Chamber Office Closed Monday for King Birthday
Natural Gas Workshop is Tuesday at Convention Center
Make Your Reservations Today for Chamber Annual Meeting
Campbell, Hite Selected as Next “Role Models”
Foundation Board Faces Full Agenda Wednesday
Sustainability Coalition to Feature Tour of “Shwellness Center”
Retail, Restaurant Programs to Debut on February 4th
Manufacturing, Insurance Programs Will Air Two More Weeks
Chamber Board Approves Seven New Members
Chamber, Dale Carnegie Partnering on “Skills For Success”
Shwellness Center to Host “Business After Hours”
Limited Number of Booths left for 43rd Annual Blair County Home & Garden Show
Blue Card Offers: Absolutely No Cost to Gain New Customers
Recruitment Process Begins for “Hiring Our Heroes”
L.R. Webber Offering Health Care Reform Seminar Free to Chamber Members
Mark Your Calendars!
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Chamber Office Closed Monday for King Birthday
The Blair County Chamber Office will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King’s Birthday. The office will re-open on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. To register for Chamber events and programs while the office is closed, visit The Chamber website.
Natural Gas Workshop is Tuesday at Convention Center
The Blair County Chamber and the Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation are partnering on an event that is designed to assist companies in our region to benefit from the opportunities available through the Marcellus and Utica Shale Plays. The event is scheduled for tomorrow, January 22nd from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center and features an impressive array of speakers from the oil and gas industry. The cost to attend is $85 for Chamber Members and non-members. Attendance is limited to the first 125 people who register. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151. Non-members must pay in advance; Chamber Members can be billed.
Make Your Reservations Today for Chamber Annual Meeting
The Chamber will hold its 2013 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation on Friday, February 1st at The Casino at Lakemont Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concluding by 9:30. One of the highlights of the event is the presentation of a number of awards to people who accomplished significant things during 2012. Awards to be presented are the Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award, the George Award, the GRYP Impact Award, the Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award, the Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award, the Chamber Loyalty Award and the Small Business Person of the Year. To register for the Annual Meeting – at $20-per-person – call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Campbell, Hite Selected as Next “Role Models”
The Chamber’s second “Role Models” program will be held on February 21st from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. Role Models is an interactive program in which two business leaders talk about the various aspects of their careers – the highs and the lows – and then answer questions from attendees. “It’s an effective way for people looking for insight on what has worked and what hasn’t to gain that insight from among the county’s most successful business people,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. The first program, held last November, featured Don Devorris from Blair Companies and John Wolf from Wolf Furniture. The February program features Bill Campbell from Hoss’s Steak & Sea House and Lee Hite of The Hite Company. The cost to attend is just $25 for Chamber Members and $40 for non-members. Lunch is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Foundation Board Faces Full Agenda Wednesday
The Blair County Chamber Foundation’s Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday at the Devorris Center beginning at 8:00 a.m. The agenda will include an orientation for new Board Members as well as discussion related to upcoming grant opportunities. The Foundation will also look at ways to expand its EITC capabilities to include funding for Early Childhood Education. For more information on the Foundation, contact Cindy Cessna at 943-8151 or email her.
Sustainability Coalition to Feature Tour of “Shwellness Center”
One of the region’s most environmentally impressive structures will host Chamber members this Wednesday, January 23rd at 4:00 p.m. The “Shwellness Center,” built by Sheetz in Claysburg to offer wellness services to Sheetz employees and dependents, will feature tours of that facility that focus on the many environmental nuances required for LEED certification. The Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability will coordinate the tour which will have a maximum registration of forty persons. There is no cost to be part of the tour. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Retail, Restaurant Programs to Debut on February 4th
The first of The Chamber’s “Blair County: It’s Our Business” television programs for 2013 will debut on February 4th on Public Access Channel 14. The half-hour programs are moderated by Carolyn Donaldson of WTAJ-TV. The first program is entitled: “Blair County Retail: Driving Our Local Economy.” It will run every Monday during February at 6:00 p.m. and every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Panelists are Jack Eberhardt of the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center; Lou Kanzleiter of Preit (Logan Valley Mall); Todd Lewis of Shoe Fly Stores; and Travis Muccitelli of Park Audio Plus. The second program is: “Our Dining Destinations: Blair County Restaurants.” That program also runs on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout February but at 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. Panelists are George Batrus of Tom & Joe’s; Husam Obeid of Phoenicia Mediterranean Restaurant; Teresa Patterson of LaScalia’s Restaurant; and Karen Wyland of Mamie’s Café and Bakery. Corporate sponsors for both shows are: Altoona Mirror, Blair Companies, Shirley’s Cookie Company and WPS.
Manufacturing, Insurance Programs Will Air Two More Weeks
The Chamber’s “Blair County: It’s Our Business” programs dealing with manufacturing and insurance will continue to air on the Altoona Public Access Channel (14) for the remainder of January. The manufacturing panel consisted of Harry Benjamin of Edgemate in Roaring Spring, Dave Grazier of Kunzler & Company in Tyrone, Doug Irvin of Fine Line Cabinets in Hollidaysburg and Mike Sweitzer of Chicago Rivet in Tyrone. Comprising the insurance panel were Barry D’Andrea of Saleme Insurance Services of Altoona, Mark Gingrich of Warren A. Gingrich Agency in Altoona, Heidi Kennedy of The Baltimore Life Companies in Duncansville and Gary Shetter of Shetter Insurance Agency in Altoona. Carolyn Donaldson of WTAJ Your News Leader moderated both programs. The manufacturing program will be aired each Monday at 6:00 p.m. and each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., concluding January 29th. The insurance program will run on those same dates only thirty minutes later. Sponsors for the two “Blair County: It’s Our Business” programs are: Altoona Mirror, Blair Companies, Shirley’s Cookie Company and WPS. Complete Insurance Services sponsored only the insurance program.
