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The Chamber and Renasant Bank presented Jac’s Bowling Lanes Inc. with the July Small Business of The Month Award. Since 1985, Jac’s Bowling Lanes has delivered classic family-fun to the community of Valdosta. “We pride ourselves in offering the community an affordable and enjoyable place to bring their family,” said Brett Daughtery. “In our industry, it’s all about giving our guests the best experience possible. When you bowl, you don’t leave with anything in your hands, so we have to make sure they leave with good memories and an incredible experience,” he added. Jac’s Bowling Lanes is a place for bowlers of all ages and levels. The family owned business is committed to providing an outlet of fun for all families and citizens of Valdosta. They also are happy to cater to individuals with special needs. The bowling alley is dedicated to working with local organizations to ensure their business properly accommodates this group of individuals. “Since bowling is a unique sport which accommodates any person’s challenges, we believe it is our duty to the community to provide a free outlet for those individuals to join together and participate in a sport that can be catered to specifically to them.” Birthday parties are very popular amongst the younger crowd at Jac’s Bowling Lanes. Bumpers can easily be pulled up to assist. A fully equipped party room is also readily available for these guests. For the more serious bowlers in Valdosta, Jac’s Bowling Lanes loves presenting a challenge. The bowling alley hosts several leagues a year, including a junior league for children. This is not only a great aspect of the sport, but a fun way to bring the Valdosta bowling community together. For more information, please visit Jac’s Bowling Lanes at 406 Connell Road or call 229- 242- 2695. 
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“Progress” is no new word to Chamber members. Progress Magazine has been an annual publication for nearly 50 years. Thousands of copies are printed and distributed to members and our community. The contents report what the Chamber has been up to since the last issue. Articles, updates and plenty of photos are always included along with ways that the reader can capitalize on their Chamber membership. As of this year, Progress Magazine has officially rebranded to Progress Digital, a fully online quarterly report. “Making Progress a digital publication has allowed us to reach countless more viewers,” explained Lauren Pope, Director of Communication and Marketing for the Chamber. Not only can the magazine be shared instantly between parties and platforms, it can also be viewed on the go. “One week into our second quarter debut of Progress Digital, our analytics showed that 50% of our viewers read progress from a smart phone or tablet rather than on a traditional computer monitor,” Pope said. Going digital allows the Chamber to share Progress in more ways than one by simply sharing a web link. This has opened the door for Progress Digital to reach social media. “We have really focused on sharing Progress on social media as well as via email and our website, which has been very successful for us. You can’t underestimate the marketing power of social media,” Pope expresses. The first page of Progress Digital includes an “interactive key” showing readers how to fully utilize what the new digital publication has to offer. Different icons will take you to a photo album, a web page or email address when clicked on. To view the second quarterly issue of Progress Digital 2019, visit www.valdostachamber.com for Chamber Publications.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Holiday Inn Express & Suites as the Leading Business of the Week for July 15, 2019. Holiday Inn Express & Suites has been a Chamber member since they opened in 2009. Despite opening in the middle of a recession, the hotel worked hard to remain active in the community and has thrived from the start. Holiday Inn Express & Suites is located right off of Exit 18, making it a perfect location for travelers along I-75. They love being a visitor’s first impression of Valdosta and are happy to give them a warm welcome. When staying at this hotel, experience is second to none. There is a fresh breakfast bar, a swimming pool, internet access and a fitness center open to all. The guests always come first at the Holiday Inn Express, which was the motivating factor for their recent renovation. “We have recently completely renovated the 1st floor public areas and we are in the planning stages to renovate all guest rooms,” manager Ty O’Steen shared. The renovation was a big process, but absolutely worth it. They are excited to move forward with the renovation of their guests’ rooms. In addition to overnight guests, Holiday Inn Express hosts many community members in their spacious conference room. They enjoy having the community join them as well as getting out and involved within Valdosta themselves. They feel that the Chamber has helped with their involvement immensely. “The Chamber does an exceptional job and our company appreciates everything the Chamber does to promote our business throughout the Community,” said O’Steen. The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years. Marcotek Digital Office Solutions proudly sponsors the 2019 Leading Business of the Week program. For more information visit www.ValdostaChamber.com/Leading-Business-of-the-Week  The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce is sowing economic and entrepreneurial success with their very own SEEDS Resource Center. The SEEDS Center’s primary goal is to foster and assist entrepreneur development, build an entrepreneurial eco-system and create business links in the community. The center provides up-to-date information for aspiring entrepreneurs, startup businesses and existing businesses as well as individuals searching for custom market data, industry profiles, demographic reports, targeted sales and competitor information. SEEDS is an acronym which