Do you want to create a regional presence for your business?  Are you interested in marketing  your business beyond Roanoke?  Would you like to expand into North Carolina? 

Matt Martin, Economist for Federal Reserve Bank in Charlotte, NC, will discuss "Business Expansion and the Explosive Growth in the Triad and Triangle Regions of NC" at the Roanoke Biz2Biz Leaders Forum June 6, 8:00 - 10:00AM at the Salem Civic Center.

Matt Martin's career as an economist spans nearly a decade.  He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Delaware after completing his military service.

North Carolina has one of the most dynamic economies in the country right now. 

Did you know?

• Employment growth in North Carolina is currently the fastest growing among all states east of the Mississippi
• The population growth of the Piedmont Triad is currently about twice as fast as Roanoke
• Charlotte and Raleigh have a population growth rate nearly four times faster than Roanoke

To learn more about this explosive growth in North Carolina and how you can tap into it, register for the Biz2Biz Leaders Forum.  Seating is limited and admission is free.  There will also be a free continental breakfast.  Register NOW!  Call 540-563-2249 or register by email info@roanokebiz2biz.com.

Expanding your marketplace is an important step in growing your business.  Learn more about  Growing your Business, read Entreprenuer's 10 ways to Grow Your Business.

As I was reviewing some of my google alerts I found an interesting article posted on a Houston site.  They referred to the Kiplinger list of best cities and noted that Houston was not on the list.  But, they did take note that Roanoke, Virginia is at the top of the list for Vote for Your Best City.

"Houston is in third place with only 31 votes right now, trailing Roanoke, VA, with 725 and Madison, WI, with 510. Roanoke? Does anyone even live there? We figure that if a lot of our readers click on Houston once a day, we can move pretty far up the list, perhaps even - dare we be so bold - to first."

So, Houston take note…Roanoke, Virginia is alive and growing and setting a trend!  Let's keep Roanoke on the top of the list and Vote, Vote, Vote - EVERYDAY!

A huge silent auction will be held with items such as a grill from Home Depot and jewelry from several area stores along with several golf packages from the Ashley Plantation and beyond! The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation will add a new idea to ShrimpFest and the silent auction this year. During the auction bidders will be able to take advantage of "Buy it Now". If a guest does not want to risk losing their favorite item, they can agree to "Buy It Now", pay the estimated value and take the item home.

Tasting stations will be set up with samples from local restaurants and the crowd is encouraged to dance to live music from local group Code 11.

To add to the festival atmosphere, a variety of shrimp dishes will be available on the buffet line this year, including shrimp and grits, cocktail shrimp, and hot and spicy shrimp. Teriyaki chicken on a stick along with corn, cole slaw, baked beans, and dessert will also be served.

Proceeds benefit the Foundation's scholarship and building restoration fund. Tickets are $25 in advance (available at Member One Federal Credit Union, First National Exchange Bank, Salem Civic Center box office and at the Chamber office in Longwood Park). Dinner will be served from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ONLY, with dancing and the silent auction from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. VIP tables featuring wait staff and reserved seating are also available.

Sponsors for the event include Verizon, WDBJ7, WFIR - Q99, Budweiser, US Food Service, Food Lion, Surf & Turf, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Roanoke County Economic Development, National College, Kroger, Carter Bank & Trust, Member One Federal Credit Union, Salem Catering, Salem Civic Center, and Cuz's Autobody Repair. For more information about the event or if you are interested in sponsorship, please call the Chamber office at 540-387-0267.

Contact: Debbie Kavitz
Phone: 540-387-0267
Fax: 540-387-4110
chamber@s-rcchamber.org

Do you want to expand your business outside of the Roanoke area?  Would you like to market your products and services throughout Virginia and North Carolina?  How about putting into place a marketing strategy to include northern and central Virginia, the Triad area of Greensboro and the Raleigh Durham Triangle Area?  

Roanoke Biz2Biz will sponsor an event you cannot miss!  Biz2Biz Leaders Forum - Expanding Your Business Beyond Roanoke.  Enjoy a FREE breakfast at the Salem Civic Center on Wednesday, June 6 from 8:00 - 10:00AM and learn how you can grow your business by expanding your market area. 

