Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is offering a seminar titled Professional Ethics: Do the Right Thing, All Day Everyday. Today, professional ethics is more relevant than ever.  Each day, we hear stories of unethical practices in business and society. This interactive seminar will provide attendees with knowledge about ethical theories and practices and how to implement strategies to improve ethics within their organization.

Dr. Todd A. Shawver, CMA and owner of High 5 Corporate Training Solutions will present the seminar, which will take place on Friday, September 14th from 8:30 to 10:30 am at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce office, 20 W. Broad Street in Downtown Hazleton. Registration is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non Chamber members. This seminar qualifies for 2 hours of CEP credits for Pennsylvania CPA’s. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required by registering on the Chamber’s online calendar at www.hazletonchamber.org or by contacting the Chamber at 455-1509 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For all upcoming Chamber and community events visit their website.

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce will hold an exclusive Networking Mixer hosted and sponsored by Providence Place Retirement Community located at 149 S. Hunter Highway, Route 309 in Drums on Thursday, September 6th from 5 pm to 7 pm. The mixer is free for Chamber members, their employees and guests.  

The event is an opportunity to network with your fellow Chamber members, meet Chamber ambassadors as well as the newest members of the Chamber. This has become an annual mixer that Chamber members have come to look forward to each year.

Complimentary hors d' oeuvres, beer, wine and a champagne will be provided, doorprize drawings will take place and facility tours will be offered. Reservations for the mixer are required by contacting the Chamber at 455-1509 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by registering online at hazletonchamber.org.

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is offering an OSHA Focus Four Training course on Wednesday, August 29th from 9 am to 2:30 pm. The cost is $79.00 per person and $39 for each additional person registered from same company or if you have completed an OSHA course with the Chamber previously in 2012.

The training is being instructed by Joseph A. Thomas, ASC, CPOSH, Authorized OSHA Instructor of J. Thomas Safety First, LLC. Mr. Thomas provides occupational safety and health consulting services in PA, NJ, DE, MD, CT and MA. His consulting services consist of OSHA compliance with 40 years experience in all aspects of safety.

This is targeted training for anyone working with Focus Four Hazards. Attendees will learn important safety guidelines enforced by OSHA, in order to maintain a safer work environment. This training will provide you the opportunity to take back to your workplace the ability to setup standards as well as enhance your safety culture, therefore providing a safe working environment.

The Downtown Hazleton Farmers’ Market, conducted each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Citiscape Parking lot, Downtown Hazleton, will feature a special “Bike Safety” workshop this Saturday. The program will be conducted by Steve Stamatopoulos from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Citiscape Parking lot.  All bike riders are encouraged to bring their bikes to be inspected. Following the Bike Safety program will be Lauren Vito of Frankie’s Pizzeria and Restaurant who will provide a free cooking demonstration beginning at 11 a.m.  

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is in its second year of operation, is conducted by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Center for Landscape Design & Stewardship and includes the following vendors:  Burger's Farm, Carmen's Restaurant, Commission on Economic Opportunity, The Center for Landscape Design & Stewardship, Drum's Produce, Frankie's Restaurant, Hair of the Dog/Jagger’s Doggie Treats, Hazleton YM/YWCA, O'Hara's Orchards, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Luzerne County, Razz's Hickory Syrup, and Rohrbach's Farm.

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce will hold an exclusive Networking Mixer sponsored by Pecora Real Estate which will feature the brand new model townhome at Valley View Townhomes located on Alliance Drive off the Airport Beltway in Hazleton, Butler Township. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 28th from 5 pm to 7 pm and is free for Chamber members, their employees and guests.  

The event is an opportunity to network with your fellow Chamber members, meet Chamber ambassadors as well as the newest members of the Chamber.

Complimentary hors d' oeuvres and wine will be provided and a doorprize drawing for a basket of cheer will also take place. Reservations for the mixer are required by contacting the Chamber at 455-1509 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by registering online at hazletonchamber.org.

