News

This weekend marks six months out from Christmas. 

Yes, yes, we know. Christmas is still six months away, but for many of our member businesses, the holiday season is the major event on their fiscal calendar.  It never fails, though. The holidays always manage to sneak up on the average small business owner and often plans of organized and exciting marketing programs or special events aimed at boosting sales go by the wayside.  Many will scramble simply to get their place of business decorated and shelves stocked and employee schedules in order.

This year, the Chamber is geared up to help jumpstart your yuletide planning and keep you on track by providing tips, information and easy-to-implement strategies to help maximize sales and improve customer satisfaction. Print them, post them at your business and/or distribute them to employees.  By starting now, we can encourage local spending, promote our products and services and put local businesses in the best light possible this holiday season. Start here by downloading and printing this helpful checklist.  A great place to start.

Who says there isn’t anything to do in Jefferson County? This weekend is packed from end to end with activities and events for the whole family.

Today is the final round of the 2017 Holy Trinity Greek Festival, which is one of our members’ favorite summer events. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and takes place at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 300 S. 4th St. in Steubenville. Whether your taste buds are longing for Lamb Stew, Baklava or a fresh, hot gyro, you won’t be disappointed.  Carry-out orders may be placed via the online ordering system, phone or fax. Please visit the Festival’s website by clicking here or view the complete menu here.  Admission and parking are both free.

And tomorrow, Saturday, June 17, the Historic Fort Steuben & Visitor Center will be hosting the 2017 Hometown Celebration: Dean Martin Centennial from 9 a.m. to midnight. Commemorating the city’s native son, the event is the highlight of the four-day Dean Martin Festival. Dino’s daughter, Deana Martin, will join the birthday parade down 4th Street, after which there will be a Meet and Greet with her at the Fort Steuben Visitor Center at 120 S. 3rd St. The Street Fair is free, while admission for the 4 p.m. Dean Martin 100th Birthday Show at Steubenville High School and the 7 p.m. Dean Martin Celebration at the Spot Bar are $10 each. For the whole slate of events, please click here or call 740-283-4935 for more information.

And most important of all, don’t forget that this Sunday is Father’s Day. We salute all of the fathers within our Chamber membership and thank you for all you’ve done and are doing to raise the next generation of Jefferson County leaders.

We promised a Chamber event like no other, and boy, did our our Ambassadors deliver. This past Tuesday in the green space at the Best Western PLUS The Inn at Franciscan Square, over 125 people sang and danced through dinnertime with games, music, and the most decadent, calorie-laden burgers this side of Guy Fieri.

The Chamber would like to offer its most heartfelt thanks to Nicole Adamski, secretary of the Ambassador Club, Chris Orris, chairman of the Ambassador Club and the entire Burger Bash committee. Their hard work ensured that this annual event was a rousing success and that the newly formed “Anita Jackson Community Service Scholarship” received the support it needed.  It will continue to fund two scholarships for students who will be graduating from a Jefferson County high school and continuing their education at either Eastern Gateway Community College or Franciscan University of Steubenville.  

“Thanks to Nicole and Chris’ passion, we not only had a fun evening, but we also honored Anita’s memory and her passion for education and community service,” Tricia Maple-Damewood, Chamber president, said. “That means a lot to the Chamber and to our ongoing efforts to provide our members with events that are different from the usual business functions.”

Speaking of our members, we would also like to thank those of you who attended and supported the 7th Annual Burger Bash. As with most Chamber’s events, there are many sponsors who helped make the event a success. Please find their names below and remember to support their businesses.

Major Sponsors:  The Inn At Franciscan Square, Advanced Entertainment Limousine, Valley Converting Co., Tri-State Financial Services – Suzanne Kresser, Jarvis Law Office, Ohio Valley Vision Center, Hancock County Savings Bank, Murray’s Restaurant, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Trinity Health System, Eastern Gateway Community College, Steubenville City Schools, Sienna Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, Apollo Professional Cleaning & Restoration and Steubenville Kiwanis Club.

