TREY BELCHER TRAINING GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING EVENT

THE JOINT CHIROPRACTIC GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING EVENT

EPIC HEALTH PARTNERS RIBBON CUTTING & FACILITY UNVEILING

GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING OF MOVEMENT BANK

CHAMBER TO HOST 2024 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

IALR & CHAMBER PARTNER TO PRESENT SMART SEMINARS

THREE-PART SERIES ON HOW TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR BUSINESS COMING TO DAN RIVER REGION. 

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) are partnering through the Wonder Community of Lifelong learning to offer SMART Seminars. This three-part series is designed exclusively for business owners eager to revolutionize their marketing and social media strategies and tactics.

Participants can register for one, two, or three classes on February 21, 28, and March 6, 2024, to help unlock the limitless potential of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and leverage these tools for dynamic social media strategies. 

Class Schedule

Part I - February 21, 2024

Topic: 'AI Unveiled': Delve into the fundamentals, demystify AI, and understand how ChatGPT operates. Gain foundational insights into integrating AI seamlessly into your social media repertoire. Embark on this transformative journey and revolutionize your small business's social media prowess with the power of ChatGPT and AI.

Part II - February 28, 2024

Topic:  'Crafting Connection': Explore the art of crafting engaging content that resonates with your audience. Uncover techniques to create compelling and authentic interactions using ChatGPT, transforming your social media presence.

Part III - March 6, 2024

Topic: 'Mastery & Innovation': Elevate your expertise as we explore advanced AI strategies. Learn to innovate and adapt, utilizing ChatGPT to stay ahead in the ever evolving social media landscape.

IALR PARTNERS WITH VIRGINIA CHAMBER FOR V-TOP PROGRAM

DANVILLE PITTSYLVANIA CANCER TO HOST BRIDGE 2 BRIDGE 5K

Dear Danville/Pittsylvania County Business Leader,

The Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association along with The Danville Running and Fitness

Club and Danville Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the 16th Annual Bridge2Bridge Danville 5K, 10K, Kids Fun Run, and new in 2024 a HALF MARATHON, to be held April 13, 2024, with both in-person and virtual options available.

Over the past 15 years, Bridge2Bridge Danville has raised over $900,000 benefiting cancer

patients within Danville and Pittsylvania County. In our most recent race, over 600

individuals participated helping Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer raise over $60,000!

Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer is a local 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides assistance to cancer patients by providing travel reimbursement, prescriptions, nutrition, medical supplies and equipment, prostheses, and wigs, as well as emotional, and educational support.

We are thankful for the support we have received from the individuals and businesses who

have supported Bridge2Bridge Danville for 15 years, and we ask that you consider partnering with us.

RDA 2024 DREAM LAUNCH BOOTCAMP NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

Dream Launch Bootcamp - Registration Closes January 12th

$100K available in area pitch competitions open to local entrepreneurs that complete the Dream Launch Bootcamp

DANVILLE VA – The River District Association (RDA) is excited to announce that registration has opened for the sixth cohort of the River District Association Dream Launch Bootcamp. Since the start of the program in 2019, nearly 600 individuals have registered for the Bootcamp classes. Additionally, 209 Dream Launch Bootcamp Certificates have been earned by individuals completing all 6 classes.

The RDA Dream Launch Bootcamp is for anyone who wishes to learn more about opening, owning, and operating a business in the Dan River Region; the Bootcamp is also open to current businesses that would like to expand as well as those that would like to audit the courses to prepare for potentially opening a business in the future. There is no cost to participate in the Bootcamp. Classes will be held via Zoom beginning in mid-January with one class in-person in Danville.

Entrepreneurs and new or existing businesses who complete all six Bootcamp sessions and plan to open or expand a brick-and-mortar location in the Downtown River District may apply to compete in the RDA IGNITE Business Pitch Competition (Formerly the RDA Dream Launch Pitch Competition) for awards and incentives totaling $50,000. Additionally, RDA Dream Launch Bootcamp participants who wish to open a business outside of the River District are eligible to compete in the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Rev Up Pitch. Rev Up will have $50,000 available in awards and incentives. Lastly, individuals who have completed all six Bootcamp sessions in years past and have a Certificate of Completion are also eligible to apply for the Ignite Business Pitch or Rev Up Pitch, without needing to retake the Bootcamp classes.

