The Chamber has been working to learn, use and teach social media. The advantages are many but one of the most important is reasons for our engagement is to drive traffic to our website, which is one of our most dynamic ways to promote our members. As we learn how to better use these valuable Read More…
Toot Your Own Horn
As we prepare to publish yet another monthly newsletter I think of all the great news there is to share about business in our region. I am painfully aware that it’s tougher than ever and many of us are struggling with trimmed down budgets, hiring freezes and first time ever layoffs, but new businesses continue Read More…
History: However You Like It
I have no problem admitting that I’m no history buff, nor am I interested in becoming one. This can be tough at times as I live in a region surrounded by an interesting past that attracts visitors and occupies the thoughts and energy of many locals. With a healthy respect I do my best to Read More…
Venango Regional Airport 2009 Business of the Year
The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce has selected the Venango Regional Airport as the 2008 Business of the Year. This annual honor is awarded to a local business that meets several criteria in recent years, including the ability to overcome adversity, marketing achievements, expansion or quality improvements and commitment to the community. Established in 1946, Read More…
There’s No Better Time…
There is no doubt that these are tough times for business, but I had a few experiences this week that really made me think about their strategies. The first was a call I received from a regional pharmacy that proposed a service they wanted to offer to small businesses. It sounded like a worthwhile benefit Read More…
Getting Ready for Summer
I’m thinking about the shift in gears that takes place about now at the Chamber. There is a note-able change that occurs in our office that seems to permeate everyday. Festival Season is here! Every other phone call we receive seems to be related to the whens and the wheres of what will go on Read More…
Arts in Venango
Arts in Venango County are nothing new. The communities that scatter Northwest PA have a long history of all genres from Painters and Potters to Singers and Dancers. Creative Writers have found the serene setting to provide a great background for their Art, often enhance by a colorful history to provide a subject for their Read More…
Oil Heritage Festival 2009 Plans Underway
Plans are well underway at the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce for the 31st annual Oil Heritage Festival. A festival of this size requires year around planning. A few changes are in store for this year. Community volunteers are at the heart of the festival and this year they will be adding new events and Read More…
New Chamber Email Look
Keeping consistent with the new look and feel of the Chamber Website, we recently introduced a new format for emails that go out to our membership. We continue to try to limit email notices to only include time sensitive notices about Venango Chamber events and deadlines. The new format includes links to the most popular Read More…
Women of the Year
The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce has named Cynthia Urban, President/Owner of Klapec Trucking Co., as the 2009 Woman in Business Award Recipient. Each year, the Venango Chamber bestows the honor upon a woman who has achieved success in the Venango Area business community. Klapec Trucking Co. has been and still proves to be an Read More…
Twittering Not for You?
It’s been no secret that I’ve been a great proponent of twittering. But I have heard plenty of resistance in just about any gathering I’ve been in recently. The responses are very predictable. “I don’t have time”, “I don’t care what other people are doing”, “Why would anyone care what I’m doing?” These are all Read More…
Flights of Fancy & Trails
This morning I stopped in the coffee shop, Spilling the Beans, for a morning brew. It’s always a great place to see the locals but today the morning men’s coffee clutch was busting at the seams. It always makes me smile to see these men who have worked so hard all their lives, in business, Read More…
Extreme Car Makeover helps Local Family
I continue to be impressed at the ways Chamber members serve our community. Yesterday I joined other community members at the Cranberry Mall for the second annual Community Car Care Aware hosted by Action Auto Service, Inc. The event included both indoor and outdoor activities. April is national Car Care Aware month, and the event Read More…
Administrative Professional’s Day® April 22nd
Each year, on Administrative Professional’s Day®, the Venango Area Chamber has the pleasure of coordinating the Annual Working Women’s Luncheon. This year’s luncheon will be held at the Belles Lettres Club on Wednesday, April 22nd at noon. The Chamber encourages all managers to send their women office personnel to this luncheon for a relaxing afternoon Read More…
Venango Works! Trade Show
Friday, April 24th 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Cranberry Mall
Brown Bag Lunch – Twitter What?
Wednesday – April 15th Noon Chamber Conference Room Free – RSVP to 814-676-8521 If your viewing this I’m guessing you’ve at least heard of twitter. It seems like everyone’s twittering. Even many of us who are already using it would like to know more. This Wednesday we’ll hold our monthly Brown Bag Lunch and we’ll Read More…
Should My Business Use Twitter?
If you were seeking a free, inexpensive means to connect and converse with both potential and return customers, Twitter is for your business. As least a few of those reading this post may first ask, “What is Twitter?” Twitter is a micro-blogging platform a bit like a cross between blogging and instant messenging. You have Read More…
Chamber Legislative Breakfast
Friday, April 17, 2009 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Franklin Elks Club Franklin and Venango Area Chambers of Commerce will host a legislative breakfast focusing on the current state of our economy, directly from the lawmakers who affect our region’s homes, businesses and organizations. Guest speakers will include U.S. Congressman Glenn Thompson, State Senator Mary Read More…
Business Tax Credits Win-Win
Did you know that your business may be able to provide a child with an education at no cost to you, simply by applying for an Education Improvement Tax Credit? Pennsylvania businesses that fall into any of the following categories are eligible to apply: Personal Income Tax from S Corporation Personal Income Tax from Partnership Read More…
Keeping Hope Alive
If you’re following our twitter feed you’ll recognize this quote that I tweeted yesterday: “A prime function of a leader is to keep hope alive” ~John W Gardner Isn’t it funny how bits of wisdom find there way to us just when we need them, well at least sometimes. The week is barely underway and Read More…