Secretary of Revenue to Address Executive Roundtable
On Wednesday, State Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser will address The Chamber’s Executive Roundtable at 7:30 a.m. at The Blairmont Club. Secretary Meuser has been canvassing the state talking to business groups on the governor’s behalf. “We’re anxious to have the Secretary come here at a time when financial issues related to business are matters of great concern,” related Chamber President Joe Hurd. “The Secretary has an understanding and an appreciation of what businesses are experiencing and he’s willing to listen to those concerns and to take those messages back to the governor. It will be an outstanding opportunity.” Prior to being nominated as Revenue Secretary, Meuser was with Pride Mobility Products for more than twenty years and is the former president of Pride USA. Located in Luzerne County, Pride Mobility Products is the world’s leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of power wheelchairs and scooters. Meuser serves on the Board of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and the Board of Trustees of Misericordia University. He is a graduate of Cornell University.  (For more information on the Executive Roundtable, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.)

"Business After Hours" to Feature a Las Vegas Theme
This Thursday’s Chamber “Business After Hours” promises to be a great social event with an even greater opportunity for some lucky person in attendance. Hosted by Holiday Inn Express in Altoona, the event will feature Las Vegas style fun-and-games with endless food and beverages. And all attendees will be part of a drawing to win a trip to Las Vegas to stay at one of that city’s premier resorts. As always the cost to attend the Business After Hours is just $5.00 in advance for Chamber Members and $6.00 at the door. Non-members can attend for $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Call The Chamber today at 943-8151 to register or register online.

Fleet Safety Workshop is for Businesses, Large and Small
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.

Chamber Foundation Board Meets Wednesday
The Board of Directors of the Blair County Chamber Foundation will meet on Wednesday, September 21st beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Devorris Center. The Board agenda will focus on raising revenues to fund programs through grants, scholarships and donations. The Board will also look to identify potential Board members as the terms of two of its members expire in December.  (For more information on the Blair County Chamber Foundation, contact Cindy Cessna at 943-8151 or email her.)

Mark Your Calendar for "Down on the Farm"
With summer coming to a close and autumn right around the corner, we can expect cool nights, colorful leaves and for The Chamber, it is time to celebrate our region’s number one industry, agriculture. “It is important for people to understand why farming in this area is so important,” said Chamber Vice President of Events and Technology, Stacy Hoover. “This year, Down on the Farm will be hosted by Hilecrest Farm, LLC, a dairy farm in Sinking Valley.” Hilecrest Farm previously owned by David Hileman, is currently owned and operated by Phil Kulp of Kulp Family Dairy, located in Martinsburg. Down on the farm is not only fun for the whole family, it is also designed to be educational. Booths will be set up to help answer questions including representatives from Red Barn, Land O’Lakes and the Blair County Conservation District. For those not accustomed to farming, the Down on the Farm Business After Hours is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 29th, and this family oriented event has something for everyone including an old-fashioned pig roast, door prizes, live entertainment by Zupe and hay rides to tour the farm. Tickets are only $5.00 and children 12 and under are free. Call The Chamber at 814-943-8151 today for tickets and directions to the farm or register online.

Bedford County Chamber Adopts Transportation Funding Resolution
The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce has adopted a transportation funding resolution nearly identical to the one drafted by the Blair County Chamber more than a year ago. It’s no coincidence. Marty Malone, a member of the Transportation Committee of the Blair Chamber and an active member of the Bedford County Chamber introduced the resolution to the Bedford Board of Directors. With a few minor adjustments, Bedford’s Board approved it unanimously. “That’s the type of action that we were hoping that other chambers throughout the state would take when we introduced our resolution,” admitted Eric Wolf of AMTRAN, who chairs the Blair Chamber’s Transportation Committee. “For the impact to resonate with legislators and the governor, it’s essential that it has broad support. We applaud Marty for getting the ball rolling.”

Have You Registered for the 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 more than six weeks 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.

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.

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.

Chamber Again Supporting "Operation S.O.S."
For the third consecutive year, The Chamber will assist in the promotion of Operation S.O.S. (Support Our Soldiers). This is the eighth year of the campaign which last year sent 277 holiday care packages to soldiers in the 298th Maintenance Company from Altoona who were stationed in Iraq. For information on how you or your business can participate in this tremendous project, contact Gary Clare at 695-5635.

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.

Phoenicia Mediterranean Restaurant	Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off your bill. Discount excludes alcohol purchases.
Press Box Printing	Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off of your total order. (Offer is good for one time only.)
Quantum Health & Wellness	Present your Blue Card for 10% off any corporate wellness program or tool, includes screening, educational programs, electronic medical records, health management coaching. Offer also applies to individual clients.
Ramada Altoona Conference Center	Present your Blue Card to receive 20% off in any of the Ramada's restaurants - The Cosmopolitan, The Renaissance or the Tropical Courtyard OR Blue Card holders receive 10% off of sleeping rooms (based on availability) or 10% off on any banquet room or meeting room.
Rove Enterprises, Inc. dba Woody's II	Present your Blue Card to receive $1 off any large hoagie. Offer is good for up to 4 hoagies per order.