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

Early bird registration ends Friday for the next exciting installment of SUCCESStrategies, presented by Dixon Hughes Goodman.

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 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 this Friday, 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.

SUCCESStrategies
Tuesday, Nov. 8
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Embassy Suites
300 Court St.

Time is running out to early register for the next SUCCESStrategies: WV Economic Outlook luncheon.

On Nov. 8, the 18th Annual WV Economic Outlook Conference (presented by the WVU College of Business and Economics) will be held at the Embassy Suites. The event features forecasts of the coming year’s national and West Virginia economic trends given by nationally recognized analysts.

Following the morning conference, the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman will host a SUCCESStrategies luncheon featuring speakers from the event.

Separate registration is required for the WV Economic Outlook Conference and the Alliance luncheon.

Click HERE to register for the morning economic event.

Click HERE to register for the SUCCESStrategies luncheon.

SUCCESStrategies is a major educational partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman to help both large and small business succeed in changing and challenging times.

Reservations for this popular luncheon are limited. Individual registrations are $30 Alliance members/$40 future members. Prices go up $10 each today after 5 p.m.

Reserved tables of eight are $500 for Alliance members/$600 future members.  For sponsorship information, contact jzacks@charlestonareaalliance.org.

The new professional development series showcases high level speakers who bring informed insight into discussions on the issues and trends that are shaping the future of business, both in the Kanawha Valley, and globally.

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.

SUCCESStrategies
Tuesday, Nov. 8
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. (new time)
Embassy Suites
300 Court St.

Registration is now open for the next SUCCESStrategies: WV Economic Outlook luncheon.

On Nov. 8, the 18th Annual WV Economic Outlook Conference, presented by the WVU College of Business and Economics) will be held at the Embassy Suites. The event features forecasts of the coming year’s national and state economic trends given by nationally recognized analysts.

Following the morning conference, the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman will present a SUCCESStrategies luncheon featuring speakers from the event.

Separate registration is required for the WV Economic Outlook Conference and the Alliance luncheon.

Click HERE to register for the morning economic event.

Click HERE to register for the SUCCESStrategies luncheon.

SUCCESStrategies is a major educational partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman to help both large and small business succeed in changing and challenging times.

Reservations for this popular luncheon are limited. Individual registrations are $30 Alliance members/$40 future members. Prices go up $10 each after Nov. 4.

Reserved tables of eight are $500 for Alliance members/$600 future members.  For sponsorship information, contact jzacks@charlestonareaalliance.org.

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. 

SUCCESStrategies
Monday, Oct. 17
11:45 – 1:15 p.m.
Embassy Suites
300 Court St.

Advance registration ends today for the next SUCCESStrategies: Marcellus Shale: What’s Up Down Under.

Development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves has the potential to transform West Virginia’s economy, bringing with it thousands of new jobs and billions in new capital investments.

Find out what the buzz is all about and what it means for you and your family, your business and our state at the next SUCCESStrategies, to be presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor Dixon Hughes Goodman on Monday, Oct. 17, 11:45 -1:15 p.m. at the Embassy Suites.

Click here to register.

Speakers on the front lines of Marcellus Shale developments will provide attendees with an up-to-the minute report on the natural gas industry, the potential of landing an ethane “cracker” in West Virginia and related regulatory and legislative activity.

Speakers to date include: Corky DeMarco, president, WV Oil and Natural Gas Association; and Steve Hedrick, site manager, Bayer; Scott Rotruck, vice-president of corporate development, Chesapeake Energy; and Dr. Winston Porter, president, Environmental Strategies.

SUCCESStrategies is a major educational partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman to help both large and small business succeed in changing and challenging times.

Reservations for this event are $30 Alliance members/$40 future members through today, Thursday Oct. 13  at 5 p.m.

Reserved tables of eight, which include program recognition and signage, are $500 for Alliance members; $600 future members.

For more information about reserved tables, contact JoEllen Zacks:  jzacks@charlestonareaalliance.org

The new professional development series showcases high level speakers who bring informed insight into discussions on the issues and trends that are shaping the future of business, both in the Kanawha Valley, and globally.

Please save the date for a special SUCCESStrategies luncheon to follow the annual WV Economic Forecast Conference, to be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Embassy Suites.

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.

Development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves has the potential to transform West Virginia’s economy, bringing with it thousands of new jobs and billions in new capital investments.

Find out what the buzz is all about and what it means for you and your family, your business and our state at the next SUCCESStrategies, to be presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Title Sponsor Dixon Hughes Goodman on Monday, Oct. 17, noon-1:15 p.m. at the Embassy Suites.

Click here to register.