stands for sowing economic and entrepreneurial success. Premiering in 2004 with the support of Georgia Power, the SEEDS Center seeks to meet and serve the needs of local businesses with a variety of services, workshops and classes. Whether a starter business looking for a helping hand and a leg up or an established businesses wishing to rebrand and rebuild, the SEEDS Center has something for each unique, local business. The SEEDS Center not only provides on-site assistance but works diligently to connect businesses in need with other business who specialize in their service. The center hosts a Business University that provides entrepreneurial training with the focus of building knowledge and skills for starting and operating a business. The Business University launched in 2010 and partners with Small Business Development Center, South Georgia Employer Committee, South Georgia Regional Library and The City Of Valdosta to share a wealth of knowledge with business around Valdosta. The SEEDS Center works with approximately 500 entrepreneurs and business owners yearly. Since its start in 2004, the center has served a total of 6,834 clients. In addition to a variety of services, the SEEDS Center hosts The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), a national program that teaches middle schoolers and high schoolers the ropes of starting a business. Betty Morgan, director of SEEDS and Vice President of Business Development at the Chamber strongly encourages local businesses in the community to take advantage of the summer months and implement the available resources to work on their business. “The summer is a great time to take some time out to work on your business,” Morgan said. The SEEDS Center is open and available for assistance from 8:30 to 5 and provides free service regardless of Chamber membership status. For more information and inquires visit the SEEDS Center at 416 N. Ashley St. or contact Betty Morgan, at 229-247-8100 ex. 234 or bmorgan@valdostachamber.com.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Evangeline’s with a ribbon cutting on June 19, 2019 to celebrate a new beginning in South Georgia. Located west of Valdosta in Whigham, Ga, Evangeline’s is a bed and breakfast offering its guests a relaxing and peaceful property in the middle of 10 acres. Owner, Agne Hryniuk stated, “The unit is decorated and outfitted to make sure guests are greeted to an inviting environment where everything you need to make your stay thoroughly enjoyable is available.” In addition to a pleasant stay, guests are able to enjoy food prepared by Hryniuk. Hryniuk is a professionally trained culinary chef that is passionate about the food as she is serving her guests. “All the bells and whistles are important in any business, but the key ingredient is so often missing, which is excellent guest service by anticipating and exceeding guests’ needs’ and putting service before profits,” said Hryniuk According to Hryniuk, Evangeline’s is planning to add four guest cottages on the property with a pool, hot tub and sauna for the guests to enjoy. Evangeline’s is a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. “Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber has allowed us the opportunity to be here for this ribbon cutting, while offering so much support to an outside business, which is nothing short of outstanding. This is a reason why this Chamber of Commerce is considered one of the top in the US,” said Hryniuk.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Fourth Wall Visions with a ribbon cutting on June 25, 2019 to celebrate becoming a member of the chamber and to announce their presence in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community. Fourth Wall Visions is a full spectrum videography business, specializing in special events, creative filmmaking and promotional advertisement. Fourth Wall Visions is passionate about providing their customers with the highest quality film service possible. “We love what we do because both of us dreamt of being filmmakers since we were children,” said Alexis Johnson, co-owner. “We love to use film as a way to extract beauty and emotion from everyday life and display love, passion and drive in creative and intriguing ways.” According to Johnson, Fourth Wall Visions is planning to incorporate more creative filmmaking into the business, including short and feature films, music videos and any other form of video entertainment. Fourth Wall Visions is a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. Johnson stated, “The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber have been an absolute dream to work with since recently joining. Already, they have generated a handful of leads and customers for our business. They have offered an endless amount of support and knowledge to help us in the beginning stages of our merge. Above all, the Chamber has brought a large network of fellow Chamber members who have become cheerleaders, supporters, teachers and most importantly friends into our lives.” For more information about Fourth Wall Visions, please call 229-444-4748  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Kellie Rae Photography with a ribbon cutting on June 26, 2019 to celebrate the business’ new studio. Capturing life’s most precious moments one click at a time and providing clients with memories they will cherish forever brings joy to Owner, Kellie Trent’s heart. “I love photography because it allows me to give clients something to cherish forever,” said Trent. “It’s never felt like work for me and I just really enjoy getting those happy expressions during my sessions.” Once a home based business, Trent decided to move Kellie Rae Photography into a studio. “I had a home based studio for a short period of time,” said Trent. “Rather than continue with an in home studio, I wanted to just jump all in and open a studio where I could accommodate more volume.” Kellie Rae Photography is an excited new member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce and looks forward to enjoying what the Chamber has to offer.  