CHAMBER NEWS

In this episode of "In Your Business," we explore perception versus reality with Jeff Harkins, CEO, and Larry Crum, Director of Marketing and Communications, from Woodlands Retirement Community. Despite offering a wide range of care services from retirement to assisted living to nursing home care, Woodlands faces the misconception of being solely a nursing home. We discuss the proactive strategies they use to challenge these stereotypes and highlight the vibrant lifestyle and strong sense of community within their establishment.

Thank you to Reeves Kirtner, Kindred Communications, and presenting sponsor, Moses AutoMall of Huntington.

Tune in on Apple, Amazon, and Spotify!

The Women's Impact Network was joined by Kimm Hrdlicka-Tigges, Governor, Zonta International, District 5, on Thursday, March 13, who shared key actions in attracting opportunities and practical strategies to be prepared for any challenge.

How to prepare for opportunities?

• Say Yes!
• Get Details
• Enlist Allies
• Map Your Plan
• Stay Connected

Insider gives you a direct line to our members’ exciting events, limited-time offers, and breaking community updates. Unlike the in-depth look in our Monday Morning Memo, Insider features one highlighted piece of content from a member to help you stay informed, engaged, and connected! 

To receive these free valuable Insider e-blasts, sign up below to ensure that you never miss out on the latest opportunities and insights within our business community! Please note that Chamber members and non-members can sign up to receive e-blasts. Insider is a paid promotion available exclusively to Chamber members in good standing. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Kasey at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org or call (304) 525-5131 Ex. 303.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Social media in this digital age should be a staple of any business marketing strategy. Is it part of yours? Cynthia Krantz, of Mezzo Creative LLC, will discuss why you need to be active on social media and how to approach paid vs. organic social media (particularly meta and Linkedin). From the role of social media in the marketing funnel to how to develop a content calendar and evaluate your Key Performance Indicators, we’ll take you through the 7 C's of social media to ensure your business’ online presence is working for you!

Learn more about Huntington Pride with President Ally Layman. Ally will delve into the group's mission and share upcoming events. As a proud lifelong resident of Huntington, Ally holds an Allied Health degree from MCTC. Ally currently serves as a member of the City of Huntington's City Council and on Mayor Williams' LGBTQIA+ and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advisory committees. Additionally, she serves as LGBTQIA+ Health Coordinator for WHC of WV and spearheads initiatives for healthcare accessibility.

Save the date for the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Annual Dinner, presented by Marshall Health Network! This year, we're adding a touch of mystery and illusion with entertainment provided by the renowned "The Celebrity Magician," Carl Michael, who has performed across the country for audiences ranging from A-List celebrities and professional sports teams to Fortune 500 companies such as Google, Delta, and Coca-Cola. He has also been featured on the hit TV series, "America's Got Talent." 

Light appetizers, dinner, and desserts will be provided by a variety of local Chamber member restaurants.

Sponsorship opportunities and ticket options can be found here.

MEMBER NEWS

Buddy's All-American BBQ opened their second location in Milton in January, at 325 E Main Street. Established in Huntington in 2000, Buddy's BBQ is locally owned and operated by Lauren Schultz, whose family has owned the restaurant since 2006.

Buddy's BBQ serves a variety of smoked meats, sandwiches, chicken wings, catering, and more!

Join Marshall Athletics at the Cam Henderson Center on March 25 for an NIL event where you will get an opportunity to learn more about Name, Image, and Likeness as well as meet and greet with our student-athletes to learn more about them and expose them to your business. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. with a panel discussion from our student-athletes and business leaders about how NIL affects them. After the panel discussion is over, with a purchase of the $100 table set up, you will be able to have your table displayed during the career fair portion of the event and meet and greet with our student-athletes.

In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change. 

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 pm CT on April 7, 2024. The application period will end once 5,000 applications have been submitted, even if that occurs before the deadline.

Cabell County 9-1-1 has partnered with Rave Facility to provide local businesses, healthcare organizations and other non-residential properties with a free, secure and convenient way to share critical information about the facility with 9-1-1 and other first responders during an emergency. 