Speakers on the front lines of Marcellus Shale developments will provide attendees with an up-to-the minute report on the natural gas industry, the potential of landing an ethane “cracker” in West Virginia and related regulatory and legislative activity.

Speakers to date include: Corky DeMarco, president, WV Oil and Natural Gas Association; and Steve Hedrick, site manager, Bayer; and Dr. Winston Porter, president, Waste Policy Center.

SUCCESStrategies is a major educational partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman to help both large and small business succeed in changing and challenging times.

Reservations for this event are $30 Alliance members/$40 future members through Oct. 12.  Prices increase by $10 per person after that date.

Reserved tables of eight, which include program recognition and signage, are $500 for Alliance members; $600 future members.

For more information about reserved tables, contact JoEllen Zacks:  jzacks@charlestonareaalliance.org

The new professional development series showcases high level speakers who bring informed insight into discussions on the issues and trends that are shaping the future of business, both in the Kanawha Valley, and globally.

Please save the date for a special SUCCESStrategies luncheon to follow the annual WV Economic Forecast Conference, to be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Embassy Suites.

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.

About Our Featured Speaker: J. Winston Porter
Dr. J. Winston Porter is president of the Waste Policy Center in Leesburg, Va., a private research and consulting organization that deals with environmental management and policy issues related to both governmental and business organizations.

From 1985 to 1989, Dr. Porter was the Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As such, he was the national program manager for the Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs.

Among his many accomplishments at the EPA was the establishment of a national goal for recycling 25 percentof the country’s municipal solid wastes, which was achieved in 1995.

Earlier, Dr. Porter was with the environmental department of Bechtel engineering and construction organization, and later directed the $20 billion Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia. He also served as a vice-president of several Bechtel affiliates in the Middle East.

During tough economic times, it’s good for business owners to be aware of their overall financial picture in case trouble lies ahead.

On Aug. 18, the latest SUCCESStrategies session titled, “What’s your business worth?” was held at the Alliance offices.

Hosted by the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG), SUCCESStrategies showcases high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in the area.

The Aug. 18 program featured prominent tax professionals sharing tips on determining the financial picture of your business and discussing strategies that can be used to avoid potential economic pitfalls.

To view a full Powerpoint presentation from the Aug. 18 session, please click this link.

The roundtable discussion was moderated by Rick Slater, regional managing partner at DHG. Panelists included Reed Spangler and Morgan Winfree, both with the DHG’s Forensic, Litigation Support and Valuation Group.

Topics of discussion included how to define the value of your business and determining the best valuation approaches and methods for your business.

Other issues discussed included:

• Circumstances under which evaluations are performed (transactions, litigation, compliance and planning).
• Determining what standard of value to use (fair market, strategic, and fair value).
• Understanding the Statement on Standards for Valuation Services (SSVS), which is guidance used for valuation services.

SUCCESStrategies showcases high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in the area and will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.

“SUCCESStrategies was created in order to bring ideas and information to help both large and small businesses succeed in these challenging economic times. We are excited about future programming,” Slater said.

The next session of SUCCESStrategies, the ongoing professional development initative hosted by the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG), will be held this Thursday. “What’s your business worth?” will feature prominent tax professionals sharing tips on determining the overall financial picture of your business and discussing strategies that can be used to avoid potential economic pitfalls.

It will be held from noon to 1:15 p.m. at the Alliance offices, 1116 Smith Street. Registration is $25 for Alliance members and $35 for future members. Space is limited.

The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Rick Slater, Regional Managing Partner at DHG. Speakers will include Reed Spangler and Morgan Winfree, both with the DHG’s Forensic, Litigation Support and Valuation Group.

SUCCESStrategies showcases high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in the area. The sessions feature expert analysis and insight on critical issues that impact the region’s businesses. The series will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.

During challenging economic times, business owners and individual taxpayers alike must be aware of the bottom line. The Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes Goodman have teamed together to bring you expert analysis and insight on critical issues that impact the region’s businesses. 

 “Reduce Your State & Local Tax Burden,” the next session of a new professional development initiative called SUCCESStrategies, is scheduled from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8 at the Alliance offices, 1116 Smith Street.

Registration is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members and increases to $25 and $35 starting June 6. Register here.

The program will feature prominent tax professionals who will share tips about tax strategies, tax credits, filing and avoiding penalties at the state level. The roundtable will be moderated by Rick Slater, Managing Partner at Dixon Hughes Goodman. Speakers include:

• Craig Griffith, West Virginia Tax Commissioner
• Bob Kiss, Partner with Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, and
• Lydia McKee, Senior Manager with Dixon Hughes Goodman

“This major education initiative is a great benefit to local businesses –both small and large. It is critically important that we keep current in this ever changing environment,” says Rick Slater, Regional Managing Partner at Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP.

