Celebrating Small Biz: QVC October 31, 2007
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We’re rounding out our celebration of the winners of the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses with QVC who is being honored with the Visionary Award.
This year marks the inaugural presentation of the Chamber’s Visionary Award – honoring a large national or international corporation that began as a small company in Greater Philadelphia and continues to contribute to the growth and success of the regional small business community.
QVC is the world’s preeminent electronic retailer. Just over twenty years ago, Joseph Segel, who was also founder of The Franklin Mint, envisioned a new kind of retail service built on technology to provide “Quality, Value and Convenience” in the televised, home-shopping market. In its first full fiscal year, QVC set a record in American business history for sales of a new public company. QVC, Inc. (more…)
It’s a Mike O’Lantern! October 31, 2007
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Its amazing the talent that comes out of our art department here at the Chamber. Nate, one of our resident graphic designers, carved this wonder last night.
Philebrity also picked up on the awesomeness.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
Celebrating Small Biz: Gus Perea October 30, 2007
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Today’s featured winner of the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses is Gustavo Perea, President and COO, Adams-Bickel Associates, Inc. for 2008 Small Business Person of the Year.
As a native-born Cuban child in a family of seven children, Gustavo (Gus) I. Perea saw his parents lose everything and have to relocate to a foreign country. Led by the strength and perseverance of his parents, his family built their new lives in Philadelphia. His belief in the American dream helped him achieve success both personally and professionally. (more…)
Celebrating Small Biz: PhillyCarShare October 29, 2007
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Today’s featured winner of the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses is PhillyCarShare for 2008 Non-Profit Organization of the Year.
PhillyCarShare’s premise is simple: automobiles, while necessary, are abundantly overused. A vision emerged to reduce automobile dependence citywide by creating a community-based car-sharing experience that would exceed the convenience, flexibility and affordability of car ownership. As a non-profit, PhillyCarShare viewed decreasing auto use as a social benefit rather than a bottom-line endeavor. (more…)
This Week at the Chamber October 29, 2007
Posted by megan in County Breakfast Series, Events, The Excellence Awards.add a comment
- Southern New Jersey County Breakfast at The Mansion on Main Street in Vorhees, NJ 10/31
- The 25th Annual Excellence Awards Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia 11/1
For more information on all upcoming events, visit the Chamber’s event calendar.
Celebrating Small Biz: New Way Air Bearings October 26, 2007
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Today’s featured winner of the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses is New Way Air Bearings for 2008 Technological Excellence of the Year.
New Way Air Bearings is the world leader in the design and manufacture of modular air bearing products, and is the recognized provider of integrated porous media air bearing solutions. These modular products are inexpensive, easy to use, and available from stock. (more…)
Member Events for Next Week October 26, 2007
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Every Friday, we post events put on by our member companies in the upcoming week. If you’d like to see your event posted, email it to us with Member Event in the subject line.
- America: Leading in the Global Economy with Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Guitierrez. Hosted by the World Affairs Council, 10/29.
- Wine Pairing Dinner at JC Melrose Country Club 10/27 (email for more info)
- Holiday Planning for Your Health at Whole Foods South Street 11/1
Members, post events, announcements, job opportunities and more on the member’s only bulletin board.
Celebrating Small Biz: Capogiro Gelato Artisans, LLC October 25, 2007
Posted by megan in Congrats, The Excellence Awards.1 comment so far
Today’s featured winner of the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses is Capogiro for 2008 Retailer of the Year.
Capogiro Gelato Artisans was founded in 2002 by the husband-and-wife team of John and Stephanie Reitano. The year before, John, a practicing physician, and Stephanie, a kids’ boutique-clothing entrepreneur and mother of their three children, took a trip to John’s birthplace in Italy, where Stephanie had her first taste of old-world gelato. (more…)
Help Philly Voters on Election Day October 25, 2007
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Submitted by Mr. Christopher Sheridan, Esq. of Committee of Seventy
The Committee of Seventy (America’s oldest election oversight organization) is currently seeking volunteers for the November 6 Election Day. The program uses volunteer support from trained citizens who help keep a watchful eye on the election process.
Citizen teams of two to three people are assigned to a portion of the city, and visit polling places to address the concerns of disenfranchised voters, and defer larger cases to the appropriate entities. (more…)
Celebrating Small Biz: Pressure Products Industries, Inc. October 24, 2007
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We’re profiling one of the 11 honorees at the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses every day leading up to the event on November 1. It’s important to recognize our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit as they are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia community. Today’s featured winner is Pressure Products Industries, Inc.
