Blair Business Mirror to Be Published Tuesday
Large Turnout Expected for “Hiring Our Heroes”
Top Pirates Prospect to Speak at Thursday’s “Breakfast Club”
Leadership Youth Session Will Focus on Future Planning
Informational Meeting for Chamber’s London Trip Re-Scheduled
Chamber Members Invited to Consider Commercial Electric Program
GRYP “Get Out to Vote” Set for Blairmont Club
WE-LEaD Spring Workshop to Feature Noted Speaker
Chamber Committee Will Partner on Judicial Debate
Registered Yet for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic?
Applications Available for 2014 LBC Youth Class
It’s Important to Update Your Business Information
Promote “Buy Here. Live Here.” With Door Prize Donation
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Blair Business Mirror to Be Published Tuesday
The April issue of the Blair Business Mirror will be published as a supplement to tomorrow’s Altoona Mirror. The cover feature of the issue will be on the four Blair County pizza businesses that are members of The Chamber. Inside features include a Q&A with Barbara Hollander of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and an appeal for nominations to the Business Hall of Fame’s heritage category. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Altoona Mirror so that you can get the Blair Business Mirror right away. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until the end of the week when The Chamber mails all of its member-businesses a copy.
Large Turnout Expected for “Hiring Our Heroes”
The highly-anticipated “Hiring Our Heroes” program debuts at The Jaffa Shrine on Wednesday and close to fifty exhibitors are expected to be there to greet more than 100 job seekers. “For our first time being involved with this event, the U.S. Chamber is extremely pleased with the turnout and the willingness of local businesses to step forward,” explained Linda Stotler, the Blair County Chamber’s Vice-President of Communication & Marketing. “We expect this event to take place annually.” For further information on Hiring Our Heroes, contact Stotler at 943-8151 or email her.
Top Pirates Prospect to Speak at Thursday’s “Breakfast Club”
Jameson Taillon, one of the top pitching prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, will be the featured speaker at this Thursday’s Chamber Breakfast Club, set for 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Taillon was the second overall pick in the 2010 Major League Draft. The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $16 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Corporate host of the April Breakfast Club is Altoona Mirror.
Leadership Youth Session Will Focus on Future Planning
This Thursday’s Leadership Blair County Youth session will direct attention to “Planning For Your Future” and will feature four speakers who will help students to better understand their roles and responsibilities in being ready to take the next steps along the career path. The session will also have a presentation on community responsibility and Jodi Cessna of the Central PA Community Foundation will help the class members to put together grant applications. For more information on Leadership Blair County Youth, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151 or visit The Chamber website.
Informational Meeting for Chamber’s London Trip Re-Scheduled
The informational meeting regarding The Chamber’s trip to London this Fall has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. The London trip will depart on October 26th and return November 2nd. To obtain a brochure or to register to attend the informational meeting, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Chamber Members Invited to Consider Commercial Electric Program
In the three years since the rate caps on electricity were removed in Pennsylvania, more than 300 businesses have signed-on to the Blair County Chamber’s Commercial Electric Program. Practically all of those businesses have gone through at least one renewal of that program and have stayed onboard. “They’ve looked around and determined that what they’ve got is better than what they can get elsewhere,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd. “It’s a great program because of the rates and the credibility. Those factors alone have made it desirable.” OnDemand Energy, which oversees the program, will continue to work with The Chamber and an informational meeting will be held on April 30th at 9:00 a.m. at the Devorris Center for any business that would have an interest in learning more about the program. “The actual informational session will last about thirty minutes and there will be ample time for questions,” Hurd pointed out. “The only criteria for participation is that the business has Penelec as its supplier and that it be a member of our Chamber.” To register to attend, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
GRYP “Get Out to Vote” Set for Blairmont Club
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold a “Get Out to Vote” event on Thursday, April 18th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Blairmont Club in Hollidaysburg. Come meet candidates running for local offices in a meet-and-greet format. There is no cost to attend for GRYP members and $5.00 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
WE-LEaD Spring Workshop to Feature Noted Speaker
The Chamber’s WE-LEaD – Women Encouraging: Leadership, Education and Development – will hold its annual Spring Workshop on Thursday, April 25th from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center. Nationally-recognized speaker Marsha Petrie Sue will present “Decontaminate Toxic People Without Sharp Objects or Duct Tape.” The cost to attend is $65 for Chamber Members, $70 for non-members and $60-per-person in groups of five or more from the same company. Continental breakfast and full buffet lunch are included. Corporate sponsor for the event is Blair Medical Associates. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Committee Will Partner on Judicial Debate
The Blair County Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee will partner with Blair Countians for Drug-Free Communities and Penn State Altoona’s Division of Student Affairs on a judicial debate involving the three candidates for Blair County judge. The debate will be held on Thursday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center. Former Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority, a member of the Legislative Action Committee, will serve as moderator. Questions for the debate will be supplied by the three partnering organizations. There is no cost to attend and the public is invited.
