If you join the Charleston Area Alliance, what’s in it for you?

Join us from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11 at the Alliance, 1116 Smith St., for “Insider’s Guide to the Alliance: Maximizing Your Membership Dollar.” 

Starting at less than a dollar per day, you can be part of a network of 600 businesses and their 40,000 employees who are making smart investment in their bottom line future – and the future of our community – through their membership in the Charleston Area Alliance.

To help you get the biggest bang for your membership buck, the Alliance is presenting a FREE “Insider’s Guide to the Alliance” luncheon on Monday, October 11. Reservations are limited and an RSVP will be required for admittance.

Don’t miss out on the many benefits of Alliance membership … contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or (304) 340.4253 today to register.

Not a new Alliance member? You don’t have to be to attend this orientation!  Maybe you’re just curious about Alliance membership or maybe you’re already a proud Alliance member—either way, we’re happy to host you as we help you maximize your membership. 

You’ll meet face-to-face with Board members, Alliance staff and fellow members and learn about the many Alliance programs and services that can help your business today, such as: 

• Business referrals:  As a member, your name is added to our industry-specific roster of businesses and service providers and posted on our Web site.  The hundreds of inquiries we receive each year for recommendations are directed to the businesses that have demonstrated their professionalism and commitment to our community through their Alliance membership.
• Free technical assistance and business solutions:  Our economic development and technical professionals can provide guidance on a wide range of issues, from land development, to selling your products internationally to recruiting specialized personnel.  If we don’t have the answer, we know who will.  Help is just a phone call away.
• Networking and business contacts:  Our popular Business After Hours, Charleston Business Showcase, Generation Charleston and Elevations Professional Women’s Network are just a few of the low-cost forums available for connecting with others and raising the visibility of your business.
• Expertise:  Our Food for Thought series, Digi-Tools and other educational programs provide very affordable ways for you and your employees to hear from the experts and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Marketing:  Through our “Member Market” program, you can promote your business to the 3,000+ business people, young professionals and community leaders on the Alliance’s exclusive email list for only $150 ($100 non-profits).   Members may also submit information for inclusion on our blog and calendar of events at no charge.
• Special events:  Our popular special events, such as the Annual Celebration, Issues & Eggs breakfast, Speed Networkingand Golf Outing, provide members with cost-effective and highly visible opportunities for showcasing their businesses to decision-makers and business and community leaders in a professional setting (more…)

The story below appeared in yesterday’s Charleston Gazette.

By Jim Balow

Eighteen feet tall and about 40 feet long, the new sign along Greenbrier Street will be pretty hard to miss. And that’s exactly the point.

The “gateway” sign, which will spell out “City of Charleston” in letters up to 30 inches high, is intended to welcome visitors to the capital city. And in case anyone might think they’re near the ocean, the sign adds the words “West Virginia.”

If all goes well — designers are in final safety negotiations with the state Division of Highways — the sign could be erected this fall.

“The city of Charleston and the Charleston Area Alliance identified this as one of the major gateways into the Charleston,” said David Gilmore, land development services manager with GAI Consultants. “That’s where we have visitors coming into the city, especially from the airport.”

Gilmore got the design job about two months ago. His firm has gained a high profile around town lately as the prime civil, structural and architectural consultants on the riverfront projects — the canopy and stage at Haddad Park, the nearly completed overlook and canopy at the foot of Court Street and the soon-to-be-built floating boat dock.

“The assignment was to design a gateway that was iconic, that used natural regional materials identifiable to the area that kind of harked back to the area’s history. We wanted something simple and attractive, not something you’d see in other towns.

“The other requirement was to design something that could be scaled down to be used at other places around the city.”

Except for a few details, Gilmore’s work is nearly done. “It’s been approved by all the parties involved. We’re wrapping up some final decisions on material choices with the Department of Highways. We’re working with them to get final signoff on the materials.”

Gilmore’s original concept called for a steel beam, about 40 feet long, 18 inches high and a foot wide, running parallel to the road. DOH officials thought the beam could create a hazard if a vehicle ran off the road, so he’s come up with alternatives.

“Some sort of lightweight material — a thinner-gauge metal, like aluminum,” he said.

