FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

April was another busy month for the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber began the month by celebrating the Annual Safety Awards with the NCDOL Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry on April 1st. Our very own Georgia Pacific/Alpha Plastics Division in Hamlet, was honored with their 29th Consecutive Year Award. Other Richmond County winners included: Piedmont Natural Gas (First year), International Textile Group (Second Year), Vulcan Construction Materials (Second Year), Total Lubricants USA (Sixth Year), and Employment Security Commission (Eighth Year).

We held a ribbon cutting for our newest member The House of Fish Restaurant on April 20th. The Chamber hosted the Annual Office Professional’s Day and Business Expo on April 21st. I am happy to say that we had a great Turnout, with over 25 vendors and 150 people attending this year’s event.

Our April monthly Business-After-Hours was sponsored by the City of Rockingham and was hosted at the Rotary Lodge at Hinson Lake. Members and their guests enjoyed networking and dinner with City staff and community leaders.

Our May Business-After-Hours meeting will take place Thursday, May 20th at Richmond County Hospice as the Chamber helps celebrate Richmond County Hospice’s 25th Anniversary.

Our first New Member Breakfast for 2010 is scheduled for Thursday, May 13th at the Chamber of Commerce. Since January we have had 18 new members join! The Chamber is still offering a FREE insert into the Chamber’s monthly newsletter for all new members, a $125 value!

The Chamber is looking for golfers! The Chamber will host its 5th Annual Chamber Golf Scramble on Thursday, June 3rd at Richmond Pines Country Club. We are looking for businesses and individuals to participate and support the Chamber’s Program of Work. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

In closing, as I do each month I will reiterate to everyone once again of how lucky we are to live in Richmond County. Take some time in the next month and enjoy some of the wonderful events and attractions in own backyard. I hope you will see why Richmond County is GREAT place to call home.

I invite you to join me at one of our networking events and to invest in each other to help strengthen our Richmond County community. To learn more about the programs and services of your local Chamber, or to see a complete list of events and attractions, give us a call at (910) 895-9058 or visit us on the web at www.richmondcountychamber.com or www.visitrichmondcounty.com.

Your Success is Our Business!

Emily Tucker

President