Chamber Office Closed Monday for Columbus Day
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published Tuesday
October “Breakfast Club” Will Target the Business Benefits of Recycling
Business Hall of Fame Dinner Just One Week Away
Inexpensive Opportunities Available to Sponsor Television Programs
GRYP to Hold Sporting Event and Community Service Opportunity
Legislative Debate Geared to Sorting-Out Business Issues
Sponsorships, Tickets On-Sale for Farm-City Dinner
Reserve a Booth Now for the 2013 Home & Garden Show
Leadership Youth Class Will Have Session on Agricultural Heritage
Chamber to Partner With WIB on Free Management Summit
Registration Now Open for Regional Business & Industry Expo
Invite a Non-Member to Attend “Chamber Chat”
Issues Forum on Distressed Cities Set for October 19th
Business Participation Needed for Career Shadowing Week
Next Informational Meeting on China Trip is November 7th
Chamber Co-Sponsoring Seminar on Small Games of Chance
U.S. Chamber Launches VoteForJobs2012.Com Website
Operation S.O.S. Kicking-Off 9th Annual Campaign
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Chamber Office Closed Monday for Columbus Day
The Blair County Chamber Office will be closed on Monday in observance of Columbus Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. For information on The Chamber or to register for Chamber programs and events, visit The Chamber website.
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published Tuesday
The next issue of the Blair Business Mirror will be published on Tuesday and inserted in the Altoona Mirror. This month’s cover story will focus on the four roofing companies that are members of The Chamber. Inside features include a Q&A with Larry Kulp of Kulp Family Farm in Martinsburg and one on former Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority whose reputation for integrity and fairness has made her a popular target for local organizations looking for political debate moderators.
October "Breakfast Club" will Target Benefits of Business Recycling
Centre County has a long tradition of innovative solid waste management and successful recycling. Their programs have enhanced the county’s quality of life and provided important resources and services for businesses and residents. At the next Blair County Chamber Breakfast Club this Thursday, Joanne Shafer, Assistant Director of the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, will explain how Centre County overcame some of the obstacles that have continued to plague Blair County and the multiple benefits that have resulted. The title of her presentation is, “Profiting From Recycling: A Success Story Close to Home.” The Breakfast Club begins at 7:45 a.m. and is held at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The cost to attend is $16 for Chamber Members and that price is also being extended to non-members for this event only. Non-members must pay in advance. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Business Hall of Fame Dinner Just One Week Away
Next Monday night is The Chamber’s Annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner at the Blair County Convention Center. The event begins with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception at 5:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 6:45. This year’s honorees are: Hall of Fame inductees - Alpha (formerly known as Cookson Electronics), Child Advocates of Blair County, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona and Hoss’s Steak & Sea House. Times Tribune Company will be honored in the Heritage category. In the General Business Awards, East Loop Sand Company, L.R. Webber Associates and New Look Uniform Shop/Blair Digitizing will be honored for Excellence in Small Business. Altoona Mirror, Forever Broadcasting and M&T Bank will receive recognition for Community Service. McLanahan Corporation is the Safety Excellence Award winner; Penn State Altoona SIFE nets the first-ever Sustainability Award; EcoIslands, LLC wins the Technology Award and the Committee Choice honoree will be Operation SOS. To make reservations, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Inexpensive Opportunities Available to Sponsor Television Programs
The Chamber is featuring a number of informative programs during the next three months that will also give members an opportunity to get the name of their business or organization in front of the viewing public in an inexpensive way. On October 30th, two half-hour “Blair County: It’s Our Business” programs will tape for airing on the Altoona Public Access Channel in November. One program will be on local manufacturing; the other on local insurance. The panel discussion format will be moderated by WTAJ’s Carolyn Donaldson. On November 26th, two more BCIOB programs – one on local retail and the other on local restaurants will tape for airing in December. And on December 10th, a one-hour “Issues” program on Blair County’s small businesses will tape for airing in January. The cost for a business to sponsor a “Blair County: It’s Our Business” program is just $100. To sponsor an “Issues” program is $150. A business or organization can sponsor all four BCIOB programs for just $300. To sponsor, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
GRYP to Hold Sporting Event and Community Service Opportunity
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) continues to advocate for young professionals by providing a variety of activities that showcase the benefits of living and working in Blair County. Join GRYP this Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 8:45-11 p.m. at Galactic Ice for their recreational event: Broomball. Dress warm, bring your sneakers and take to the ice for an all-around good time and some friendly competition. Cost is only $15 per person. You can register HERE or call Jessica at The Chamber at 814-943-8151. On Saturday, October 13th GRYP will meet at the Home Depot parking lot from 10 a.m. to noon to clean-up the 17th street cloverleaf for the Adopt-A-Highway program. Participants are to dress comfortably. Visibility vests, gloves and trash bags will be provided. Anyone interested in helping with this community service effort is to contact Jessica at The Chamber Office.
