Leadership Youth Retreat Begins Today
Would You Like to Be a U.S. Chamber Member – Free?
Regional BASICS to Explore Multi-County Collaboration
August “Breakfast Club” to Focus on Early Childhood Education
Chamber Announces Trips for 2014
“Role Models” Program to Feature Detwiler, Sheetz
GRYP “Summer Bash” a Great Networking Event for Young Professionals
Chamber Seeking Fall Intern
Southern Alleghenies to Hold Business Resource Expo
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Leadership Youth Retreat Begins Today
The eleventh class of the Blair County Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Youth program will officially begin its quest to become servant leaders with a two-day retreat today and tomorrow at the Laurel Lodge in Duncansville. There are twenty-four members of the 2014 class. For further information on Leadership Blair County Youth, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
Would You Like to Be a U.S. Chamber Member – Free?
The Blair County Chamber has accepted an invitation to be part of the United States Chamber of Commerce Federation Program which would provide a free membership to any of our members that fit the program criteria. That criteria is that businesses must have total annual revenue of less than $10 million, cannot be a charity, non-profit organization, government entity or religious/educational institution or be a current, paying U.S. Chamber member. The Chamber will register all members that meet those guidelines unless the member indicates that they do not wish to participate in the Federation Program. To opt-out, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.
Regional BASICS to Explore Multi-County Collaboration
Representatives from Blair, Bedford, Cambria and Huntingdon counties will meet on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Bedford to breathe new life into a Regional BASICS program that has failed to hit many of the marks established at the program’s inception. “We’ve dealt with some pressing issues but have lacked the true spirit of ongoing commitment that it will take to make a discernible impact on the business and educational communities in our region,” acknowledged Dr. Brian Toth, Superintendent of the Bellwood-Antis School District who chairs the regional committee. “We have an opportunity, through BASICS, to coordinate, share and address business and educational needs in a large geographic area. It’s time to seize that opportunity.” BASICS is an acronym for Businesses And Schools Investing in Cooperative Solutions. The program was created by the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.
August “Breakfast Club” to Focus on Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education will be the focus of the Blair County Chamber’s next “Breakfast Club,” set for August 8th at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. “This topic is one that the business and education communities need to hear about as often as people are willing to talk about it,” acknowledged Rodney Green, who chairs the BASICS Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education. “It’s tremendously important that business leaders make the time to attend this Breakfast Club to learn about the challenges that those providers of Early Childhood Education face in getting the people off to a good start who will ultimately be our employees. We can no longer wait until they arrive at school and hope that we can compensate for the essential opportunities that they’ve already missed.” To further emphasize the message, The Chamber is bringing-in an expert on the topic as the Breakfast Club’s keynote speaker. Lloyd Lamm is the Regional Banking Executive for the Capital Region of First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Lamm is also the co-chair of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, the statewide organization that oversees efforts related to providing education to children in the 0-5 age group. “Lloyd is an engaging speaker who lays-out the challenges in ways that businesses can relate-to,” Green pointed out. “He’ll give you a lot to think about.” The Breakfast Club will also feature a six-minute presentation by Samantha Hand, a recent Altoona Area High School graduate who was the runner-up in the district Rotary Speech Contest, held this Spring in Gettysburg. Hand’s speech focuses on how Early Childhood Education can impact juvenile and adult crime. The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $16. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Corporate host for the August Breakfast Club is Home Helpers.
Chamber Announces Trips for 2014
The Blair County Chamber will continue its successful run of trips during 2014 with the announcement of two exciting destinations. Back by popular demand will be a trip to China from April 12-20. This will be the third trip to China in the past four years and the cost is still a ridiculously low $2,399 pp/dou.occ., which includes all flights, meals and 5-star hotels. An information meeting for the China Trip will be held on August 26th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. In the fall, The Chamber’s focus will be on a nine-day trip to Tuscany (October 20-28). This trip, which includes Florence, Pisa and Montecatini, is also priced at an incredible $2,699 pp/dou.occ. For further information, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.
