Chamber Briefs

Governor Bob McDonnell will be at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research on Monday, August 30, at 7 p.m. for a town hall meeting. The “Virginia Speaks: A Conversation about Jobs, Government Reform and Our Future” event will focus on the issues facing the Commonwealth. The governor will also spend a portion of each town hall discussing his efforts to make government smaller and simpler, privatize Virginia’s state run ABC stores, and create good jobs statewide.  The town hall meeting is open to the public.

The United Way Campaign Kickoff will be held in partnership with the Chamber’s Business After Hours on Friday, September 3, from 5:30—7 p.m. at the Community Market in Danville.  Enjoy great BBQ from Mary’s Diner, beverages by Pepsi and Danville Distributing, ice cream compliments of American National Bank, and sound/entertainment by Larry Stamps.  After the kickoff, you are invited to stay and enjoy the season’s last Fridays at the Crossing concert.  Tickets to the concert will be given to all kickoff attendees.  To make reservations, email dpuway@gmail.com.

A workshop on “Accessing Global Markets: Making Exporting Work for Your Business” will be held on Wednesday, September 15, from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at RCATT (121 Slayton Avenue, Danville).  The workshop, sponsored by the Chamber and Virginia Economic Development Partnership, will feature Ralph Torning, International Trade Manager with the VEDP.  The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members.  Lunch is included with the registration fee.  Register by emailing the Chamber by September 7 at chamber@dpchamber.org or by calling 434-836-6990.

Join us for a community-wide read of Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard and help us spread the word about this exciting endeavor. The national best-selling book about change can help our community learn how each of us can help transform the regional economy and help create a positive culture to benefit all Dan River citizens.  The community-wide read will culminate with readers sharing breakfast and hearing from author, Dan Heath, on October 26.  Businesses are encouraged to share this information any way you see fit. Include it on your website, calendars of events, newsletters, break rooms, or more!  For additional information, click here.

Teams, sponsors, volunteers, and prizes are now being solicited for the Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament on Friday, September 24, at the Goodyear Golf Course.  Tee time is 1 p.m.  All proceeds from the golf outing support education in our region.  For complete details, email chamber@dpchamber.org or visit our website by clicking here.

Danville Regional Foundation has announced Speaker Series for 2010-2011. Bestselling author Dan Heath will kick off the series during a 7:30 a.m. breakfast October 26 with “Switch it On! Positive Change is Possible.”  Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer John E. Forté will speak during a 6 p.m. dinner, January 18, on “Personal and Community Change Is Possible.” Dr. Vaughn Grisham, Director of the McLean Institute for Community Development and Professor of Sociology at the University of Mississippi, will wrap up the series at a 7:30 a.m. breakfast, March 8 with “Extraordinary Results in Ordinary Places.”  The Speaker Series’ events will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), 150 Slayton Drive, Danville. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required and will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will be accepted by the Danville Regional Foundation’s Speaker Series’ co-sponsor, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce at 434-836-6990 or by emailing chamber@dpchamber.org. Additional details will be forthcoming on the programs.

Triangle Cycles North (2104 Riverside Drive, Danville) will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, September 16, from 5:30 until 7 p.m.  Be sure to register with the Chamber at chamber@dpchamber.org or 434-836-6990.

In preparation for this year’s Shrimp Fest, which will be held on September 8 at the Community Market (gates open at 4 p.m.), please note the following reminders and changes:
~This year’s Shrimp Fest is sold out!  If you have tickets that you do not need, you may contact the Chamber office (836-6990) and we can refer you to individuals who are on our waiting list.
~Parking is available at Newton’s Landing off of Bridge Street.  To better accommodate all of our attendees, there will be two ticket gates this year—one on each side of the Community Market.  If you have to visit our ‘will call’ tent, it will be located on the Danville Science Center side of the Market.

August 30: Governor’s Town Hall meeting at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, 7 p.m.
September 3: United Way Campaign Kickoff at Community Market, 5:30 p.m.
September 8:  Shrimp Fest at the Community Market, 4 p.m. until (event is sold out)
September 15: Accessing Global Markets workshop at RCATT, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
September 16: Business After Hours at Triangle Cycles, 5:30—7 p.m.
September 24: Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament at Goodyear Golf Course, 1 p.m. tee time