The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend an evening of celebrating local foods and wines at their newest event, “A Taste of Southside” to be held on Wednesday, June 20. A variety of local restaurants will be on hand serving up samples of their specialties so that you can get a taste of the best of eateries serving our community.

“A Taste of Southside” will be held at the Danville Community Market on Wednesday, June 20, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. The Chamber office is selling VIP tickets for $30, which includes everything you will need for a night of great food and fun – unlimited food tastings from participating restaurants, local wine, beer, and live entertainment from Small Town Orchestra. Must be 21 or older to purchase a VIP ticket.

To order your tickets, please contact the Chamber office at (434) 836-6990 or visit their website at www.dpchamber.org (Direct link to ticket sales: http://business.dpchamber.org/Events/details/taste-of-southside-2012). Only 500 tickets will be sold, so place your order today!

Food and wine vendors include the following: Chick-fil-A, VIR’s Oak Tree Tavern, SleepyGoat Cheese, Checkered Pig BBQ & Ribs, The Highlander Restaurant, Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, the Institute Conference Center by Sodexo, Ruby Tuesday, Kickback Jack’s, The Homeplace Vineyard, and Tomahawk Mill Winery. For any other restaurants or caterers wishing to participate, please contact the Chamber office as soon as possible to secure your spot as space is limited.
 

Special thanks to our sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors:
Danville Regional Medical Center
WSET

Entertainment Sponsor:
Centra

Additional Sponsors:
Danville Distributing Company
Lawrence Distributing Company
Pepsi Beverages Company


Click here to order tickets online!

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

• JTI Leaf Services recently donated $400,000 to Danville for the design and build of a fountain that will be placed on the city's "100 percent" corner at the intersection of Main and Craghead streets. This donation accompanies similar efforts by the city to revitalize downtown Danville. Read more...
  
  
• Danville and Pittsylvania County have recently celebrated several ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings for new businesses including Virginia Candle Co., Virdia, Dollar General, Family Healthcare Center in Mount Hermon, and more. We are proud of the job and industry growth these ribbon cutting represent for our communities.

• The Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex recently hosted the 64th Annual Pittsylvania-Caswell Junior Livestock Show and Sale, which is aimed at educating young people and encouraging leadership development. Read more... (Add details (number in attendance, etc.) after the show this weekend.)

If you have a “cheer” to send out, please email Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org with a brief description. 

When the membership of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce comes together for the 2012 Annual Awards Dinner, it will be a time of celebration. The dinner will be held on Monday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research.

In recognition of the innovation and outstanding contributions made by organizations and businesses in our region, the Chamber will salute the Pinnacle Award winner and the Educator of the Year award winners.

In addition to the awards presentation, keynote remarks will be provided by Lou Heckler who was voted one of the favorite speakers by meeting planners as listed in Meetings and Conventions Magazine in 2010. Heckler’s remarks will focus on “Shine Like the Stars.”


About Lou Heckler

Heckler has been making a living from the printed and spoken word since he was 14. In his teenage years, he was hired to do a community news column for "The Signal Item," a weekly newspaper near his hometown in Pittsburgh, PA.
While Heckler was receiving dual degrees in Journalism and Radio-TV-Motion Pictures at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he also served as news editor and anchorman on the WUNC-TV public television system. By the time he was graduated from the University, he had already logged over 1,000 live television broadcasts.

Heckler joined the US Army six months after graduation. During his two and a half years of service, Heckler served as a speech instructor and course supervisor at the Defense Information School (then at Fort Harrison, IN). The school trained broadcasters and public affairs people for all the US military branches and for military personnel and civilians from many foreign countries. On the weekends, he was a news anchorman at WTTV, an independent television station serving Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN.

When Heckler returned to television, he first served as News Director of an NBC television affiliate in Richmond, VA and then as Community Affairs Director at WBTV in Charlotte. For the last year and half of Lou’s television career, he served WBTV’s parent corporation (Jefferson Pilot Communications) as its management training director.

Always of an entrepreneurial spirit, Heckler began his full-time speaking career in March of 1980, performing keynote speeches and conducting training seminars on a variety of management topics.

The University of Michigan tapped Heckler to join the adjunct faculty at their Executive Education Center (part of the Graduate School of Business Administration) and that launched a 19-year relationship during which Lou led more than 200 programs for the University in Ann Arbor, as well as a number of on-site programs in New York City, Hong Kong, Atlantic City, Chicago, and a number of cities throughout Michigan. He maintained this post while still at the helm of his own business.


Attending the Annual Awards Dinner

“This year’s dinner will highlight the creativity and innovation that will serve as the catalyst for the transformation of our region,” commented Chamber President Laurie S. Moran, CCE. “We have many stars in our region and look forward to recognizing all of them at our awards dinner.”

A reception will be held at 6 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the Annual Awards Dinner are $35 each. Corporate table sponsorships are available for $400 and include eight tickets. Tickets should be purchased in advance from the Chamber office by Tuesday, May 8.

If you need additional information on tickets or sponsorships, please contact the Chamber at 836-6990, email the Chamber office at chamber@dpchamber.org, or visit the Chamber’s website at www.dpchamber.org.

Click here to RSVP!

Laurie S. Moran, CCE, President of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education and the Workforce Committee on April 17, 2012. Moran also serves as the chair of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB).

Moran was invited to testify by Representative John Kline of Minnesota, chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee, on HR 4297, “The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012.” Moran was one of four individuals from around the country who was invited to testify.

“It was an honor and privilege to represent our Chamber, our region, and our country’s workforce system by providing our Chamber and our national association’s position on workforce issues,” Moran commented.

In her remarks, Moran commended both the Republicans and Democrats on the committee for introducing Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bills this year. “It has been 15 years since we have reauthorized WIA and it was built for a very different point of time when there was very low unemployment with employers starving for workers at all levels in our workforce. It is badly in need of an upgrade and both bills make major strides to ensure that employers have the opportunity to hire skilled workers and job seekers have a chance to regain employment in a difficult job market,” Moran commented.

Moran stressed the importance of employer-led workforce boards, and local flexibility and control in determining how funding is allocated to meet the needs of unique communities with varying workforce needs. Moran also urged members of the committee to adopt a bipartisan bill as the needs within our workforce system are not partisan issues. “For 40 years, programs and funding for workforce initiatives and skills development have received bi-partisan support. The future of our workforce is not a political party’s issue. It’s America’s issue,” stressed Moran.

Following testimony by the four witnesses who were invited to testify, members of the committee had an opportunity to make remarks and ask questions of the four.

Congressman Robert Hurt, who represents Virginia’s 5th District which includes Danville and Pittsylvania County, attended and participated in the hearing. “I would like to thank Representative Hurt for attending the hearing and showing his interest in the workforce issues of our nation and our region,” Moran said. “His presence and support was greatly appreciated.”

For a copy of Moran’s written testimony or to watch the hearing, visit the committee’s website at www.edworkforce.house.gov under “Hearings & Legislation.”

Click here to view a webcast of the hearing... 

Click here to view a copy of Laurie Moran's remarks...

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2012-13 class of Leadership Southside. The deadline for applications to be returned to the Chamber of Commerce office is July 2, 2012.

Leadership Southside, presented by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, is an interactive and informative program that offers skill building, leadership development, and an introduction to Southside Virginia. The program is designed to identify and develop potential community leaders in order to build an alliance of the finest leaders for present and future leadership needs. The Leadership Southside program strives to bring together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated talent and commitment for leadership and expand that potential.

Leadership Southside develops leadership skills by providing information, education, experience, and exchange of ideas. Sessions have included orientation, leadership skills and development, team building, community issues and opportunities, leadership of a business, leadership issues in economic development and workforce development, leadership in education, leadership of a nonprofit organization, effecting change, cultural diversity, and local and state government.

Leadership Southside has been revamped so that the required time commitment better accommodates the schedules of our participants. Leadership Southside XIX will begin in September 2012 with an orientation and will be followed by 8 monthly programs. Rather than moving into a project phase following the programs as past classes have done, the class will incorporate project elements into the first 8 months and will graduate in May 2013.

The tuition fee of $995 is used to defray the expenses of the monthly sessions and can be paid by the individual or the employer. Limited financial assistance may be available upon request.

Applications can be requested by contacting the Chamber office at (434) 836-6990, or by emailing the Chamber at llawson@dpchamber.org. Individuals can also nominate others for this program by contacting the Chamber office.

View a PDF of the application here...

See a flyer with more information about the Leadership Southside program here... 

The deadline for applications is July 2, 2012.

Students at George Washington High School received certification in financial literacy after completing the My Money, My FutureSM Financial Literacy Program, made possible with the financial support of local sponsor American National Bank and Trust Company. The event honoring the students’ achievements was held on Monday, April 23, 2012, in the George Washington High School Library.

George Washington High School teamed with American National Bank and Trust Company to incorporate the EverFi Financial Literacy E-Learning Platform into students’ existing curricula. This online program uses the latest in new media technologies – adaptive-pathing, 3-D gaming, social networking, online animations, video and messaging tools to bring complex financial concepts to life. Using the EverFi platform, George Washington High School students have become certified in more than 600 topics in personal finance, such as budgeting, saving, using credit cards wisely and financing higher education.

Students graduating from the My Money, My FutureSM Financial Literacy Program will have the knowledge to help them make the right decisions when it comes to personal financial management. By participating in this program, George Washington High School is taking the lead on a statewide financial literacy initiative powered by EverFi. The partnership represents an innovative private-sector solution to our education system – implementing programs that provide students with the critical life skills to help them succeed – at no cost to the taxpayer. The EverFi program is now in more than 3,000 high schools across the United States.

On Saturday, April 21^st, the third Junior Leadership Southside class graduated in a ceremony held at Danville Community College’s Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training. Junior Leadership Southside is an eight month program that provides leadership orientation and development to local high school students. The program includes monthly sessions ranging from three to six hours in length and held on school holidays, after school, and on Saturdays. The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce wishes to congratulate the following Junior Leadership Southside III graduates:

• Taleia Barksdale – George Washington High School
• John Bennett – George Washington High School
• Rachel Boyd – Dan River High School
• Sarah Crews - George Washington High School
• Josh Estabrook – Westover Christian Academy
• Jalen Frazier – George Washington High School
• Cierra Gunter – Tunstall High School
• Dalton Heath – Tunstall High School
• Sarah Jo Hite – Dan River High School
• Madina Kamilova – George Washington High School
• Emily MacLeish – Tunstall High School
• Austin Moran – Gretna High School
• Angelica Orlikowski – George Washington High School
• Katelyn Riddle – Dan River High School
• John Robinson – George Washington High School
• Rebecca-Ann Shelton – Dan River High School
• Simone Stratton – George Washington High School
• Sarah Turner – George Washington High School
• Curtis Wells – Tunstall High School
• Jake Whittaker – Tunstall High School

 “Our Junior Leadership Southside class has been very successful and we are so proud of our new graduates.” remarked Laurie Moran, CCE, President of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. The program began with an orientation at the Chamber’s Blairs office in September 2011.  Monthly sessions included speakers and panelists who provided a holistic approach to leadership orientation and development.  Sessions were held at local business venues and participants were exposed to leadership development activities and opportunities in the Southside Region.  During the graduation ceremony, participants used their own creative voices to explain what the program has meant to them. 

Pre- and Post- program participant assessments from the past three years show measured improvement in understanding of and interest in community affairs, knowledge of the roles of differing personalities in leadership and group dynamics, ability and willingness to take initiative and get change started in our community, and leadership concept comprehension. 

3 Junior Leadership Southside graduates were awarded the Averett University Junior Leadership Southside Scholarship.  Congratulations to these recipients:

• Jalen Frazier, George Washington High School
• Cierra Gunter, Tunstall High School
• Jake Whittaker, Tunstall High School

The Averett University Junior Leadership Southside Scholarship is a $5,000 renewable scholarship available to every high school student who completes the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce's Junior Leadership Southside Program and attends Averett University. The scholarship can be utilized for up to four years for a total award of $20,000 and is awarded over and above any merit scholarships for which the student may be eligible.  "We want to recognize these students' accomplishments and to make it possible for these emerging leaders to remain here in our region," said Averett President Dr. Tiffany Franks. "These students represent some of our area's best and brightest talents.  They are our future leaders.  We are pleased to be able to offer these students Averett scholarships and the opportunity to experience the benefits of an Averett education." 