Legislative Debate Geared to Sorting-Out Business Issues
When voters in the 79th Legislative District in Pennsylvania attempt to distinguish between candidates Richard Flarend and John McGinnis, which one will they identify as the most pro-business? To help them make that determination, The Chamber is holding a debate on Thursday, October 18th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. The debate is open to the general public. Questions will be supplied by The Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee. Former Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority will be the moderator. Hoss’s Steak & Sea House and Reliance Bank are corporate sponsors for the debate which is expected to last approximately one hour. There is no cost to attend. For further information, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Sponsorships, Tickets On-Sale for Farm-City Dinner
The Blair County Chamber’s Farm-City Dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 30th beginning with a Milk-Punch Reception at 6:30 p.m. and a family-style turkey dinner at 7:00. Highlighting the evening will be a keynote speech by Chris Brand of Giant Food Store, LLC followed by the presentation of the 2012 Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award to Kelly Ritchey. Tickets to the dinner are available and so are sponsorships and program ads. To purchase either, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151.
Reserve a Booth Now for the 2013 Home & Garden Show
Although the Blair County Home & Garden Show will not take place until March 1, 2 and 3 of next year, the committee overseeing that event has already started the booth selection process. Beginning October 8th, unsecured booths will be made available to new exhibitors. To reserve a booth, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151 or email her. Payments can be made with cash, check, Discover Card, Master Card or VISA. The Blair County Home & Garden Show is a partnership of the Blair County Chamber and the Blair-Bedford Builders Association.
Leadership Youth Class Will Have Session on Agricultural Heritage
On Wednesday of this week, The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Youth class will visit the Kulp Farm and Ritchey’s Dairy in Martinsburg as part of its “Regional Appreciation – Agricultural Heritage” session. The class will also do presentations on the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” For more information on Leadership Blair County Youth, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or visit The Chamber website.
Chamber to Partner With WIB on Free Management Summit
The Blair County Chamber is one of eight organizations in the region partnering with the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board to offer a Management Summit on Tuesday, October 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Lake Raystown Resort, Lodge and Conference Center in Huntingdon County. The Summit, entitled “How to Engage, Inspire and Motivate Employees for Peak Performance” is being presented by John R. Rodgers, Jr., President of the International Dale Carnegie Franchise Association. The target audience for the Summit is managers, supervisors, leaders and any business professional who wants to impact the top line and bottom line by engaging their employees. There is no cost to attend and lunch is provided by the generous support of sponsors. To register, call Helen Pyzowski at (814) 641-6408, Ext. 107.
Registration Now Open for Regional Business & Industry Expo
Once again this year, the Blair County Chamber will participate in the Regional Business & Industry EXPO, set for Thursday, November 8th from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. Click here for the registration form.
Invite a Non-Member to Attend "Chamber Chat"
Often, businesses and organizations that are not members of The Chamber have a difficult time deciding whether to join because they know so little about what The Chamber does. To help clear-up any confusion, The Chamber has created “Chamber Chat,” an opportunity for non-members to learn about the organization in a fact-filled one hour session. If you know a business that is not a Chamber Member yet, please invite them to attend one of these important sessions! "Chamber Chats" will be held on Wednesday, October 17th at 8:15 a.m. and Wednesday, October 24th at 1:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Devorris Center for Business Development and will last no longer than one hour. There is no cost to attend "Chamber Chat" but pre-registration is encouraged. Call 943-8151 to register. There is no obligation to join The Chamber if you attend.
Issues Forum on Distressed Cities Set for October 19th
The Blair County Chamber and the Pennsylvania Economy League will co-sponsor an Issues Forum on October 19th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The title of the Forum is: “Cities and Their Region: A Shared Destiny and a Shared Responsibility.” Keynote speaker will be David Black of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber. The cost is $20/person and includes a buffet lunch. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or click here.
Business Participation Needed for Career Shadowing Week
Nearly 300 high school juniors from Blair County schools will be seeking career shadowing opportunities as part of The Chamber’s Career Shadowing Week (November 5-9). The weeklong event is part of the organization’s BASICS program. Any businesses that would be willing to host a student or students for a half-day during that week, please contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Next Informational Meeting on China Trip is November 7th
The Chamber’s next trip to China is set for April 12-20 and the deadline for registration and payment in full is December 14th. While many people have already paid the $200 deposit to secure a spot on the trip, many have made inquiries and still others are looking for more information. That information, in the form of a Q&A meeting, will next take place on Wednesday, November 7th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Joe Hurd and Jessica Meck from The Chamber and David Kimmel from Penn State Altoona – all of whom traveled on last November’s Trip to China – will be on-hand to answer any questions about the trip and to distribute materials including the trip’s itinerary. There is no cost to attend the meeting and no obligation to make a commitment for the April trip. For more information, contact The Chamber at 943-8151. Pre-registration for the meeting is recommended but not required.