Supporting Sponsors:

• Hauser Furniture Co., Inc.
• First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union
• Joyce CPA’s, Inc.
• Carter Healthcare
• General Rental, Inc.
• Two Brothers Dry Cleaners
• Ohio Valley Business & Professional Women
• Wintersville Trophy Shop
• Signs Limited, LLC
• Proforma Innovative Services
• Valley Hospice, Inc.
• Holiday Inn Of Weirton
• Scaffidi’s Restaurant & Tavern
• McBane Insurance & Financial Services
• Snack Brothers Candy & Chip Company
• Manfred’s Catering
• Mama G’s Catering
• Federico Imported Foods
• Kroger Company – Steubenville
• Steubenville Popcorn Company
• Eat ‘N Park
• Gus’s Goodies
• The Laurels
• Dee Jay’s BBQ Ribs & Grille
• A & B Pharmacy
• Diamond Pharmacy
• Hess Corporation

Remember to support these local Chamber member businesses as you plan for the Easter holiday weekend, Administrative  Professionals’ Day (Wednesday, April 26th), Mother’s Day or for any spring project at your home or business.  Click below to view the specials.

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce will be offering training classes through the local chapter of the American Red Cross on Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. This course will prepare attendees to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children and infants. It also meets OSHA/workplace requirements and, for members of the  Jefferson County Safety Council, it can count as one of the ten required meetings for the Safety Council year.

The training’s will be offered on two dates, Wednesday, April 5th and Wednesday, October 4th.  You need only attend one class to complete the training.  They will be held at the Chamber offices at 630 Market Street in downtown Steubenville. The cost is $95 per person for Chamber members and their employees and $115 for non-members. Space is limited and reserved on a first come, first served basis and all fees must be pre-paid. For more information, click here to email Casey Peters, Safety Council Manager, or call the Chamber offices at 740.282.6226.

If you’ve never attended “Coffee & Connections,” you’re missing out on what has become one of the Chamber’s most popular monthly programs. Designed to be casual, convenient and effective, it starts with a great breakfast followed by a lively round of introductions and “mini-commercials” from those in attendance. It truly is “speed-networking” at its best as participants introduce themselves, their business or organization and touch on the highlights of their products and services, special offers, announcements or upcoming events. Don’t worry about being a great public speaker – the atmosphere is casual and fun. You may get a friendly heckling and if you go over the two minute time limit, you’ll be “gonged.”  This helps us stay on schedule so you can be on your way within the hour.

Bring your business cards, brochures, coupons or promotional items and be sure to download the Chamber’s new app, “Socio” before you arrive so that you can take part in a “virtual business card exchange” with anyone in attendance simply by shaking your phone.  “Coffee & Connections” is held on the second Wednesday of each month from 8 to 9 a.m. at various Chamber member restaurants and catering facilities.

April’s event is going to be a special one hosted by The Jefferson County Farm Bureau  with its board members serving as celebrity chefs, making made-to-order omelettes with all your favorite fillings.  And all of the ingredients featured will be locally sourced!  Farm fresh eggs, bacon, sausage and vegetables all produced by our local farmers.  Bring your staff, sales team or co-workers and see what this event can do for you.  Details along with RSVP information are below.

 “Coffee & Connections” truly represents what the Chamber is all about; local businesses and organizations promoting their products, services and programs. Networking with and learning from fellow business professionals and nurturing an environment of working together to make the local business community bigger, better and stronger.

The 2017 Tri-State Home & Garden Show will be held Friday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 5th, 2017 at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville.

This event is a long-time favorite co-sponsored by The Jefferson County and Weirton Area Chambers of Commerce along with Wheelhouse Creative, DeNoon Lumber and Weirton Medical Center. The new location at St. Florian Hall will feature new and exciting changes in food, setting, decor and amenities that you won’t want to miss. This is an exceptional promotional opportunity for your business to showcase its goods and services to thousands of attendees during the three-day event. Attendance has hit 5,000 in past year’s with visitors from throughout the tri-state area.  Chamber members receive a $100 discount on booth space and electrical service, table and chairs and draperies are included.

Please view and/or print the attached information along with registration form by clicking here.  If you have any questions, please contact Rob Vandine or Brandi Waligura at Wheelhouse Creative at 304.905.6005.