Chamber Board Approves Officers for 2015
Nine New Members Gain Board Approval
Chamber Office Closed Thursday and Friday
Amber Terrace to Host Next Business Before Hours
“Business After Hours” Hosting-Opportunity Available for January
Chamber Gearing-up for “Small Business Saturday”
GRYP to Be Rebranded; DeAntonio Appointed Chair
The Chamber Has “Treasure Tags” to Help Area Children
Sponsorship Available for Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award
“Issues” Program on Business Women Concludes Saturday
Meeting Planned on Chamber Southern Trip
Chamber Members Encouraged to Update Business Information
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Chamber Board Approves Officers for 2015
The Blair County Chamber’s Board of Directors has approved a slate of officers to guide the organization during 2015. The new Board Chair will be Carol Gensimore of Value Drug. Matt Stuckey of Stuckey Ford & Stuckey Subaru will be Board Chair-Elect, Thad Will of M&T Bank will be Treasurer, Kate Shaffer of Blair County Arts Foundation will be Vice-Chair of Promotions/Events, Lee Anne Ehredt of Green Home Goods will be Vice-Chair of Education and Mike Grimm of American Eagle Paper Mills will be Vice-Chair of Communications/Advocacy. Doug Mingle, who had served as Board Chair for the past two years will complete his term on the Board as Immediate Past Chair.
Nine New Members Gain Board Approval
At the November 20th Board of Directors meeting, the following new members were approved: 360 Painting of Portage, AlleyRatz Lit’l Dog Daycare of Martinsburg, C.M. McNelis, Inc. of Bellwood, Cartridge World Altoona, Hunyady Auction and Appraisal Services of Duncansville, Tidewater Mortgage Service of Altoona, Verizon Wireless Made Simple of State College, Weber, Murphy Fox, Inc. of State College and Yellow Cab & Transfer Company of Altoona.
Chamber Office Closed Thursday and Friday
The Blair County Chamber Office will be closed this Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The office will re-open on Monday at 8:30 a.m. For information on The Chamber or to register for programs or events while the office is closed, visit The Chamber website at www.blairchamber.com.
Amber Terrace to Host Next Business Before Hours
The next Business Before Hours will be held on December 3rd from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. at Amber Terrace at the Altoona Center for Nursing Care. There is no charge for Chamber Members; non-members can attend for $10. To make reservations, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
“Business After Hours” Hosting-Opportunity Available for January
A rare opportunity to host a Chamber “Business After Hours” has come about as the result of a cancellation. The January 29th event is available to the first member-business that contacts Stacy Hoover at the Chamber Office (943-8151) or emails her. The next available BAH hosting opportunity isn’t until the end of 2016.
Chamber Gearing-up for Small Business Saturday
For the second consecutive year, the Blair County Chamber will be a major proponent of Small Business Saturday. The nationwide promotion, which focuses attention on the impact that small businesses have on local economies, will take place on November 29th. Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 to support the efforts of small businesses and to encourage consumers to consider buying from small retailers, particularly during the holiday season. If the business accepts the American Express Card and participates in the Chamber program, then any purchase made at that business on Small Business Saturday is eligible to receive a $25 American Express gift card. A list of those participating businesses are on The Chamber Website and will be listed in an ad that will run in the Altoona Mirror. To redeem a receipt for a gift card, the purchaser must bring the original receipt to the Chamber Office anytime after 8:30 a.m. on December 1st. There are a limited number of gift cards available.
GRYP to Be Rebranded; DeAntonio Appointed Chair
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will be re-branded and introduced under a new structure and guidelines beginning in January. The Chamber’s Board of Directors approved a recommendation from Chamber President Joe Hurd and asked that the process be undertaken so that it can be functional in the early part of 2015. To help get the process started, the Board appointed Chris DeAntonio of Sickler, Tarpey & Associates to chair the young professionals group.