This year, RDA will again offer an additional educational resource for food related businesses in the region. The Food and Beverage Workshop will be optional for all Dream Launch Bootcamp participants but required for those wishing to pitch specifically to open a food and beverage business. Panelists from Virginia ABC, Health Dept, and Planning and Zoning will be on-hand to provide information needed for business owners in this industry. Local entrepreneurs with an interest in learning more about opening a food and beverage business are also welcome to attend; this workshop is free but requires separate registration.

Funding for the RDA Dream Launch Bootcamp, IGNITE Business Pitch and Rev Up Danville Pittsylvania Pitch is made possible by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County.

The River District Association was organized in 1999 as the Downtown Danville Association. In May 2015, the organization was renamed the River District Association to complement the city’s River District brand and is an accredited Virginia and National Main Street Community. The office is currently located at 208 N Union Street, Danville VA.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its members to dynamic resources and networks. The Chamber’s number one goal is to help area businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper.

RUDY'S GIRL MEDIA AND RGMTV REFLECT ON A YEAR OF SUCCESS

Greetings!

We at Rudy's Girl Media just want to THANK YOU for being a part of our successes and for supporting our vision in 2023! We have accomplished much, but we could not have done it without you. This year, we:

• Opened RGM Studios at 30 W Main St in Martinsville, VA
• Launched RGMTV on Xfinity Channel 16 in southern Virginia
• Highlighted dozens of incredible community members in our short segments such as RGM CRE8, Art from the Heart, Wish for the City, Fit City, Martinsville Shout-Outs and more!
• Released a massive studio production, Hometown Hustle season 2, featuring 20 small businesses across southern Virginia
• Released seasons 1 & 2 of On The Spot
• Conducted workshops with local community colleges and youth services programs
• Published Hometown Hustle Guide: Simple Tips for Entrepreneurial Success
• Partnered with dozens of companies, nonprofits and economic development teams to highlight the incredible work happening in our region

Please follow us on social media to stay in the loop for 2024! @RudysGirlMedia

Want to discover ways to partner with us? Email us at info@rudysgirl.com.

SOVA LEGAL DANVILLE ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH PLDR LAW

Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, P.C. (“Petty Livingston”) and Southern Virginia Legal PLLC (“SoVa Legal”) today announced the merger of their firms, effective January 1, 2024, to become PLDR Law. 

The combination of Petty Livingston and SoVa Legal will create a 16-lawyer firm operating from offices in Lynchburg and Danville and serving communities across Central and Southern Virginia. 

This includes the addition of Holly Trent, an experienced health care attorney who most recently served as senior vice president and chief legal officer for Centra Health, who will join the firm’s employment law group and develop and lead the firm’s health care practice. 

Scott Kowalski, President of Petty Livingston, said: “We are thrilled to announce this merger of two accomplished firms. Petty Livingston has experienced significant growth the last two years, and SoVa Legal has developed a tremendous reputation assisting clients who are helping to drive economic revitalization in the Danville area. By combining our resources and talents, we can expand our offerings to clients even further. The addition of Holly Trent is a key component of that expansion.” 

DANVILLE PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO HOST HOOPS FOR HOPE

AVERETT UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SUNDAY SUPPER

In partnership with the Danville/Pittsylvania County Virginia Department of Health Public Health Team, Averett University is hosting its annual Sunday Supper to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to action to bring equitable education to all communities. This year's theme is: "Education Beyond the Classroom: Engaging Parents, Guardians, and Community." 

Please join us as we work together to learn how we can support Danville Public Schools and their mission to improve education for our youth. With a dynamic keynote delivered by DPS Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston, we will discuss attendance issues, behavioral concerns, and low immunization rates, among other topics. 

Food will be served and registration is advised. Please see the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact me at Tyancey@averett.edu.

IALR OFFERS COMPUTER WORKSHOPS AND FACILITY TOURS

Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of IALR! We're thrilled to invite you to a FREE and exciting tour of our organization, which provides services and administers programs that benefit Southern Virginia. Explore what makes IALR go, learn about our mission and experience our dynamic facilities and impactful programs.

Register for one of the upcoming computer workshops at IALR to elevate your tech game! Perfect for beginners and those looking to build foundational skills, IALR has several Canva and Excel workshops scheduled over the next few months. General registration is $35; military and senior registration is $25. 

