Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce

Today's VIP Luncheon brought together our Enterprise Club members, who go beyond standard membership to support our Chamber’s mission, events, education, and the small business community as a whole. Thank you to our guest panelists James Haslam (Founder and Chairman of Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J), Bill Sansom (CEO & President of HT Hackney), and steve diggs (President & CEO of Emerald Youth Foundation) for sharing their perspectives on leadership, community involvement, giving back, and staying engaged with their community despite demanding responsibilities. We were proud to recognize Amy Shewmake (Simply Magical Vacations by Amy) as Ambassador of the Year. Ambassadors earn this honor through their dedication—calling on new members, supporting existing ones, working events, and more. Congratulations, Amy! We also appreciate our VIP Committee for organizing this event, our board members for guiding our mission, and our ambassadors for their commitment and teamwork! Thank you for all our guests and shout out to Chesapeake's for the great service and food!

Roll Em Up? Taquitos is redefining fast-casual dining as the world’s first and only taquito-centric franchise. Since opening in 2019, the brand has built a passionate following, selling thousands of taquitos daily and amassing over 200,000 social media fans. With plans to expand to 500+ locations, Knoxville is lucky enough to have been one! There's not a freezer in the building. Simply fresh, made-to-order, pan-fried goodness from Nirav Patel & his crew! Drop by and try them out! ??117 Lovell Rd. Knoxville 37934

THANK YOU to Pellissippi State Community College and their stellar team for hosting our networking event on Thursday. We’re grateful for their hospitality and to everyone who attended, and we hope you made valuable connections! Pellissippi State is dedicated to student success, offering career programs, workforce training, and certificate opportunities to prepare students for real-world careers. With four convenient locations, they provide accessible education that supports both students and local businesses. Looking to get involved? Employers can connect with students for job shadowing, internships, and employment opportunities through career fairs and networking events. Mark your calendars for their Graduation & Career Fair on April 9! Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/dewwhrZR Again, thank you to Pellissippi State and all who joined us!

The Chamber was thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Sherwin-Williams at their 909 Osprey Point Ln. location this Wednesday! Thank you to everyone who joined us in welcoming them! Sherwin-Williams has been a global leader in paints and coatings for over 155 years, providing high-quality interior and exterior paints, stains, brushes, rollers, and more. With a commitment to innovation and service, they proudly support homeowners, contractors, and businesses alike. Stop by their Knoxville store to explore their exceptional products and expertise. ??909 Osprey Point Lane, Suite 109, Knoxville 37922

Tuesday was a special day as we celebrated the Knoxville Small Business Development Center with a ribbon cutting in the sunshine (thanks for bringing it with with you SBDC)! As a growing team, they secured a new home on Sherrill Boulevard—thanks to the support of their "Village," as Director of the TSBDC, Gregg Bostick, noted. Thank you to everyone who attended to show their support and to our speakers who shared powerful remarks: -Jessica Hahn, IOM, Blount Partnership -Drew Miles, City of Maryville Government -Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs -Dr. Patty Weaver, Pellissippi State Community College -Gregg Bostick, Knoxville Small Business Development Center The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) exists to help businesses start, grow, and succeed. Their consultants provide no-cost, confidential business consulting and training on key topics like funding, HR, operations, and more. Their impact is incredible, but it’s the TSBDC team that makes it happen. Our Chamber has partnered with them for over 20 years, and Blount Partnership has a long-standing relationship as well. Their dedication to the business community and the economy is unmatched. If you're a business in need of their free consulting, visit https://lnkd.in/gdbYPUFr.

Suzie Lusk’s impact on the chamber community is undeniable. Her dedication and leadership have inspired so many, and this well-deserved recognition is a testament to the difference she continues to make. We’re especially proud that, as part of our Chamber’s commitment to giving back, we were able to provide seed funding for the Suzie Lusk Pay It Forward Scholarship. Congratulations, Suzie, on this incredible honor! ??

