Durham

Elevations:
Professional Women’s Luncheon

Thursday, Feb. 2
Summit Conference Center

11:45 a.m.-Noon: Informal Networking (Optional)

Noon-1:15 p.m.: Program

Time is running out to register for this Thursday’s Elevations luncheon.

Two years ago, the agency, founded by West Virginia advertising legend Charles Ryan, implemented a number of innovative changes that included a unique management structure.

The top staff position is now shared by managing partners Caryn Durham and Susan Lavenski, who will share their perspectives on successful management in a changing business environment and their bird’s eye experiences from memorable campaigns with high profile clients at the next Elevations Professional Women’s Network luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Summit Conference Center.

Click HERE to register. Online registration ends at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Tickets for this special event are $30 for Alliance members/$40 future members.

Elevations is presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor Dow.

Member Market:
By Alliance Members for Alliance Members

This “Member Market” is a paid announcement sent by the Alliance on behalf of a member to business and community leaders and young professionals.

Check out this clip below from the 1.24.12 edition of “Inside Shale Weekly” on WAJR. In the clip, Corky DeMarco of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) and Charleston Area Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard discuss updates with Marcellus Shale, ethane crackers, Aither Chemicals and other news from the chemical industry.

Check out the link below.

Corky DeMarco and Matt Ballard talk about Marcellus Shale, chemical industry, ethane crackers and Aither Chemicals on WAJR.

More businesses and organizations are making a smart investment in their future — and that of the community — through their membership in the Charleston Area Alliance.

Please join us in welcoming:

Audubon Engineering
Better Business Bureau
House of Luxe, LLC
Mountain CAD
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Pies & Pints
Susan G. Komen West Virginia

These visionary organizations have joined a dynamic network of 600 businesses and their 40,000 employees who are united in building a more vibrant community and prosperous economy.

As members, they enjoy a wide range of exclusive benefits and services that can help their bottom lines today.

We encourage you to patronize and support these new members.

We’re not waiting for things to change, and as Alliance members, they aren’t either!

Contact (304) 340-4253 for visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information about an Alliance membership.

January 2012

Thank You, Investors

Verizon

Renewing Members

ASI, Inc. – American Staffing, Inc.

Agsten Construction Company

AmeriPrise Financial Services, Inc.

CROWNMAX, Inc.

Charleston Steel

Columbia Gas Transmission/NiSource

Energy Corporation of America

Express Employment Professionals

Golden Corral Restaurant

Good News Mountaineer Garage

IVS Hydro, Inc.

Moses Ford BMW

Mountain State Insurance Agency, Inc.

Mountaineer Montessori School

Pioneer Credit Union

Potesta & Associates, Inc.

Problem Gamblers Help Network/1-800 GamblerRent-A-Space

STAR USA Federal Credit Union

Terradon Corporation

The Performance Group, Inc.

Tiffey Law Practice, LLC

Tom’s Plumbing, Inc.

WQCW-TV

WV Center on Budget and Policy

Weight Watchers of West Virginia, Inc.

West Virginia Symphony Orchestra

White Planning Group

Women’s Business & Training Center

West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Open House
Tuesday, Jan. 24
5-7 p.m.
Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences

Beat the winter blahs with a trip to a “Caribbean Oasis,” courtesy of the Charleston Area Alliance and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO).

Maestro Grant Cooper, the WVSO Board of Directors and the Alliance cordially invite you to a 2012 WVSO open house event tomorrow night, Jan. 24 in the grand lobby of the Clay Center from 5-7 p.m.

An island-themed affair, the open house will feature a steel drum band and Caribbean flavors from the islands and umbrella drinks.

The event will is also a part of ‘A Celebration of Percussion Week’ with the Symphony, in honor of upcoming performances with Lisa Pegher, guest percussionist.

Admission to the event is FREE, but RSVP is required. Please RSVP here.

The WVSO Open House 2012 event is sponsored in part by:

• Champion Industries, Inc.
• Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
• Jackson Kelly, PLLC

Additional support provided by:
• Embassy Suites Hotel
• Mountain State Beverage
• Proud Eagle, Inc.

SUCCESStrategies: “What’s Up Downtown?”
Thursday, Feb. 9
Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Ramada Charleston Downtown
600 Kanawha Blvd. East

Several exciting developments are underway that could change the face of downtown Charleston. Find out what they mean for you, your business and your community at the next SUCCESStrategies, “What’s Up Downtown?” to be held Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Ramada Charleston Downtown at 600 Kanawha Blvd. East.

(This recent Charleston Daily Mail article provides a good overview of what’s on tap for downtown.)

Speakers for the SUCCESStrategies session include:

• Craig Gossman of MSK2, the consulting firm that is leading the city of Charleston’s 20-year comprehensive planning process. The Clay Center, Capitol Market and Gateway Greenspace are just a few of the major projects that resulted from the last plan, and the new planning process promises to be equally impactful

• Keith McClanahan of BBL Carlton, the company transforming the former Charleston House Hotel on Kanawha Boulevard

• Nelle Chilton, Dickinson Properties, which is involved in the development of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers

• John Robertson, Charleston Civic Center, which is slated for major upgrades

• Jim Nestor, Blossom Deli

• Susie Salisbury, Alliance vice president of community development and a member of the Charleston City Council

Individual registrations are $25 Alliance members/$35 future members. Prices go up $10 each  after Feb. 3.

To register for the event, click HERE.

SUCCESStrategies is a professional development initiative of the Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman.

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancellation refunds within 48 hours of the event. Thank you. 

This “Member Market” is a paid announcement sent by the Alliance on behalf of a member to business and community leaders and young professionals.

Want to know a little more about banking?  The West Virginia Bankers Association is a Local ABA (American Bankers Association) Training Provider and is offering a course to provide you with basic banking principles.

American Institute of Banking – Principles of Banking

This course is the standard introduction to banking.  The course addresses bank products and customer service, emerging technology, expanded banking powers and markets and regulatory controls.

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the context, structure and operation of banks as business firms
• Describe bank products and services for consumers and businesses
• Discuss specialized bank services such as trust, investments and insurance
• Explain the objectives of funds management in banking.

Instructor:
John Finlayson, BB&T
Location: BB&T, Summers Street
Time:  6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Dates:  2/9/12 – 5/17/12
Cost:  $350.00 (includes textbook)

This course is approved for three credit hours with Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College (formerly WV State CTC) and Mountwest Community and Technical College (formerly Marshall CTC).

To register, please contact Donna Atkinson at datkinson@wvbankers.org.