McGinnis to Speak at Thursday’s Chamber “Breakfast Club”
Saint Francis University Approves Dual Enrollment Credits for YEA!
Steve Sheetz Keynote Speaker for bizX Luncheon
Farm-City Committee Schedules Next “Give Back Day”
Chamber Foundation Funds Benefit Local Young People
Sustainability Certification Survey Can Be Completed Online
No Cost for Chamber Members to Get on “Buy Here Bucks” List
Informational Meeting Set for Chamber’s Trip to South Africa
McGinnis to Speak at Thursday’s Chamber “Breakfast Club”
State Representative John McGinnis, who is completing the final months of his term in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, will be the keynote speaker at the next Blair County Chamber “Breakfast Club,” set for this Thursday, August 9th, beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. McGinnis did not seek reelection for his State House position. “We’ve asked John to share his insight on the challenges and opportunities of state government,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “Since he is no longer encumbered by the political correctness of his position, we are promoting his talk as ‘John McGinnis – Unplugged.’ We’re hoping that people attend to gain a perspective on politics that they seldom get to see or hear about, courtesy of an elected official who hasn’t been exactly enamored with the whole experience of legislative drama.” The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online. Corporate sponsor of the August Breakfast Club is Stiffler McGraw.
Saint Francis University Approves Dual Enrollment Credits for YEA!
Students who graduate from the Blair County Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) program can earn three credits at Saint Francis University. Those credits were approved in late June by the University. The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for the YEA! 2018-19 class. YEA! is a 25 week program that guides middle and high school students through launching and running their own real businesses or social movements! YEA! is open to all Blair County students in grades 6-12. While in the Academy, students will receive all the necessary tools to launch their very own real, legal businesses. This includes access to valuable experts like attorneys, accountants, business mentors, and graphic designers; plus an audience with investors for real start-up cash! Students will also have the opportunity to win college scholarships. The YEA! application is available online at yeausa.org. Scholarships are available for students who meet eligibility requirements. Contact Royce Boyd, Program Manager for details at royceboyd@outlook.com. YEA! classes kick off on October 9, 2018 and will conclude in April 2019. Classes meet weekly at the Penn State Altoona Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in downtown Altoona during the school day. Transportation is provided by the school districts.
Steve Sheetz Keynote Speaker for bizX Luncheon
The first-ever bizX Regional Trade Show will be held on September 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona. The business-to-business event is being done as a partnership between the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County. The bizX show begins with a luncheon from 11:30 to 1:00 featuring keynote speaker Steve Sheetz, chairman of Sheetz Family Council, whose presentation is entitled, “Risks and Opportunities of Growing a Business.” The cost of the luncheon is $25 for Members of either chamber and $40 for non-members. The Exhibit Hall for bizX opens at 1:00 p.m. and will remain open until 7:00. More than 100 exhibitors are expected. The show will also include several educational seminars as well as a “Corridor Cuisine” which features food samples from ten regional restaurants. The event concludes with a “Business After Hours” from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend bizX although there is a cost of $10 to attend the Business After Hours. Exhibitor costs are $250 for businesses with up to 50 employees and $350 for businesses with 51-and-over. To reserve a booth, contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151. There are still a limited number of sponsorships available. Contact Jessie Covert at the Chamber Office or email her at jcovert@blairchamber.com.
Farm-City Committee Schedules Next “Give Back Day”
For the third consecutive year, the Blair County Chamber’s Farm-City Committee will partner with Allied Milk Producers to hold a Give Back Day – “Cones for a Cause” – this Friday, August 10th at Ritchey’s Dairy in Martinsburg. Ice-Cream cones will be sold that day for just $1.00 each, with the proceeds being used to buy milk for distribution by American Rescue Workers. The Give Back Day event will also include a performance by the Sharptones from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. as well as displays from the Blair County Dairy Princess and the Blair County 4-H Clubs – all at Ritchey’s Dairy. For more information on Give Back Day. Contact Stacy Hoover at 814-943-8151 or email her.
Chamber Foundation Funds Benefit Local Young People
The Blair County Chamber Foundation helps to fund many of the programs that positively impact the lives of Blair County’s young people as they look to gain greater insight into career opportunities. It’s now easier than ever before to make a donation to the Foundation. Simply go to the Chamber Website and under “About,” will have a drop-down list that will include the Foundation. Click on the Foundation to reveal the “Donation Location,” which will explain how to donate. Your support is important to so many young people in our county. Check it out today!
Sustainability Certification Survey Can Be Completed Online
Chamber-member businesses interested in assessing where they are from a sustainability standpoint will have the opportunity to complete a Sustainability Certification Survey. The survey can be completed online and the results will be compiled and the business notified of the results within a two-month period. One of the other benefits of completing the survey is that the committee will then assign a certification level – gold, silver or bronze – which businesses can then use for marketing purposes. While the committee is still working out the details of the certification process, it’s also looking to compile a Resource List to help businesses who will be looking for assistance in raising their scores. Any Chamber-member business interested in accessing the Sustainability Certification Survey should click here.
No Cost for Chamber Members to Get on “Buy Here Bucks” List
The Blair County Chamber’s new gift certificate program, known as “Buy Here Bucks,” is a way for local businesses to gain new customers and an even better way for people to give gift certificates with more than just a few places to redeem them. The larger the list of participating businesses, the greater the value of the certificates. For a business to register to be on that list (it costs Chamber Members nothing), contact Tori Liebal at (814) 943-8151 or email her. To purchase Buy Here Bucks, visit the Chamber Website. You can also get them at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development.
Informational Meeting Set for Chamber’s Trip to South Africa
The Blair County Chamber will be traveling to South Africa in 2019. The trip will take place from September 13-24, 2019. It will include four game drives as well as tours of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. There will be an informational meeting held on August 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. There is no charge or obligation to attend but registration is encouraged. To register, call the Chamber at (814) 943-8151.
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August 6, 2018
Upcoming Events
Breakfast Club
Thursday, August 9
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Give Back Day - Cones for a Cause
Friday, August 10, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
6:00 - 9:00 - music by the Sharptones
Ritchey's Dairy
$1.00 ice cream cones all day
Business Before Hours
Friday, August 17
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
JJAN Financial Services
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, August 23
5:00 - 7 p.m.
NatureWorksPark
Register Here
Safety Workshop
Wednesday, September 12
7:30 - 9:00 a .m.
Hoss's Duncansville
Register Here
Lunch 'n' Learn
Wednesday, September 12
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, September 13
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
bizX Trending in Business Trade Show
Wednesday, September 26
1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
www.bizxpa.com
Upcoming Committee Meetings Week of 8/6/18
YEA! Steering Committee
Tuesday, August 7, 8:30 a.m.
Devorris Center
Attractions/Hotel Roundtable
Wednesday, August 8, 8:15 a.m.
Rails-to-Trails
Sustainable Blair County
Thursday, August 9, 1:30 p.m.
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