Stapelfeld Selected to Receive Business Excellence Award
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published on Tuesday
Mallory to Speak at Thursday’s “Breakfast Club”
Fat Daddy's BBQ and Six Pak to Host GRYP Networking Event
Chamber Looking For Input on Federation Partnership Program
London is Next Chamber Trip Destination
Chamber Members Can Access Lower Residential Electric Rate
China Trip Meeting Set for March 18th
Small Business Partners to Host Online Marketing Program
Chamber Golf Classic Expected to Sell-Out Early
Sign-Ups Continue for “Hiring Our Heroes”
Applications Available for 2014 LBC Youth Class
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Stapelfeld Selected to Receive Business Excellence Award
Ben Stapelfeld, co-founder and chairman of New Pig Corporation in Tipton, will be the recipient of The Chamber’s 2013 “Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence.” The award will be presented at the Business Excellence Dinner, set for June 17th at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Stapelfeld will be the twelfth award recipient since Ernie Wissinger received the first in 2002. Other winners have been G. William Ward (2003), Stephen Sheetz (2004), Donald Devorris (2005), Willard Campbell (2006), John Wolf (2007), Lee Hite (2008), Donald Detwiler (2009), Michael McLanahan (2010), Barry Smith (2011) and Fred Imler (2012). Further details concerning the event will be available within the next few weeks.
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published on Tuesday
The March issue of the Blair Business Mirror will be published as a supplement to Tuesday’s Altoona Mirror. The cover story will focus on the one-year anniversary of “Buy Here. Live Here.” Inside features include a Q&A with Attorney Bill Haberstroh, an inside look at a Martinsburg business – Canary Labs – that has developed an international reputation for promoting the use of historical data, and a peak at an event that Penn State Altoona students are undertaking to assist The Chamber in its “Hiring Our Heroes” effort. If you don’t get the Altoona Mirror, don’t despair. We will mail your business or organization a copy of the Blair Business Mirror by the end of the week.
Mallory to Speak at Thursday’s “Breakfast Club”
Brad Mallory has returned to PennDOT and will share his insights on the often-complicated topic of transportation funding reform with the Blair County Chamber Members. Mallory, who had served as the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Transportation during the Tom Ridge administration, will speak at this Thursday’s Chamber “Breakfast Club” which begins at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Mallory’s new title is PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary for Administration. He is heavily involved with Governor Tom Corbett’s effort to repair Pennsylvania’s dilapidated highways and bridges. The cost to attend the Breakfast Club is $16 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Corporate host of the March Breakfast Club is M&T Bank.
Fat Daddy's BBQ and Six Pak to Host GRYP Networking Event
Join the area’s premier young professionals’ program for an evening of food and fun at Fat Daddy’s in Altoona from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, March 14th. GRYP (Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals) is an innovative program of the Chamber that provides networking, educational, recreational and community minded events for business professionals between the ages of 21-45. Cost is Free for GRYP members, $5 for non-members. To sign-up for the event, call The Chamber or register here.
Chamber Looking For Input on Federation Partnership Program
Through its membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Blair County Chamber has been provided the opportunity to offer U.S. Chamber membership, free of charge, to any of its members who fit the criteria of the U.S. Chamber’s Federation Partnership program. The criteria would include: Having a total annual revenue of less than $10 million; not being a current paying U.S. Chamber member; not be a charity, a non-profit organization, government entity or religious/educational institution. “It’s geared to smaller businesses primarily and it offers an incredible number of resources to help those businesses to be successful,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd. “There’s a considerable upside.” Possibly a downside as well. “There’s also an affinity program in which discounted products and services are marketed to members. There’s no obligation to buy but we are concerned about potentially being in conflict with our Buy Here. Live Here. effort even though our Chamber wouldn’t be offering or endorsing those products and services.” Hurd is asking Chamber Members to email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com by March 8th to let him know their feelings concerning The Chamber’s involvement in the Federation Partnership program.
London is Next Chamber Trip Destination
The Blair County Chamber is headed to London! The Chamber, in cooperation with Heritage Travel of Altoona and Chamber Discoveries, will feature an eight-day trip from October 26th to November 2nd. Trip brochures are available at the Chamber Office and Heritage Travel and an informational meeting will be held on April 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. To register for that meeting, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Chamber Members Can Access Lower Residential Electric Rate
On the electric front, the good news is that the Penelec “Price-to Compare” rate has dropped once again to 7.05 cents-per-kilowatt hour. The really good news is that The Chamber’s Residential Electric Program through OnDemand Energy has also dropped to 5.64 cents/kh. But the great news is that anyone who had locked-in the 7.25 rate through the ChamberChoice program previously can now switch to the 5.64 rate without a penalty. To make that switch, either call 866-699-9968 or go to www.ondemandenergy.com.