The Chamber Has “Treasure Tags” to Help Area Children
The Blair County Chamber will once again be making Treasure Tags for Children available to anyone within the membership who would like to help make the holiday season extra-special for young children in the area. If you would like to secure a tag(s), stop by the Chamber Office or call 943-8151.
Sponsorship Available for Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award
The Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award Sponsorship is available. This award was created to pay tribute to a longtime Chamber Member who personified the best characteristics of a business person – altruism, ethics and selflessness. Joe Rosenhamer was an advocate of The Chamber and business community. This award is presented at The Chamber’s Annual Meeting. The cost of the sponsorship is $500. If interested, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or jjuda@blairchamber.com.
“Issues” Program on Business Women Concludes Saturday
The importance of women as business leaders is the focal point of discussion as the Blair County Chamber’s “Issues” program will be broadcast on the Altoona Public Access Channel for the final time on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Entitled, “Moving to the Front: The Long-Awaited Surge of Business Women,” the 45-minute program is moderated by Carolyn Donaldson. Panelists for the program are: Andrea Cohen of Blair Companies, Carol Gensimore of Value Drug, Barbara Kooman of Kooman & Associates, Amy Seltzer of Seltzer Financial Strategies and Becky Stevens of The Stevens Company. Sponsors of the program are: Benzel’s Pretzel Bakery, P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., NPC, Inc., Reliance Bank and Seltzer Financial Strategies.
Meeting Planned on Chamber Southern Trip
After a number of successful trips outside the United States, the Blair County Chamber has decided to offer a Spring 2015 trip closer to home. The Chamber will travel by motor coach to Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia and to Monticello from April 20-26. The cost of the trip, which includes six nights lodging and a number of outstanding guided tours, is just $995-per-person. Epic Journeys, a member of The Chamber, is coordinating the trip. An informational meeting about the trip will be held on December 10th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. For more information or to secure a spot on the trip, contact Epic Journeys at (814) 266-5070 or 877-705-7030. Brochures and itineraries are available at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. The trip is open to Chamber Members and non-members.
Chamber Members Encouraged to Update Business Information
The Blair County Chamber’s Membership Directory and online database are among the county’s most trusted sources of information regarding Chamber members. Unfortunately, some of the information is outdated due to changes in staff people, new contact information, etc. Is your company’s information up to date? Simply visit the member information section of the Chamber website and check it out. If changes need to be made, call Cindy Cessna at 943-8151 or email her at ccessna@blairchamber.com.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Nason Home Health which has been named an Honors Elite recipient for 2014. The annual honor recognizes home health agencies that continually provide the highest level of satisfaction through their care as measured by patients.
. . . to Salon Professional Academy of Altoona which has received the Redken Diamond Academy Award for 2014. The award recognizes commitment to and delivery of Redken’s advanced education protocols and standards.
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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Blair County Chamber of Commerce
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Insert your company or organization's flyer into the mailing of the Blair Business Mirror for only $125. Simply drop off 1,100 copies of your flyer to the Chamber office and the Chamber staff will take care of the rest. Call today to take advantage of this offer.
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Charlotte's Trove, LLC
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 10% off one regular price item in our gift shop.
Gift Shop - fashion accessories, housewares, specialty foods, and much more. One discount per customer visit
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Culligan Water Conditioning Sales & Service
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive free installation on any Culligan Rental Equipment or $200 off any Culligan Equipment purchase.
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Dr.'s Centar & Imler
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Present your Blue Card to receive 20% off of spectacle lenses and frames
AND/OR
receive 20% off of an exam and contact lens fitting. (Discounts cannot be combined with any other insurance programs, coupons or courtesies.)
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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November 24, 2014
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business BEFORE Hours
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Amber Terrace at Altoona Center for Nursing Care
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, December 11, 2014
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, December 18, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hampton Inn
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 11/24/2014
Legislative Action Subcommittee
Monday, November 24, 9:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Non-Profit Steering Committee
Tuesday, November 25, 1:30 p.m.
The Chamber
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
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