CHAMBER NEWS

Leadership Huntington Meets Marshall University

Our first Leadership Huntington session of 2026, presented by Marshall Health Network, was focused on the exciting developments and incredible leadership at Marshall University.


The day kicked off with a session on adaptability and flexibility from the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association's Matt James and Walker Tatum, followed by a panel with some of Marshall University’s key leaders, including Toney Stroud, Chief Legal Officer & VP for Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Relations; Ginny Painter, Chief of Staff; Bruce Felder, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Brandi Jacobs-Jones, Senior Vice President for Operations. To wrap up our morning, we gained some valuable relationship-building insights from Cara Bailey, Assistant Dean & Director of the Society of Yeager Scholars.


After a delicious lunch catered by La Famiglia, the group spent the afternoon with Marshall University Athletics. Niesha Campbell, Deputy Director of Athletics / COO, provided an inside look at "The New Herd Mentality" and moderated a powerful panel of Marshall University head coaches. Jaden Hudson, Director of Student-Athlete Development, moderated an insightful session on "Life As a Division 1 Student-Athlete" with four of the university's high-achieving student athletes.


To finish the day, our class explored the Marshall brand and fan experience with Ryan Crisp, Associate Athletics Director of Ticket Sales and Fan Engagement; Rodney Kasey, Associate Athletic Director for Digital Strategy and Brand Management; and Grant Traylor, Associate Athletic Director of Communications. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at all the work that goes into the game day experience was truly eye-opening!


Thank you to Marshall University, the Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association and Marshall University Athletics for hosting us, Foodfair Supermarkets and Butter It Up at The Market for the breakfast, and a huge thank you to all of our incredible speakers for making this Leadership Huntington experience one to remember!


GO HERD!

BDY Studios Celebrates 13 Years of Health & Wellness

We loved celebrating BDY Studios’ 13th business birthday!



Thirteen years of adaptability, growth, and community impact—and still going strong. Congratulations to the BDY team on this incredible milestone. Here’s to many more years of success and improving the health and wellness of those in our region!

Read more about BDY Studios and their impact on our community in our Business Blog!

Chick-fil-A Barboursville Welcomes New Owner/Operator

Congratulations to Brandon Duffessy, the new owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Barboursville, one of our newest members of the Huntington Regional Chamber! 


We loved celebrating with Brandon and his family at last week's ribbon cutting ceremony, alongside Marshall University Athletics, and of course, Marco. 


To Brandon and the entire Chick-fil-a Barboursville team: Thank you for your investment and commitment to our region — we’re excited for what’s ahead!

UPCOMING EVENTS

State of the Chamber: SOLD OUT

Tickets are officially SOLD OUT for our inaugural State of the Chamber event featuring a fireside chat with special guest Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University. At this inaugural event, attendees will welcome the Chamber’s new Board of Directors, celebrate the contributions of outgoing members, and recognize exceptional community business leaders with special awards. The Chamber team and its Board of Directors are excited to kick off 2026 with a celebration of the achievements and future of our local business community!

You’re Invited: January Business After Hours with the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center

Kick off 2026 in style at our January Business After Hours, hosted at the newly reopened Keith Albee Performing Arts Center! 

After a years-long renovation project, the Keith Albee has been beautifully restored, combining its historic charm with modern upgrades, and is ready to welcome the community back inside. 

This event is a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, enjoy refreshments, and explore the transformed space while learning more about the programs the venue has planned for the year ahead. 

You won't want to miss the first Business After Hours of the year! 

You’re Invited: February Business After Hours with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Huntington

Join us for February Business After Hours, hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Huntington. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about the impactful programs and initiatives that RMHC is leading in our community.

Whether you’re looking to network, strengthen existing connections, or discover ways to support local causes, this Business After Hours promises an engaging evening of conversation, collaboration, and community spirit.

Don’t miss your chance to connect and celebrate the work of RMHC in Huntington!

Huntington Young Professionals Invite You: Meet Up West Virginia

Come out and join us for Meet Up West Virginia!

