CHAMBER NEWS

Make new connections at the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce's April Business After Hours on Monday, April 8, from 5-7 p.m. at the new Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation! Hosted by Marshall University and sponsored by Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC.

This Business After Hours coincides with Bridging Innovation Week, West Virginia's premier ​entrepreneurship event, April 8-11. The annual symposium ​advances entrepreneurship-led economic ​development by providing connection and education ​to business owners, current and prospective ​entrepreneurs, and entrepreneur serving ​organizations (ESOs) throughout West Virginia.

Don't miss this chance to expand your network and discover new avenues for business growth and innovation with local professionals and state-wide entrepreneurs!

We are excited to announce our 2024 Annual Dinner keynote speaker, Dr. Shannon Smith!

Shannon Smith, M.D. is a proud graduate of the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. With a heartfelt dedication to improving the mental and physical well-being of children, Dr. Shannon has become a driving force for positive change through her platform ‘Own Your Focus’. Through her journey, Dr. Shannon uncovered the essence of healthy families and communities: focused communication, connection, and strategic problem-solving. As a Leadership Strategist and Communication Coach, she and her team collaborate with families, organizations, and businesses, offering integrative strategies and actionable tools to transform cultures and enhance the bottom line.

Dr. Shannon's impact extends throughout the Tri-State and has a global reach as she engages with initiatives fostering stronger communities. Her resilience, transforming past traumas into strength, is a beacon of hope. Today, as a speaker, writer, and influential social media figure, she continues to inspire and uplift others, embodying the spirit of service and community.

In this episode, we're excited to sit down with Rebecca Gray, the new market director of The Wild Ramp. Based in Huntington, The Wild Ramp is more than just your average farmers market; it's a beacon of community and sustainability. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its mission goes beyond commerce; it's about fostering a vibrant local economy and supporting artisans and farmers.

Rebecca brings her expertise from Wyoming to Huntington, and she's here to give us a deep dive into the heart of The Wild Ramp. From the logistics of running an indoor, year-round market to the profound impact it has on the community, Rebecca shares insights into how The Wild Ramp is reshaping the local food scene and empowering local producers.

Thank you to Reeves Kirtner, Kindred Communications, and presenting sponsor, Moses AutoMall of Huntington.

Tune in on Apple, Amazon, and Spotify!

Everyone knows to look for phony emails – they can appear in your email inbox or even at work. Scammers can easily create messages that appear to come from anyone, like your boss or a close family member. But what about phone calls and voicemail messages?



Scammers can use new AI technology to mimic the voice of someone you know and create a phone call or voicemail recording. This “voice cloning” technology has recently advanced, and anyone with the right software can clone a voice from a very small audio sample.

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce its 2024-2026 Chamber Ambassadors:

1.    Erin Adair – Success Mortgage Partners

2.    Holly Anderson – CORE Employment Specialist (Marshall Health)

3.    Kathleen Beach – Marshall Health Network

4.    Olivia Bird – Mountwest Community & Technical College

5.    Laura Blankenship – Better Business Bureau

6.    Kassidi Calihan – West Virginia Executive

7.    Zach Davis – Cabell-Wayne Association for the Blind

8.    Erica Followay – Bullseye Total Media

9.    Rich Franck – Audit Associates

10.  Rachel Galloway – Marshall Health OB/GYN

11.  Otesha McGhee – Marshall Office of Career Education

12.  Karen Horner – Mountwest Community & Technical College

13.  Justin Jarrell – Forge

14.  Cynthia Krantz – Mezzo Creative

15.  Jimmy Lemon – Bullseye Total Media 

16.  Sandra Lester – Peoples Bank

17.  John Lovejoy – FreshAir

18.  Sarah-Frances Lyon – Edit with SF

19.  John Null – Network Innovation Solutions

20.  Toni Madden – Honey Baked Ham

21.  Dennis Martin – Marshall Health Arena

22.  Katie Sackewitz – Glow Aesthetically

23.  Staci Slaughter – LM Communications

24.  Leland Steele – Cabell Huntington Health Department

25.  Mel Thomas – Comcast

26.  Rebecca Thomas – True Soul Boutique

27.  Molly Ward – HD Media

28.  Alicia Webb – Marshall University Athletics

29.  Lorre Wilson – RE/MAX Clarity

30.  Neidra Wyrick - HD Media

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors program supports the Chamber’s mission of promoting a thriving business community by actively promoting member engagement and retention. Through dedicated volunteer service, Ambassadors serve as the welcoming arm of the Chamber, fostering relationships and connecting members to programs and resources offered by the Chamber.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Learn more about Huntington Pride with President Ally Layman. Ally will delve into the group's mission and share upcoming events. As a proud lifelong resident of Huntington, Ally holds an Allied Health degree from MCTC. Ally currently serves as a member of the City of Huntington's City Council and on Mayor Williams' LGBTQIA+ and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advisory committees. Additionally, she serves as LGBTQIA+ Health Coordinator for WHC of WV and spearheads initiatives for healthcare accessibility.

MEMBER NEWS

West Virginia’s annual Bridging Innovation Week will take place April 8-11th, 2024 in Huntington, West Virginia. Bridging Innovation Week is the state’s premier ​entrepreneurship event. The annual symposium ​advances entrepreneurship-led economic ​development by providing connection and education ​to business owners, current and prospective ​entrepreneurs, and entrepreneur serving ​organizations (ESOs) throughout West Virginia. This year's symposium will be the biggest and most comprehensive yet, featuring a wide range of events, competitions, and networking opportunities. 

Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, this is ​the place to explore entrepreneurship opportunities ​in the Mountain State!

Special Group Discounts at Charleston Coliseum 🎟️

Your family, friends & colleagues are invited to experience the Charleston Coliseum by coming out to our next event as a group. Whether you are a company, organization, church group, youth group, minor sports association, or just some family and friends, we promise to provide you with a great entertainment experience with unparalleled customer service.  Group Sales offers discounted tickets in preferred seating sections throughout the Charleston Coliseum. Our group sales staff will assist you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service in a timely manner.

We look forward to hosting you! Group tickets are discounted on an event-by-event basis and are subject to availability, please visit for the latest offerings https://www.chaswvccc.com/p/events/group-sales.

🐰 Just in time for Easter! Join us for our Tulip Bar 🌷 & Candle Pour! 

Dates & Times 

Friday (3/29)3:00pm - 6:00pm

Saturday (3/30) 11:00am - 3:00pm 

Here’s the details:

🌷 Tulip Bar hosted by Fresh Cut Kenova! Select your fresh cut tulips for the perfect Easter bouquet. Priced per steam! (No appointment needed)! 

🕯️ Candle Making Workshops: Pour A Spring Candle! Limited seating, so book your spot now! (Registration is required only for the Candle Workshops, 13 years or older can participate).

Link to Register for Candle Making Workshops: https://www.thehautewicksocial.com/make-a-candle-with-us

🌼Come Shop! Explore our New Spring Candles & Tart Collection, plus Easter decor! 

Blenko Glass Company is announcing its annual Festival of Glass, to be held at the factory in Milton, WV, on Friday and Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2024. It is Blenko’s Year of New Space Age Design, and the Festival will celebrate a year of innovative and exciting space-themed inspirations. The weekend will include classes and experiences with glass, exciting demonstrations from Blenko’s Guest Artists and Designers, a vintage sale, food trucks, and a Saturday night concert from Huntington’s Grown Ass Folks. 

The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine is hosting the 25^th Annual Golf Classic on Tuesday, April 23, at Guyan Golf and Country Club. Registration opens at 11 a.m. and tee off at noon.

Proceeds benefit the School of Medicine Class of 2024 endowment fund and support the events of graduation week.