The uphill end will be anchored in a mound of boulders. The other will be supported by a stone monument, 18 feet tall. “It will be cut stone, sandstone, in an ashlar pattern typical to that seen in buildings around town.” (more…)

Schoenbaum

Early bird registration has ended, but a few individual seats and sponsor tables remain open for the first annual Enrichment and Leadership Academy, scheduled for Sept. 14 at Embassy Suites.

In addition, the expo has sold out. Please contact Lesley Hager at LHager@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org to put your business or organization on the waiting list.
 
The Academy is a half-day program featuring inspiring speakers and informative sessions to help professional women realize their potential and take their career to the next level.  Presented by Elevations, the Charleston Area Alliance Professional Women’s Network, the Academy will showcase best practices and concrete guidance from some of region’s most knowledgeable women in the fields of finance and philanthropy.  This promises to be the region’s premier networking and educational event for young professional and executive women.

Individual registration is $70 for Alliance members and $85 for future members.  Click here to register.

The event features a keynote address by Betty Schoenbaum, philanthropist and women’s empowerment advocate, as well as a luncheon, an expo and workshop options.  

To view the program and a list of sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Sponsor tables are $750 earch. For sponsorship information, contact JoEllen Zacks at JZacks@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.

For expo information, contact Lesley Hager at LHager@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org. 

The Alliance will only be able to invoice 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 before the event. Thank you.

The Charleston Area Alliance and title sponsor United Bank are hosting the 2010 Golf Scramble Aug. 2 at Berry Hills Country Club.

Proceeds support the Alliance’s job-creation and community enhancement programs.The cost per foursome is $650. The cost per individual golfer is $200.

Click here to download the registration form.

Tournament sponsorships are available at $1,500.

Hole sponsorships are available at $400. For more information about sponsoring the scramble, contact Danny Forinash at (304) 340-4253.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Lunch follows at 11 a.m., and the shotgun start is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Dinner and an awards banquet follow.

The Charleston Area Alliance and title sponsor United Bank are hosting the 2010 Golf Scramble Aug. 2 at Berry Hills Country Club.

Proceeds support the Alliance’s job-creation and community enhancement programs.The cost per foursome is $600. The cost per individual golfer is $150. Those prices increase by $50 after July 16.

Click here to download the registration form.

Tournament sponsorships are available at $1,500.

Hole sponsorships are available at $400. For more information about sponsoring the scramble, contact Danny Forinash at (304) 340-4253.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Lunch follows at 11 a.m., and the shotgun start is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Dinner and an awards banquet follow.

Matthew G. Ballard

“You guys do too much!  Every time I pick up the newspaper or check my email, I read something about the Alliance.”

That was a “criticism” we recently heard from a local business leader.  If doing too much for the community is a problem, it’s one we’re not ashamed to admit.

We agree that information about what we do can be a little mind-boggling.  One day you may see a television report about the safety levy, followed by a newspaper story on the tech park and a feature article on Generation Charleston. You may get an email about the ArtWalk, Business After Hours or a Food for Thought program. The monthly Alliance newsletter may profile a new incubator tenant or report on our recent trip to China.  Your Facebook or Twitter accounts are updated with posts about Elevations or the East End StreetWorks project. 

The fact is, while the projects and programs of the Alliance are diverse, they have a laser-like focus:  Jobs. Community. People. These are the essential building blocks to a brighter future, and they are what drive every Alliance activity, service and event.

To help clarify our mission and introduce it as a communication theme, we turned to the brightest and most creative people we know — Alliance members!

Mark Wolfe — www.MarkWolfeDesign.com — a local design expert who has donated his services on many Alliance projects, volunteered to help us visually communicate the theme. To many, the challenge we presented was contradictory. On one hand, we wanted to convey that we bring many businesses, people and organizations all together to do great things for our community. On the other, we needed to unify the focus of these varied activities in a memorable way. The result is an updated visual theme:  All Together.  Jobs. Community. People. We thank Mark for creating such a bright and fresh approach to communicating who we are and what we do.

Motion Masters — www.MotionMasters.com — next stepped in to bring this theme to life with a compelling video.  Through interviews with Larry Ward of Kanawha Electric, Nelle Chilton, Sheriff Mike Rutherford, Bluegrass Kitchen’s Keeley Steele and Julie Cyphers of Generation Charleston, Diana Sole Walko and her team told the story of the Alliance and the impact its programs are making on creating jobs, enhancing our community and investing in people.  We invite you to look at ALL we do: http://vimeo.com/12431480.

