CHAMBER NEWS

"Learn Like a Champion Today"

Leadership Huntington recently had their session on workforce development; emphasizing education, community engagement, recovery support, and innovative approaches to creating sustainable jobs for all.

At Mountwest Community & Technical College, the session began with several guest speakers. Dr. Ryan Saxe, Superintendent of Cabell County Schools, and Dr. Josh Baker, President of Mountwest, highlighted the pivotal role of education in breaking down barriers and creating diverse pathways for student success. Toney Stroud, of Marshall University, discussed Marshall for All, Marshall Forever, allowing Marshall students to combine scholarships, grants, work opportunities and family contributions to earn their bachelor’s degrees without needing student loans. Secretary James Bailey conducted a discussion on West Virginia Commerce.

Jan Rader, Director of the Mayor's Council of Public Health & Drug Control Policy for the City of Huntington, WV conducted a Narcan training and helped the class understand and address substance use disorder in Huntington. The recovery to work panel, led by Lara Foster and Ashley Shaw, emphasized the importance of job opportunities for those in recovery.

The session continued at Coalfield Development's West Edge Factory, where the class learned about the organization's employment-focused initiatives for individuals facing barriers to employment. Founder Brandon Dennison shared insights into their social enterprise approach, creating jobs for various communities. The factory's transformation into a community hub showcased diverse spaces, including a solar installation learning center, an agricultural facility, and a theater, reflecting the area's rich history.

Participants engaged in a hands-on experience at Mountain Mindful, learning the art of screen printing and creating their own Leadership Huntington t-shirts. Dr. Ashley Stephens from Cabell County Schools concluded the session.

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Eng, the executive director and co-founder of the iCenter at Marshall University. Join us as we dive deep into how the iCenter is revolutionizing entrepreneurship and business innovation in Huntington. Learn how this thriving hub is nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. We'll also explore the role of the Brad D. Smith Student Business Incubator and the exciting collaborations that are propelling the iCenter to new heights.

This article was by Katherine Pyles for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Magazine Spring 2023 Edition. Photo by Rick Lee.

At the 2022 Annual Meeting & Business Summit, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce elected its 2022-2023 Board of Directors. That election made history. For the first time, all four board officers - Chair Susan Lavenski, Vice Chair Maribeth Anderson, Secretary Kathy Thomas, and Treasurer Anna Dailey - are women.

The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce's Women's Impact Network (WIN) will be hosting the Women Leading the Way Discussion Panel on November 9, which will feature these four women. The panelists will provide insight on what they see in the coming years for professional women in the State of West Virginia, suggestions for women in entrepreneurship, as well as what has made them successful in their respective careers.

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

As a marketing professional, business owner, or team member, how do you utilize your time and resources to maximize your branding? During this Lunch & Learn, we'll explore the fundamental importance of branding and discover essential tools to establish a consistent and impactful brand identity using the online graphic design platform, Canva. 

This Canva workshop is for business owners, marketing professionals, personal assistants… any business or organization who would like their team to start creating their own professional graphics. Beginner and prior knowledge of Canva is preferred. Please bring your laptop and have your Canva account ready!

Registration is required. This event is free for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Lunch will be provided.

Special thanks to our Lunch and Learn series sponsor, Ohio Valley Bank!

Special thank you to our table sponsors; West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Benefit Plans Services, Inc., and Guyan Golf and Country Club.

MEMBER NEWS

The Huntington Regional Chamber welcomed several new members in October:

• Sign Details, Inc.
• C.E. ADKINS & SON, INC.
• Crisppi’s
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
• Ridge Kids Academy – Barboursville
• Westmoreland Estates
• Forward Solutions Consulting
• Saunders Healthcare Staffing, Inc.
• A New Beginning Pregnancy Resource Center
• Ridge Kids Academy – Collis Campus
• Ridge Kids Academy – Woodville Campus
• Meeks Rentals and Leasing LLC.
• Meeks Realty Group
• Joot
• FreshAir LLC
• St. Mary’s Home Health

We enjoyed attending Nucor Steel West Virginia’s Look and See event on November 1 and helping showcase what Cabell and Wayne counties have to offer!

Last month, Nucor broke ground in Mason County to begin construction on its $3.1 billion steel mill. It will be Nucor’s seventh steel mill with 800 full time positions.

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

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities:

Bridging Innovation Week is actively seeking sponsors and exhibitors for the 2024 event. This is an excellent opportunity for your organization to showcase the contributions you provide to the state’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. View sponsorship levels and further information below.

Congratulations to Booktenders bookstore on winning a visit from award- winning author Barbara Kingsolver in 2024. During the “Bring Barbara to Our Bookstore” contest hosted by publishing company HarperCollins, the independent bookstore that sold the most copies of Kingsolver’s book “Demon Copperhead” in September would receive a visit from the author for the paperback release of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Located in Barboursville, Booktenders sold a grand total of 250 copies of Demon Copperhead.

Crafted specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners, this visionary action workshop by Life Seeds equips you to achieve success by cultivating a success-oriented mindset, creating individualized development plans, strategically aligning and balancing business goals with objectives, and gaining the tools you need to design a comprehensive strategic plan for 2024. 

