Almost 70 people attended the John C. Beitz Service Person of the Quarter Luncheon August 13, presented by the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee. The Luncheon was sponsored and hosted by the Morehead City-Beaufort Elks Lodge #1710. MAC Co-Chair Bob Upchurch of Bob Upchurch Appraisals recognized this quarter’s honorees: Lance Cpl. Brian S. Meaker of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Richard Martin of the Army Reserve; and Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class.

Thirteen educators from the Carteret County Public School System and Carteret Community College completed the five-day Leadership Carteret for Educators program, which is offered annually by the Chamber. They received their certificates during a Graduation Luncheon on June 16. “Basically, this is a mini-version of Leadership Carteret that is provided exclusively for teachers and professional staff,” said Diane Warrender, Manager, Chamber Programming. “We greatly appreciate the community and business leaders who participated as presenters on various topics.”

Plan to attend the 6th annual Chamber/JobLink Appreciation Luncheon & Awards Presentation at 12 noon on Thursday, September 9, at Piccata’s 909 Catering Co. & Event Center, 909-A Arendell St., Morehead City. The cost to attend is $13 per person. Register by calling the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce at 726-6350. Three Employers of the Year will be presented with awards, and two businesses that stand out as Community Advocates will be recognized as well. Additionally, the Gordon Seaman Award, sponsored by PRIDE Electrical Contracting, will honor the Skilled Trades Professional of the Year, and an Award of Achievement will go to an individual who has benefited directly from the services offered through the JobLink Career Center.

Nominate employees, co-workers or any other individual who has served you well for one of the “Outrageous Customer Service” Awards. The deadline is Friday, September 10. Winners will be recognized at a Customer Services Champions Reception, which begins at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19, at the Dolphin Ridge Club, 101 Dolphin Ridge Road, Emerald Isle. The cost to attend is $5 per person. Enjoy complimentary beer and wine and hors d’oeuvres. Advance registration is required. Call the Chamber at 726-6350. The awards program is presented by the Chamber, Carteret Community College, Dolphin Ridge Club and NCCOAST Business Journal.

“Carteret: One Great County…One Great Chamber” is the theme for the Chamber’s Fall Membership Campaign. Teams of volunteers will be making contacts September 13-16 to invite new members to join the Chamber. Ray Harris and Marlene Anderson – both are former Chairs of the Chamber’s Board of Directors – have agreed to be the Membership Campaign Co-Chairs. Chamber members can volunteer to join any of the teams and/or be a Campaign Sponsor. To learn how you can help, call Julie Naegelen or Mike Wagoner at 726-6350. 

The Chamber presents Business After Hours from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 – sponsored and hosted by Boulia Enterprise Real Estate & Development, 6931 US 70 West, Newport. “We are looking forward to another successful Business After Hours, which provides our members valuable networking opportunities – all for the low cost of a $5 per person admission fee,” said Julie Naegelen, Director, Membership Services. Please register and pay in advance for Business After Hours at Chamber headquarters, 801 Arendell St., Morehead City. Pre-printed name badges will be available for all who do. Always bring plenty of business cards and deposit one in the basket at the registration station for door prize drawings. You must be present to win. 

Members of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee are gearing up for another “Military Fun Day” on Friday, September 17, at Harkers Island. The MAC will host about 120 active duty service members and their spouses or dates. Activities will be based at the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center. Best Buy #1451 is the Presenting Sponsor. “We welcome contributions of door prize items by Chamber members and local businesses and organizations,” said the Chamber’s Diane Warrender. To help, call the Chamber at 726-6350.

Planning is already under way for the Chamber’s 2011 Business Directory & Visitors Guide. The theme is: “Carteret: One Great County!” The publication is the complete guide for doing business in Carteret County and coastal North Carolina. All Chamber members are listed in the Directory three ways – by business category, alphabetically and by key contact. The Business Directory & Visitors Guide goes into production this fall with distribution planned for January 2011. To inquire about advertising opportunities, speak with Tracey Brinson, Director, Administrative Services. She can be reached at 726-6350.

The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee now has its own marketing tool. “We are in the process of distributing a tri-fold pamphlet that describes who we are and what we do,” said Diane Warrender, who is the Chamber’s staff liaison to the MAC. “The MAC works year-round to build strong relationships and promote interaction between the military and the business community in Carteret County,” she said. “We will use the pamphlet to introduce our various programs to the community and to assist in recruiting new members. Any Chamber member may join the MAC, and there is no additional charge to participate.

Chamber members who would like to sponsor and host Business After Hours events in 2011 may now apply for one of 14 dates on the calendar. Guidelines and the application form are available at the Chamber, 801 Arendell St., Morehead City. The deadline to receive completed applications is Friday, September 17. The investment to host remains $150. Please refer any questions to Julie Naegelen at 726-6350.