Chamber Annual Meeting is Friday at The Casino
Business Opportunities Committee to Oversee “Blue Card” Program
Manufacturing, Insurance Programs Will End This Week
McGinnis to Meet With Transportation Committee
Shwellness Center to Host Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
Dale Carnegie’s “Skills For Success” Begins This Week
Campbell, Hite Selected as Next “Role Models”
Retail, Restaurant Programs to Debut on February 4th
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 Continues for “Hiring Our Heroes”
L.R. Webber Offering Health Care Reform Seminar Free to Chamber Members
Mark Your Calendars!
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Chamber Annual Meeting is Friday at The Casino
The Chamber will hold its 2013 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation this 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.
Business Opportunities Committee to Oversee “Blue Card” Program
When The Chamber’s Business Opportunities Committee meets tomorrow morning at the Chamber Office, its meeting agenda will contain only item: The Blue Card. The committee will forfeit its Buy Here. Live Here. responsibilities to the Buy Here. Live Here. Committee and will undertake the task of growing the Blue Card program to what Chamber President Joe Hurd believes it can be. “The Blue Card has tremendous potential, not only for The Chamber but for the community as well,” Hurd insists. “We need to give it the attention it requires.” The Business Opportunities Committee will help to grow the program from both ends. “We need to find more businesses willing to provide discounts and we need to make more Chamber Members aware of what those discounts are and where to find them,” Hurd noted. Hurd is hoping that more people will join the committee to make the job more manageable. “To do it right will take a committed group of volunteers,” he acknowledged. Any Chamber Member interested in serving on the committee should contact Hurd at 943-8151 or just show up for tomorrow’s meeting.
Manufacturing, Insurance Programs Will End This Week
The Chamber’s “Blair County: It’s Our Business” programs dealing with manufacturing and insurance will air for the final times today and tomorrow on Altoona Public Access Channel 14. The manufacturing panel consists 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 are 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. 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.
McGinnis to Meet With Transportation Committee
State Representative John McGinnis will attend Thursday’s meeting of The Chamber’s Transportation Committee to learn more about the committee’s position on transportation funding reform. “We’re anxious to meet with Dr. McGinnis and to get a sense of how he feels the funding crisis should be addressed,” explained Bob Kunselman of The EADS Group, who chairs the Transportation Committee. Any Chamber Member interested in attending the meeting or joining the committee should contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Shwellness Center to Host Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
Sheetz, Inc.’s new Shwellness Center in Claysburg will host The Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours this Thursday, 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.
Dale Carnegie’s “Skills For Success” Begins This Week
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 this Thursday, 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.
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.
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.
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 quickly! The Committee overseeing the show has announced that only 23 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 or email her.
Recruitment Process Continues 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 on 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.
L.R. Webber Offering Health Care Reform Seminar Free to Chamber Members
L.R. Webber Associates of Duncansville is conducting a seminar on February 6th from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center and Chamber members are invited to attend free-of-charge. The seminar is entitled, “Health Care Reform: What Does It Mean for Your Business?” Topics will include: Pay or play mandate; Health Insurance Exchanges; the impact of the rules on HR functions and the impact on your business; building a total compensation strategy to avoid the excise tax on health plans; effective dates for specific provisions of the new law and much more. Lunch is included. To register, go to http://healthreform.eventzilla.net/ or email Brad Webber.
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.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Bob Pennington, owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Town & Country Real Estate in Altoona who has received the title “Realtor Emeritus” from the National Association of Realtors for providing ethical service to clients for 40 consecutive years.
. . . to Dr. Jack Rocco of Southern Alleghenies Elite Orthopedics who has been named to the Board of Governors with the Philadelphia Unit of the Shriners Hospital for Children.
. . . to Dr. Michael Vipond and Dr. Crystal Stephens of HealthFirst of Blair County who recently became certified in chiropractic instrument adjusting. They are now the only doctors in this region with this level of certification.
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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Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries
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Present your Chamber Blue card to receive 10% off rate for first month of services from ALSM at Home for new program participants OR receive 10% off rate for first month of services at the Senior Daily Living Center for new program participants.
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Altoona Beauty School
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Present your Chamber Blue Card and get 10% off any retail item. Altoona Beauty School carries Dermalogica, Wella, Nioxin, Sebastian, OPI and Kryolan Professional Makeup.
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ARC Federal Credit Union
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Present your Blue Card and your first book of checks are FREE when you open a new checking account at ARC Federal Credit Union.
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B2B CFO Partners, LLC
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a complimentary Discovery Analysis and Strategy Process, which includes: Confidential meeting with business owner and accounting staff, assessment of financial info & computer systems, benchmark financial info against Industry averages, confidential report of findings and present strategy game plan to address company needs.
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Blair Mill Outlet
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Blue Card must be present at time of purchase. 10% off Regular Price in Stock Merchandise Only. Can not be combined with any other offer.
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For more information, visit the website
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February 4, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
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 2/4/2013
Business Opportunities Committee
Tuesday, January 29, 8:00 a.m.
ABCD Small Board Room
Home & Garden Show Committee
Tuesday, January 29, 8:30 a.m.
The Chamber
Hotel Roundtable
Wednesday, January 30, 8:15 a.m.
Ramada Altoona
Transportation Committee
Thursday, January 31, 8:15 a.m.
Devorris Center
Attractions Roundtable
Thursday, January 31, 1:00 p.m.
Devorris Center
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