Chamber Board Approves Re-Design if GRYP
Six Businesses Approved for Chamber Membership
Business Leaders to Visit Early Childhood Sites
Coalition on Sustainability to Hold Strategy Session
Leadership Alumni Breakfast Set for The Casino
Holiday Inn Express Hosting Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
Churbock to Present on Employee Engagement, Motivation
“Issues” Program on Altoona Offering Sponsorship Opportunities
Reservations Being Accepted for “Down on the Farm”
Chamber Again Supporting “Operation S.O.S” Effort
Paying Too Much for Employee Healthcare?
Congratulations…
Blue Card Discounts
Chamber Board Approves Re-Design if GRYP
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will be getting a face-lift in the near future. “It’s time, with every dynamic program, that it becomes necessary to take a fresh look and what you’re doing and how you’re doing it,” explained Chamber Board Chair Doug Mingle. “After eleven years, we need to evaluate the areas of strength and the areas in which we are challenged to meet our mission. We’re optimistic that this process will yield a positive result.” The Board instructed the Chamber staff to bring suggestions to the next Board of Directors meeting as to how the process will be implemented so that changes to GRYP can be implemented judiciously.
Six Businesses Approved for Chamber Membership
At last Thursday’s meeting of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, six new members were unanimously approved. Those new members are: Charlotte’s Trove, LLC of Roaring Spring; Heidelberg Country Club of Altoona; Lucci’s Little Italian Marketplace of Duncansville; New Pillar Media of Hollidaysburg; Perry Wellington, LLC of Duncansville; and StarVue Networks of Altoona.
Business Leaders to Visit Early Childhood Sites
The BASICS Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education will sponsor another in a series of site visits to Early Childhood providers by business leaders on Tuesday. Michael Grimm, President/CEO of American Eagle Paper Mills and Scott Filler, CEO of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona will visit the Hollidaysburg YMCA Children’s Center. The site visits are designed to educate business leaders on the importance of quality Early Childhood Education as it relates to their future workforce. For more information or to become a part of the subcommittee, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Coalition on Sustainability to Hold Strategy Session
The Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability, on hiatus since the start of 2014, will hold a strategy session on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center. The Coalition is being chaired by Donna Fisher of the Blair County Conservation District. “We’re looking for input from businesses who have high regard for sustainability and want to make a positive difference in what our community can collectively accomplish,” Fisher explained. “Anyone interested in attending the strategy session is welcome to do so. For more information, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Leadership Alumni Breakfast Set for The Casino
The annual breakfast meeting of the Leadership Blair County Alumni will be held on Thursday from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The cost to attend is $15.00 for LBC members who have paid their alumni dues and $30.00 for those who have not. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151.
Holiday Inn Express Hosting Thursday’s “Business After Hours”
The next Chamber “Business After Hours” will be held on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express-Altoona, located at 3306 Pleasant Valley Blvd. in Altoona. The theme of the event will be an appreciation for the role of Norfolk Southern Corporation in helping to grow the economy of the Blair County community. The Business After Hours will be catered by the Blair County Convention Center and will also feature a cigar station, a trip giveaway an free Pilsner glasses to each attendee. 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.
Churbock to Present on Employee Engagement, Motivation
The Chamber’s Safety Committee will hold its next educational program this Friday, September 26th from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Duncansville. The title of the program is “Employee Engagement: The ZONE to Deliver Value.” The topic will cover outstanding theories of motivation and practical principles for managing motivation, how to align engagement in the safety management system at all levels of the organization and how to understand the importance of employee recognition. The guest speaker is Tom Churbock, President of Centre Safety. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Breakfast is included. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
“Issues” Program on Altoona Offering Sponsorship Opportunities
The City of Altoona is experiencing a number of key challenges and opportunities and no one understands the impact of that better than the people who have been in a position to oversee the City’s fortunes. The next Chamber “Issues” program, to be broadcast on the Altoona Public Access Channel (and then placed on You Tube), will be entitled “A City in Transition: Altoona’s Quest to Move Forward.” The panel discussion format will include current Mayor Matt Pacifico and former mayors Bill Schirf, Wayne Hippo, Tom Martin and Allan Hancock. Carolyn Donaldson will be moderator. The 45-minute program will tape on September 30th and will air throughout October at times to be specified later. Sponsorships for the program, at $150 each, can be obtained by calling Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or emailing him.