Junior Leadership Southside is currently accepting applications for its fourth program year.    
Participants will be selected based on applications and references submitted.  Applications are due on June 1^st, 2012.  A tuition of $195 will be used to defray the expense of monthly sessions.  Limited financial assistance may be available upon request. City of Danville Public School students may apply for an Advantage Grant to cover the cost of tuition.

Sponsorship information, program information, and program application packets are available on the Chamber’s website (www.dpchamber.org) or by contacting the Chamber at 434.836.6990 or llawson@dpchamber.org.

University of Virginia president Teresa A. Sullivan came to Danville yesterday evening to discuss the importance of higher education and research as the engine of the economy. 

Sullivan pointed out that with the losses of certain industries, such as tobacco and textiles, comes the need for economic development through university research. This research is responsible for giving life to new industries, especially those implementing new technologies. Sullivan argued that a focus on techonology-driven education and research has the potential to make a serious impact on the economic growth of Southside Virginia. 

This lecture was part of the University of Virginia's Engaging the Mind Public Lecture Series and was presented in partnership with the Danville Pittysylvania County Chamber of Commerce.  

See other local media covering this story:

WSET

Danville Register & Bee

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

• The City of Danville was recently awarded the 2012 Community Economic Development Award by the Virginia Economic Developers Association for its efforts to revitalize the River District. Read more... 
  
  
• The 5th annual Southern Virginia Mountain Bike Association's Shootout on Anglers Ridge attracted more than 300 riders to the Danville area. Feedback from riders revealed that the 8.9-mile trail is the "best within 100 miles." Read more... 
  
  

• Two employees of the Pittsylvania County school division were honored recently for their use of technology by the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium, affiliated with Longwood University. Read more...

If you have a “cheer” to send out, please email Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org with a brief description. 

Teacher Creativity Grants

Area teachers will have the opportunity to compete for more than $100,000 in teacher creativity grants in this year’s grant program, sponsored by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.  Educators in Pre-K through 12^th grade in the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County, North Carolina are eligible to apply.

Applications are due to the Chamber by June 6, 2012 and must be submitted by a cohort of teachers (two or more) representing an interdisciplinary team, grade level team, across grade level team, or division wide team.  Partnerships with educational, community, and business organizations are encouraged. 

There are no minimum nor maximum monetary limits on the education grant awards.  Teachers and administrators are encouraged to submit their best, most creative ideas to the Chamber’s Grant Selection Committee.  

Click here to view the guidelines and application for the 2012-2013 Teacher Creativity Grants...

Funding for the Teacher Creativity Grants

The Chamber began the education grant program in 1990 when Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s plant manager Ed Steffey saw classroom needs were not being met through traditional funding sources. Steffey partnered with the Chamber and started a golf tournament from which proceeds were earmarked for the teacher grant initiative.  Proceeds from the Goodyear Education 5K race also go toward the program which encourages innovative and creative programs that promote collaboration, communication skills, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. 

The Danville Regional Foundation will provide an extra $100,000 in funds for the Chamber’s program.  “We believe that education flourishes when teachers have the freedom to bring innovative education programs to their students,” remarked Clark Casteel, DRF Senior Program Officer.  “By investing in our teachers, we invest in the future of the Dan River Region – our children."

We are pleased to open up the application process for our fourth program year of Junior Leadership Southside.

Junior Leadership Southside is an eight month program that provides leadership orientation and development to local high school students. Rising sophomores may apply for the program, but preference is given to rising juniors and seniors. The program includes monthly sessions ranging from three to six hours in length and held on school holidays, after school, and on Saturdays. 

The program will begin with an orientation in September 2012 and will end with a graduation ceremony in April 2013.  Monthly sessions will include speakers and panelists providing a holistic approach to leadership orientation and development. Sessions will be held at local business venues and participants will be exposed to leadership development activities and opportunities in the Southside Region. Participants will be selected based on applications and references submitted. Applications are due on June 1^st, 2012. A tuition of $195 will be used to defray the expense of monthly sessions. Limited financial assistance may be available upon request.
Averett University will award a $5,000 renewable scholarship to every high school student who completes the Junior Leadership Southside Program and attends Averett University. The scholarship can be utilized for up to four years for a total award of $20,000 and is available to Junior Leadership Southside graduates beginning with the 2010-2011 class. 

Sponsorship Opportunities Available 

Sponsorships to defray program costs and provide scholarship assistance are being offered at the following levels.  Junior Leadership Southside is a program of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber Foundation and your contribution is tax deductible:

CEO Level - $1,000 

• Prominent Sponsor Recognition using your logo on marketing materials to include JLSS webpage, Chamber Connections and Chamber Briefs
• Four guests at graduation
• Opportunityto speak at graduation
• Exhibitor Table at graduation

Director Level - $500 = Includes $200 Scholarship and Sponsorship

• Sponsor Recognition on marketing materials to include JLSS webpage, Chamber Connections and Chamber Briefs
• Four guests at graduation
• Exhibitor Table at graduation

Supervisor Level- $200 = One Participant Scholarship

• Sponsor Recognition on marketing materials to include JLSS webpage, Chamber Connections and Chamber Briefs
• Two guests at graduation

Assistant Level- $100 = Much Needed Support

• Sponsor Recognition on JLSS webpage, Chamber Connections, and Chamber Briefs

Program Day Sponsor – $500 or In-Kind Contribution

• Sponsor will provide a venue, snacks, and/or lunches for the participants for a particular program.  Sponsor recognition on JLSS Webpage, Chamber Connections, and Chamber Briefs.

Abercrombie Physical Therapy has been providing personal care with professional results since opening in January 2003.  Located at 2811 Riverside Drive, it offers a location that is convenient and easily accessible to patients.  In an effort to provide high quality, ethical care, Abercrombie Physical Therapy is committed to establishing a patient first environment with no referral for profit arrangements.  The primary goal is to empower patients to get better and stay better, through exercise and education, as well as other techniques.

Outpatient physical therapy services provide treatment for a wide variety of patients, including, but not limited to, orthopedic, neurologic, arthritis, torticollis, gross motor delay, TMJ dysfunction, vestibular rehab/balance, pre/post operative, and back pain.  Contractual home health services are offered through Hallmark Home Health Care agency for homebound patients throughoutDanvilleandPittsylvaniaCounty. 

Abercrombie Physical Therapy has recently expanded services after identifying two areas that were previously underserved in this region.  They recently became a Run Specialty Dealer through Montrail to provide a local source offering a high level of customer service including tailored product selection, custom fitting, gait stride analysis, and detailed product demonstrations.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce will hold a candidate breakfast meeting to allow business and community leaders to learn more about the candidates in the May Danville City Council elections.

The breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, at 7:30 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research.
Invitations have been issued to the seven City Council candidates who are vying for the five seats. Candidates are Larry Campbell Jr., T. David Luther, Thomas W. Motley, Albert K. “Buddy” Rawley Jr., Sherman M. Saunders, Fred O. Shanks III, and J. Lee Vogler Jr.

The cost of the breakfast meeting is $20 per person.

Click here to RSVP or register by calling the Chamber at (434) 836-6990 or by emailing the Chamber at chamber@dpchamber.org by April 12th.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is soliciting nominations for its Pinnacle Award which is presented to a business or organization whose outstanding achievements serve as a model for success.

A nominee for the Pinnacle Award should be distinguished as an influential business or organization that has made a strong local economic impact. The recipient’s leadership and dedication to a variety of interests should contribute significantly to the socio-economic prosperity of the Danville-Pittsylvania County region. The recipient should be respected professionally and throughout the community for commitment to excellence and vision for future generations. Business (profit or not-for-profit) nominees must operate in the Danville and Pittsylvania County area.

Criteria for the award include:
• Recognized leadership in making a key contribution to the quality of life in the region
• Innovative and entrepreneurial leadership
• Active involvement that advances their profession or industry

To nominate a business or organization for the Pinnacle Award, please submit a letter of recommendation (not to exceed two pages) by Friday, April 20, 2012.

Nominations can be emailed to chamber@dpchamber.org or mailed to Chamber Pinnacle Award, c/o Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 99, Blairs, VA 24527.

The Chamber presented its first-ever Pinnacle Award in 2011 to Averett University.

Please contact our office for more information at (434) 836-6990. 

See complete guidelines here... 

Approximately 700 MBA students from around the country and from around the world will be in Danville for the Duke MBA World Rugby Tournament on April 13-15 at Anglers Park.

In an effort to instill a positive impression of our region with these participants and in order for them to see the Dan River region as a place of opportunity, a number of organizations have been working for the past several months on plans to market our region to the students.

Last year’s tournament featured MBA teams from Harvard, Ireland’s University College Dublin, Columbia, Darden, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Duke, to name a few.

While teams were still being finalized, we are anticipating many of the same teams to return with several new international teams.

Our region is planning outreach efforts relevant to business and economic development opportunities during the tournament. A critical component of our outreach is to have a team of dedicated volunteers who can serve as ‘ambassadors’ for our teams and help to promote this region as a great place to live and work.

“In just a few short years, many of these MBA students will be in positions where they may be choosing a location to work, a location to start a business, or a location to expand a business,” explained Chamber President Laurie S. Moran, CCE. “When they reach that time in their careers, we want the Danville region to be at the top of their list.”

There will also be a business hospitality tent for the participants where they can learn more about our region and business opportunities in our region. If you would like more information or if you would like to volunteer to help during the event, please contact the Chamber office.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is proud to announce that Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda has earned the Honda President’s Award. This annual award is presented to top-ranking Honda dealerships across the country, based on their achievement of excellence in all areas of operation – customer service and satisfaction, sales, training, and facility operation for the prior calendar year. This is the second year in a row Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda has earned Honda’s highest dealership honor.

A major component of the program focuses on the customer experience and is measured via customer satisfaction surveys. To earn this distinction, Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda met the lofty program objectives established for the 2011 calendar year.

“Earning the President’s Award is a yearlong commitment that requires the dedication of every dealership team member,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of Automobile Sales for Honda. “There are currently more than 1,000 Honda dealerships in the United States. Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda is one of only 144 to earn this distinction for 2011.

“It is an honor to bring Honda’s highest honor home to Danville, Virginia. The support we have received from our community has been overwhelming. I look forward to giving back to our community for years to come,” said Steve Padgett.

Organizations are inherently inefficient!

Learn how your organization’s standard processes may actually be counterproductive to the bottom line. Unexamined processes may be wasting time, underutilizing people, scrapping material, and sabotaging your best intentions for good customer service. No organization is immune.

The ”Lean Organization“ seminar will show you how others have used lean principles to transform their organizations to meet customer needs, reduce costs, and increase profits, all while improving employee morale and buy-in. This seminar is for all who manage, regardless of organization type; retail, finance, IT, manufacturing… all can apply these principles to improve organizational effectiveness.

Come to the Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (RCATT) at 121 Slayton Avenue on Tuesday, April 3 from 12:00 Noon – 1:30PM to hear Harold Garrison, Lean Instructor. Lunch will be provided.

RSVP to Jerry Franklin at jfranklin@dcc.vccs.edu or call 434-797- 8573.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce's email server crashed late Thursday night. We do not anticipate the server being restored before early this week. Please be aware that emails sent to any Chamber staff member during this time have not been received. We will send an update once the server is restored.

For immediate assistance, please call the Chamber office at (434) 836-6990 during regular work hours (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). For emergencies or calls outside regular work hours, you may contact Chamber President Laurie Moran by cell at (434) 489-9380.

Thank you!

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

• Margie, a Toy Manchester Terrier, represented our region well as the Best in Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Her owner, Dr. Roger Travis of Danville, is a podiatrist in Danville. Read more...
  
