________________________________

PRSA-Nashville Membership & Other Friends of the Industry:

As mentioned in previous e-mails, PRSA-Nashville has been called upon by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor's Office to volunteer our knowledge and expertise in helping small businesses affected by the flood.  Accordingly, PRSA-Nashville and the Nashville Business Response Team have partnered to assist victims.  Many of you have asked what more you can do  to help... here is a wonderful opportunity.  Several businesses have expressed interest, one has an immediate need.



Flood Volunteer Opportunity

PRSA/Business Response Team Partnership





Be part of the newly launched In-Kind Service Match Program and assist Nashville’s flood-affected business owners. The Match Program is being coordinated by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce as part of its support for Mayor Dean’s Business Response Team.



About the Business Response Team

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has tasked the Chamber with coordinating a Business Response Team<http://www.nashvillechamber.com/Homepage/NewsEvents/PressRelease/10-05-06/Mayor_Announces_Business_Response_Team_to_Assist_with_Flood_Recovery_Efforts.aspx> to facilitate and coordinate financial and volunteer assistance from the Nashville business community for business flood recovery efforts. Four corporate leaders head the effort: Henry Hicks of Gray Line of Tennessee; Orrin Ingram of Ingram Industries Inc.; Christine Karbowiak of Bridgestone Americas, Inc.; and Gregg Morton of AT&T. The Business Response Team is working as a portal for businesses interested in making contributions, either through donations, volunteer manpower or in-kind services.



Business Need for Public Relations/Marketing Assistance

The Business Response Team is implementing a business visitation program with the goal of understanding the needs of the 2,700 businesses in Davidson County impacted by the flood. Information from these visits, the Business Response website and hotline and Business Response Fairs (PRSA is represented at these fairs) has resulted in a list of businesses in need of public relations/marketing assistance.  PRSA members are asked to indicate interest in being matched with these companies and arrange a meeting to understand specific needs and what public relations/marketing help can be provided.



The importance of public relations assistance can be seen in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where two years after their devastating flood, marketing assistance for businesses is the priority issue shared with flood recovery caseworkers. The service PRSA members can provide at this important juncture in the recovery process can be a key contributor to the survival of an affected business.



Next Steps

If your company is interested in being part of the PRSA/Business Response Team partnership, please let Carrie Brumfield know by Friday, July 9.   Her contact information:

Carrie Brumfield

Manager, Community Action

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

615-743-3083

[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



For more information on the Business Response Team, please visit their website at www.nashvillebusinessrecovery.org<http://www.nashvillebusinessrecovery.org/> or contact Debby Dale Mason at the Chamber at 615-743-3082 or [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.



Thanks,



Trey Campbell, APR

2010 President - PRSA-Nashville




Trey Campbell, APR
Director of Communications
Southwestern Company
2451 Atrium Way  Nashville, TN  37214
Phone: 615-391-2801; 888-602-7867
Fax: 615-391-2703
E-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Website: www.southwestern.com<http://www.southwestern.com>
Blogs: www.southwesterndifference.com<http://www.southwesterndifference.com>;  http://blog.southwestern.com