as were ways and advice to protect ourselves from identity thief. For further information contact the BBB at 242-5052 or visit their website www.upstatesc.bbb.org.
Mayor Larry Bagwell gives 2012 State of the City Address
Mayor Larry Bagwell givest he 2012 State of the City address
Over eighty (80) Chamber of Commerce members heard Mayor Larry Bagwell give the state of the city address on February 16 at DunBurks Premier Events. City department heads also gave overviews of their department operations. Mayor Bagwell stated that Easley was in good financial situation due to over $2 million in budget cutting since 2008 with city administrator Fox Simons management.
Mayor Bagwell also announced a new beautification initiative with the city partnering with businesses. “Spots of Pride” areas in grassy median and along banks of overpasses will be offered adopted by local business to landscape and beautify Easley. Eight sections will be the beginning with others to follow. First to adopt sections will be Peoples National Bank and the Junior Woman’s Club of Easley. Easley Combines Utilities will donate water and irrigation piping for the areas. Businesses interested in adopting sections are encouraged to contact city administrator Fox Simons.
Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce 2012 Ambassadors
February 2012 Business of the Month
Pictured in the center is owner George Patel along with his Management team and Greater Easley Chamber Members
The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors selected BEST WESTERN PLUS Piedmont Inn & Suites as Business of the Month for February. The award recognizes the hotel for excellence in the business industry. “We are proud of being named the recipient of this award,” says Sheila Penton, general manager. “The award represents our dedication to the hotel and the community.”
The hotel also received the Best Western International Chairman’s Award, the hotel chain’s highest honor for outstanding quality standards, for the second consecutive year. The Chairman’s Award recognizes Best Western hotels with a cleanliness and maintenance inspection score of 1,000 points out of a possible 1,000. Hotels must also meet Best Western’s requirements for design and high customer service scores to qualify for the award.
“Receiving both of these awards is a tremendous honor,” explains George Patel, owner of the BEST WESTERN PLUS Piedmont Inn & Suites. “This award demonstrates the hotel management’s commitment to providing quality accommodations for our guests. Our entire staff has worked hard to achieve this level of excellence.”
Located at 70 Kalyns Way, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Piedmont Inn & Suites features 60 rooms. The hotel also offers a pool, hot tub, convention facilities and fitness and business centers.
For reservations, call the hotel at 864-552-1420.
February 2012 Chamber Notes
Many Thanks to the Greenville News for Supplying our Chamber Notes
February 2012 Chamber Notes Now Online:
President’s Corner – February 2012
Visitor’s Center
Come into our office at 2001 E. Main Street and meet Jean Riggins and Mary Kay. They are the tourism coordinators for the Easley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. I am proud of the way these ladies present our city and our county to visitors. In 2011 we had 152 families that came into our office to learn where the attractions are in our area. Some came to determine if they would like to live here and some did as a result of our hospitality and information. We sometimes show the 4.5 minute video we made of “Tour Pickens County”. This highlights the things to do and places to go nearby. websites www.easleychamber.org and www.tourpickenscounty.com generate 350 unique visits per day online. In 2011, through some of these inquiries, we mailed 55 packets of local information to visitors and potential relocators.
The Chamber and Visitors Center is the only direct visitor contact that Easley has. We need to make certain that this is funded appropriately as we are value added for Easley.
C. Dan Joyner
We lost a fine gentleman and a friend of mine in January. C. Dan Joyner was a friend to business, schools, his church, hospital, and the chamber of commerce. He was the head cheerleader while at Furman University. He carried that role throughout his life as a cheerleader for the upstate of South Carolina. We will miss Dan Joyner’s enthusiasm and leadership in our area.
February 2012 Calendar of Events
Thursday, February 2 – 10:00 am Business of the Month, Best Western Plus, 71 Kalyn’s Way, Piedmont, 552-1420.
Tuesday, February 14 – 8:30 am Ambassadors Meeting
Wednesday, February 8 – 7:30 am – 9:00 am Excellence in Business Series held at Maximum Potential Training, 900 East Main Street, Suite BB, Easley. Continental breakfast served. Rob Wallace, Edward Jones will be speaking. $10.00 session
Thursday, February 16 – 11:45 am – 1:00 pm “State of the City” Annual Luncheon held at Dunburks Premier Events, 110 S. Pendleton Street, Easley. Mayor of Easley Larry Bagwell will be our speaker. $15 for members $18 for non-members. RSVP by 2/15 to 859-2693.
Saturday, February 18 – 6:00 PM 64th Annual Easley Chamber Awards Banquet & Gala with Michael Cogdill, WYFF. Tri-County Technical College Easley Campus. Black Tie suggested. Pre-pay $65 person. RSVP: 864-859-2693.
Tuesday, February 21 – 8:00 am Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, February 23 – Noon Powdersville Council Luncheon at Powdersville Library, Hwy 81. Vee Daniel, Better Business Bureau, will be our speaker. $15 for members $18 for non-members. RSVP by 2/23 to 859-2693.
January 2012 Powdersville Business Council Luncheon
Cassidy Durham, Miss Powdersville Teen, and Will Merritt
The Powdersville Business Council of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon meeting Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Powdersville Library. An enthusiastic and inspirational speaker, Will Merritt talked about his life on the Clemson football team and since then as a Powdersville businessman. Will told the group, “As a businessman, always sweat the small stuff”. He also talked about “association with the right people makes a difference” and “being prepared the right way matters”.
Next month’s Powdersville Business Council Luncheon will be held on February 23 at the Powdersville Library with speaker Vee Daniel of the BBB.
64th Annual Awards Banquet and Gala
Tri County Technology College – Easley
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Black tie is encouraged. There will be a cash bar and social hour beginning at 6:00 PM. The grand buffet will begin at 7:00 PM. Michael Cogdill of WYFF will be the Master of Ceremonies and speaker.
We are offering again this year sponsorships for members. Sponsorships will include your company’s name recognized on the table, in the program, in the Chamber News, on front page of www.easleychamber.org, on our Facebook page and announced at the Gala.