May 2008 |
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Opportunities & Upcoming
Events
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Business After
Hours - May 15
Network, have fun, and grow your business with more than 300
business people at Business at the Ballpark. Thursday,
May 15, 5 - 7 PM, Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. Cost: $5/members;
$15 non-members, includes one beverage ticket, baseball-style food
selections, and FREE admission to see the Avalanche game starting at 7:07 PM. Sponsored by the Salem Avalanche
and WFIR AM 960. For more information, 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. Thursday, May 15, 7:30 AM - 3 PM, Virginia Western
Community College. Open to ALL businesses. Cost: $20,
includes breakfast and lunch. 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.
DC Day for Western Virginia - May 22
Visit your congressional delegation and learn how federal
policy on transportation, immigration reform, workforce, and health
care affects your business. Thursday, May 22. This day trip
begins by luxury bus from Roanoke. Cost: $79/members;
$119/non-members, includes bus fare, refreshments on the bus, and
lunch. Sponsored by: Cox, Appalachian Power, Grow!, Woods
Rogers Consulting, and Lanford Brothers Co. Click here
to register online or contact Judy at 983.0700 ext. 221 or business@roanokechamber.org.
Economic Summit V - June 3
Discover how going green can enhance your bottom line. The
fifth annual Economic Summit will feature keynote speaker Dr. Sean
McGinnis with Virginia Tech's Green Engineering Program. Tuesday,
June 3, 8 AM - Noon, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Cost:
$49/members; $62/non-members, includes continental breakfast.
Sponsored by: Rutherfoord, Roanoke Regional Home Builders
Association, Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS, LeClairRyan,
Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, Cox, Breakell, Inc. General
Contractors, Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., HSMM/AECOM, Woods Rogers
PLC, Appalachian Power, Bank of America, and SunTrust Banks. Click
here
to register online, or for more information, contact Judy at
983.0700 ext. 221 or business@roanokechamber.org.
Leadership Roanoke Valley Nomination
Deadline - May 15
Nominate yourself or someone you know for Leadership Roanoke
Valley's 26th Class. Program dates: September 2008 - June 2009.
Tuition: $850. Click here
for a nomination form, or for more information, contact Lisa at
983.0700 ext. 228 or lrv@roanokechamber.org.
Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup - August
25 & 26
Increase your name recognition, gain prospects, and build
your business by sponsoring the Chamber's 18th Annual Golf
Tournament. Gain exposure for your company to the region, its
business leaders, and more than 200 golfers. Gold, silver, and hole
sponsorships are available. Team registration will begin June 16.
Click here for more information, visit www.roanokechamber.org
or contact Jamie at 983.0700 ext. 231 or jsnead@roanokechamber.org.
Recognize an Outstanding Small Business
Small Business. BIG Recognition. On Tuesday, September
30, the Chamber will spotlight small businesses at the 22nd Annual
Small Business Awards. Nominate an outstanding small business,
not-for-profit, or small business advocate by June 27. Sponsored by:
Blue Ridge Copier, Cox Business, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, and
First Citizens Bank. Click here
for a nomination form or contact Taryn at 983.0717 ext. 239 or sbdc@roanokechamber.org.
Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 14,686 member referrals through
its front desk and online membership directory in the month of
April. 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.
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Education
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Lunch 'N' Learn Series:
E-Marketing
- May 8
Learn how to get results using online surveys and
e-mail.
Join the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center to
discover e-marketing strategies. Thursday, May 8, 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 pre-register, contact
Taryn at 983.0717 ext. 239, e-mail
sbdc@roanokechamber.org
or visit
www.rrsbdc.org.
Business
Basics - May 12
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. Monday, May 12, 4 - 5:30 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost:
$10/person. Prepayment and pre-registration required by Friday, May
9. For more information or to register, contact Taryn at
983.0717 ext. 239, sbdc@roanokechamber.org
or online at www.rrsbdc.org.
Five Ways to Find the Time
and Money You Need - May 14
Looking for more ways to stretch your
dollar and extend your work day? Attend the SunTrust
Bank's Business over Breakfast series featuring Stephen Diorio for
"Five Ways to Find the Time and Money You Need to Achieve
Balance and Success." Wednesday, May 14, 8:30 - 10 AM, The
Jefferson Center. Cost: FREE, includes breakfast and networking from
7:45 - 8:30 AM. Sponsored by the Roanoke Small Business Development
Center and SunTrust Banks. For more information or to make
reservations, call 877.896.4724 or visit www.breakfastleadership.com. |
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Publications
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Get Connected with the Region's Business
Leaders
Reserve your
advertisement space in the 2008 third 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
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.
Your Free Copy of the Valley Life
Relocation Guide Now Available
Valley
Life: Discover Virginia's Greater Roanoke Valley is the region's
premier relocation and newcomers' guide published by the area's
Chambers of Commerce. The 2008-2009 issue of Valley
Life may be used to recruit new employees, welcome newcomers and
students, and promote the Roanoke Region. All members have been
mailed a complimentary copy. Additional
copies are available by contacting Judy at 983.0700 ext. 221 or business@roanokechamber.org. |
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Membership in Action
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Business
and Technology Expo Attracts Crowd of 1,000
Nearly 1,000 business people
attended the Chamber's Business and Technology Expo held at the
Roanoke Civic Center's Special Events Center on Thursday, April 17. With
over 100 booths to visit, attendees connected with Roanoke-area
businesses, discovered the latest technologies, and enjoyed evening
networking at the Special VIP Night. Winners of the
booth competition included: Blue Ridge Copier, Best in Show;
Executive Town Car & Limousine Service, Inc., Most Fun; Holiday
Inn - Tanglewood, Most Creative; and VIRginia International
Raceway,
Chamber's Choice.
Chamber's
Web Site Now Offers Interactive Blogs
Looking for up-to-date information on local projects or
governmental issues on the local, state and national levels? Check
out the Roanoke Regional Chamber's two new blog sites to
find out what's happening in the region and to share your opinions.
The Quality
of Life Projects blog offers accurate and current information on
the status of local amenity projects. The Legislative
blog allows visitors to learn more about local, state and
federal government issues and to join in on the conversation.
For more information, contact Tori at 983.0700 ext. 229 or twilliams@roanokechamber.org.
Post Your Events Fast and Free on Community
Calendar
Planning special events? 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.
Thank You
Metro!
The
Chamber Ambassadors would like to thank the Metro! for hosting their
April meeting. Chamber Ambassadors visit fellow members to
discuss their membership investment and issues that concern their
business. Please welcome them when they call. |
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CHAMBER CHAMPION
PROFILE
SunTrust
sees beyond your accounts to the person behind it. We get to
know you and your aspirations so we can deliver personalized
solutions that can help you achieve financial success. Visit
SunTrust for checking, savings, financing, investment, and business
solutions that fit your way of life - wherever you want to go.
SunTrust ... Seeing Beyond Money
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