Executive Roundtable to Feature Highmark, UPMC Presentations
Safety Program to Help Employers Determine Job Demands
Chamber Board to Consider New Program From PCBI
Holiday Inn Express to Host Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
Great Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Television Programs
Non-Profit Coalition to Review Progress of Past Three Years
Small Business Seminar Target Risks, Rewards of Social Media
GRYP Lunch ‘n’ Learn to Address Business Etiquette
Bigelow Family Selected as 2013 ACE Honorees
"Down on the Farm" Event Heads to Roaring Spring
Business Hall of Fame Slated for October 21st
Home & Garden Show Committee Begins Booth Selection Process
“Chamber Chat” Geared to Prospective Members
“Chamber Check-Up” is for Members Wanting to Learn More
Registrations Being Accepted for Chamber’s China Trip
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Executive Roundtable to Feature Highmark, UPMC Presentations
The Chamber’s Executive Roundtable meeting, set for this Wednesday at The Blairmont Club, will feature a healthcare discussion involving two prominent insurance providers – Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and UPMC Health Plan. Tony Benevento, Senior VP of Pennsylvania Markets for Highmark and Diane Holder, President/CEO of UPMC Health Plan will be the speakers. The program is designed to let local businesses know what they can expect from the many changes in the healthcare terrain over the next few years. For more information on the Executive Roundtable, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Safety Program to Help Employers Determine Job Demands
The Chamber’s Safety Committee has put together an outstanding educational program that will help businesses to get a better sense of the strength, agility and stamina necessary for employees to do the job safely and effectively. Ray Gagne, who has worked with numerous Olympians and professional sports teams, will present “The Industrial Athlete: Preparing the Employee for the Physical Demands of the Job.” The program will take place on September 18th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at ProCare Health & Fitness in Altoona. The cost to attend is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for non-members. Breakfast is included. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Board to Consider New Program From PCBI
Among the agenda items at Thursday’s meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors will be consideration of a new program offered by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry. That program would make it possible for any member of the Blair County Chamber with ten employees or fewer to become members of PCBI as no cost. The Chamber Board approved a similar program at its August meeting that made it possible for members in certain categories to gain free membership in the Chamber of Commerce of the United States.
Holiday Inn Express to Host Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
Although New Years Eve is still a few months away, the Holiday Inn Express in Altoona has chosen New Years Eve in New York as its theme for Thursday’s “Business After Hours.” The event, held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., features food and beverages catered by Joey Del’s. Music is provided by Tommy Gunnz. The cost to attend is $6.00 for Chamber Members in advance and $7.00 at the door. Non-members can attend for $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Great Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Television Programs
The Chamber’s “Issues” programs have been featured on the Altoona Public Access Channel for many years. The programs look at those aspects of the business community and the Blair County community in general that impact how we live and work. The Chamber will be doing three programs this Fall. The first highlights Blair county agriculture: the second, Leadership Blair County; and the third, young professionals in our county. Not only will these one hour programs, moderated by Carolyn Donaldson, be interesting to watch, they also provide great sponsorship opportunities for businesses that are looking for ways to get their names out while also supporting The Chamber’s effort to better educate and inform the public on key topics. The cost to sponsor an “Issues” program is just $100 a show. Sponsor all three and it’s just a total of $250. It’s an inexpensive way to get a whole lot of exposure. Interested? Call Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Non-Profit Coalition to Review Progress of Past Three Years
Three years ago, The Chamber introduced a new committee called the Community Benefit Coalition of Non-Profits. That Coalition has had many positive effects on how non-profit organizations are viewed in Blair County. At the Coalition’s meeting on Friday at 8:15 a.m. at the Devorris Center, a SWOT Analysis will be conducted to chart the Coalition’s path for the next three years and beyond. If you are a non-profit organization and would like to participate, call Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Small Business Seminar Target Risks, Rewards of Social Media
Social media carries both risks and rewards for small businesses. To learn the difference, plan on attending the next seminar being offered by The Chamber’s Partners in Small Business to be held on September 24th from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Angie Keating, CEO and co-founder of Reclamere, Inc., will be the guest speaker. Keating will address the risks that security and compliance officials need to be aware of in today’s business world. The cost to attend this seminar is just $5.00-per-person but attendance is limited to the first 40 registrants. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
GRYP Lunch ‘n’ Learn to Address Business Etiquette
On September 25th, Outback Steakhouse will be the site of GRYP’s next Lunch ‘n’ Learn program. That program will address “Business Etiquette.” Marc Warren, President of Customer Follow-Up, Inc., will be the presenter. Warren has 25 years of marketing, sales and research experience. His firm helps businesses assess and improve their client services. The cost to attend the Lunch ‘n’ Learn is $22 for GRYP members and $30 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Bigelow Family Selected as 2013 ACE Honorees
Randy & Twila Bigelow & Family are the 2013 recipient of the Blair County Chamber’s Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award. The Bigelow family serves as outstanding ambassadors for agriculture The ACE Award will be presented to the Bigelow Family at the Annual Farm-City Dinner, set for October 29th at The Park at Morrisons Cove. Sponsorships and advertising can be secured by contacting Christine Perkins at The Chamber, 814-943-8151 or emailing her.
