Chamber Office Closed for Memorial Day
Chamber Check-Up a Perfect Way for Members to Learn About the Chamber
Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for May
Membership Recruitment Drive Includes Incentives for Chamber Members
Sign-Up Period Continues for Chamber Trip to China
Business Excellence Dinner Only a Few Weeks Away
Fund Development is Topic of Next Best Practices Forum
June “Breakfast Club” Focuses on the Important Role of Young Professionals
Congratulations . . .
Chamber Office Closed for Memorial Day
The Blair County Chamber Office will be closed on Monday in recognition of Memorial Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. To access Chamber information or to register for a program or event, visit the Chamber Website at www.blairchamber.com.
Chamber Check-Up a Perfect Way for Members to Learn About the Chamber
For a Chamber-member business to take full advantage of its membership, it’s important for the people at that business to know and understand what the Chamber does, what it offers and how members can access those benefits. To help provide that information, the Chamber offers a program called “Chamber Check-Up,” a one-hour tutorial for members to hear an overview of benefits to help their business. There is also sufficient time to ask questions of Chamber staff. The next Chamber Check-Up is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 31st at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. If you or other employees would like to attend, just call the Chamber at (814) 943-8151. There is no cost or obligation.
Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for May
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 May are: Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, Altoona Area School District, Altoona-Blair County Development Corp., Altoona Mirror, Amber Terrace, AnswerLinks, Inc., Becky Crilly, Better Homes & Garden Real Estate – GSA Realty, Blair Companies, Blair Mill Outlet, Catered Affairs, Central Hydraulics, Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, Comfort Suites, Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, CrossRoads Physical Therapy, DelGrosso Family of Companies, DelGrosso Foods, Devorris Pellegrine JT VT 1, E B Endres Inc., Epworth Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Family Services, First Commonwealth Bank, First National Bank of PA, FirstEnergy Foundation, Goldstein, Heslop, Steele, Clapper, Oswalt & Smith, Graystone Court, Haberstroh, Sullivan & George, LLP, HealthSouth, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Home Depot, Independent Catholic Foundation for the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, Interim Healthcare Fund of The Columbus Foundation, iQor, Irwin Financial, JJAN Financial Group, John & Donna Gority, Keller Engineers, Keystone Environmental, Health & Safety Services, Lake Raystown Resort, Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., Lezzer Lumber, Lung Disease Center of Central Pennsylvania, Marianna’s Foods, Inc., Matthew & Christina Stever, McCartney’s Business Products, McQuaide Blasko Attorneys at Law, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gildea, Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Green, NAC, National Property Inspections, NPC, Okonak, Ciocca and Lechner, P.C., P. Joseph Lehman, Penn State Altoona, PennCrest Bank, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, PHN Charitable Foundation, PSECU, Reliance Bank, Roaring Spring Water, Roberts Oxygen, SCORE, Seltzer Financial Strategies, Sheetz, South Hills School of Business & Technology, Splish Splash Car Wash, Stiffler McGraw and Associates, Inc., Stuckey Ford & Stuckey Subaru, The Casino at Lakemont/Snappy Chef, The Greg and Cathy Griffith Family Foundation, The Lytle Family of Companies, The Meadows of Greenwood, United Way of Blair County, UPMC Altoona, viLogics, Ward Transport & Logistics Corp., Warren A. Gingrich Agency, Inc., Waste Management, White Deer Run, Williamsburg Community School District, and Young, Oakes, Brown & Company, P.C.
Membership Recruitment Drive Includes Incentives for Chamber Members
The best promoters of the value of membership in the Blair County Chamber are those businesses that have already invested in membership. As the Chamber continues its Membership Month campaign, current members are invited to help spread the word by making a contact with non-members that result in a new member signing-on. Close the deal on a new member and you’ll earn a $25 gift card to the Chamber-member business of your choice. It’s easy and it helps increase the impact that the Chamber can have on our local business community. If you’d like to participate, please contact Jessie Covert at (814) 943-8151 or email her at jcovert@blairchamber.com.
