January 2015 Features

  • Chamber Celebrates Success, Leadership at Annual Membership Meeting

    January 30, 2015

    The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber hosted its 103rd Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Rainwater Conference Center. There were more than 350 in attendance for the event, which celebrated the chamber’s successes in 2014, highlighted 2015 goals, and honored chamber members and community leaders.

  • Several Williams Investment Co. Hotels Awarded 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

    January 29, 2015

    Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center Valdosta, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Valdosta, Comfort Suites Valdosta, Days Inn Adel, Comfort Inn & Suites Tifton, and Country Inn & Suites Tifton - all part of the Williams Investment Company, received the 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award.

  • "The Amazon Way" Author to Speak at 2015 Georgia Technology Summit

    January 28, 2015

    The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) today announced that John Rossman, author of The Amazon Way: 14 Leadership Principles of the World’s Most Disruptive Company, will be among the keynote speakers at this year's 2015 Georgia Technology Summit(GTS) on March 25th.

  • Chris Clark Discusses The Georgia Chamber's 2015 Initiatives, 100th Anniversary

    January 27, 2015

    2015 marks the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s centennial year. Lucy Adams, Senior Editor, spoke with Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Chris Clark, about the Chamber’s plans to expand Georgia2Georgia, remain active in the political sphere, promote leadership in Georgia’s communities and commemorate its 100 year milestone.

  • Wiregrass Awarded National Marketing Awards

    January 26, 2015

    Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s Office of Marketing and Public Relations has been awarded five Gold National Medallion Awards for Marketing by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

  • How to Craft an Employee Feedback Survey (to Get Useful Answers)

    January 22, 2015

    Employee satisfaction surveys are important for keeping your team happy and productive. In general, you should run an employee feedback survey at least once per year to find out how happy your employees are and what they might change about your workplace culture.

  • Franchise Businesses Continue Rapid Growth Despite Concerns

    January 20, 2015

    Franchise businesses are growing at a rate faster than any other sector of the economy. And they’re creating jobs at a faster clip, too. For the fifth consecutive year, 2015 is expected to see another big expansion, according to projections from the International Franchise Association.

  • The Bush Wealth Advantage: Four Steps to a Simpler Financial Life

    January 19, 2015

    For many Americans, financial life seems to be getting more and more complicated. Perhaps that's because more workers bear responsibility for their own retirement savings thanks to the proliferation of 401(k) and other plans. Or maybe it's because there's so much information and so many investment choices to sort through. Whatever the case, Stacy Bush offers some suggestions that may help to simplify your financial life.

  • City of Valdosta Offers 6th Annual Government 101 for Citizens

    January 16, 2015

    Valdostans and other local citizens who want an inside look at their city government are urged to sign up for the 6th annual Valdosta Government 101 Citizens Orientation, which begins April 6th. The program, an initiative of the Valdosta Mayor and City Council, also includes the participation of up to five high school seniors who have a parent or legal guardian also enrolled in the program. Applications are being accepted by the City of Valdosta through March 20th.

  • Wiregrass to Host Gathering of Eagles, a Leadership Symposium

    January 15, 2015

    The annual Wiregrass Gathering of Eagles Business and Leadership Symposium is back. This year’s theme is “Speaking the Language.” The college is teaming up with gold sponsor First State Bank to bring you an outstanding day of learning. The event’s committee members recruited keynote speaker Patti Wood, MA, CSP. Patti has shared her energy, humor and savvy with Fortune 500 and Association audiences for 25 years.

  • Georgia Chamber “Eggs & Issues” - Education, Transportation Initiatives Key to Georgia Maintaining Competitive Edge, Top Business Ranking

    January 14, 2015

    The state’s top three executives--Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston--stayed on message and virtually read from the same page at the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Eggs and Issues Breakfast” held yesterday at the Georgia World Congress Center. An attendance of nearly 2,000 executives, business owners, elected officials and Chamber of Commerce members celebrated the organization’s 100th anniversary while warmly welcoming the pro-business remarks of the state’s leadership.

  • Family-Owned Art and Soul Lands in Downtown Valdosta

    January 13, 2015

    Moving downtown in July marked a turning point for family-owned Art and Soul, a furniture, art and design store that offers original, local and often repurposed artwork. The business opened in September 2013 in warehouse space but then 10 months later, moved into a 114-year-old building on Central Avenue purchased by the owners.

  • SGRC Receives 2014 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award

    January 12, 2015

    The Southern Georgia Regional Commission in Valdosta, Georgia has been awarded a 2014 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for their Southern Georgia Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Implementation.

  • Don’t Expect To Sell Your Business To Fund That Golden Retirement

    January 09, 2015

    Business owners who are expecting to sell their companies to fund their golden retirement years may be in for a surprise. They simply may not be able to sell their businesses when they want to, or get the amount they want from the sales.

  • Georgia’s Global Gateway Staged to Grow in 2015

    January 08, 2015

    Curtis Foltz, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority, looks forward to another year of record growth in 2015, which is slated to ring in with the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and a continued focus on efficiency.

  • Cancer Coalition to Honor James McGahee, for Inaugural Annual Night for Hope Gala

    January 07, 2015

    The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia is preparing to host its Night for Hope fundraising gala on Saturday, February 7th. The 2015 Valdosta Night for Hope honoree is Mr, James McGahee, a longtime advocate for the community.

  • Stan Crance Joins Team at Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority

    January 06, 2015

    The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority (VLCDA) is proud to welcome Stan Crance to the team as the Existing Industry Coordinator. Stan is a young, visionary leader with a progressive career spanning many levels of business, management and development.

  • Bird Supper 2015 Tickets on Sale Now

    January 05, 2015

    Tickets are on sale for the 2015 Bird Supper, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at the historic Georgia Railroad Depot. The traditional event, sponsored by the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners and the City of Valdosta, brings together hundreds of state officials and local business, professional and government personnel for a dinner of quail and important conversations.