"Down on the Farm" Event Heads to Roaring Spring
The Annual Business After Hours “Down on the Farm” will be held on Thursday, October 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Triple R Farms, 1450 Cabbage Creek Road, Roaring Spring. The farm is a cow/calf operation raising only pure bred Scottish Highlander beef cattle. The event will feature a pig roast provided by AgChoice Farm Credit and Holland Brothers Meats, kids activities, farm tours, Ritchey’s ice cream and live entertainment by Zupe. The cost to attend is just $5.00-per-person and kids under 12 are free. To register and for directions to the farm, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Business Hall of Fame Slated for October 21st
The Chamber’s Annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Monday night, October 21th 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. To make reservations, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Cost to attend the Dinner is $65 a person. Hall of Fame honorees are: Bellwood-Antis School District, Stuckey Ford and Subaru in Hollidaysburg, and Tom and Joe’s Diner in Altoona. In the category of Excellence in Small Business, the honorees are: Altoona Lung Specialists, Kooman & Associates and Stoney Point Events. The Altoona Curve is the Community Service honoree. Three businesses will be honored in the category of Sustainability. They are: Hollidaysburg Area High School, Sheetz, Inc., and Word Processing Services, Inc. EcoIslands, LLC and Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc. are the Technology honorees and the Committee Choice Award recipient is The Nehemiah Project.
Home & Garden Show Committee Begins Booth Selection Process
Although the Blair County Home & Garden Show will not take place until February 28, March 1 and 2 of next year, the committee overseeing that event has already started the booth selection process. Exhibitors from the 2013 show get the first crack at renewing the booth at their previous location if they do so by September 27th. Beginning October 7th, unsecured booths will be made available to new exhibitors. To renew a booth or be put on the list to receive information, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151. 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.
“Chamber Chat” Geared to Prospective Members
On September 23rd at 2:00 p.m., a “Chamber Chat” will be held at the Devorris Center for Business Development. This interactive forum will allow non-Chamber members to learn more about the organization. There is no obligation to join The Chamber. Chamber Chat will last approximately one hour. There is no cost to attend and no need to pre-register.
“Chamber Check-Up” is for Members Wanting to Learn More
Many members of The Chamber were unable to attend a New Member Orientation session when they first joined. To help them learn more about the organization and some ways that they can more actively participate, The Chamber is holding a “Chamber Check-Up” program on September 23rd at 3:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. This free program will last no more than one hour and there is no need to pre-register.
Registrations Being Accepted for Chamber’s China Trip
The recent meeting concerning The Chamber’s next China Trip (April 4-12, 2014) drew quite a bit of interest. If you weren’t able to be there, The Chamber has a wealth of information to help you catch-up. Simply stop-by the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. This will be the third trip to China in the past four years and the cost is still a ridiculously low $2,399 pp/dou.occ., which includes all flights, meals and 5-star hotels. It’s the trip of a lifetime at a price that can’t be beat!.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Jack and Marie Makdad of Makdad Industrial Supply Company who recently had their names added to the Donor Wall at the Centre County Youth Service Bureau for accumulated lifetime donations of more that $50,000.
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 Christine Perkins at The Chamber at 943-8151.
|
The Cashman Financial Group
|
Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive one hour free consultation on: planning for a successful retirement; making the best Social Security Choices; how to roll your 401K. Also receive a free guide to understanding your social security with every consultation.
|
|
Dr.'s Centar & Imler
|
Present your Blue Card to receive 20% off of spectacle lenses and frames. (Discount cannot be combined with any other insurance programs, coupons or courtesies.)
and or
receive 20% off of an exam and contact lens fitting. (Discounts cannot be combined with any other insurance programs, coupons or courtesies.)
|
|
Foxtrot Runners Inc.
|
Show your Chamber Member Blue Card at checkout and receive 10% off each individual pair of shoes.
|
|
Freedom Rentals
|
Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off EZ Pak Mobile Storage, self-storage - all locations, and motor home and travel trailer rentals.
|
|
Green Home Goods, Inc.
|
Present your Blue Card to receive a 10% off eco-friendly gifts and accessories, and discounts on eco-flooring & furniture.
|
For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
|
|
September 16, 2013
|
Upcoming Events
Register online
Business After Hours
Thursday, September 19, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express
Register Here
Safety Workshop
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
7:30 - 11:30 a.m.
ProCare Health & Fitness
Register Here
Chamber Chat
Monday, September 23, 2013
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
Chamber Check-Up
Monday, September 23, 2013
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
Small Business Partners Workshop
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
Register Here
GRYP Lunch 'n' Learn
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Outback Steakhouse
Register Here
LBC Alumni Breakfast
Thursday, September 26, 2013
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Soho Room
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 9/16/2013
Golf Committee
Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 a.m.
The Chamber
LBC Youth Committee
Wednesday, September 18, 3:30 p.m.
Devorris Center
Community Benefit Coalition of Non-Profits
Friday, September 20, 8:15 a.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
|
|