Transportation Resolution sent to Chamber Members
"Down on the Farm" is Thursday
Board Development Subcommittee seeking nominations
Deadline this week to retain Home & Garden Show spots
Electric Energy Program secures additional power
Bechtel-Wherry keynote for Friday's Leadership Conference
Marketing to customers topic of October Lunch 'n' Learn
Free workshop focuses on starting a business
Workshop for Regional Trade Show set at CBICC
Budgeting for 2011? Don't forget Leadership Blair County
Congratulations . . .

Chamber Resolution sent to Chamber Members 

A transportation funding resolution unanimously approved by The Chamber’s Transportation Committee and sent to the Chamber’s Board of Directors for final approval has been diverted to The Chamber membership for feedback. E-mails and faxes that include the resolution and a response form have been sent to members. “It’s an important document that in all likelihood would become the grass roots standard for chambers from throughout Pennsylvania ,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “We hope that our members will read it and weigh-in on what they believe the Board should do.” Please take a moment to review the Transportation Resolution and fill out the survey.  All responses must be submitted by noon on Oct. 8.  Direct all inquiries to Joe Hurd.  

"Down on the Farm" is Thursday  
Piney-Mar Farm in Martinsburg will be the site of this Thursday’s Business After Hours “Down on the Farm” event. This popular event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature a pig roast, hayrides and live entertainment by recording artist “Zupe.” As always, members are encouraged to bring young children to Down on the Farm to enjoy the experience of seeing agriculture up-close. The cost to attend is just $5 for Chamber Members in advance and $6 at the door. Non-member rates are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Under 12 are free! To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Board Development Subcommittee seeking nominations

Do you know someone in The Chamber Membership who would make a good board member? Then please take the time to submit his or her name for consideration when the Board Development Subcommittee compiles its list of candidates. E-Mail nominations to Joe Hurd by Oct. 1. Include the full name of the nominee and why you believe they’d be an asset to the Board.   

Deadline this week to retain Home & Garden Show spots 
If your business was an exhibitor at last year’s Blair County Home & Garden Show and you plan to participate in the 2011 show and maintain the same booth location, you have until Thursday to lock-in your spot.  After that, new exhibitors can select where they’d like to be. The 41^st Annual Home & Garden Show will be held on March 4, 5 and 6, 2011, at the Jaffa Shrine. To receive an application or for more information, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151 or vivist the website.  

Electric Energy program secures additional power 
The Chamber’s Electric Energy Program, brokered through OnDemand Energy Solutions, sent letters last week to Chamber Members alerting them of some additional opportunities to purchase power at discounted prices. “The tremendous interest in our electric program has resulted in securing an additional block of power that will be made available to our Chamber Members,” reported Chamber President Joe Hurd. “So if you haven’t yet committed to an energy program and thought you were too late to sign-on to the Chamber program, this could be your lucky day.” Visit the website to download an enrollment form.   

Bechtel-Wherry keynote for Friday's Leadership Conference 

The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will hold its first-ever Young Professional’s Leadership Conference, titled "next" this Friday, Oct. 1 from 7:45 a.m. to noon at the Ramada Altoona Conference Center . The next speakers will share experiences, skills and innovative strategies to help young professionals prepare to take the next step in their organizations.  Speakers are: Brian Brumbaugh from Preferred Healthcare System, Corey Gibbons from Veeder Root and John Apa from Sheetz, Inc.  Keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry of Penn State Altoona. The cost to attend is $30 per person and $25 if three or more people attend from the same business. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet and refreshment break.  Saint Francis University is corporate sponsor of the Leadership Conference. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. 

Marketing to customers topic of October Lunch 'n' Learn
Marketing is not just about finding ways to bring-in new customers.  It’s also about hanging-on to the ones you have. How do you effectively accomplish customer retention? That question, and many more, will be the basis of The Chamber’s October Lunch ’n’ Learn program, set for Thursday, Oct. 21 from noon to 1:15 p.m. at Park Hills Country Club. Mike Cox, President of Nittany Business Coaching in State College, will present: “How to Market Effectively to Your Existing Customers.” The cost to attend the Lunch 'n' Learn is $22 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Lunch and materials are included in the cost. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. 

Free workshop focuses on starting a business
A free workshop for entrepreneurs, small businesses and students entitled, “The First Steps of Starting a Business,” will be held tomorrow, Sept. 28^th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts at Penn State Altoona.  The event is sponsored by Penn State Altoona’s Entrepreneurship Program and the Small Business Development Center at Saint Francis University . To register, contact Sue Stevens at (814) 949-5548.  

Workshop for Regional Trade Show set at CBICC

Have you already made your plans to exhibit at the 2010 Central PA Regional Business & Industry Expo? Are you thinking about exhibiting?  Then you should attend the free workshop being offered in cooperation with the Expo. The date is this Thursday, Sept. 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., the venue is the boardroom of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County and the title of the workshop is, “Effective Marketing Through Trade Shows.” The workshop will help you with all aspects of marketing before, during and after the trade show. Call the CBICC today to register for the workshops at 234-1829. To register for the Expo, download and return a registration form. For more information, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151.

Budgeting for 2011? Don't forget Leadership Blair County

One of the most common laments that we hear from business people when it comes time to apply for Leadership Blair County is, “I’d love to do it but unfortunately it’s not in my budget.” There’s a way to correct that problem. Just make certain, before you order all those office supplies that you’ll never use, that you include Leadership Blair County tuition in your budget. It’s an investment in your company and it’s an investment in you. For further information, visit The Chamber website.    

Congratulations . . .

. . . to Keller Engineers, which has been named one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania for 2010. Keller’s will be officially recognized at a ceremony in Lancaster on Nov. 30.   

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