Chamber Briefs

The Chamber (through its Leadership Southside XV class) and in partnership with the Danville Regional Foundation, is sponsoring the Live Healthy Danville Pittsylvania County 100-Day Challenge.  We are holding a “Midway March” on Saturday, March 6, at the Community Market in Danville from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. We are inviting everyone to participate in a community-wide walk on the Riverwalk Trail at 10 a.m.  At 11:30 a.m. we will recognize those Live Healthy teams that are leading the 100-Day Challenge at the half-way point.  Whether you’re participating in the Live Healthy initiative or just want to enjoy a healthy morning with your community, we hope you will join us on March 6th as we celebrate our ‘Midway March.’

Sam’s Club will celebrate their two-year anniversary with a Business Before Hours for Chamber members on Tuesday, March 9, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.  Sam’s Club is located at 215 Piedmont Place, Danville.  Reservations are requested and should be made by calling the Chamber at (434) 836-6990 or by emailing the Chamber at chamber@dpchamber.org. 

Sir Ken Robinson, PhD, internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources, will be the featured speaker at a Community Breakfast sponsored by the Danville Regional Foundation on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:30 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research.  As part of the Danville Regional Foundation’s efforts to bring some of America’s top thinkers to the region, DRF is sponsoring a series of speakers for our region. The Danville Regional Foundation sponsored Dr. Ian Smith, creator and founder of The 50 Million Pound Challenge, in January and Rich Karlgaard, publisher of Forbes, in October.  There is no cost for the breakfast, which is being sponsored by the Danville Regional Foundation, but reservations are required.  Reservations can be made by calling the Chamber at 434-836-6990 or by emailing chamber@dpchamber.org.

In order to recognize the positive impact that businesses make on our region, the Chamber is soliciting nominations for its annual business awards.  The Chamber will recognize five award recipients this year.  Chamber members are encouraged to nominate their favorite businesses and entrepreneurs to be selected for these awards.  Awards will be presented for Small, Medium, and Large Business of the Year as well as Enduring Entrepreneur and Emerging Entrepreneur.  The Chamber will be recognizing all of its award recipients at an Annual Awards Dinner in May.  Full award criteria and nomination forms are available online under the “What’s New” section of the Chamber’s website at www.dpchamber.org or by contacting the Chamber at 434.836.6990 or chamber@dpchamber.org.  The deadline for submission of applications is Friday, April 2, 2010.

Join us for Business After Hours on Thursday, March 18, from 5:30 –7 p.m. at the Southside Business Technology Center (SBTC), located in the Dan River Business Development Center (300 Ringgold Industrial Parkway, Danville).  Reservations are requested and should be made by calling the Chamber at (434) 836-6990 or by emailing the Chamber at chamber@dpchamber.org. 

The Averett University Women’s Leadership Circle and the Chamber are sponsoring “Code Switching: How to Talk so Men will Listen,” a presentation by internationally recognized speaker and Averett graduate Dr. Audrey Nelson.  The presentation will be held March 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Averett’s Blount Chapel. The event is free. For information on Nelson’s appearance, contact Debbie Flinn at dflinn@averett.edu or at 791-5680.

An email marketing workshop will be held on Thursday, March 11, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Altavista Train Station.  Sponsored by the Altavista Area and Danville Pittsylvania County Chambers, the workshop features a representative with Constant Contact who will explain how email marketing can build customer loyalty and drive repeat business, boost your business in the most professional way, and set yourself apart from the ‘big guys’ in business.  Lunch will be provided.  There is no cost to attend but reservations are required.  Contact the Chamber at 836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org.

The Chamber will hold a Speed Networking event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24.  Sponsored and hosted by VIRginia International Raceway, the event is designed to mimic the concept of speed dating offering busy professionals the opportunity to make multiple business contacts in a minimum amount of time.  Following the networking time, participants will gather for an extended period of informal networking.  The cost is $15 per person.  Refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be offered during the informal networking time.  Seating is limited to the first 30 registrants on a first come—first served basis with no direct competitors admitted.  For more information, click here or contact the Chamber at chamber@dpchamber.org.

For special offers and upcoming events that were featured in the March edition of Chamber Connections (our insert section), please click here and open the link for “Special Offers and Events for March 2010.”  This month’s inserts include:
     ~Business After Hours at SBTC
     ~Boys and Girls Club Steak& Steak Dinner
     ~Speed Networking
If you would like information about placing your insert in the Chamber’s newsletter and on our website, please contact Donna at chamber@dpchamber.org.

March 9: Business Before Hours at Sam’s Club, 8-9 a.m.
March 11: Email Marketing Workshop, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Altavista Train Station
March 11: Women’s Leadership Program with Dr. Audrey Nelson, 7:30 p.m., Averett’s Blount Chapel
March 16: Community Breakfast with Sir Ken Robinson at the Institute, 7:30 a.m.
March 17:  Resource Fair for TECHMA employees at TECHMA, 4 p.m.
March 18: Business After Hours at Southside Business Technology Center, 5:30—7 p.m.
March 24: Speed Networking at VIR, 5-7 p.m.