Recognize an Outstanding Small Business By June 25
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, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, and Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing Services.  Complete a nomination form and fax to 983.0723 or e-mail sbdc@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 June  e-mailing on June 15. For more information on this exciting new program or to register, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@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 983.0700 x229, e-mail twilliams@roanokechamber.org or register online.

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Chamber Membership?
Have "Coffee with the President" on June 11 and learn how to get the most from your membership. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet with Chamber President Joyce Waugh and other Chamber staff. Friday, June 11, 8 - 9 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 9, by calling Judy at 983.0700 x221 or e-mail business@roanokechamber.org.

20th Annual Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup with Swing into Business After Hours - August 23
Promote your company to thousands of business people at the Chamber's annual golf tournament. More than 200 business leaders participate in this popular captain's choice golf tournament. Pre-tournament promotion gives exposure for your company to the region, its business leaders, and more than 200 golfers! Gold, Silver and Hole Sponsorships available! Monday, August 23, at Hunting Hills Country Club. All proceeds from this event go to benefit the Chamber's advocacy and educational programs. Special thanks to our Gold Sponsor: Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC.  For more information, contact Courtney at 983.0700 x231 or e-mail cpatterson@roanokechamber.org.

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 12,991 member referrals through its front desk and online membership directory in the month of May. 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 12: State of the City Address
August 23: Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup Golf Tournament at Hunting Hills Country Club
September 9: Poltic'n & Pig Pick'n at the Virginia Transportation Museum
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 of Gimme My Money Back, at Jefferson Center
December 2: 121st Annual Meeting of the Membership at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Business Basics - June 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, June 8, 4 - 6 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $10/person. Preregistration required by Monday, June 7. 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.

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.

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 2010-2011 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 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

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 1.800.924.3543 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 West Creek Manor Apartments
The Chamber Ambassadors would like to thank West Creek Manor Apartments for hosting their May meeting. Ambassadors visited 63 fellow members during the month of May to discuss their membership investment and issues that concern their business. Please welcome them when they call. 

CHAMBER CHAMPION PROFILE



Woods Rogers PLC is a full service law firm providing legal solutions in more than 25 practice areas to businesses and individuals across Virginia and throughout the Southeast. The Woods Rogers tradition is based on client satisfaction - earned through hard work, creative problem-solving, and an eye toward creating value to the client.