  
• Danville's supercomputer is now up and running, making it one of only 2 such operating computers of its kind in the nation. Read more...
  
  
• Two of our local wineries, Altavista Vineyards and The Homeplace Vineyard, were recently honored with 2012 Governor's Cup Medals. Altavista Vineyard won a silver medal for their Merlot and bronze for their Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Shiraz wines. The Homeplace Vineyard was awarded bronze for their Chambourcin. Click here to see a full list of the 2012 Governor's Cup Medal Winners...

If you have a “cheer” to send out, please email Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org with a brief description. 

Innovative Leadership: Building Community Connections, a component of the Neighborhood Leadership Institute of Southside Virginia, will launch its next round of classes in early March.

Sponsored by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and funded by United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, the neighborhood leadership program was developed by Virginia Cooperative Extension and is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to:

• Build their leadership skills.
• Increase their awareness of community issues.
• Network with other leaders.
• Become more engaged in community, civic, and governmental activities.

The neighborhood leadership program includes six leadership modules with all leadership training presented by the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Beginning in early March, there will be classes offered at Third Avenue Congregational Christian Church located at 215 Third Avenue in Danville. Classes will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. 

The Neighborhood Leadership Institute is open to all Danville and Pittsylvania County area citizens and strives to include individuals from all geographic and demographic sectors of our community. The selection process is highly competitive with a limited number of openings.

For the 2012 classes, there will be no program tuition fee with all program expenses paid by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce through a grant funded by United Way of Danville–Pittsylvania County. 

For information or an application, please contact the Chamber office at 434-836-6990 or click here to access the application and more information.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend!

Limited to 6 members per lunch on a first come - first serve basis. Only one person per company please.

There is no cost to participate, but reservations are required. Cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the event. Substitutions are accepted at any time.

The fortunes of any business rise and fall based upon the level of service it delivers to its customers. Considering the importance of quality customer service, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is offering a humorous, DVD-based training workshop called “The Guest” for members. This workshop, to be held on February 15, will illustrate just how easy it is to offer amazing customer service when choosing to treat a customer as a guest in the home.

Chamber president, Laurie S. Moran, will present the workshop. The lunch buffet and hands-on training will take place on Wednesday, February 15, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research. Registration is $20 per person and includes lunch. Seating is limited; please register by contacting the Chamber office at (434) 836-6990 or chamber@dpchamber.org. You can also click here to register online.

No matter how large or complex an organization may be, great service usually comes down to one employee, serving one guest, one day at a time. This DVD-based training combined with hands-on application of the principles will leave employees ready to care for customers and co-workers graciously, politely, and effectively.

The Neighborhood Leadership Institute provides training in leadership,communication, strategic planning, and other topics of value to community members. Using the Innovative Leadership:  Building Community Connections program developed by Virginia Cooperative Extension, this leadership training is open to all citizens of the region. For the 2012 class, there is no tuition fee with all program expenses paid through a grant funded by United Way of Danville - Pittsylvania County.

“Growing” Opportunities for Economic and Community Development

Dr. Barry Flinn, Director of the Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, will speak at the upcoming Business at Breakfast on Wednesday, February 22^nd, at 7:30a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (150 Slayton Avenue, Danville). 

Dr. Flinn and his team have enjoyed recent lab and grant success. This success combined with visits from dignitaries such as Lord William Waldorf Astor, the grandson of Nancy Langhorne Astor, and Dr. John Holdren, President Obama’s top advisor on science and technology, have put Dr. Flinn and the work that his lab is producing in the headlines. Research being conducted by Dr. Flinn at the Institute is said to be ushering in a new frontier of manufacturing. Dr. Flinn will share with the assembled Chamber membership his recent successes, plans for the future, and details on how his work will affect our regional economic and community development. 

The February 22^nd event begins at 7:30a.m. with a buffet breakfast and will conclude by 8:30a.m.  The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members.  

Click here to RSVP online.

Cancellations may be made without penalty up to 48 hours prior to the event date.  Registrants will be charged the full registration fee for no-shows and/or cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.  Registrant substitutions are allowed and may be made at any time up to the start time of the event.

You can save time by registering for Chamber events online!

You can find the event you wish to RSVP for by clicking on the "Register Online" link under the "News and Events" tab on the home page. This page lists every event that has online registration available. You can also find all the Chamber's events in our online calendar.

Click the event you wish to register to find full details of the event and then click the green "Register Online" button on the event page.

To RSVP, you may be required to log in as a member of the Chamber. If you have any questions about registering online or your website log in information (user name or password), please contact our office at (434) 836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org. 

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

If you have a “cheer” to send out, please email Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org with a brief description.

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is currently accepting applications for 31 different scholarships. Area students who are interested may contact their guidance offices for the appropriate forms or print them from the Foundation’s web site at www.cfdrr.org. The deadline for all applications to be received is Tuesday, March 6, 2012.

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of civic leaders. The Foundation strives to meet a wide variety of social, educational, cultural and other charitable needs in the region from Martinsville/Henry County through South Boston/Halifax County, as well as the neighboringNorth Carolinacounties.

The Community Foundation is a fully tax-exempt organization. Individuals or businesses may establish their own fund or may contribute any amount to existing Funds. The Community Foundation may be contacted at 541 Loyal Street, VA  24541, (434) 793-0884 or www.cfdrr.org.

Do you want to move slow-moving merchandise? Do you have a special to advertise? Do you want to grab the eye of visitors on the Chamber web site?  Post a Hot Deal! It’s easy and it’s included in your membership!

To add a Hot Deal, log into your chamber member portal and follow these simple steps:

1.       Click Hot Deals in the left-hand menu.

2.       Click Add a Hot Deal.

3.       Complete the fields in the Add a New Hot Deal screen.

4.       Click Submit for Approval.

Your Hot Deal will appear on the website and is also promoted to our members through Chamber Briefs, our weekly email update, and Chamber Connections, our monthly e-newsletter. 

If you have any questions about posting Hot Deals, please contact our office at (434) 836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org. 

Message from VA West Business & Legislative Coalition

Traditional brick and mortar establishments are urging lawmakers to require on-line retailers to collect sales taxes from their customers in Virginia. Late last year, Amazon.com announced plans to invest $135 million to open two distribution centers in the Richmond region that will employ 1,350 people. Despite its physical presence in the Commonwealth, the on-line retailer will not be required to collect and remit state sales taxes. Trade groups representing traditional retailers contend that they face a competitive disadvantage by having to collect state sales taxes. In addition, they point out that the state is forfeiting millions of dollars in sales tax revenue. Amazon counters that its distribution centers are not legally considered retail establishments and are thus not required to collect and remit sales taxes. During the 2010 session, legislation that would have required on-line retailers to collect the state sales tax passed the Senate but was tabled in a House Finance sub-committee. On Wednesday, the Virginia Alliance for Mainstreet Fairness ratcheted up the pressure on lawmakers to close this loophole by releasing a public opinion poll that showed strong support to close the on-line loophole. See more here. Senator Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) has introduced legislation to specify that a dealer that "maintains a distribution center, warehouse, fulfillment center, office, or similar location within the commonwealth that facilitates the delivery of property sold by the dealer to its customers" must collect and remit Virginia sales tax.

To continue reading the January 20^th newsletter, click here.

Update Governor McDonnell Releases Transportation Initiatives for 2012  -  See more here

Do you have an upcoming event? Are you trying to generate additional traffic to your store? Advertise your event on the Chamber website! It’s simple to do and it's included in your membership!

To post an event, log into your chamber member portal and follow these simple steps:

1.       Click Events in the left-hand menu.

2.       Click Add an Event.

3.       Complete the fields in the Request to Add New Event screen.

4.       Click Submit for Approval.

Upon approval, your event will appear on the Chamber’s Member Events calendar, which is viewed daily by potential customers from our community and around the world. We are also promoting this calendar in Chamber Briefs, our weekly email update, and Chamber Connections, our monthly e-newsletter. 

If you have any questions about posting events, please contact our office at (434) 836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org. 

Do you have a job vacancy that must be filled? Looking for new employees? Post your job opening on the Chamber's website! It’s simple to do and it is a free benefit included in your membership!

We are noticing a higher volume of traffic to our job listings as we now include links to the page in Chamber Briefs, our weekly email update, and Chamber Connections, our monthly e-newsletter. 

To post a job opening, log into your chamber member portal and follow these simple steps:

1.       Click Job Postings in the left-hand menu.

2.       Click Add a Job Posting.

3.       Complete the fields in the Add a New Job Posting screen.

4.       Click Submit for Approval.

Upon approval, your job posting will appear on the Chamber website within your Member Information Page and by category in a special location for job postings.

If you have any questions about posting job openings or logging in to the Chamber website, please contact our office at (434) 836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org. 

Delegate Donald W. Merricks will be representing the 16th District of the House of Delegates during the 2012 Virginia General Assembly Session, January 11 to March 10, 2012.  His contact information during that time will be:

Delegate Donald W. Merricks
General Assembly Building, Room 810
P. O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia  23218
Phone: 804.698.1016
Email:  deldmerricks@house.virginia.gov

The Sixteenth District includes parts of Pittsylvania County, Henry County and the City of Martinsville.  To determine whether you are a resident of his district, visit http://legis.virginia.gov/ and click on "Who's My Legislator".

A constituent opinion survey is available at www.donmerricks.org.  The survey includes public policy issues which may be considered by the General Assembly during the 2012 Legislative Session. Delegate Merricks would appreciate your input. 

Thank you for your support and for sharing your thoughts and opinions.

The Office of Delegate Donald W. Merricks
16th House District
deldmerricks@house.virginia.gov

District mailing address:
P. O. Box K
Chatham, VA 24531

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

If you have a “cheer” to send out, please email Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org with a brief description.

Want a fun way to keep your New Year's Resolution? Live Healthy, a 100 Day Wellness Challenge, is a team-based weight loss and physical activity program that will assist you and your team­mates in making positive changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle. Coworkers and/or friends will join the challenge in teams of 2-10 members. The team leaders will track weight loss and/or minutes of activity in a competition of who can accumulate the most during the 100 Day Wellness Challenge, January 23 - May 1.

Interested citizens who may be considering running for public office this year – or in future years – are encouraged to attend an upcoming workshop on “How to Run for Public Office.”

The workshop will be held on Monday, January 30, with the program beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Danville branch of the Chamber (United Way office, 308 Craghead Street, Danville).

“I want to encourage all citizens in this community who have interest in public service to attend the workshop,” urged Linda Lawrence Dalton, Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. “Whether you have made the decision to put your name on the ballot or are just considering the possibility of running for public office some day, this seminar is designed for you. It will be full of helpful information about what steps to take to run an election campaign.”

The workshop will include information on the State Board of Elections, civic engagement, candidate involvement, and community trends/demographics.

The workshop is being sponsored by the Legislative Committee of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Community Viability. Virginia Cooperative Extension programs are open to all regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, veteran status, national origin, disability, or political affiliation. If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations, for this program, please call 434-766-6761 during the business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you would like more information or to register for the workshop, please contact the Chamber office at 434-836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org.

Virginia Chamber members, local chamber of commerce executives, and members from across the Commonwealth will convene at the Omni Richmond Hotel for briefings from Virginia’s top government leaders at “Chamber Day at the Capitol” on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

Speakers will include Governor Bob McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, and Speaker of the House Bill Howell. Participants will also have time to meet with their local representatives and discuss the key legislative issues that affect their business' bottom line daily.

The day’s program begins at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude at 2 p.m. Lunch is included.

The cost for early-bird registration is $60 per person and can be made by contacting the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce at (434) 836-6990 or by emailing lmoran@dpchamber.org.

That evening, the Virginia Chamber and Virginia’s statewide business community will host the Old Dominion Assembly Reception for our state legislators and top government officials. The event is one of the largest legislative receptions on the circuit and provides an outstanding opportunity to network with members of the General Assembly and business leaders statewide.

