Pirates President to speak at Thursday's Breakfast Club
Chamber promoting UP Airport's O'Hare Flights
First "Issues" Program on healthcare debuts today
April safety program focuses on workers' compensation
WE-LEaD workshop on "Fish" hoping for major turnout
Want to hear more about The Chamber's Ireland trip?
Curve FanFest set for Wednesday at The Casino
Leadership Blair County to hold informational open house
Lunch 'n' Learn in Martinsburg to feature Tami Smith
Next GRYP networking event scheduled for April 15
LBC selling chances on "Immaculate Reception" photo
Golf Classic on track to sell out by end of April
Before the caps come off, check out The Chamber's energy program
Has your business information changed?
Congratulations . . .  

Pirates President to speak at Thurday's Breakfast Club 

What are the prospects for the 2010 Pittsburgh Pirates? That will be one of the burning questions that Frank Coonelly, President of the Pirates, will address this Thursday, April 8, as guest speaker at The Chamber's Breakfast Club. Coonelly and General Manager Neal Huntingdon have worked diligently to transition the Pirates into winners on and off the field and his insights into how to build a ballclub are critical components for building a successful business as well. Due to a tight schedule, Coonelly's presentation will take place at the beginning of the Breakfast Club rather than at the end. To register for the Breakfast Club, which begins at 7:45 a.m., call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. The cost to attend is $16 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members. Corporate host for the April Breakfast Club is Saint Francis University. 

Chamber promoting UP Airport's O'Hare Flights  
To help businesses throughout the I-99 Corridor gain better access to Chicago, The Chamber is partnering with University Park Airport in its effort to secure direct flights from Chicago's O'Hare. We're asking that our members either write letters of support for the airport or even consider purchasing advance tickets for flights that would indicate a gesture of good faith. A sample letter can be secured by clicking here. Please E-mail your letter by April 9 to Bryan Rodgers, Director of University Park Airport. 

First "Issues" program on healthcare debuts today 
The first of a three part series on healthcare entitled: "Healthcare and Blair County's Future" will debut this morning at 11 a.m. on the Altoona Public Access Channel and will run each Monday at that same time and each Tuesday at 9 p.m. throughout the month of April. The program, which was taped March 30, looks at the challenges that the new healthcare bill poses to the county's five hospitals and how acute care facilities are preparing to respond to those challenges.  The panel discussion format is moderated by Carolyn Donaldson of WTAJ Your News Leader.  Panelists are: Jerry Murray of Altoona Regional Health System, Garrett Hoover of Nason Hospital, Stephen Gildea of Tyrone Hospital, Scott Filler of HealthSouth and Tony Bennett of James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. The second show of the trilogy will deal with long-term care and the third show with healthcare related topics such as health insurance and healthcare practitioners. Sponsors for the first program are Altoona Regional Health System, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Nason Hospital, Preferred Healthcare System and Young, Oakes, Brown & Company. Businesses interested in sponsoring either of the next two shows in the series should contact Mike McMullen at 943-8151. 

April safety program focuses on workers' compensation
Workers' Compensation continues to be a hot-button item for employers and The Chamber's Safety Committee has put together another outstanding program that covers the topic from a critical angle. "Workers' Comp: The Law and Claims Management" will be the title of a presentation jointly presented by Attorney Michael Wagner of Wagner & Finn and Aaron Black of East Coast Risk Management.  The program will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m., April 16 in Classroom No. 1 of the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center. The program is sponsored by Investigation and Security Solutions, Inc. Cost to attend is $15 for Chamber Members and $20 for non-members. The cost includes a Continental Breakfast. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.  

WE-LEaD workshop on "FISH!" hoping for major turnout 
The highly-successful WE-LEaD Spring Workshop, which has attracted a number of nationally recognized speakers during its four years in existence, has hit another homerun in 2010. On April 20, Harry Paul, the funny, dynamic author of FISH! will address what is expected to be a large crowd at the Penn State Devorris Downtown Center . The event begins with registration from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and concludes with lunch at 12:30 p.m. During the 7:30 to 8:30 time slot, breakfast will be available as well as the opportunity to visit display booths that feature a variety of products and services. Paul's presentation begins promptly at 8:30 and continues until lunchtime. The cost to attend the WE-LEaD Workshop is $60 for Chamber Members and $70 for non-members. Register online. Exhibit space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Judy Juda for exhibitor information at 943-8151 or to reserve your space at the workshop. For the third consecutive year, Blair Medical Associates is corporate sponsor of the Workshop.  