SUCCESStrategies is raising the bar for professional development programming in the Charleston region as evidenced by the first program, which focused on health care reform and what it means to West Virginia employers. This new series showcases high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in the area and will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.

When businesses talk jobs, the media listen. That was the take-away from “Buzz on a Budget:  Building Your Brand Through Earned Media Coverage,” a SUCCESStrategies program presented by the Alliance and title sponsor Dixon Hughes.

Five of the region’s top media executives shared advice on how to build relationships with the press and successfully pitch stories about your company.

Here’s a few of their insider tips for getting in the news:

• Jobs, jobs, jobs.  Connect your story to jobs, and the media take notice

• Tie your story to a national, state or regional trend

• Reframe your story so it’s more about the community and less about your individual business

• Be judicious about press conferences and media events. Due to technology, reporters are less likely to attend and cover events in person.

• Competition for coverage picks up during the week; you have a better chance pitching your story early in the week

• Radio news is brief and immediate.  A two-three minute newscast features five to six stories under 30 seconds. Understand these constraints when approaching radio reporters.

• Pitch your stories via email. If you don’t hear back, it’s ok to follow-up with a phone call.

• Keep initial pitches to one page. If the press needs more information, they’ll ask for it.

• Have realistic expectations.  Many outlets get 100-200 news releases/day.   

• Use social media to push your story. WSAZ-TV gets up to 30 percent of its story ideas from Twitter.

• West Virginia Executive, a quarterly magazine, is interested in success stories and features about the economic impact of business news.

• Competition among Charleston media outlets exists and there is no holding news in today’s 24-hour news cycles.

• Advertising is what you buy. PR is what you earn. If you want to have total control over the content of the message, when it appears and the audience it reaches, buy an ad.

If you have a business story you’d like to pitch to one of the media roundtable panelists, you’re welcome to email them directly but – don’t forget – you’ll have a greater chance of success if you follow the guidelines above.

Anna Baxter, WSAZ-TV, news@wsaz.com

Kensie Hamilton, West Virginia Executive, kmh@wvexecutive.com

George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail, business@dailymail.com

Larry McKay, Bristol Broadcasting, chasnews@bristolbroadcasting.com

The next SUCCESStategies, “Reducing Your Business Tax Burden,” will be held Wednesday, May 11, noon-1:15 p.m. in the Alliance Large Conference Room.

“Through SUCCESStrategies,” we roll up our sleeves and get in-depth with specific information you need to succeed in business. We hope you’ll join us for our next event,” said Rick Slater of Title Sponsor Dixon Hughes.

Building your brand and distinguishing your business can be tough. But the Charleston Area Alliance and Dixon Hughes want to help.

“Buzz on a Budget:  Building Your Brand Through Earned Media Coverage,” the next session of a new professional development initiative called SUCCESStrategies, is scheduled for noon to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at the Alliance offices, 1116 Smith Street.

Click here to register.

The program will feature prominent media representatives who will share tips for developing positive relationships with reporters and editors and how to effectively pitch story ideas about your business.

Speakers include:

• Business writer George Hohmann of the Charleston Daily Mail
• WSAZ-TV Assistant News Director Anna Baxter and
• Bristol Broadcasting personality Larry McKay

The roundtable will be moderated by Emily Bennington, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Dixon Hughes. 

“Developing relationships and rapport with the media is critical to your company’s success,” said Rick Slater, managing partner for Dixon Hughes. “Paid advertising is one way to get your message out, but you also have to know how to effectively utilize other communication channels, including news releases, follow-ups, media events and Web outlets. Journalists are looking to build relationships in the community, too, so it’s matter of mutual respect and working together.”

SUCCESStrategies, a major education partnership between the Alliance and Dixon Hughes, will provide expert analysis and insight on the critical issues that impact the region’s businesses in a convenient lunch and learn format. The programs will be held at the Alliance office every other month through the end of 2011.

SUCCESStrategies is raising the bar for professional development programming in the Charleston region. As evidenced by the first program, which focused on health care reform and what it means to West Virginia employers, this new series will showcase high level speakers addressing issues of real substance to business leaders in the area.

“Through SUCCESStrategies, our members will learn directly from our state’s business and government leaders about the topics that will shape their future – and then take that knowledge and put it to work in their own offices that same afternoon,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard.

Registration, which includes lunch, is $15 for Alliance members/$25 future members through March 5.  Prices increase to $25 for Alliance members/$35 future members after March 5. Space is limited.

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.