Taste of Bessemer…Gearing up to be a Great Event…

The 2nd Annual Taste of Bessemer and Business Expo will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from

4-7 pm at the beautifully renovated Bessemer Civic Center. The Taste of Bessemer and Business

Expo allows local businesses to expand their professional network and generate new customers which

will increase sales, while also showcasing the tasty food from local restaurants and chefs.

Not only is the Taste of Bessemer and Business Expo the perfect opportunity for small businesses in

the area to increase their exposure, but it is also a great community event. Families are welcome to

come out and participate in raffles and giveaways, and of course…taste some delicious food!

Our 94th Year Believe in Bessemer March 2016

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce

Contents:

Taste of Bessemer & Business Expo…………...………...…..1

Bessemer is on the Move……………………………...…..….2

Chamber Calendar ……………………………..………..…...4

Membership Luncheon Meeting..………..…...……...….....5

Ribbon Cuttings / Bessemer BPW’s Pink.....……...…...6, 7

Community Celebrations…………………...................….….8

Business After Hours………………………………………...9

Taste of Bessemer & Business Expo 2016………...………10

Corporate Sponsorship………………………………………11

Sponsorship $250

Food Vendors $50

Business Display Vendors $100

Tickets $15 each

or 25 for $250

TASTE OF BESSEMER and

Whether you are a business who is sponsoring the event and setting up an exhibition, a local restaurant

or chef participating in the event or a community member excited to attend the event with your family,

we look forward to seeing you all at this year’s Taste of Bessemer and Business Expo! Come out and

give it a taste!

Think BESSEMER FIRST

bessemerchamber.com MARCH 2016

2

BUSINESS NEWS

Bessemer is on the Move

The Honorable Mayor Kenneth Gulley delivered the State of the City Address on February 8th at 6 pm at the Bessemer Civic Center. The State of

the City Address included highlights of the past year, updates on municipal building projects and plans for the upcoming year. Highlights of

improvements in city departments and agencies and new economic development projects were also addressed.

If you were not in attendance you can still review the State of the City Address by visiting the City of Bessemer website at www.bessemeral.org.

1) Buy Local - Support yourself Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than a

nationally-owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and

farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community; these include case studies showing that locally-owned businesses

generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.)

2) Support Community Groups Non-profit organizations receive on average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do

from large businesses.

3) Keep our Community Unique Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind

businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they

generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic

Preservation Trust

4) Reduce Environmental Impact Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation, and generally set up

shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss,

and pollution.

5) Create more good jobs Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.

6) Get Better Service Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get

to know customers.

7) Invest In Community Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in

the community’s future.

Continued on page 8

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Sponsorship Investments

Diamond $10,000

Platinum $ 7,500

Gold $5,000

Silver $3,000

SBP $1,000

Call us at 425-3253 for more details

2016 BOARD MEMBERS

MARCH 2016

3

bessemerchamber.com

Mitch Avery

Alabama Gas

Richard Bishop

ITT Technical Institute

Lynn Brown

Alabama Splash

Adventure

Trisha Galvez

Legacy YMCA

Carlton Jackson

Bessemer Fire

Department

Louis Jones

Mt. Hebron Baptist

Church

Vicki Lane

AAA Bessemer

Candice Lee

TBGS Holdings /

Masonry Arts

Reggie Mays

United Prosthetics and

Orthotics

Dr. Fred Primm

Bessemer Board of

Education

Cristy Richardson

America’s First Federal

Credit Union

John Sides

Alabama Power

Company

Hank Tyler

Town & Country Ford

Devron Veasley

Bessemer Business

Center

Trina Vines

Oak Trace Care and

Rehabilitation Center

Jerry Yarbrough

Bessemer Utilities

Past

Chairman

Eric Messer

Shoals

Ambulance

Chairman

Joni Holt

Holt

Insurance

Agency

Chairman

Elect

Nathan Clark

Medical

West

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS IN STOCK at the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce

The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce has

promotional items for sale. We have X-large

Beach towels and chairs for $20.00 each. Stop by

and pick up your items at 321 18th Street N.,

Bessemer, AL 35020.