This free service allows facilities to provide 9-1-1 with a variety of information including floorplans, AED locations, emergency contact information, and gate or access code information, all on a secure server, only available in an emergency to 9-1-1 and other first responders. When a 9-1-1 call is placed, either from an on-site landline phone or from a cell phone within the geo-fenced boundary of the facility, the Facility Profile displays on the 9-1-1 dispatcher’s screen, providing responders with this critical information.

Many people and organizations believe “This won’t happen to us, we won’t need that.” This service can cover any potential emergency, whether there is a fire and evacuation routes need to be provided to callers or hazardous material location information needs to be relayed to the fire department. There is a medical emergency on-site and an AED device is needed but no one is familiar with its location within the building. An active shooter incident has taken place and procedures or emergency contact information is needed. Even down to the simple breaking and entering of a business, having emergency contact information on hand can be crucial. A Facility Profile can assist 9-1-1 with all of these scenarios, resulting in a faster response from first responders and potentially saving lives.

Additionally, there is a paid service Rave Facility provides, called Rave Panic Button that allows facilities to download an app on their mobile device to be used in emergencies. Through a simple five-button interface, users activate the app by selecting the type of emergency – active shooter, police, fire, EMS or other – which simultaneously can dial 9-1-1 and alert other on-site personnel of the emergency and the location of the incident. The app also has the capability to provide users with critical information, such as evacuation policies, medical procedures and other valuable information the facility provides – all depending on the type of emergency. 

For more information, you can visit www.ccerc911.org/rave-facility or contact Ted Grant, their Training & Public Education Coordinator at (304) 526-6540 or tgrant@ccerc911.org. Cabell County 9-1-1 can answer any questions or provide a presentation on the program if you and your organization are interested. 

Developmental Therapy Center is thrilled to announce the launch of our highly anticipated DTC’s Peeps Egg My Lawn fundraiser! Prepare to bring egg-citement to little ones while they sleep and make this Easter egg-stra special.

🥚 What’s It all About?

Our Peeps will be busy hiding eggs just in time for Easter, from Thursday Night, March 28th, through Saturday Night, March 30th. Picture the joy on your children's faces as they wake up to a colorful egg hunt right in their own backyard!

👉 Special Offer for Businesses:  

Hello, businesses, we have you covered too! Order on Thursday for a Friday morning surprise for your awesome team members. Spread some egg-stra cheer in the workplace!

💝 Sponsor a Deserving Family:  

Feeling egg-cited but do not have a little one to surprise? You can sponsor a deserving family and make their Easter dreams come true. It is a wonderful way to spread kindness and joy in our community.

🐰 Adorable Extras Available:

Additionally, we offer adorable extras such as a personalized letter from the Easter Bunny and bunny footprints on your porch or sidewalk to make it even more magical for your little ones.

A performance by Teays Valley Strings under the direction of Dr. Frederick Meyer will be the focus of the 4^th Tuesday Tour at the Huntington Museum of Art on March 26, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

“A non-profit organization from Putnam County, Teays Valley Strings has the goal to offer children the opportunity to play cellos, violas, and violins,” Meyer said. “The Putnam County Board of Education provides space for instruction and financial assistance, and parents are asked to make a donation.” Meyer provides instruction at West Teays Elementary, Eastbrook Elementary, and Winfield Elementary, where students from Hurricane High, Winfield High, Teays Valley Christian, Nitro High, Hurricane Middle, and a home-schooled student can travel to participate in the program.

The 4th Tuesday Tour Series at HMA offers a guided tour, a guest speaker or other special event on the fourth Tuesday of each month. HMA offers free general admission on Tuesdays when hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free Tuesdays at HMA are generously presented by the City of Huntington Mayor’s Council for the Arts.

Valley Health Systems is pleased to announce the addition of Stephen Perkey, PMHNP-BC, NP-C, to the Highlawn location. Stephen is a highly skilled provider committed to positively changing the lives of individuals he encounters. His expertise in mental health will be a valuable asset to the Highlawn location and the surrounding community.   Perkey began seeing patients March 4^th. 

Friday, March 22

Baseball vs Arkansas State, 6:00pm  

Saturday, March 23  

Baseball vs Arkansas State, 3:00pm 

Sunday, March 24  

Baseball vs Arkansas State, 1:00pm  

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

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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 rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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