Friday, April 28, 2017

Blowing Rock Investment Properties Joins Luxury Portfolio International®

Contact: Scott P. MacIntosh / Blowing Rock Investment Properties/ (828) 295-7337 / scott@brips.com

Blowing Rock Investment Properties Joins Luxury Portfolio International®
- Blowing Rock Investment Properties expands its reach with membership in Luxury Portfolio, the leading global network of luxury real estate brokerage firms -



Blowing Rock, NC – 4/12/2017 – Blowing Rock Investment Properties recently joined Luxury Portfolio International®, the luxury face of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® the largest global network of premier locally branded companies dominated by many of the world's most powerful independent luxury brokerages. Our award-winning website was launched in 2005 and in its first year featured more $1 million-plus residences than other luxury real estate organizations. Continuously growing, the network has marketed over 50,000 of the world's most astonishing homes last year and attracted over 3 million high-net-worth visitors by presenting a gallery of the finest luxury properties and brokerages worldwide, our brand is recognized throughout the world as the luxury standard of excellence.

Based in the United States, Luxury Portfolio International® is backed by the experience of the most well respected and well known experts in luxury real estate in markets worldwide. This group collectively has wide spans of experience in the high-end luxury real estate market.

Luxury Portfolio is the fastest growing luxury property network. The 200 selected affiliates represent the luxury component of an organization which encompasses over 550 companies, 4,000 offices and 128,000 associates producing $351 billion in sales last year, with over one million transactions in over 60 countries.

“Luxury Portfolio is thrilled to have Blowing Rock Investment Properties as part of our distinguished Broker Collection.  The company has an impeccable reputation for luxury marketing in the High Country, and we are committed to helping them achieve even greater success,” said Paul Boomsma, president of Luxury Portfolio. “Luxury Portfolio boasts the most comprehensive marketing program in the industry, encompassing print advertising in high net-worth publications, an award-winning website and premium marketing materials. The scope of the program benefits Blowing Rock Investment Properties and all of our members, as well as the luxury clientele they serve.”

Blowing Rock Investment Properties exceeded $57 Million in sales for the year 2016. Blowing Rock Investment Properties was proud to receive the Momentum Club Award given by Leading Real Estate Companies of the world.

“Experiencing the success of being part of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Blowing Rock Investment Properties seized the invitation to join Luxury Portfolio International. This gives Blowing Rock Investment Properties and its associates the opportunity to offer their clients a more global & exclusive reach for their luxury real estate”. said Scott P. MacIntosh Owner/Broker In Charge of Blowing Rock Investment Properties.

Luxury Portfolio International® marketed over 50,000 of the world’s most remarkable properties last year on its award-winning website, LuxuryPortfolio.com. The site attracts over 3 million high-net-worth visitors a year and features a total inventory of available properties in excess of $54 billion. Luxury Portfolio is unmatched in the global arena, with network members in 60 countries, site translation in nine languages and multiple currencies and visitors from 200 countries/territories visiting the site every month.


For more information on Luxury Portfolio, visit LuxuryPortfolio.com.  For more information on Blowing Rock Investment Properties, visit BRIPS.com or call (828) 295-7337.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Weekly Village Update 4.27.17

Chamber Events & News


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Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14th!

We Encourage Everyone to Shop Local for Mom this Mother's Day!

Members, would you like to be included in our Mother's Day Shopping section next week? Email Christine a brief description of your special item or sale. We would like to have a shopping list that includes apparel, chocolate/treats, dining, flowers, jewelry, spa treatments, unique gifts, wine and more!

 Items must be submitted no later than 3 pm on Tuesday, May 2nd to be included.



Art in the Park
The 2017 Season of Art in the Park begins Saturday, May 20th on Park Avenue, Downtown Blowing Rock (in front of Chamber), 10 am - 5 pm

FREE parking downtown on the street and in the parking decks on Wallingford St. and at BRAHM.  
FREE trolley from Tanger Outlets and Food Lion, all day, looping every 15 minutes.

