August SBCC Newsletter
| 29 July 2010
SBCC NEWSLETTER ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2010
Many things going on for the Chamber during the next few months. Our Annual Tri Chamber Clam Bake will be held on Wednesday, August 18th at Evergreen Lakes in Bath. This is a great opportunity to meet, greet and network with hundreds of businesses. Donations for the Silent Auction are needed. The proceeds benefit the on going independence of the three area chambers.
August 17-21st our Santa’s Elves will have their annual Dine Toss Booth at the Blue Valley Farmers Fair. Please come out and support this cause as the funds raised for the Elves are used for the annual Holiday Party for the less fortunate children of the Slate Belt in December.
Tickets are available for our September 12th annual bingo. This year you will have 20 games of bingo and the chance to win our traditional Longaberger Baskets, and new this year, Vera Bradley purses. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Sponsorship available.
On September 16th a Multi Chamber Mixer is planned at Moravian Hall Square from 5-7 pm. Great chance to use your networking skills learned during our June luncheon. See inside for a review of Successful Networking.
Tuesday, September 21st we will hold our first Taste of the Slate Belt Business Expo. We have sold out for inside and are now accepting outdoor vendors. Join us in letting the residents of the Slate Belt know what your company is all about. The Chamber is sponsoring a “Dinner Out for 26 Weeks” raffle. This raffle will give you the chance to win 26 individual gift certificates for area restaurants. Tickets are available at the Chamber office, Little Creek BBQ (Rt. 191 Bangor) and during the Taste of the Slate Belt Business Expo. Cost is $15 per ticket and will be drawn at the Expo. The proceeds in part to benefit Santa’s Elves and the SBCC Scholarship Fund.
Tuesday, September 28th we will hold our Fall Business Luncheon at Kirkridge. Guest speaker will be Lorna Clause of the Turning Point of Lehigh Valley.
Lastly, as most of you know, the 856 W. Pennsylvania Ave. has been for sale for some time. Our landlord informed us last week that the building will be sold as of August 29th. We have not heard from the prospective owner (s) as to their intensions on our lease. At this point our board of directors asked that we produce a list of available office space in case we are asked to relocate. If you or someone you know would like to be added to this list, please contact the office at 610.863.0315.
NEW MEMBERS FOR JULY
Plainfield Twp. Volunteer Fire Co.
Colleen Olszewski, Admin. Assistant
6480 Sullivan Trail, P.O. Box 568, Wind Gap, PA 18091
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web Site: www.plainfieldfireco.com.
APPI Energy
Tom Hawes
1055 Westlakes Drive, 3rd Floor,
Berwyn, PA 19312
800-520-6685, Fax: 410-749-8769
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web Site: www.appienergy.com
Electricity/natural gas/green consulting services.
State Representative, Marcia Hahn
354 W. Moorestown Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064
610-746-2100, Fax: 610-746-3803
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web Site: www.rephahn.com
State Legislator
Successful Networking – Working the Event
Last month we talked about preparing for a networking event through developing your USP and your 30 second elevator speech. Remember you’re there to begin a relationship with perspective customers or strategic alliances. Be prepared to give in order to receive.
Now you’re at the event and prepared so what do you do? First off have a goal of how many new people you want to meet and strive to achieve that goal. It’s not so much who you know anymore, but more importantly who knows you. Learn to become a resource for others you meet. Accomplish your goal first, and then socialize.
When you see a target; approach, engage and introduce yourself, give your commercial, and ask what they do. You are there to inform and learn. If appropriate to follow up tell them you’ll give them a call to set a time you could meet and see how you can help them. Then move on. Remember you network everywhere and with everyone you don’t know. Get involved in the event!
As you engage your prospect make sure you are pleasant and use good communication skills. That means you need to speak clearly, ask relevant open ended questions to learn more about there business. Most importantly listen attentively, don’t be looking to see who else is around.
After the event FOLLOW UP! You want to build relationships with people you can help and who can help you. It may be as simple as a thank-you, or scheduling a follow up meeting to see if you can do business together. REMEMBER – Don’t try to sell them at the event. Start the relationship building process and set up the follow up meeting. Follow through with all your commitments. If you say you are going to call; call and if someone helps you send a thank-you note.