Chamber Co-Sponsoring Seminar on Small Games of Chance
The Blair County Chamber is partnering with State Senator John Eichelberger on a seminar which will focus on the rules and regulations surrounding Small Games of Chance in Pennsylvania. The seminar will be held on Monday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Saint Rose of Lima School Hall, 5519 Sixth Avenue in Altoona. Guest presenter will be Sgt. James Jones of the PA State Police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. “So many of our Chamber Members, particularly our many non-profit organizations, rely on small games of chance to stay alive financially,” disclosed Chamber President Joe Hurd. “It’s important that they know and understand how to remain in compliance with state regulations.” There is no cost to attend the seminar but registration is encouraged. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
U.S. Chamber Launches VoteForJobs2012.Com Website
The United States Chamber of Commerce has launched VoteForJobs2012.com, a new digital platform to help educate and mobilize voters. The website provides a comprehensive source of political information including a breakdown of key House and Senate races and comparisons of the candidates’ records on issues critical to growing the economy and creating jobs. The site also features voter resources including registration forms, absentee ballots and polling place locators to insure that the business community is active at the polls this November.
Operation S.O.S. Kicking-Off 9th Annual Campaign
Operation S.O.S (Support Our Soldiers) is kicking-off its ninth year of making the holidays a little brighter for American troops who are stationed overseas and the Blair County Chamber is once again helping to promote their efforts. The main drop-off location for any items will be Smith Furniture in Duncansville. Additional drop-off locations in the area include: Ace Hardware, Duncansville; First Commonwealth Bank, Duncansville; Gem’s Styling Salon, Roaring Spring; The Flower Connection, Claysburg; Logan Township Municipal Building, Altoona; Altoona First Savings Bank, all locations;
Professional Auto Body, Duncansville; 1st Summit Bank, inside the Altoona Walmart. The collection period is between October 22nd and November 17th. A list of acceptable items is available online at www.smithfurniturehof.com. Monetary donations can be sent to Operation S.O.S., P.O. Box 305, Duncansville, PA 16635.
Congratulations...
. . . to Michael J. Wagner, a partner in the law firm of Wagner & Finn, has been named a 2012 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for the seventh consecutive year. Only five percent of Pennsylvania attorneys receive this honor each year.
. . . to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona which received the National Presidents’ Circle Award during the company’s Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet held in Phoenix, Arizona. The local hospital is one of only thirteen hospitals in the nationwide network of 99 rehabilitation hospitals to receive the prestigious award.
Blue Card Discounts
Here are a few of the discounts you can receive with your Chamber Blue Card. Click here to see the full list of Blue Card Discounts. To have an offer listed contact Stacy Hoover at The Chamber at 943-8151.
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Park Audio Plus!
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Present your Blue Card to receive 4 years Interest Free Financing on all Tempur-Pedic & Serta Icomfort mattress sets plus a Free $200 gift card, free delivery, & Free removal of old bedding.
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Park Hills Country Club
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Present your Blue Card to receive a FREE round of golf when you purchase three rounds for the same date and tee time. (Some restrictions apply.)
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Peter C. Pham, DDS, PC
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive: 10% Discount on Major Restorative Work OR receive Free X-Rays. (New Patients Only) OR
$50 off Zoom Whitening.
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Peterman's Flower Shop
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a 10% discount on any product or service...including weddings!
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Phoenicia Mediterranean Restaurant
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Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off your bill. Discount excludes alcohol purchases.
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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October 8, 2012
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Breakfast Club
Thursday, October 11, 2012
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
GRYP Broomball
Thursday, October 11, 2012
8:45 - 11:00 p.m.
Galactic Ice
Register Here
Business Hall of Fame Dinner
Monday, October 15, 2012
5:30 p.m. - Reception
6:45 - Dinner/Program
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
Chamber Chat
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
8:15 a.m.
Chamber Office
Flarend/McGinnis Debate
Thursday, October 18, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Blair County Convention Center
GRYP Networking
Thursday, October 18, 2012
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
U.S. Hotel Restaurant & Tavern
Register Here
Issues Forum on Distressed Cities
Friday, October 19, 2012
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
The Casino
Register Here
Safety Presentation
Friday, October 19, 2012
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
The Casino (Soho Room)
Register Here
Business After Hours
WEDNESDAY, October 24, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hampton Inn Altoona
Register Here
GRYP next Leadership Workshop
Friday, October 26, 2012
8:00 - 11:45 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Farm-City Dinner
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
6:30 p.m. - Milk/Punch Reception
7:00 p.m. - Dinner - Program
The Park at Morrisons Cove
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 10/8/12
Buy Here. Live Here. Committee
Tuesday, October 9, 9:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
BASICS Subcommittee on Early Childhood Ed.
Wednesday, October 10, 9:30 a.m.
Chamber Office
LBC Adult Committee
Wednesday, October 10, 3:30 p.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
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