Blair Business Mirror Being Published Tomorrow
Chamber Board Meeting to Begin Strategy from Retreat 
Retail Roundtable to Launch Customer Service Training
Leadership Blair County Adult Class Doing Mini-Projects
George Award Nominations Being Accepted
Transportation Compliance Topic of Safety Program
Nomination Period Continues for 2014 Business Hall of Fame
McKillop, Miller Are Next “Role Models”
Deadline is Friday for ACE Award Nominations
GRYP Networking, Golf Group Scheduled for May 22nd
Marzoni’s to Host GRYP Lunch’N’Learn
Check-Out The Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option
Chamber Looking for Businesses That Are Expanding Product Lines
Sponsorships Available for Business Excellence Dinner
Sign-Ups Continue for Chamber Trip to Tuscany
Central Blair Recreation Seeking Help to Install Playgrounds
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

Blair Business Mirror Being Published Tomorrow
The next issue of the Blair Business Mirror hits the streets tomorrow as a supplement to the Altoona Mirror.  The cover feature highlights the renovation of the Educators’ Inn, the restaurant located in the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, and the many GACTC programs that came together to make that renovation a success.  Other inside features include ones on Mueller’s Auto Recycling & Sales, Day One of Greater Altoona and Green Home Goods.  A copy of the Blair Business Mirror will be mailed to each Chamber-member business.

Chamber Board Meeting to Begin Strategy from Retreat 
The Chamber’s Board Retreat, held April 10th, yielded a considerable amount of good information that will serve as the basis of future strategic planning.  Where that process goes from here will be a large part of the discussion at Thursday’s Board of Directors meeting which begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development.  Any Chamber member interested in addressing the Board should contact Joe Hurd (943-8151) by no later than noon tomorrow.

Retail Roundtable to Launch Customer Service Training
The Blair County Chamber’s Retail Roundtable will hold a training session for any interested retailer (or their sales staff) on Friday from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development.  John Moore of Moore Power Sales will facilitate the training.  There is no cost to attend.  To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Leadership Blair County Adult Class Doing Mini-Projects
Session #8 of the Leadership Blair County Adult program begins at 8:00 a.m. on Friday as class members embark on a series of mini-projects that benefit one aspect or another of the community.  The session, to be held at Joshua House in Tyrone, will also include a “Future Search” discussion.  For more information on Leadership Blair County, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or visit the Chamber Website at www.blairchamber.com.

George Award Nominations Being Accepted
The George Award, presented annually to a resident of Blair County who has improved the quality of the community through their volunteer efforts, will have its own venue in 2014. The award will be part of the Chamber “Breakfast Club” on June 12th. Once again this year, Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries will partner with The Chamber on the award. Nomination Forms for the George Award can be secured at the Chamber Office or are available online at www.blairchamber.com. Deadline to nominate is May 14th.

Transportation Compliance Topic of Safety Program
The transportation industry continually evolves as new mandates are implemented. On May 21, 2014, the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners rule will go into effect. This new mandate will impact motor carriers who must ensure their drivers have been medically certified by an examiner on the registry. The Chamber’s Safety Committee will hold a comprehensive workshop to be held on Friday, May 16th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Park Hills Country Club to discuss the recent changes to the hours-of-service regulations, an overview of the Unified Registration System and the importance of using an occupational and environmental medicine physician. The cost to attend the Safety Program is just $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. The cost includes a buffet breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Nomination Period Continues for 2014 Business Hall of Fame
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Business Hall of Fame and General Business Awards of Distinction Program, which honors local businesses that have made contributions to the improvement of the business climate of Blair County. The Blair County Chamber Business Hall of Fame and General Business Awards of Distinction is an evening which honors a select group of businesses who have exceeded the parameters of what most view as successful. Awarding categories include: Hall of Fame, Heritage, Excellence in Small Business, Young Emerging Business, Technology, Committee Choice, Community Service, Safety and Sustainability. Nominate early! Allow your nominee ample time to complete their applications. Nomination forms are available online at www.blairchamber.com or by calling 814-943-8151. Nominee completed applications must be returned to The Chamber by Noon, Friday, June 13.