KEY OUTCOMES:

• A Success-Oriented Mindset – Learn the art of overcoming obstacles and developing resilience. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, you’ll nurture a mindset that thrives on success. 
• Values Clarification – Your values define your business culture. Discover your core values and learn how to infuse them into your business operations, creating an environment where success is inevitable. 
• Visionary Action Planning - Use our tools to craft a visionary action plan that aligns your business goals with your personal ambitions. Understand the power of strategic foresight and how it can revolutionize your approach to entrepreneurship.
• Strategic Alignment of the 2024 Plan - Success begins with a clear and balanced strategy. Learn how to harmonize your business goals with specific, achievable objectives, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability. This will ensure that your path forward is well-defined, and your resources are optimally allocated. 

This transformative workshop isn’t just about business; it’s about creating a life of fulfillment and achievement. 

Trainers:

Charise Lindsey, MS, MCCT, CPC – Strategic Development Coach 

Melanie Wilcox, MPA – Accountant 

Otesha McGhee, MS – Career Life Coach

Event Details:

Tickets: $197 for this virtual event 

Date: 11/13/23

Location: Virtual 

Registration: Click the link below or call Charise @ 844.226.7438. 

Valley Health Systems, Inc. is pleased to provide greater access to behavioral health care by expanding our services to Valley Health Harts and welcoming Licensed Professional Counselor Beverly McDonald to our Harts location.   McDonald has more than nine years of experience in mental health.  She specializes in individual, family, and group therapy as well as behavioral health consultation. Beverly works withchildren and adolescents age 7 years and older and adults of all ages. 

In addition to her professional experience, McDonald holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services  and a Master of Education in Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College. Beverly also has an Associate of Science in Computer Science from Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College. 

Welcome to Invasion Nation, a renowned music band set to light up the stage with an unforgettable concert on December 2, 2023 at the Mountain Health Arena. We are thrilled to inform you that our event has gained exclusive partnership with Randy Moss's Crisppi's Restaurant, and we would love to have some esteemed companies join us as proud sponsors.

Invasion Nation has always been committed to delivering exceptional music experiences to fans across the globe. With our upcoming concert, we aim to create an unparalleled evening of entertainment, showcasing the raw talent and passion that have made us a favorite among music enthusiasts.

By sponsoring our event, your Company will enjoy a host of benefits, including:

1. Brand Exposure: Your company logo will be prominently displayed on our promotional materials, concert banners, and merchandise, ensuring widespread visibility among a diverse audience.
2. Digital Presence: We will feature your company on our official event website, through social media announcements, and targeted marketing campaigns, extending your brand reach to our online followers.
3. VIP Access: As a proud sponsor, you will receive VIP passes to the concert, granting your company representatives and their guests exclusive access to the backstage lounge and the opportunity to meet the band members.
4. Networking Opportunities: Our event attracts a wide range of industry professionals, influencers, and music enthusiasts, providing your company with invaluable networking prospects and potential business partnerships.
5. Philanthropic Impact: A portion of the concert proceeds will be donated to a local charity, giving your company the chance to demonstrate its commitment to corporate social responsibility.
6. Our partnership with Randy Moss Crisppis Restaurant means that we have already garnered significant media attention, ensuring maximum exposure for all sponsors involved. By aligning your brand with our concert, you will benefit from a synergy that amplifies the impact of your sponsorship through shared marketing efforts.

We would be delighted to discuss the sponsorship opportunities available to your company and tailor them to your specific needs and objectives. Together, we can create a memorable event that will not only entertain but also leave a lasting impression on all attendees.

Please let us know if you would be interested in exploring this opportunity further, and we can arrange a meeting or call to discuss the various sponsorship packages available. We will be happy to provide any additional information you may require.

Thank you for considering being a proud sponsor of Invasion Nation's upcoming concert. We look forward to hearing from you soon and to the possibility of nurturing a beneficial and exciting partnership.

Warm regards,

Kirk Hightower

215-869-0652

American classic rock Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top have announced 36 additional appearances of their joint co-headlining tour – The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour. The tour kicks off on Friday, March 8 with stops across the Southeast, Midwest and South including Charleston Coliseum on Saturday March 30, 2024 before wrapping up in Corpus Christi, TX at the American Bank Center.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will make a stop in Huntington next week as it travels across West Virginia before making its way to Washington, D.C., for the holidays.

The tree’s visit to Huntington from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, will be at Highlawn Elementary School, 2613 Collis Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available at Trinity Church of God, 2688 3^rd Ave.

Festivities will include greetings from Mayor Steve Williams, selfies with Marshall Thundering Herd mascot Marco, a hot chocolate station, Santa hat giveaway and music from the Thundertones.

Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. This week, a 63-foot-tall Norway Spruce will be harvested in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. It marks the first time since 1976 that the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will come from the Mountain State.

The tree’s journey across West Virginia will include a series of outdoor community celebrations before it is delivered to the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 17. It will be decorated with ornaments and tree skirts handmade from West Virginians and will be on display to the public through December.

For more information about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s journey across West Virginia, visit uscapitolchristmastree.com,  @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, and @MonongahelaNF on Facebook.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Investor Member

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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