"The purpose of the Business Coalition is to provide leadership across all sectors in the region. By setting goals that are double the community standard, we are making a significant commitment to the greening of the Roanoke Valley," says Stan Breakell, president of Breakell Inc., one of the Coalition's charter members.

In March, a number of Roanoke's top employers and businesses joined efforts to create the coalition. Co-chaired by City Council Member Gwen Mason and Stan Breakell, the Coalition's mission is to identify and implement environmentally sound business practices, including the development of sustainable business plans, the tracking of carbon emissions, and recycling.
"As an employer in the Roanoke Valley and a provider of a green energy source, natural gas, we believe it is important for our company to take a leadership role in protecting the environment. Not only are we taking steps within our company, we encourage our employees to be conscious of the environment in their personal lives as well," says Dale Lee, vice-president and secretary at RGC Resources.

By joining the city in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging green planning, and practicing conservation responsibly in business routines and processes, the private sector is
demonstrating true leadership in environmental stewardship.

Member companies of the Coalition include:
Berglund Chevrolet
Breakell Inc.
Carilion Clinic
Fralin and Waldron
Gentry Locke Rakes and Moore
HSMM AECOM
J.M. Turner Company
Lanford Brothers Co. Inc.
Orvis
RGC Resources
SunTrust Bank
Steel Dynamics
Virginia Western Community College

For more information about the press conference, please contact Faye Gilchrist in the City Manager's Office at 853-5801.

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Watch this video to see Roanoke's Carbon Footprint.

And here are 8 Simple Steps to make your business environmentally friendly.

Tags: Roanoke, green business coalition, emissions, greenhouse, green business, Stan Breakell, environment, Roanoke Va

This area has never seen anything like this before. Dave Trinkle wrote A Great Day for Roanoke saying this was a "great example of a wild vision becoming a reality in our city".  Met with many varied opinions, from those who hate it to those who tolerate it to the many who love it. Regardless of your opinion you cannot deny the fact that it will have an impact on the Roanoke Valley.  Bringing in people from all around the world, from artist to collectors to those fascinated with the world of art, they will all be greeted with the warm and friendly hospitality this valley offers. These visitors will spend their money here as they dine, shop and lodge in our beautiful city.  They will return to their homes where they will share their photos and memories and encourage others to visit this city in SW Virginia that houses one of the finest museums in this part of the country.

Congratulations to the Taubman Museum of Art, the City of Roanoke and to all those who made it happen!

Tags: Taubman Museum, art museum, Taubman, Roanoke, art, museum

The November issue features a discussion about one of the hottest topics in the world of marketing - Blogging.  Local bloggers are interviewed as they tell the various ways area businesses are using blogs.  And to back up the article, both Dan and Tom are also blogging.

With the economic downturn, local business people are looking for effective, affordable ways to promote their businesses.  Social media fits this criteria and there is definitely a strong local interest. VWCC Workforce Development Fresh Connect recently held a workshop where they had a full house for it's session on the Power of Social Media for Business.  

Stuart Mease gets it! In his recent blog post he pointed out the need for the region to use social media to showcase the area and attract and retain young adults.

To further demonstrate the interest locally in Social Media, a specific group has been created on Facebook.  SW VA Social Media Connect was launched one month ago as a resource for local businesses on social media. It has already grown to 178 members and continues to grow weekly. 

Optimized Strategies will be launching a series of How To Workshops on Business applications for social media networking sites FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Tags: social media, blogging, marketing, facebook, Valley Business Front

Applying these seven social media must-do's will bring business success.

1.  Twitter - one of the newest social media phenomenons can help you leverage conversations for business contacts. Once you have an account and using the service you will gather up "followers" who want to engage in your conversations and invite you to engage in theirs.  It is referred to as micro-blogging and allows you to enter up to 140 characters to tell other twitter users what you are doing, working on or need. 

