Seventh Annual Politic'n & Pig Pick'n - September 10
Plan to join the Business Leadership Fund for an evening of networking, entertainment, and delicious barbeque at the Seventh Annual Politic'n & Pig Pick'n. Mingle with more than 200 business leaders and local politicians and enjoy bluegrass music from the Foggy Memory Boys. Thursday, September 10,  5:30 - 7:30 PM, Virginia Museum of Transportation. Tickets: $69/person. Register online or contact Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

23rd Annual Small Business Awards - October 1
Small Business. BIG Recognition. Help us recognize the accomplishments of small business in the NewVa Region! Thursday, October 1, 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 Monday, September 14. No refunds after September 14. Sponsored by: Cox Business, First Citizens Bank, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, Verizon Wireless, Blue Ridge Business Journal, Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Services, B.W. Wilson Paper Co., WFIR AM960, City of Roanoke, and County of Roanoke. Register online or contact Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org. 

Join the Dialogue at Roanoke Regional Forum - October 13 
A series creating opportunities for dialogue among business, civic and community leaders by attracting notable speakers to the Roanoke Region. Stephen Dubner, a rogue economist who explores the hidden side of everything in his books Freakanomics and Superfreakanomics, will be the inaugural speaker. Lectures and scheduled speakers include: October 13, Stephen Dubner;  January 28, 2010, "Internationalization: Broadening Our Economic Impact" panel discussion; and April 27, Todd Buchholz, economist and author of Market Shock. Each event will be held at the Jefferson Center - Fitzpatrick Hall, beginning at 6:30 PM. Cost: $125 for three events or $50 per event. SPECIAL PRICE FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS: $100 for three events or $45 per event. Visit Roanoke Regional Forum for more information. Register online or call Judy at 983.0700 x221 or e-mail business@roanokechamber.org.

It's All About Connections - Connect 4 Lunch
Have you heard the buzz about Connect 4 Lunch? Hundreds of connections have been made, business relationships started, and referrals gained! Are you missing out? Here's what Kevin W. McDonough, vice president of Mail-It PLUS..., had to say: "Connect4Lunch provides me the opportunity to engage in an enjoyable conversation with both prospects and clients that I otherwise might not have. I have built, as a result of Connect4Lunch, an excellent foundation of potential clients and vendors. I believe every member of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce should participate in this fantastic program." Don't miss another week! For more information or to register, visit www.connect4lunch.com/roanokechamber or www.roanokechamber.org and check out Connect 4 Lunch.

Daily Office Rentals Available at Roanoke Regional Chamber
Need a downtown Roanoke office one or two times a month? Why not consider a daily office rental. For the many people who work from home or have a mobile business, meeting a client in their home or in a public place is not the professional look they want to portray to their customers or clients. Having the ability to rent an office just for the day or even a half day is a much better solution. The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce can offer you a daily office space for one day or on a regular basis. There are three offices available with 172, 180 and 300 square feet. Rates are $25 per day for members and $75 per day for non-members.  If interested, contact Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

NEW: Post Your Sales, Promotions & Members-Only Events Online
Planning special sales or promotions this fall? Have services or 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, promotions, and Chamber members-only promotions on the Chamber's Web site at www.roanokechamber.org. The Chamber's 1,300 members can quickly post their information on the Chamber's Web site at anytime. For instructions on how to use this new members-only benefit, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

Post Your Events Fast and Free on Community Calendar
Planning special events this fall? 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.

Blue Ridge PBS to Air "JobQuest"  -  September 8
Looking for a job? Need to find qualified employees? The Roanoke Regional Chamber is partnering with Blue Ridge PBS and others to develop a new television program called "JobQuest" to address the employment challenges in our region. The monthly show is a live, call-in program that will help people find employment by highlighting new job listings and offering job hunting insights. The next show will be aired on Tuesday, September 8, at 7 PM on Blue Ridge PBS. For more information and program schedules, visit www.blueridgepbs.org.

Join the Chamber's Facebook Page
Check out the Roanoke Regional Chamber's Facebook page and keep up to date with the events and programs of the Chamber.  Already a member of Facebook, visit the Facebook page and request to become a "friend." Not a member of Facebook? No problem, visit the Chamber's group page and become a "fan."   For more information, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org.

Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 11,586 member referrals through its front desk and online membership directory in the month of August. 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 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:
November 17: State of the County Address at the Green Ridge Recreational Center
December 3: 120th Annual Meeting of the Membership at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Gain Control of an Ever Changing Market - September 16
A seminar every small business owner should attend. Informative seminar on how small business owners can grow profits and create personal wealth in today's economically challenged market. Featured speaker and best-selling author David Meerman Scott will discuss new rules of marketing and PR. Wednesday, September 16, 7:30 - 10:30 AM, The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Crystal Ballroom. Cost: $49/person, includes breakfast and if registered before September 9, receive Scott's book The New Rules of Marketing and PR for FREE. Sponsored by SunTrust Banks. Proceeds will benefit the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center. For more information or to register, call 540.982.3102 or visit www.seeuthere.com/smallbusinessowners.

Small Business: Flourishing in Tough Economic Times - Sept. 18
Hear award-winning columnist Jane Applegate discuss how small businesses can flourish in tough economic times. Applegate has written four books on small business management including 201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business. Friday, September 18, 8 - 10 AM, Taubman Museum of Art. FREE OF CHARGE. Sponsored by: Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center, Cox Business, Cox Media, The Blue RIdge Business Journal, and the Better Business Bureau - Western Virginia.  For more information or to register, call Lisa Scott at 342.3455 x3006 or 343.1177 or e-mail  lscott@roanoke.bbb.org.

Business Basics - September 22
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, September 22, 4 - 6 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $10/person. Prepayment and preregistration required by Monday, September 21. Sponsored by: Business SEED Capital, BB&T, Cox Business, and the City of Roanoke.  For more information or to register, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, call 540.983.0717 x223, or e-mail  sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

Business Survival Series: Web Sites on the Cheap - September 29
Do you need a Web site, but don't have the budget or know how? Using Homestead.com and other online services, learn how to get your business up and running online in less than 30 minutes. Presented by Tom Tanner of the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center. Tuesday, September 29, 8 - 10 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $20/person. Prepayment and preregistration required by Monday, September 28.  For more information or to register, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, call 540.983.0717 x223, or e-mail  sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

Publications

Reach 3,500 Potential Customers for Pennies
Want to promote your business for only 7 cents per contact? For only $225, you can send your message to 3,500 business people through Chamber Advantage. Use Chamber Advantage to mail your coupons, letters, flyers, sales, or advertisements. The deadline for the November holiday mailing is October 12. For more information, contact Pennie at 983.0700 x227 or communications@roanokechamber.org, or fill out this form and fax to 983.0723. 

Get Connected with the Region's Business Leaders
Call today to reserve your advertisement space in the 2009 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 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 2009-2010 issue of Valley Life may be used to recruit new employees, welcome newcomers and students, and promote the Roanoke Region. Check out Valley Life online. Additional copies are available by contacting Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

Membership in Action

CHAMBER CHAMPION PROFILE


Carilion Occupational Medicine partners with local businesses to provide accident treatment and injury management services. We also help companies meet federal and state regulatory requirements by providing physical exams and medical surveillance. A variety of programs are available, including substance abuse testing, occupational nursing, health and prevention programs, safety programs, emergency training and travel clinic services.