Please contact Amanda Kinder at adkins568@marshall.edu, or (304) 691-1757, to register as a player or sponsor!

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) America’s Seed Fund 2024 Road Tour is coming to Huntington May 17 as part of a southeastern swing to connect entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding.

Also known as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, America’s Seed Fund focuses on next generation research and development (R&D) through 11 participating federal agencies.

The Huntington stop will be hosted by TechConnect West Virginia, a local Federal and State Technology (FAST) partner; the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center; and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. Representatives from participating federal agencies will conduct one-on-one meetings with small businesses and startups, take part in panel discussions, present on SBIR/STTR technology areas and share insights into how agencies make funding decisions.

Attendees will hear from West Virginia innovators who have received SBIR/STTR funding, including successful first-time awardees and a West Virginia business owner who has secured more than $40 million in federal funding. State partners will highlight resources available to assist with the application process and review proposals.

The May 17 Huntington event will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business & Innovation on the campus of Marshall University. 

Join Glow Aesthetically on Monday April 8th 4-7pm. Illuminate your night at the grand opening of Glow Aesthetically, co hosted by Glow Luxury Spray Bar & Salon, where beauty and elegance converge in an unforgettable after-hours celebration.

Exclusive Insights: Embark on a tour of Glow Aesthetically's studio as well as the entire Glow Luxury Spray Bar & Salon building. Discover our cutting-edge treatments and personalized services designed to enhance your natural beauty.

Champagne & Hors d'oeuvres: Indulge in a selection of exquisite bites and bubbly as you mingle under the soft glow of ambient lighting. A toast to beauty, wellness, and new beginnings.

Expert Consultations: Meet one-on-one with our aesthetician & owner to discuss your skincare aspirations and learn how our tailored approach can bring your vision to life. Also meet our amazing Glow Luxury Spray Team & learn how they can customize each spray tan to you!

Gift Bags & Exclusive Offers: Depart with a luxurious gift bag filled with premium skincare samples. Plus, enjoy exclusive offers & giveaways available only to our grand opening guests.

RSVP: Kindly we ask you to RSVP on our event page so we can know how many people plan to celebrate with us!

At Glow Aesthetically, we not only pride ourselves in healing your skin but helping you feel more confident and comfortable within yourself. Our grand opening is more than just a celebration; it's the beginning of a journey towards achieving your ultimate aesthetic goals. Join us for an enchanting evening that promises not just to unveil our facility but to uncover the potential for radiance within us all.

Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH), a member of Marshall Health Network (MHN), has once again achieved accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery and a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, recognized for providing the highest quality of care and patient safety by the Surgery Review Corporation (SRC). 

Status as an accredited facility means that CHH has met nationally and internationally recognized standards. CHH has received this designation for six years in a row.

Valley Health is excited to introduce Allison A. Vance, LPC, as the newest Point Pleasant Pediatrics behavioral health provider. Allison's wealth of experience and expertise in counseling, particularly in serving children and families, make her a valuable asset to the team.

Allison received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from West Virginia State College and her Master's in School Counseling from Marshall University Graduate College. With more than three decades of experience in the field, she has dedicated her career to supporting children and families facing adversity.

Allison specializes in individual and group counseling through Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Informed Care. Her commitment to providing personalized care to her patients is evident through her volunteer work at organizations like Recovery Point and Crossroads Recovery Centers, where she taught parenting classes to residents.

Allison A. Vance, LPC, is accepting new patients at Valley Health - Point Pleasant Pediatrics. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact 304.675.4107 or visit www.valleyhealth.org. 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Thursday, March 28

Tennis vs Texas State, 10:00am 

Softball vs ULM, 5:00pm  

Friday, March 29

Softball vs ULM, 5:00pm 

Saturday, March 30  

Tennis vs Louisiana, 10:00am 

Softball vs ULM, 12:00pm  

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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