After the event anyone you’ve met add to your data base. Build your data base so you can become a resource and a connector. You want people to call you for other professionals they may need.
Most importantly – HAVE FUN! Networking should be fun. It is a valuable marketing tool to help grow your business.
Coach Bill Skinner, ActionCOACH of NEPA 570-617-7100
PRESS RELEASES
Bangor Memorial Train to run again!
The Bangor Elks Lodge #1106, Bangor, PA is pleased to announce that they will once again be operating the train at Bangor Park. The train is scheduled to be run Tuesday evenings 5 to 7 and Saturdays 1 to 5, weather permitting. The hours for July 31 will be 1 to 3 and 6:30 to dusk for Movie Night in the Park. Additional surprise hours will be during midweek days pending sufficient volunteer help. The train will be run as noted until the borough closes the pool for the summer.
Watch for the Oktober Fest days and hours to be announced by the Recreation Board.
The train is owned by Bangor Borough and operated and maintained by the Bangor Elks. Rides are provided free with your donations helping to keep us on track. For additional information or to get donation specifics please contact Steve Hurni at 610-863-7663.
Pancake Fundraiser
Pen Argyl High School Girls Tennis team is having an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 8-10 AM. It will be held at the Applebee’s at 3702 Easton-Nazareth Highway, Easton, PA (Rt. 248). The cost is $5 per person. Please come out and support the team. To purchase tickets ahead, please call Coach Walt Cole 610-863-6472 or Jewel Williamson-Burns at 610-863-7655. Thank you!
Public/Private Partnership is Alive and Well for the Moment
This article is written by the Slate Belt Council of Governments. Currently, our membership includes the Boroughs of Bangor, East Bangor, Pen Argyl, Portland, Roseto and Wind Gap as well as the Townships of Lower Mt. Bethel, Plainfield, Upper Mt. Bethel and Washington. In addition, the Pen Argyl Area School District, the Bangor Area School District and the County of Northampton are also members of our SB-COG. Our primary mission is to enhance communication and cooperation between and among the above SB-COG members. In addition, we are vitally concerned about the economic success of the region as well as the preservation and environmental enhancement of the region. Here are a few activities that you should take note of:
Recycling Notice – Our SB-COG is cooperating with Northampton County to sponsor a regional Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event on October 9, 2010 at the Northampton Community College Main Campus Parking Area in Bethlehem Township, PA. Time is from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. A brief summary of Household Hazardous Waste Accepted includes:
o Paint Products- Oil paint, varnishes, thinners & turpentine, wood preservatives, furniture strippers, old gas and oil mix (No latex paint)
o Automotive Products- Antifreeze, transmission and brake fluids, used motor oil, car batteries
o Cleaners – Bathroom cleaners, drain cleaners, furniture polish, parts cleaners, ammonia based cleaners, disinfectants
o Pesticide Products – Insecticides, herbicides, rodent poisons, flea collars & flea shampoos, mothballs, lawn chemicals
o Miscellaneous – Thermostats, mercury batteries, glue & adhesives, nail polishes, fluorescent light bulbs (including the new small compact fluorescent bulbs), mercury light switches
Business Start-ups – Our SB-COG is employing a student intern this summer with the primary purpose of identifying additional “ways and means” of helping business start-ups and relatively new businesses to grow and to prosper in the Slate Belt Region. With the help of Marilyn Rettaliata and her Business Incubator Committee, we have made progress in laying the foundation for the “ways and means” to help these businesses. The Chamber is playing a key role in this process. We have also established relationships with the East Stroudsburg University Business Accelerator, the Lehigh University Business Incubator, the Lafayette College Technology Clinic, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE (the Service Corps of Retired Executives) and many other individuals and groups. We are considering the creation of networks where relatively new and relatively new businesses can meet and/or communicate electronically with one another to review situations and improve everyone’s opportunity to survive and grow in these challenging times. If you are interested in helping in any way, please call Laura McLain at 610-863-0315.
Currently the SB-COG shares office space with the Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce at 856 W. Pennsylvania Ave. (Rt. 512) in Pen Argyl.
