Up & Coming Weekly

WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 16 UP & COMING WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2009 Thank you to a large contingency from the area for representing the Chamber at U.S. Congressional Representative Mike McIntyre's 2009 Washington Perspective. The annual event invites chamber and business representatives from Nor th Carolina to hear from the state Congressional delegation and then engage their representatives. The second day included a series of great speakers including politicians, executives, and pundits such as General Wesley Clark, Gover nor Howeard Dean, Senator Trent Lott, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Admiral Gary Roughead, NBC Political Director Chuck Todd and broadcaster Judy Woodruff. Par ticipants included: Doug Hewett, City of Fayetteville Incoming Chamber Chair Chris Bostock Chamber Board Chair Dan Dederick Marge Dederick, entrepreneur Kalli Ziegler, Kalli Ziegler Real Estate Mr. John M. Healey, Cumberland Community Foundation Inc. Dr. M. Elton Hendricks, president, Methodist University Michael Gooding, senior market executive, RBC Bank Robin P. Davenpor t, vice president for Institutional Advancement- Methodist University Jimmy Gar rett, Family Foods Inc. Ronnie Matthews, Family Foods Inc. Scott Dor ney, NCMBC Scott Per ry, DSTA Paul Dordal, BRACr tf Chairman The n speaks speaks Business The l ss Spotlight Spotlight We've all heard the saying "You never get a second chance to make a fi rst impression." This has never been truer than now, as families and potential businesses begin looking at our community for relocation. As the BRAC 2005 mandates begin to come to fruition, the economic development group of the Fayetteville- Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce is seeing a lot of activity with prospective businesses looking to locate into the area. Their visits are our opportunity to show them what a great place this is in which to live and grow their businesses. On a typical visit we meet with a variety of representatives from diff erent areas of the community to include, when appropriate, the local leadership. A community tour is always part of the visit if for no other reason than the route to the building or site. Meals are frequently part of the client's itinerary and most often their closest contact with the community at large. The client learns fi rst hand, the quality of customer service he or she would receive from the residents on a fi rst-hand basis. The dinners and luncheons are just as important in the recruiting process as the other scheduled meetings of the day. For a client to walk into a restaurant and see that it's fi lled with local patrons, shows the client that this community enjoys the atmosphere, the comforts and the service of that particular establishment. And when the staff of that establishment shows an enthusiasm for their job with a professional and courteous attitude, it only adds to the clients fi rst impression of the community, giving the client something positive to discuss on their fl ight back to their home state. Every establishment has the opportunity to make the very best fi rst impression to visitors and those who are still trying to decide whether they will purchase a home in our community. As the area continues to grow and new developments continue to reface this proud and patriotic community, a new image forms with it. We are indeed the "All American Hometown" and we want everyone who visits to realize what a great place this is to live and work. The Chamber would like to take this opportunity to thank those establishments who have gone above and beyond with their exceptional service and staff . You have demonstrated through your professionalism that "The All American Hometown" is not just a catchy slogan, but also a defi nite refl ection of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County community. This is a community to be proud of. 2009 Washington Perspective Doug Peters First Impressions Are Lasting Impressions Kalli Ziegler with Rep. Mike McIntyre in Washington

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