Registered Yet for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic?
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.
Applications Available for 2014 LBC Youth Class
The application process continues 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.
It’s Important to Update Your Business Information
The Blair County Chamber’s database contains information about our members that we use to promote their efforts or which makes them eligible to gain certain business advantages. It’s important that all information regarding our members is updated when changes occur. If you have any changes regarding items such as business address, employee count or significant contact information, contact Cindy Cessna at 943-8151 or email her.
Promote “Buy Here. Live Here.” With Door Prize Donation
As The Chamber continues to solicit support to sustain the Buy Here. Live Here. initiative, it has identified ways that local businesses can make a positive difference at a reasonable cost. “We need door prizes that we can award to people who sign pledge cards,” explained Linda Stotler, The Chamber’s Vice-President of Communication & Marketing. “By signing the cards, they indicate a willingness to support local businesses and also put themselves in position for personal gain when we draw winning door prize tickets.” There’s an upside for the businesses that provide the prizes as well, according to Stotler. “We publicize the prizes and their sponsors in the Buy Here. Live Here. newsletter so that people are aware of who’s stepping up to assist in the effort of building a better community.” To donate a door prize, contact Stotler at 943-8151 or email her.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Steve Seltzer Powersports of Altoona which earned the 2012 Council of Excellence Award from Honda Financial Services, marking the fourth year that the dealership has earned the award. In 2012, only 143 Honda powersports dealerships were awarded Council of Excellence status out of more than 1,000 participating dealerships.
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.
|
Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries - Growing Years Early Learning Center
|
Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 10% off rate for first month at Growing Years Early Learning Center. Offer is limited to new enrollees.
|
|
Fellabaum & Co., Inc. dba Jackson Hewitt Tax Serv.
|
Present your Blue Card to receive 15% off of tax preparation services. (Offer is valid at Blair County locations: Station Medical Center, Altoona Walmart, Sears in Logan valley Mall, 2123 7th Avenue in Altoona, Greenwood and Claysburg.)Visit us on facebook: jacksonhewitttaxservice-Altoona, PA
|
|
Firestone Complete Auto Care
|
Present your Blue Card to receive $10 off a standard lube, oil & filter change and or receive a PA state inspection and emissions test for $39.99 + tax.
|
|
Foxtrot Runners Inc.
|
Show your Chamber Member Blue Card at checkout and receive 10% off each individual pair of shoes.
|
|
Freedom Rentals
|
Present your Blue Card to receive 15% off EZ Pak Mobile Storage, self-storage - all locations, and motor home and travel trailer rentals.
|
For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
|
|
April 8, 2013
|
Upcoming Events
Register online
Hiring Our Heroes
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
9:00a.m. - Noon
Jaffa Shrine
For More Information Click Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, April 11, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
GRYP "Get Out to Vote" Event
Thursday, April 18, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Blairmont Club
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, April 25, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Razor's Edge, Hollidaysburg
Register Here
GRYP Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up
Saturday, April 27, 2013
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Meet at Home Depot Parking Lot
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 4/8/2013
BASICS Steering Committee
Monday, April 8th, 8:00 a.m.
GACTC
BASICS Subcommittee on Early
Childhood Education
Thursday, April 11th, 10:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
|
|