The reception will be held at the Omni Richmond Hotel from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. If you would like to register or would like more information, please contact Laurie Moran at 434-836-6990 or by email at lmoran@dpchamber.org.

Charles R. Haynsworth III, President of Haynsworth’s Inc. - Office Plus Business Centre, has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce for 2012. Haynsworth has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2010 and has served as Chair-Elect this past year.

Haynsworth assumed the position of president of Office Plus Business Centre in September 1994 after working in all areas of the business. He joined the family-owned business part-time while in high school. Haynsworth, who was named the Chamber’s Enduring Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010, received a finalist award from the Tayloe Murphy Center at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia in 2010 and 2011. He received the Danville Community College Outstanding Alumni Award in May 2011.

In addition to his service on the Chamber board, Haynsworth serves on the boards of directors of The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Gateway Health Alliance. He is the past president of Danville Rotary Club and is a past Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. A past Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church, Haynsworth currently attends the Dan River Church.

In addition to Haynsworth, Gretchen B. Clark was elected as chair-elect, and Eric Deaton was elected as vice chair. Mark W. Foster of Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co., LLP, was re-elected as treasurer. Jeffrey V. Haley of American National Bank & Trust will serve as the Immediate Past Chair. Laurie S. Moran, CCE, President of the Chamber, will serve as Secretary.

Gretchen Clark is President of Reynolds-Clark Development, Inc., an engineering consulting firm that she co-founded in 2004 in Gretna. Clark has a B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. A Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia and North Carolina, Clark is a member of Revitalization for a Greater Gretna, a member of the board of directors of the Danville Regional Foundation, and member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church.

Eric Deaton is the Chief Executive Officer of Danville Regional Medical Center, a position he has held since early 2010. He has 25 years experience in healthcare management. Deaton is a member of the Riverview Rotary Club and 1st Presbyterian Church of Danville. He has also been an avid supporter of United Way and Boys & Girls Club.
Foster is a Partner and Certified Public Accountant with Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co., LLP. He has been with the firm since 1991 and has been a partner since 1999. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Foster is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of CPAs. He is a member of Danville Golf Club and is a past president of the German Club.

Jeffrey V. Haley, President of American National Bank & Trust, has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce for 2011. Prior to being named President of American National Bank & Trust in June 2010, Haley was the Executive Vice President and President of Trust and Financial Services for the Bank and Senior Vice President for the holding company. Haley is a member of the board of directors for The Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, a member of Danville Rotary Club, and a member of the Future of the Piedmont Foundation. He is also a board member of Bankers Insurance. He is past president of United Way, past board member of the Danville Science Center, past school board chairman of Sacred Heart School, and past treasurer of Downtown Danville Association. He is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.


2012 Board of Directors


The Chamber recently announced the results of its election for members of the Board of Directors. The board serves as the governing body and sets policy for the organization. The following candidates were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors, beginning January 1, 2012 and ending December 31, 2014: Laura Adcock (Premier Graphics), Ken Brown (Swedwood USA LLC), Linda Lawrence Dalton (Lawrence Distributing), and Mark David (Ben David Jewelers). Jerry Hankins (Virginia Bank & Trust) was appointed to serve a one year term through December 31, 2012, and Steve Padgett (Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda) was appointed to fill an unexpired term through December 31, 2013.

Laura Adcock is the owner of Premier Graphics. The business has been at its Chatham location for the past eight years. She is a member of the Animal Welfare League Board, Chatham Rotary Club, Town of Chatham Planning Commission, and Chatham Baptist Church. Adcock has served on the Chamber’s Board the past two years.
Ken Brown is the President and Site Manager for Swedwood Danville LLC. He is a member of Riverview Rotary Club, a member of the board of directors of Smart Beginnings, and a Deacon at Westover Baptist Church. This is Brown’s first term on the Chamber’s board of directors.

Linda Lawrence Dalton is the co-owner of Lawrence Distributing Company. Dalton is actively involved in several trade associations – Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association, Virginia Wine Wholesalers Association, and National Beer Wholesalers Association. In addition to serving a previous term as a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, she has also chaired the Chamber’s Legislative Committee since 2004. She is just completing a term on the Board of Directors for Virginia Chamber of Commerce where she also served as a member of that Chamber’s Executive Committee. Dalton is a former Board Member of the Danville Area Association for the Arts & Humanities where she served a term as the Board’s President.

Mark David is the co-owner of Ben David Jewelers. He has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for the past three years. David is a member of the Danville Rotary Club.

Jerry Hankins is the Vice President of Human Resources for Virginia Bank & Trust. He has been with the bank for 11 years. Hankins serves on the board of directors and chairs the Human Resources Committee of the YMCA. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and has his PHR Certification.

Steve Padgett is Dealer Principal for Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda. He has been at his current location for three years but has 17 years in the automobile industry. Padgett serves on the boards of the Salvation Army, Danville Harvest Jubilee, and Danville YMCA.

In addition to the officers, the recently elected and appointed board members join the following members on the board whose terms have not expired: Eva Doss, President/CEO of Southside Business Technology Center; Frank Fox of R. Frank Fox Consulting; Tiffany McKillip Franks, President of Averett University; Marilyn Hanover, Technical Manager for Sartomer USA, LLC; Steven W. Kaylor, Publisher of the Danville Register & Bee; B. Carlyle Ramsey, President of Danville Community College; and Rachael A. Sanford, Attorney with Clement & Wheatley. 

The December Business at Breakfast featured a presentation by RTI International researchers on "Uranium Mining and Milling at Coles Hill, Virginia: Possible Impacts on the Surrounding Region."

Over the past year, with funding from the Danville Regional Foundation, RTI International has conducted a wide-ranging assessment of possible impacts of the proposed Coles Hill Uranium Mine and Mill on the study region within 50 miles of Coles Hill, recognizing that socioeconomic impacts depend not only on jobs and spending in the region, but also on environmental quality, amenities, and the overall quality of life.

The study’s goal was not to reach conclusions or recommendations about whether the project should go forward; rather, RTI has sought to inform regional stakeholders about the project, acknowledging the uncertainties involved. RTI gathered and analyzed information from a variety of sources to identify and answer questions raised by stakeholders in the region.  

At the breakfast, RTI presented the results of this assessment, describing a range of possible environmental and socioeconomic impacts under alternative scenarios and discussing the experience of other regions in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world that have experience with uranium mining and milling. The presentation summarized the study approach, data, and findings. 

View the reports of RTI International's Study by clicking the links below:

RTI Fact Sheet

Executive Summary

Draft Report

All Appendixes



 

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce represents approximately 700 businesses employing almost 23,000 people in the Danville and Pittsylvania County region. The Chamber works to project a unified voice on issues that affect the business community in our region. We fight for public policies that are in the best interest of business and a strong economy.

As a member of Virginia West and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, we recognize the importance of regional cooperation and collaboration. Our Chamber was actively engaged in developing the policies which were adopted by Virginia West. As a partner in that regional collaborative, we work closely to ensure the competitiveness of this entire region of the Commonwealth. Our Chamber is also a member of the Council for Rural Virginia and works diligently to ensure that the needs of Rural Virginia are recognized and addressed at the state level.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce recognizes the continued fiscal challenges that face our Commonwealth in this session of the Virginia General Assembly. At this crucial juncture, it is imperative that our Commonwealth provide a long-term, thoughtful, sustainable focus on high-priority issues while maintaining the core government services that are essential to maintaining Virginia’s economic competitiveness. Now, more so than ever, we must create an environment for improved policy and budget decision-making. We must also increase government accountability, transparency, and performance.

As decisions are made, our elected officials must recognize and acknowledge the economic diversity across our Commonwealth and the absolute necessity of ensuring that all areas of Virginia have equal opportunities to construct sustainable economic viability in their regions. There are many distressed communities in our Commonwealth that are plagued by declining population and resources; therefore, the Commonwealth must develop, fund, and support an educational distribution formula that provides an equitable system of public education for all children regardless of where those children live.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce believes that our future success depends on the following priorities:

• A strong education system and the availability of technically skilled people that are vital to Virginia’s future prosperity and quality of life;
• A workforce development system that ensures our workforce has the skills needed to meet business demand, foster innovation, and grow broadly shared prosperity;
• A well-funded, cohesive, and aggressive economic development effort;
• Sound fiscal management at all levels of government; and
• Continued state tax restructuring as a primary means of finding permanent, long-term solutions to meet our region’s and our Commonwealth’s growing transportation and education needs.

Copies of the legislative policy have been distributed to our representatives in the General Assembly, as well as to partnering organizations that work with us throughout the session.

During the 2012 session of the Virginia General Assembly, the Chamber will be monitoring issues that have a potential impact on businesses and our region.

The Chamber’s Legislative Committee, chaired by Linda Lawrence Dalton of Lawrence Distributing Company, would welcome any comments or feedback that our members have regarding any legislation or legislative needs.

A complete copy of the Legislative Policy can be accessed by clicking here or by contacting the Chamber at 434-836-6990.

Congratulations to the seventeenth class of Leadership Southside who graduated from the program on December 13.

Pictured from left to right, front row:  Veronda Osborne (Institute for Advanced Learning and Research), Joann Verostko (Danville Public Library), Sherry Flanagan (Pittsylvania County Social Services), Clem Oliver (Goodwill Industries), Sharon Dones (Riverside Health and Rehabilitation), Corrie Teague (City of Danville Economic Development), Randy McDaniel (American National Bank).  Back row:  Petrina Carter (Averett University), Blair Bryant (Daly Seven), Bryan Shields (City of Danville Fire Department), Cindy Hamlett (The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company).  Not pictured:  Cathy Pulliam (Danville Community College).

For their community project, the class chose to take on the goal of improving kindergarten readiness by educating teen parents through the development and distribution of a comprehensive resource guide, "Basic Instructions for Babies." Click here to learn more about this project.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the VA Workforce Center, is targeting professionals that may come “Home for the Holidays” and want to stay in this area. The virtual job fair began on November 25 and will run through January 15.

The website — www.Homeforholidaysjobfair.com — allows employers to advertise their job openings for FREE!

Job seekers can browse and apply for jobs directly through this virtual job fair. Please take this opportunity to view skilled job openings in our region and share with those who may be looking for a job as well. 

Contact Kate Farmer, Business Services Manager, (kfarmer@dpchamber.org) for more information.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

1. Thanks to efforts by Paul Lewis to raise support and gather signatures, initiatives for the Sunday sale of beer and liquor by the drink were passed in Pittsylvania County. After receiving support by the majority of our members, the Chamber voiced support of these initiatives for the purpose of enhancing business opportunities in the county. This cheer goes to Paul Lewis for displaying the initiative to help bring a positive change to our business community.
    
2. Danville Community College garnered eight awards, including one gold, five silver, and two bronze  awards in the 2011 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District II Medallion Awards competition held recently in Atlanta, GA. The annual awards were presented for outstanding achievement in marketing communications and honor the work of community college marketing and public relations professionals in the region.
    
3. The Institute for Advanced Learning & Research is hosting the 2nd annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause through noon Dec. 22. Participating local businesses and organizations decorate trees in honor of a chosen charity. Visitors vote for their favorite by making a donation to that tree, with each penny equaling one vote. The tree with the most votes by Dec. 22 wins all of the proceeds. Throughout the program, the Institute will also accept donations of educational supplies for the Teacher Angel Tree and canned goods for God’s Storehouse.

If you have a “cheer” to send out, please email Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org with a brief description.

The Chamber will host the December Business at Breakfast on Friday, December 16, from 7:30 — 9:00 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research. Cost to attend is $20 per person. At the breakfast, RTI will present findings based on research collected on the effects of uranium mining.

Over the past year, with funding from the Danville Regional Foundation, RTI International has conducted a wide-ranging assessment of possible impacts of the proposed Coles Hill Uranium Mine and Mill. RTI has gathered and analyzed information from a variety of sources to identify and answer questions raised by stakeholders.

