Chamber Office Closed for Labor Day
Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for August
Executive Committee Approves Six New Members
First-ever bizX Event Officially a Sell-Out!
Amtran to Host “Business Before Hours”
Non-Profit “Best Practices Forum” to Focus on Budgeting
Saint Francis Offering Tuition Discount to Chamber Members
Interest in Chamber’s Trip to South Africa May Prompt Additional Date
Informational Meeting on Portugal Trip Set for September 18th
Deadline for YEA! Applications is September 15th
Moore to Offer Workshop on Working a Trade Show
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available for Hall of Fame Event
Safety Workshop to Address Opioid Crisis
Workplace Wellness Committee Seeking Success Stories
New GACTC Director to Speak at September “Breakfast Club”
Sustainability Certification Survey Can Be Completed Online
“Business After Hours” Re-Scheduled for September 13th
Business After Hours Opportunities Available
Did You Know???
Congratulations . . .
Chamber Office Closed for Labor Day
The Blair County Chamber Office will be closed on Monday in recognition of Labor Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. To access Chamber information or to register for a program or event, visit the Chamber Website at www.blairchamber.com.
Chamber Recognizes “All-Stars” for August
The Blair County Chamber’s ability to offer quality programming, events, recognition and advocacy efforts depends largely on the willingness of sponsors to step up to help underwrite the costs associated those efforts. So at the end of each month, we publish a list of businesses or individuals who sponsored anything Chamber-related during the month. They have helped us to make a difference in the business community. All-Stars for August are: JJAN Financial Group, Inc. and Stiffler, McGraw & Associates, Inc.
Executive Committee Approves Six New Members
At the August 21st meeting of the Executive Committee of the Blair County Chamber Board of Directors, the following new members were approved: Blair County United Sisterhood Series, Central Pennsylvania Wireless, DQE Communications, Dreams Go On, Terri Johnson, CPA, and Panda Express.
First-ever bizX Event Officially a Sell-Out!
The first-ever bizX Regional Trade Show, which will be held on September 26th from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, will have a full complement of exhibitor booths. All booths have been sold. 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. 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. For further information on the show, contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151.
Amtran to Host “Business Before Hours”
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours, scheduled for this Thursday, September 6th, from 7:30-9:00 a.m., will be hosted by AMTRAN at Trolleyworks Business Park located at 3316 5th Ave., Suite 100, Altoona. Phase I of the Trolleyworks Business Park project converted and restored the former bus and Trolleyworks for the Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway into flexible office spaces for lease. The project consisted of structural modification as well as completely new mechanical and electrical systems. The exterior brick was stripped of bright orange paint then repainted and repaired. A 1,200 square foot shared conference space is highlighted by the open structure ceiling and exposed interior brick. An exterior courtyard provides benches and picnic tables for tenants to enjoy. There is no cost to attend for Chamber Members. Non-members may attend at $10 per person. To make reservations call the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Non-Profit “Best Practices Forum” to Focus on Budgeting
The Blair County Chamber’s Committee of Non-Profit Businesses will hold its next Best Practices Forum this Friday, September 7 from 8:15 - 9:45 at the Devorris Center for Business Development, 3900 Industrial Park Drive. This Forum will consist of two presentations from key personnel at Wessel & Company of Johnstown. Amy Edmiston will present,” Budgeting Best Practices for Non-Profit Organizations;” Stephanie Stohon will present,” How the State and Federal Budgets May Impact your Non-Profit Organization.” The cost to attend the Best Practices event is $5 for Chamber Members and $10 for non-members. All payments must be made in advance or at the door. No billing will be done. To register, contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online.
Saint Francis Offering Tuition Discount to Chamber Members
The Saint Francis University Graduate School of Business and Human Resource Management has announced an exclusive partnership with the Blair County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Members and employees will receive a special 15% tuition discount for new students enrolling in Fall 2018, Spring 2019, and Summer 2019 semesters. There are six different start dates per year. Applicants must meet the required standards for admission and make steady progress towards a degree. The discount is only applicable to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) programs and cannot be combined with or stacked on other special offers or discount programs. Verification of Chamber membership is necessary. Saint Francis University began the MHRM program in the region in 1961. It was the first university to offer a part-time MBA program in Blair County. The Fall 2018 semester begins on August 27, and Module 2 begins on October 22nd. Please contact Ms. Nicole Bauman, Associate Director of the Graduate Business Programs and Human Resource Management School direct at nbauman@francis.edu or via phone at 814-472-3026. You can also visit St. Francis on the web at https://www.francis.edu/Master-of-Business-Administration/.
Interest in Chamber’s Trip to South Africa May Prompt Additional Date
Seventy-four people attended last week’s informational session on the Blair County Chamber’s trip to South Africa in 2019. The trip is being done in partnership with Heritage Travel. Since only 26 spots are available on that tour, an additional departure date is being considered for sometime in October. “The response to this trip has been overwhelming,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd. “Once the original 26 spots are booked, we will look at the possibility of scheduling the second trip.” For further information, call Heritage Travel at (814) 946-1600.