2.  Facebook - which you have probably heard about and may think it only applies to the younger generation.  WRONG!  According to Facebook Statistics they have more than 110 million active users, it is the 4th most-trafficked website in the world as well as the most-trafficked social media site in the world and the fastest growing demographic is those 25 years old and older. Facebook is a great place to reach a target market.  The technology behind facebook allows you to identify and target people that are your perfect clients!

3.  LinkedIn - used as a more professional means.  Users create a profile listing their current position, qualifications, past experience and awards.  You build your professional network by connecting with other professionals on LinkedIn.  A big advantage of LinkedIn is the professional groups that you can join and the means of giving and receiving recommendations.

4.  YouTube - to use video to expand you message by sharing your company and personal videos.  Videos for training, showcasing your company and marketing or branding a product or service.  Videos often become viral.

5.  Flickr - This is a place you can share your photos.  Many businesses are using flickr badges to include photos on their website and blogs.  Flickr is one of several networks you can use.

6.  Digg and Stumbleupon - These social bookmarking tools provide a place for people to discover and share content.  From news stories to blog postings to favorite videos and images, the more people who see your info is definitely better for your business.

7.  Blogging - This is probably the most important step you can take to get your message across.  Blogging gives you an opportunity to start a conversation and gives your clients an opportunity to join in the conversation.  It gives you an opportunity to have constant communication, a big plus in this day.

There will be more about these social media tools at the Fresh Connect seminar on Thursday at UKrops.  For more information about Fresh Connect and upcoming seminars contact Dr. Chuck Terrell, Vice President of Workforce Development Services. To register call 540-857-6076 or email pwillhite@vw.vccs.edu.

Tags: social media, Fresh Connect, social media for business, facebook, twitter, linkedin

Stuart Mease, an evangelist for bringing and retaining young professionals to the Roanoke and New River Valleys, has once again demonstrated his desire and eagerness to do just that.  He read about Fwix, a new regional activity aggregator being beta tested in major cities.  He contacted them and requested they add Roanoke Blacksburg as a location in their next release.

Read his post about Fwix and then join Fwix and become part of this next generation of aggregators.  It's a win-win for Roanoke and the New River Valley thanks to Stuart Mease.

Tags: Fwix,, Roanoke,, New, River, Valley,, Blacksburg,, aggregator,, craigslist,, young, professionals

2008 ROANOKE ARTS FESTIVAL SET

Second annual event to feature legendary Crystal Gayle; Rock ’n’ roll, bluegrass and classical music planned; Theater, culinary arts and puppet show among offerings

Planning already under way for 2009 Festival

ROANOKE, Va., (July 10, 2008) – The second annual Roanoke Arts Festival, re-timed this year to help celebrate the opening of the new Taubman Museum of Art, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9 with free and ticketed events and activities to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

The 2008 Roanoke Arts Festival will complement the museum’s grand opening weekend and once again pay tribute to arts of the region and beyond with a host of rich offerings capped by a performance by Country-music legend Crystal Gayle. The Festival will include a free downtown rock ‘n’ roll concert, great Bluegrass music, a musical puppet show, an exposition of the culinary arts, theatrical performances, classical music and more.

The Festival will also serve as the grand finale to “40 Days and 40 Nights,” a celebration of arts and culture with daily activities and exhibits coordinated by the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge.

“This year’s Festival – timed for the museum’s opening and this historic moment for the arts and culture for our region – is a great way to celebrate all facets of the arts,” says Susan Jennings, Roanoke’s public art coordinator. “The 2008 Roanoke Arts Festival will extend this excitement onto the streets of downtown Roanoke and into venues in Roanoke Valley.”

“With the Taubman Museum opening its doors as one of the most impressive museums of its kind, we felt the Arts Festival should tie into that spirit and welcome visitors to explore not just the visual arts, but music, drama, film — even the culinary arts,” adds Festival manager Rick Salzberg.

As the final touches are being made to this year’s schedule, planning already is under way for the third annual Roanoke Arts Festival, scheduled to be held next fall.