Want to hear more about The Chamber's Ireland trip?
Ever had an urge to kiss the Blarney Stone? Now you can do that just after touring the Waterford Crystal facility and before traveling along the Ring of Kerry, one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world. Those are just a few of the many attractions that will be part of The Chamber's first-ever Trip to Ireland, set for Oct. 2-11. An informational meeting lasting no more than one hour will be held on April 14 at 6 p.m. in the boardroom of the Devorris Center for Business Development. To attend the informational meeting or for more information on the Ireland trip, contact Donna Wilt at 696-3558.

Curve FanFest set for Wednesday at The Casino

The annual Altoona Curve Booster Club FanFest will be held Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The event will include a buffet and the opportunity to meet and get autographs and photos from Curve team personnel. Tickets are on sale at the Curve Office at Blair County Ballpark. For more information, contact John Prosperi or John Austin.  

Leadership Blair County to hold informational open house 

Interested in being considered for a spot in the next Leadership Blair County Adult Class? Then you may want to attend an informational open house set for April 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. "It's a great way to have the opportunity to talk to people who have been through the program," disclosed Judy Juda who staffs the LBC program for The Chamber. "There's no obligation to commit to anything." To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151. 

Lunch 'n' Learn in Martinsburg to feature Tami Smith 
As part of The Chamber's effort to reach out to all parts of Blair County, the organization has announced that it will hold its April 15 Lunch 'n' Learn program at The Park at Morrisons Cove in Martinsburg. That program, entitled, "How to Create a Service Culture Within Your Organization," will be presented by Tami Smith, District 5 Manager of Hoss's Steak & Sea House. It will provide attendees with ways to take their company's customer service to a higher level. The cost to attend is $22 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Next GRYP networking event scheuled for April 15 

The next networking event of The Chamber's Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will be held Thursday, April 15 from 6-8 p.m. at The Altoona Hotel. The last GRYP event, held March 17 at Outback Steakhouse, attracted nearly 60 young professionals. If you missed that one, make sure to put this one on your calendar! There's no cost to attend if you're a GRYP member and only $5 if you're not. Great food, beverages and a whole lot of valuable networking. Register by calling The Chamber at 943-8151 or online. On April 29, GRYP will attend opening night of ACT's presentation of Mel Brooks' muscial "The Producers" at the Mishler Theatre. The cost for the evening is $25 and includes a pre-show reception as well as a meet and greet with cast members following the show. To register for this event, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or email Mike McMullen.  

LBC selling chances on "Immaculate Reception" photo 
In order to raise funds to support its adult scholarship program, Leadership Blair County is raffling-off an autographed Franco Harris "Immaculate Reception" photo. The beautifully framed photo is 16X20 and includes a certificate of authenticity. Chances are being sold at $5 each or three for $10 and the drawing will take place at the LBC Adult Graduation in June. Contact Judy Juda at The Chamber to purchase a chance.

Golf Classic on track to sell out by end of April 
The annual Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Chamber Golf Classic is set for May 17 at Iron Master Country Club in Ore Hill. Registrations are well ahead of last year so make sure you don't end-up on a waiting list. Event sponsorships and tee-and-green signs also are available by contacting Stacy Hoover at 943-8151. 

Before the caps come off, check out Chamber's energy program 
If you're a member of the Blair County Chamber and a current Penelec customer, you're eligible to be part of a new Chamber program that is guaranteed to save you money beginning in January when the rate caps come off on electricity. The program is part of ChamberChoice and is brokered by OnDemand Energy. It is already functioning in several areas of the Commonwealth where the rate caps already have been removed and the savings have been considerable. The Chamber has already held three informational sessions on how the program works and what members need to do to participate. If you have been unable to attend those meetings, you can still secure an informational packet that includes a registration form by visiting The Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development.

Has your business information changed? 
If you've received your 2010 Chamber Membership Directory and found that your information in the Buyers’ Guide is incorrect, contact Cindy Cessna at The Chamber as soon as possible.  We will change the information in our database so that anyone who looks for your business on our web site will have it accurately. Making changes will ensure that accurate information will be included in next year’s directory as well. Call Cindy at 943-8151.   

Congratulations . . .
. . . to Norfolk Southern Corporation which was awarded Toyota Logistic Services' 2009 President's Award for overall logistic excellence among rail carriers, its highest award given to a logistics provider. The award is based on overall performance in customer service, on-time performance and quality. This is the seventh time since the award began in 1996 that Norfolk Southern has been the recipient.

For more information, visit www.blairchamber.com

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