Reservations Being Accepted for “Down on the Farm”
The annual "Down on the Farm" event will take place on October 2nd from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Bring the whole family for an evening of great food and fun at the Farm. The event will be held at Curryview Farms. Cost to attend is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are FREE! Don't miss out on a pig roast, hayrides, entertainment by Zupe and many more activities. To register, please contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Directions to Farm: From Altoona: Take I-99 South to Exit 23 Roaring Spring Portage. At the signal light continue straight on Rt. 36 (Woodbury Pike) for 6.2 miles. Turn left on to Cross Cove Road at the blinking light at Fisher & Thompson. Go 1 mile to the stop sign. Turn Right on Cove Lane Road, follow for 1.2 miles. Turn Right on to Stonerook Road, go .2 miles and turn left into the farm. From Martinsburg: Take Market Street (Rt. 866) South for 1.8 miles. Turn Right on to Cove Lane Road, go .8 miles and turn left on to Stonerook Road. Go .2 miles and turn left into the farm.
Chamber Again Supporting “Operation S.O.S” Effort
“Operation S.O.S. (Support Our Soldiers)” is beginning its 11th annual campaign and the Blair County Chamber is once again proud to assisting in the promotion of that worthwhile endeavor. During last year’s project, 503 holiday care packages were sent to soldiers serving in the 25th Signal Battalion who were stationed in Afghanistan. Once again, Smith Furniture in Duncansville will be the headquarters for the collection of donated items and monetary contributions. Visit www.smithfurniturehof.com to see a list of preferred items to be donated. Items may be dropped-off from October 27th through November 22nd.
Paying Too Much for Employee Healthcare?
The Blair County Chamber has partnered with Empower3 Center for Health to offer Chamber-Member employers an affordable community-based health plan for their employees. The plan features level group rates, no deductibles, no pre-existing condition exclusions, substantial prescription drug coverage with co-pays of $10 or less and the opportunity to add dental and vision coverage. Call Maureen Frucella for details. Her number is (814) 317-5063.
Congratulations…
. . . to Nason Hospital, which has signed a letter of intent to explore a potential acquisition by LifePoint Hospitals. As part of the proposed acquisition, Nason would become part of Conemaugh Health System.
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 The Chamber at 943-8151.
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Indoff - Lori Beck
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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.
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Laurel Eye Clinic
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Present your Chamber Blue Card and save up to $700* on bladeless lasik. *Discount is for $350 off per eye and may not be combined with any additional discounts or savings.
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Mattress World
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Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off Simmons Beautyrest, Simmons True Energy, Simmons Work Class, Simmons Comfortpedic, Simmons Beautyrest Black, Laura Ashley, or King Koil I-Matt series products.
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Radiance Day Spa
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 10% off of any service. (Exceptions would be retail products and gift certificates)
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For more information, visit the website
To subscribe or unsubscribe please email us.
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September 22, 2014
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business After Hours
Thursday, September 25, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express
Register Here
Safety Program
Friday, September 26, 2014
7:30-10:00 a.m.
Hoss's Steak & Sea House - Duncansville
Register Here
Down on the Farm
Thursday, October 2, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Curryview Farms
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, October 9, 2014
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
WE-LEaD Lunch 'n' Learn
Friday, October 10, 2014
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Park Hills Country Club
Register Here
Hall of Fame & General Business Awards
Monday, October 20, 2014
5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
Business After Hours
WEDNESDAY, October 22, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Altoona Beauty School
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Week of 9/22/2014
Non-Profit Steering Committee
Monday, September 22, 11:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Chamber Ambassadors
Tuesday, September 23, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Coalition on Sustainability
Tuesday, September 23, 1:00 p.m.
Devorris Center
Chamber Board Nominating Committee
Wednesday, September 24, 8:30 a.m.
Chamber Office
Transportation Committee
Thursday, September 25, 8:15 a.m.
Devorris Center
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