New Members - Putnam Chamber

Your Business is Our Business
Marty Chapman, President
At the Chamber of Commerce, we take this slogan seriously. We know our members deserve, require and expect
our support. That’s one reason why we host our Annual Business Expo. This year’s Business Expo is Thursday,
November 10, 2011 at the Joint Forces Reserve Center (Armory) in Eleanor from 4 pm – 7 pm.
This is our second year hosting the Business Expo and Business After Hours at this location. Not only does the Joint
Forces Reserve Center (Armory) provide double the amount of exhibit space, but it also provides more room for
networking at Business After Hours. As usual, the November Business After Hours will be held during the
Business Expo and is sponsored by Frontier Communications.
Additionally, we will be offering a Small Business Workshop on this same day, beginning at 2:00 p.m. This year the
topic will be “What to Know Before You Grow” presented by Justin M. Gaull of the WV Small Business Development
Center (WVSBDC).
Please refer to the articles in this newsletter for information about exhibiting in the Business Expo, attending the
Small Business Workshop and/or participating in Business After Hours – all on Thursday, November 10.
Thank you to our Renewing Members for your continued support of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce! Your investment demonstrates
your willingness to support and build a better business climate in which to live, work and play in Putnam County.
New Members
Boy Scouts of America (Pioneer District)
William Reyes
2829 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV 26505
(304) 340-3663
wreyes@bsamail.org
Buffalo Drug
Jackson Noel
1905 Buffalo Rd.
Buffalo, WV 25033
(304) 937-3000
jacksonoel@buffalodrug.com
www.buffalodrug.com
Young Life Putnam County
Scott Spence
Box 544
Teays, WV 25569
(304) 942-8197
spence@putnamcounty.younglife.org
www.putnamcounty.younglife.org
Harbortouch POS, Inc.
Jim Herndon
(866) 563-3045 ext. 187
jherndon@harbortouch.com
The 2011 Putnam County Chamber Consumer & Relocation Guide with a complete list of Chamber members is always available free of charge at
the Chamber office. You can also find the guide on our website, www.putnamchamber.
Congratulations to
Sowers & Company, A.C.
Chamber Business of the Month for November!
Sowers & Company, A.C. has been providing businesses in
Putnam and surrounding counties with high quality
accounting services at affordable prices for over 29 years.
We strive to give each client the close personal attention that
they need to maintain or start a successful business. Sowers
& Company, A.C. is located in the heart of Teays Valley,
and has two Certified Public Accountants on staff to meet all
the accounting needs of a small business. At Sowers &
Company, helping businesses to become more profitable is
not only our job, it’s our passion. Call today for a free
consultation to see if we can find ways to reduce your taxes
and accounting bills (304) 757-6989.
Services offered at Sowers & Company, A.C. include:
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Financial statement preparation
QuickBooks setup and consultations
Bookkeeping
Accounting system setup & implementation
Business tax return preparation
Financial forecasts & projections
Reviews & compilations
Individual tax services
Consulting services (tax planning, buying/selling a business, business entity selection, financial & retirement
decisions, and much more)
For more information on Sowers & Company, A.C., please call (304) 757-6989 and ask for Joe, or visit their
website at www.sowerscpas.com
Businesses selected for “Business of the Month” are drawn from the names
of Chamber members attending Business After Hours.
Join us for:
Business Before Business
Friday, November 4
Mattress Warehouse
in Liberty Square
7:30 am – 9:00 am
Please join us at this new networking event for the sunrise set. Free to Chamber members.
Complimentary continental breakfast, prepared by Tudor’s Biscuit World, will be provided.
Win a free e-Billboard in the business card drawing.
Please reply by Thursday, November 3 to chamber@putnamcounty.org or at www.putnamchamber.org
Please Join Us!
2011Business Expo & November Business After Hours
Sponsored by:
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Mark your calendar and make plans to participate in the Chamber’s Business Expo & Business After Hours,
scheduled for Thursday, November 10th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Joint Forces Reserve Center
(Armory) in Eleanor. The Business Expo registration fee is $150 and includes a 6’ table, tablecloth and
admission for two representatives to attend the concurrent Business After Hours event. Registration
forms are still available by contacting the Chamber office.
Frontier Communications will be sponsoring the Business After Hours portion of this event. The
combination of the annual Business Expo with the monthly Business After Hours allows exhibitors the
opportunity to more extensively promote their business to each other and to guests in attendance.
For non-exhibitors, the cost to attend is $15 per person with RSVP, pre-payment is preferred. This event is also
open to the public.
For more information, to register as an exhibitor, or to RSVP for the Business After Hours, please contact
a.alford@putnamcounty.org or call (304) 757-6510.
RSVPs are required; pre-payment is appreciated.
Business After Hours is open to members and their guests.
The cash drawing sponsored by BB&T is valued at $500; you must be present to win!
