March 2008 |
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Opportunities & Upcoming
Events
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Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 9,189 member referrals through
its front desk and online membership directory in the month of
February. 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 ext. 221
or send your 20 word (140 characters) profile to
business@roanokechamber.org.
2008
Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast - March 18
Plan
to attend the Roanoke Regional Chamber's 2008 Legislative Wrap-Up
Breakfast and meet your legislators.
Learn how your elected legislators are improving the
region's business climate, and discuss the issues that are important
to you. Tuesday, March 18, Holiday Inn - Valley View. Cost:
$17/members; $27.50/non-members, includes breakfast buffet.
Sponsored by Verizon and Lanford Brothers Co. For more
information or to register, contact Judy at 983.0700 ext. 221 or business@roanokechamber.org,
or click here
to register online.
Decision 2008:
Virginia Employment Law Caucus - April 16
Attend
this informative forum and learn more about key employment issues
affecting your business hosted by Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore. Wednesday, April
16, 8 AM - 4:15 PM, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore will also offer the symposium in
Lynchburg on Wednesday, April 9, from 8 AM to 4:15 PM, at the
Holiday Inn Select. Cost: $200/person; $170/person for three or more
attending per company and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and
all materials. Sponsored by: Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore and the
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.gentrylocke.com/le2008
for updates on sessions and presenters or to register online. For
more information or to register by phone, contact Mim Young at
540.983.9385 or mim_young@gentrylocke.com.
Business & Technology Expo with VIP Night - April 17
Promote your company and services to
more than 1,000
potential customers. Thursday, April 17, Roanoke
Civic Center's Special Events Center. Register for exhibitor space
before March 31 to be included in the program book. Sponsored by: Blue Ridge Copier, Quality
Coffee Co./Mountain Springs/Darte Vending, Roanoke Civic Center, and
U.S. Cellular. For
more information or to reserve your space, contact Jamie at 983.0700 ext. 231 or jsnead@roanokechamber.org.
Women
& Veterans Small Business Conference - May 15
Network
while you learn about marketing, advertising, financial assistance,
and much more at this day-long conference created specifically for
women and veteran small business entrepreneurs. Thursday, May 15, 7:30 AM - 3 PM, Virginia Western
Community College. Sponsored by: Roanoke Regional Small Business
Development Center and Virginia Western Community College. For more information, contact
Taryn at 983.0717 ext. 239 or
sbdc@roanokechamber.org.
Save the Dates for These Upcoming Chamber Events
Mark your calendar and plan to attend these events:
May 15: Business After Hours at the Salem Memorial
Baseball Stadium
August 25: Business After Hours at Hunting Hills Country
Club
August 25 & 26: Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup at
Hunting Hills Country Club
September 30: 22nd Annual Small Business Awards at The
Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
December 2: 119th Annual Meeting of the Membership at The
Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
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Education
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Business
Basics - March 10
Discover business planning, forms of
organizations, marketing strategies, and the realities of being a
business owner at this quick introductory course. Monday,
March 10, 4 - 5:30 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost:
$10/person. Registration required by contacting Taryn at
983.0717 ext. 239, sbdc@roanokechamber.org
or online at www.rrsbdc.org.
Lunch 'N' Learn Series:
Developing a Web Site Presence - March 13
Discover how to get your business on the Internet
with Beth Garst of Howl'n Dog Designs. Thursday,
March 13, Noon - 1 PM,
Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Admission: Free,
pre-registration required. Bring your own lunch; drinks and
cookies will be provided. Sponsored by: Roanoke Regional Small
Business Development Center, Downtown Roanoke, Inc., City of
Roanoke, and BB&T.
For more information or to
preregister, contact
Taryn at 983.0717 ext. 239, e-mail
sbdc@roanokechamber.org
or visit
www.rrsbdc.org.
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Publications
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Get Connected with the Region's Business
Leaders
Reserve your
advertisement space in the 2008 second 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 37,500+ regular
readers, 83 percent are business decision makers and 66 percent are
CEO's, 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.
Reach 3,500 Potential Customers for Pennies
Want to promote your business for only 7 cents per contact? For
only $225, you can send your message to 3,500 business people
through Chamber Advantage! Use Chamber Advantage to mail your
coupons, letters, flyers, sales, or advertisements. The deadline for
the spring mailing is April 11. For more information, contact
Pennie at 983.0700 ext. 227, e-mail communications@roanokechamber.org,
or fill out the registration form
and fax to 983.0723.
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Membership in Action
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Place Your Company in Front of Thousands
Be
seen. Be noticed. Be heard. Position your business as a
proactive business and community leader and gain valuable marketing
through the Roanoke Regional Chamber's programs in 2008. These
promotional opportunities help you gain and maintain top-of-mind
awareness for your products and services with the thousands of
employees of the 1,400 Chamber member companies. For a
complete listing of sponsorship opportunities, contact Pennie at
983.0700 ext. 227 or visit www.roanokechamber.org
and click on Promote
Your Business.
Post Your Events Fast and Free on Community
Calendar
Planning special events during 2008? 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.
The Chamber's 1,400 members can quickly update, cancel, or edit
their information on the Chamber's Web site at anytime. For
instructions on how to use this free, members-only benefit, contact
Pennie at 983.0700 ext. 227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.
FREE
Month's Rent on Downtown Office Suite
Spacious and
convenient office space in the Roanoke Regional Chamber Building.
The 3,225-square-foot suite on the
mezzanine level of 210 South Jefferson Street features elevator
access, six private offices, conference room, open work area,
restrooms, and break room. Free month's rent for each year of lease.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact
Lynn Hall at Hall Associates at 982.0011.
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CHAMBER CHAMPION
PROFILE
Structures
Design/Build LLC has been the premier design/build company in
Southwest and Central Virginia since 1999. Structures is made up of
a team of experienced and dedicated architects and building
professionals working together under one roof designing and
constructing quality homes and commercial buildings. Their track
record of delivering their projects on time and on budget is
unrivaled and has earned them the respect and confidence of business
leaders and homeowners throughout Virginia.
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