When: Tuesday, April 16 | 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: Dan River Business Development Center | 300 Ringgold Industrial Parkway | Danville

The Commonwealth of Virginia spends Billions of dollars on goods and services each year. Goods and services that you probably sell! Ask yourself, “Am I getting my share?” If your answer is “No”, then this free business development workshop is for you.

EVa, the Commonwealth’s electronic procurement portal, is one of the most powerful market research tools when selling to any state agency (including public colleges and universities). EVa can help you identify the following:

·      EVa – Identify Your Target Market

·      How to Effectively Respond to Solicitations

·      Buyers Roundtable

·      What Can SWaM and Micro Business Certifications Do For You?

 

Registration: No Fee. Advance registration is required. Please contact Jean Martin or Christy Willard at 434.793.9100 to make a reservation. Light lunch provided.

Emma Lugar is the director of development, corporations and foundations in the Office of Institutional Advancement in Averett University. Emma possesses over 10 years of experience in higher education. She has a background in development, marketing/public relations and project management. Prior to joining Averett, Emma worked at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C. Emma received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communication, public relations from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., and her Master of Arts degree in English, technical and professional communication from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Currently, she resides in Ringgold with her dog, Addie.

Greg Hawley is the director of annual and leadership giving in the Office of Institutional Advancement at Averett University. Greg brings over 25 years of experience in secondary and higher education as a classroom instructor and fundraiser. Prior to joining Averett, Greg worked at the Virginia Community College System, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M University and Hargrave Military Academy. He is also a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Greg currently resides in Altavista with his wife, Jennifer, their dogs T.T. and Manzilla, and their Cat, Kee Kee.

When: Wednesday, April 10 | Reception: 5 p.m. and Awards Dinner: 6 p.m.

Where: Institute for Advanced Learning and Research 150 Slayton Avenue | Danville

The Southern Piedmont Technology Council will hold its Innovative Stars Awards Banquet on April 10 to celebrate technology innovators in our region. Evn Feinman, Executive Director of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and Governor Northam's Chief Broadband Advisor will be the keynote speaker and he will address broadband initiatives in the Commonwealth. The highlight of the evening will be the award ceremony that honors the contributions of individuals and organizations that promote the importance of technology throughout our service region in the following categories: Chairman's Award, Innovation in Technology (Large and Small Business), Innovation in Education or Community Outreach, Innovation in Community, Rising Star, and Student Innovator. Visit www.sptc-va.org for more information. 

Averett University is very pleased to announce that they are launching the 2 ^nd year of Instructional Dynamics for Technical Trainers (IDTT) in April 2019. The modules begin on Wednesday, April 17. The registration deadline is Monday, April 8.

Averett piloted this initiative last spring with the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) and New College Institute (NCI) to address the shortage of technical trainers currently experienced by workforce training providers. The pilot of the IDTT program with SVHEC and NCI was such a success that we are partnering with them once again and are expanding the program by opening it to community colleges and our public school’s technical training staff. Upon successful program completion, each program participant will be awarded with a Professional Development Certificate for each completed module. Participants will still receive a professional development certificate for the modules that they complete, but the CEU can be much more useful for those who complete the program. 

The need to equip subject matter experts in technical fields to be effective classroom instructors is critical to desired outcomes for our students and we hope that you will consider the importance of this for your employees. Together we can make a positive impact on meeting vital workforce needs throughout our community.

 

Click here to register!

Please contact Katherine Bishop, director of partnership development, at [email protected] or 434.791.5826 for additional information or if you have any questions.

According to RegisteredNursing.org , Danville Community College's (DCC) nursing program is ranked #1 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. DCC's 66-credit ADN program aims to fill the demand for registered nurses in the area. DCC graduates are leaders in the field, providing quality patient-centered care with precision and skill. Get all the program details by visiting the  Danville Community College website .

The Launch Place received 99 applications for the 6 ^th  Annual IdeaFest Pitch Competition from various start-up companies located in the US and abroad. The top 20 competitors took the stage to present their innovative business ideas in the River District of Danville, VA on March 21. 

Winner of the competition was Pocket Protector who was awarded a $5,000 cash prize. Pocket Protector is a medical device company aiming to prevent pocket hematomas (the buildup of blood) after pacemaker implantation. Second place and a $3,000 cash award went to NIRSleep. NIRSleep is developing a more accurate and native method to measure sleep to enable better patient outcomes. Battery Xchange took home third place with a $2,000 cash prize. Battery Xchange is a rental platform that provides portable batteries to cell phone users on-the-go. Read the full press release and check out all the pitches on  The Launch Place's Facebook Page .

When: Thursday, April 25 | 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Danville Community College | 1009 Bonner Avenue | Danville

Small businesses play a vital role in the growth of our economy. Did you know that over 1 million businesses are started each year? The harsh reality is only about 20 percent survive past the first year. Planning is everything!

Prepare to start a successful business:

If you are considering starting a business, this FREE seminar will provide valuable information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive. 

Registration is required here .

Bellevue University, one of the nation’s leaders in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills and a partner with Danville Community College, recently announced the launch of a new 100 percent online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree program. The program prepares students for diverse careers in event venues, resorts, hotels, and restaurant and food service companies, and provides a holistic foundation for the business of hospitality.

According to a 2018 industry analysis by Deloitte, travel and tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors and now account for more than 10 percent global Gross Domestic Product and 2017 industry bookings of $1.6 trillion make it one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in the world.

Dean Murdock noted that the University’s Hospitality Management Degree consists of 36 general education credits, 51 elective credits and 40 major credits. “Because the program is based online, students can stay employed in their current work or family situations and complete their studies without leaving their local community” Dean Murdock said.

Interested students can obtain more information from Bellevue University Relationship Manager Jaade Williams on the Danville Community College campus at 434-797-8502 or [email protected].

For the fourth straight year, ValleyStar Credit Union is proud to be raising funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Southwest Virginia.

The golf tournament will take place on Thursday, May 16 (rain date: May 23) at Chatmoss Country Club.

We hope that you will consider assisting us in reaching our fundraising goal this year of $20,000 by pledging your financial support. Here's how you can help:

Sponsorship levels are available from $200-$1000

4-player teams are just $300 and include lunch, free drinks and prize opportunities

Contact Stephanie Potter at 800.475.6328 x3125 if you are interested in supporting this cause!

Averett University junior Cassidy Pruitt has been named as one of 262 college students across the country as a Newman Civic Fellow for 2019-2020. The fellowship is hosted by Campus Compact, a Boston-based non-profit organization working to advance the public purposes of higher education, of which Averett is a member of the Virginia chapter.

Pruitt was nominated for the program by Averett University President Dr. Tiffany M. Franks for her involvement with and dedication to the Love Danville Higher Education Council, along with her efforts towards her goal to create and host financial literacy classes in her native Pittsylvania County for those who can’t afford them. Pruitt wants to focus these classes toward seniors so they can learn how to budget their monthly income with the cost of medications.

To read the full press release, click here.

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE

CHAMBER CHAMPION

CHAMBER PARTNER

CHAMBER ADVOCATE