Blair Business Mirror is Published Tomorrow
Last Chance to Buy Tickets for "Leaving the Land of NO"
Chamber Board of Directors to Meet Thursday
Are Your Employees Paying Too Much for Electricity?
Chamber Cutting Two Ribbons This Week
"Issuses" Program on Higher Education Continues on Channel 14
Registration "Heavy" for Regional Business Expo
Fleet Safety is Topic of Half-Day Workshop
WE-LEaD Program to Focus on Business Etiquette
Save the Date: Flood Insurance is Topic of October Lunch 'n' Learn
Blue Card Discounts 

Blair Business Mirror is Published Tomorrow
The September issue of the Blair Business Mirror will be published tomorrow as a tabloid insert to the Altoona Mirror. This month’s cover story features the Allegheny Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau and highlights the many changes that have taken place since the organization hired Mark Ickes as its Executive Director. Other features include an interview with Jim Folcarelli on the 60th anniversary of Folcarelli Supply Company and a look at how members of the Blair County Business Hall of Fame continue to cherish their award, even as they earn accolades from other parts of the state. If you don’t receive the Altoona Mirror, don’t despair. A copy of the Blair Business Mirror is mailed to every member-business. To advertise in the Blair Business Mirror (at great savings to Chamber Members), call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Chamber Board of Directors to Meet Thursday
The Chamber’s Board of Directors will meet on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center. The Board will review the work of its subcommittees and will consider a number of initiatives that speak to membership recruitment and retention. Any member wishing to bring a matter before the Board should call Joe Hurd by noon on Wednesday at 943-8151.

Are Your Employees Paying Too Much for Electric?
If you were one of the Chamber Members who signed-on to the ChamberChoice Energy program for residential service earlier this year and locked-in a rate of 6.99 cents kWh for the duration of 2011, you’re looking pretty good right now. And if you didn’t get in until the second wave of benefits and locked-in at 7.25 for the next two years, you might have actually done even better. With Penelec’s recent announcement that its price to compare was going to 7.62 beginning last September 1st, there’s even better news for Chamber Members who haven’t pulled the trigger on residential savings. Those members and their employees can now lock-in at 6.80 through the November meter read date. After that the price goes to 7.25 through August of 2013. How can you resist such a deal? Hopefully you can’t. Call The Chamber today at 943-8151 to learn how you can save dollars on your electricity for you and your employees.

Chamber Cutting Two Ribbons This Week
The Chamber will take its ribbon-cutting show on the road this week as the Ambassadors will cut ribbons at South Hills School of Business on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. and at Sam’s Club on Friday at 9:00 a.m. If your business has moved, observed a significant anniversary or upgraded a facility, call The Chamber at 943-8151. There is no charge to have a ribbon-cutting and it’s a great way to promote your business.

"Issues" Program on Higher Education Continues on Channel 14
The Chamber’s latest “Issues” program is being aired on the Altoona Public Access Channel (14) on Mondays at 9:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. throughout the months of September and October.  “The Role of Higher Education in Regional Development” is the title of the hour-long program that is moderated by WTAJ’s Carolyn Donaldson.  Panelists are: Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, Chancellor of Penn State Altoona; Dr. Wayne Powel, Provost of Saint Francis University; Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; John Hille, Executive Vice-President of Juniata College; and Dr. Thomas Foley, President of Mount Aloysius College.  Sponsors for the “Issues” program are: Altoona Mirror, Keller Engineers, McCartney’s, Inc., Mount Aloysius College and Penn State Altoona.

Registration "Heavy" for Regional Business Expo
The Blair County Chamber will once again partner with twelve other chambers throughout the region in presenting the Central PA Regional Business & Industry Expo, to be held Thursday, November 3rd from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College.  Despite the fact that the event is nearly two months away, initial registration has been somewhat heavy, according to The Chamber’s Stacy Hoover.  “The event has been in play for the past couple years and businesses see the value in either exhibiting or attending,” Hoover pointed out.  “We’re expecting our best year yet.”  Hoover encouraged members of the Blair County Chamber to register early.  “Some pretty good spots are still open but they’ll close quickly,” she noted. To obtain a registration form for the event, click here.

Fleet Safety is Topic of Half-Day Workshop
Recent changes in the laws governing how businesses that use any sort of vehicle must operate has prompted The Chamber’s Safety Committee to create an informative half-day workshop entitled, “Fleet Safety: From Pizza Delivery to Big Rigs.”  The workshop will be held on Friday, September 23rd from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Ramada Altoona Conference Center.  The keynote speaker will be Tim Cotter, FMCSA Division Administrator, who will discuss compliance, enforcement and new rules pertaining to fleet safety and how those rules will affect local businesses.  Other speakers are: Lyle Domico, Senior Loss Control Rep for Acuity Insurance Company, who will talk about transportation risk from an insurance perspective; Monica Meyer, Senior Safety Consultant for East Coast Risk Management, who addresses policy management; Jay Leifheit, Safety Director for Smith Transport, who explains how to manage a fleet in a corporate setting; and Mitchell Scalia, PA State Police Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer Supervisor, who discusses how the regulations will be enforced and how it impacts businesses.  The cost to attend the workshop is $25 for Chamber Members and $35 for non-members.  The cost includes a full buffet breakfast. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

WE-LEaD Program to Focus on Business Etiquette
The Chamber’s WE-LEaD Committee will feature a Lunch ‘n’ Learn program on Tuesday, September 27th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at The Blairmont Club. The program is entitled, “Business Etiquette: How to Achieve Poise & Confidence.” Dede Kazmaier will be the presenter and will teach attendees how to perform flawlessly with poise and confidence in every situation – from dining and social etiquette to general courtesy and consideration for others. The cost to attend is just $22 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Save the Date: Flood Insurance is Topic of October Lunch 'n' Learn
Recent hurricanes and other types of weather-related disasters makes it more important than ever that businesses and homeowners understand the financial and property repercussions of flooding. For that reason, The Chamber is holding a Lunch ‘n’ Learn program on Thursday, October 27th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Park Hills Country Club entitled, “Flood Insurance and Mortgages: Keeping Your Head Above Water.” Presenters will be: Theodora (Teddie) Kreitz of Keller Engineers, State Farm agent Lisa Mancinelli, Donna Myers of Reliance Bank, Cassandra Schmick of Logan Township and A. Jane Beveridge of the City of Altoona. The topic to be discussed will be the National Flood Insurance Program and its impact on local communities and residential and commercial property owners. The cost to attend is $22 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Blue Card Discount offers
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 Stacy Hoover at The Chamber at 943-8151.

Mattress World	Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off any purchase excluding coupon offers.
Natural Gains	Present your Blue Card to save 10% on your purchase of a new treadmill or elliptical trainer OR receive 15% off the purchase of a new bicycle OR  receive 15% off any brand of Whey Protein.
Oak Spring Winery	Present your Blue Card to save 10% on your order at Oak Spring Winery.
Park Audio & Video, Inc.	Present your Blue Card and receive our $299 basic security system for only $99. Monthly monitoring is only $29.99/month with this offer, as well.
Park Hills Country Club	Present your Blue Card to receive a FREE round of golf when you purchase three rounds for the same date and tee time. (Some restrictions apply.)

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