News from Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

Connect with the Chamber

01.13.2011

In This Issue

Chamber Focus
New Members
Maximize Your Membership
Business After Hours
Eggs & Issues
Leading Lights
Events & Happenings
Contact Us

New Members

Help us WELCOME

our newest Members

National Counseling Group

Brian Hoff

90 College Street Suite C

Christiansburg, VA 24073

540.602.3021

nationalcouncilinggroup.com

Sundog Psychology

Robert Miller

P.O. Box 630

Blacksburg, VA 24063

540.250.3065

sundogpsychology.com

American Red Cross, NRV

Annie Harvey

616 A W. Main Street

Radford, VA 24141

540.639.2140

redcross.org

Patrick K. Moore, PC

Patrick Moore

130 Oaktree Blvd.

Christiansburg, VA 24073

540.382.5970

Optima Health

Suzanne Stewart

1604 Santa Rosa Rd

Richmond, VA 23229

804.510.7433

optimahealth.com

CTI Consultants

L.B. Day

1348 S. Main Street

Blacksburg, VA 24060

540.552.1575

cti-consultants.com

Randy's Lawn Service

360 Lucas Street

Christiansburg, VA 24073

540.382.1247

Chamber Connection

0.8285714285714286

Greetings!

Two weeks into the new year and we are delighted that we have good things to share with you! Dr. Sharon Scott is conducting interviews for the 2012 Leadership New River Valley class. The class is filling up quickly so I encourage you to submit an application or talk with Nancy, Diana or me about your interest. Our January Business After Hours is coming up on the 19th at the Courtyard Marriott. It is always good to see everyone after the holidays! Kevin Shaw, the new Chair of the Ambassador Council is having an orientation and meeting tomorrow and we are so impressed with those who have signed up this year to serve in this capacity. We are looking to increase our Ambassador corps and if you have an interest in getting more involved, this is a great way to participate!

Aric Bopp and David Denny, New River Valley Economic Development Alliance were the speakers for our first Eggs & Issues for 2012 and based on Aric's presentation they want to be even more aggressive in their efforts this year. They have a capital campaign to increase their presence at trade shows and marketing events as well as more interaction with Site Selection firms. We encourage you to be supportive of their efforts as an investor. If you would like more information on ways that you can assist with their efforts, please contact Aric at 540.267.0007 or abopp@nrvalliance.org.

For all of you who attended the Annual Dinner on December 9th, a genuine thank you. The comments and compliments we received 1.0198019801980198 about that event were absolutely wonderful and we are so grateful. Scott Hill is an excellent leader and I am delighted that I had the opportunity to work with him this past year. Scott passed the gavel to Eric Johnsen for 2012. Our strategic goals have not changed for 2012 so we are still focused on building community, enhancing our members' success and creating financial sustainability. Each of these goals is geared toward ensuring value to your chamber membership.

We are here to serve you and look forward to a prosperous 2012 for all!

Catherine

Maximize Your Membership

Membership image

Dear Chamber Members,

One of my all-time favorite phrases is, "You need to SHOW UP to GO UP!" This phrase emphasizes to me the importance of visibility and what it can do for you and the success of your business. Being visible in the community in the physical presence is sending a message that you are a person that is willing to build relationships.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has many events throughout the year. These events all have the specific purpose of connecting our business leaders to each other. There are at least two events each month already scheduled for 2012. The Business after Hours is, of course, our biggest event each month. Want to meet some potential clients? Business partners? New friends? Come prepared to mingle with 200 other local businesses and let them know who you are! Mark the 3rd Thursday of each month on your calendar for Business after Hours. This is a FREE event. The time is always from 5:30 - 7:30 PM and the locations are announced in the newsletter and on the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page! Have you "liked" us?

January 19th is our first Business after Hours of 2012! Our hosts are the Courtyard by Marriott at 105 Southpark Drive in Blacksburg and Custom Catering. Please come out and see the hotel, enjoy the fine food and hear what our sponsors have to share about their businesses.

Eggs & Issues is our other regularly scheduled event that occurs on a monthly basis. Mark the first Thursday of each month for an energetic breakfast meeting with 50 of the community's top leaders! The time is from 7:30 - 9:00 am. The topic changes monthly but rest assured - it is pertinent and compelling. Watch the Events Calendar for the location of our next Eggs & Issues. Cost is $15.

And of course join us for our new members' Ribbon Cuttings. We would love to have you join us. Our next Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for January 27th at noon at Body Balance Spa at 1997 S. Main Street, Suite C in Blacksburg. Let's give them a BIG welcome!

Make a new year's resolution regarding your Chamber Membership. Be sure to SHOW UP to GO UP! We will see you at the top!

Nancy Creed, Membership Director

Thank You to New River Valley Economic Development Alliance Aric Bopp & David Denny for speaking at the January Eggs & Issues Breakfast.

Watch Chamber communications for future events

The Leading Lights committee is accepting nominations for the fourth annual awards until February 13, 2011. Area non-profit organizations have teamed up with the Virginia Tech German Club Alumni Foundation (GCAF) for the Fourth Annual "Leading Lights: Neighbors Honoring Neighbors" recognition awards for volunteers in our community. Leading Lights recognize volunteers in the NRV from all sectors who are making community-changing impacts and serving as models to inspire others. The group honors award-winners by donating $1,000 to the non-profit of their choice.

Culminating in a major gala to be held in early April, 2011 at the German Club Manor, the 2011 Leading Lights event honored the five awardees, forty-five nominated finalists, and leading area non-profit and government-service organizations. The 2011 Leading Lights award winners were, Community: Phyllis Albritton, Blacksburg; Pat Ballard, Christiansburg; Mary Ann Hinshelwood, Christiansburg; Collegiate: Victoria Sarbin, Radford University; and Youth: Jessica Vance, Blacksburg.

The five awards are given in three categories: community (three), youth (one), and collegiate (one). Nominees must be current residents of or currently enrolled in schools in the New River Valley. The award selection committee includes representation from across the New River Valley. Award winners will be selected based on the following criteria:

Strong community involvement
Demonstrated lifestyle of dedicated, continuous, long-term involvement to the community
Proven leadership
Creativity in initiating and implementing projects that lead to a better quality of life

Organizations and individuals are encouraged to submit nominations. Nominations can be submitted online or mailed. The nomination forms (online and downloadable) can be found at www.leadinglightsnrv.org. Mail nominations to Attn:Leading Lights, 1000 N. Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Nominations are particularly encouraged in the youth and collegiate categories. Persons who have been nominated before, but not selected as one of the five awardees may be nominated again. Any of the offices below can be contacted for the form or more information:

Community Foundation of the NRV: (540) 381-8999
United Way of Montgomery, Radford & Floyd: (540) 381-2066
VT-Engage (540) 231-0691
YMCA at Virginia Tech (540) 961-9622

The deadline for nominations to be received by the Leading Lights committee is Monday, February 13, 2012. The 2012 annual Leading Lights banquet will be April 12, 2012. This major gala will be held at the German Club Manor adjacent to the Virginia Tech campus. Seating will be limited.