Features
-
Cancer Coalition Honoring Dr. Ronald Zaccari at March 24th Night for Hope Event
March 17, 2016
The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia will host its second annual Night for Hope fundraising gala on Thursday, March 24th, in the Valdosta State University Student Union Ballroom. The 2016 gala proudly honors local cancer survivor Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari. The elegant, formal celebration includes a plated dinner, live and silent auctions, and live musical entertainment.
-
Senator Isakson Tours Moody AFB and Visits with Chamber Representatives
March 10, 2016
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., led a Congressional Delegation to Moody Air Force Base (AFB) in Valdosta on Friday, March 4th. Senator Isakson was joined by Senator John Boozman, R-Ark., as well as top military legislative aides from the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services.
-
Georgia’s Aerospace Industry Reaching New Heights
March 08, 2016
The Centers of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is focused on helping industries and small businesses connect, compete, and grow globally. This is the first in a series of articles focused on the Georgia Department of Economic Development Centers of Innovation, which has six centers located throughout the state: Aerospace, Agribusiness, Energy Technology, Information Technology, Logistics, and Manufacturing.
-
Valdosta Chamber & Renasant Bank Host Inaugural Chamber Awards
March 04, 2016
The Chamber and Renasant Bank hosted an evening of elegance and success in the business community at the Inaugural Chamber Annual Awards Dinner last Thursday. Awards were presented to the best of the best in the Valdosta-Lowndes County business community.
-
Guardian Bank: The New Mortgages Rules and How They Impact You
February 29, 2016
In October 2015 a new set of mortgage guidelines for lenders went into effect. The intent of the reform is to prevent another housing bubble burst, but the overhaul of changes has left many lenders and borrowers puzzled and frustrated. That isn’t the case at Guardian Bank, a local Valdosta-Lowndes County community bank with an established reputation for stability and excellent customer service. Chief Executive Officer Parrish Clark explains why the Guardian Bank lending team is ready.
-
Funertia Offers Unplugged, Uncomplicated, and Unusual Activities for All Ages
February 26, 2016
David Schmidt is not sure when the idea came to him, but it has been swirling in his head for about a decade. Located at 1835-G Norman Drive, in Valdosta, Funertia is Schmidt’s dream to offer customers of all ages an opportunity to engage in competitive and interactive games (no electronics) in a family-friendly environment.
-
VSU Ranked for Exceptional Online Education in Georgia
February 24, 2016
Valdosta State University is one of the Best Online Schools in Georgia for 2015-2016, according to Accredited Schools Online.
-
Former Columbus Chamber President Mike Gaymon Pens Book "A View from the Backhoe"
February 22, 2016
It has been more than a year since Mike Gaymon retired from the Greater Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce where he was known as a bold and effective leader that helped transform the Columbus community. Gaymon traded in the boardrooms and business meetings for a backhoe and a quieter life in the country where he has spent time reflecting on his decades-long career as a Chamber executive. It was this new view from atop a backhoe that inspired his book, aptly tilted, A View from the Backhoe.
-
Chamber Government Affairs Council Advocating for Businesses
February 19, 2016
Advocating for businesses at the local, state, and national levels is a key priority of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Government Affairs Council develops its legislative agenda based on issues and concerns facing local businesses.
-
Valdosta Municipal Court Judge Vernita Bender Recognized by Judicial Council of Georgia
February 18, 2016
Valdosta Municipal Court Judge Vernita Lee Bender was recently featured by the Judicial Council of Georgia as one of the most influential African-American judges in Georgia.
-
10 Ideas for Improving Your Business Website
February 17, 2016
Your business website isn’t just a place for potential customers to learn about your business and potentially make purchases. It’s the face of your business, an arm of your online marketing plan, and so much more. For some tips on making your business website as great a tool as it can be, check out these tips from members of our small business community.
-
Chamber Awards Dinner Recognizes Businesses and Individuals for Outstanding Achievements
February 15, 2016
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce will host the 2016 Inaugural Chamber Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, at the Rainwater Conference Center. The evening begins with a social hour and cash bar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentations.