Super 8 Valdosta-Conference Center Recognized as the Chamber’s Leading Business of the Week6/26/2019 The Chamber Ambassadors honored Super 8 Valdosta-Conference Center as the Leading Business of the Week for June 24, 2019. Located seconds from Interstate 75 in Valdosta, Super 8 is a locally owned and operated hotel and a member of the Williams Hotel Group. Super 8 is passionate about interacting and learning more about their guests while providing quality service during their stay. “We enjoy all the interaction with our guests, meeting new people, and getting to know our guests,” said Courtney Blake. According to Blake, Super 8 Valdosta-Conference Center received the Pride of Super 8 award in 2015 and 2016 recognizing the hotel for its quality, service and overall guest satisfaction. “We have recently undergone a complete renovation and upgraded our hotel, elevating our look,” said Blake. Super is a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. According to Blake, the chamber has created community awareness and allowed them to network with various businesses throughout the community. “The Chamber does an exceptional job and our company appreciates everything they do to promote our business throughout the community,” said Blake. “The Chamber is very well received by all businesses and entities throughout the community. The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years. Marcotek Digital Office Solutions proudly sponsors the 2019 Leading Business of the Week program. For more information visit www.ValdostaChamber.com/Leading-Business-of-the-Week  The Chamber and Renasant Bank presented North Oak Family EyeCare and Optical with the June Small Business of the Month award. A locally owned Optometry practice in Valdosta, North Oak Family EyeCare and Optical strives to offer outstanding services to individual’s ages four and up. Led by Dr. Deborah McDonald, North Oak Family EyeCare and Optical opened when Dr. McDonald saw a need for the continuity of care for her patients. Through the years, Dr. McDonald has built relationships over multiple generations within families. “We want to be known as your hometown eye care and optical provider in a welcoming, professional environment,” said McDonald. NOFEO provides its patients with annual eye wellness evaluations and contact lens fitting. They offer treatments and evaluations for eye infections, injuries, allergies, dryness, diabetes, hypertension, and glaucoma. Dr. McDonald is planning to expand into sports vision and low vision therapy in the coming years to broaden the services available the patients of NOFEO. Dr. McDonald and NOFEO is passionate about community involvement. Dr. McDonald opened NOFEO to Lions Lighthouse of Atlanta to help people that did not qualify for vision benefits. Recently, NOFEO sponsored a paint party with a twist to help raise money for the local Lion’s Club. “The twist was a short talk on visually impaired artist and then painting without your habitual glasses or contact lenses,” said McDonald. NOFEO makes a great effort to be environmentally conscious by saving cardboard boxes received daily and giving them to LAMP for recycling. “We also offer them to the patients at the holiday times for gift boxes,” said McDonald. McDonald stated, “There is a box in the foyer for eyeglass donations, and we also take used contact lenses and blister packs to be recycled (but not re-used) through terracycle.” NOFEO recognizes the greatness of all programs, and do their best to support each one. “We proudly put up a sign encouraging the Blazers on the road to the national championship,” said McDonald. For more information, please visit North Oak Family EyeCare and Optical at 2724 N. Oak Street or call 229-469-7660.  Dedicated to Serving Those Who Serve: Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Goes Military Friendly6/24/2019 The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce is supporting troops and giving back to the military community by implementing the Certified Military Friendly Program.
The program allows local business to provide discounted service to active duty service members, veterans and retirees as well as employment opportunities for military spouses. Participation in the program allows businesses around Valdosta to show their support for military members in the community. A business wishing to support those who serve must be a chamber member in good standing with no past due balance, have no unresolved issues with the Better Business Bureau, and offer a discount/incentive to active duty military members and their spouses. Prospective military friendly businesses must complete an application, pay a fee and submit business information for listing. An initial fee of $50 is required for new businesses. Returning businesses pay a renewal fee of $25. As of 2019, 154 members of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce are Certified Military Friendly. The program is proudly sponsored by Anchored Media Marketing. Sally Sutton, CEO and founder, cites Anchored Media Marketing as a strong supporter of military families. “Moody Air Force base is a big part of Valdosta and we want to see the service men, women, and their families who move here to serve be well taken care of,” Sutton said. “Being a prior military family we know what it is like to be new to the community and not know who to trust with our family and business. We feel the CMF program can provide businesses an opportunity to stand out and stand up to support our military community.” Participating CMF businesses are strongly encouraged to advertise in MoodyLink magazine, an annual Chamber publication tailored to military families and hand-delivered to Moody Air Force Base. For more information and assistance contact La Peachez Clark, Events and Military Engagement director atlclark@valdostachamber.com or 229-247-8100 ext. 232. For application access and business listings visitcertifiedmilitaryfriendly.com |
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