Recovery Revolution Inc. will host it’s 2nd Annual Capital Campaign Presenting SARGE. “Steps to Recovery” Comedy Social, September 24th, 6:30 pm—10:00 PM at the Wilson Area High School. Tricky Tray, Food Sampling and 90 minute performance by SARGE. How Can You Help? Recovery Revolution is Partnering with Wilson’s SADD Chapter for an evening of entertainment and culinary cuisine. Become a Corporate Sponsor ($3000, $1500, $500) levels. Bundle of 10 Tickets can be purchased for $300, Marketing Table at the Event: $200, Donate Items for the Tricky Tray, Advertise in Program: 1 line ad/message: $20, Business Card, $50 and Half page ad $100, Full page ad, $200, purchase event tickets: $25 high school student price, $34 in advanced, $45 at the door. Call 610.599.7700 for information.
Seventh Annual CIT Foundation Art, Craft & Vendor Show. October 2nd, 9-3 pm at Career Institute of Technology, 5335 Kesslersville Rd., Easton, PA. Free admission, plenty of parking, refreshments available and tricky tray for door prizes. Call Donna Sayler at 610.258.2857 ext. 3312.
Mt. Bethel Business Association Road Rally 2010 Saturday, October 2nd, 11 am. Starting location is Apple Blossom Village, Mt. Bethel. Cost is $15 pre entry, $18 day of event. Cars of any type, including trikes, bikes, hot-rods, antiques etc.. Each auto leaves the starting point and follows directions, picks up clues, stop at local businesses and perform tasks. The team with the lowest score receives a prize. 570.897.0803 or 570.897.7200 for more information.
SBCC Events
8/18: Tri Chamber Clam Bake,
Evergreen Lake, 5 pm.
9/12: Basket & Vera Bradley Bingo, 1 pm at Bangor Elks Lodge.
9/16: Multi Chamber Mixer, California Dreamin” at Moravian Hall Square, 5-7 PM.
9/21: Taste of the Slate Belt
Business Expo, 4-9 PM
9/28: SBCC Business Luncheon at Kirkridge, 12 noon.
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON EVENTS CLICK ON THE EVENTS CALENDAR ON OUR WEB SITE.
Slate Belt Community Events
8/7: Bangor Car Show, downtown Bangor. 610.599.5050
8/5-8th: Second Ward Carnival, Bangor.
8/5-8th: Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Festival, Mt. View Park, Wind Gap. 610-838-3015
8/17-21st: Blue Valley Farm Show, Bangor. 610.588.9504
8/21-22: Gun & Knife Show, 9-5 pm Plainfield Twp Fire Hall.
Summer Sounds Concert Series:
Weona Park, Pen Argyl; 8/8; Mid Life Crisis Classic Rock & 8/29; Nazareth Municipal Band Sousa & Americana, 6 pm.
Wind Gap Park, Wind Gap; 8/1; King Henry & the Showmen, playing music from the 50’s-80’s, 8/15; Dave Neith Orchestra playing Swing & Big band music, 8/29 Inch and the Echoes playing oldies, 6 pm.
BASD Young Farmers Market, every Friday 11-6 pm thru Sept. Downtown Bangor.
SBCC Officers & Directors
Officers:
Nadine Moyer, President
Steve Hurni, 1st Vice President
Mary Marshall, 2nd Vice President
Fred Curcio, Secretary
Rosemary Albert, Treasurer
Paul Donovan, Jr., Chairman
One Year Directors:
David Dent, Paul Donovan, Frank Russo, Patti Guarry, Fred Curcio, Victor Rodite, Richard Guarry
Two Year Directors:
Rosemary Albert, Mary Marshall, Chuck Niclaus, Dianne Newman, Jewel Williamson-Burns, Nadine Moyer, Steve Hurni, Jeff Ott
SBCC Mission Statement:
To promote and enhance positive business activity and growth in the Slate Belt region with special emphasis on community involvement.
Log onto the SBCC web site at www.slatebeltchamber.org for current chamber info, members benefits, local maps & more!
Proudly sponsored by:
ESSA Bank & Trust
Lafayette Ambassador Bank
the First National Bank of Palmerton
Merchants Bank
Ott Consulting Inc.
