Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic Tees-Off Today
"Green Drinks" Slated for Tomorrow at Fat Daddy's
Altoona Regional CEO to Address Executive Roundtable
Child Abuse Training Includes Continuing Education Credits
Chamber Board to Consider Next Political Debate
Safety Program on Marcellus Shale Set for Friday
Leadership Session Includes Servant Leader Projects
Chamber Members Invited to Participate in Legislative Event
Reservations Period Continues for Business Excellence Dinner
"Buy Here. Live Here." Website Getting Plenty of Attention
Have You Submitted a Business Hall of Fame Nomination Yet?
STEM Conference will Feature High Quality Speakers
Save the Date: Early Childhood Education Summit
Register Your Cell Phone for "Alert Blair County" Today
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Blue Card Discounts 

Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic Tees-Off Today
The Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield/Chamber Golf Classic tees-off with a shotgun start at noon today at Iron Masters Country Club.  The event has sold out (144 golfers).  The day features prizes, give-aways, a great pig roast lunch, a helicopter ball-drop, a post-event reception, plenty of snacks and beverages and possibly even a little golf.  It’s a day out of the office that is unparalleled for networking and relaxation.   If you missed-out on playing in this year’s Classic, call The Chamber and sign-up for the 2013 event which will be played on May 13th.

"Green Drinks" Slated for Tomorrow at Fat Daddy's
Confused about issues of sustainability and would like to talk to someone knowledgeable in a non-threatening environment?  Then stop over at Fat Daddy’s BBQ Shak at 200 Pleasant Valley Blvd. tomorrow night for “Green Drinks.”  Initiated locally by The Chamber’s Coalition on Environmental Sustainability, Green Drinks is an international effort with more than 700 locations worldwide.  Nearly half of those are within the United States. “It’s a great forum for people in the area to either share information or just learn from others,” explained Katrina Pope, Education Enforcement Coordinator for Blair County’s Inter-municipal Relations Committee and Chair of the Coalition.  “I know that in all the Green Drinks that I’ve attended, I made some valuable contacts.  That’s really what this is all about.  We officially begin at 6:30 p.m. and go until people want to leave. There is no cost to attend; everyone pays for what they eat and drink.”

Altoona Regional CEO to Address Executive Roundtable
Jerry Murray, President/CEO of Altoona Regional Health System, will address The Chamber’s Executive Roundtable on Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at The Blairmont Club.  Murray will talk about the many challenges that face Blair County’s healthcare providers and how those providers are looking at cooperative efforts to meet those challenges head-on.  For more information on the Executive Roundtable, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.

Child Abuse Training Includes Continuing Education Credits
The problem of child sexual abuse has attracted a great deal of attention in our area. GRYP will host a training session for anyone who works or volunteers with children to help identify the signs of a child that is sexually abused or for anyone wanting to gain the knowledge on how to deal with these tough situations. All participants will receive a certificate of completion and training materials. The 2 hour training counts for 3 contact hours of continuing education credits by the National Association of Social Workers and the National Board of Certified Counselors. The training will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., this Wednesday, May 16th at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Conference Center and is $10 per person or $5 per person for any group sending 5 or more people. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Chamber Board to Consider Next Political Debate
At its Thursday meeting, The Chamber’s Board of Directors will consider a recommendation from the Legislative Action Committee to hold a political debate prior to the November general election between Republican John McGinnis and Democrat Richard Flarend.  Among other meeting agenda items will be a discussion concerning how to determine candidates to participate as panelists for The Chamber’s new “Role Models” program which will debut in September.  To address the Chamber Board at Thursday’s meeting, contact Joe Hurd by today at noon at 943-8151.

Safety Program Scheduled on Marcellus Shale Set for Friday
With all the news coverage on natural gas drilling, it’s not surprising that many perceive this industry with mixed emotions. The Chamber’s Safety Committee invites anyone wishing to learn more about the shale industry to join them on Friday, May 18th from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Ramada Altoona Conference Center for a presentation entitled, “Marcellus Shale: Frack or Fiction.”  The event will feature a host of knowledgeable speakers.  The cost is just $25 for Chamber Members and $35 for non-members and includes a buffet breakfast.  Register online or call The Chamber at 814-943-8151.