Sign-Up Period Underway for Chamber Trip to China
The Chamber will travel to China from April 20-28, 2018 with Citslinc, the company that has offered trips through chambers of commerce since 1995. Last year more than 20,000 people traveled to China on trips sponsored by chambers in the United States and Canada. The trip features stays in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou – all in 4 and 5 star hotels. It includes three meals a day, deluxe bus tours, fluent English-speaking tour guides and entrance fees for all attractions. The price of $2,299/person includes bus transportation to and from Dulles Airport, roundtrip flight on either Air China or China Eastern Airlines, all accommodations and all meals. The Chamber held an informational meeting about the trip on May 10th and will hold an additional meeting in the Fall. Anyone interested in acquiring information or registering for the trip should contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151.
Business Excellence Dinner Only a Few Weeks Away
The Blair County Chamber’s Business Excellence Dinner, honoring Harry Sickler, takes place on Monday, June 12th at The Casino at Lakemont Park beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:45. The agenda for the evening will consist of a trio of Sickler’s friends, business acquaintances and confidants sharing stories (5 minutes each) that speak to the quality and professionalism of the man. Those testimonials will come from Randy Tarpey, Sickler’s business partner at Sickler, Tarpey & Associates; former Tyrone Area School District Superintendent Dr. William Miller; and former State Agriculture Secretary Sam Hayes. There will also be a special tribute to Sickler and his many years of servant leadership. Jim Gregory will be master of ceremonies for the dinner. Reservations are being accepted for the Business Excellence Dinner. Call The Chamber at 943-8151 to make those reservations or register online.
Fund Development is Topic of Next Best Practices Forum
The next Best Practices Forum of the Chamber’s Committee of Non-Profit Businesses will be held on Friday, June 9th from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. The program will feature a panel discussion consisting of members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Allegheny Mountains Chapter. The panel will discuss the intricacies of fund development, will review the code of ethical standards in fundraising and provide a summary of the various aspects of fundraising such as annual appeals, special events and planned giving. The cost to attend the Best Practices Forum is just $5 for Chamber Members and $10 for non-members. To register for the event call the Chamber at 814-943-8151 or register online. Payment must be made when registering or at the door. The Chamber will not bill for this event.
June “Breakfast Club” Focuses on the Important Role of Young Professionals
The next Chamber “Breakfast Club” will be held on June 8th at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The focus of the event will be the role of young professionals in the future of Blair County. The title of the keynote presentation will be “Young Professionals: Assets or Liabilities?” Speakers will be Steve McKnight, President/CEO of the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation; Derek Martin, General Manager of the Altoona Curve; and Kirsten Stratton, Chair of the Young Professionals of Blair County. The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $20 for Chamber Members and $40 for non-members. A buffet breakfast is included. To register, contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online. Corporate sponsor of the June Breakfast Club is Keller Engineers.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Holland Brothers Meats of Duncansville, which won Grand Champion Bacon – 1st Place – in the 2017 product competition of the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors in State College. The contest had entries from across Pennsylvania and several neighboring states.
. . . to Lynn Gardini, president of Home Helpers of Central Pennsylvania, who has been named a recipient of the Brand Identity and Marketing award by Home Helpers national organization.
. . . to Bill Emerick, a baker and prep cook at Eat’n Park’s Altoona restaurant, has been named 2017 Volunteer of the Year by Eat’n Park Hospitality Group. In 2016, he put in more than 625 volunteer hours at Joshua House in Tyrone.
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May 29, 2017
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Breakfast Club
Thursday, June 8
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Non-Profit Best Practices
Friday, June 9
8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
Register Here
Business Excellence Dinner
Monday, June 12
5:30 - Reception
6:45 - Dinner
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, June 22
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Baker Mansion History Museum
Register Here
YP Night at the Curve
Friday, June 23
7:00 p.m.
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 5/29/2017
Public Policy Committee
Thursday, June 1, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
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