Just in time for the holidays, join us Dec. 3 at Summit Conference Center, 129 Summers St., for our next Elevations Luncheon with guest speaker Aila Accad, “The De-Stress Expert.”

Click here to register.

It’s at the Summit Conference Center, and the event begins with informal networking at 11:30 a.m. The networking event is optional.

The luncheon begins at noon.

With 40 years of education and experience in the areas of nursing, personal and interpersonal growth, Aila Accad synthesizes huge amounts of information into simple principles and effective tools that everyone can use. Aila is a registered nurse, with bachelors and masters degrees in nursing. She is a certified well-being coach, EFT-Advanced Practitioner, Reiki Master and founder of LifeQuest International, LLC, which specializes in unique self-growth techniques that produce profound and lasting results.

People who attend Aila’s life-changing seminars call them “powerful” “inspiring” and “fun.” She has articles published in research journals and books. Accad created the “Breaking the Myth: Step-by-Step Gude to Personal Freedom” video and book, as well as “The De-Stress ToolBox,” a 4-DVD live workshop. 

The mission of Elevations, the Charleston Area Alliance Professional Women’s Network, is to enrich, empower and elevate women to achieve success.  

Tickets are $25 Alliance members/$35 future members through Nov. 30. After that, prices increase to $35 and $45.

We are unable to invoice for groups with fewer than 10 or issue refunds for cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to the event. Thank you.

Celebrate Black Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at ArtMares, the East End Main Street art exhibit at 1598 Washington St. East, the same building where the “Out and About” mural is painted.

This is your last chance to view and purchase art from more than 30 local artists. Come over after Downtown Artwalk.

Thirty percent of all proceeds from art sales go to East End Main Street.

Looking to avoid the stress of Black Friday? Then join us the day after Thanksgiving from 5 to 8 p.m. for Downtown Artwalk, the perfect opportunity to get a jump on Christmas shopping.

Trolley service from location to location will be available, and members of the West Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra will be performing throughout the galleries.

Bring your friends and families downtown to experience the best of what Charleston has to offer during the holiday season!

Visit www.charlestonartwalk.com for more information on gallery features for the evening.

For more information about ArtWalk, call (304) 340-4253.

Matthew G. Ballard

As we first reported last year, TRG Customer Solutions, the proprietary technology and outsourcing company formerly known as Telespectrum, is expanding its Charleston facility and hiring more than 200 new employees. The Charleston Area Alliance is proud to been a part of the company’s decision to base this expansion in the Kanawha Valley.  

TRG is hosting a career fair Nov. 30 at the Charleston Workforce West Virginia Center at 1321 Plaza East, located near Appalachian Power Park. The career fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Last year, TRG was considering a new expansion in its global network, and with locations all around the world, they had several alternative locations to consider. Thankfully, after working with the site consultant on this project and with our peers at the West Virginia Development Office and the Governor’s Office, we were able to propose a package that resulted in the company choosing Charleston for its next expansion. The new employees will have competitive wages, health care and retirement options.

The expansion includes a capital investment in the TRG Charleston facility, located in the Southridge Business Park along Corridor G. It currently employs more than 200 at the location.  

The 24,911-square-foot first facility opened in 1996 as SOMAR, Inc., a telecommunications firm based in North Carolina. It was the first company to locate in the business park. The original investment totaled more than $2.4 million.  

TRG ­– The Resource Group — became the new owner at the end of a 10-year lease that Telespectrum Worldwide, Inc. had in place with the Alliance. 

TRG has ownership in the community. That’s why Charleston was on their list of possible locations to grow their business. I’m sure our quality workforce also played a major role in their decision as well.

TRG boasts a broad knowledge of industry, including the automotive, health care, insurance, pharmaceutical and retail sectors. It offers voice and non-voice communications, along with data analysis. The company’s technological capabilities include intelligent call mapping, emotional response management and universal agent contact.   

The Alliance has worked with TRG for many years, and we are encouraged by its continued growth and investment in the Charleston area.

This announcement is a testament to the region’s ongoing growth. With your help and support, the Alliance can continue to work on projects like TRG that create an economic impact for our region.  We’re in the business of creating a rising tide for all.  Your support helps us all grow together. 

