Biz Talk - Business Blog Roanoke and Beyond

A successful business owner is always looking for ways to improve marketing strategies and business development.  The Virginia Economic Bridge is a great resource for Virginia businesses.  It is a non-profit organization focused on creating an environment for economic growth in today's technologically advanced society.  The VEB promotes economic vitality and external competitiveness of the Commonwealth by fostering business, industry and educational relationships between Southwest Virginia, Northern Virginia, as well as other areas of the Commonwealth.

Carl Mitchell, President of Virginia Economic Bridge, shared many tools his organization has made available to the southwest Virginia business community at the Roanoke Biz2Biz Leaders Forum "Creating a Regional Presence". 

The VEB has recently partnered with Center/Council for Rural Virginia and the Virginia Association of Counties in organizing meetings in all southwest Virginia planning districts.  Accessing New Markets and Enabling Rural Business Growth, the meeting for Roanoke-Alleghany district is scheduled for July 26 at Virginia Western Community College.  To learn more about these meetings and to see a complete schedule with locations, check out OurValley.org. 

More on Creating a Regional Presence and Strategic Marketing Opportunties

On Friday, July 6 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. all local Young Professional Organizations (YPOs) will convene to the railside amphitheater in downtown Roanoke for First Fridays. First Fridays is in its 20th year of providing social fundraisers for charities in the region. During its tenure the organizations has channeled over $1 million to local groups. Started as a young professional networking event, First Friday's demographics have changed throughout the years to an older audience. With this event on July 6, the YPOs in the region will try to re-establish the audience the group had originally targeted 20 years ago. The Convertible Blondes, an 80's cover band, will be performing. Admission is $5. Drink tickets are $3. Come early and stay late.  Read More about this event and other activities for Roanoke Young Professionals.

Salem, VA, June 8, 2007 – The Express Personnel Clydesdales are coming to Salem on June 20, 21 and 22, 2007 and will appear at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, compliments of Express Personnel Services.
  
Of a rare black and white color, the Express Clydesdales stand 17-18 hands high and weigh over 2,000 pounds each. Their shoes are the size of dinner plates and weigh over three pounds each. They are the reigning National 8-Horse Hitch and National 6-Horse Hitch Champions.
 
The Express Clydesdales have participated in many nationally recognized parades and promotional events including the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Fiesta Bowl Parade, Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade, Orange Bowl Parade, the Calgary Stampede Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the International Finals Rodeo and a DreamWorks Production Company “$1 Million Giveaway.” They most recently appeared in the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade.

For information contact:
Donna Tatum, Manager
Express Personnel Services
1109 Electric Road
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-8979
donna.tatum@expresspersonnel.com

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES GALORE in VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA!  That's what those attending the Biz2Biz Leaders "Forum Creating a Regional Presence" learned at the Wednesday event. 

Matt Martin, Economist, Federal Reserve Bank in Charlotte, NC and Carl Mitchell, CEO, Virginia Economic Bridge shared facts and figures supporting the opportunities that Roanoke area businesses can tap into. 

Matt Martin outlined the characteristics that made North Carolina an attractive area for Roanoke businesses to expand to.  He presented some impressive charts showing the growth of North Carolina cities compared to that of Roanoke.  Roanoke was behind in the population and employment growth, however, homeownership in Roanoke was among the highest in the metro cites he compared which shows the stability of Roanoke residents.  I found it interesting that the percentage of Roanoke adults 25+ with BA degrees was the lowest of the cities.  I have uploaded Matt's presentation for those who would like to review his facts and figures.

Carl Mitchell showed how the Virginia Economic Bridge has developed resources to help businesses in southwest Virginia create a regional presence.  He outlined many tools that are available to Virginia businesses.  One website, www.SWVAonline.org shows statistical data for each southwest Virginia region.  Carl noted how new businesses to southwest Virginia are using this site to attract and recruit employees.  Virginia Business Pipeline is also a great marketing tool for area businesses.  It is an online business directory for Virginia businesses to market products and services throughout The Commonwealth.  To see other tools and resources available through the Virginia Economic Bridge see Carl Mitchell's complete presentation.

I will continue this post later with some additional tools and presentations from other speakers at the event, including marketing and branding solutions when expanding to a new market area.

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.

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.

Virginia Tech has joined with AXA Advisors, Brown Edwards & Company, FNB, and Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore to launch the Virginia Tech Family Business Forum to serve as a resource to family and closely held businesses in Southwest Virginia.

They will be conducting an engaging program on May 8, 2007 with a session titled "The Life Plan: Overcoming the Eight Challenges That Face Family Business Owners." Greg McCann is an author, attorney, CPA, consultant, and faculty member who has also worked in his own family's business.  Mr. McCann will be combining his talents and experiences in an interactive session that will cover the eight challenges and the benefits of the life planning process in addressing those challenges. He will bring both real life examples and practical advice that you can apply to your business and personal life immediately. You will also have an opportunity to do a self assessment in each of the eight challenge areas to see where your strengths and areas for development are.

Please attend this program in Room 212 at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (108 North Jefferson Street) at 7:30 a.m. on May 8th for a light breakfast, coffee and conversation. The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will wrap up by 11:30 a.m.  This special event has something for everyone and they encourage those of you with multi-generational businesses to do your best to have adult members of your senior and next generations in attendance if at all possible.

Come on May 8 and meet the charter members, corporate partners, and the Virginia Tech Family Business Forum team. You will also get to hear a top notch presenter in Greg McCann. And, when the morning is over, consider becoming a member and joining the growing number of businesses that recognize the specialized focus and value that is the Virginia Tech Family Business Forum.

To register for this event contact Rich Lasher at 540-767-6108 or e-mail rllasher@vt.edu on or before May 1, 2007.

Have lunch with Professional Network Services and learn how your business can leverage the powerful applications included in Microsoft Small Business Server 2003.  Dates for the LUNCH & LEARN sessions are Monday, May 7 and Monday May 14, from 11:30 – 1:30 at PNS.

Attend a “LUNCH & LEARN” session hosted by Professional Network Services and discover the benefits and cost effectiveness of Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2003.  All participants that attend are eligible for a drawing for a copy of Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2003, including Microsoft Exchange, with Five (5) Client Access Licenses, a $500 value.

• Share Equipment and Resources
• Enhanced Security and Back Ups
• Better Communications – with Customers and in house
• E-mail Hosting In House – Professional Appearance & Controls
• Centralized Data

For information and to register contact Bill Coan 265-1200 ext. 256 or e-mail bcoan@pnsinc.net.  Register now, seating is limited to 6 participants per session.

Are you looking for a new copier?  Do you need bookkeeping, insurance or payroll services?  Want to learn about some good ideas for promoting your business? 

Then you should plan to attend the FREE Roanoke Regional Chamber Business and Technology Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center New Special Events Center Tuesday, April 24 from 12 - 7PM.  You can connect to regional businesses and discover the latest technologies.  Not only will you have a great day for networking but plan to attend free "how-to" workshops.

Blue Ridge Copier, a member of Roanoke Biz2Biz is one of the sponsors of the EXPO.  Be sure to stop by their booth, #102, to see the latest in digital technology.  Roanoke Biz2Biz will be at booth # 708.  Stop by to say hello and check out our demo on Video Email technology.

For more information on the EXPO, contact Jamie Snead at (540) 983-0700 ext. 231 or jsnead@roanokechamber.org.