RTI will present the results of this assessment, describing a range of possible environmental and socioeconomic impacts and discussing the experience of other regions that have experience with uranium mining.

RSVP by Friday, December 9, to:
P.O. Box 99; Blairs, VA  24527
Fax:  434-836-6955
Email:  chamber@dpchamber.org

Save time when you register online!

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that renewed their membership investment between October 25 – November 22:

• A Nurse’s Touch Home Care
• Allied Home Mortgage
• Daniel Builders
• Danview Restaurant
• Danville Public Library
• Family Eyecare Center
• Gretna Theatre
• Cesar Guanzon
• John Holt & Co. Chimney Service
• Bill McMann
• Piedmont Access to Health Services
• Sleep Inn & Suites
• Stratford Healthcare Center
• ThunderRoad Harley-Davidson
• Unarco Industries
• Unilin - Columbia Flooring
• United Country Southern Properties

We proudly announce the most recent members to the Chamber of Commerce. Please welcome them with your business and support: 

5Linx
Annette Turner
1875 Clarks Mill Rd
Ringgold, VA 24586
434-251-5051
Marketing Research & Marketing Companies

Alliance Human Services
Pamela Easterbrook
2725 Franklin Turnpike, Suite A
Danville, VA 24540
434-836-3550
Organizations

Chick-Fil-A
Christopher Hodnett
3535 Riverside Drive
Danville, VA 24541
434-799-1980
Restaurants and Caterers

Cloverdale Quarters
Larry Miller
1120 Cloverdale Trail
Sutherlin, VA 24594
434-489-1121
Conference Centers

Chris Daniel
449 Vicar Road
Danville, VA 24540
434-836-8367
Individuals

Demont Design
Kimberly Demont
525 Main Street
Danville, VA 24541
434-792-0612
Printers, Publishers, Typesetters, Graphics & Embroidery

Learn to Read
Anita Landoll
2093 Walker’s Well Road
Chatham, VA 24531
434-432-2919
Schools, Colleges, and Education

O’Kelly’s
Gerald Kelly
1055 Piney Forest Road
Danville, VA 24540
434-836-7970
Restaurant and Caterers

Regional One, Inc.
Chris Elliott
135 Forestdale Drive
Danville, VA 24540
434-836-0996
Services

Reniere & Associates
Hal Reniere
PO Box 11118
Danville, VA 24543
434-685-3535
Insurance & Financial Investment Companies

TMI AutoTech, Inc.
Mark Swain
1025A Raceplex Drive
Alton, VA 24520
434-822-9130
Manufacturers and Processors

As we usher in the new year, it’s a great time to learn how the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce has

worked for business this past year and what is planned for the upcoming year.

The Chamber’s annual membership business meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11, at 7:30 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research (150 Slayton Avenue, Danville). The meeting will feature comments from the 2011 chair, Jeff Haley of American National Bank & Trust, and the 2012 chair, Charles Haynsworth III of Office Plus Business Centre.

The cost of the breakfast meeting is $20 per person. Corporate tables of eight are available for $200. Reservations should be made with the Chamber by Thursday, January 5. 

Click here to RSVP online for the Annual Membership Meeting.

The December newsletter, Chamber Connections, is now available online for your most up to date information on recent happenings and upcoming events. Please view the electronic version of the newsletter by clicking here and then choosing December 2011. 


Please notice these upcoming events that are featured in the newsletter: 


TODAY - Young Professionals Event at Ashley Furniture HomeStore

December 15 - Business After Hours at Danville Toyota

December 16 - Business at Breakfast (Topic: Uranium Mining & Milling at Coles Hill, Virginia)

January 11 - Annual Membership Meeting


Also take notice of the Home for the Holidays Job Fair and the 2012 Sponsorship Guide now available. 


 

Yesterday, the Chamber hosted Career Day at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research. This program was designed for high school juniors from the Danville and Pittysylvania County school systems and featured an inspirational message by Rayna Dubose followed by breakout sessions with local professionals from various vocational fields.

Rayna Dubose shared her personal story of perseverance through her struggles after contracting meningococcal meningitis while attending Virginia Tech as a star basketball player.

The breakout sessions following her message included sessions from the following professionals:

Cosmetology
Catherine Adkins (Genesis Day Spa)
Dorothy Kidd

Automotive Engineering/Motorsports
Peyton Sellers
Dick Dell (Advanced Vehicle Research Center)

Administration of Justice
Timothy Scearce
Mike Nicholas (Daniel, Medley & Kirby)

Administrative Support Services
Allison Shackelford (Danville Regional Foundation)
Alice Ann Crowl (Piedmont Credit Union)

Customer Service
Sandie Currie (VIR)
Adele Martin (Courtyard Marriott)

Health – Dental
Dr. Patricia Dunbar
Lauren Lewis
Gwen Andrews

Graphic Design and Printing
Kim Demont (Demont Design)
Autumn Morris (Chamber of Commerce)
Rebecca Fitzgerald (McCain Printing)

Advanced Manufacturing and Automation
Ethan Brown (Sartomer)
JoAnn Holland (Shorewood Packaging)
Jerry Franklin (DCC)

Building Trades
Bobby Adkins (Blair Construction)
John Ranson (Dewberry)

Presenting Yourself in the Workplace
Petrina Carter (Averett University)
Jo Andrews (Goodyear)
Ellen McGregor (Goodyear)

Health – Medical and Administrative
Jamye Wright (DRMC)
Kevin Murray (DRMC)
Shannon Jones (Centra)

Skilled Craftsman
George Day (Virginia Technical Institute)
Scott Walker (Goodyear)
Kyle Goldsmith (Virginia Technical Institute)

Entrepreneurship
JD Edmunds (Who Paged JD)
Eva Doss (SBTC)

Veterinary Science
Jeff Smith (Mt. Hermon Animal Clinic)
Kelly Wells (Mt. Hermon Animal Clinic)

Education
Sherri Huffman (DCC)
Mona Whittle (DPS)

Human Services
Richard Gary (DPCS)
Allen Thorn (DPCS)
Kara Stone (Virginia Department of Corrections)

Engineering
Tim Reynolds (Reynolds Clark)
Jeff Bond (Dewberry)
Laura Buchanan (IALR)
Philip Kauneckas (Intertape Polymer Group)

Scientific Research and Laboratory Technicians
Chris Pantazis

Information Technology
Inez Harville (City of Danville)
Jason Grey (City of Danville)

We would also like to offer our most sincere thanks to the sponsors of and contributors to Career Day 2011: 

J.T. Minnie Maude Charitable Trust
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Danville Public Schools
Pittsylvania County Public Schools
Dan Valley Foods
Office Plus Business Centre
Linda Lawrence Dalton

Thank you to all of our sponsors, speakers, students, and teachers who made this event succesful. It is our hope that students can take away a deeper understanding of the careers they desire to pursue as well as insight into the varied career paths available to them here in Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Do you have professional positions available at your company and are looking for some help to find qualified applicants?  The “Home for the Holidays” virtual job fair is a great solution for you.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the VA Workforce Center, is targeting professionals that may come “Home for the Holidays” and want to stay in this area. The virtual job fair will begin on November 25^th (Black Friday).

The website - http://www.homeforholidaysjobfair.com/ - allows employers to advertise their job openings for FREE! Visit the site to learn more.

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions has announced that the Dan River Region Collaborative will receive a grant of $300,000 to expand its work supporting regional, employer-led workforce partnerships designed to prepare workers and jobseekers for sustainable employment in the local market.

The Dan River Region Collaborative (DRRC) is one of 32 National Fund sites across the country and one of five such sites being awarded grants totaling $2.1 million. The award represents the third-round of funding supported by the federal Social Innovation Fund grant awarded to the National Fund and its implementation partner, Jobs for the Future. The Social Innovation Fund is an innovative federal program that addresses major challenges confronting communities by growing high-impact nonprofit organizations delivering proven solutions.

The award represents a combination of federal funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund and an equal amount of matching funds raised by the National Fund from private donors. Locally, the Danville Regional Foundation, The Harvest Foundation, The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, the J.T. Minnie Maude Charitable Trust, the West Piedmont and South Central Workforce Investment Boards, and the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Revitalization Commission, along with the regional Chambers of Commerce and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, have joined forces with the National Fund to develop long-term employer partnerships in support of workforce improvements across the region, improving employment, training, and labor market outcomes for low-skill, low-wage individuals.

The two-year grant will allow the local Collaborative to support training, capacity building efforts, and systems change work in the advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and information technology sectors.

Regional employers in the manufacturing, healthcare, energy or IT sectors who are interested in learning more about the Collaborative should contact Julie Brown, DRRC Project Director, at jbrown@danriverrc.com or 434-836-5674.

The Chamber's Board of Directors has voiced its support for the two referendums which will be held in Pittsylvania County in November on the Sunday sale of beer and liquor-by-the-drink.

After surveying its business members who are located in or have a business interest in Pittsylvania County, the Board of Directors reported that its membership overwhelmingly supported both referendum issues.

Over 88% of Chamber members supported the Sunday sale of wine and beer in Pittsylvania County. Over 85% of the members supported the sale of mixed alcoholic beverages. Approximately 75% of the Chamber members who responded to the survey indicated they thought the organization should take a position on the two issues. Of those that indicated they thought the Chamber should take a position, almost 95% thought the Chamber should voice its support for both ballot issues.

“Chamber members recognize the potential economic impact that both of these ballot issues could have on businesses located in Pittsylvania County,” commented Chamber President Laurie S. Moran, CCE.  “When customers can drive a short distance into neighboring jurisdictions to purchase a mixed drink or to purchase beer or wine on Sunday, businesses in Pittsylvania County are placed at a competitive disadvantage.”

The first ballot issue will ask, "Shall the sale of wine and beer between the hours of twelve o'clock p.m. on each Saturday and six o'clock a.m. on each Monday be permitted in Pittsylvania County?"

The second ballot issue will ask, "Shall the sale of mixed alcoholic beverages by restaurants licensed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board be permitted in Pittsylvania County?"

The Chamber strongly encourages all voters to exercise their right and responsibility to vote in the November election.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is committed to celebrating the “bright spots” of our community, which are those things—big and small—which make us proud to call this place our home for work, play, and family.

1. The Boys and Girls Club of the Danville Area recently received a $25,000 contribution from AT&T. This money will be used to help keep students on track to graduate from high school. Specifically, the money will fund a pilot program, Pathway to Graduation, which will assist at-risk students. 
    
2. The City of Danville was recently named one of 21 communities around the world recognized as "platforms for innovation" by the Intelligent Community Forum. Danville received this honor, in part, for its efforts to spur local entrepreneurship. Other communities recognized within the U.S. include Arlington County, VA; Austin, TX; Columbus Region, OH; Dakota County, MN; and Riverside, CA. 
    
3. Danville’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism was recently awarded a state honor for its “Catfish in the Classroom” program. This program provides practical lessons in math and science as 200 students from Bonner Middle School, Park Avenue Elementary, and Schoolfield elementary schools raise catfish in 55-gallon tanks within in the classroom. This program was partially funded by a Chamber of Commerce Teacher Creativity grant.

The November newsletter, Chamber Connections, is now available online for your most up to date information on recent happenings and upcoming events. Please view the electronic version of the newsletter by clicking here and then choosing November 2011. 


Please notice these upcoming events that are featured in the newsletter: 


November 5 - Community Wide Health Fair

November 10 - Young Professionals Event at Riverside Roof Truss

November 10 - SPTC Tech Summit and Awards Banquet

November 16 - Career Day

November 25 - "Home for the Holidays" Virtual Job Fair

November 29 - Business After Hours at Abingdon Place of Danville 

 

Did you miss seeing the photos on display at trade show? Then you can check them out on the Chamber’s Facebook page by clicking here!


The Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the winners of the recent Scenes of Our Town Photography Contest.

The overall professional winner was Mike Floyd.





The overall amateur winner was Charlotte Francis.


