HBC Annual Breakfast
7:30-9 a.m. Sept. 18
Harbert Center

Geraldo Rivera, host of Fox News' "Geraldo at Large," will be the guest speaker at the  Annual HBC Breakfast. Known for his investigative journalism, Rivera has received several awards, including the 2000 Robert F. Kennedy journalism award, the Scripps Howard Foundation national journalism award and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. He is a veteran foreign correspondent, having covered nearly every international conflict since 1973.

The Annual HBC Breakfast will be from 7:30-9 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Harbert Center. For more information, contact Ashley Grigg.

High Power in High Heels is a Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce Event for Business Women and Administrative Professionals

The event, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Wynfrey Hotel, is a networking opportunity for the Birmingham region’s top business women and administrative professionals. It is for women whose firms/organizations are members of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Registration is limited to the first 250 who register before Sept. 12. For more information or to register, click here.

A fashion showcase will be provided by Belk of the newest designer heels and handbags for fall. The Belk 2009 fashion forecast will be presented, as well, and several pairs of designer heels and handbags will be given away as door prizes. Discounts for shopping the afternoon of the event will be offered at Belk - Galleria location. A complimentary luncheon will be provided by The Wynfrey Hotel

Other door prizes include:

• Weekend stay in the Presidential Suite at The Wynfrey Hotel
• Weekend beach trip to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
• Several spa and nail treatments
• Special premium items provided to each attendee

Business Before Hours
7-9 a.m. Sept. 12
Embassy Suites

The ultimate networking experience! Hosted by the Embassy Suites, this energetic, morning event is guaranteed to motivate you and your team and connect you (one-on-one) with the region’s professional business elite! Join Chairman Tony Giles as he leads you through networking at its finest! REMEMBER: bring plenty of business cards for the priceless contacts you and your team will make! This event is FREE for members who RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 10* E-mail Lisa Swanger or call her (205-241-8121) to make your reservations today! (*$10 after Sept. 10)

The Chamber will honor Birmingham’s regional media professionals at the fourth annual Media Night 2008, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Vulcan Park & Museum. Media Night is a chance to network and mingle with journalists in a fun and relaxing environment that is “Off the Record.” With presenting sponsor Charter Communications, the Chamber will recognize the finalists and announce the winners of the Rufus N. Rhodes Leadership in Media awards. This event is exclusive for members of the Chairman’s Circle, Board of Directors and Board of Trustee members. Invitations to this event are non -transferrable.

The Rufus N. Rhodes Leadership in Media awards recognizes work in journalism that has made an impact on the region or on a specific community. Many of the finalists were nominated by Chamber members. There are three categories of finalists: individual, organization and posthumous. Finalists in the individual category are Matt Murphy, host of The Matt Murphy Radio Program that airs on WAPI 1070 AM, Rahkia Nance & Robert K. Gordon, metro reporters at The Birmingham News, Michael Tomberlin, business reporter at The Birmingham News and Sarah Verser, reporter and anchor at Fox 6. The finalists in the organization category are ABC 33/40, CBS 42 and FOX 6.

Reliable Moving Company, Inc. has been a reliable source for moving and storage for business, families and even those in need for nearly two decades. Its community involvement and commitment to the area are two reasons the business has been selected the Chamber's September Small Business of the Month.

Reliable Moving Company provides moving and storage services for households, businesses and industries both locally and long-distance. It has been in business for 17 years and employs 18 people.

Over the years Reliable Moving Company has donated its services to organizations like Sav-A-Life and food bank missions among other ministries in the area. "We just try to help where we can," said Jerry Holcombe, president of Reliable Moving Company.

Holcombe has called Birmingham home since 1974 and said he's been "blessed" to do business in Birmingham. "Birmingham is home to us," he said. "We've had our ups and downs over the years, but we've been blessed. We've never missed a meal."

The company received the Wheaton Van Lines Sales Award and the Wheaton Van Lines Quality Award in 2007.

Visit Reliable Moving's website at www.reliablemoving.net.

Each month, the Chamber will be recognizing a small business for its community involvement and success. To nominate your business, click here to download an application or contact Ashley Grigg for more information.

Are you happy with the rate of return you receive from you investment with the IRS? The question does make you pause for a moment. Obviously we all know that our rate of return is Zero. Point being, everyone has to pay taxes, as we should. Without our tax dollars, Uncle Sam would have no revenue and we would not enjoy our current overall prosperity. There are many tax strategies, however, that business owners should understand and take full advantage of, should they qualify.

Manufacturing and research organizations should understand R&D Tax Credits, for example. Many companies and accredited investors should, at a minimum, be aware of Oil and Gas Drilling Tax Deductibles. A company self-insuring certain risks should recognize the potential benefits of a Captive Insurance Company structure in order to take advantage of tax deductions. Corporations and C-Level executives need to know AMT issues that arise with exercising ISO’s and ways to combat them. Most importantly, business leaders should never underestimate the amount of funds that can be set aside in their qualified plans.

Finally, there are many opportunities associated with Black Letter tax laws that ALL business owners and executives must understand. Having a grasp on just a few of these key points may help your bottom-line dramatically and help you drive business results.

Bobby White is CFS Wealth Manager and CEO of REliance Financial Group, LLC.

EDITOR'S NOTE: From One Member to Another is a new guest column in the Chamber's e-newsletter written by members for members. For guidelines on writing a guest column click here or e-mail Laura McAlister

If you are interested in sponsoring a Chamber event, please contact the Manager of Sponsorship Relations, Angie Vilchez at (205) 241-8128.

You can access our most up-to-date list of available sponsorships here

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