CHAMBER NEWS

This week, we sit down with CEO Stacey Shy and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Doug Sheils from OVP Health. They've recently steered their company through a major rebranding effort, and today, we're peeling back the layers of that journey. We’ll discuss the reasons fueling the rebrand, the strategic decisions, stylebooks, the how’s, timelines and even meetings on fonts.

Listen on Apple, Amazon, and Spotify!

In the fast-paced world of business, standing out is tough. That's where branding steps in. It's not just about a fancy logo—it's the heart of your company. In this blog, we'll unravel the layers of the importance of branding and why it is the driving force behind every thriving enterprise.

Thanks so much to Alissa Stewart Sparks, Executive Director, for taking Huntington Young Professionals on a tour of Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc.! Goodwill is doing so much for our community beyond the clothing donation center. Did you know they offer consumer credit counseling? Or how about counseling and therapy services? And who knew they operated the city's largest recycling center?! They also provide employment and training services to help people overcome barriers, and so many more services.

The Chamber staff enjoyed volunteering for the United Way of the River Cities' Reading Across the River Cities! We read the first two chapters of Charlotte’s Web to Grace Christian School third graders!

We joined more than 350 other volunteers to read to third grade classrooms in six counties to promote the love of reading!

UPCOMING EVENTS

MEMBER NEWS

Secretary of State Mac Warner is proud to announce the creation of a statewide coalition of the West Virginia business community to fight against human trafficking in our state. West Virginia Businesses Against Trafficking (WVBAT) has already gained support from many statewide associations and businesses. 

WV Secretary of State Mac Warner is asking all business owners to join the WVBAT coalition to combat human trafficking and to promote the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) of the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office. 

The WV Secretary of State’s Office officially launched the initiative on October 10 of this year. WVBAT is a statewide coalition of businesses and business owners who will use their storefronts and facilities to raise awareness of the state’s “You Can” campaign against human trafficking.

Membership in the WVBAT program is free and open to any business that is operating in West Virginia. Upon signing up as a member, businesses will be provided with a certificate of membership to be displayed; a packet of educational materials and display items to educate the public about available resources; and continuing training and educational opportunities to assist in the education and empowerment of those in our communities.

Join the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia’s Hope for the Holidays- Jingle Bell Ball, December 2, 2023. The funds raised from this event will be utilized to help foster children, foster families, and grandparents raising grandchildren during the holidays. Your support will impact the lives of the most vulnerable children in southwestern West Virginia.

Children's Home Society of West Virginia has been finding homes for West Virginia’s children since 1896. At this moment, there are more families in crisis and more kids in need of safe and stable homes than ever before. Last year we provided services to 13,368 children. 

The children we serve face increasing adversity and health, social, emotional, educational, and financial challenges deepened by the after-effects of the pandemic and economic conditions. With your help, we’ll make their holidays special and give them hope.

Here is how you can join our efforts for this event: Please consider a sponsorship or an in-kind contribution to the  Jingle Bell Ball Event. Children’s Home Society of West Virginia is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Our tax ID # is 550360199. All sponsors and donations will be recognized during the event, included in a press release, social media platforms and highlighted on our official website at www.childhswv.org.

FASTER WV Business Coach and Trail Towns Business Coach - The Business Coach will play a vital role in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses in the designated region. They will provide guidance, mentorship, and resources to help clients succeed in their business endeavors.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter with the email subject line: FASTER WV Business Coach or FASTER WV Trail Towns Business Coach to [email protected]

Valley Health Systems Inc. is thrilled to announce Dr. Caleb Huff has achieved accreditation from the Surgical Review Corporation as a Master Surgeon in Minimally Invasive Gynecology and a Master Surgeon of Robotic Surgery. This accreditation recognizes Dr. Huff's commitment and high standard of delivery of quality patient care and safety. Status as an accredited Master Surgeon means that Dr. Huff has met nationally and internationally recognized standards.

The Reger family name has been well known throughout Huntington since Henry Reger first established Reger Funeral Home in 1903. George E. Reger became the third generation to enter the family business when he returned from service in the U.S. Army in 1924.

George longed to be a physician but ultimately attended the Cincinnati College of MortuaryScience and committed to serving his hometown in a different way.

Patrick is now honoring his father’s legacy by establishing a scholarship at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in his memory. The George E. Reger Family Scholarship supports a first-year medical student with first preference to residents of Cabell or Wayne counties in West Virginia. The award is renewable for three additional years, pending normal academic progress.

Oliver Anthony is bringing his international “Out of the Woods” tour to the Mountain Health Arena in Huntington on May 3, 2024.

Anthony is most known for the song “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on Aug. 26. This made him the first artist to debut a song at number one on the chart with no prior entries in any form.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The City of Huntington & Pullman Square will offer free parking at metered spots on the following days for holiday shopping:

•  11/24
• 12/1
• 12/8
• 12/15
• 12/22



Only metered parking spots in the downtown and at Pullman Square are free on these days.

For the fifth consecutive year, the City of Huntington has received a perfect score from the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization for creating an inclusive community for lesbian, gay, sexual and transgender people.

The Human Rights Campaign today released its 2023 Municipal Equality Index, which ranked 506 U.S. cities of varying sizes on several factors, including nondiscrimination laws, municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of city services and municipal leadership on matters of equality.



Huntington received a perfect score of 100 on a 100-point scale. Only 129 cities received a perfect score, up from 120 in 2022. For the second consecutive year, two West Virginia cities received a perfect score in the Municipal Equality Index. Morgantown achieved a perfect score along with Huntington. The nationwide average was 71. 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

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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 [email protected].

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