By Butch Burney
January 25, 2024 – Meetings to prepare for the April 8 eclipse are continuing at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
We will have a meeting for all retail shops at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30; for churches at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31; for restaurants at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1; and for schools at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
All are invited to the meetings, as we try to prepare for the influx of tens of thousands of visitors to Hopkins County on April 8 for the total solar eclipse. We are at the 50-yard line of eclipse viewing and we need to prepare as much as possible.
We are also updating our website daily, TotalEclipseSSTx.com, so if you have any events, lodging, eats or anything you would like to promote on the website for the eclipse, please send us the information.
Banquet/Community Awards
Tickets are available, but going fast for the 97th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet that will celebrate Hopkins County with a theme of “Sweethearts,” awards and dinner on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
At the banquet, we will recognize the people and businesses who make Hopkins County the best place to live and work. We will be giving out such awards as Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Educators of the Year, Small and Large Business of the Year and others.
Social networking and a cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30, and awards beginning at 7 p.m.
You can reserve your seat for $30 per person or get a table for 10 for $500. The tables include preferential seating and name displays, as well as video recognition at the banquet.
For more information, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
Get your bacon on at the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Hopkins County Civic Cener. Cost is $8 per person (children under 6 eat free). It includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, milk and juice. The funds will benefit local charitable programs.
Employee Hiring and Retention
One of our former Chamber Board members, Doc Flesher, will be part of a webinar this coming Friday, Jan 26, at 2 p.m. Doc is a certified Master Business Coach and will be discussing the qualities to look for in a new hire, how to train a new hire and how to retain a great employee. The webinar will be part of a presentation on CRM for small businesses. Free registration. Here’s the link —
Pinksavvy.net/webregister
Directories
Work is finishing on the 2023 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, is contacting businesses to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her. If your business wants to be in the directory, please make sure your membership is current. Only current members will be included in the directory. If you’re unsure, please contact the chamber at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515.