What started as a regional series has grown so quickly that we’re now expanding statewide—bringing together young professionals and leaders from across West Virginia’s business, legal and civic communities.

On January 21, we’ll host Meet Up West Virginia at the West Virginia State University Center during the legislative session. This will be our largest event to date and, to our knowledge, the first statewide legislative reception focused specifically on young professionals, while still engaging the broader statewide business community.

We’ve partnered with organizations and professional groups from all over the state—including Counsel Connections, Huntington Young Professionals, and Up Next Charlie West, to name a few—to make this a truly statewide effort. We’re grateful for the collaboration and support that has helped bring this event together, and we also thank all of our sponsors listed in the program for making it possible.

We’re excited to bring everyone together for a night of connection, collaboration, and momentum for West Virginia’s next generation of leaders. All are welcome. Please share with anyone. 

WHERE: West Virginia State University Center, 107 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV

WHEN: January 21

TIME: 5:30–8:00 PM

Join us as we celebrate the ribbon cutting of Kid Fit Barboursville on Monday, January 27, starting at noon! 🎉

Kid Fit is a fun, energetic space where kids can feel empowered to be active, confident, and healthy through engaging fitness activities designed just for them.

Following the ribbon cutting, the community is invited to an open house from noon to 6 p.m., featuring healthy refreshments, free classes, and special coupons for a free week. Stop by, check out the space, meet the team, and see how Kid Fit is making fitness fun for kids of all ages! 💪

MEMBER NEWS

The Office of Career Education at Marshall University invites Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce members to participate in an upcoming Career Fair on Wednesday, February 25, offering employers a prime opportunity to connect directly with Marshall students and alumni seeking internships, part-time roles, and full-time employment.

With spots for 125 employers to attend, the career fair serves as a key talent pipeline for regional organizations looking to recruit motivated, career-ready candidates across a wide range of majors and skill sets. Students attending represent disciplines including business, healthcare, engineering, information technology, education, communications, and the liberal arts.

Why Chamber Members Should Participate

Participation provides employers with:

• Direct access to a diverse pool of emerging talent
• Brand visibility among students preparing to enter the workforce
• Opportunities to promote internships, experiential learning, and entry-level roles
• A chance to strengthen relationships with Marshall University and the local workforce ecosystem

How Employers Can Get Involved

• Register to attend the Career Fair and recruit in person
• Promote job and internship opportunities through Marshall University’s Handshake platform
• Send representatives to network, conduct informal interviews, and share industry insights
• Support student career development by discussing career pathways, skills needs, and hiring timelines

The Office of Career Education works closely with employers to ensure a smooth and impactful recruiting experience, offering support before, during, and after the event.

Event Details

What: Marshall University Career Fair

When: Wednesday, February 25, from 12-4pm

Where: Marshall University Recreation Center

Who Should Attend: Employers recruiting interns, part-time, or full-time talent

Register: https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/654fc0b3-2f6e-44ce-a551-7bc45067abf6/employer_preview

Employers interested in participating are encouraged to register early to secure space and maximize visibility with students.

MCTC to Launch New CNA Program on Jan. 27

Brand New YMCA Youth Volleyball League: NOW OPEN!

Get ready to bump, set, and spike! The Huntington YMCA is excited to launch a brand-new youth volleyball program designed to teach fundamentals, build confidence, and promote teamwork in a fun and supportive environment. Kids can sign up as a team or as individuals. League play starts the week of February 9th. This brand new program serves 3rd–12th grade students. Contact dshackelford@huntingtonymca.org to learn more.

Chair Yoga with Tomi Weber

Looking for a gentle yet effective way to build strength, improve flexibility, and calm your mind? Chair Yoga is perfect for all levels—whether you’re brand new to yoga or looking for a supportive practice that’s kind to your joints. Reserve your spot today and give yourself the gift of movement, breath, and community.

Thursday, January 15th

6-7 p.m.

