Support Small Business Saturday on November 29

Ready to do some holiday shopping after Thanksgiving?

When making your holiday shopping list this week, be sure to think small - as in Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses throughout the United States. The day was founded by American Express in 2010 and is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year's Small Business Saturday will be celebrated on Saturday, November 29.

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce encourages shoppers to think small when making this year's holiday purchases. Consumers play a key role in helping small businesses become successful. By shopping or dining at a small business, you show support for small businesses while reinvesting in the community we call home.

This area is home to hundreds of small businesses that offer unique items that can't often be found in larger retail stores. To learn about some of the small businesses found in this area, visit the Chamber's web site at www.westmonroechamber.org.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, check out this video:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcyCepfNp7o&list=PLD078640144E100C8

#shopsmall

October 2014 Member2Member Profile - Landrys Vineyards

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce celebrates its October Member2Member Profile - Landry Vineyards.

Landry Vineyards was established in 1999 by Jeff and Libby Landry and their four sons - Ethan, Kohen, Noah and Micah along with the loving labor of family and friends. Landry Vineyards was licensed as a Louisiana Native Winery in 2003.

Originally from south Louisiana, the Landrys moved to Northeast Louisiana soon after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The Landrys used the opportunity to relocate to higher ground. They now reside in the beautiful hill country of West Monroe on a 20-acre site including a new winery, vineyards and beautiful tasting room.

The Landry family strives to produce quality Louisiana wines that are distinctive to the region while complimenting the rich flavorful Cajun foods of their French Acadian heritage. Landry Vineyards wines may be purchased in 300 stores throughout Louisiana, from their web site or by visiting Landry Vineyards.

Be sure to visit Landry Vineyards for yourself for a tasting or make plans to attend one of their popular outdoor concerts.

Landry Vineyards

5699 New Natchitoches Road

West Monroe, Louisiana 71292

(318) 557-9051

www.landryvineyards.com

 

 

 

Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival October 4

One of Northeast Louisiana's most unique and interesting festivals will celebrate its 10th Anniversary on Saturday, October 4 in West Monroe.

The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games will take place on October 4 at Kiroli Park in West Monroe.  The all-day festival is family friendly.  There is no admission to attend the festival, but there is a 50 cents per person fee to enter into Kiroli Park.

The festival features a day filled with authentic Celtic music performed by well-known bands such as The Pure Drop, Emerald Accent, Traveling Murphys and a special performance by the Jackson Irish Dancers.

Not familiar with Celtic music?  Check out the link below as our very own WMWO Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Tom McCandlish and his pal Josh Madden performed at a recent Brown Bag Lunch Concert.  The duo played a selection of Irish tunes that had toes tapping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJCXHDfL6bE

The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Besides musical performances throughout the day, there will be plenty of food vendors and crafters.  One of the highlights of the festival is the sanctioned Scottish Highland Games, where athletes in kilts compete in such events as the caber toss and throwing telephone poles.

The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival is one of the oldest and longest-running festivals in the Northeast Louisiana area.  Bring the family and experience first hand the unique food, music and traditions that are part of Celtic heritage.

For more information, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961 or "like" the Celtic Festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NELACelticFest

Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series kicks off in September

The West Monroe Brown Bag Lunch Concert series continues during the month of September.

Every Wednesday during the lunch hour, a local band will perform at the Pavilion located at 7th Square in West Monroe, directly behind the West Monroe Farmer's Market.

These free concerts are a great way to take a break during the work day and enjoy fresh air and the company of other business and community leaders and area residents. 

Local musicians perform each week, offering a variety of musical styles.  The Waterboys will perform a mix of classic favorites and alternative hits on September 10; Strauss Youth Academy of the Arts performs Broadway hits on September 17 and Josh Madden and Tom McCandlish perform on September 24 with a tribute to Celtic tunes and American rock 'n roll standards.

The concerts are conveniently located in the heart of West Monroe and amenities are provided to help you relax and enjoy the music.  Each week, local sponsors and partnering organizations provide beverages and light snacks for concert goers.  Refreshments such as bottled water, cookies and coke/rootbeer floats are provided to attendees at no cost.  If you don't want to bring your own lunch, food trucks are on site to sell you lunch.  The Pavilion offers plenty of shade, and the City of West Monroe provides chairs.

The concerts are organized by the City of West Monroe and West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce.  Sponsors are the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Centric Federal Credit Union and Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union.

