December 2009

Opportunities & Upcoming Events

Ready...Set...Network! - December 9
Skip the chit-chat and get down to networking.
This popular morning networking event will allow you to make more quality leads in one hour than you usually make in an entire month. Wednesday, December 9, 7:30 - 9 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. This event is for Chamber members only and is limited to one representative per company. Cost: $10/member, includes breakfast items. For more information, contact Courtney at 540.983.0700 x231 or chungate@roanokechamber.org or register online.

NewVaConnects' DecemBeer - December 11
NewVaConnects annual fundraiser NovembBeer just got a 'lil merrier!
Introducing DecemBeer! Hosted by The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and NewVaConnects, DecemBeer will be held on Friday, December 11, from 6 PM until midnight in the Roanoke Ballroom. Entertainment for the evening will begin at 6 with the announcement of the NewVaConnects 2010 Charity of Choice where a portion of the night's proceeds will be given to a local charity, followed by one of the night's music sets by three nationally recorded bands. Tickets: $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Sponsored by: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, City Magazine, Blue Ridge Business Journal, and Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore.  For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Courtney at 540.983.0700 x231, e-mail chungate@roanokechamber.org or register online.

It's All About Connections - Connect 4 Lunch
Are you looking for a new way to meet people and grow your business?
What if you could get to know between three to six new people each month? Really get to know them over lunch, not just a quick hand shake and exchange of business cards. Would you be interested? If you are, Connect 4 Lunch may be just what you're looking for. Connect 4 Lunch is the Roanoke Regional Chamber's newest networking program. Each week, you'll have the opportunity to go to lunch in a small group with other Chamber members at local restaurants. For more information or to register, visit www.connect4lunch.com/roanokechamber or www.roanokechamber.org and check out Connect 4 Lunch.

Blue Ridge PBS to Air "JobQuest"  -  December 15
Looking for a job? Need to find qualified employees?
The Roanoke Regional Chamber is partnering with Blue Ridge PBS and others to develop a new television program called "JobQuest" to address the employment challenges in our region. The monthly show is a live, call-in program that will help people find employment by highlighting new job listings and offering job hunting insights. The next show will be aired on Tuesday, December 15, at 7 PM on Blue Ridge PBS. For more information and program schedules, visit www.blueridgepbs.org.

2010 Capital Dinner - January 26, 2010
SAVE THE DATE!
This popular dinner is an opportunity for business leaders to have face-to-face time with regional legislators in a private setting early in the Virginia General Assembly session. Issues discussed over reception and dinner at the Richmond Marriott. For more information, contact Judy at 540.983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

NEW:
Post Your Sales, Promotions & Members-Only Events Online
Planning special sales or promotions this holiday season? Have services or deals you would like to offer to Roanoke Regional Chamber members only? Looking for ways to get the word out?
Roanoke Regional Chamber members can quickly and easily post sales, promotions, and Chamber members-only promotions on the Chamber's Web site at www.roanokechamber.org. The Chamber's 1,300 members can quickly post their information on the Chamber's Web site at anytime. For instructions on how to use this new members-only benefit, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

Post Your Events Fast and Free on Community Calendar
Planning special events this holiday season or in 2010? Looking for ways to get the word out?
Roanoke Regional Chamber members can quickly and easily post events on the Community Calendar at www.roanokechamber.org For instructions on how to use this free, members-only benefit, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

Join the Chamber's Facebook Page
Check out the Roanoke Regional Chamber's Facebook page and keep up to date with the events and programs of the Chamber. 
Already a member of Facebook, visit the Facebook page and request to become a "friend." Not a member of Facebook? No problem, visit the Chamber's group page and become a "fan."   For more information, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

Daily Office Rentals Available at Roanoke Regional Chamber
Need a downtown Roanoke office one or two times a month?
Why not consider a daily office rental. For the many people who work from home or have a mobile business, meeting a client in their home or in a public place is not the professional look they want to portray to their customers or clients. Having the ability to rent an office just for the day or even a half day is a much better solution. The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce can offer you a daily office space for one day or on a regular basis. There are three offices available with 172, 180 and 300 square feet. Rates are $25 per day for members and $75 per day for non-members.  If interested, contact Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.


Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 11,305 member referrals through its front desk and online membership directory in the month of November. The Chamber is promoting member businesses to more than 150 people per day through the online directory. Are you getting your share of referrals from this no-cost member benefit? Make sure your online business profile is up to date - check your listing at www.roanokechamber.org - click on "Find Area Businesses." To add a free 20-word business description to your online listing, call Judy at 983.0700 x221 or send your 20 word (140 characters) profile to
business@roanokechamber.org.


Education

Business Basics - December 8
Need some guidance on how to start your own business? Discover business planning, forms of organizations, marketing strategies, and the realities of being a business owner at this quick introduction to owning your own business. Tuesday, December 8, 4 - 6 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $10/person. Prepayment and preregistration required by Monday, December 7. Sponsored by: Business SEED Capital, Inc., BB&T and Cox Business. For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x223, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org.


Publications

Get Connected with the Region's Business Leaders
Call today to reserve your advertisement space in the 2010 first quarter issue of Business Connections. Invest your advertising dollars in the only quarterly, full-color magazine targeted specifically at the region's business leaders. Of Business Connection's regular readers, 83 percent are business decision makers and 66 percent are CEOs, executives, or top-level managers. If you market to business, you need to be a part of Business Connections. For ad rates and information, contact Bonnie Brown  at RP Publishing at 772.1868 or bonnie@rppublisher.com.


Membership in Action

Smile - You're on Chamber Camera
Want to see photographs of the attendees at the Chamber's recent events?
The Roanoke Regional Chamber's Web site - www.roanokechamber.org - now features photo pages of popular events. Visit "Chamber Photos" to see shots of the 2009 State of the County Address, 23rd Annual Small Business Awards, 2009 State of the City Address, Economic Summit VI: It's ALL About the Economy, 2009 Business & Technology Expo, Business After Hours, 2009 Legislative Wrap Up Breakfast, and Ready...Set...Network!

Thank You Carrabbas Italian Grill
The Chamber Ambassadors would like to thank Carrabbas Italian Grill for hosting their November meeting.
Chamber Ambassadors visited 64 fellow members and made 75 calls during the month of November to discuss their membership investment and issues that concern their business. Please welcome them when they call.

Congratulations to Amanda Rogers of Bright Services
Amanda Rogers of Bright Services was named the 2009 Ambassador of the Year.
Rogers made 147 Chamber member visits, contacted another 87 members by phone, volunteered at five Chamber events, brought three guests to Chamber events, and provided three membership leads in 2009. She was presented the award at the Chamber's 120th Annual Meeting of the Membership held December 3 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. The Chamber wants to thank each Ambassador and their company for their dedication and time given to Chamber members.

BIG Savings from OfficeMax
Tap into the strength of a huge buying group. Our negotiated contract pricing provides savings that are normally reserved for the "big business." Now all members, regardless of size, have access to these remarkable discounts. Additionally, orders are shipped directly to your door, free of charge. And, there's a Retail Connect Card that provides the same contract pricing at your local OfficeMax store. Sign up and start saving today. Contact Loree at 800.924.3543 or e-mail info@chambermemberbenefits.com.


CHAMBER CHAMPION PROFILE


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