 

The rest of the top ten included photographs by:

• Mark Aron

• Becky Crane

• Forest Dalton

• Kim Doss

• Beth Holt

• Pete Jones

• Patti Okeefe

The top ten photographs from the contest will be on display at Dan River Art Works for two weeks following the trade show and will be featured in the upcoming edition of Our Town Magazine. The top ten photographs along with a selection of additional prints will remain on display atDanville Regional Medical Center.

Sixty-five total entries capturing the beauty of the Dan River region were submitted electronically and by mail.

Photos were judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and/or unique character of Danville and Pittsylvania County.

The Chamber would like to thank Danville Regional Medical Center for sponsoring this contest.

Thank you to exhibitors and attendees who filled the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research for the Southside Show-Biz Trade Show!


A special congratulations to our award winning exhibitors:

STAR AWARD ("Best Theme"): Advanced Home Care (formerly Romar MedEquip)

 

Best in Show (Best portrays products/services): Danville Regional Medical Center



Best Supporting Cast ("Best Customer Service"): Karen’s Hallmark



People's Choice Award (Decided by votes during the public day of trade show): Commonwealth Home Health Care




Click here to see more pictures from the Southside Show-Biz Trade Show!

At the Southside Show-Biz Trade Show, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and Evince magazine will recognize those who have earned a “Spotting Exceptional Customer Service” spotlight award in 2011.

Monthly customer service award winner are chosen from the written submissions of community members. Those to be recognized at the trade show have been featured in editions of Evince from January 2011 to October 2011.

Thank you to the following individuals/groups for providing exceptional customer service:

• Jeff Dalton, Home and Wall Décor
• David Reagan, White Oak Contractors
• Bill Leopold, Main Street Coffee Emporium
• Front desk staff, Danville Workforce Center
• Lisa Kerr, Rippe’s
• Robin Crutchfield, Danville Paint and Supply
• Staff, URW Community Federal Credit Union (Arnett and Lowe’s Drive)
• Leon David, Ben David Jewelers
• Staff, Chick-fil-A (Riverside Drive)
• Pat Gibson, Old Dutch North Main

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to attend the Southside Show-Biz Trade Show to view photographs received from the recent Scenes of Our Town Photography Contest.

Sixty-five total entries capturing the beauty of the Dan River region were submitted electronically and by mail. A panel of local judges selected the top ten photos, which include an overall amateur winner and an overall professional winner. These overall winners will receive a $250 cash prize. Photos were judged on the basis of creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and/or unique character of Danville and Pittsylvania County.

The top ten photos will be displayed at an exhibit space along with prints of all photos submitted in the contest. Credit to the photographer will be included beside each print.

The top ten photographs from the contest will be on display at Dan River Art Works for two weeks following the trade show and will be featured in the upcoming edition of Our Town Magazine. The top ten photographs along with a selection of additional prints will remain on display at Danville Regional Medical Center.

The Chamber would like to thank Danville Regional Medical Center for sponsoring this contest and Awards & Trophy Shop & Custom Framing for providing the frames used at the booth display. 

Televisions, a recliner, massages, sweet treats, dazzling photographs, and jazzy booths are just a few of the indulgences that you will enjoy at this year's trade show!

Southside Show-Biz, a business trade show for Danville and Pittsylvania County, will be open to the public on Wednesday, October 19, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville.

This premier event will showcase products and services from leading businesses in our region. With a professionally designed backdrop, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce has rolled out the red carpet to attract approximately 60 different businesses who will offer fabulous door prizes, free giveaways, product demonstrations, and numerous surprises.

In addition to the numerous exhibits and prizes that will be given away at the event, you will have the opportunity to win a recliner from Ashley Furniture Home Store or a television. Attendees at the trade show simply register by voting for their favorite exhibitor. 

Platinum sponsors for this year’s trade show include:

• Advanced Home Care
• AmeriStaff / MedRequest
• Centra
• Commonwealth Home Health Care
• Danville Regional Medical Center
• Danville Register & Bee
• Office Plus Business Centre
• Piedmont Broadcasting Corp., WBTM/WAKG
• Gardner, Barrow, Sharpe & Reynolds,  P.C.

Gold sponsors include:

• American National Bank & Trust Company
• Virginia Uranium Inc.
• WWDN 104.5FM 1045TheDan.com and 1580AM & WMPW AMP 1037 FM.

Silver sponsor is Coors Light.

In addition to exhibits by our sponsors, businesses that will be exhibiting at this year’s trade show include:

• A Nurse's Touch Home Care
• Abercrombie Oil Company, Inc.
• Abingdon Place of Danville 
• Accurate Medical Lab
• Ashbrook Audiology & Hearing Aid Centers, Inc.
• Averett University
• Bankers Insurance/CB&T and Carter Bank & Trust
• Bassett Office Supply
• BigSky Rents and Events
• Carlisle School
• Chandler Concrete Company
• City of Danville-Utilities
• Curves
• Dan River Business Development Center
• Danny's Welding & Danville Wrought Iron
• Danville Community College Alumni Association
• Danville Dental Associates
• Danville Public Schools
• Danville Public Schools Adult & Career Education
• Danville Public Schools Career & Technical Education
• DocuSystems Company, Inc.
• Emeritus at Danville
• Friedrichs Family Eye Center
• Gamewood Technology Group
• HD Web Studio
• HealthSource of Danville
• Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
• J. W. Squire Company, Inc.
• Karen's Hallmark Shop
• Mary Kay Cosmetics
• Medical Facilities of America - Piney Forest, Gretna & Riverside
• Moore's Electrical & Mechanical
• National College
• Orkin Pest Control
• Piedmont Credit Union
• Powers Signs,  Inc.
• Roman Eagle Memorial Home, Inc.
• Sam's Club
• Security Zone, Inc.
• Showcase Magazine
• Southside Business Technology Center
• Southside VA Society for Human Resource Management
• Star News
• TekaByte, Inc.
• VIRginia International Raceway & VIR Resort
• West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board
• Williams Gas Pipeline

Is there an organization, department, project, or individual that you feel is deserving of recognition for their innovative leadership in our community? Nominate that group or individual (even yourself!) for a prestigious community award in one of eight categories at the Southern Piedmont Technology Council’s Technology Stars Awards Banquet. 

To submit a nomination, click here to view the nomination form and return it the SPTC. The deadline for submissions is October 7, 2011. Electronic submittals are strongly encouraged. You can also mail or fax your applications. 

The applications will be evaluated based on how the nominee impacts the community, raises awareness of the region, markets the region to other areas of Virginia and the nation, and demonstrates their support of the SPTC’s mission to make the Southern Piedmont one of Virginia's premier technology regions.

Here is a list of the available categories with their descriptions:

• Chairman’s Award:  Visionary leadership to promote technology in the region
• Leadership in Telecommunications Infrastructure: Significant contributions to the enhancement of the region’s telecommunications infrastructure
• Leadership in Outreach: Innovative uses of technology for regional support services and outreach
• Leadership in Government:  Technological advances in government operations and functions
• Leadership in Education:  Use of technology to promote and enhance educational opportunities
• Leadership in Manufacturing: Implementing technology to positively impact and improve manufacturing processes and applications
• Leadership in Science and Technology: Developing the use of technology in science and research
• Leadership in the Service Industry: Utilizing technology to deliver exemplary service and enhance customer relations

For more information, please contact the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research: 
150 Slayton Avenue; Danville, VA 24540
Phone: 434-766-6771 

Celebrating 18 years of providing leadership development in the Dan River Region, Leadership Southside is pleased to announce the selection of its 2011-2012 class.

Leadership Southside is a two-phase, interactive, and informative program that offers current and future leaders skill building, leadership development, and an introduction to Southside Virginia. The program is designed to foster a commitment to community service and to develop leadership skills applicable to community service and the workplace.
Click here to learn more about the Leadership Southside program.  

The following candidates will be participating in the 2011-2012 program of Leadership Southside:

Amber Adkins, URW Community Federal Credit Union
Kelsey Bartley, Nestle, USA
Jim Bushong, Supply Resources, Inc. 
Laura Daniel, Danville Community College
Kathy Emerson, J.T. Minnie Maude Charitable Trust
Kate Farmer, Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
Craig Fulcher, Danville Regional Medical Center
Ellen Hargis, URW Community Federal Credit Union 
Nate Lewis, City of Danville Utilities
Lauren Mathena, Danville Orthopedic and Athletic Rehabilitation
Linette Nuckols, American Red Cross 
David Parrish, City of Danville   
Jennifer Robinson, Mary Blount Library at Averett University
Marietta Sanford, Averett University
Dana Silicki, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Cory Williams, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Jamye Wright, Danville Regional Medical Center

The Chamber will hold two candidate breakfasts this fall to allow business and community leaders to learn more about the candidates in the November state elections and Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors elections.

The first candidate breakfast will be held on Friday, October 14, at 7:45 a.m. at Stratford Courtyard Conference Center and will feature candidates for state office (Virginia Senate – 15th and 20th Districts; Virginia House of Delegates – 14th and 16th Districts).

The second candidate breakfast is scheduled for Friday, October 21, at 7:45 a.m. at Chatham Community Center.  That breakfast will feature the candidates for the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.  Five of the seven supervisors’ races are contested.

The breakfast meetings cost $15 each for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. 

Click here to RSVP for the Oct. 14 breakfast.

Click here to RSVP for the Oct. 21 breakfast. 

The Chamber and Virginia Workforce Centers are partnering together for this year's Community-Wide Job Fair, which will be held on October 6 from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.  at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. 

To date, there will be about 30 companies represented at the job fair with approximately 550 positions available for hire.

Attendees at the fair should be 18 years of age or older and be prepared to talk with prospective employers. Attendees should also dress professionally and bring multiple copies of resumes for the various employers. No children please. 

Companies represented at the job fair include:

• Accurate Medical Lab
• Aflac
• Ashley Furniture Home Store
• Avon Products Inc
• Biscuitville
• Danville Public Schools
• Danville Regional Medical Center
• Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services
• Debbie's Staffing
• Dollar General Distribution
• Ecomnets
• Enterprise Rent A Car
• Essel Propack America, LLC
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co
• GreenStar Insulation of Virginia ,LLC
• Home Depot
• Hughes Marine Service
• JTI Leaf Services (US) LLC
• Lowes Home Improvement
• National College
• Piedmont Broadcasting Corp.
• Pittsylvania County Adult Education
• Richmond Security Services, Inc.
• Sodexo
• Support Systems, LLC
• Target
• Telvista
• TPC Acquisition
• Unilin Flooring
• Unique Industries, Inc.
• US Army

Southside Show-Biz, the region’s business trade show, opens on Tuesday, October 18, with a VIP reception “by invitation only” for exhibitors and Chamber members from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The trade show will be open to the public on Wednesday, October 19, from 12 noon until 6 p.m.  The trade show will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville. 

This event is a great opportunity to learn more about the businesses and organizations that serve our community, find business leads, and discover services that can benefit your business. We strongly encourage all of our members to attend this event.

The VIP night offers a venue for building business connections and networking. Business cards collected from a “mystery” exhibitor will be included in a drawing. Prizes include:

• An advertisement package valued at approximately $2,500 with free ad space from Danville Register & Bee, Star News, Showcase magazine, and Piedmont Broadcasting Corp., WBTM/WAKG or a 
• $100 gift card from Ben David Jewelers.

So be sure to go by and drop your business cards off with each exhibitor to increase your chances of winning. You never know which exhibitor we will choose to draw from!

Members are also invited to attend the public day of the trade show on October 19 from noon to 6 p.m. When you vote on the "People's Choice Award" for our exhibitors during this day, you will be eligible to win a recliner from Ashley Furniture Home Store or a television.

The Chamber would like to congratulate Bistro 1888 for earning the Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator magazine for the seventh year in a row. 

Bistro 1888 is among 3,743 restaurants around the world to earn this distinction for their wine selection and cuisine pairings. 

Read more about this honor from the Gazette Virginian by clicking here. 