“With strong interest and broad audience appeal from our inaugural Festival last year, we’ve heard from fans of the arts from throughout Virginia urging us to offer even more choices in years ahead,” Salzberg says. “That’s why we’re already looking ahead to next fall, when we will resume a four-day Festival.”

The 2007 Arts Festival was recognized as one of the year’s best festivals by the readers of City Magazine, and even nationally renowned performers lauded the Festival.

“I want to thank the committee for inviting me to the first Roanoke Arts Festival – and I know there will be many, many, many more,” Judy Collins said when she took the stage last October at the Roanoke Performing Arts Center.

Ramsey Lewis of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, had this to say: “When the Trio performs our intent is not only to communicate and have fun with each other on stage, but to extend those wonderful moments to the audience, and hopefully they will become a part of our musical conversation. When this happens, performer and audience become one and energize each other. This was the occasion on October 4, 2007, at the first Roanoke Arts Festival. The audience was musically sophisticated and a joy to play for. We eagerly look forward to our return.”

2008 ROANOKE ARTS FESTIVAL EVENTS AND SCHEDULE

The Roanoke Arts Festival schedule, released today at a reception for sponsors and supporters at the home of noted art collector Jim Hyams, will feature free performances, events and exhibitions at multiple venues across the city. Many of the activities, including the rock concert, will be free.

Ticketing details will be released close to the Festival. A schedule of events, including locations, is available on the Festival’s web site, www.RoanokeArtsFest.org, and will include:

Saturday, Nov. 8

• “FiddleFest Lite” a day of Bluegrass with teaching workshops and jam sessions followed by a concert by acclaimed Bluegrass performers.
• “Day of Music.” A free rock concert with the “Magic Twig Community” and a number of other popular regional bands.
• “Doubt.” The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play presented by the theatre departments of Hollins University and Virginia Tech.
• The James Piano Quartet.
• A concert at Blue 5 with great guest artists.
• Downtown art gallery tours.

Sunday, Nov. 9

• “An Exposition of the Culinary Arts” at the new Culinary Institute of Western Virginia.
• Staged readings from the works of venerated authors Nelson Bond and Jack Kestner presented with the Roanoke City Library.
• World premiere of “Bull – A Puppet Musical” by The Thistledown Puppets.
• A special film presentation by the Grandin Theatre.
• A second performance of “Doubt.”
• Crystal Gayle concert at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, with the exciting new Nashville duo of Sam & Ruby as her opening act.

Also throughout the Festival, there will be ongoing exhibitions at area museums and public art, including:

• White Liquor, Blue Ridge Style at the History Museum of Western Virginia.
• Transportation Art: Photorealism From the Collection of James W. Hyams at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
• A photography exhibition at the O. Winston Link Museum.
• Public art on view at different locations in the City with the Roanoke Arts Commission
• The James W. Hyams Collection on view in Old Southwest (portions of this collection have been on loan to more than eight museums, including the Va. Museum of Fine Arts).

“We are thrilled with the lineup we have so far, and especially delighted to be welcoming Crystal Gayle to Roanoke,” Salzberg says. “With three dozen hit records and 19 number one singles, her classic songs and continued success – Crystal was named ‘Best Female Entertainer’ by American Magazine for 2007 – assures a memorable performance which will delight fans, and serve as a strong cap to a weekend packed with ‘something for everyone.’”

Contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
tba Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing
540-772-3942
tbecher@tbtheagency.com

Tags: roanoke arts festival,, roanoke art museum,, Roanoke,, Taubman Museum of Art,, downtown Roanoke

Forum participants were surprisingly impressed by the display of social media tools that are available to businesses today for marketing and recruiting.  Ira Kaufman opened up the event with challenges business people face and revealed why social media is a powerful and cost effective marketing medium.  Stuart Mease enlightened us with success stories of how businesses can use Facebook as low cost advertising and a tool for target marketing.  Beth Deel and Wendy Schuyler introduced "The World of Twitter" as they beamed their presentation across the web "Twitter Style".  Eric Melniczek shared real life examples and of how LinkedIn can be used to market and recruit for your company.  Patsy Stewart explained Blogs in Plain English and 8 ways companies can benefit from blogging.