Ira Kaufman, President of Roanoke Biz2Biz has put together a powerful agenda that includes speakers from the Virginia Economic Bridge and Federal Reserve Bank.  The format includes Q & A and Tools for Expansion breakout sessions.

Topics will include:

• Creating a regional presence within a 2 1/2 hour radius
• Making the Commonwealth of Virginia your market
• Opportunities and challenges facing businesses expanding to the Triad Area of NC

Registration is required to attend this FREE breakfast event. Seating is limited so don't wait, reserve your spot now! For information and to register call 540-563-2249 or register by email.

The June 2007 issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine named Roanoke, Virginia in it's list of the five Best Cities for Retirees.  What a great accomplishment for our star city!  But, what exactly does this mean for Roanoke?  Will it impact our economic development?  Will it increase our population?  Will it bring new jobs to the area? Who knows, but it will certainly make more people aware of this beautiful city nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia.

Kiplinger's has an online area for readers to vote for the Best City.  Roanoke is currently at the top of the list!  Click here to cast your vote. 

Just a reminder to everyone about the Clean Commute Day, May 18. 

Jeremy Holmes, Program Director for the RIDE Solutions regional alternative transportation program, announced today that the Board of Supervisors at their May 8 meeting declared Friday, May 18 as Clean Commute Day in Roanoke County, and May 14 – 18 as Bike to Work week.  Roanoke County has been an active participant in the regional Ozone Early Action Plan, an effort to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the Roanoke Valley.  In recognition of the efforts of RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, the County has encouraged its employees to take the Clean Commute Pledge to use alternative transportation such as carpooling, biking, walking, or public transit instead of driving alone.

Be sure top check out their video on YouTube.  http://www.youtube.com/ridesolutions

We recently posted about an job fair, Roanoke and New River Valley Career and Lifestyle Fair, that was to be held at Virginia Tech.  In light of the tragedy that event was cancelled.  Stuart Mease, event organizer with Roanoke City and the sponsor, MyHometowJobs.com, have thought outside of the box by planning an electronic job fair on the very popular college student social networking site called Facebook.com beginning this Friday, May 11 and concluding on Friday, May 18.

Businesses interested in listing career opportunities, especially internships, in the Electronic Job Fair on the Facebook group page should contact Stuart Mease by midnight, Thursday, May 10.  The listings will include a snapshot of your employment opportunity with a link to your email.

Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, the presenting partner on the fairs, will be promoting the group and eFair within the Facebook communities at Virginia Tech and other local colleges and universities.

MyHometownJobs.com will also offer a special discounted rate to companies participating in the job fair.  For more information contact Tom Fraticelli at tomf@wdbj7.com or 540-985-3642.

We encourage local businesses to help retain young adults in the area by participating in this unique online event.  For more information contact Stuart Mease  stuart.mease@roanokeva.gov or 540-853-2384.

How many times a day do you Google?  Yes, I mean Google not giggle.  With today's technology when you are inquiring about someone or something you are most likely to Google them to find out everything you can.  You want to identify their online identity. 

Just how important is an online identity?  An employer may research a job applicant using a Google search.  He may find his Facebook or MySpace identity or find him on the blogosphere.   Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Needleman recently wrote How Blogging Can Help You Get a New Job.  Needleman shared how corporate recruiters are "surfing blogs to unearth job candidates, expanding their talent pool and gaining insights they say they can't get from résumés and interviews."

What about your company's online identity?  When someone Googles your business name do they see a stud or a dud?  How are you branding your online identity?  Your webiste can reflect your brand as well as a corporate blog.  Debbie Weil, author of The Corporate Blogging Book, and quoted in the above Wall Street Journal article writes in her blog "No matter how big your brand, you have a better chance of controlling the online conversation around it by hosting your own blog."

Here's a challenge!  Google your company's name and evaluate the search results.  This is your Online Identity or Brand.  If you are not satisfied, here are 8 Steps to a Branding Strategy.