The Danville Area Association for the Arts & Humanities, the City of Danville, and partners invite the community to the first River District Festival to be held on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. The festival will be held at Newton's Landing, which is located behind Bridge Street on the Dan River. The River District Festival is supported by the Danville Regional Foundation.

River District Festival events include:

• Community Market: 7:30am-12pm
• YMCA Duathlon 10AM-12PM
• IMAGINE Children's Festival in Carrington Pavilion: 10am-5pm
• River Education with the Science Center & Dan River Basin Association: 11am-5pm
• Scavenger Hunt: 10am-12pm
• Talent Show Competition: 11pm-4pm
• Local and Visiting Music Performers: 5pm-8pm
• Beer Garden: 5pm – 9:30pm
• Juried Art Show Competition: 10am-5pm
• Non-Profit/For Profit Showcase: 10am-5pm
• Food and Drink Vendors: 10am-8pm

Follow the latest information on the River District Festival or the pre-festival events, please visit the River District Festival's Facebook page or website (www.riverdistrictfestival.org) or call 434-799-2966.  

Join us for a presentation on "Regional Economic Development Efforts" with speaker Leigh Cockram, Executive Director of Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. She will speak on the efforts taking place to improve the economic climate of Southside Virginia on behalf of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance.

The Business at Breakfast will be held on:

Wednesday, September 28, 2011
7:30am – 8:30am

at the

Stratford Courtyard Conference Center
149 Piney Forest Road, Danville, VA
 

The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance is the state’s newest regional economic development organization which covers Danville, Pittsylvania County, Martinsville, Henry County, Halifax County, and Patrick County.

Cost to attend is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. 
(Payment will be required for any reservations not cancelled by September 21.)

 

Click here to register online now!

Is there an organization, department, project, or individual that you feel is deserving of recognition for their innovative leadership in our community? Nominate that group or individual (even yourself!) for a prestigious community award in one of eight categories at the Southern Piedmont Technology Council’s Technology Stars Awards Banquet. 

To submit a nomination, click here to view the nomination form and return it the SPTC. The deadline for submissions is October 7, 2011. Electronic submittals are strongly encouraged. You can also mail or fax your applications.

The applications will be evaluated based on how the nominee: impacts the community, raises awareness of the region, markets the region to other areas of Virginia and the nation and demonstrates their support of the SPTC’s mission to make the Southern Piedmont one of Virginia's premier technology regions.

 Here is a list of the available categories with their descriptions:

• Chairman’s Award:  Visionary leadership to promote technology in the region
• Leadership in Telecommunications Infrastructure: Significant contributions to the enhancement of the region’s telecommunications infrastructure
• Leadership in Outreach: Innovative uses of technology for regional support services and outreach
• Leadership in Government:  Technological advances in government operations and functions
• Leadership in Education:  Use of technology to promote and enhance educational opportunities
• Leadership in Manufacturing: Implementing technology to positively impact and improve manufacturing processes and applications
• Leadership in Science and Technology: Developing the use of technology in science and research
• Leadership in the Service Industry: Utilizing technology to deliver exemplary service and enhance customer relations

For more information, please contact the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research: 
The Institute for Advanced Learning & Research
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: 434-766-6771 

Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce small business members automatically receive membership to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Membership Alliance.

The program is included in your membership to the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce for businesses with 10 or less full-time employees. 

As a member of the Small Business Alliance of the Virginia Chamber, you  will have access to:

• Chamber Briefings, the Government Relations monthly e-newsletter
• Chamber Action Alerts
• Virginia Chamber Prosperity Project
• Invitations to regional policy events and surveys
• Opportunities to participate in building Virginia’s 2020 Vision Plan
• Statewide coalitions & initiatives
• Participation in Chamber Day at the Capitol
• Full-time, professional government relations staff
• Professional Chamber Staff and Resources
• Chamber ‘Clout’ to oppose initiatives harmful to your business and support initiatives helpful to your business
• Increased visibility in the marketplace and in the General Assembly
• Discounted rates for members at statewide Signature Events
• Online Membership Directory
   

To qualify as a small business under these guidelines, the business is at least 51% independently owned and controlled by one of more individuals, together with affiliates, has 10 or fewer employees.  One or more of the individual owners shall control both the management and daily business operations of the small business.

If you would like more information about joining the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Alliance of the Virginia Chamber, please contact Autumn Morris at amorris@dpchamber.org. 

Do you need help increasing the online presence and developing a website for your business? Chamber members can take advantage of this program offered by Google!


You're Invited! Google and friends are coming to town to get your business online.

Virginia Get Your Business Online - a new program from Google - is an easy, free, and fast way to get your business online.

If you don't have a website or Google Places listing, you'll find everything you need to get started - web professionals at your side every step of the way. We'll also provide the computers or a plug-in for your own laptop.

If your business is already online, you'll find tools and  resources to help your business succeed online.

At these events you can

• Get a free website and Google Places listing
• Get 1:1 advice and tips
• Learn more about online marketing
• Network with your fellow small business owners
   

Virginia Get Your Business Online events are completely free. Space is limited, so we highly recommend that you pre-register online to reserve your spot.



Register online:
virginiagetonline.com/vachamber



September 20th
Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110

Doors will be open:
7:30 am - 7:00 pm


September 23rd & 24th
Richmond Centerstage
600 East Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23219-1891

Doors will be open:
Fri: 7:30 am - 6:30 pm
Sat: 7:30 am - 1:30 pm

The Scenes of Our Town Photo Contest has officially ended. The Chamber received 64 entries to the contest with a mix of amateur and professional photographers represented. These photographs are a reminder of the beauty throughout our region, and we can't wait to show them off!

The overall top ten photos along with the top professional and top amateur photo will be announced and displayed at the Southside Show-Biz Trade Show on October 19. All photos submitted to the contest will also be on display. 

The winning photographs will be posted on the Chamber's Facebook page after the announcement at the trade show. 
 

The Southern Piedmont Technology Council’s Technology Stars Awards Banquet celebrates and recognizes the innovative leadership of the Southern Piedmont. Nominations are now being accepted for the eight award categories. If you know a commendable organization, department, project, or individual, please nominate them for one of these prestigious awards. You can also nominate yourself.

To submit a nomination, fill out the nomination form found here and return it the SPTC. The deadline for submissions is October 7, 2011. Electronic submittals are strongly encouraged. You can also mail or fax your applications. The applications will be evaluated based on how the nominee: impacts the community, raises awareness of the region, markets the region to other areas of Virginia and the nation and demonstrates their support of the SPTC’s mission to make the Southern Piedmont one of Virginia's premier technology regions.

Award Categories:

• Chairman’s Award:  Visionary leadership to promote technology in the region
• Leadership in Telecommunications Infrastructure: Significant contributions to the enhancement of the region’s telecommunications infrastructure
• Leadership in Outreach: Innovative uses of technology for regional support services and outreach
• Leadership in Government:  Technological advances in government operations and functions
• Leadership in Education:  Use of technology to promote and enhance educational opportunities
• Leadership in Manufacturing: Implementing technology to positively impact and improve manufacturing processes and applications
• Leadership in Science and Technology: Developing the use of technology in science and research
• Leadership in the Service Industry: Utilizing technology to deliver exemplary service and enhance customer relations

The September edition of Chamber Connections is now available online for your most up to date information on recent happenings and upcoming events. Please view the electronic version of the newsletter by clicking here and then choosing September 2011. 


Please notice the following upcoming events that are featured in this month's newsletter: 

September 2 - United Way Kickoff/Business After Hours

September 15 - YoPE at American National Bank

September 16 - Night Golf Tournament

September 22 - Business After Hours at Outback Steakhouse 

September 30 - Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open

October 6 - Community-Wide Job Fair

October 18 - Southside Show-Biz VIP Reception

October 19 - Southside Show-Biz Trade Show

October 25 - DRF Speaker Series with John Hope Bryant

 

Members met at the Stratford Courtyard Conference Center to hear from Suzie Bohannon, Brian Finney, and Luis Abreu on matters related to collections and debt for business. 

Suzie Bohannon focused on issues related to in-house collection services. She addressed advantages and disadvantages of first party collections; judgment, garnishment, and bankruptcy services available through an attorney; and helpful online resources for finding related legal documents and guidelines. 
Bohannon is the Credit Solutions Manager at URW Community Federal Credit Union, where she handles delinquent accounts, repossessions, foreclosures, judgments, garnishments, and bankruptcy cases. 

Brian Finney focused his discussion on the topic of third party collections. During this discussion, Finney addressed important definitions and calculations, processes used by third party collectors that make them an effective option, and pointers for choosing the best collection agency. 
Finney is the President of the Retail Merchants Association of Danville/Piedmont Credit & Collection Services. 

Luis Abreu concluded the speakers' portion of the workshop by addressing legal and psychological issues affecting the efficiency of the collections process.  Abreu focused on best practices for psychologically approaching the issue of collections as well as the legislation, legal processes, and exemptions related to the collections process. He also addressed classifications and implications of bankruptcy. 
Abreu is a Danville attorney practicing in the fields of civil litigation, commercial law, business law, bankruptcy, debtor and creditor, creditors rights, and family law. After practicing as a partner in two large firms for nearly 30 years, Abreu has now opened his own law firm. 

Come light up the night at a Night Golf Tournament on Friday, September 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Goodyear Golf Course.  Sponsored by the Chamber’s Young Professionals Committee, this fun outing is open to all ages.

Night Golf is a captain’s choice, nine-hole outing which uses “glow-in-the-dark” balls and pin markers. 

There are several options for businesses and individuals who want to participate in the tournament.  For only $300, businesses can sponsor a team.  The sponsorship fee includes green fees for four and golf carts.  Sponsors also receive recognition in marketing materials, on the Chamber’s website, and at the tournament.

For businesses that would like to support the event and the activities of the Chamber’s Young Professionals Committee but who do not want to play in the tournament, there is a $200 sponsorship which includes sponsorship recognition but no playing spot.

For individuals who wish to participate, the cost is $35 per person which includes green fees for the nine-hole outing and a golf cart.

For more information or to register, please click here or contact Laurie Moran at lmoran@dpchamber.org.

Now you can save time by registering for Chamber events online.

How do I find the event I wish to register for? There are a couple of ways to get there!

1. You can find the event you wish to RSVP to by clicking on the "Register Online" link under "News and Events" on the home page. This page lists every event that has online registration available. Click the event you wish to register for to find full details of the event and then click the green "Register Online" button on the event page.
    
2. Visit the "Chamber Events" calendar and scroll through the calendar to find the event that you wish to register for. Click directly on the event to find full details of the event and then click the green "Register Online" button on the event page. 

To RSVP, you may be required to log in as a member of the Chamber. If you have any questions about registering online or your website log in information (user name or password), please contact our office at (434) 836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org. 

Hurricane Irene seems to be shifting course out to the east, but it offers us a reminder to be informed of how we should prepare our businesses, offices, and homes in the event of a hurricane.

We recommend taking time to view this bulletin from Clemson University as a checklist for preparations to secure your business against hurricane weather.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management recently released the 2011 Hurricane Guide, which details best practices of hurricane preparedness around evacuating, securing buildings/houses, and assisting special needs citizens.

The National Hurricane Center also provides great resources on preparing for hurricane hazards. Click below to view the NHC’s recommendations on preparedness for family and home:

• Family Plan
• Disaster Supply Kit

You can monitor the progression and projected paths of hurricane by visiting this NHC link From this site, you can click on developing hurricane systems to see more information on that system. Also, click here to view a list of 12 different online resources for tracking Hurricane Irene and future systems.  

This year’s Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament is scheduled for Friday, September 30, at the Goodyear Golf Course with a 1 p.m. tee time.

When it comes to the Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open golf tournament, there is simply no competition.  Education in Danville and Pittsylvania County is the clear winner every year.

Whether you sponsor a team or a hole, you are directly contributing to classroom projects in our area.  All of the proceeds from this golf tournament are granted directly to educators and educational institutions in our region who are creating innovative and collaborative projects to enhance the educational experience of our children.

