Lieutenant Governor to Speak to Chamber Members Wednesday
Home & Garden Show Opens Friday at Jaffa Shrine
Chamber Seeking Input on Federation Partnership Program
South Hills to Host Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
Chamber Welcomes Nine New Members
Deadline is Thursday for Business Excellence Award Nominations
London is Next Chamber Trip Destination
Chamber Electric Rates for Penelec Customers Plummet
Retail, Restaurant Programs to Continue Monday
Chamber Golf Classic Registration Underway
Dale Carnegie’s “Skills For Success” Begins This Week
Recruitment Process Continues for “Hiring Our Heroes”
Applications Available for 2014 LBC Youth Class
Chamber Members Sponsoring Addiction and Recovery Seminars
Blue Card Discounts
Lieutenant Governor to Speak to Chamber Members Wednesday
Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley will be in Altoona on Wednesday to talk about Governor Corbett’s proposed budget for 2013-14 and to answer any questions related to business issues in the Commonwealth. Cawley will speak at a luncheon sponsored by The Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee that will begin at noon at The Casino at Lakemont Park and will conclude by 1:30. The cost to attend is $20-per-person and includes a buffet lunch. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Chamber Members can be billed; non-members must pay in advance.
Home & Garden Show Opens Friday at Jaffa Shrine
The 43rd Annual Blair County Home & Garden Show will be held this weekend at the Jaffa Shrine. The show begins on March 1st and continues through March 3rd. Show times are Friday, 1-9; Saturday, 10-9; and Sunday, Noon -5. There will be how-to clinics, hourly door prizes, scavenger hunt and craft corner for the kids and free parking. Admission is only $3.00 for adults and kids under-twelve are free. Show sponsors are: CCS Custom Builders, Furniture Unfinished, Home Depot, Re-Bath, Superior Walls by Advanced Concrete; and Warner Landscaping & Property Maintenance. The Home & Garden Show is a joint production of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and the Blair-Bedford Builders Association.
Chamber Seeking Input on Federation Partnership Program
Through its membership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Blair County Chamber has been provided the opportunity to offer U.S. Chamber membership, free of charge, to any of its members who fit the criteria of the U.S. Chamber’s Federation Partnership program. The criteria would include: Having a total annual revenue of less than $10 million; not being a current paying U.S. Chamber member; not be a charity, a non-profit organization, government entity or religious/educational institution. “It’s geared to smaller businesses primarily and it offers an incredible number of resources to help those businesses to be successful,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd. “There’s a considerable upside.” Possibly a downside as well. “There’s also an affinity program in which discounted products and services are marketed to members. There’s no obligation to buy but we are concerned about potentially being in conflict with our Buy Here. Live Here. effort even though our Chamber wouldn’t be offering or endorsing those products and services.” Hurd is asking Chamber Members to email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com by March 8th to let him know their feelings concerning The Chamber’s involvement in the Federation Partnership program.
South Hills to Host Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
South Hills School of Business & Technology will host the next Chamber “Business After Hours” this Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at its Altoona location, 541 58th Street. The cost to attend 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.
Chamber Welcomes Nine New Members
The Blair County Chamber Board of Directors approved nine new members at last Thursday’s meeting. The new members are: Advanced Vein & Laser Center, Always Best Care Senior Services, Coldwell Banker Town & Country / John Reffner, Kettle Corn Creation And Concessions, Lake Raystown Resort, Monarch Cleaners, The Patt Organization, Quaint Corner Children’s Discovery Center, and Verizon Wireless.
Deadline is Thursday for Business Excellence Award Nominations
Nominations are being accepted for the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence until this Thursday at noon. The award, the highest given to an individual by The Chamber, will be presented at the Business Excellence Dinner, set for June 10th. The 2013 award recipient will be the twelfth since Ernie Wissinger received the first in 2002. Other winners have been G. William Ward (2003), Stephen Sheetz (2004), Donald Devorris (2005), Willard Campbell (2006), John Wolf (2007), Lee Hite (2008), Donald Detwiler (2009), Michael McLanahan (2010), Barry Smith (2011) and Fred Imler (2012). Nomination forms can be secured by calling The Chamber Office at 943-8151 or by clicking here.
London is Next Chamber Trip Destination
The Blair County Chamber is headed to London! The Chamber, in cooperation with Heritage Travel of Altoona and Chamber Discoveries, will feature an eight-day trip from October 26th to November 2nd. Trip brochures will be available at the Chamber Office and Heritage Travel on March 4th and an informational meeting will be held on April 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. To register for that meeting, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Chamber Electric Rates for Penelec Customers Plummet
On the electric front, the good news is that the Penelec “Price-to Compare” rate has dropped once again to 7.05 cents-per-kilowatt hour. The really good news is that The Chamber’s Residential Electric Program through OnDemand Energy has also dropped to 5.64 cents/kh. But the great news is that anyone who had locked-in the 7.25 rate through the ChamberChoice program previously can now switch to the 5.64 rate without a penalty. To make that switch, either call 866-699-9968 or go to www.ondemandenergy.com.
Retail, Restaurant Programs to Continue Monday
The first of The Chamber’s “Blair County: It’s Our Business” television programs for 2013 will continue Monday 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.
Chamber Golf Classic Registration Underway
Registration is underway for the 2013 Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield / Chamber Golf Classic. The popular event is set for Monday, May 13th at Iron Masters Country Club in Ore Hill. The price of participating remains the same -- $150-per-golfer and $600 for a foursome – and that includes golf, a delicious luncheon, a special gift for each golfer, a post-Classic reception and Comfort Carts that keep the golfers hydrated. For the second consecutive year, the event will feature a ball drop, coordinated through Pine Bottom Aviation Services of Martinsburg. To reserve a team or an individual spot in this year’s event, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
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 was scheduled to begin January 31st but that date has been changed until February 28th 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.
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.
Applications Available for 2014 LBC Youth Class
The application process has begun for the 2014 Class of Leadership Blair County Youth. Current high school freshmen at Blair County schools are eligible to apply for the program. Applications must be accompanied by two referrals from non-family members (teachers, guidance counselors, employers, etc.). Students can obtain an application from the guidance office at their schools, by clicking here or by stopping at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. Deadline to apply is April 22nd.
Chamber Members Sponsoring Addiction and Recovery Seminars
Blair County Drug & Alcohol Program, Inc. and Saint Joseph Institute are co-sponsoring a series of seminars on addiction and recovery. The first seminar, entitled “Understanding Addiction: Why is It So Hard to Stop?” will be held on February 27th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Altoona. There is no charge to attend. To register, call (814) 692-4954, Ext. 310.
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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Laurel Eye Clinic
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Present your Blue Card to receive $350 per eye discount on Lasik surgery OR buy 1 pair of prescription glasses at regular price to receive half off a second pair of equal or lesser value.
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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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Oak Spring Winery
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Present your Blue Card to save 10% on your order at Oak Spring Winery.
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Park Audio Plus!
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Present your Blue Card to receive 4 years Interest Free Financing on all Tempur-Pedic & Serta Icomfort mattress sets plus a Free $200 gift card, free delivery, & Free removal of old bedding.
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Peterman's Flower Shop
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a 10% discount on any product or service...including weddings!
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For more information, visit the website
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February 25, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business After Hours
Thursday, February 28, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
South Hills School of Business
Register Here
Blair County Home & Garden Show
March 1, 1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
March 2, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
March 3, Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Jaffa Shrine Altoona
www.blairhomeshow.com
Breakfast Club
March 14, 7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 2/25/2013
No Committee Meetings this Week
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
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