For those of you who weren't able to attend the event and for those who just want a re-cap, you can visit the Roanoke Biz2Biz Streaming Video Archive where we keep videos of our past shows.

Twitter users are invited to follow us on twitter

Tags: social media marketing, streaming video, marketing, social networking, social media, target marketing, facebook, twitter, linkedin, business challenges

Through his City Council blog— www.davetrinkle.com, which will go live on June 19, 2008, the Vice-Mayor will post new blogs at least weekly and respond to blog comments at least every other day. His blogs will allow open postings so that positive and negative comments and responses are there for all to see. He will also encourage the media to interview him or ask questions through the media blog so that his full answers are there for all.  

Vice-Mayor Trinkle has taken a lot of time to learn blogging, management of the site, and how to interplay with other social media sites and opportunities. Despite this, he asks bloggers to be patient as he continues to learn the process! 

His main goal for the blog is to be able to fully state an issue, state his viewpoint on that issue, receive feedback on the issue, and be able to change and adapt to this feedback as appears appropriate—ultimately leading him to be able to make the most informed decision on issues that he can. The Vice-Mayor also hopes to post issues as early as possible—as soon as he is aware of them and well before coming to council, to allow healthy debate on these issues and to minimize opportunities for false perceptions to cloud the issues.  

Vice-Mayor Trinkle has taken an enormous amount of time to learn all sides to an issue and be prepared for council meetings.  He will add to that time with this blog and the opportunities it brings. As he has said, "it's all about the flow of information in both directions." He is hopeful that other Council members will also initiate similar blogs or use his to gain information. He is also planning to have guest hosts, including Council members and others, to help with the site.

If you have questions about the blog, please post them under the individual blog posts or go to the media post and ask the question. As always, Vice-Mayor Trinkle can be reached at 540-314-8875 or david.trinkle@roanokeva.gov

Tags: Roanoke City Council,, Roanoke, VA, Dave Trinkle, Vice-Mayor, David Trinkle, blog, feedback

Social Media experts will show you how to unlock the potential of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs and more.

• Ira Kaufman - Turn on the power of Social Media Marketing
• Stuart Mease - Facebook
• Beth Deel and Wendy Schuyler - Twitter
• Eric Melniczek - LinkedIn
• Patsy Stewart - Blogs

Follow Us On Twitter

Become Our Fan on Facebook

To learn about all of these social media tools watch our live streaming video or if you missed the live show we will have it backed up in our archives.  http://roanokebiz2biz.com/streamingvideo.php

Tags: roanoke, biz2biz, salem civic center, social marketing, streaming video

           

Location: Salem Civic Center

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Time: 8:00am - 10:00am

Targeting: CEOs, Managers, Marketing and HR Managers, Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Click here to Register NOW!

Unfortunately, most businesses are not capitalizing on social media to provide quality connections with business consumers. According to a recent study, more than 71 % of consumers who use social media are more influenced by user-generated content than traditional advertising.

Join the conversation!

Small and mid size businesses can leverage the power of social media to achieve their goals. Some marketers have been experimenting with social media to reach target audiences for recruitment, event planning, branding, lead generation, product introduction and networking.
We invite you to discover, learn, contribute and ask questions.

The session will include an overview of Social Media Marketing and how your business can benefit.  A qualified panel of successful social media users will enlighten you and answer your questions.  This is your opportunity to join in the conversation.

Be proactive, learn how to use a recession proof social marketing strategy and be ahead of your competition. 

For more information and to register: Call 540 563 2249 or Click here to Register by Email!

Visit http://www.RoanokeBiz2Biz.com/special_events.php to learn more about this event.

Tags: roanoke, biz2biz, marketing, social media, facebook, linkedin, twitter, salem civic center