Italy Trip Meeting to be Held Tonight
Pantano to Address Executive Roundtable Meeting
Castaway Your Cares at Business After Hours Thursday
Foundation Board Seeking Nominees for Board Positions
Workplace Safety Workshop to Focus on Employee Training
Chamber Members Eligible for Discounted Concert Tickets
Business Participation Needed for Career Shadowing Week
Home & Garden Show Committee Begins Booth Selection Process
Members Invited to Attend "Chamber Check-Up" Sessions
Non-Members Invited to Attend "Chamber Chat"
"Down on the Farm" Event Heads to Williamsburg
Early Childhood Summit to Put Focus on Future Workforce
"Buy Here. Live Here." Seeking Prize Donations
Chamber Looking for BHLH Success Stories
Blue Card Discounts
Italy Trip Meeting to be Held Tonight
The Chamber’s next trip – Italy’s Great Cities – is in the final details phase and those details will be the focus of a meeting to be held this evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Donna Wilt of Classic Travel and Cindy Sullivan of Globus, the two agencies that partnered with The Chamber to offer the trip, will be on hand along with Chamber President Joe Hurd to address any last minute concerns. The trip will leave from Altoona on October 7th and return on the 14th. The registration deadline for the trip has passed so only those people already registered should attend tonight’s meeting.
Pantano to Address Executive Roundtable Meeting
On Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at The Blairmont Club, The Chamber’s Executive Roundtable will hear a presentation by Carlo Pantano, Director of the Material Research Institute at Penn State University. The Institute is currently working on the critical materials challenges facing our society in energy, healthcare, security and communications – all things that impact business. For more information on the Executive Roundtable, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Castaway Your Cares at Business After Hours Thursday
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 a Hawaiian theme. Come on out and talk to the shipwrecked crew and complete their story to enter to win a 5 night trip to the Waikiki Beachcomber Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. As always the cost to attend the Business After Hours is just $6.00 in advance for Chamber Members and $7.00 at the door. Non-members can attend for $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Call The Chamber today at 943-8151 or register online.
Foundation Board Seeking Nominees for Board Positions
The Blair County Chamber Foundation has four members of its Board of Directors whose terms will expire in December and the Foundation is accepting nominations from Chamber Members who would like to be considered as replacements. To submit a name for consideration, contact Cindy Cessna at 943-8151 or email her.
Workplace Safety Workshop to Focus on Employee Training
The Blair County Chamber’s Safety Committee will begin its 2012-13 educational series with a workshop on Workplace Safety conducted by Tony Samento, one of the top training providers in the country. The workshop will also feature a special guest, Tony Delph, who experienced a serious industrial accident that resulted in a traumatic amputation that ultimately changed his life. The workshop will be held this Friday, September 21st from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at ProCare Health & Fitness in Altoona. ProCare will serve as corporate sponsor for the workshop as well. The cost to attend is $25 for Chamber Members and $35 for non-members. Breakfast is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Members Eligible for Discounted Concert Tickets
As part of the ongoing marketing efforts of Buy Here. Live Here., the Chamber has arranged for members to purchase discounted tickets for a concert featuring Nashville recording artist Ricky Lee. The concert will be held this Friday, September 21st from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. However, Chamber Members can purchase them at the Chamber Office for just $7.00 each (limit four-per-member). Besides Lee, the Johnny Cash Tribute Band and the Ultimate Elvis Experience will also perform.
Business Participation Needed for Career Shadowing Week
Nearly 300 high school juniors from Blair County schools will be seeking career shadowing opportunities as part of The Chamber’s Career Shadowing Week (November 5-9). The weeklong event is part of the organization’s BASICS program. Any businesses that would be willing to host a student or students for a half-day during that week, please contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Home & Garden Show Committee Begins Booth Selection Process
Although the Blair County Home & Garden Show will not take place until March 1, 2 and 3 of next year, the committee overseeing that event has already started the booth selection process. Exhibitors from the 2012 show get the first crack at renewing the booth at their previous location if they do so by September 28th. Beginning October 8th, unsecured booths will be made available to new exhibitors. To renew a booth, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151. Payments can be made with cash, check, Discover Card, Master Card or VISA. The Blair County Home & Garden Show is a partnership of the Blair County Chamber and the Blair-Bedford Builders Association.
Members Invited to Attend "Chamber Check-Up" Session
There is much to know about the Blair County Chamber. The organization has a wide variety of programs, events, committees and member benefits. And it’s not just non-members who aren’t aware of them. For that reason, The Chamber is holding a program called “Chamber Check-Up” on two days in September for current Chamber Members only. The hour-long sessions will focus on how the organization operates and what members can do to more effectively utilize The Chamber to improve their own businesses and experience greater personal and professional growth. The first session will be held on Tuesday, September 18th at 8:00 a.m. The second session is on Tuesday, September 25th at 1:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Since the sessions will be identical, it is only necessary to attend one. There is no cost to attend Chamber Check-Up but pre-registration is encouraged. Call Marilyn at 943-8151 to register.