Mark your calendars; it's going to be a great season!


FREE Magazine Subscription for Chamber Members
As a membership benefit for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, you are eligible for a complimentary subscription to Business North Carolina magazine. Business North Carolina is North Carolina's premier business monthly magazine and has a normal subscription rate of $30 per year. To take advantage of this offer, please fill out the on-line form at this link:  
The code to get a free subscription is BROCK17


Real Estate Report
Local real estate sales continue to increase, with first quarter activity this year almost surpassing $100 million.
Individual sales remained strong, a longstanding trend as year-over-year sales activity continued to spike. Interest rates, meanwhile, are trending down.


What in the World is Causing the Retail Meltdown of 2017?
In the middle of an economic recovery, hundreds of shops and malls are shuttering. The reasons why go far beyond Amazon. There have been nine retail bankruptcies in 2017, as many as all of 2016. J.C. Penney, RadioShack, Macy’s, and Sears have each announced more than 100 store closures. Sports Authority has liquidated, and Payless has filed for bankruptcy. Last week, several apparel companies’ stocks hit new multi-year lows, including Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, and American Eagle. Read More

Member Events & News


Summer Exhibition Celebration
Thursday, May 4th at 5 pm
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum

BRAHM invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of five exhibitions. The museum will provide hors d’oeuvres, live music, and free admission throughout the evening. The event is open to the public and sponsored by Bistro Roca. Along with a cash bar, there will be a special beer tasting offered by Blowing Rock Brewing Company.


5th Annual Mule Days
Thursday - Sunday, May 4th - 7th
Leatherwood Mountains, Ferguson

Free to attend and watch, here is your chance to get up close and personal with over 125 Mules and Donkeys from 10 states! 
This event is held to fundraise for the Horse Friends Therapeutic Riding Program.


Turchin Center for the Visual Arts: Weekend on the New River
Friday - Sunday, May 5th - 7th
New River State Park, 221 Access

Come for a few hours, a day, or for the weekend; pack a picnic or reserve a campsite. There are several scheduled events on Saturday, including a water analysis with staff of the New River Conservancy, a hands-on aquatic sampling led by park rangers and an artist’s talk about the temporary site-specific art installation in the New River. 


1st Annual Drive for DECA Golf Tournament
Friday, May 12th at 9 am
Sugar Mountain Golf Club

Appalachian State DECA Chapter is a club that focuses on professional development, philanthropy, and event planning to prepare students for the workforce. This golf tournament is to raise funds for DECA students to attend the 2018 International DECA Collegiate Competition.


Youth Academic & Athletic Camps
Appalachian State University is hosting a variety of youth academic and athletic camps this summer!

Be sure to register early!

Camp choices include: Anatomy & Physiology, Baseball, Basketball, Forensic Science, Engineering, Science, Volleyball and More!



An Appalachian Summer Festival
An Appalachian Summer Festival has announced their 2017 line-up!

Now celebrating its 33rd season, the festival has emerged as one of the nation’s leading regional arts festivals, featuring the best in music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film.

Tickets are on sale now!



Blood Drive - Donors Needed
ServPro of Watauga and Avery Counties is interested in hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive. Before they can schedule a date, they need to know how many people are interested in donating blood. If you're willing to be a donor, please email Ryan Berthelson and you will be contacted when a date is set.




Chamber Information & Meetings


Upcoming Meetings
Board of Directors: Wednesday, May 3rd at 8 am
Blowing Rock Young Professionals Meetup: Monday, May 8th at 5:30 pm, Blowing Rock Ale House
Business After Hours: Tuesday, May 16th at 5:30 pm, High Gravity Adventures
Art in the Park: Saturday, May 20th at 10 am, Park Avenue (in front of Chamber)
Concert in the Park: Sunday, May 21st at 4 pm, Memorial Park Gazebo
Executive Board: Tuesday, May 23rd at 8 am
All meetings are held in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.