Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for February
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published Tomorrow
“Operation Our Town” is focus of Chamber Breakfast Club
Young Professionals Networking Event is Wednesday at U.S. Hotel
Non-Profit “Best Practices” to Discuss Fundraising
WE-LEaD Networking Event is Next Monday at Marzoni’s
Afternoon Session of Speed Networking Set
Business BEFORE Hours Scheduled for March 15
Learn More About The Chamber: Sign-up for “Chamber Check-Up”
Safety Program to Focus on Workplace Violence, Active Shooter
Informational Meeting Scheduled on Costa Rica Trip
“Refresh Leadership” to Be Held on April 13th
Chamber Golf Classic Registrations Being Accepted
Have You Picked-Up Your “Power Cards” Yet?
Applications Available for the Next Leadership Blair County Youth Class
Congratulations . . .
Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for February
The Blair County Chamber’s ability to offer quality programming, events, recognition and advocacy efforts depends largely on the willingness of sponsors to step up to help underwrite the costs associated those efforts. So at the end of each month, we publish a list of businesses or individuals who sponsored anything Chamber-related during the month. They have helped us to make a difference in the business community. All-Stars for February are: Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, Catalyst Space, Joshua House, PSECU and Seltzer Financial Strategies.
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published Tomorrow
The next issue of the Blair Business Mirror will be published as a supplement to tomorrow’s Altoona Mirror. A copy of the publication will be mailed to all Chamber-member businesses later in the week. The cover story in this issue will highlight the 50th anniversary of the Blair County Conservation District.
“Operation Our Town” is focus of Chamber Breakfast Club
The next Blair County Chamber “Breakfast Club” will focus attention on the many accomplishments and the considerable impact of the Operation Our Town program. The event, a “Year in Review” is set for this Thursday, March 10th beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. It also marks Operation Our Town’s 10th anniversary. Among the agenda items for the Breakfast Club will be the presentation of the 2016 Community Partnership Award to the Altoona Housing Authority. The 2016 Law Enforcement Award will also be presented that morning. This year’s honoree will be the Blair County District Attorney’s Office. Other highlights will include a look at one of the area’s most innovative initiatives – Altoona Area School District’s SOAR program – which helps young people reach the dream of accessing higher education opportunities. Operation Our Town will also be distributing its 2016 Annual Report to all attendees. A featured program in that report will be the Chamber’s BASICS Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, which has evolved into an OOT roundtable. The cost to attend the Breakfast Club is $18/person. To register, call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Corporate sponsor of the March Breakfast Club is The Village at Morrisons Cove.
Young Professionals Networking Event is Wednesday at U.S. Hotel
The Young Professionals of Blair County will be holding a networking event this Wednesday, March 9 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the U.S. Hotel in Hollidaysburg. Young Professionals will enjoy a fun-filled networking event that includes appetizers and a cash bar. Cost to attend is $5.00 per person. Payments must be made in advance to The Chamber or at the door. Billing is not available for this event. To register, call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Non-Profit “Best Practices” to Discuss Fundraising
Fundraising has become a way of life for non-profit organizations. It is also often a source of frustration for those assigned to do it. To shed some light on the best attitudes and techniques associated with raising funds, the Blair County Chamber’s Committee of Non-Profit Businesses is dedicating its next “Best Practices” Forum to fundraising. It has assembled a panel of local business people well familiar with the topic and will tap into their expertise this Friday, March 11th from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Forum panelists are: Juls Bratton, Sales Manager for Marianna’s Fundraisers; C. David Kimmel, Associate Director for Alumni Relations and Stewardship at Penn State Altoona; and Bill Hiergeist, Executive Director of the Independent Catholic Foundation. Bratton will talk about event-based fundraising, Kimmel about filling in the gaps and Hiergeist about planned giving. There is no cost to attend the Best Practices Forum for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Space is limited so call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
WE-LEaD Networking Event is Next Monday at Marzoni’s
The next WE-LEaD Networking event will take place on Monday, March 14 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Marzoni's in Duncansville. Sponsor for the networking is Reliance Bank. Cost to attend is $20 for Chamber Members and $40 for Non-Members. To register, call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. WE-LEaD (Women Encouraging Leadership, Education and Development) is a program of the Blair County Chamber.
Afternoon Session of Speed Networking Set
Following several sessions of early morning “Speed Networking,” the Blair County Chamber’s Small Business Partners have scheduled an afternoon session on March 15th from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. The cost to attend is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Light refreshments will be included. To register, call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Business BEFORE Hours Scheduled for March 15
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Business Before Hours on Tues., Mar. 15, from 7:30-9:00 a.m., at United Way Blair County, located at 5414 6th Ave., Altoona. The event will include tours of the facility and information about the many programs United Way offers. Attendees will also be treated to a light breakfast. Business Before Hours is an event to enable networking before you head to the office. There is no cost to attend for Chamber Members. Non-members may attend at $10 per person. To make reservations call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Young Professionals to Assist Mountain Lion BackPack
The Young Professionals of Blair County will spend Saint Patrick’s Day helping Blair County’s young people. The YP group has committed to assist the Mountain Lion BackPack Program in packaging food on March 17th from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the local storage site, located on Beale Avenue in the old Butterick Building. The MLBP provides meals for more than 1,000 kids every weekend. Any young professionals (ages 21-35) who would like to help, should call the Blair County Chamber at 943-8151. The Young Professionals of Blair County is a program of the Blair County Chamber.
