Members of the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce are invited to register for two events in February, including a Making Connections Lunch at The Pourhouse American Grille, Fleetwood, on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and a monthly Breakfast Program on Friday, Feb. 19, at the Kutztown Fire Company. Sponsored by new chamber member K’Town Pub, the program will feature Crystal Seitz, President, Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau, as keynote speaker.
The Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.gogreaterreading.com, serves more than 9 million visitors whose annual spending contributes approximately $1.3 billion to the local economy. Crystal Seitz has served as President for the past 11 years. She is responsible for all marketing and promotional programs and initiatives designed to expand tourism and increase business and leisure travel throughout Greater Reading & Berks County.
Before joining the Visitors Bureau, Crystal was Executive Director for the Berks County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Prior to that, she was employed by Met-Ed for more than 18 years. She was Manager of Culture, Diversity, Labor Relations and Training, and Manager of Community/Educational Initiatives at Met-Ed/GPU/First Energy. She also worked as a Performance Improvement Consultant and as an Advertising/Marketing Consultant for Met-Ed in her early tenure.
A graduate of Kutztown State College, Crystal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Design. She also earned a Certificate in Corporate Community Relations from Boston College. She recently served on the Pennsylvania Travel and Tourism Association as a board member and chaired the Destination Marketing Organization Council at a State level. She is active in many community organizations and committees. She also received the Berks County Chamber’s Athena Award in 2001 and Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction award in 2008.
Crystal resides in Berks County with her husband, Bob. She has two children, Paige of Namibia, Africa, and Bobby of Oley.
The Feb. 19 Breakfast Program is one of eight chamber programs scheduled annually from September through May. Engaging keynote speakers and panel discussions are hosted at various venues in the region. Doors will open at the Kutztown Fire Company, 310 Noble Street, at 7:30 a.m., and the program will conclude at 9 a.m.
Earlier in the month, on Feb. 10, Making Connections, a facilitated networking lunch, will be held at The Pourhouse American Grille, at the intersection of 3341 Pricetown Road, now under new local ownership. Typically, 30 to 35 attendees share their business information in a 60-second elevator speech. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the program runs until 1 p.m.
Advance registration is preferred, but payment at the door will be available for members and non-members. Call 610-683-8860 to register, or register online at www.northeastberkschamber.com.
The mission of Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce is to be a resource and a voice for its members (and those who are not yet members) in Northeast Berks County.
For more information about membership, marketing or speaking opportunities at the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce, contact Lori B. Donofrio-Galley, Executive Director, at 610-683-8860 or at nbcc@ptd.net.