This year’s tournament format will be captain’s choice with every player’s drive being used at least twice. The tournament committee hopes that this will increase the enjoyment and competitiveness of all teams.

Sponsors & Golfers
This tournament offers a great day of networking on the golf course! Prizes include sets of Goodyear tires and pro shop gift certificates. 

Please consider sponsoring education in our region through one of the following sponsorship levels: 

• Eagle Club ($1,000) – Includes cart fees and lunch for a team of four players you select, first priority for tee time, corporate recognition and signage at the tournament, company recognition in promotional materials, and advertising recognition following the tournament.  Eagle Club sponsors will also receive a complimentary round of golf for four with carts to be used at your convenience at the Goodyear Golf Club.
• President’s Club ($500) – Includes cart fees and lunch for a team of four players you select, corporate recognition and signage at the tournament, company recognition in promotional materials, and advertising recognition following the tournament.
• Team Fee ($400) – Includes cart fees and lunch for a team of four players you select.
• Hole Sponsor ($250) – Includes hole sponsor signage and recognition at the tournament, company recognition in promotional materials, and advertising recognition following the tournament.
• Dean’s List ($100) – Includes sponsor recognition at the tournament.
• Honor Roll ($50) – Includes recognition at the tournament.

The Danville Regional Foundation's "Make It Happen!" initiative aims to help local residents get involved in making this a community of "bright spots and success stories" and to encourage people to take action for positive change in the area.

The Danville Regional Foundation states that the following objectives will be used to guide the decision-making process while awarding the Make It Happen! grants:

• Create small grant initiatives/community campaigns that engage the passion of individuals, religious entities, nonprofits and local governments;
• Demonstrate the possible through concrete actions by dedicated leaders partnering with organizations to make a difference in neighborhoods and communities in the DRF service region;
• Provide grant funding up to $10,000.00 to make something happen;
• Produce results that will positively impact a portion of the region's citizens, going beyond the constituents of the lead organization;
• Document results and complete individual projects/grants within 90 days or less; and
• Report and publicize how funds were used and what the project accomplished to the public.

The University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and its Tayloe Murphy Center recently announced finalists for its Second Annual Tayloe Murphy Resilience Awards Competition. 

Office Plus was named among the 14 finalists from 88 total Virginia businesses that completed applications.  The remaining contestants will compete for five winning spots in the final round of selections.

This competition seeks to honor and recognize Virginia businesses that have overcome adversities and have "displayed growth, a dogged entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community in areas facing high unemployment, high poverty and low entrepreneurial activity." 

In the competition's news release announcing the finalists, Office Plus was described as follows:

Since it was founded in 1937, the Haynsworth family-owned Office Plus Business Centre has endured four moves, a fire, and the death of its founder and second generation President, and renaming the company five times! Its newest challenge: big-box retailers and their Internet sales. Yet, the business, now in its fourth generation, has adapted. They formed a key relationship with the nation’s largest office products buying group, reward customers for shopping on their Internet site, added new product categories to supplement sales, and re-focused the business to the founder’s original business model. They also engage employees and, most of all, remain committed to quality customer service “after the sale.” Customers often walk out of the store with a courtesy bottle of water. In addition to employing more than a dozen people they are active in an array of local charity and civic groups. For this, they have been named a finalist for the second year in a row in the Resilience Award competition.

Five winners will be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Along with receiving recognition for resilient business practices from the Darden School of Business, the winners will participate in a week-lon Executive Education course at Darden valued at $8,000-$12,000. 

We strongly encourage all exhibitors to attend the Southside Show-Biz Trade Show Exhibitor's Meeting to prepare for the event and take questions in advance concerning this year's Southside Show-Biz Trade Show.

This informational meeting will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research on Thursday, August 18 from 4-5:00 p.m.  

At this meeting, you will:

• Receive details and information about the Trade Show that you will need to know BEFORE the event
• Review the marketing plan for this year’s Trade Show and learn how you can help
• Learn tips and ideas on how to best market your business at our trade show

Hillary Salmons will speak on “Transforming Students’ Lives and a Community” at the August Business at Breakfast on August 31 from 7:30-8:45 a.m. 

*Please note that the event will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research instead of the Stratford Courtyard Conference Center where Business at Breakfast events are typically held. 

Salmons leads the Providence After School Alliance (PASA), a public-private venture to develop a citywide system to substantially increase high-quality, affordable, out-of-school enrichment opportunities for Providence’s children and youth. Salmons will share her experience and passion for creating collaborations that improve the educational environment for students and their families.

The cost is $20, which includes a buffet breakfast at the Institute.

Please click here to RSVP by Wednesday, August 24.

My Twinn is hosting a job fair on August 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Community Center in Chatham (115 S. Main Street). 

My Twinn is planning to hire 50 seasonal employees for first-shift positions in contact center, general warehouse, data entry and artistic finishing services. The company is willing to train candidates. Certain positions may require a computer proficiency assessment. Testing will be available on-site.

Bring your resume and dress for success. The minimum age for employment at My Twinn is 18.

Please contact Kate Farmer for more information on this event (kfarmer@dpchamber.org or (434) 836-6990).

*This job fair is sponsored by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, My Twinn, and the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board.

Danville Regional Medical Center is hosting the next YoPE event at Tiny Town Golf (643 Arnett Blvd.) on August 18 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 

Cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be catered by Stratford Courtyard Conference Center. 

The Young Professionals events (YoPE) are designed to introduce our young professionals to other young professionals in the community while also presenting many of the great assets in our region.  The primary objective of this Chamber initiative is to attract and retain talented, educated, ambitious young professionals in our community.  We plan great events and networking activities that are open to all young professionals who are in the early stages of their careers.


The event is free, but reservations are requested.

Click here to RSVP online or contact the Chamber at chamber@dpchamber.org or 434-836-6990 to RSVP. 

Ecomnets will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, August 11 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at their facility. (The address is 1 Ecomnets Way, Danville, VA. The building is across from Shorewood Packaging in Cain Creek Business Park.) 

Come out for great networking and refreshments! A Verdio computer will be given away as a door prize.

Reservations are requested and can be made online or by contacting the Chamber.  

The August newsletter is now available online for your most up to date information on recent happenings and upcoming events. Please view the electronic version of the newsletter by clicking here and then choosing August. 


Please notice the following upcoming events that are featured in this month's newsletter:

August 11 - Business After Hours at Ecomnets

August 18 - Trade Show Exhibitor's Meeting

August 24 - Collections and Debt Workshop

August 31 - August Business at Breakfast

August 29 (Deadline for Submissions) - Scenes of Our Town Photo Contest

September 16 - YoPE Night Golf - SAVE THE DATE; More info coming soon!

September 30 - Ed Steffey Memorial Education Open Golf Tournament

If you have ‘spotted’ outstanding customer service, let us know! The Chamber is partnering with Evince magazine to recognize someone in our region who has provided outstanding customer service.  

Simply send us a short write-up about the person (be sure to include their name and where they work!) with information about how they ex­cel in customer service so we can submit their nomination to our selection committee for review.  

Send your nomination to chamber@dpchamber.org. We recognize out­standing customer service throughout the year so please feel free to submit nomina­tions whenever you spot someone worthy of recognition.

Also, click here to learn more and RSVP for our upcoming customer service workshop, "Give 'Em the Pickle."

Customer service can often make or break a business and has the power to keep customers coming back. That's why we recommend all of our members to consider sending your employees and frontline staff for training and discussion on best customer service practices in the upcoming "Give 'Em The Pickle" training workshop. 

In the "Give ‘Em The Pickle" training workshop, you’ll hear from Bob Farrell, who learned the importance of giving away pickles to keep his customers happy and coming back. In this training, we join Bob (via DVD) to learn that “Your business is not what you sell. It’s who you serve.”

This video will serve as a foundation for interactive discussion designed to encourage improved customer service for employees at every level. 

During the training and discussion, we will focus on four pillars of customer service: Service, Attitude, Consistency, and Teamwork. 

The workshop will be held on Friday, July 29, at 12 noon at Stratford Courtyard Conference Center. The cost of the workshop is $20 per person which includes a hot buffet lunch. The program will conclude by 1:30 p.m. 

Reservations should be made with the Chamber by emailing chamber@dpchamber.org, calling 434-836-6990, or registering online here.

The Chamber is partnering with several area organizations to host this year's Jobseekers Support Series. 

The series is aimed at equipping those who are unemployed with guidance on important issues that will assist them in the job searching process. 

The first meeting in the series will be held on July 19 at the RCATT Center and will feature representatives from the Virginia Employment Commission and speaker Ralph Price. Networking will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the informational session lasting from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  

Topics addressed in this meeting will include: 

• A “how to” tutorial from the Virginia Employment Commission 
• Factors that benefit your career
• An opportunity to ask about questions regarding the unemployment process

No RSVP is required and the event will be free to participants. 


The Chamber would like to recognize the following organizations for helping make the Jobseekers Support Series possible:

• Adecco Employment Services
• Averett University
• Danville Community College
• Danville Pittsylvania County Community Services
• Department of Rehabilitative Services
• Goodwill Industries of Danville Area, Inc.
• National College
• Virginia Employment Commission
• Workforce One Stop Center

For more information on this event, please visit this link or contact Kate Farmer (434-836-6990 or kfarmer@dpchamber.org). 
 

We want to "like" your Facebook page and promote it on our own page.

Please send a link to your business/organization's Facebook page to Autumn Morris (amorris@dpchamber.org) and we will give you a "like" so that our fans can easily find your page. 

We also want to make sure all of our members are connected to our Facebook page for updates on Chamber events and for photos of recent happenings. Please visit our page and "like" it so that you will receive our posts in your newsfeed.  

The Chamber’s Board of Directors is currently in the process of identifying and nominat­ing a slate of candidates for seats on the Board of Directors (effective January 1, 2012). 

If you have a candidate you would like for the Nominating Committee to con­sider, please contact Laurie S. Moran, CCE, President by mail or email.

          Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
          c/o Laurie Moran
          P.O. Box 99
          Blairs, VA  24527

          or

          lmoran@dpchamber.org 

Candidates must be active members in good standing, designated as a representative by the member business, be qualified for such directorship, and have agreed to accept the responsibil­ity of a directorship.

Nominations should be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2011.

The annual Southside Show-Biz Trade Show will be hosted at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research on October 19, 2011 and will be open to the public from noon until 6 p.m. A VIP reception (by invitation only) will be held the night before (October 18, 2011) from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

This premier event offers all participating businesses an opportunity to advertise your business directly and personally to thousands of local individuals and business leaders. 

Early bird registration ends tomorrow, July 1. The early bird rate allows members to participate for $425 and non-members for $600. After July 1, rates increase to $525 for members and $700 for nonmembers.

You may register online or call the Chamber office for more information (434-836-6990).  

July’s Business at Breakfast event will feature Mayor Sherman Saunders, City of Danville and Tim Barber, Chair, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.  Saunders will share his thoughts on the State of the City while Barber will focus on the State of the County.  Both will focus on the challenges and opportunities faced by our region in the coming year.

The July 27^th breakfast, which is being held at Stratford Courtyard Conference Center in Danville, begins at 7:30 a.m. with a buffet breakfast and will conclude by 8:30 a.m.  The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members.  Reservations are required and should be made by Thursday, July 21. Register online or call the Chamber to reserve your spot (434-836-6990). 

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2011-12 class of Leadership Southside.  The deadline for applications to be returned to the Chamber of Commerce office is July 13, 2011.

For more information on the program, click here. 

The first phase kicks off with an orientation in September, leading into an eight monthly workshop sessions on various topics related to leadership and business development.  The second phase will be dedicated to a community project chosen by the class and completed by December of that year.  A graduation program will be held in December.

The tuition fee of $995 is used to defray the expenses of the monthly sessions and can be paid by the individual or the employer.  Limited financial assistance may be available upon request.

Applications can be requested by contacting the Chamber office at (434) 836-6990, or by emailing the Chamber at llawson@dpchamber.org.  Individuals can also nominate others for this program by contacting the Chamber office.