Business Excellence Dinner is Next Monday
“Breakfast Club” to Focus on Volunteerism, George Award
Nomination Deadline Approaching for 2014 Business Hall of Fame
Low-Cost Healthcare:  The Chamber Makes It Happen
Sign-Ups Continue for Chamber Trip to Tuscany
Oak Spring Winery to Host GRYP Networking
Save the Date: “Backbone  Bash” Set for August 1st
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

Business Excellence Dinner is Next Monday
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. The event, one of The Chamber’s most prestigious, is set for The Casino at Lakemont Park with a reception starting at 5:30 p.m. and dinner beginning at 6:45. To register for the Business Excellence Dinner, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

“Breakfast Club” to Focus on Volunteerism, George Award
Nancy Kukovich, CEO of Adelphoi USA in Latrobe and former President of United Way of Pennsylvania will be the speaker at the next Chamber “Breakfast Club, set for June 12th at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Kukovich will speak about the important role of volunteers to a healthy community. Her appearance coincides with the presentation of The Chamber’s “George Award” which is presented annually to a resident of Blair County who has improved the quality of the community through their volunteer efforts. Ruth Weaver of Hollidaysburg, a former trust officer with Hollidaysburg Trust Company and an active volunteer for several area non-profits will be the 2014 recipient of that award. Once again this year, Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries will partner with The Chamber on the award. Co-sponsors of the Breakfast Club are: Teeter Group, Brumbaugh Insurance Group, D.B. Mackey Insurance Agency and Ebensburg Insurance. The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $16.00/person. To register for the Breakfast Club call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Nomination Deadline Approaching for 2014 Business Hall of Fame
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is continuing to accept 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 on-line at www.blairchamber.com or by calling 814-943-8151. Nominee completed applications must be returned to The Chamber by Noon, Friday, June 13. 
 
Low-Cost Healthcare:  The Chamber Makes It Happen
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. 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.

Oak Spring Winery to Host GRYP Networking
The next GRYP (Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals) networking event will be held on June 19th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Oak Spring Winery. The event is free for GRYP members and $5.00 for non-members. Food will be provided and wine will be available for purchase. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
 
Save the Date: “Backbone  Bash” Set for August 1st
The much-anticipated “Backbone Bash,” sponsored by The Chamber’s Small Business Partners, will be held on Friday, August 1st at the Buccinese Society beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The event gives representatives from small businesses the opportunity to network and, in general, have a fun and relaxing time.  The cost to attend, which includes food and adult beverages is just $10/person.  To help offset the cost of the Bash, which is appropriately named because small business is the “backbone” of the local economy, sponsorships are available.  Door prizes are also accepted.  For information on either, contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her at rlitzinger@blairchamber.com. 
 
Congratulations . . .
. . . to First Commonwealth Bank which was named one of America’s 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies by Forbes.
. . . to Randy Frye, Dean of the School of Business at Saint Francis University, who has been elected treasurer and member of the executive committee of the board of directors of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

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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