Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for welcoming new businesses to the community and providing them with information about KBA.

Membership represents the largest committee within KBA and has the primary task of retaining and building the overall membership of the association. This committee coordinates various campaigns throughout the year to introduce local businesses to the benefits of being a part of KBA. Committee members are on hand at all KBA functions to help members network and get to know one another. This committee hosts a new member orientation before each monthly KBA luncheon. During monthly lunches, the chairs of this committee provide updates on the current size of membership and facilitate One Minute introductions by new members. Committee members oversee the collection and maintenance of accurate member information for use on the KBA website.

Communications Committee

The communications committee is responsible for keeping the membership and community updated on the activities and accomplishments of the association. As technology changes, so do the responsibilities of this important committee. This committee is responsible for communicating through email, social media, blogs and local newspapers. Committee members oversee the association’s website and work closely with an outside development company to ensure maximum functionality for members, as well as the community. Committee members maintain information about KBA, its monthly events, community events, and an up-to-date directory of all members and broadcast that information where appropriate to promote the association. Photographing and videoing KBA events are also handled by this committee.

Hospitality Committee

The hospitality committee works with membership and communications to ensure that all guests attending a KBA function are greeted and educated on all that the association has to offer. Members of the hospitality committee introduce special guests and distribute door prizes at the end of monthly lunches. This committee is on site at Alive After Five and Wake Up events to assist guests and new members. Members of this committee also coordinate and manage the Hospitality book and volunteers and both the Big Shanty Festival and Taste of Kennesaw.

Programs Committee

The program committee is responsible for seeking out and scheduling guest speakers for the KBA monthly lunches. Members work to ensure that speakers tie into the annual theme of the association while leaving members with information they can use to improve their business or their career. Information is collected on guest speakers for use on the KBA website and in other vehicles that promote upcoming association events. Committee members introduce all guest speakers and help coordinate any needs during their time at the podium. This committee also solicits business sponsors for each monthly lunch, coordinates details with them, and introduces them during each lunch. The chair of this committee works closely with the chair of Business Development and Alive After Five to coordinate member sponsorships for all monthly events.

Business Development – KBA-2-KBA

This committee plans and executes several important networking events for the members of KBA. Wake Up KBA is a monthly morning event hosted by a variety of KBA members. This small group setting allows members to network and introduces the businesses to the others in attendance.

The business development committee also plans the 5th Tuesday networking lunches. Similar to Wake Up events, these casual lunches provide members to network and meet other members. Hosted and catered by a variety of members, this committee finalizes and promotes these functions when a 5th Tuesday falls on the calendar.

This committee also coordinates and promotes the annual Business Expo where members can come set up a display and promote their businesses to other members.

Alive After Five Committee

This Committee plans and coordinates this monthly networking event. Business sponsors are chosen to host and support this monthly after hour’s event. Committee members work closely with all sponsors to make sure facility sizes are adequate and also:

• Encourage and help hosts and sponsors cross-market the event with their clients.
• Coordinate photos, logo, and/or information with JRM for promotion promptly.
• Provide Committee report and/or photos to JRM for the monthly newsletter.

Education Committee

The education committee is made up of a diverse group of KBA members, including educators and local businesses. This committee’s goal is to carry out one of the association’s goals of supporting the schools in the Kennesaw area. Members coordinate featuring a School of the Month during each monthly lunch. The principal and teacher of the year are invited to showcase their school and presented with a check from the KBA.

Each year, this committee, along with many other KBA members, coordinate the Back-to-School Bash. This event helps kick off the school year for the faculty and staff at Big Shanty and Kennesaw Elementary schools. Lunch, goodie bags and enough door prizes for all in attendance help illustrate just how much KBA supports education in the community.

Committee members also help coordinate the annual Connections Expo where school administrators become the vendors as KBA members learn more about the unique needs and partnership opportunities of each school.

The Education Committee also solicits school choruses and other groups for performances at the annual Big Shanty Festival and Taste of Kennesaw. Committee members also make the final selection for scholarship winners that are presented during the April KBA lunch each year.

Finance Committee

The finance committee collects budget information and prepares the annual administrative budget for the board member retreat, generally in early November. They also:

• Oversee the filing of the KBA tax return promptly.
• Audit the KBA’s financial reports throughout the year
• Works closely with JRM Management on all financial matters.

Governmental Affairs Committee

A fairly new committee for KBA, this committee stays connected with the City of Kennesaw, KDA, KDDA, KSU, and the Town Center CID. This committee reports information acquired to the board and membership, as well as works to keep KBA connected with all of these organizations. Members of this committee assist with welcoming politicians and other elected officials during all KBA networking events. When appropriate, this committee organizes opportunities for KBA members to hear from those running for public office.

Big Shanty Festival Committee

KBA members on this committee help plan the association’s largest annual event. The Big Shanty Festival is a two-day event held each April in downtown Kennesaw. This event kicks off with a parade down Main Street, followed by the opening of hundreds of craft, food, and local business vendors. Committee members work closely with JRM Management and the city of Kennesaw to plan and execute this festival. The volunteers on this committee help with everything from booth layout, parade planning, and promotions to the local schools and community.

Taste of Kennesaw Committee

Committee members plan and execute this annual fall event in downtown Kennesaw. The one-day Saturday event features food and beverages from restaurants in and around Kennesaw. Craft vendors and a full line up of entertainment round out the day. The committee works closely with JRM Management on all aspects of this event. All proceeds earned are given back to local charities which are chosen by the committee. Members continue working to increase the size and quality of the vendors and entertainment.

KBA Member and Business of the Year Committee

Committee members solicit and evaluate nominations for outstanding business and member of the year. Members meet during the second half of each year to select finalists in both categories for this prestigious recognition. Site inspections and interviews with all finalists help the committee ultimately select a winner in both categories. The committee is sworn to secrecy until the award presentation at the December KBA lunch.