“Role Models” Program to Feature Detwiler, Sheetz
The Blair County Chamber’s “Role Models” program has successfully featured a half-dozen business leaders since it debuted last November. There’s little indication that the momentum that these programs has built will recede anytime soon. “We’ve hit a homerun with Role Models,” admitted Chamber President Joe Hurd. “People enjoy the format and appreciate the opportunity to ask questions of business leaders who have experienced incredible challenges and opportunities. We’re excited about what we’ve heard and about what we’ve yet to hear.” That next chapter will take place on August 15th at the Blair County Convention Center as Role Models welcomes Don Detwiler and Stan Sheetz to the podium. Detwiler is Vice-Chairman and former CEO at New Enterprise Stone & Lime Company; Sheetz, the president of Sheetz, Inc. The cost to attend Role Models is $25 for Chamber members and $40 for non- members. The program begins at noon and ends promptly at 1:30 p.m. Lunch is included. To register for Role Models, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
GRYP “Summer Bash” a Great Networking Event for Young Professionals
The Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold its annual Summer Bash networking event once again at Barneywood, a stunning facility owned and operated by NPC, Inc. The 400 acre farm is located at 327 Tee Box Road in Duncansville. The farm features a variety of activities, including a 9-hole golf course, a horseshoe pit and a volleyball area, which makes it an ideal setting for young professionals to get together to enjoy the close of summer. The Summer Bash will take place on Friday, August 16, and begins with a 9-hole pre-bash golf tournament starting at 3 p.m. There is no cost for anyone wishing to golf, but individuals must pre-register at The Chamber no later than August 12. No walk-ins will be accepted for the tournament. The Summer Bash event will start at 6 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. Pre-registration for the event is suggested, but not required. With the help of Chamber member businesses who sponsor and provide generous donations, GRYP is able to offer attendees some fabulous food items as well as beverages and the chance to win some amazing door prizes. The Summer Bash will also feature yard games, live entertainment by local musician Conner Gilbert and endless opportunities to network. The cost to attend the Summer Bash is only $10 for GRYP members and $15 for not-yet GRYP members. For more information on GRYP or to register for the Summer Bash, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Chamber Seeking Fall Intern
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is seeking an intern for the Fall Semester. The intern should be majoring in Business Management, Marketing or Communications. The internship can be either for credit or personal enrichment. Interested students should contact Linda Stotler at 943-8151.
Southern Alleghenies to Hold Business Resource Expo
On September 5th, the Southern Alleghenies Business Resource Network, in cooperation with The Chamber, will hold “The Alleghenies Business Resource Expo” from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. This event provides ample opportunity for businesses of all sizes to meet one-on-one with a network of non-profit organizations that can assist in growing or maintaining a business. There is no cost to attend. To register, call (855) 661-0094 or email saprep@sapdc.org.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Tim Sissler, president and chief executive officer of Reliance Bank, who has been elected to the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Board of Directors. Sissler recently completed his term as chairman of PBA.
. . . to Laurel Laser & Surgery Center, which is celebrating its 10,000th cataract procedure.
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 Christine Perkins at The Chamber at 943-8151.
|
Foxtrot Runners, Inc.
|
Show your Chamber Member Blue Card at checkout and receive 10% off each individual pair of shoes.
|
|
Home Helpers/
Direct Link
|
Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive a 15% discount for any Direct Link Services.
|
|
Indoff -
Lori Beck
|
Present your Blue Card to receive a free box of letter size, 1/3 cut, manila folders (item # UNV-12113). Excludes ink and toner purchases.
|
|
Iron Masters Country Club
|
Present your Blue Card for $33 green fee and cart Mon-Fri and weekends after 2:00 p.m. and or receive 10% off at Legends Golf Shop at Iron Masters Country Club.
|
|
K&C Denture Center
|
Present your Blue Card to receive $50 off a set of deluxe line of dentures with Gift Bag (starter kit). Blue card must be presented on first visit. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.
|
For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
|
|
July 29, 2013
|
Upcoming Events
Register online
Breakfast Club
Thursday, August 8, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Role Models
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
GRYP Summer Bash
Friday, August 16, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Barneywood
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, August 29, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tyrone Colonial Courtyard
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 7/29/2013
Regional BASICS
Tuesday, July 30th, 1:00 p.m.
Hoss's - Bedford
Legislative Action Committee
Thursday, August 1st, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
BASICS Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education
Thursday, August 1st, 10:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
|
|