Chamber Events
Annual & Ongoing Events
Connect For Lunch - Beginning in March 2009
It's All About Connections: Are you looking for a new way to meet people and grow your business? What if you could get to know between 6 and 12 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 want you're looking for. Connect For Lunch is the Roanoke Regional Chamber's newest networking program. Discover more about this exciting new program or register online.
Small Business Awards
Small business. BIG recognition. Network with over 550 attendees at this annual dinner recognizing outstanding small businesses in the region, including small business owners, managers, and business leaders. The program focuses on profiles and achievements of more than 100 nominated small businesses and small business advocates in 11 categories. The 2010 Small Business Awards Dinner will be held in October 5 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
Annual Meeting of the Membership
The Chamber's PREMIER networking event, this annual dinner draws more than 550 attendees each year, including prominent business leaders and government officials. The 121th Annual Meeting of the Membership will be held in December 2, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
Business After Hours
This popular evening business networking event attracts more than 350 attendees and more than 10 exhibitors. It is limited to four regular events annually, held 5 - 7:30 P.M. Special Business After Hours events are held with Business and Technology Expo and the Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup golf tournament.
Business and Technology Expo
The Chamber's annual business-to-business and consumer trade show is the largest and most promoted event of the year! The event is open to the public with more than 1,000 attendees and nearly 80 exhibitors. Exhibitors include financial companies, insurance companies, health care industry, technology companies, not-for-profit organizations, media, universities, and others. Sponsorships and exhibit spaces are not available for the 2010 Business and Technology Expo that will be held on Tuesday, April 20, at the Roanoke Civic Center's Special Events Center. Click here for more information on the 2010 Business and Technology Expo.
Economic Summit
The Chamber's annual gathering of community leaders, business people, and opinion makers to examine current economic trends and look for ways to strengthen entrepreneurship in the region. "Economic Summit VII: Creating Our Future: Putting the Entrepreneurial Puzzle Together" was held on Tuesday, June 8, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Presentations were given by: "Economic Summit VI Survey Results," by Charles Robbins, Roanoke Regional Chamber Chair and president of BB&T; "Existing Business Infrastructure: Where Are We Investing?" by Sam English, Ph.D., CIE Partners, and Pete Eshelman , director of outdoor branding, Roanoke Regional Partnership; "Entrepreneurial Infrastructure," by Cory Donovan, executive director of NCTC; and "Putting the Entrepreneurial Puzzle Together: Financing," by Greg Feldmann, president and CEO, StellarOne. For more information, contact Tori Williams at 540.983.0700 x229, e-mail twilliams@roanokechamber.org.
Entrepreneurial Success Stories - Videos by Brian Duvall
Bonz Hart, President and CEO of Meridium, Interview
Linda Balentine, President of Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services, Interview
Tamea Franco Woodward, President of East West DyeCom, Inc., Interview
Victor Iannello, President of Synchrony, Inc., Interview
Leon Harris, President of Keltech of Virginia, Inc., Interview
Ken Ferris, COO of Wireless MedCARE, Interview
Jonathan Hagmaier, CEO of Interactive Achievement, Inc., Interview
Ready...Set...Network!
This quarterly high energy and fun speed networking event provides an intimate setting that promotes one-on-one contact. Attendees make more connections in one hour than they usually do in a month!
Roanoke Regional Chamber Cup
This annual captain's choice golf tournament provides another opportunity for members to network, have fun, and grow their business. More than 200 business leaders participate in this tournament held each August. All players receive a complimentary ticket to the special Business After Hours for golfers and non-golfers at the country club following the tournament. Proceeds from the tournament help fund Chamber advocacy and educational programs. The 20th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on August 23 at Hunting Hills Country Club. Click here to discover how you can promote your business and have fun!
State of the City / State of the County Address
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts a State of the City Address in the summer and a State of the County Address in the fall to give regional leaders an opportunity to share important milestones that have been reached and plans for the future. Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Altizer gave the 2009 State of the County Address on November 17 at the Green Ridge Recreation Center. Click here to ready the chairman's speech in its entirety. City of Roanoke Mayor David Bowers gave the State of the City Address on August 13, 2009. Click here to read the mayor's speech in its entirety.