Informational Meeting on Portugal Trip Set for September 18th
The Blair County Chamber will be traveling to Portugal from May 8-19, 2019. “The Best of Portugal” will feature a variety of destinations including Lisbon, Fatima and Oporto. Book before November 27th and pay just $3,240 (includes air and travel from Altoona). An informational meeting will be held on September 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development in Altoona. No cost or obligation to attend but pre-registration is encouraged by calling the Chamber at (814) 943-8151.
Deadline for YEA! Applications is September 15th
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy 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 and earn dual enrollment credits. 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.
Moore to Offer Workshop on Working a Trade Show
John Moore of Moore Power Sales in Altoona will be conducting a workshop for the Blair County Chamber on September 12th from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. Moore’s presentation will be entitled, “Nine Neglects That Kill Sales at Trade Shows.” The timing of the workshop is not coincidental, admits Stacy Hoover, the Chamber’s VP of Events and Technology. “With the bizX trade show just a few weeks later, this workshop is an ideal reminder to exhibitors of how to make the event work in their favor.” The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members. Lunch is included. To register, contact the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online.
Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available for Hall of Fame Event
The Blair County Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Monday, October 15th beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. That event, in its 29th year, is the Chamber’s premier event and attracts a large crowd. Sponsorships for the event are now available at several levels of participation by contact Jessie Covert at (814) 943-8151 or by emailing her.
Safety Workshop to Address Opioid Crisis
The Safety Committee of the Blair County Chamber will hold an educational presentation on September 12th at 7:30 a.m. at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Duncansville. The title of the presentation is “Opioids in Today’s Workplace.” Keynote speaker will be Peter Kreckel, a pharmacist at Thompson Pharmacy and the Empower3 Clinic who is also a Pharmacology professor at Saint Francis University. The cost to attend is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. A full breakfast buffet is included. To register, call the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online.
Workplace Wellness Committee Seeking Success Stories
As the Blair County Chamber’s Workplace Wellness Committee looks for more effective ways to help local businesses create a healthier mindset among employees, the committee is asking any business that is already experiencing some level of success to share information with others. “We know that there are businesses locally that are accomplishing significant things from the health perspective,” acknowledged Coleen Heim, who chairs the Workplace Wellness Committee and also serves as Executive Director of Healthy Blair County Coalition. “We’re hoping that they’re willing to share what they’re doing and how it’s benefitting their workforce.” From the input, the Chamber will schedule a “Wake Up to Wellness” breakfast during the Fall that will focus on best practices. “We invite businesses to volunteer to be presenters,” Heim pointed out. Any businesses willing to be a presenter should contact Joe Hurd at (814) 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.
New GACTC Director to Speak at September “Breakfast Club”
Eric Palmer, the new Executive Director of the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, will be the keynote speaker at the next Blair County Chamber Breakfast Club on September 13th beginning at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Palmer’s presentation will be, “The Critical Role of Career and Technical Education in Building Strong Communities.” The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $20 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, call the Chamber at (814) 943-8151 or register online. Corporate sponsor of the September Breakfast Club is South Hills School of Business & Technology.
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.
“Business After Hours” Re-Scheduled for September 13th
The next Blair County Chamber “Business After Hours,” which had been scheduled for August 23rd, has been rescheduled for September 13th. The change was made due to the recent rainfall that has slowed the completion of the host site – NatureWorks Park. The Park is expected to be completed in early September. To register for Business After Hours, contact the Chamber at 814-943-8151 or register online.
Business After Hours Opportunities Available
The Chamber has a few openings available for a member to host a Business After Hours. Those opportunities are for April 2019 and December of 2019. Anyone interested should contact Stacy Hoover at (814) 943-8151 or email her at shoover@blairchamber.com.
Did You Know???
The Blair County Chamber has a referral network in which it refers its member businesses whenever an inquiry comes in to the Chamber Office (and that happens often!!). So our members can be sure that their information is being provided to potential clients. The Chamber does not refer non-members.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Snare & Associates Mortgage Services of Hollidaysburg which is marking its 10th anniversary in business during 2018.
Power Card Offers: They’re Changing Every Day
For more information, visit the chamber website
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September 3, 2018
Upcoming Events
Business Before Hours
Thursday, September 6
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
TrolleyWorks Business Park
Register Here
Non-Profit Best Practices
Friday, September 7
8:15 - 9:45 a.m.
Devorris Center
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
Chamber Check-Up
Thursday, September 13
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The Chamber
Register Here
Business After Hours
Thursday, September 13
5:00 - 7 p.m.
NatureWorksPark
Register Here
bizX Kick-Off Luncheon
Wednesday, September 26
11:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
bizX Trending in Business Trade Show
Wednesday, September 26
1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
www.bizxpa.com
bizX Mixer
Wednesday, September 26
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
WE-LEaD Lunch 'n' Learn
Friday, September 28
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Park Hills Golf Club
Register Here
Upcoming Committee Meetings Week of 9/3/18
YEA! Steering Committee
Wednesday, September 5, 8:30 a.m.
Devorris Center
Public Policy Committee
Thursday, September 6, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
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