-
Southwest Georgia Shines During 28th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt
February 11, 2016
Albany and Southwest Georgia welcomed a record number of guests this week to the 28th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt. Nearly 30 site location consultants as well as recruitment and expansion prospects arrived in Southwest Georgia this week to learn about doing business in Georgia while enjoying the traditional quail hunting experience.
-
SGMC is Raising Awareness of Heart Disease
February 10, 2016
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year, according to the American Heart Association. February is American Heart Month, and South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) is raising awareness of heart disease with educational screening events throughout the month.
-
Should You Hire Overqualified Employees?
February 04, 2016
When hiring, have you ever thrown away a resume from a candidate who sounded far too overqualified? According to some new research, you may have made a big mistake. A study from the Journal of Applied Psychology followed job candidates who were hired for roles they were overqualified for, either by experience or education. Turns out, the overqualified employees performed better at their jobs than the average employee.
-
THBoyd Communications Wins the 2016 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition
February 03, 2016
For more than ten years, the Business Plan Competition has granted commendable entrepreneurs $10,000 in start-up capital and thousands of dollars’ worth of in-kind services from Chamber members. The Chamber and Southwest Georgia Bank are thrilled to announce 2016 winner, Thressea Boyd, of THBoyd Communications, LLC.
-
Valdosta 101 Provides Behind-the-Scenes View of Local Government
January 27, 2016
Valdostans and other local citizens who want an inside look at their city government are urged to sign up for the 7th annual Valdosta Government 101 Citizens Orientation, which takes place from April 4-May 16, 2016.
-
UGA SBDC at Valdosta State University Presents Digital Marketing Boot Camp
January 25, 2016
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Valdosta State University is helping businesses across the state learn the latest in Digital Marketing and will hold their state wide program, Digital Marketing Boot Camp, in Valdosta on Feb. 3rd.
-
UGA Law Students Gain Valuable Work Experience in the Atlanta Market
January 25, 2016
Students at the University of Georgia School of Law can now earn full-time professional experience in the Atlanta market while continuing to work toward a degree from the state’s flagship institution. The Georgia Law Atlanta campus is located at the Terry College of Business Executive Education Center, across from the Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead.
-
City Approves New $12 Million Investment in Downtown Valdosta
January 22, 2016
The Valdosta Mayor and City Council approved the sale of downtown property to the Central Valdosta Development Authority (CVDA) at their Jan. 21 council meeting to make way for a $12 million hotel project that is expected to spur growth in downtown Valdosta and encourage future economic development in the heart of the city.
-
Chamber’s 10th Annual Business Outlook Breakfast Announced for February 11th
January 20, 2016
Southeastern Credit Union will host the Chamber’s 10th Annual Business Outlook Breakfast on Thurs., Feb. 11, 7:30–9 a.m. at Rainwater Conference Center.
-
Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Eggs and Issues Breakfast” Draws Over 2,000 Business Leaders to World Congress Center
January 14, 2016
An agenda featuring Georgia’s senior government officials—U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Dennis Ralston—drew over 2,000 business and community leaders to the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Eggs and Issues Breakfast on Tuesday.
-
SGMC Continues to Expand Use of Surgical Robotics Systems
January 13, 2016
The use of robotic-assisted surgery is becoming more commonplace as physicians and surgical patients are discovering benefits that include shorter hospital stays, less scarring, and faster recovery time. South Georgia Medical Center introduced the da Vinci Surgical System in 2010. The da Vinci System is a robotic-assisted procedure that provides state-of-the-art minimally invasive options for a variety of surgeries including hysterectomies, endometriosis, pelvic pain, ovary removal, and hernia repairs.
-
City Partnership Provides More Access to Job Search Resources
January 07, 2016
The City of Valdosta’s Neighborhood Development Division is partnering with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc. to expand community access to job training and connections services through a series of workshops and a new Job Connections Kiosk in the City’s Customer Service Center.
-
Cancer Coalition to Honor Dr. Ron Zaccari for Second Annual Night for Hope Gala
January 04, 2016
The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia will host its second annual Night for Hope fundraising gala on Saturday, March 5th in the Valdosta State University Student Union Ballroom. The 2016 gala proudly honors local cancer survivor Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari. The elegant, formal celebration includes a plated dinner, live and silent auctions, and live musical entertainment.