Taking Care of Business11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3Homewood Suites

Build a Better Business Plan6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3 | ChamberSponsored by SCORE Chapel Hill and the Chamber, this course is for entrepreneurs looking to start a business, or small business owners wanting to create a more complete business plan to effectively manage and operate their organization.

Coffee with the Candidates: Economic Development & Public Policy Committee Meeting8-9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 4 | Siena Hotel

Build a Better Business Plan6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10 | Chamber

Retail Roundtable7:30-8:45 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16 | Chamber

Chapel Hill Young Professionals Cocktails with the Candidates5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16The Franklin Hotel

Nomination Deadline for Business Excellence Awards5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16

Build a Better Business Plan6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24 | Chamber

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February Events • 2CRSI | (919) 809-7845 | 2crsi.com

• Ad Resources, Inc. | (919) 384-7904 adresourcesinc.com

• Aqua Squad | (919) 942-3614 aquasquadnc.com

• Chart Your Course International (919) 230-1542 | chartcourse.com • CHICLE Language Institute (919) 933-0398 | chi-cle.com

• DPAC | (919) 281-0707 | dpacnc.com • Lili Engelhardt Fine Art Portraiture (919) 935-9875 | liliengelhardt.com

• Sherri Ontjes | sherri.rho@att.net • Strowd Roses, Inc. | (919) 245-1716 strowdroses.org

• University PC | (919) 896-8222 universitypc.com

Find all Chamber members at our online business directory at business.carolinachamber.org/list/

New Members

On � ursday, Dec. 17, Chamber sta� celebrated the debut of Crosstown at Chapel Hill Apartment Homes, formerly Farrington Lake Apartments, a� er its multi-million dollar renovation. Crosstown features 411 apartment units, two pools, and many other amenities. Conveniently located near Highway 54 and I-40, Crosstown o� ers residents access to both the Chapel Hill and Durham areas. For more information, visit liveatcrosstown.com.

Goodbye Business After Hours, Hello Face Time!

We invite you to a new networking event, Face Time! It’s open and free to members, and you can bring a friend who wants to check out the Chamber or do some high-value networking for only $5. We’re partnering with different organizations to host a monthly event to help expand YOUR networks.

Visit carolinachamber.org/events to see when and where Face Time is in February. We’re also looking forward to showcasing our Nonprofit Spotlight: Carolina For the Kids. Learn more about this successful student-run organization at carolinaftk.org.

Registration is open for the 2016 Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro! Presented by the Chamber and its Partnership for a Sustainable Community, in this 10-week program, participants will:

• Learn about the social, cultural, political and economic issues of our community from today’s leaders;• Exchange ideas and experiences that will equip them with skills and knowledge to make significant impact;• Organize a fundraiser for a local non-profit;• Build lasting relationships;• And, have a lot of fun!

Visit carolinachamber.org/leadership to sign up. Don’t miss the early bird rate of $955, available until Feb. 16. Scholarship opportunities are available. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Nick Johnson at (919) 357-9989 or at njohnson@carolinachamber.org.

At its December meeting, the Chamber’s board of directors endorsed the statewide bond referendum called “Connect NC.” The $2 billion bond package will not require a tax increase and has bipartisan support from across the state. These proposed investments include making much needed improvements to water and sewer infrastructure and state parks, in addition to capital projects at public universities and community colleges. Included in the Connect NC bonds is $68 million for a new medical education building at UNC and $4.3 million for improvements at Durham Tech. That’s why we hope Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters across the state Vote YES to Invest on Tuesday, March 15! Get involved by committing to vote yes at voteyestoinvest.com.

The March primary is around the corner, and though you’ll have the opportunity to cast your vote for your preferred presidential candidate, we also want to ensure you’ve had an opportunity to meet the local candidates on your ballot. Mark your calendar for these two opportunities to meet and greet folks who’ve thrown their hat into the ring for public service:

• Coffee with the Candidates: 8-9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, The Siena Hotel Join the February Economic Development & Public Policy (EDPP) Committee meeting for an opportunity to have small group conversations with individuals running for the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the North Carolina General Assembly. Coffee with the Candidates is free and open to any Chamber member employee. Register atcarolinachamber.org/events.

• Cocktails with the Candidates: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16, The Franklin Hotel Join the February meeting of the Chapel Hill Young Professionals (CHYP) for an opportunity to play Candidate Bingo with individuals running for the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the North Carolina General Assembly. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet the 2016 CHYP Leadership Council members. Register for CHYP online at carolinachamber.org/events.

Find out more online at carolinachamber.org/events, or contact Chamber staff Kristen Smith at ksmith@carolinachamber.org.

ConnectDots A publication of the

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce

2016February

Boost Your Leadership Skills

Connect NC: Vote Yes to Invest!

Election 2016:Your Chance to Meet the Candidates

Major Investor Spotlight:

Wright Brothers’ Landscaping & Tree ServiceWright Brothers’ Landscaping & Tree Service is a family owned and operated company, founded by Tim and Jeremy Wright. And yes, they are “the Wright Brothers.” As arborists and sustainable landscape experts, they strive to provide the very best quality services in Carrboro and Chapel Hill, and a great customer experience that you won’t be able to keep a secret. Additionally, in this cold weather season, Wright Brothers’ Landscaping & Tree Service can deliver and stack your firewood - dried, split, and ready to burn. Find out more about Wright Brothers’ Landscaping & Tree Service at CarrboroLandscapes.com.

Photos contributed by Wright Brothers’ Landscaping and Tree Service.

Hillsborough Chamber CEO Sara Stephens plays Candidate Bingo with Chapel Hill Town Councilman Michael Parker and Mayor Pam Hemminger. Come meet the 2016 candidates! Photo credit: Nicholas C. Johnson.

Chamber Program Director Chela Tu shares a laugh with Annetta Streater, vice chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. Photo credit: Nicholas C. Johnson.

Last year, a record number of participants graduated from Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro. � e 2015 class produced a successful Casino Night fundraiser, raising $10,000 to bene� t TABLE. Photo contributed.