The PBJ Joins the Discussion October 24, 2007
Posted by megan in Chamber in the News, Summer Internships.add a comment
“Education and economic opportunity are the best crime-fighting techniques” writes Editor Bernie Dagenais in this week’s Philadelphia Business Journal. Here at the Chamber, we couldn’t agree more. Bernie’s editorial highlights our position on the current situation in Philadelphia and our ongoing conversation with PhillyInq and Phil Goldsmith at the Daily News.
“The chamber, which supports the legislation Goldsmith wants passed, created more than 1,000 internships last summer. The group used political capital to coax members to hire interns. Chamber members mentor youth. They bring students into their offices, where employees tutor them on reading. They will be all over the city for two days of service this weekend, organized by two different regional organizations. These activities create a connection to help youths see the fruits of productive labor, giving them something to strive for.
Goldsmith is right to say crime is an economic issue, affecting the city’s ability to market itself as a good place for business. But to suggest that business leaders in general, and the chamber in particular, don’t care enough because the crimes usually aren’t taking place in Center City, fails to give the business community credit where it’s due. Considering the makeup of the city, it is also racially divisive and simply wrong headed.”
To view our previous posts on this subject click here, here and here.
Celebrating Small Biz: Connexus Technology October 23, 2007
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We’re profiling one of the 11 honorees at the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses every day leading up to the event on November 1. It’s important to recognize our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit as they are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia community. Today’s featured winner is Connexus Technology
Celebrating Small Biz: Steen Outdoor Advertising October 22, 2007
Posted by megan in Congrats, The Excellence Awards.1 comment so far
We’re profiling one of the 11 honorees at the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses every day leading up to the event on November 1. It’s important to recognize our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovati on, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit as they are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia community. Today’s featured winner is Steen Outdoor Advertising.
This Week at the Chamber October 22, 2007
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- VETWORK YOUR BUSINESS Public Policy Update Breakfast at the Chamber 10/23
- Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown 10/23 and 10/24
For more information on all upcoming events, visit the Chamber’s event calendar.
Celebrating Small Biz: The Borden Agency October 19, 2007
Posted by megan in Congrats, The Excellence Awards.3 comments
We’re profiling one of the 11 honorees at the 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses every day leading up to the event on November 1. It’s important to recognize our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit as they are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia community. Today’s featured winner is The Borden Agency. (more…)
Member Events for Next Week October 19, 2007
Posted by megan in Events, Member Submitted.add a comment
Every Friday, we post events put on by our member companies in the upcoming week. If you’d like to see your event posted, email it to us with Member Event in the subject line.
- Growth Strategies in a Global Economy – An Advanced Manufacturing Summit at The Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley-Safe Guard Scientifics Building 10/24 (more info)
- 11th Annual Construction Excellence Awards at the Hub Cira Centre 10/24 (more info)
- PathWays to the Stars 30th Anniversary Kick-off at CBS 3’s new headquarters at 1555 Hamilton Street in Philadelphia 10/25 (more info)
- “WHAT IS YOUR 30 SECOND COMMERCIAL??” led by Business Coach Melinda Emerson at IKEA Conshohocken Restaurant 10/25 (more info)
Members, post events, announcements, job opportunities and more on the member’s only bulletin board.
Chamber Supports PREP Bill in City Hall October 18, 2007
Posted by megan in Michael Nutter, Public Policy, Summer Internships.add a comment
This afternoon, our Executive VP of the Chamber, Joe Mahoney, testified at City Hall before members of the Finance Committee in support of the Philadelphia Re-Entry Employment Program (aka PREP, aka Bill 070693). This important piece of legislation would encourage companies to hire ex-offenders by offering a $10,000 annual tax credit against the Business Privilege Tax for those employers who hire pre-qualified ex-offenders under certain terms and conditions.
This past summer, the business community stepped up and provided over 1000 employer paid internships for city youth through our Working Solutions initiative. We believe this program helped demonstrate the economic opportunities that are available to kids if they stay in school and off the streets by earning a paycheck. It’s a great way to show young people an alternative to violence. The same concept can be applied to reintroducing ex-offenders back into society. By providing an incentive for employers to hire ex-offenders, a door is opened to them that had seemingly been shut. They are given a second opportunity to stay away from crime by taking advantage of job opportunities that were once not available to them because of their past.
We applaud Councilman Goode and former Councilman Nutter for their work on this legislation and support the concept and approach that are outlined in the bill.
To read the full testimony, click here.
Celebrating Small Biz: Sterling Limousine & Transportation Services October 18, 2007
Posted by megan in Congrats, The Excellence Awards.add a comment
The 25th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up in just a couple weeks, on November 1! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so each day leading up to the awards we’re profiling a different honoree. Today’s featured winner is Sterling Limousine & Transportation Services. (more…)