BDY Huntington Studio

Investment: $14

BDY Cycle Instructor Training

BDY's Indoor Cycling Training Program is designed to introduce the fundamentals of teaching a rhythm-based, interval-driven cycling experience. During this 4-hour cycle instructor training, participants can expect to be trained on the following topics:

•Educate students on proper set up and safety for beat-driven cycling classes

•Illustrate acceptable hand positions and choreography to be utilized in beat-driven cycling classes

•Develop students' motivational techniques to inspire riders through their indoor cycling experience

•Establishing a relationship with music, beat and playlist creation

•Coaching beyond technical cues

•Introduction to voice and using a microphone

•Demonstrate the proper body mechanics for indoor cycling on a beat-driven basis

•A comprehensive manual and study guide

•Certificate of Completion

The training will be held on Saturday, January 31, from 12-4 p.m. with Jonathan Cline and Makenzie Stacy, senior BDY Cycle instructors. There will be a short break for snacks/etc.

Investment: $269



(Certification is based on completion of program and demonstration. Participation in this program is neither an offer nor a guarantee of employment as a BDY Cycle instructor).

🎤💥 The lights. The music. The crown. 💥🎤


DTC’s fan-favorite Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle is back! And it’s bigger than ever for our 25th Annual Valentine Celebration!


We’ll kick off the night with an opening performance by Huntington Police Department and Elite Performance Academy, returning to the stage once again to set the tone and get the crowd on their feet.

This year, the stage heats up as St. Joseph Catholic Schools, EveryBODY Fitness, The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue go head-to-head, bringing the wow-factor as they compete for the ultimate bragging rights. 


And just when you think the night couldn’t get louder… get ready for a special encore performance by “KISS,” brought to life by Brad D. Smith, Barry Burgess, Toney Stroud, and Jimmy Lundy 🤘🔥


Every beat, every cheer, and every unforgettable moment supports the essential therapy services DTC provides to children and adults with disabilities across our community.

Don’t miss the show everyone will be talking about.

🎟️ Purchase your Valentine Celebration admissions today at the button below!

KDE Technology is excited to announce a partnership with The University of Charleston to host their very first cybersecurity conference this October.

Organizers plan to grow this conference to more than 2,000 attendees from the local area and surrounding states within the first 5 years, making it a significant benefit to the tech industry in West Virginia as they bring in key leaders in the industry as speakers, sponsors, and vendors.

Interested speakers should scan the QR Code to submit presentations. To learn more, contact Tony Brown at tony.brown@kde.technology.

Justified Services is bringing professional fingerprinting directly to your location. No waiting rooms. No extra trips. Same-day service. 

Perfect for medical offices, legal teams, schools, and businesses needing:

• License renewal fingerprinting

• Background check processing

• Federal and state compliance

• Apostille services

Onsite Convenience | Flexible Scheduling | Professional Equipment

$40 per card | Travel fees apply outside Huntington

Serving healthcare professionals, attorneys, and business owners across West Virginia and Ohio.

Learn more: www.justified-ventures.com/services

*Bulk Discounts available upon request.

Your Phone System Matters More Than You Think: Understanding What Today’s Phone Systems Can Really Do

Most businesses think of their phone system as “just phones.” In reality, it plays a major role in how teams collaborate, how customers experience your business, and how efficiently work gets done. 

In this webinar, our co-host, Reinvent, will break down how modern phone systems can be as simple or as advanced as your business needs. From a basic desk phone and voicemail to advanced features like call routing, mobile apps, and AI-powered receptionists, we’ll walk through what’s possible and how to choose the right setup. 

You’ll learn how the right phone system can reduce missed calls, improve internal communication, and scale with your organization without unnecessary complexity.

DATE: Wednesday, January 28

TIME: 12-12:45 pm EST

REGISTER: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n1K3tvjkQ_a3kbI4DYRnxw

As you begin preparing your 2025-2026 marketing strategy, the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce invites you to explore our Sponsorship Investment Guide. This comprehensive resource outlines all remaining sponsorship opportunities available throughout the year.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and investors whose continued support helps drive the Chamber’s mission forward.

For questions or to discuss custom sponsorship packages, contact Megan Archer at megan@huntingtonchamber.org.

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

Contact Us | Membership | Resources