The theme was unveiled at our recent Annual Celebration.  And who better to demonstrate ALL we do than John Slicer — www.SlicerMagic.com. Through his unique understanding of the art of business, John wowed the audience with clear and memorable demonstration of the magic that can result when 600 businesses and their 40,000 employees come All Together through the Alliance. 

To some observers it might seem on some days like that we do too much.  But to paraphrase Barry Goldwater, extremism in the defense of jobs and brighter prospects for our businesses, our communities and our families is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of future that we all deserve is no virtue.

Be part of a dynamic organization that is driving the destiny of our region. We invite you to join All Together with your 40,000 colleagues, friends and neighbors through the Charleston Area Alliance. All Together, the results can be magic!

“Someone else will take his seat in the Senate, but no one will ever take his place.”
       -Victoria Kennedy, widow of Senator Edward Kennedy

Photos by Susie Salisbury

The Charleston Area Alliance is participating in a Better West Virginia’s Web-based West Virginia Day project, and this year’s focus is networking. Visit www.ABetterWestVirginia.com for more posts and information.

“It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.”

We’ve all heard it, and it’s usually said with a negative connotation. Rightly, we want skills, character and experience to help us reach goals and opportunities. I want to have an equal shot and getting a job even though one of my competitors “knows” someone in the company.

West Virginia, just as much as anywhere else in the country, is known for the “who you know” way. Unfortunately, it’s not a misnomer.

But when we talk about networking, we’re not referring to the cliques and clubs already in place. We’re talking about helping you get to know the region’s influential leaders and meeting others who have already done what you’re trying to do.

The Charleston Metro Region really does have a lot of nice, effectual people who are willing to lend a hand. They know what you’re going through.

Join us at our monthly Business After Hours networking events. They move from location and location and often attract more than 200 guests.

Join Generation Charleston, our emerging leaders group that now boasts more than 1,000 members. For a young person in the community, Generation Charleston is a great group to know. They have ties to community outreach organizations and are employed by a variety of large and small businesses in the region representing a plethora of sectors.

Volunteer with East End Main Street, a group working to revitalize the area’s oldest and most diverse neighborhood.

Sign up for Networking with the Stars in November. For a nominal fee, you can spend a few minutes each with about 80 of the area’s leaders. You make fantastic connections and, at the very least, receive valuable tidbits from those who’ve amassed a wealth of experience.

Or just stop by. The Alliance is located at 1116 Smith St., near the Capitol Market. Our staff can help with a number of issues and point you in the right direction. We want to be one of your most valuable connections.

When you’re looking for a job, trying to start a business, applying for a grant and just trying to set up a meeting, it helps to know people. That’s the reality. And when you think about it, that makes sense. People are more willing to work with those they know and trust. In some nations, such as China, company executives won’t agree to buy products from someone they haven’t known for several years.

So let us help you get to know people. And don’t be surprised if you end up liking them. That’s another thing West Virginia’s known for.

For more information, visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.

Generation Charleston is looking for more than 20 volunteers for Taste-of-All.

Taste-of-All, the reincarnation of Taste of Charleston, is an annual culinary event during FestivALL showcasing the culinary mindset of the Kanawha Valley.

The event, scheduled for June 27 at the Charleston Civic Center, features 30 of the area’s finest chefs and amazing restaurants and their cuisine during an afternoon that tantalizes the senses and tickles the taste buds as patrons sample a variety of dishes and meals throughout the afternoon.  

This year, the Taste has partnered with FestivALL and Generation Charleston. As part of this new generation of the Taste, additional features will include a stage with live music, a children’s area in the West Virginia room, food and cooking demonstrations and a Beer Garden featuring local breweries.

The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. The two volunteer shifts are 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.
 
General duties include:
·         18 ticket sellers
·         12-14 table cleaners
·         8-10 for the children’s area
·         4 to man the doors

Each volunteer will receive a FestivALL volunteer t-shirt to keep.
 
Interested volunteers should email emily.wall@ticketmaster.com .  

You can check out the full schedule of FestivALL events at  www.festivallcharleston.com/content/welcome.