140 local and regional golfers will tee off at 11:00 AM on Thursday for the 45th Annual Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing.  The shotgun start tournament is scheduled to take place at 11 am at Split Rock Resort Golf Club in Lake Harmony and will feature trophies, prizes and awards valued at more than ten thousand dollars.

The tournament will begin with registration and a continental breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the $5000 putting contest beginning at 9:00 a.m.  A cocktail hour and hors d’ oeuvres as well as a full course dinner and awards program will take place following the round of play.

Starting Hole Assignments

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is now seeking nominations for their 11th Annual Business & Community Awards. The awards are given each year in order to recognize individuals and businesses, which help to promote and support the Greater Hazleton Area.

Nominations are being accepted for: Small Business of the Year; Large Business of the Year, Rocco Colangelo, Sr. Volunteer of the Year, Pride of Place, Healthy Workplace of the Year, Green Business of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Once a business or individual has been nominated, they will be notified by the Chamber and asked to complete an application. The applications are reviewed by a volunteer committee of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, and all winners will be recognized at a special luncheon program, sponsored by Luzerne County Community College, to be held on Thursday, October 25th at 11:45 a.m. at Top of the 80’s in Hazleton.

Frank DeAndrea, Chief of Police for the City of Hazleton and Edward A. Pane, President and CEO of Serento Gardens, will share the dais at this month’s Red Carpet Program when they address the business community on Wednesday, August 22nd.
Discussion will center on crime, both real and perceived, prevention, and programs available throughout the Greater Hazleton Area. Information will also be provided on the Seasons Change event that is scheduled to take place in October.

The program, sponsored by DeAngelo Brothers Inc. (DBi), will begin with a breakfast beginning at 7:45 a.m. at Mea’s Restaurant, located at Hayden Towers in the Markle Building, Downtown Hazleton.

Chamber members and guests wishing to attend may register online or contact Julie Ferry, at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce at 455-1509. Cost of the program is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for business guests.

Downtown Hazleton Farmers’ Market to Conduct “Kids in the Kitchen” Workshop this Saturday The Downtown Hazleton Farmers’ Market, conducted each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Citiscape Parking lot, Downtown Hazleton, will feature a special “Kids in the Kitchen” workshop this Saturday. According to Chamber President Donna Palermo, “This year, we have added several different activities or events during the market hours and this week, Stefanie Patounas, a certified nutritionist, will conduct an activity for kids who will gain first-hand experience preparing fresh ingredients available at the Market. The workshop will include hands-on instruction, delicious samples, and recipes to take home so students can share what they learn with family and friends. The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. outside, weather permitting. This workshop will also compliment the Hazleton YM/YWCA’s kid’s activities for this week and will feature music provided by D.J. Tony Pacelli.”

Palermo continues, “Previous weeks we conducted a songwriting workshop for kids by the local band Sleuth, plus they also entertained the Market-goers with music throughout the Market hours; had a cooking demonstration by Ed Kulish from Mea’s Restaurant; kids’ activities were conducted by the Hazleton YM/YWCA, and two workshops were conducted through the Penn State Master Gardeners of Luzerne County.”

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Citslinc International, will be providing an informational seminar for chamber members, family members, employees and the general public, on a trip to China.  The trip will take place from April 11th, 2013 through April 19th, 2013.  Trip highlights will include nine days with three full meals each day.  Highlights of the tour will include Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, The Great Wall, and Ming Tombs; Suzhou: Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple and the National Embroidery Institute; Hangzhou: Lingyin Temple, West Lake, and the Economic Development Zone; Shanghai: Yu Garden, the Bund, and the Pudong Economic Development Zone.

According to marketing committee chair, Gary Danish, “The Chamber will be conducting a free informational seminar to learn the complete details of the trip.  Anyone who is interested in learning more about the trip can attend the seminar on Thursday, August 30th at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices at Citiscape, 20 W. Broad Street, Downtown Hazleton. Deadline to make a reservation is December 28th, 2012.  In addition to information on the trip, a Power Point presentation from a previous Chamber trip will be shown.”  Danish further states, “If someone cannot attend session but still would like to receive information on the trip call the Chamber office at 455-1509 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration for this seminar may be made online or call the Chamber.