Recognize an Outstanding Small Business
Small Business. BIG Recognition.  Recognize an outstanding small business, not-for-profit, small business veteran, or advocate for the 24th Annual Small Business Awards program. On Tuesday, October 5, all applicants and their nominators will be recognized at a dinner ceremony in front of more than 600 people. The nomination deadline is June 25. Sponsored by: Cox Business, Blue Ridge Business Journal, First Citizens Bank, and Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore.  Complete a nomination form and fax to 540.983.0723 or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org. 

Nominations Sought for Leadership Roanoke Valley Class of 2011
Why participate in Leadership Roanoke Valley? The program helps build leadership skills, develops a diverse business network, helps participants prepare for the challenges facing our region, increases community awareness, and improves the region's quality of life. Join an elite group of 900+ graduates of Leadership Roanoke Valley and take advantage of the opportunity for professional and personal growth, while broadening your network base in an interactive environment. Nominate yourself or someone else by completing a nomination form and faxing it to 540.983.0723 by the deadline on Friday, May 21. For more information, contact Debbie at 540.983.0700 x239 or e-mail lrv@roanokechamber.org.  

Reach 3,500 Decision Makers with New Chamber "Virtual" Advantage
We're going green! The  Roanoke Regional Chamber has replaced the Chamber Advantage mailing program with a virtual Web site and e-mail service. Members may use this direct e-mail marketing tool to promote products, services, advertisements, events and much more. For only $50 per month, members provide a pdf version flyer of their promotion and it will be posted on the Chamber's Web site and a direct link and brief description will be e-mailed to the Chamber's 3,500 member contacts. Your promotion is shared with all our members and Web site visitors for an entire month for only pennies per contact!  Sign up today for the May e-mailing on May 14. For more information on this exciting new program or to register, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

Breakfast Briefing with Congressman Bob Goodlatte - May 11
Cap and trade, health care reform, financial reform ... how will decisions in Washington affect your business? The Roanoke Regional Chamber is pleased to host Congressman Bob Goodlatte for a discussion on federal issues impacting the region's business community. Tuesday, May 11, 7:30 - 9 AM, Holiday Inn - Tanglewood. Preregistration required. Cost: $17/members; $27.50/non-members; includes buffet breakfast. Sponsored by: Spillman Thomas & Battle and Lanford Brothers Co. For more information contact Judy at 983-0700 x 221 or business@roanokechamber.org. 

Business After Hours - June 3
Network, have fun and grow your business with more than 300 business people at Business After Hours! Thursday, June 3, 5 - 7 PM, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Admission: $5/members; $15/non-members; includes one beverage ticket, heavy hors d-oeuvres, and the opportunity to win great door prizes. No RSVP's required! Exhibit spaces are now available. Sponsored by: StellarOne Bank, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and WFIR AM 960. For more information or to reserve your exhibit space, contact Courtney at 540.983.0700 x231 or e-mail cpatterson@roanokechamber.org.  

Economic Summit VII - June 8
"Everyone Wins: Putting the Entrepreneurial Puzzle Together" is the theme for the Economic Summit VII. Tuesday, June 8, 8 AM - noon, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Admission: $49/members; $65/non-members; includes continental breakfast.  For more information, contact Tori at 540.983.0700 x229, e-mail twilliams@roanokechamber.org or register online.

Are You Taking Advantage of Member-to-Member Discounts?
Planning special sales or promotions this year? Have services or hot 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, deals and members-only promotions on the Chamber's Web site at www.roanokechamber.org. This month member-to-member discounts are being offered to help save Roanoke Regional Chamber members money on prescriptions and at the fuel pump and more . For instructions on how to use this new members-only benefit, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

It's All About Connections - Connect For 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 For Lunch may be just what you're looking for. Connect For Lunch is one of the Roanoke Regional Chamber's most popular networking programs. 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.connectforlunch.com/roanokechamber or www.roanokechamber.org and check out Connect For Lunch.

Post Your Events Fast and Free on Community Calendar
Planning special events this spring? 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.

Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 13,819 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? 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.

Save the Dates for These Upcoming Chamber Events
Mark your calendar and plan to attend:
August 23-24: Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup Golf Tournament at Hunting Hills Country Club
October 5: 24th Annual Small Business Awards at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
October 18: Roanoke Regional Forum with Ali Velshi, CNN Chief Business Correspondent and author, at Jefferson Center
December 2: 121st Annual Meeting of the Membership at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Business Basics - May 10
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, May 10, 4 - 6 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $10/person. Preregistration required by Monday, May 9. Sponsored by: Business SEED Capital, Inc., BB&T, Cox Business, and City of Roanoke Economic Development Authority.  For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x239, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, register online or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

GPS for Business - May 12
Are you looking for direction to be more proactive in your business? Have you ever had an "Aha! Let me try...," but haven't had the opportunity to implement your great idea? Take those great ideas and create an actionable plan by defining the Goals, Plans and Strategies to positively impact your business this year. Learn about the importance of having clearly defined vision and values for your business and how they impact your daily decisions. Wednesday, May 12, 8:30 - 10:30 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost: $25/person. Preregistration required. Presented by Laurie Mrva of Achieve Success. For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x239, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, register online, or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

Social Media Step by Step - May 20
Everyday you see classes being taught about how to use social media in your business. Most teach you the importance of social media, yet few teach you how. This class is designed to actually take you through the steps of how to setup a Facebook page, setup a Facebook fan page, set up a Twitter account, and use these services for your business. This class is "hands on" and participants will need to bring a laptop that is wireless enabled. Tuesday, May 20, 8:30 - 10:30 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost: $20/person. Preregistration required. Presented by Leslie Coty of WFIR AM 960. Sponsored by: Fasttraining.org and Synergy Sessions.  For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x239 or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

Social Media: Nuts and Bolts of LinkedIn - May 27
If you are a business owner, you need to be using LinkedIn.  Learn how to setup a LinkedIn account and get the best use out of this online business tool. This class is "hands on" and participants will need to bring a laptop that is wireless enabled. Thursday, May 27, 8:30 - 10:30 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost: $20/person. Preregistration required. Early registration suggested for limited number of seats in this popular seminar. Presented by Leslie Coty of WFIR AM 960. Sponsored by Fasttraining.org. For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x239 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 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 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

Save Your Business $$$ at the Pump
It's a fact, as the temperatures rise so do prices at the fuel pump and that's been money off your bottom line ... until now. With a new program offered specifically to you our Chamber members, you can take back control by locking in your own price per gallon for a specified period of time. Don't be subjected to the volatility of the market any longer.  Call Kenn Penn with ChamberSolutions at 800.924.3543 x502 or visit www.chambermemberbenefits.com/fuellock and put that extra money that's going into the pump back in to your business.

Thank You Cox
The Chamber Ambassadors would like to thank Cox for hosting their April meeting. Ambassadors visited 63 fellow members during the month of April to discuss their membership investment and issues that concern their business. Please welcome them when they call. 

CHAMBER CHAMPION PROFILE



Cox Business is a full service, facilities based provider of advanced communications solutions. Cox's nationwide IP backbone, coupled with a strong local presence gives companies a partner they can count on for consistent service. The Cox Business Team will help you tailor a package of telephone, data and video services which support current business requirements with scalability for future growth.