RSVP on the Chamber website www.putnamchamber.org , call 304.757.6510 or email chamber@putnamcounty.org
“What to Know Before You Grow”
Small Business Workshop
Thursday, November 10
Joint Forces Reserve Center, Eleanor
2 pm – 4 pm
WV Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) will be presenting a workshop – “What to Know Before
You Grow” for Putnam Chamber members on Thursday, November 10 from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Joint Forces
Reserve Center in Eleanor. This free workshop for Chamber members will address the following two topics of
small business operations:
1. Elements required for a small business loan package for start-up or for expansion of a current
business.
2. Establishing a plan to assess the market and tactics for local marketing and publicity.
Our workshop facilitator will be Justin M. Gaull, Business Coach. Services and programs provided by the
WVSBDC help West Virginia small businesses grow by strengthening profit margins, improving cash flow,
increasing sales & market share, promoting more efficient business planning, improving access to capital,
cultivating a more productive staff and assisting with research and implementation of new technology. To
register or for more information please call (304) 757-6510 or email chamber@putnamcounty.org
For This We Give Thanks
Tuesday, November 15th
Sleepy Hollow Golf Club
11:30 a.m.
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Rotary and the Teays Valley Lions Club
Annual “For This We Give Thanks” Luncheon will take place on November 15th at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club
from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The cost of lunch is $20 per person. This event serves as an opportunity to
gratefully acknowledge significant events and community progress in Putnam County during the past
year. The general public is encouraged to attend this special luncheon. Advance reservations are
required and should be made by contacting the Chamber office at (304)757-6510 or
Chamber@putnamcounty.org by noon on Friday, November 11th.
Member News!
Thank you to Toyota Motor Manufacturing WV, Inc. for hosting a very well-attended Business After Hours
in October! The Toyota Motor Manufacturing WV, Inc. staff provided a wonderful atmosphere for
networking along with a video presentation and delicious food and beverages. Congratulations to the winners of
the door prizes provided by Toyota. The winner of the BB&T Sponsored drawing valued at $400 was Brian
Bowling had he been present!
Photos by: Ben Calwell, Metro Staff Writer, Charleston Newspapers
Calvin Broyles Jewelers will host a Grand Reopening for their new Teays Valley location on Thursday,
November 10. This daylong event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by light
refreshments. Refreshments will again be served at 4:00 p.m. Those present throughout the day can also
register to win some amazing jewelry giveaways. The winners will be drawn on Saturday, November 12. Calvin
Broyles Jewelers is located in Scott Junction Plaza, just a few doors down from their previous location. For
more information call (304) 757-3920.
Poca Valley Bank is pleased to announce that John Fowler has been hired as Vice President-Branch
Manager of the Winfield Office. He has 12 years of experience in retail banking. John has a Bachelor of
Arts degree from West Virginia State University and an MBA from the University of Charleston.
Generation Putnam Found Success in
2nd Annual Healthy Kids, Healthy WV
Generation Putnam launched a week long service project during the week of October 15 th through the 22nd to promote healthy
living in Putnam County. The basis of this campaign was to inspire communities to eat right, get fit and live well. On Tuesday,
October 18th, families gathered at the Commons of Putnam County to participate in a “Lunch and Learn” focusing on dealing
with picky eaters and the best ways to serve a family style meal. Then on Saturday, October 22 nd, the day began with the 3rd
Annual Spooktacular 5K Race sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center. Following the race families joined Generation
Putnam at the Commons of Putnam County for the Healthy Kids Fair where they took part in healthy cooking taste testing,
health screenings, family exercise classes, dance clinics and various other activities to promote healthy living. All events were
free to the public!
Generation Putnam would like to express their gratitude to the many businesses, organizations and volunteers that helped
make this event a success, this includes; CAMC Teays Valley, City National Bank, The Greenhouse of Teays Valley, Healthy Kids,
Inc., FireSide Grille, Ginos/Tudors, Kelly’s Dance Studio of Cross Lanes, Kroger, The MOMS Club of Teays Valley, Nelson
Brothers, Sleepy Hollow Golf Club, Teays Physical Therapy Center, University Pediatrics, Quantum Sports Center, Teays Valley
Pediatric Dentistry, WVU Extension, Brazilian Jujitsu, LLC, Zumba Instructor Andrea Cunningham and Zumba WV.
Masquerade, Music & More 2011
The Third Annual Masquerade, Music & More event hosted a variety of guests from little old ladies and fairies,
hippies and convicts, to super-heroines and gangsters, flappers and cartoon characters. Some guests even
came dressed as Chamber Board Members! Delicious food and beverages were served up by The Greenhouse
of Teays Valley and rock-solid dance music was provided by The Lost Cause. The silent auction provided a
terrific selection of celebrity memorabilia, merchandise and services – all at great bargain bidding!
Congratulations to Karen Mundy (Fifth Third Bank) and Doug Mundy – winners of the costume contest (see
photo).
