The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting April 1 at 7 a.m. at Grace Community Church. About 40 business professionals from Falcon and the surrounding area attended.Chamber president Terri Hobbs conducted the meeting and reported the progress of several projects supported by the EPCC:Golf tournament: The first annual golf tournament will be held June 9 at 8 a.m. at the Antler Creek golf course. The EPCC is accepting registrations for single golfers and foursomes. Hole sponsorships and other sponsorship opportunities are available. They also are seeking donations to fill goodie bags that will be given to golfers the day of the tournament.Falcon festival: Planning is under way for the seventh annual festival scheduled for June 20. This year, the festival will move to a new location at Patriot Learning Center. The festival will feature local businesses, arts, crafts; Southern Junction, a local country band; and various activities throughout the day. Applications and pricing for booths will soon be available on the EPCC Web site, along with the schedule of events.Membership committee: Hobbs announced that Christel Blaylock is the new membership committee chairwoman. Blaylock also is the assistant vice president of The State Bank. Blaylock said the chamber is actively seeking professionals from all different businesses. Membership dues are $120 annually and billing can be tailored to meet any business needs. “We can even do $10 a month for someone who owns a Pampered Chef business,” Blaylock said.Denny and Ann McNeill of On Your Mark Promotions presented at the meeting. As champions of networking skills, they role played effective networking conversations and shared tips with chamber members.Ann McNeill said business professionals can find many effective networking opportunities, such as after-hours networking groups. Opportunities exist even at inconspicuous places like in line at the grocery store. “Every opportunity is a chance to promote yourself,” McNeill said.She stressed the importance of being prepared with a 60-second commercial to promote one’s business; at the same time, she said it’s important to wait until asked to talk about the business.McNeill also encouraged chamber members to be genuinely interested in the people they meet and look for ways to help them and their businesses. “Connecting people really goes a long way,” she said.Blaylock said she recently attended a large networking event with Ann McNeill and vouched for McNeill’s networking expertise. “Ann took me under her wing and it was fabulous.”For more information about the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce, visit www.easternchamber.org.
