2010 Capital Dinner - January 26
Register today and don't miss this opportunity to meet with legislators early in the session to discuss issues important to you and your business.  This popular dinner is an opportunity for business leaders to have face-to-face time with regional legislators in a private setting early in the Virginia General Assembly session. Issues discussed over reception and dinner at the Richmond Marriott. Tuesday, January 26, Richmond Marriott, 500 East Broad Street, Richmond. Cost:$92/members, $120/non-members for reception and dinner. For more information, contact Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

NEW: Post Your Sales, Promotions & Members-Only Events Online
Planning special sales or promotions in 2010? 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.

Internationalization: Broadening Our Economic Impact - January 28
Join the Roanoke Regional Forum for an interactive panel discussion that explores how the Roanoke area can be and is impacted by a global market. Panelists include: Roanoke College faculty members Dr. Joshua Rubongoya and Dr. Elizabeth Gilster-Valazquez; Jeff Anderson, director of Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Ted Melnick, president of Novozymes Biologicals, Inc.; and Michael Newman, vice president of international sales and global marketing for Optical Cable Corporation. Cost: $45/members; $50/non-members. For more information or to register, contact Judy at 983.0700 x221, e-mail business@roanokechamber.org or register online.

Blue Ridge PBS to Air "JobQuest"  -  January 19
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, January 19, at 7 PM on Blue Ridge PBS. For more information and program schedules, visit www.blueridgepbs.org.

Join a Committee and Share Your Ideas on State and Local Issues
Interested in learning more about or contributing your thoughts on local and state issues? Consider joining one of the Chamber's Advocacy Committees: Transportation Advocacy - meets the first Thursday of the month at noon; Legislative Advocacy - meets the third Friday of the month at noon; and Workforce Education Advocacy - meets at 8 AM once a month (floating date). Meetings last no more than one hour. For more information or to join a committee, contact Tori at 983.0700 x229 or twilliams@roanokechamber.org.

Business & Technology Expo with Special VIP Night - April 20
SAVE THE DATE! Promote your company and services to the Roanoke Region, including more than 3,500 Chamber contacts and 1,000 potential customers.  Tuesday, April 20, noon - 4 PM with VIP Night following at 5 to 7 PM, Roanoke Civic Center's Special Events Center. Sponsorships and exhibit spaces are now available! Register to exhibit before February 28 and save $50. Sponsored by: Cox Business and the Roanoke Civic Center.   For more information or to register, contact Courtney at 983.0700 x231 or chungate@roanokechamber.org.

It's All About Connections - Connect 4 Lunch
Are you looking for a new way to meet people and grow your business? What if you could get to know between three to six 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 4 Lunch may be just what you're looking for. Connect 4 Lunch is the Roanoke Regional Chamber's newest networking program. Each week, you'll have the opportunity to go to lunch in a small group with other Chamber members at local restaurants. For more information or to register, visit www.connect4lunch.com/roanokechamber or www.roanokechamber.org and check out Connect 4 Lunch.

Post Your Events Fast and Free on Community Calendar
Planning special events in 2010? 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.

Thousands Benefit from Rapid Referrals
The Chamber provided 15,736 member referrals through its front desk and online membership directory in the month of December. 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.

What People Are Saying About Your Roanoke Regional Chamber
Your membership in the Roanoke Regional Chamber provides a 24/7 advertisement and referrals for your business! Mr. Butcher recently inquired about employment and was directed to our Membership Directory: "I appreciate your e-mail...I spoke with recruiter Jennifer Cross at Patriot Services in Roanoke. We scheduled an appointment for me to visit their office next Monday afternoon. This is probably one of many examples that you hear about regarding the value of your Chamber member directory. It's a great resource! Thanks again for your response and enjoy your day." Make sure your online business profile is up to date - check your listing at www.roanokechamber.org - click on "Find Area Businesses." For more information on the Membership Directory, contact Judy at 983.0700 x221 or business@roanokechamber.org.

Business Basics - January 12
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, January 12, 4 - 6 PM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $10/person. Prepayment and preregistration required by Monday, January 11. Sponsored by: Business SEED Capital, Inc., BB&T, Cox Business, and City of Roanoke Economic Development Authority.  For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x223, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

Increase Your Sales Using the Internet - January 27
Are you generating sales or leads from your Web site? Learn tips and techniques in how to turn your static Web site into a lead generator and sales tool. Topics will include proper copy and headlines, using video and audio, generating traffic and turning that traffic into sales. Presented by Brian Duvall of Duvall Media, a regional expert in the area of Internet marketing. Wednesday, January 27, 8:30 - 10:30 AM, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Boardroom. Cost: $29/person and includes FREE admission to one Synergy Group Training Session of your choice. Prepayment and preregistration required by Tuesday, January 26. Sponsored by: Fasttraining.org and Duvall Media. For more information or to register, call 983.0717 x223, visit www.roanokesmallbusiness.com, or e-mail sbdc@roanokechamber.org.

Publications

Get Connected with the Region's Business Leaders
Call today to reserve your advertisement space in the 2010 first 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.

Membership in Action

CHAMBER CHAMPION PROFILE


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