Fall 2011
CHAMBER WATCH 200 W. WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE C, LEWISBURG, WV 24901 (304)645-2818
Fifth Annual MEGA Business Showcase and Marketplace is Coming Soon! Come and be a part of the Best of the Valley on Thursday, November 10 at the State Fair Event Center’s West Virginia Building. This is the fifth year for this event and it is a proven way to increase your business and client base. It is a lot of fun and a great way to reconnect and network with fellow members.. We will again be combining MEGA with the Greenbrier County Schools Career Day, with an hour of pre-Mega networking for vendors as you requested. Come join us for cash drawings, food, prizes, and more.
Hospitality and Customer Service Seminar Join us on Friday, October 14 for an interactive Hospitality and Customer Service seminar. Our dynamic duo, Barbara Frame-Cook and Kim Donahue have received rave reviews from previous Chamber workshops and will use their wit and expertise to help you and your employees have a positive impact that will bring return business to your door. Barbara will present the first segment on Attitude, Demeanor and Appearance… How to present yourself from the inside out, as you “only make a first impression once.” The second part of this seminar hosted by Kim Donahue of the Small Business Administration, will be focusing on recognizing key moments in customer service that will keep lifelong customers. We will also have an optional speed networking activity in the afternoon. Shoney’s will be providing lunch! See the enclosed flier for more details. Healthcare for Small Businesses Executive Director of West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare, Perry Bryant, will be guiding a non-partisan discussion about the new healthcare act and how it affects you and your small business. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does offer tax credits for small businesses. Come learn how to make the most of what is offered on September 21 from 12-1 at the Jefferson Office Park and bring your lunch along!
EXTRA! EXTRA! The Chamber of Commerce has begun working on the next edition of the “Life in the Greenbrier Valley” Business Directory and Community Guide along with local publisher Josh Baldwin, with Havenbrook Media, Inc. This sought after publication offers demographics and information vital to both business and individuals looking to relocate to the Greenbrier Valley. Marketing options will be available soon.
Chamber Welcomes New VISTA
Greenbrier County native Allender Stewart comes to the Chamber with a desire to give back to her community and gain experience in community and economic development through her work as a Americorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America). Allender is a recent graduate of Clemson University with a BA in Architecture. She will be learning about the other side of community development, as For news, pictures from she works with education and web programming. Her background in design and English events, updates and more, find us on will be a great asset to the Chamber. Facebook!
Roundtable on Rural Small Business The Chamber of Commerce hosted a White House Roundtable for Rural Small Businesses in late August. Twenty five small business owners, as well as Congressional representatives and state legislators discussed issues of concern with Obama appointee and SBA Director John Shoraka and SBA State Director Judy McCauley. The two and half hour session yielded immediate answers for some, while bringing to light local concerns such as broadband speed, need for regional food producers and processors, quality of available workforce, lack of R&D funding for small businesses, the need for affordable, simplified health care and alternative energy incentives. Attendees were able to adjourn to the celebration at the Visitor’s Center for the release of the September issue of Budget Travel designating Lewisburg as America’s Coolest Small Town.
US Cellular Celebrates Relocation with Ribbon Cutting and BAH
Mountain Media Hosts July Event Businesses in the historic Masonic Building in downtown Lewisburg welcomed guests to a reception on their second floor suite, as well as to Casasanta, Hallason Insurance and Loria Shumate Massage Therapist.
May Social with Watts Roost and TLP, Inc.
Amanda Bowden admiring a festive dessert created by TLP, Inc. using Watts Roost’s Vineyard’s best.
Generation Greenbrier Valley’s Dancing with the Stars committee members and dancers (from left to right): Cate Bennett, Heather Price, Jim Childers, Leslie Romero, Aaron Paxton, Morgan Heflin, Tom White, Sarah Elkins, Bernie Holliday, Jay Bowling, Cathy Rennard, Amanda Bowden and Tana Schafer
Dancing with Stars Event is a Great Success The community supported its talented dancers to make the first annual Dancing with the Greenbrier Valley Stars a success. Greenbrier Valley Theatre and other sponsors contributed in making this event possible. Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Build was a recipient of a donation as a result of the “celebrity” dance competition. Romero and Childers were the winning dance team.
The Economic Impact of Tourism Kara Dense of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau presented a Power Lunch on the Economic Impact of Tourism in the Greenbrier Valley. She explained that Greenbrier County is fifth in the state for overall visitors spending with 1.3 million annually. The new Visitor’s Center has welcomed 35,000 visitors in its first year. They hosted a great party to release the September issue of Budget Travel, which touts Lewisburg as the Coolest Small Town in America! We won! Thank you for your help!
Gold Finch Cottage Hosts Business Breakfast
A waiting room was transformed for an “Evening in the Islands” with Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy at their new location at Robert C. Byrd Clinic .
Over two hundred came out to see the latest renovations at the Greenbrier Valley Airport’s Business After Hours
Don and Marit Withrow hosted a Business Before Hours this spring. In attendance was their rental manager, Mardi McMillan of Dogwood Realty and contractor for their renovations, Aaron Huffman.
Cynthia’s Hair and Nails August Ribbon Cutting
North Jefferson St.
Smooth Ambler Spirits Hosted a Great Outdoor Gathering and Facilities’ Tour
Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce
Standard
200 West Washington Street, Suite C
Postal Permit
Lewisburg, WV 24901
No. 98
304-645-2818
Lewisburg, WV
www.greenbrierwvchamber.org info@greenbrierwvchamber.org
Upcoming Events September September 15 Greenbrier Valley Medical Center Business After Hours September 21 Health Care Reform Power Lunch at Jefferson Office Park
October October 6 The Seasons Assisted Living Business After Hours
October 14 Customer Service and Hospitality Workshop
November November 10 Career Day and MEGA Business Showcase and Marketplace (Registration form enclosed)
(See Enclosed Flier)
October 27 Greenbrier Technologies Business Before Hours
We appreciate RSVPs for all events. Click on the “Events� tab on our website: www.greenbrierwvchamber.org