August 2008

Opportunities & Upcoming Events

State of the City Address - August 21
Hear Mayor David Bowers address the city's accomplishments and present plans for the future.
Thursday, August 21, 7:30 - 9 AM, Roanoke Civic Center's Special Events Center, 710 Williamson Rd. Admission: $16.50/members; $27/non-members. Pre-registration required. No cancellations or refunds after August 14.  Register online or contact Judy at 983.0700 ext. 221 or business@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.
Silver,  hole and goodie bag sponsorships are still available. Monday, August 25, and Tuesday, August 26, Hunting Hills Country Club. Limited number of team and single player  registration  still available for Tuesday, August 26. Monday flight sold out. Click here for more information, visit www.roanokechamber.org or contact Courtney at 983.0700 ext. 231 or chungate@roanokechamber.org.

Business After Hours - August 25
Network, have fun, and grow your business with more than 400 business people at Swing Into Business at Hunting Hills Country Club.
Monday, August 25, 5 - 7:30 PM, Hunting Hills Country Club. Sponsorships and exhibitor space still available! For more information, contact Courtney at 983.0700 ext. 231 or chungate@roanokechamber.org.

Sixth Annual Politic'n & Pig Pick'n - September 11
Join the Business Leadership Fund for an evening of networking, barbeque, and entertainment at the Sixth Annual Politic'n & Pig Pick'n.
Mingle with more than 100 business leaders and local politicians while enjoying bluegrass music from the Foggy Memory Boys. Thursday, September 11, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, Virginia Museum of Transportation. Tickets: $69/person. For more information, contact Tori at 983.0700 ext. 229 or twilliams@roanokechamber.org.

22nd Annual Small Business Awards - September 30
Network with 650 business leaders and join in the celebration of the accomplishments of over 100 outstanding small businesses and small business advocates at the 22nd Annual Small Business Awards dinner and program. Tuesday, September 30, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, 110 Shenandoah Ave., 6 PM reception, 7 PM dinner and program. Tickets: $49.50/person; $396/table of eight; $495/table of ten. Register by Friday, September 12. No refunds after September 12. Register online or contact Judy at 983.0700 ext. 221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

SAVE THE DATE: State of the County Address - October 28
Hear Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Flora present the annual State of the County Address. Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 - 9 AM, Holiday Inn - Tanglewood.  For more information, contact Tori at 983.0700 ext. 229 or twilliams@roanokechamber.org.

Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 15,103 member referrals through its front desk and online membership directory in the month of July. 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.


Education

Business Basics - August 11
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, August 11, 4 - 5:30 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost: $10/person. Prepayment and pre-registration required by Friday, August 8. For more information or to register, contact Taryn at 983.0717 ext. 239, sbdc@roanokechamber.org or online at www.rrsbdc.org.

Non-Profits: What You Need to Know - Session  1 - August 27
Attend the Woods Rogers PLC Non-Profit Seminar Series and discover legal topics your organization needs to know.
Topics to be covered in the three-part series include: laws governing non-profit organizations, legal ramifications of serving on a board, reasons non-profit organizations get sued, tax laws for non-profit organizations, and tax-exempt financing options. Session One, Wednesday, August 27, Structure, Governance and Compliance Issues. Session Two, Wednesday, September 24, Litigation and Employment Law Issues. Session Three, Wednesday, October 29, Tax and Finance Issues. Each session will be held at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. Registration will begin at 8 AM, the seminars will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 AM. Cost: $40/person per session, or $100/person for all three sessions. Sponsored by: Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and Woods Rogers PLC.  To register or for more information, call 540.983.7712, e-mail seminars@woodsrogers.com, or visit www.woodsrogers.com.

Debt Collection Strategies - September 23
Learn the secrets to collecting accounts receivables and doing credit checks.
Join Wayne Jordan of TekCollect Corporation and learn how to develop collection policies. Tuesday, September 23, 8 - 9:30 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom. Cost: $20/person.  For more information or to register, contact Taryn at 983.0717 ext. 239, sbdc@roanokechamber.org or online at www.rrsbdc.org.


Publications

Be the First to Reach the Region's Newcomers!
Don't miss this opportunity to be the first to reach up to 50,000 decision-makers who are visiting or relocating to the Roanoke Region. Advertising sales for the 2009 edition of Valley Life, the Roanoke Region's relocation and visitors guide, are now underway. Meghan Phillips, project sales director for SouthComm Publishing, is available to discuss the advertising and marketing solutions offered in this premier publication. Check out the 2008 edition of Valley Life online.
For more information, fill out the "Yes Count Me In" form and fax to 983.0723 or contact Pennie at 983.0700 ext. 227 or communications@roanokechamber.org

Get Connected with the Region's Business Leaders
Reserve your advertisement space in the 2008 fourth 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.

Make a Great First Impression on Chamber Visitors & Guests
Reserve your spot to be a Roanoke Regional Chamber member on display in the Chamber's front-desk kiosk. Take this opportunity to make a great "first impression" with the visitors and newcomers to the area. Take a moment to watch this important three-minute presentation from Profile Display. Review this information as quickly as possible, since this opportunity is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information, contact Debra Davis, sales manager for Profile Display, at 1.888.545.9853 ext. 105.

Get Your Copy of the Roanoke Region's Updated Street Map
The Roanoke Region Street Map & Resource Guide is now available! This highly-detailed map covers Botetourt County, Fincastle, Hollins, Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem, Troutville, and Vinton, and is ideal for delivery people, new employees, visitors to the area, or for resale. Individual copies are only $3.50 each. Available in bulk for as little as $1 each.
To place an order or for more information, call Judy at 983.0700 ext. 221 or business@roanokechamber.org.


Membership in Action

OfficeMax Offers Discounts to Chamber Members
Tap into the strength of a huge buying group. Negotiated contract pricing provides savings that are normally reserved for "big business." Now all members, regardless of size, have access to these remarkable discounts! Additionally, your order is shipped directly to your door free of charge. If you prefer to go into the OfficeMax to shop, there's a Retail Connect Card that provides for the same contract pricing.
For more information, call OfficeMax at 1.800.924.3543, or visit
www.chambersolutions.com/enroll_officemax.php.

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 Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
The Chamber Ambassadors would like to thank The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center for hosting their July 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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