We would like to thank our event sponsors (in bold) and silent auction donors:
AEP John Amos Plant
Berry Hills Country Club
Calvin Broyles Jewelers
Chapman Funeral Home
City National Bank
Edgewood Country Club
The Greenhouse of Teays Valley
Hampton Inn, Winfield
Traci Higginbotham
The Magickal Connection
Marriott Charleston Town Center
J.R. Marshall
Midway Ford
J. P. Owens
Parkline, Inc.
Power Up Sports & Wellness
Prestige Memorabilia
Professional Floor & Wall Covering
Sherri’s Avon Beauty Center
Sleepy Hollow Golf Club
Snowshoe Mountain
Teays Valley Chiropractic
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Tri-County YMCA
Walmart, Hurricane
Warnick Dental, St. Albans
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Winterplace
Yeager Insurance
Thanks also to the planning committee – JR Marshall, Glenn Yeager, Melissa Bias and JP Owens and to Jim
Strawn, Highland Hospital, for providing emcee services!
Monthly Marketing Tip: Does Your Business Website Measure Up?
The Internet was supposed to level the playing field, but according to a recent Demandbase survey, 80 percent of
marketers and IT professionals feel like their website is not living up to its lead generation potential. If your own
website isn’t living up to its potential, below are some areas I’d first focus on when attempting to boost your
marketing power. Think of this as your customers’ wish list for your website.
1. Know Your Visitors-While 61 percent of respondents said they knew their prospects “well” or “extremely well,”
all small business owners would benefit from focusing on creating specific content for consumers in the different
stages of buying cycles. Survey your customers continuously to get to know them better.
2. Be More Intuitive-It’s a simple fact: The more intuitive your website, the more comfortable users are going to
feel navigating it. We want to land on a website, immediately know what we’re supposed to do, and immediately
see information that is relevant to our interests. You’ll want to concentrate on giving visitors a simple navigation,
providing clear calls to action, and not sacrificing usability for “flashiness.” Focus on giving visitors the simplest
experience that you can.
3. Invest In Portability-Last week a report from the Pew Research Center told us that nearly half of adults get local
news and information via mobile devices. That’s a pretty good indicator that your website must be accessible to
users on the go. It’s also why your website should be as lightweight as possible. Invest in these features now, and
reap the benefits today and in the future.
4. Be Interactive-Give your users something that allows interaction. Let them see the latest posts from your blog
directly on your home page, use the Twitter widget so they can see your interactions there, provide a link to your
company Facebook page, show off your Flickr or YouTube account, and so on.
5. Look Trustworthy-Customers are instinctively looking for certain cues to determine whether or not they feel
comfortable on your website. When a visitors sees that you’ve taken the time to develop an active
presence on social media, it lets them know you’ll be easy to find should they have a problem or
concern, and that you didn’t just set up shop yesterday.
We all want to make sure we’re getting as much out of our investments as we can — and that includes your
corporate website. Focusing a visitor’s Web experience around the five things listed above can help ensure that you
are.
B.G. Hamrick is an author, speaker, Internet marketing consultant, and website developer. He is dedicated to helping businesses use powerful
new online and mobile marketing platforms to get visibility, traffic, leads, customers and raving fans. B.G. lives in Scott Depot, WV with his wife
Jill & two daughters. Visit: www.BGHamrick.com
Community News
Veteran’s Appreciation Day
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011
2:00 p.m.
Putnam County Courthouse Parking Lot
Moving tributes to men and women who have worn their country’s uniform
Bring your lawn chairs and spend the afternoon honoring those to whom we owe so much
For more information contact Joe Haynes at (304) 586-0201
Calendar of Events for November 2011
Friday, November 4
Business Before Business; 8:00 a.m.
Mattress Warehouse, Liberty Square
Wednesday, November 9
Portfolio Fair; 8-11 a.m.
Poca High School
Wednesday, November 9
Education Committee; 12 noon
Putnam County Chamber Office
Thursday, November 10
Small Business Workshop; 2-4 p.m.
Joint Forces Reserve Center, Eleanor
Business Expo & Business After Hours; 4-7 p.m.
Joint Forces Reserve Center, Eleanor
Tuesday, November 15
For This We Give Thanks; 11:30 a.m.
Sleepy Hollow Golf Club
Thursday, November 17
NOW Monthly Meeting; 8:00 a.m.
Putnam County Chamber Office
Thursday, November 17
Generation Putnam Election Meeting; 12 noon
First State Bank
Friday, November 18
NOW Bell Ringing; 10 am- 8pm
Kroger, Teays Valley
Putnam County Chamber Staff
Marty Chapman, President
mchapman@putnamcounty.org
Gretchen White, Project Director
gwhite@putmancounty.org
Mary Jo Hendricks, Administrative Assistant
mj@putnamcounty.org
Ashley Alford, Public Relations
a.alford@putnamcounty.org
Office Hours: 9:00 am—4:00 pm, Monday-Friday
Physical Address: 5664 St. Rt. 34, North, Winfield, WV 25213
Mailing Address: PO Box 553, Teays, WV 25569
Phone: 304.757.6510 ~ Fax: 304.757.6562
chamber@putnamcounty.org
www.putnamchamber.org