Learn More About The Chamber: Sign-up for “Chamber Check-Up”
Back by popular demand is “Chamber Check-Up,” an opportunity for current Chamber Members to go through an orientation to what The Chamber does and how members can maximize the value of their membership. The Chamber has scheduled two sessions on March 29th; one at 8:00 a.m. and the other at 3:00 p.m. at the Devorris center for Business Development. The sessions will last no longer than an hour. So if you just want to brush-up on your knowledge of The Chamber or you have new employees who you’d like to get involved in the organization, call the Chamber at 943-8151 and register to attend. It’s absolutely Free!
Safety Program to Focus on Workplace Violence, Active Shooter
The Blair County Chamber’s Safety Committee will present a program on “Active Shooter, Workplace Violence and Personal Safety on March 30th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Duncansville. Jeff Petucci, Community Services Officer for the Pennsylvania State Police will be the keynote speaker. The presentation will focus on the causes and classifications of active shooter incidents, how to protect yourself and keep others safe, workplace warning signs, best practices when confronted with a weapon and personal safety and situational awareness tips for everyday life. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Buffet breakfast is included. To register, call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Informational Meeting Scheduled on Costa Rica Trip
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is heading to Costa Rica from October 17-25. The cost is just $2,899 (double) and that decreases by $100 for anyone who books before April 18th. That cost includes ground transportation to and from the Pittsburgh Airport, round-trip air, air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel transfers, 13 meals and a variety of tours. There is also an array of optional tours and a 4-day, 3-night Jungle Adventure Post Tour Extension. The Chamber is partnering with Classic Travel and Collette on this trip. An informational presentation will be held on March 31st beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. There is no charge to attend but pre-registration is encouraged. Call the Chamber at 943-8151 to register. To book the Costa Rica trip, call Classic Travel at (814) 696-3558.
“Refresh Leadership” to Be Held on April 13th
The Blair County Chamber’s Small Business Partners will partner with Express Employment Professionals on the “Refresh Leadership” program. The simulcast event will be shown at The Arc of Blair County from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Among the speakers will be Marshall Goldsmith, Shaquille O’Neal and Kaplan Mobray. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Continental breakfast is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Golf Classic Registrations Being Accepted
Registration is now open for the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Chamber Golf Classic. The Classic will be held on Monday, May 9 at Iron Masters Country Club with a lunch/registration at 11:00 and tee off at Noon. If you are interested, simply complete the registration form and return to the Chamber! Any questions, please contact Stacy Hoover at the Chamber, 943-8151.
Have You Picked-Up Your “Power Cards” Yet?
The Blair County Chamber’s new “Power Card” is generating an incredible amount of enthusiasm within the Chamber Membership and outside it as well. The biggest challenge: Getting the Power Cards to Chamber members. “We’re trying to avoid the cost of mailing them,” acknowledged Jessie Covert, the Chamber’s Vice-President of Sales & Membership Development. “So we’re hoping that our members are willing to stop-in to the office to pick them up. Otherwise, we’ll hope to get some of our committee volunteers to deliver them. Mailing is our last option.” Any Chamber-Member business willing to pick up their Power Cards can do so on Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Applications Available for the Next Leadership Blair County Youth Class
Applications are now available for the 2016-17 Leadership Blair County Youth Class. Those applications can be secured at the guidance office of area schools or by clicking here. If you know a high school freshman who shows leadership potential, encourage them to apply. For more information, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or email her at jjuda@blairchamber.com.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Nason Hospital in Roaring Spring which was designated by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as one of the first hospitals to receive the Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care designation.
. . . to Home Nursing Agency’s Private Duty Home Care program which has been recognized with Home Care Pulse’s “Best of Home Care” distinction for the fourth straight year. Home Nursing Agency’s program is the only non-medical home care provider in Blair County to earn this national award.
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March 7, 2016
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Breakfast Club
Thursday, March 10
The Casino at Lakemont Park
7:45 - 9:0 0am.
Register Here
Lunch 'n' Learn
Monday, March 14
Park Hills Golf Club
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Register Here
Business BEFORE Hours
Tuesday, March 15
United Way of Blair County
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Register Here
Speed Networking
Tuesday, March 15
Devorris Center for Business Development
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Register Here
Safety Program
Wednesday, March 30
Hoss's Steak & Sea Houes
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, March 31
Altoona Beauty School
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 3/7/2016
Regional BASICS
Monday, March 7, Noon
Marzoni's - Duncansville
LBC Alumni
Tuesday, March 8, 7:30 a.m.
Reliance Bank - Lakemont
Non-Profit Marketing &
Steering Committees
Tuesday, March 8, 9:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Young Professionals Steering Committee
Wednesday, March 9, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Safety Committee
Thursday, March 10, 9:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
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