2016 Investors

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS

AG Gaston Construction Company Alabama Splash Adventure

America’s First Federal Credit Union

Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice Engineering Environmental Forestry Service

Legacy YMCA Paden & Paden, PC

Regional Paramedical Services

State Farm Insurance Agent, Julie Bell Trustmark National Bank

William Parsons CPA

Treasurer

Connie Fuell

Dex Imaging

Finance

Chairman

Kela Pryor

City of

Bessemer

Place Your Ad in

the Chamber

Communique

FULL PAGE AD

$75 per occurrence

SMALL AD

$50 per month or 6

months for $240

MARCH 2016

4

CHAMBER NEWS (2016 Chamber Calendar)

bessemerchamber.com

January

Tuesday, January 5, 8:30am Ambassador Meeting

Tuesday, January 19, 11:00am Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 19, 11:30am Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, January 28, 5:30pm Chamber Annual Meeting

February

Tuesday, February 2, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting

Tuesday, February 16, 11:00am Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 16, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, February 24, Noon Chamber Membership Meeting

March

Tuesday, March 1, 8:30am Ambassador Meeting

Tuesday, March 15, 11:00am Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 15, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, March 17, 5-7pm Business After Hours

(St. Patrick’s Day)

April

Tuesday, April 5, 8:30am Ambassador Meeting

Tuesday, April 19, 11:00am Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 19, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, April 21, 5-8pm Taste of Bessemer / Business

Expo

May

Tuesday, May 3, 8:30am Ambassador Meeting

Thursday, May 5th National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 12, 5-7pm Business After Hours

(Membership Drive Wrap Up Party)

Tuesday, May 17 11:00am Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 17, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

June

No Meeting Ambassadors

Tuesday, June 21 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, June 21, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

July

No Meeting Ambassadors

Tuesday, July 19, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, July 19, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

August

Tuesday, August 2, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting

Thursday, August 11, 5:30pm First Responders / Business

Awards Gala

Tuesday, August 16, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, August 16, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

September

Tuesday, September 13, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting

Wednesday, September 14, Noon Chamber Membership Mtg.

Tuesday, September 20, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, September 20, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

October

Tuesday, October 4, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting

Thursday, October 6 Golf “FORE” Progress

Tuesday, October 18, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, October 18, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

PINK & PURPLE PARADE

November

No Meeting Ambassadors

Tuesday, November 15, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, November 15, Noon Board of Directors Meeting

December

Tuesday, December 6, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting

Thursday, December 8, 5-7pm Chamber Christmas Open

House

Saturday, December 10, 2:00pm City of Bessemer Christmas

Parade

Tuesday, December 20, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.

Tuesday, December 20, Noon Board of Directors Mtg.

bessemerchamber.com MARCH 2016

5

CHAMBER

2016 CHAMBER

AMBASSADORS

Coordinator

Lori Chisem Lawson State Community College

Co-Coordinators

Daryl Owens

Bessemer City Schools

Andie Sloan

Comfort Care

Secretary

Nelda Pate, Retired

Kay Baggett, Retired

Sarah Beasley,

Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc

Sarah Belcher, Retired

Erin Cooney, Holt Insurance Agency

Sadie Harris, Retired

Shirley Horn, Retired

Latesia Jefferson,

Oak Trace Care and Rehab

Charles King,

Regional Paramedical Services

Doris Lewis, City of Bessemer

Claire Mitchell,

Visalus - Body by Vi

Kenya Rose

Lula Walter, City of Bessemer

Trisston Wright Burrows, Moore Coal Co.

Ambassadors are the key resource in

extending hospitality in the Bessemer area

and are experienced in business,

community, and promotional arenas.

An Ambassador must serve as an active

public relations arm of the Chamber and be

prepared to meet visitors, local businesses,

and various forms of the media.

We encourage you join the ambassador

program. The ambassadors meet on the 1st

Tuesday of each month at 8:30am at the

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce members packed Lawson State

Community College Bessemer Campus in the Ethel Hall Auditorium for the

Membership luncheon held on February 24th. The speaker of the hour was

Jefferson Traywick, Senior Project Manager of the Birmingham Business

Alliance. Traywick informed the attendees of projects and businesses that are

coming or new to the Bessemer area. Traywick provided informative

information. We commend Traywick on doing a great job and representing

the Bessemer area. The next membership meeting will be Wednesday,

September 14, 2016.

bessemerchamber.com

COMMUNITY

MARCH 2016

6

American Family Urgent Care

A ribbon ceremony was held for the new American Family Care Urgent

Care and Family Care facility located at 5911 Harris Lane in Bessemer.

