“West Virginia Open for Business” has been the slogan of Gov. Joe Manchin’s administration since he took office in January 2005.

“As West Virginia continues to spread the word about the important and positive changes taking place here, more companies are discovering that ‘Open for Business’ is more than just a slogan,” the governor said when he announced his ‘Open for Business’ monthly reports a few months ago. “I look forward to sharing even more exciting economic news in the coming months as we work together to make West Virginia the best that it can be.”

After announcing that the governor would be the featured speaker at the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce dinner set for April 7 at the Raleigh County Armory, chamber officials began thinking about a theme for the event.

“Raleigh County Open for Business seemed to be appropriate,” said Ellen Taylor, chamber president. “We want to hear the governor’s thoughts and plans regarding what ‘Open for Business’ means for Raleigh County.”

Taylor said the governor will discuss a variety of economic development issues at the dinner.

Margaret Rader, of Rader’s Fabric & Decorating on Rural Acres Drive in Beckley, was enlisted to decorate the armory for the dinner event.

Rader’s company is one of 650 members of the chamber.

“So often those members not actively involved still support the chamber by paying their dues, but are not recognized,” Rader said. “This year we are recognizing every single member at the chamber of commerce.”

Rader said a skyline cutout with the names of all 650 chamber members will be at the head table.

“If you are sitting anywhere in the armory, your business name will be visible,” she said.

Rader said with the governor coming to speak at the event, it was important for all chamber member businesses to be represented and that is how she came up with the skyline idea.

“This year we have created an opportunity for every single member to be involved,” Rader said. “It doesn’t matter if it is a small business with three employees or a large business with 300 employees, you will get equal billing on this skyline.”

Rader said the chamber wants to create more ways for all member businesses to be involved.

“All of the member businesses are very important to the chamber, no matter what their size is or what type of business they operate,” she said.

Another way that chamber members can be highlighted during the dinner involves a PowerPoint presentation.

“We have invited all businesses to send us a picture of however they would want to depict their company with a logo and we are going to have it on a PowerPoint presentation that will run through the cocktail hour,” Taylor said. “It will also run during dinner.”

Taylor said member businesses that wish to be a part of the presentation should contact the chamber office.

“There is a limited number of available slide space, so it will be done on a first-come, first-served basis,” she said.

The chamber’s annual dinner is attended by more than 500 members and guests each year, Taylor added.

“Tickets are going fast and reservations must be made,” she said.

Tickets are $55 per person.

The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner at 6:30 p.m., Taylor added.

To purchase a ticket or to make reservations, call the chamber office at 252-7328.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com