Chamber Board Approves Seven New Members
At its meeting last Thursday, the Blair County Chamber’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the following new members: J.C. Orr & Son of Altoona, The Medicine Shoppe of Altoona, The Penn Street Pit Stop of Hollidaysburg, State representative John McGinnis of Altoona, Rezk Medical Supply of Carrolltown, Serviam Construction of Altoona and Verizon Communications of Exton.
Chamber, Dale Carnegie Partnering on “Skills For Success”
The Blair County Chamber is once again partnering with Dale Carnegie Training on its highly-popular “Skills For Success” program. The eight-week course will begin on January 31st from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn in Duncansville. The course is designed to help attendees build greater self-confidence, strengthen people skills, communicate more effectively, develop leadership skills, reduce stress and improve attitude. For more information contact The Chamber at (814) 943-8151.
Shwellness Center to Host “Business After Hours” Too
Not only will Sheetz, Inc. host The Chamber’s Sustainability tour at the company’s new Shwellness Center in Claysburg on January 23rd, the company will also host The Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours on January 31st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The cost to attend the Business After Hours is $6.00 for Chamber Members in advance and $7.00 at the door. Non-members can attend for $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Limited Number of Booths left for 43rd Annual Blair County Home & Garden Show
If you are thinking about exhibiting at the Blair County Home & Garden Show, you will want to make the decision rather quick! The Committee overseeing the show has announced that only 25 booths are available. Booths will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Also, if you are or know an Independent Consultant/Crafter looking for a winter show, then the Home Treasure Room is the place to be. Where else can you be exposed to nearly 5000 customers in an indoor setting? To date, the following vendors have signed up: Scentsy Wickless, Welcome Home Kandles, Just Jewelry by Scully, Mary Kay, Longenberger Baskets & Pottery by Martha Miller, Tastefully Simple, Creative Memories, Velata, Thirty-One, Celebrating Home and Body by Vi, Lia Sophia, Sun and Moon Creations, and Silpada Designs. For more information contact Stacy Hoover at The Chamber, 814-943-8151.
Blue Card Offers: Absolutely No Cost to Gain New Customers
Do you realize that the Blair County Chamber currently has 42,000 membership cards in local circulation? These “Blue Cards” not only validate someone’s membership in The Chamber but also provide them access to the many offers on discounted products and services posted by other Chamber Members. If you are not one of those members, you are undoubtedly missing-out on a customer base that could be yours. There is no charge to place an offer – it just needs to be an offer that customers are not eligible for anywhere else. To place an offer, contact Jessica Meck at 943-8151.
Recruitment Process Begins for “Hiring Our Heroes”
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce will partner with the U.S. Chamber on a major event that is expected to have considerable impact of local employers and military job seekers. “Hiring Our Heroes” is a nationwide effort initiated by the U.S. Chamber in March of 2011 to help veterans and military spouses to find meaningful employment. Since that time, 220 hiring fairs have taken place in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia resulting in more than 10,400 hirings. On April 10, 2013, a Hiring Our Heroes fair will be held from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona. The event is free for both employers and job seekers. Job seekers are limited to military veterans and their spouses. Employers will not be required to pay for exhibitor space, they must at least verify that they have legitimate jobs to offer. Any employers interested in reserving exhibitor space should go to HOH.greatjob.net. Job seekers can register on that same site. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mark Your Calendars!
The Chamber’s Annual Business Excellence Dinner will be held on Monday, June 10th at a site to be determined. Nomination forms for the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence will be available beginning February 1st.
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 Jessica Meck at The Chamber at 943-8151.
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10 Seven Marketing
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive $300 off of your business website design or redesign when you enroll inn our 6 month growth strategy. See website for details.
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Bell Mansion Tea House
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive one FREE jar of high quality loose leaf tea when you purchase a jar of loose leaf tea at the regular price of $9.99+tax. One jar makes up to 10 cups of tea! Over 40 varieties from which to choose.
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Experience It, LLC.
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Use the promotion code CHAMBERBLUE13
when placing an order from www.experienceitnow.com to receive Free Shipping on your order!
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Home Helpers/Direct Link
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a 15% discount for any Direct Link Services.
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Mill Hill Farm Supply, Inc.
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When you present your Chamber Blue Card, receive $5 off a $25 or more purchase. All Mill Hill products qualify, including bird feed, pet food, garden seeds, gardening supplies plus much more!
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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January 21, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Natural Gas Business Development Seminar
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
Sustainability Coalition Tour
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
4:00 p.m.
Sheetz Shwellness Center
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, January 31, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Sheetz Center for SHWELLNESS
Claysburg
Register Here
Annual Meeting
Friday, February 1, 2013
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, February 14, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Role Models
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 1/21/2013
Leadership Blair County Alumni Committee
Thursday, January 24, 7:30 a.m.
Reliance Bank, Lakemont
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
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