Non-Members Invited to Attend "Chamber Chat"
Often, businesses and organizations that are not members of The Chamber have a difficult time deciding whether to join because they know so little about what The Chamber does. To help clear-up any confusion, The Chamber has created “Chamber Chat,” an opportunity for non-members to learn about the organization in a fact-filled one hour session. If you know a business that is not a Chamber Member yet, please invite them to attend one of these important sessions! "Chamber Chats" will be held on Wednesday, October 17th at 8:15 a.m. and Wednesday, October 24th at 1:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Devorris Center for Business Development and will last no longer than one hour. There is no cost to attend "Chamber Chat" but pre-registration is encouraged. Call 943-8151 to register. There is no obligation to join The Chamber if you attend.
"Down on the Farm" Event Heads to Williamsburg
The Annual Business After Hours “Down on the Farm” will be held on Thursday, September 27th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Clover Will Farms, 245 England Lane in Williamsburg. The event will feature a pig roast provided by AgChoice Farm Credit and Holland Brothers Meats, kids activities, farm tours, Ritchey’s ice cream and live entertainment by Zupe. The cost to attend is just $5.00-per-person and kids under 12 are free. To register and for directions to the farm, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Early Childhood Summit to Put Focus on Future Workforce
Blair County’s future workforce will depend heavily on the willingness of those in hiring positions to better understand and respond to the challenges of Early Childhood Education. To jumpstart that process, the Blair County Chamber’s BASICS Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education will host an event on September 28th from 7:15 to 9:30 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The event, entitled “Our Future Workforce: Early Childhood Education Summit” features an impressive array of speakers on topics of relevance to employers, providers and legislators. Panelists include Judy Cameron, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh who will address, “The Science Behind the Policy: Why is Starting Early So Important?” and Attorney Dave Freed, Cumberland County’s District Attorney, whose presentation is called “Pay Now or Pay Much More Later: Linking Early Learning and Crime Prevention.” Freed will be introduced by Bruce Clash, State Director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Pennsylvania. The Summit’s keynote – “Early Education . . . the Foundation for Learning” will be offered by Barbara Minzenberg, Ph.D., Deputy Secretary of the PA Office of Child Development & Early Learning. The cost to attend the Early Childhood Education Summit is just $20/person and includes a buffet breakfast. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
"Buy Here. Live Here." Seeking Prize Donations
To encourage more people to sign pledge cards for The Chamber’s “Buy Here. Live Here.” initiative, prizes will be awarded each month to people who have already signed cards and whose email addresses are randomly drawn. If your business is one that is willing to offer such a prize, please call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Chamber Looking for BHLH Success Stories
Too often, recognition bypasses people who deserve it most. The Chamber is attempting to change that through its “Buy He re. Live Here.” program. “We’re encouraging people to change their buying habits,” remarked Randy Green of McCartney’s, who chairs the BHLH Steering Committee. “When they do, we want to point that out to others. And we want to thank the people who are showing consideration for the future of their community.” If you are one of those people or your business has taken steps toward local buying, call Joe Hurd at The Chamber today (943-8151) or email him.
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.
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Foxtrot Runners Inc.
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Show your Chamber Member Blue Card at checkout and receive 10% off each individual pair of shoes.
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Freedom Rentals
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Present your Blue Card to receive 15% off EZ Pak Mobile Storage, self-storage - all locations, and motor home and travel trailer rentals.
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Gardner's Candies, Inc.
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Present your Blue Card at any Gardners Candies Company Owned Retail Stores and receive 10% off your purchase.
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Green Home Goods, Inc.
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Present your Blue Crad to receive a 10% discount on gifts and accessories, or on eco-flooring and furniture.
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Harry K. Sickler Associates
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Receive 10% discount for any first-time tax preparation and a free consultation with an accountant with your Blue Card.
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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September 17, 2012
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business After Hours
Thursday, September 20, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Register Here
Safety Workshop
Friday, September 21, 2012
7:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Procare Health & Fitness in Altoona
Register Here
Down on the Farm
Thursday, September 27, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Clover Will Farms
245 England Lane, Williamsburg
Bring the whole family for an evening on the farm.
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 9/17/12
Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 18, 9:00 a.m.
The Chamber
Foundation Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 19, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
WE-LEaD Steering Committee
Wednesday, September 19, 8:00 a.m.
The Chamber
BASICS Career Development Subcommittee
Thursday, September 20, 3:30 p.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
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