You can visit their office from 8 am – 6 pm seven days a week.

Bessemer City Middle School

Bessemer City Middle School held a ribbon cutting for their Family

and Consumer Science Classroom on Monday, February 26, 2016

at 10am. The new classroom was sponsored by Lowe’s in

Bessemer. Great things are happening at Bessemer City Middle

School. They are located at 100 High School Drive in Bessemer.

COMMUNITY

bessemerchamber.com MARCH 2016

7

Ninja Japanese Sushi and Steakhouse

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Ninja Japanese Sushi and Steak House, located at 4847 Promenade Parkway, Suite #115. The new

restaurant is open 7 days a week, from 11 am until 10 pm Monday thru Thursday, from 11 am until 11 pm on Fridays and from noon until 11 pm

on Saturdays and 11:30 am until 9 pm on Sundays. Welcome to the Marvel City of Bessemer.

Bessemer Business and Professional

Women along with Bessemer Middle

School PINK girls delivered Teddy

Bears to all the residents at Medical

West Hospital as a service project in the

month of February. The monty of

February is a month that a special

expression of love is shown and it is

also heart apprecition month. Over 100

teddy bears were delivered to the

hospital. Special thanks to Nathan

Clark and CEO Keith Pennington for

Supporting this effort.

Give me a HUG……Teddy Bears for Medical West Patients

Think BESSEMER FIRST

COMMUNITY

bessemerchamber.com MARCH 2016

8

Continued from page 2

8) Put Your Taxes To Good Use Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient

use of public services as compared to nationally- owned stores entering the community.

9) Buy What You Want, Not What Someone Wants You To Buy A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to

ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan

but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

10) Encourage Local Prosperity A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and

skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Alabama Kidney Action Day

The city of Bessemer, in partnership with the American Kidney Fund, is hosting "Alabama Kidney Action Day" on March 19, 2016

from 11 am to 4 pm in Debardeleben Park. The event is free.

There will be free health screenings (blood pressure, blood glucose, kidney function and more), health food samples, family-

friendly entertainment, fitness demos and more. Come join us as we take action to prevent Kidney disease. Bring your friends and

family.

Bessemer Hall of History Celebrates 100 years

The Bessemer Hall of History will host a Destination Depot on Saturday, March 19, from 9 am until 3:30 pm. The free event will celebrate the

100th year of the Southern Depot, which is the current location of the Bessemer Hall of History Museum.

Congratulations to Bessemer Fire Department

The City of Bessemer's ISO rating improved from a rating of "4" to a "2", placing us among the top 2 percent of communities in

the United States. The ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating impacts the insurance premiums residents and businesses pay for

personal property. The scoring ranges from 1 to 10, with one being the best score. The lower the score for a city, the lower the

insurance rates residents...

Gold SPONSORSHIP $5,000.00 94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8

25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – Table of 8

1 full page ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine (preferred spot)

¼ page Story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Silver Sponsor for Golf “FORE” Progress

Plan a business after hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $250)

Up to $400 credit toward annual membership dues

½ page ad in chamber Communiqué

Company Logo with website link on Chamber website

Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives

Pre/Post event advertising

Silver SPONSORSHIP $3,000.00

94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8

25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – 2 tickets

$500 credit toward an ad in 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament (Team of 4 and Name/Logo on all promotional material)

94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8

25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – 2 tickets

$500 credit toward an ad in 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament (Team of 4 and Name/Logo on all promotional material)

Small Business Partner SPONSORSHIP $1,000.00

94th Annual Meeting (4 tickets) with option to upgrade

$200 credit toward an ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine

Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament - Hole Sponsorship

Business Card ad in one issue of the Communique newsletter

Chamber listing for up to 2 company representatives

Pre/Post event advertising

2016 Sponsorship

Opportunities

The mission of the Bessemer Area Chamber of

Commerce is to promote the economic well-

being of regional businesses and represent the

business community in economic, political, civic,

educational and cultural development of the

region.

We hope you will consider supporting the

Bessemer Chamber of Commerce programs in

2016. This investment is tax deductible, so sign up

today!