Until next time,

Matt Ballard
President/CEO

Sports play a role, sometimes a significant role, in economic development for cities ad communities. Tonight, West Virginia University played an NCAA basketball game in the Capitol City, Charleston, West Virginia.

Power Park plays a significant role in economic development in Charleston, too, as well as:

• World’s Strongest Man
• Volleyball tournaments
• Jet-skiing on the Kanawha River

Do you have ideas for a future sports-related project that could positively impact the Charleston region?

Share with is in the comments section! Who knows? Maybe it could become a reality.

More than 250 people attended yesterday evening’s Celebration of Young Leaders at the Governor’s Mansion.

Generation Charleston, the Alliance’s emerging leaders group, marked its accomplishments in 2009 and described its goals for 2010. Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin spoke to the crowd.

Co-chairs Emily Bennington and Kate McCoy passed the torch to Brooke Pauley and Rob Rossano, who are taking over as co-chairs for 2010.

Click here to read the Daily Mail’s coverage.

Click here to view WOWK-TV’s coverage.

The article below appeared in today’s Charleston Gazette.

Generation Charleston, a group affiliated with the Charleston Area Alliance, is hosting “A Celebration of Young Leaders” Wednesday at the Governor’s Mansion to recognize talented individuals who are changing the Kanawha Valley for the better.

“Generation Charleston is making a real difference,” said Co-chairwoman Kate McCoy. “We keep talent. We grow talent. We donate talent. But we also like to pause every once in a while and recognize talent.”

The networking reception begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program runs from 6 to 7 p.m.

The event is free of charge and will spotlight Generation Charleston’s accomplishments this year, as well as provide a preview of its plans for next year.

This year, Generation Charleston expanded membership from 500 to more than 800. The group also raised more than $2,500 for the Childhood Language Center, and formed a nonprofit board placement committee that has positioned 15 young leaders on boards and committees for organizations, such as the Clay Center, the Charleston Ballet, Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley, and HospiceCare.

“This is the first time Generation Charleston has publicly recognized the significant accomplishments of the group since its formation three years ago,” said Co-chairwoman Emily Bennington.

This feature photo appeared in the Nov. 14 Charleston Gazette. Click here to view the Gazette’s coverage.

Generation Charleston, the Alliance’s emerging leaders group, hosted the planting party Saturday, inviting children who have been nurturing Allegheny pachysandra seedlings since July to place those plant at the Gateway Greenspace site.

The kids received plants during the Clay Center’s Summer Fun Day, and more than 30 returned to help grow Gateway Greenspace.

Generation Charleston is making a real difference in the Capital City. 

We keep talent.
We grow talent.
We donate talent.

But we also like to pause every once in a while and recognize talent. On Nov. 18, Generation Charleston is hosting a “Celebration of Young Leaders” to honor the accomplishments of 2009 and provide a sneak preview of our exciting plans for 2010.

In 2009, Generation Charleston has:

• Expanded membership from 500 to more than 800;
• Raised more than $2,500 for the Childhood Language Center;
• Formed a Nonprofit Board Placement Committee that has positioned 15 young leaders on boards and committees for organizations such as The Clay Center, The Charleston Ballet, Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley and HospiceCare;
• Adopted the Gateway Greenspace project by providing awareness, advocacy and funding for this exciting new development downtown;
• Served organizations ranging from Union Mission to Habitat for Humanity through projects and volunteer time of more than 250 young professionals;
• Logged more than 650 hours of community service;
• Received the Governor’s Service Award;
• Organized more than 75 volunteers to clean up the banks of the Kanawha River;
• Attracted more than 100 guests to the annual Loft Walk in August, which demonstrated the benefits of downtown living.

“This is the first time Generation Charleston has publically recognized the significant accomplishments of the group since its formation three years ago,” said co-chair Emily Bennington. “We’ll be looking back briefly, but our focus in definitely on the future and we’re excited to make a few major announcements at this event.”

Along with discussing specific goals for 2010, the current co-chairs will be introducing two new co-chairs and the leaders for Generation Charleston’s seven teams next year.

The networking reception begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program runs from 6 to 7 p.m.

To RSVP for this very special event, please contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@charlestonareaalliance.org or (304) 340-4253.