Business Excellence Dinner Set for Tonight at The Casino
Economist to Address Executive Roundtable
Transportation Committee Advocating for Feasibility Study
Leadership Class Fundraiser for Joshua House Project is Friday
Still Haven’t Nominated Anyone for Business Hall of Fame?
GRYP Planning Summer Kick-off, Networking Event
Email Safety Newsletter Available Free to Chamber Members
Computer Security Program Will Answer Business Concerns
Chamber Member Named to Receive National Award
NEW MEMBER-2-MEMBER OFFERS

Business Excellence Dinner Set for Tonight at The Casino
One of The Chamber’s premier events – the Business Excellence Dinner – will be held tonight beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Don Detwiler, President/CEO of New Enterprise Stone & Lime Company, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence as the highlight of the event. Dr. Thomas Kepple, President of Juniata College, will be the keynote speaker. Currently 324 persons have registered to attend. All registrations are closed.

Transportation Committee Advocating for Feasibility Study
The Chamber’s Transportation Committee is putting the final touches on a proposal to PennDOT that calls for a feasibility study and a 10-year plan for improving the Plank Road/Pleasant Valley Blvd./Logan Blvd. Corridors for pedestrians, bicycles and transit. A final draft of the proposal will be reviewed by the Transportation Committee at its next meeting, set for June 23rd at the Devorris Center. For more information or to join the Transportation Committee, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or E-mail him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.

Leadership Class Fundraiser for Joshua House Project is Friday
The current Leadership Blair County Adult Class has undertaken a class project that will make improvements to Joshua House in Tyrone. To fund that project, the LBC Class is holding a Monte Carlo Night fundraiser this Friday, June 5th at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The event includes cocktails from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00, and games from 8:00 to 10:00 with celebrity dealers. The event ends at 11:00. The cost is $50/person. Tickets can be purchased at The Chamber Office or from any class member.

Still Haven’t Nominated Anyone for Business Hall of Fame?
Next Wednesday, June 10th is the deadline to nominate a business for the 2009 Business Hall of Fame or for one of the General Awards of Distinction. To review those award categories, visit The Chamber Web site at www.blairchamber.com or complete the nomination form online at that same web address. Once nominations are received, The Chamber will send out applications to those who have been nominated. Remember: Self-nominations are welcome so don’t hesitate to blow your own horn. To sponsor the Business Hall of Fame Dinner, contact Judy Juda at 943-8151.

GRYP Planning Summer Kick-off, Networking Event
The Chamber’s Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) is planning its 1st Annual Summer Kick-off for next Friday, June 12th from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Park Hills Country Club. The event will feature great food, drinks, door prizes and raffles. It’s terrific way to get the summer off to a roaring start! The cost to attend is just $12-per-person plus a non-perishable food item that will be forwarded to the Altoona Food Bank. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151.

Email Safety Newsletter Available Free to Chamber Members
With workplace safety gaining even greater prominence among local employers, The Chamber’s Safety Committee has developed a new way to get information to Chamber Members. Beginning in June, the Committee will publish an online newsletter called the Safety Bulletin. The Bulletin will feature articles on a variety of safety-related topics, most of which will be authored by safety experts at Blair County businesses. “We’ve got a great resource of knowledgeable people who are willing to share their expertise on safety issues,” reported Luanne Albright, The Chamber’s Member Services Coordinator. “We invite any of our members to take advantage of that by subscribing to the Safety Bulletin.” There is no cost to receive the Safety Bulletin. Simply click here to be added to the list and you will received it.

Computer Security Program Will Answer Business Concerns
The Blair, Bedford and Johnstown/Cambria County chambers are collaborating on an educational program entitled, “Computer Security – Getting Past the Hype.” The program will held on June 24th from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at Heartland Hall in Bedford County. It focuses on such issues as viruses, worms, hackers, data-theft and privacy. Art Costigan of Global Network Security Consultants will be the speaker. The cost of $20-per-person covers all materials and a light breakfast. All attendees will receive a one-year subscription of ESET Anti-virus for one computer and will be eligible for a drawing to win an IronKey secure USB storage device. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Chamber Member Named to Receive National Award
Marilyn Landis, owner and President of Basic Business Concepts, Inc., has been named the U.S. Small Business Association’s 2009 Financial Services Champion of the Year. She was presented with her award on May 19th at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to Marilyn for her ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of small business.

MEMBER-2-MEMBER OFFERS
Among the recent “Member-2-Member” offers that Chamber Members have submitted for other members of the organization to support and enjoy are:

To examine other Member-2-Member offers or to submit an offer from your business, visit The Chamber Web site at www.blairchamber.com.