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 Members and $30 for non-members and includes lunch. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Deadline is Friday for ACE Award Nominations
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce's Farm-City Committee is pleased to announce that nominations are still being accepted for the ACE Award. The ACE Award is the acronym derived from Blair County Agricultural Community Excellence Award and was started as a continuation and expansion of The Chamber's successful Farm Family of the Year Award which was initiated in 1970. In addition to farm families, the ACE Award also allows for nominations of agriculturally oriented individuals, agribusinesses and nonprofit organizations. Activity and participation in Blair County community affairs and the promotion of Blair County agriculture will be the criteria used for selection. Nominations may be submitted by individuals, organizations, businesses, farm families and/or through self-nomination if desired.  A brief bio on your nominee must be included with this Nomination Form. Please also include any comments on why you feel this nominee is deserving of this Award. Deadline to nominate is May 16th.

GRYP Networking, Golf Group Scheduled for May 22nd
The next GRYP Networking event will be held on May 22nd at Iron Masters Country Club from 7 – 9 p.m. The event is free for GRYP members/$5 non-members. There will be door prizes, trivia, free appetizers and a cash bar.   Also on May 22, GRYP Golf Group starts at 5:30 p.m. The event includes a tee time for 9-holes of golf, cart and one drink ticket included in the price.  Prizes will be awarded for skill games.  The cost is $20  for GRYP members/$30 non-members.   GRYP Golf Group will be held every other Thursday through September 25th. There will also be a one hour group lesson starting at 6 p.m. $10 for GRYP members/$15 for non-members to be held every other Thursday through July 31.  Payment for this is to be made directly to Iron Masters Country Club.

Marzoni’s to Host GRYP Lunch’N’Learn
A GRYP Lunch ’N’ Learn will be held at Marzoni’s in Duncansville from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. on May 28th.  “Workplace Conflict Resolution” will be presented by Rick Capozzi. Cost is $22 for GRYP members and $30 for non-members, 3 or more from the same business is $17 per person. Price includes a lunch selection from a limited menu. To register, call The Chamber 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.

Chamber Looking for Businesses That Are Expanding Product Lines
An upcoming issue of the Blair Business Mirror will feature local businesses that have recently added product lines. If you are one of those businesses, please contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.

Sponsorships Available for Business Excellence Dinner
On June 9th, the Blair County Chamber will hold its Annual Business Excellence Dinner in which it will honor Bill Thompson, Jr. with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence. Sponsorships for that event are now available at various participation levels. Advertisements for the event program book are also available. Interested businesses or individuals should contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her at rlitzinger@blairchamber.com. 
 
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. If you’d like to be one of the people making this exciting excursion at an almost unbelievable price, call The Chamber at 943-8151 for a brochure.

Central Blair Recreation Seeking Help to Install Playgrounds
The Central Blair Recreation & Park Commission is reaching out to the local community to ask for assistance with two upcoming community playground installations. The Commission is going to have two community installs going on simultaneously at both Juniata Memorial and Prospect Parks on May 16-18. They are in need of roughly 30-35 volunteers for each site each day. Any help provided would be greatly appreciated. They are shooting for an 8am start and will go through mid to late afternoon each day. Interested people should call Mike Hofer at 949-2231.

Congratulations . . .
. . . to CS Trucking, the in-house shipping division of Curry Supply Company, which was recently presented with the Acuity Safety Award.  This award is given to businesses that are exemplary in their partnership with Acuity to help insure a safe workplace.  Acuity is a property and casualty insurer that operates in 22 states.
. . . to The EADS Group, which was recognized by Engineering News-Record as one of the top 500 design firms in the United States.

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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