Make plans to attend this month's Brown Bag Lunch concerts and listen to some of the great musical talent found right here in our own community.  If you need more information, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961.

WMWO Chamber to host Congressional Candidates' Forum Sept. 2

The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce will host a Congressional Candidates' Forum on Tuesday, September 2.

The forum will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center.

Candidates who have qualified for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District race are invited to attend the forum.  Each candidate will given a set amount of time to address the audience, introduce themselves and explain why they want to be this district's next Congressman.

With the 5th District being large in geographical size, some of the candidates live in other parts of Louisiana.  This forum is an opportunity for voters of northeast Louisiana to meet the candidates in person and learn more about them and their platform.

The election is Tuesday, November 4.

The cost to attend the forum is $15 per person. Reservations will be taken through Friday, August 29 at noon.  To reserve a seat, call the WMWO Chamber of Commerce at (318) 325-1961 or email reception@westmonroechamber.org. 

Adopt a School during the 2014-2015 School Year

School bells are officially ringing in Ouachita Parish!

Our public schools enjoyed their first official day of school today.  As our children, teachers and faculty and staff begin to set goals for themselves this school year, the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce encourages our local business community to consider taking an active role in the success of parish educational system.

The WMWO Chamber, in partnership with the Ouachita Parish School Board and Adopt-a-School Committee, hosts the "Adopt-a-School Program."  The goal is simple - connect at least one adopter with each of the 36 public schools in Ouachita Parish.  Adopters can be businesses, large or small, or even non-profit organizations, service clubs, churches or individuals.

What does it mean to adopt a school?  It means that as an adopter, you take time throughout the school year to check on your adopted school to see what needs they might have.  Perhaps they need a volunteer reader, a judge at the social studies fair, a cookie tray for Teacher Appreciation Week or someone to simply encourage the school and let them know they are doing a good job.

How do you adopt a school?  Contact the WMWO Chamber of Commerce if your business or organization is interested.  There is a minimal fee - $25 per new school adopted.  After the first year of adopting that school, there is a $10 renewal fee.  You choose the school you want to adopt, or we can help match your organization with a school in need.  Schools may have multiple adopters!

With all the changes in our state educational system this year, the WMWO Chamber feels it's even more important to show our support of our public schools.  Our children are the future workforce of this community.  There is no better investment to make in Ouachita Parish.  We strongly encourage our local businesses and organizations to consider adopting a school in Ouachita Parish and positively impact the lives of our children.

WMWO Chamber offers group travel to Ireland this spring

The WMWO Chamber of Commerce and the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Chamber of Commerce are partnering with Collette Travel to offer a group travel to Ireland in April 2015.

This "Shades of Ireland" trip offers a 10-day tour of Ireland.  Highlights include Limerick, Killarney, Blarney Castle, Waterford Crystal and Dublin.  The price of the trip is as low as $3,049 per person which includes round trip air fare, accommodations and meals.  The trip is scheduled to take place April 20-29, 2015.

If you have dreamed of going to Ireland or a trip abroad, we encourage you to attend an informational meeting at the WMWO Chamber office on Monday, August 4 at 5:30 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.  There is no obligation by attending this meeting.  It's a free and informative gathering of people who are interested in learning more about this trip.

For additional details about the "Shades of Ireland" trip, we encourage you to check out this video:

https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/629642

Be on the look out for information on additional group travel opportunities.  The WMWO Chamber will offer a "New England Fall Colors" tour in Fall 2015.  Contact the WMWO Chamber at (318) 325-1961 for more information!

 

 

WMWO Chamber of Commerce joins the blogging community!

The West Monroe-West Ouachita chamber of Commerce is excited to delve into the blogging community! 

Through this blog, the WMWO Chamber hopes to reach a greater audience and continue to provide valuable tips and information to our members.  We'd like to share information with you on everything from tips to marketing and use of social media to information you need to know about upcoming events, community happenings, tax issues and much more.  If you're looking for information on a particular topic, let us know and we'll research it and share it on this blog!

This blog is another tool the Chamber can use to reach our members.  With nearly 600 members belonging to the WMWO Chamber of Commerce, our primary goal remains connecting members to members and giving area businesses the tools they need to be successful in our community.

Over the next several weeks, you will be hearing about several of the events being hosted by the WMWO Chamber including community festivals, concerts, networking opportunities and free trainings.  If you're not already a WMWO Chamber member, we hope you will consider joining.

For more information about the WMWO Chamber of Commerce, find us at www.westmonroechamber.org or on social media including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.