Leadership Session Includes Servant Leader Projects
This Friday’s Leadership Blair County Adult session will begin with class members performing a number of servant leader mini-projects at various non-profit organizations throughout the county and will conclude with the development of Mission and Vision Statements for Blair County as a prelude to the class’s final session on June 1st.  LBC Graduation is June 7th beginning at 5:00 p.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park.  Deadline to submit applications to The Chamber for the LBC Class of 2013 is June 30th.

Chamber Members Invited to Participate in Legislative Event
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry and the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals will co-sponsor the “2012 Chamber Day at the Capitol” on Tuesday, June 5th in Harrisburg and members of the Blair County Chamber are invited to attend and can do so free-of-charge.  “It’s important that our members are part of this day,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd.  “It’s an opportunity to learn about issues that impact our county from the legislators who are at the forefront of those issues.  The Chamber will even underwrite the cost of participation.  The member’s only responsibility is to get there and get back.”  For more information or to register to attend, contact Hurd at 943-8151 by Wednesday.

Reservations Period Continues for Business Excellence Dinner
Reservations continue to be taken at the Chamber Office for the 2012 Business Excellence Dinner which will be held on Monday, June 11th at the Jaffa Shrine.  The event honors Fred Imler, Sr. of Imler’s Poultry with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence.  A reception will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. with dinner following at 6:45. The keynote speaker for the event will be Imperial Sir Raoul Frevel of Baltimore, Maryland, a member of the Board of Trustees at Shriners Hospital for Children and a former Imperial Potentate of Shriners International.  Dean McKnight, a retired banker with M&T Bank, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.  Providing testimonial comments on the life and career of Fred Imler will be G. William Ward, Chairman of Ward Transport and Logistics Corporation and a former Business Excellence honoree; Allan Hancock, President of the Hancock Group who also serves as President of the Central PA Community Foundation; and Richard Bice, Chairman of the Homewood at Martinsburg Board of Directors.  Al Holsinger of Grace United Church of Christ will provide the invocation.  The cost to attend the Business Excellence Dinner is $65/person.  To attend the dinner and the cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception is $90.  To make reservations, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.  Attendance at this event is not limited to Chamber Members only.

"Buy Here. Live Here" Website Getting Plenty of Attention
The official web-location of The Chamber’s “Buy Here. Live Here.” program can be accessed at buyherelivehere.com.  It features articles on local businesses that are making an effort to buy local products and services, special promotions and discounts, opportunities to win prizes for taking the BHLH Pledge to direct at least 10% more of your spending to local businesses and much, much more.  Visit the site often.  You’ll save dollars and learn which businesses are helping your community to grow.  You can also reach the site by going through The Chamber Website.

Have You Submitted a Business Hall of Fame Nomination Yet?
If you know of a business that deserves acclaim for having done something significant in the business community during the past year – even if that business is yours – it’s time to nominate that business for the Blair County Business Hall of Fame or for one of the General Business Awards of Distinction. The nomination process is underway and all nominated businesses must complete an application form and return it to The Chamber by noon on June 11th.  So don’t delay!  Nomination forms can be secured by calling The Chamber Office at 943-8151 or you can obtain a form online. Beside the Hall of Fame and its Heritage component, the business categories to be honored are: Safety Excellence, Sustainability, Technology, Community Service, Young Emerging Business and Excellence in Small Business.

STEM Conference will Feature High Quality Speakers
The Central PA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Conference will be held on June 14th at Milton Area High School.  The conference is strongly endorsed by The Chamber’s BASICS Committee which is working with local colleges to increase STEM awareness.  Among the keynote speakers at the conference are Ioannis Miaoulis, President and Director of the Museum of Science in Boston and Frederick Hess, a well-known educator, political scientist and author.  For more information on the conference, go to www.regonline.com/stemconference.  

 Blue Card Discounts
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.
Oak Spring Winery	Present your Blue Card to save 10% on your order at Oak Spring Winery.
Peter C. Pham, DDS, PC	Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 10% Discount on Major Restorative Work OR Free X-Rays. (New Patients Only) OR receive $50 off Zoom Whitening.
Phoenicia Mediterranean Restaurant	Present your Blue Card to receive 10 percent off your bill. Discount excludes alcohol purchases.
Quantum Health & Wellness	Present your Blue Card for 10% off any corporate wellness program or tool, includes screening, educational programs, electronic medical records and health management coaching. Offer also applies to individual clients.

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