“Breakfast Club” to Pay Tribute to Leadership Blair County
McKillop, Miller Are Next “Role Models”
Grand Opening is Tomorrow for the New Days Inn
Speed Networking Event Set for April 15th
GRYP Collecting Donations for BCRDS
Bill Sell’s Bold to Host Next GRYP Networking Event
Check-Out The Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option
Sign-Ups Continue for Chamber Trip to Tuscany
Registered for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic Yet?
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

“Breakfast Club” to Pay Tribute to Leadership Blair County
The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County program is celebrating its 20th year and the first phase of the celebration will take place at the next “Breakfast Club,” set for this Thursday, April 3rd at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park.  Donna Gority, a member of the original LBC Steering Committee and Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, a longtime supporter of the LBC program will collaborate on “Two Decades of Servant Leadership: The LBC Story.” Keystone Business Support is the corporate sponsor of the April Breakfast Club. “This event is not only a significant opportunity for LBC graduates to re-engage with classmates but it’s also a great chance for people who have indicated an interest in the program to see and hear what it’s all about,” explained Gority. The cost to attend the Breakfast Club is $16 for Chamber Members and $20 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

McKillop, Miller Are Next “Role Models”
Bobbie Miller of Advantage Resource Group and Bill McKillop of Giant Eagle will be the Blair County Chamber’s next “Role Models” at a program to be held May 22nd from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. The Role Models program was initiated two years ago to provide a forum for business leaders to share their experiences and insights with those still climbing the corporate ladder. The format is strictly Q&A with a moderator asking initial questions to generate discussion and attendees carrying the ball from there. The cost to attend Role Models is $25 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members and includes lunch. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
 
Grand Opening is Tomorrow for the New Days Inn
The new Days Inn hotel, located just off the Pinecroft Exit of I-99, will have its official grand opening tomorrow beginning with a ribbon cutting at noon. All Chamber members are invited to join-in.

Speed Networking Event Set for April 15th
When The Chamber’s Small Business Partners decided to pilot a Speed Networking event in January, a modest-but-enthusiastic group of small business people showed-up. In late February, twice as many came for the second showing despite inclement weather. The next Speed Networking event is April 15th at 8:00 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. An even bigger turnout is predicted. The cost is just $10 for Chamber Members and $20 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
  
GRYP Collecting Donations for BCRDS
GRYP will be participating in the Blair County Respiratory Disease Society’s 26th Annual Wallyball tournament. BCRDS is dedicated to the prevention and aid to individuals and families affected by respiratory diseases. GRYP will be collecting monetary donations, until the start of the tournament on April 24, to help support their programs. If you are interested in donating contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her.
 
Bill Sell’s Bold to Host Next GRYP Networking Event
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold its next networking event on April 17th at Bill Sell’s Bold, 1413 11th Avenue in Downtown Altoona. The evening will feature appetizers, a cash bar, and many opportunities to get to know other young professionals. The event is free for GRYP Members and $5.00 for non-members. For more information or to make reservations, contact the Blair County Chamber of Commerce at 943-8151 or register online.

Check-Out The Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option 
The Blair County Chamber has partnered with Empower3 Center for Health to offer Chamber-Member employers an affordable community-based health plan for their employees. The plan features level group rates, no deductibles, no pre-existing condition exclusions, substantial prescription drug coverage with co-pays of $10 or less and the opportunity to add dental and vision coverage. Call Maureen Frucella for details.  Her number is (814) 317-5063.

Sign-Ups Continue for Chamber Trip to Tuscany
The Blair County Chamber, in cooperation with Classic Travel and Chamber Discoveries, has scheduled a trip to Tuscany from October 20 to 28. An informational meeting took place on February 18th. A large number of people attended and we expect to have a large contingent of travelers. If you’d like to be one of them, call The Chamber at 943-8151 for a brochure. The deadline to qualify for the $100 discount has been extended to April 1st. We’re hoping to have another informational meeting next month so keep in touch. This is a great trip at a terrific price!

Registered for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic Yet?
The Annual Chamber Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 12th at Iron Masters Country Club in Ore Hill.  Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will once again be the main sponsor for this popular event which routinely sells-out several weeks prior. This year’s Classic will again include the helicopter ball-drop, courtesy of Pine Bottom Aviation Services. Registration for sponsors and golfers is underway as are the sales of tee-and-green sponsorships. For more information or to register, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151 or email her.

Congratulations . . .
. . . to ParenteBeard which was recently ranked by “Accounting Today” as one of the nation’s Top 25 accounting firms.

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 The Chamber at 943-8151.    

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