Program on importance of good health set for tomorrow

The Chamber Safety Committee program on healthy lifestyles, which had been scheduled for Feb. 18, was postponed and has been rescheduled for tomorrow, March 8 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn Altoona. The program is titled “Minding Your Health.” Presentations will be by Terri Henry, licensed dietician at Altoona Regional Health System who will present, “Healthy Eating the Mediterranean Way ” and by Andrea Young, a yoga instructor at Bloom Yoga & Wellness” who will present, “Breathing and Movement to Relieve Stress at Work.” The cost to attend is just $15 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members. Price includes a continental breakfast. To register call The Chamber at 943-8151. 

Blair Business Mirror features ABCD Corporation

The March edition of the Blair Business Mirror will be published in tomorrow’s Altoona Mirror. The cover story in this issue will be a feature on Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation. Inside stories will include ones on The Chamber’s Energy Program, a legislative strategy aimed at tackling key municipal issues and a look at how recent burglaries emphasize a greater need for data breach coverage by local businesses. If you don’t receive the Altoona Mirror, don’t despair – a copy of the Blair Business Mirror is mailed to each member-business.  

Is your business ripe for a union organizing effort?

Labor Unions failed to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, also know as Card Check. But now they’re attempting to get through regulation what they could not get by legislation. Come and hear how organized labor’s “Plan B” can impact your business and how you can fight back in 2011. The Chamber’s next Breakfast Club, to be held this Thursday, March 10 at 7:45 a.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park will feature a presentation by Attorney Theodore Phlegar, Senior Counsel with the Workforce Freedom Initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The cost to attend the Breakfast Club is $16 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. This information is critical for businesses of all sizes. Register today!   

Local schools seek business reps for career events

Two local schools are looking for business representatives to participate in events aimed at helping students learn more about careers. On March 14-16, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School will be holding Career Pathway Panels. To offer your expertise, contact Veronica Sell at 695-4426, Ext. 6521. On April 8, the Career Fair for non-public school 8th graders will be held at Bishop Guilfoyle High School.  All industry sectors are needed. Contact Barb Kotelnicki at 695-6112.  

Leadership classes prepare for joint session

A joint session of the Chamber’s Leadership Blair County adult class and the youth class will be held this Thursday beginning at 8 a.m. at the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center. The session will focus on issues facing young people in Blair County.  For more information on either Leadership program, visit the Chamber website.    

Sign-ups brisk for commercial, residential electric programs

The Chamber’s recent approval from OnDemand Energy to offer discounted residential electric rates to the employees of Chamber Members has created a deluge of calls to the Chamber Office. There is money to be saved and Chamber Members are truly saving it. One downside however is that the residential program has obscured the fact that the rates being offered by The Chamber on commercial coverage are just as impressive. ‘The focus has gone to the residential,” Chamber President Joe Hurd admitted. “Businesses looking at the commercial numbers are extremely enthusiastic. Everyone associated with one of our programs has expressed great satisfaction with what they see on their bills.” For more information on either the commercial or the residential program, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Reward your employees: Give them their Blue Cards

Any Chamber-Member business that hasn’t yet picked-up its “Blue Cards,” can do so by stopping at the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center. These laminated membership cards are to be distributed to your employees along with a list of discounted offers that they can access for their own use.  It’s an employee benefit that you’re providing by being a member of the Blair County Chamber. To view all the Blue Card offers to date, visit the Chamber website. The Chamber Office is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Business Excellence Award nomination deadline is Friday

The Chamber’s prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence” will be presented at the Annual Business Excellence Dinner, to be held on Tuesday, June 7 at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The award recipient will once again be selected from nominations received from members of The Chamber. To access a nomination form, visit the Chamber website or click here. The deadline to nominate is this Friday, March 11 at noon.  

WE-LEaD Networking next Monday at Marzoni’s

The Chamber’s Women Encouraging: Leadership, Education and Development (WE-LEaD) will hold a networking reception next Monday, March 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Marzoni’s in Duncansville. “These receptions have become an excellent way for business women to exchange ideas and to compare business strategies,” explained The Chamber’s Judy Juda. The cost to attend is $12 for Chamber Members and $20 for non-members. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. The Stevens Company is the corporate sponsor for this event.    

Chamber’s trip to China passes first sign-up goal

Sign-ups have begun for The Chamber’s China Trip which will take place from Nov. 3-11.  A $200 non-refundable deposit is all that is necessary to hold your spot! Space is limited and the level of interest is extremely high, so don’t delay. As of last Friday, 30 people have signed-on and paid deposits.  “To be at 30, with eight months until the trip, is a great start,” acknowledged Chamber President Joe Hurd. Visit the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center to get more information on the specifics.   

Sustainable strategies for businesses topic of Lunch ’n’ Learn

Too many businesses have the opinion that measures of sustainability result in too much cost and too little benefit. At the next Chamber Lunch ’n’ Learn program, three of the region’s most knowledgeable experts on the subject will show evidence of why the opposite is true. Dr. Richard Flarend, Associate Professor of Physics at Penn State Altoona, will discuss the potential for local businesses to capitalize on alternative energy; Donna Fisher, District Manager of Blair County Conservation District, will explain what new environmental regulations will mean to local businesses; and Colin Lennox, CEO of EcoIslands, LLC, will identify cost-cutting solutions that are in compliance with the regulations. The date of the Lunch ’n’ Learn is March 17, the time is noon to 1:15 p.m. and the place is Park Hills Country Club. The cost is $22 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.  

Transportation is topic of next “Issues” program

With transportation such a major issue in Pennsylvania's future, how does Blair County stack-up in terms of infrastructure, public transit, air travel and other modes of moving people around? That question will be the focus of the next Chamber “Issues” program that will be taped on March 29 and aired on the Altoona Public Access Channel throughout April. The program will not only be informative but will be an incredible sponsorship opportunity for any business that would like great exposure at the low cost of just $100.  Sponsorships at that price are limited, so contact The Chamber at 943-8151 to secure yours.  

One last opportunity to register your opinion . . .

If you haven’t yet made The Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee aware of your feelings on legislative issues, it’s not too late. Click here for a short survey that will help the committee to put together its 2011 Legislative Priorities.