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| Small Business Services |
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The Chamber’s Small Business programs are carefully designed to provide assistance, information, networking opportunities and opportunities for growth for woman-owned, small, and home-based businesses.
Want to learn more? We welcome your call or visit to the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County.
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News & Article
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Are You a Small Business?
See What Your Chamber Can Do For You
(Initiatives Reviews, Feb. '08) » |
SBA Helps Small Business Owners
Win Federal Contracts with New Web-based Course »
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Useful Links
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| Starting a business or need advice on an existing small business? Check these websites out for helpful information for all of your small business questions:
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Past Events
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Women’s Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA)
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WBCNA Training Schedule
March – May 2008 »
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Small Business Development Services
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The Small Business Division, in conjunction with the Alabama A&M University Small Business Development Center and University of Alabama in Huntsville Small Business Development Center, provides training in the form of workshops and seminars targeted toward new business owners and the small business community as a whole.
For more information, please contact:
Alabama A&M University Small Business Development Center
School of Business, Room 113, P.O. Box 429, Normal, AL 35762
Phone: (256) 372.8018
Fax: (256) 372.5683
www.aamu.edu/sbdc
University of Alabama in Huntsville Small Business Development Center
College of Administrative Science, ASB 126-A, 301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899
Phone: (256) 824-6422
Fax: (256) 824-4339
http://sbdc.uah.edu
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Small Business Center
225 Church Street, P.O. Box 408, Huntsville, AL 35801-0408
Phone: (256) 535.2061
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 Annual Small Business Awards
This is an event held yearly to spotlight our local entrepreneurs for their outstanding accomplishments as small business leaders. The awards currently have seven categories and are attended by over 1,100 community leaders, small business owners and dignitaries.
2008 Small Business Awards Celebration
August 21: Von Braun Center North Hall
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| Here For You
The following services and networking opportunities are intended especially for the Chamber’s small business members. Every aspect of the Chamber’s work supports the primary objective of growing and improving our local economy. If you have further questions about the Chamber’s offerings, please contact Jenni Jeffers, director of Small Business Services at (256) 535-2011 or jjeffers@hsvchamber.org.
| Small Business Council |
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This group of designated members serves as a liaison and advisory group to the Chamber on small business issues and ways the Chamber can serve its members more efficiently. |
| Training Seminars |
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Seminars are offered focusing on small business issues such as Earned Value Management, Change Management and Recruiting. These seminars are priced minimally and are usually held over lunch.
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| CEO Roundtables |
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 Each roundtable offers a forum in which CEOs, presidents, owners and organizational leaders can obtain valuable insights into each others’ successes and achievements, and learn how to avoid the pitfalls of past mistakes. In addition, the Chamber holds bi-annual receptions where current and future members come together for a networking opportunity. This group is for Chamber members only.
• More information »
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| Women’s Business Council |
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 This group of designated women are small business owners that serve as an advisory group to the Chamber on issues affecting women entrepreneurs. They offer mentoring and quarterly forums.
• More information »
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| On-Site Small Business Development Center Counselors |
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The Chamber offers counseling services to those individuals starting a business or currently needing assistance with their small business. The counselors represent Alabama A&M University and the UA Huntsville and are located at the Chamber M-F from 8-5. |
| On-site Procurement & Technical Services Center (PTAC) |
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Counseling small businesses on the procurement process and with marketing their products/services to the government and prime contractors. |
| On-line Job Postings |
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 This service is for Chamber members only and provides companies with a venue to advertise current job openings at no cost. The website is maintained daily and can be found at www.asmartplace.com. |
| Annual Business EXPO |
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 This event allows small businesses to come together in one location to showcase to the community their products and services. This is one of the Chamber’s best attended events, typically drawing over 1,000 participants.
• Related story »
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| Business After Hours (BAH) |
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 This venue offers a networking opportunity for small business owners and large business representatives in a relaxed, professional atmosphere. BAH’s are usually held 6 to 8 times per year from 5-7 p.m.
• Upcoming Business After Hours »
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| Breakfast & Biz (B&B) |
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 These events are an excellent way to network in an intimate, structured environment. Individuals are placed in groups of eight and are given one minute to share with the group their organization’s benefits and services. Tables rotate six times during the event giving individuals a tremendous amount of exposure in a short period of time. These events are held quarterly and run from 7-9 a.m.
• Upcoming Breakfast & Biz »
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| Small Business Library |
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The Chamber offers an array of materials focused on starting or maintaining your small business. The library can be found on the second floor of the Chamber in the small business area. |
Our Promise
The Chamber will deliver value to its members. We will work to enhance networking programs and business referrals in order to promote member companies and stimulate local economic activity. We will work to grow our strong membership base through value-added services, retention and marketing. We will inform members on key issues impacting their companies and our community’s economic condition.
| Member-to-Member News |
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This service offers small businesses an opportunity to promote special events or major announcements regarding their organization and is located on the Chamber website. All submissions must be directed to John Southerland at jsoutherland@hsvchamber.org.
• View Chamber member news »
• View the latest bimonthly ChamberLink newsletter »
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| Ribbon Cuttings / Groundbreakings |
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 The Chamber offers ribbon cutting and groundbreaking assistance to small business owners. This is a great way to promote your company, receive community recognition and bring other Chamber members into their establishment. For information, email: info@hsvchamber.org.
• View photo gallery »
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| Sponsorship Opportunities / Total Resource Campaign (TRC) |
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 The Chamber offers a vast array of sponsorship and advertising opportunities that fit into every budget – most of which are purchased through our yearly TRC from mid-April to the end of June. The TRC is managed and executed by our volunteers. For more information, email Donna McCrary at dmcrary@hsvchamber.org.
• 2008 TRC web site »
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| Ambassador Program |
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 This program offers members an opportunity to volunteer to serve as a Chamber representative at events such as our Business After Hours, ribbon cuttings, etc. It also allows individuals to broaden their networking opportunities and business relationships.
• More information »
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| Emissary Program |
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 This program is geared toward our more seasoned volunteers, having been involved actively with the Chamber for at least one year. The primary focus is to serve as a liaison between the member companies and the Chamber. They advise and educate on Chamber activities and provide feedback for improvement.
• More information »
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| Affinity and Member-to-Member Programs |
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Both programs give members the opportunity to offer special discounts that are exclusive to Chamber members only.
• More information »
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Interested in presenting a seminar for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County?
Due to high demands from our members to collaborate with the Chamber on training initiatives, we are asking you to please review the following criteria and provide the information requested. We will evaluate all requests, and approve based on relevance to small business needs, member interest and the overall qualifications submitted.
- Must be a Chamber Member in good standing.
- Training seminars must be applicable to small businesses or be related to employee development.
- Speaker will not receive any type of payment for services. The Chamber views this as an opportunity for the speaker to validate his/or her qualifications and knowledge.
- Presentations must be substantive; this is not a platform for you to market your business.
- A one to two page outline submitted on topic.
- Three letters of recommendation are required from past customers.
- Please list education and/or certifications relevant to your topic.
Please submit your information to Jenni Jeffers, Director of Small Business at jjeffers@hsvchamber.org.
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| Information Services Center
The Chamber’s Information Services Center is located directly off the Chamber lobby and provides easy access to community information and area resources. Personal assistance is provided to businesses, newcomers or any one looking to know more about the Huntsville region including information on area real estate, industry, business services and local hospitality.
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