September 2015
UNITED KINGDOM TOUR OPERATORS VISIT MONTGOMERY
The Chamber hosted a group of 14 tour operators based in the United Kingdom, who are evaluating destinations in the United States.
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION
The Chamber’s 13-week Entrepreneurial University is under way at the Business Resource Center on S. Court St. The session, which ends Nov. 17, is for people looking to start a business or grow an existing business.
Topics include financial planning, cash flow, marketing, budgets and legal matters. Tuition is $200, which includes class materials.
WOMEN AND INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Conversations: Roundtables for Professional Women introduced a new format at a recent gathering, with a brief talk about finances and investing for people in their 20s to their 70s. Casey Donovan, regional representative for John Hancock Investments, spoke to the group.
The more structured program, as opposed to ice breakers, at the networking event could lead to similar discussions in future gatherings, according to Sheron Rose, Vice President, Community Strategies for the Montgomery Chamber.
SPREADING THE MESSAGE
The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce turned to local ministers to help spread the word about workforce development to their congregations.
About 30 attended the first in a series of meetings in which ministers learned about workforce development programs at Montgomery Public Schools, Trenholm State Community College and Alabama Industrial Development Training, which is part of the Alabama Commerce Department. Dual enrollment for high school students and the Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center were also discussed.
The ministers were encouraged to talk to their congregations about all the opportunities of helping people acquire the skills for a job and keeping that job. Offering words of encouragement were Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton N. Dean Sr., City of Montgomery Chief of Staff Anita Archie; AIDT Director Ed Castile; Trenholm President Sam Munnerlyn; and Chamber staff.
There was talk about holding Trenholm general educational development (GED) classes at a church. Those sessions would be open to everybody in the community and not just church members.
SALUTING THE MILITARY
The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Military Appreciation Day at the Montgomery Zoo, when all active-duty and retired military personnel and their families received free admission.
“Military Appreciation Day at the Zoo is just one small way to express our gratitude to the military families who sacrifice so much for our country and who also contribute greatly to making the River Region a better place to live,” said Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board of Directors W. Russell Tyner.
Military families also received free admission to the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum as well as free train rides. Lunch, beverages and refreshments were also provided.
HONORING MILITARY, PART II
The Chamber along with Montgomery County and the City of Montgomery provided discounted tickets for military personnel to see “Beyond Glory” at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Stephen Lang portrayed eight men from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War who received the Medal of Honor.
BIKE TOURS AVAILABLE
Those bright green bicycles from Regions Bank are available for rental at the Montgomery Visitor Center.
The four bikes – Capital Cool Cruisers – come equipped with a helmet, lock and basket. The rental rates are $14 for two hours; $20 for four hours; and $30 for eight hours. There is a two-hour minimum and riders must be at least 16. Rentals are available 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, but those hours may be extended.
“We encourage everyone to take a spin around the city,” Dawn Hathcock, vice president, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor, said in a statement.
Now visitors and residents can tour downtown on bicycles; Blake’s Segway tours; and Meet Montgomery Gem Car tours. All three options begin and end at the Montgomery Visitor Center located at 300 Water St. Blake’s Segway tours are available by reservation and the Meet Montgomery Gem Car tours are available by reservation at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays.