Yesterday, we held our Annual Membership Meeting, where members had the opportunity to learn more about how their investment supports the Chamber’s mission and how they can get involved. One key focus was the impact of our growing committees. These volunteer-led groups extend the reach of our three-person staff to over 740 members, driving strategic initiatives and major event planning. We appreciate all who serve on these committees and contribute to the Chamber’s success. We also discussed our grants program. Due to high demand for our Continued Development and Workforce Grants, our board of directors has replenished funding to ensure more members can benefit. These grants provide financial support for staff education, training, hiring, and more. Members interested in applying should watch for emails in March and April or contact us at 865-675-7057 for details/eligibility. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet 90% of our current board of directors, who dedicate their time to advancing the Chamber’s mission. We appreciate their leadership and commitment. As a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization, we also reviewed how the Chamber is funded and our stewardship of those resources, including municipal support from the Town of Farragut and Knox County. Our Enterprise Members were also recognized for their exceptional contributions. Our Treasurer noted that since membership dues are our primary funding source, every member plays a role in the Chamber’s continued success. A special thank you to Southeast Restoration of Knoxville for hosting us in their space and welcoming our attendees. If you haven’t yet seen their new facility on Yellow Pine Lane, we encourage you to check it out!

Thank you to everyone who attended our ribbon-cutting ceremony on Valentine’s Day and showed some love to the team at Atlantic Rehabilitation Center of Knoxville! It was a beautiful day for a ribbon cutting ceremony officially welcoming them to the area. Atlantic Rehabilitation Center provides physical therapy services for back pain, sciatica, neck pain, and more. Their team helps patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall quality of life through personalized care. ??Located at 9309 Kingston Pike, Suite C, Knoxville, TN 37922, they are ready to serve the community. For appointments or inquiries, call (865) 601-7733. Welcome to Knoxville, Atlantic Rehabilitation Center!

Yesterday, we hosted our 2025 Speaker Series: Building Solutions – Tackling Housing & Homelessness Together, bringing community leaders and experts together for a critical conversation on the housing crisis and some of its impact. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. Our panelists included Tracey Williams, CEO of Volunteer Ministry Center; Katie McIlwain, Fig Tree Connection Center Director at Cokesbury Church; Erin Read, Executive Director for Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability; Captain Tracy Hunter, MBA from the Knoxville Police Department - TN and Captain Brad Hall from Knox County Sheriff's Office. Each panelist, drawing from years of experience, shared their expertise to address the challenges and solutions in tackling housing instability in our region. We also appreciate Hallerin Hilton Hill for skillfully guiding the discussion, keeping it both engaging and impactful. This event was made possible by our presenting sponsor, Tennessee State Bank, along with all additional sponsors. And thanks to their support, our Chamber was able to donate $500 EACH to Volunteer Ministry Center and The Connection Center at Cokesbury. A special thank you to our Speaker Series committee for their dedication in organizing this event. As volunteers, they generously gave their time to make it happen. Finally, a huge thank you to Cokesbury Church Knoxville for their hospitality in hosting us and to Classy Caterer for providing a fantastic meal for guests! The conversation doesn’t end here. If you're looking for ways to get involved, consider supporting or volunteering with organizations like: -Volunteer Ministry Center (www.vmcinc.org) -Fig Tree Connection Center (www.cokesbury.tv/figtree) -Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability (https://lnkd.in/eFj4MAeC) Together, we can continue working toward real solutions.

A huge thank you to the Farragut High School Education Foundation for hosting a great Chamber networking yesterday! We appreciate their hospitality and the opportunity to connect with fellow business and community leaders. The FHS Education Foundation plays a vital role in supporting students, teachers, and programs at Farragut High School by funding scholarships, classroom grants, and academic initiatives that enhance learning opportunities. Their mission is to bridge the gap between public funding and the resources needed to empower students for success. Want to support their efforts? Check out their upcoming Fundraising Gala on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Fox Den Country Club. It’s their first-ever gala, and all proceeds go toward strengthening education at FHS! Learn more and get involved by following their Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/e9ZPNjNq Other ways to donate can be found here: www.fhsef.org/donate