CHAMBER NEWS

"Anthony Bourdain said when he came here on his show, 'Throughout history, people have always come to West Virginia to take something.' I think now what they're taking is a memory. They're taking a new friendship. They're taking away a different feeling of what they thought West Virginia was when they had come. We are no longer America's best-kept secret." - Chef Paul Smith, 2024 James Beard Award Recipient 

Thank you to all who joined us, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and Charleston Area Alliance for the Second Annual State of the Valley, Presented by Meeks Rentals!

This year’s discussion highlighted tourism in the Kanawha Valley, with insights into Cabell, Kanawha, and Putnam counties. Panelists included Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism; Tim Brady, President & CEO of the Charleston CVB; Anna Adkins, Director of Sales & Marketing Huntington Area CVB; and Kelli Steele, Executive Director of the Putnam County CVB. Our moderator was Chef Paul Smith, West Virginia’s first winner of the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southeast.

Secretary Chelsea Ruby shared the tourism industry's economic impact on the state exceeded $7 billion last year.

We are excited for the future of West Virginia's tourism and the positive impact it will continue to have on our communities!

In this episode of In Your Business podcast, host Reeves Kirtner sits down with Dr. Josh Baker, the president of Mountwest Community & Technical College, to explore the pivotal role Mountwest plays in workforce development and regional economic growth.

Discover how Mountwest is partnering with local industries to create tailored training programs that meet the specific needs of employers and prepare students for high-demand careers. We also dive into the college’s impact on the local economy, from supporting small businesses to driving job creation. Finally, we address the critical issue of the skills gap and discuss how Mountwest is leading the charge in equipping the workforce with the skills needed for the future.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor Moses AutoMall of Huntington and our partner Kindred Communications!

Ever wondered how you can ace a media interview? Rachel Coffman of Coffman Collaborative offered expert advice on taking your media skills to the next level during August's Lunch & Learn sponsored by Ohio Valley Bank.

Here are some tips to remember:

Clearly define your key messages before the interview. What do you want the audience to remember?

• Stick to your main points to ensure your message is communicated effectively
• Rehearse, practice, and know these messages
• Practice to prepare for any unknown crisis

Is your company prepared for a crisis situation, thinking about rebranding, or need press event and press conference management? Check out Coffman Collaborative's services: www.coffmancollaborative.com

Thank you to Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center for hosting us and Christopher's Eats for catering!

We are excited to announce our August Member of the Month - West Virginia Executive Magazine!

West Virginia Executive is the state’s premier business publication and has been providing in-depth business news coverage and highlighting growth and development in the Mountain State since 1998.

The Summer 2024 issue of West Virginia Executive provides a look at philanthropy in the Mountain State. It provides a map that outlines different types of foundations that positively impact West Virginia. Information on how philanthropy sparks change and solves key economic issues is included. The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation’s 80-year legacy is highlighted and the Lawyers & Leaders Class of 2024 is also featured.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Why do women often find themselves balancing more responsibilities than seem humanly possible, all while aiming for perfection in every role they take on? Are these high expectations genuinely achievable, or are they shaped by societal pressures? On September 4, join Jill Rice from Dinsmore & Shohl for an insightful discussion on whether striving for excellence across multiple demanding roles is truly fulfilling or if it’s taking a toll on our well-being. 

Thanks to Dinsmore & Shohl for sponsoring this event!

When: Wednesday, September 4 | 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Where: Mountwest Community and Technical College, Room G07

Lunch: Lost Art of Culinary

Curious about what Huntington has to offer? Our Business After Hours Expo is your opportunity to discover local gems and connect with key players in the community. Join us on Thursday, September 26, from 5-8 p.m. at the Marshall Health Network Arena for an evening of networking, exploration, and fun.

Meet a variety of local businesses, enjoy tasty food and drinks, and take home exciting giveaways. It’s a perfect chance to build relationships, uncover new opportunities, and dive into what makes our community thrive.

MEMBER NEWS

Marshall Athletics is generously offering Chamber members free tickets to the first home game! Members, fill out the form in the link below to claim your free tickets to the Marshall Thundering Herd football game vs Stony Brook on August 31 at 5pm! See the link below for more details.

We had a blast celebrating the grand opening of Dave & Buster's - Barboursville at Huntington Mall last week! This exciting new 25,071 square-foot entertainment and dining destination features 150 of the latest arcade games, high-tech dart bays, a chef-crafted menu, and more. This location has also brought 170 new jobs to the area.

Whether you're looking to enjoy a fun night out or book a special event in their party room, Dave & Buster's has you covered. They’re open Sundays from 10 a.m. - 12 a.m., Mondays - Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 12 a.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. - 1 a.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.

Marshall University and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), welcomed Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to its new National Center of Excellence for Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure/Institute for Cyber Security to see the work being done to boost cybersecurity and train the next generation of cyber experts.

The day-long series of meetings on Monday included officials with Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, West Virginia Air National Guard and CISA, among other educational and government partners. 

Ground was broken in May for the new institute at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Hal Greer Boulevard. The facility will be approximately 78,000 square feet and house a state-of-the-art operations center modeled after JFHQ-DODIN Headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland, as well as a similar operation at the University of Texas-San Antonio. The facility will also feature 13 labs, among which will be six cybersecurity labs for training purposes, an industrial control systems lab, an internet of things lab and an open-source intelligence lab.

To register, email Josh Juckett at Joshua.juckett@truist.com.

Goodwill’s new fundraiser, Kicks for Good, gives you a simple way to support our mission while clearing out your closet! We collect gently used shoes and pay 25 cents per pound for every pair donated.

How It Works:

1. Gather Your Shoes: Collect gently used pairs of shoes. (no single shoes or flip flops)
2. Schedule Pickup: Goodwill will coordinate with you to determine a convenient time frame for collecting your donations.
3. Weigh and Donate: After pickup, Goodwill will weigh your shoes and calculate your donation at 25 cents per pound.

Why Participate?

Every pair of shoes donated helps Goodwill provide vital services and programs to our community. Your contributions make a difference, one step at a time!

Make a Difference in Your Community

By participating in “Kicks for Good” you’re not only decluttering your home and raising money but also helping us create jobs, provide education, and support those in need right here in our community.

Valley Health Systems, Inc. is thrilled to announce its Psychology Internship Program has been accredited, on contingency, by the American Psychological Association. This significant achievement was recognized unanimously by the Commission on Accreditation. Valley Health was notified of the selection Wednesday, August 8, 2024.  

Receiving this step toward full accreditation has been a nine-year journey, including a comprehensive self-study, a site visit from the APA in February of 2024, and a formal follow-up report. The voluntary nature of the APA accreditation underscores our commitment to excellence. With approximately 672 accredited internship programs in the country,  Valley Health is on track to achieve full accreditation status from the American Psychological Association by 2026. Dr. Rebecca Denning has led the charge to achieve the accreditation. 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Members

Thank You to Our Investor Members

Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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