NASCAR RETURNS TO MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

TRUTH TALK: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND BEYOND

Join us as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s leadership in environmental justice to bring awareness and inspire inclusive climate action to all communities. During this session, we will hear from a dynamic panel to provide the history, current, and future injustices and opportunities around environmental justice. We welcome a panel of Averett’s own faculty Dr. Tony Curtis and student Ms. Kallie King. Along with the University of Lynchburg’s educator Dr. Laura Henry-Stone and CEO of the Virginia Environmental Justice Collaboration, Ms. Queen Shabazz.

We welcome all students, faculty, staff and community members for an opportunity to collaborate and become conscious of the economic, mental and physical health, criminal justice impact to our communities and beyond.

Contact Tia Yancey at Tyancey@averett.edu for more information.

VISIT SOSI TOURISM SPONSORSHIP FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism just announced the Visit SoSi Tourism Sponsorship Program, a reimbursable funding opportunity for stakeholders seeking to host events and attract new visitors to Danville City and Pittsylvania County.  

The Visit SoSi Tourism Sponsorship Program is designed to increase visitor spending, stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships, and drive visitation to the region. From first-time applicants seeking to create new experiences to larger established events and festivals, these sponsorships will help to bring visitors to the area, elevate community presence and support the local economy.

To apply and lean more, visit the link below.

The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism announced the launch of its newly designed website for the regional tourism brand, Visit SoSi.

The website showcases local attractions, dining options, lodging, accommodations, and travel information for visitors, stakeholders, and SoSi residents. The website also features a calendar of upcoming events and digital copies of the Tourism Master Plan and new Visit SoSi Visitor Guide.

The website follows the 2023 launch of Visit SoSi, a regional tourism brand that invites locals and visitors to take a fresh look at Danville City and Pittsylvania County. The fresh, new messaging and positioning strategy lean into the region's well-known geographical affiliation with Southside Virginia and provides a confident, playful twist highlighting all there is to "See" and "Do" within the area. The brand was created by Eddy Alexander, a full-service marketing and growth strategy advisory firm, headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia

Visit the new website at the link below.

DANVILLE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AND HISTORY SEEKS COORDINATOR OF EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER SERVICES

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History in Danville, Virginia, is seeking a Coordinator of Events and Volunteer Services. The Coordinator of Events and Volunteer Services is responsible for recruiting and training volunteers to assist at the museum and overseeing rental of museum spaces for events and programs.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of four (4) years of successful volunteer coordinating, rental service coordinating and event planning in a museum or similar setting is required.

Send cover letter and resume to:

Sonja Ingram

Chief Operating Officer

DMFAH

975 Main St.

Danville, VA 24541

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES FALL TRIP TO TUSCANY

Date: January 22, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Event Location:

• Online via Zoom 
• Must register here to receive the zoom link
• The zoom link will be sent to your email the day prior to the call

C I Destinations, in partnership with the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, presents an International trip to Tuscany / One Hotel Holiday, departing October 15, 2024. Register here to receive the zoom link for more details.

Tuscany is the most popular region in Italy. Tuscany offers its numerous visitors the best of all things Italian starting with fine art. The capital, Florence, is considered the cradle of renaissance, and now one of the richest cities of art and culture. Tuscany is famous for its world-class art collections, charming medieval hill towns, and sweeping hillsides full of vineyards. Tuscany is where you have to go if you want to stand in a room full of Botticelli paintings or gaze upon Michelangelo’s “David”. You can’t find the home of Chianti wine or the town that produced “Under the Tuscan Sun” anywhere else. The region’s hill towns will provide a beautiful backdrop for the perfect Tuscan holiday you’ve always dreamed of experiencing.

The cost is $3,499 per person (save $100 register by March 31, 2024), the deposit is $450 per traveler. This cost includes air fare, seven nights of hotel accommodations at 4-star hotels, 10 meals (seven breakfasts, three dinners), sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, and a professional tour manager.  

Join us on Monday, January 22, 2024 | 6 pm to learn more about the travel plans for October 2024, please register for the zoom call. The link will be sent to your email the day prior to the zoom call. 

To register for the trip, call the DPC Chamber at 434.836.6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org.