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.

Time is running out to get your deposit down and travel with the Charleston Area Alliance on its 2012 trade and mission tour to Europe.

The deposit deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 24 and limited space is available.

Explore three European countries in this dynamic trade mission with other Alliance members. Travel for business reasons, or if you choose, just for the cultural experience.

Tour the historical Castle Hill area and visit 13th century cathedrals in Budapest.

Walk along the Danube River and visit the world famous opera houses in Vienna, the city of Mozart.

View the famous Historical Clock and the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Old Royal Palace and St. George’s Basilica in Prague, the city of 100 spires.

Click HERE for the trip brochure.

Since the trade missions began in 2010, more than 100 business and community leaders from the Charleston area have participated.

Diane Strong-Treister, president of Manpower, was a part of the 2010 mission to China. She said the tour offered great networking opportunities.

“I went to learn about China and was truly impressed with the jam-packed educational opportunities it provided me,” Strong-Treister said. “But most of all what I gained from this trip was the friendships that were formed with the business leaders that represented our state. All of us are looking forward to our reunion when we travel to Europe in the spring of 2012.”

Linda Arnold, chairman and CEO of The Arnold Agency, said her China trip was a memorable experience.

“The agendas, logistics and variety of experiences were incredible – not to mention the value,” Arnold said. “The organization provided by the Alliance staff really helped things go smoothly.”

For the European tour, the Alliance will continue attracting new foreign direct investment and job creation to West Virginia, as well as showcasing some of Europe’s most breathtaking sights.

If you plan to travel with the Alliance in 2012 for business purposes, we encourage you contact the Alliance staff as soon as possible. This ensures that specific meetings with potential partners can be scheduled in advance of travel.

Please join fellow Charleston Area Alliance members and friends as we journey together to Budapest, Vienna and Prague this spring.

About the Trip

The Charleston Area Alliance presents a journey to Budapest, Vienna and Prague. The tour features three unique European capitals with extraordinary cultures and emerging economies.

The European tour will start on May 14 and conclude on May 23, featuring three nights in Budapest, two nights in Vienna and three nights in Prague.

Arrangements for this tour are being made by National Travel of West Virginia.

Just Beneath the Surface
Business After Hours
Thursday, Jan. 19
5 – 7 p.m.
BB&T Building 300 Summers Street, 15th Floor

Online registration ends tomorrow at noon for Business After Hours at the offices of the Just Beneath the Surface alliance on the 15th floor of the BB&T Building at 300 Summers Street in downtown Charleston.

Business After Hours events are fantastic opportunities to network and meet the region’s leaders in a relaxed setting, all while enjoying food, drinks and entertainment.

Click here to register.

The cost is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members who register early online.

Prices at the door are $25 for Alliance members and $35 for future members.

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.

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, Jan. 24 in the grand lobby of the Clay Center.

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

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.

2012 Charleston Police Department Citizens’ Police Academy: Open to residents and businesses

The Charleston Police Department is now accepting applications for enrollment into the Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy. This academy consists of an 8 week law enforcement program open to anyone interested 18 years of age and older. Participants will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Charleston Police Department Training Center.

The Citizens’ Police Academy will start Tuesday, March 5, 2012. Each week, a different law enforcement topic will be presented with classroom and hands-on instruction by police officers.

This academy is offered free of charge to Charleston and surrounding residents and business owners. Seating is limited and will be on a first come, first serve basis. Applications are available at the Charleston Police Department (Community Services Division) or online at www.charlestonwvpolice.org and should be returned to the Police Department by February 3, 2012. Any questions can be answered by calling 304.348.6470.

As featured in:

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

When it comes to running one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s top marketing firms, the team at Charles Ryan Associates has learned that two heads can be better than one.

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.

Click HERE to register.

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.