China Trip Meeting Set for March 18th
A meeting will be held on March 18th beginning at 6:00 p.m. for the 48 people who will be traveling to China with The Chamber next month. The meeting will shore-up all details concerning the trip and will review the itinerary. All those signed-up for the April 12-20 trip should attend the meeting or should send a representative. For further information, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
Small Business Partners to Host Online Marketing Program
The Blair County Chamber’s Small Business Partners will present a program on “Search Engine Optimization and Online Marketing” on Wednesday, March 20th from 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Topics include website design, social media, local online visibility and much more. The featured speaker is Casey Macioge, independent media consultant for PRC Communications. Cost to attend is only $5 for Chamber Members, $10 for non-members. Space is limited. Call The Chamber today at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Golf Classic Expected to Sell-Out Early
Registration is underway for the 2013 Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield / Chamber Golf Classic. The popular event is set for Monday, May 13th at Iron Masters Country Club in Ore Hill. The price of participating remains the same -- $150-per-golfer and $600 for a foursome – and that includes golf, a delicious luncheon, a special gift for each golfer, a post-Classic reception and Comfort Carts that keep the golfers hydrated. For the second consecutive year, the event will feature a ball drop, coordinated through Pine Bottom Aviation Services of Martinsburg. To reserve a team or an individual spot in this year’s event, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
Sign-Ups Continue for “Hiring Our Heroes”
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce will partner with the U.S. Chamber on a major event that is expected to have considerable impact on local employers and military job seekers. “Hiring Our Heroes” is a nationwide effort initiated by the U.S. Chamber in March of 2011 to help veterans and military spouses to find meaningful employment. Since that time, 220 hiring fairs have taken place in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia resulting in more than 10,400 hirings. On April 10, 2013, a Hiring Our Heroes fair will be held from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona. The event is free for both employers and job seekers. Job seekers are limited to military veterans and their spouses. Employers will not be required to pay for exhibitor space, they must at least verify that they have legitimate jobs to offer. Any employers interested in reserving exhibitor space should go to HOH.greatjob.net. Job seekers can register on that same site. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications Available for 2014 LBC Youth Class
The application process has begun for the 2014 Class of Leadership Blair County Youth. Current high school freshmen at Blair County schools are eligible to apply for the program. Applications must be accompanied by two referrals from non-family members (teachers, guidance counselors, employers, etc.). Students can obtain an application from the guidance office at their schools, by clicking here or by stopping at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. Deadline to apply is April 22nd.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to J.T. Tidd, Dick Logan and Michael Harris of the financial firm Edward Jones. Their company has been named one of Training magazine’s top 125 training companies for 2013.
. . . to Dale Hill of Northern Cambria who has been elected chairman of the SCORE Alleghenies Chapter. His new position makes him an Ex-Officio member of the Blair County Chamber’s Board of Directors.
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 Jessica Meck at The Chamber at 943-8151.
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Teeter Group
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Present your Blue Card on your purchase of your business insurance through Penn National Insurance and (depending on total group premium and claims experience) you could earn an annual dividend.
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The Cashman Financial Group, LLC.
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Attention Business owners: Call 1-800-722-0610 to learn how to receive a FREE Copy of "The Baby Boomer's Guide to Social Security"
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The Hite Company
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Receive 15% off your order or regular priced items. Showroom products only. Not valid on previous purchases or with other discounts.
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The Village at Morrisons Cove
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Receive 15% off Dinner Purchase when you present your Blue Card at The Bistro at the Village Green (The Village at Morrisons Cove). Limit one coupon per customer per visit. *Only good with purchase of an entree.
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10 Seven Marketing
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive $300 off of your business website design or redesign when you enroll inn our 6 month growth strategy. See website for details.
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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March 11, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
WE-LEaD Netowrking
Monday, March 11, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Marzoni's, Duncansville
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, March 14, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
GRYP Networking
Thursday, March 14, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fat Daddy's BBQ Shak & Six Pack
Register Here
Online Marketing Program
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Devorris Center for Business Developement
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, March 21, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Advanced Chiropractic
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 3/11/2013
BASICS Steering Committee
Monday, March 11th, 8:00 a.m.
GACTC
Legislative Action Committee
Tuesday, March 12th, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Retail Roundtable
Wednesday, March 13th, 8:15 a.m.
Devorris Center
Small Business Partners
Wednesday, March 13th, 11:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Chamber Executive Committee
Thursday, March 14th, 9:30 a.m.
The Chamber
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