Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for March
Business Solutions Workshop Set for Friday in Altoona
Attention Retailers: It’s Time to Network!
“Refresh Leadership” to Be Held on April 13th
Business BEFORE Hours set for April 15
American Eagle Paper Mills to Host Safety Tour
Pirates President to Speak at April “Breakfast Club”
Swope Appointed Vice-Chair of Young Professionals
Young Professionals to Help With River Clean-Up
Chamber Golf Classic Registrations Being Accepted
Power Card Offers: They’re Changing Every Day
Applications Available for the Next Leadership Blair County Youth Class
Congratulations . . .
Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for March
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 March are: Altoona Beauty School, CCS Custom Builders, Home Depot, Keller Engineers, RE-Bath, Seltzer Financial Strategies, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Superior Walls by Advanced Concrete, The Village at Morrisons Cove, United Way of Blair County, Warner's Landscaping and Window World.
Business Solutions Workshop Set for Friday in Altoona
Among the greatest challenges that small businesses face are accessing funding to move the business forward and knowing where to turn for guidance when problems arise. Enactus students at Penn State Altoona are hoping to help those businesses develop a frame of reference that will cover those challenges. Enactus is partnering with several local organizations – including the Blair County Chamber – to educate the community on key steps necessary to start or grow a successful business. That educational program – the Business Solutions Workshop – will be held on April 8th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Penn State Altoona’s Devorris Downtown Center. The first hour of the Business Solutions Workshop will involve comments from Joe Hurd of the Chamber, Jeff Boldizar of Saint Francis University’s Small Business Development Center, Paul Cooney of Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation, and Steve Howsare of Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission. The second hour will give attendees the opportunity to visit vendor booths to learn more about the services and resources they provide. The vendors were recruited by Enactus members. Any businesses that would like to attend the Business Solutions Workshop should contact Cindy Royal at (814) 949-5722 or email her at lmh13@psu.edu. Admission is free.
Attention Retailers: It’s Time to Network!
The Chamber’s newest re-branded initiative – Blair County Retail – will officially launch its first event to bring together local retailers interested in making the county a greater shopping destination for people inside and outside the region. Blair County Retail has planned to alternate between an informational meeting and a networking event every-other-month. A networking event will begin that schedule. The event will be held on April 13th at U.S. Hotel in Hollidaysburg from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. It will include hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The cost is $10/person for Chamber Members and $12 for non-members. Anyone in retail is encouraged to attend. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
“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.
Business BEFORE Hours set for April 15
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce will hold Business Before Hours on Friday, April 15, from 7:30-9:00 a.m., at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, located at 1300 12th Ave, Altoona. The event will include breakfast from Tom & Joe's Restaurant and information about programs offered through Catholic Charities. 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 register online.
American Eagle Paper Mills to Host Safety Tour
American Eagle Paper Mills in Tyrone will host a tour of its facility as part of the Blair County Chamber’s Safety Committee program on April 15th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The program will begin with a light breakfast at the plant and a short presentation prior to the tour itself. Attendees are asked not to wear open-toed or high heel shoes. Parking is across the street from the main entrance to the plant and attendees should check-in at the security building. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. To register, call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Pirates President to Speak at April “Breakfast Club”
Frank Coonelly, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2007, will be the featured speaker at the next Blair County Chamber “Breakfast Club,” set for April 21st beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Prior to coming to the Pirates, Coonelly had served as a Senior Vice-President in the Commissioner’s Office where he was in charge of various matters including arbitration hearings and draft bonuses. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a law degree from Catholic University. The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $18 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Corporate sponsor of the April Breakfast Club is SCORE! Sports Consignment.
Swope Appointed Vice-Chair of Young Professionals
Megan Swope, Director of Business Development at AnswerLinks, has been approved by the Blair County Chamber’s Board of Directors to the position of vice-chair of the Young Professionals of Blair County. Swope has been a member of the YP Steering Committee since the program began in 2015.
Young Professionals to Help With River Clean-Up
The Young Professionals of Blair County will be participating in a community service event on April 9th from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Anyone interested in helping with the Little Juniata River Clean-Up should call the Chamber, 943-8151.
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.
Power Card Offers: They’re Changing Every Day
The Chamber’s Power Card is now in the hands of nearly 30,000 Chamber Members and the discounted offers are changing every day. If you haven’t checked the Power Card list in awhile, you might want to do so. Some great offers have been added since you last looked. And if you’re a Chamber Member who still hasn’t received your Power Card, call us at 943-8151 and we’ll arrange to get a card to you.
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 Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, Penn State Altoona chancellor and dean, who is one of twenty women from the region selected to receive a 2016 “Women of Achievement” award sponsored by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala and Mrs. Mary Zappala. The award honors successful, prominent women based on excellence in their fields, significant contributions to the betterment of their communities and outstanding accomplishments for the achievement of women.
. . . to James Gerraughty of Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission who was appointed as Region 3 Director by the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.
Power Card Offers: They’re Changing Every Day
For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
|
|
April 4, 2016
|
Upcoming Events
Register online
Refresh Leadership
Wednesday, April 13
The Arc of Blair County
8:30 a.m. - Registration
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Program
Register Here
Blair County Retail Networking
Wednesday, April 13
U.S. Hotel
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Register Here
Business BEFORE Hours
Friday, April 15
Catholic Charities of
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Register Here
Safety Tour
Friday, April 15
American Eagle Paper Mills
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, April 21
The Casino at Lakemont Park
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, April 28
Amber Terrace at Altoona Center for Nursing Care
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Register Here
Highmark Chamber Golf Classic
Monday, May 9
Iron Masters Country Club
11:00 a.m. - Registration/Lunch
Noon- Classic Starts
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, May12
The Casino at Lakemont Park
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 4/4/2016
BASICS/Rotary Career Fair Subcommittee
Tuesday, April 5, 8:00 a.m.
S&T Bank
BASICS Career Dev. Subcommittee
Tuesday, April 5, 1:30 p.m.
Devorris Center
Young Professionals Steering Committee
Wednesday, April 6, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Golf Committee
Wednesday, April 6, 4:00 p.m.
The Chamber
Legislative Action Committee
Thursday, April 7, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Safety Committee
Thursday, April 7, 9:00 a.m.
The Chamber
BASICS Early Childhood Subcommittee
Thursday, April 7, 10:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Hall of Fame Committee
Friday, April 8, 8:00 a.m.
The Chamber
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
|
|