What Are You Doing at Noon Tomorrow?

Take a listen to the Chamber's radio show tomorrow at noon on 1250 AM WGL and 102.9 FM The River. The guests on the show will be Nicholas Cochran and Matt Wake of Launch Mobile Media.

The Chamber's radio show takes place each Saturday at noon. If you're not tuning in, you're missing out...Interested in being a guest? Let us know.

What's Happening Under the Umbrella?

Has anyone seen the video on the upcoming Umbrella Series at the Chamber? Check it out at http://www.umbrellastory.com/ I can't wait to attend, especially after watching the video clip...call (260) 424-1435 ext. 263 to reserve your seat now.

Chamber Member Receives Design Contract

We just got word that Chamber member MartinRiley architect-engineers of Fort Wayne has been awarded the design of the new Community & Recreation Center for The New Haven-Adams Township Park and Recreation Department.

"100 Best Companies to Work For" Includes Chamber Members

Fortune magazine released its list of "100 Best Companies to Work For 2008" and a couple Chamber members made the list, including:

#7 - Starbucks
#51 - Paychex
#57 - Ernst & Young

Congratulations! Check out the full list for 2008 here

The Feet on the Street

By Teresa Royer

Part of my job as Member Relations Specialist is to be in contact with our members and prospective members. One of the ways I do this is by putting my "feet on the street” and visiting our Chamber members at their location to learn more about them. This way I can tell others and explain what benefits and services there are at the Chamber to tap into if there's a need.

I am constantly amazed at the things I learn by meeting with our members one-on-one; there are many interesting stories, facts, tidbits that people need to hear sooooo, I will be adding to your daily dose on a regular basis with what I found interesting in my travels -- quite often I share them with my co-workers—why not you?

If I would be welcome to visit your business and learn what you do, please give me a call at (260) 424-1435….

Yesterday I was out for my weekly visits with members and this is what I found out!

Did you know White’s Family Services, believe it or not, has been in business since 1850. Their history was really interesting. Check it out at: http://www.whiteskids.org/richheritage.asp Regional Manager, Holly Lichtsinn and Dawn Ferengo a Family Specialist were happy to learn about the free use of the meeting rooms for members here at the Chamber as they have a need for a room to train foster parents from time-to-time.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Morel, the General Manager at Elegant Occasions today. I learned that they have been under new ownership as of 12/07. The Time’s Corner’s Lions Club are now the proud new owners. They are keeping the same name of “Elegant Occasions” as they have been around for so long – I’m thinking that the old saying, “if it aint broke, don’t fix it” may come into play here. Elegant Occasions will celebrate their 18th anniversary on June 21st and belive it or not, Lisa has been there for 18 years. She says she loves her job and feels very blessed to have such a good staff to work with.

Stay tuned for more business news from the "feet on the street"...

Chamber Blog Unveiled to Membership

The Daily Dose was unveiled to members today in the Chamber Update newsletter. So far the response is very positive with one member, Scott Howard, saying:

"At a recent meeting (November) they [the Chamber] unveiled their new logo and as the weeks pass they continue to do more and more to get up to speed in the fast moving business environment."

Thank you Scott! We appreciate the community support as we join the blogosphere. Please let us know what you want to see and hear from us. Our ears are open...

Joni's Notes From the Statehouse

By Joni Howell, Manager, Government & Community Affairs...

SB 16 just passed on 3rd reading in the Senate with a vote of 29-18. This legislation addresses the duties of trustee assessors, in efforts to provide more consistency and efficiency in property assessment. It would reduce the number of assessors in the state by 136 from 1100.

Joni's Notes from the Statehouse

By Joni Howell, Manager, Government & Community Affairs...

SEN. DAVID FORD HONORED: The Senate amended SB 111 to rename the Indiana Technology Fund to the Sen. David C. Ford School and Library Technology Fund.

Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, offered the amendment to honor Ford, who is critically ill and fighting cancer. Ford, a Republican from Hartford City, has chaired the Senate Economic Development and Technology Fund since its inception in 2003.

"Senator Ford has been a respected leader, tireless advocate and visionary champion for initiatives aimed at increasing educational opportunities for Indiana children through the use of technology," the amendment said. "The Indiana General Assembly wishes to acknowledge Senator Ford's extraordinary efforts by renaming the Indiana Technology Fund in his honor."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sen. Ford and his family.

Granite City Food & Brewery Opens Today

New Chamber member, Granite City Food & Brewery opens for business today. The Chamber is proud to welcome Granite City to Fort Wayne. The restaurant is located across from Target at 3809 Coldwater Rd. Call (260) 471-3030 or check out http://www.gcfb.com/ for menu and information. A ribbon-cutting and open house ceremony for all Chamber members will take place in early March. Stay tuned for more details...

ATHENA Nominees Announced

The Chamber has announced the 12 ATHENA nominees for the 2008 awards program. Congratulations to the following outstanding candidates:

Crystal Thomas, Levan Scott Academy

Patricia Miller, Vera Bradley
Sandi Kemmish, Lincoln Financial Foundation
Kathy Friend, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Beth Murphy Beams, The Center for Nonviolence, Inc.
Cheri Becker, Invent Tomorrow
Rachel Tobin-Smith, SCAN, Inc.
Kathleen Ann Schrock, Ivy Tech College
Stacy Novotny, Salin Bank & Trust Company
Marjorie Stephens, Better Business Bureau
Karen Goldner, Fourth Wave, LLC
Stacey Smith, Prairie Quest Consulting

The recipient will be revealed on March 27. Seats are just $25. Contact Christy Drake at (260) 424-1435 ext. 266 or cdrake@fwchamber.org to make a reservation. Visit http://www.fwathena.org/ for more information.

The Daily Dose is on the Map

Check out coverage of 'The Daily Dose' at:

Fort Wayne Observed: http://indiana.typepad.com/fwob/2008/01/fort-wayne-cham.html Thanks Mitch!

Journal Gazette's blog - The Scoop: http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/the_scoop/2008/01/fort-wayne-cham.html

Joni's Notes from the Statehouse

By Joni Howell, Manager, Government & Community Affairs...

It's nearing half-time for the 2008 Legislative session. At this time 279 bills have been passed out of committee, 125 from the House, and 154 from the Senate.

I'm sitting in the House Gallery, listening to debate. It's 6pm and we still have a way to go. It may be a very long night at the Statehouse.

Today SB 13- Standardized public school building plans, was heard on 2nd reading in the Senate today. It was ordered engrossed and there were no amendments added. This legislation is often referred to as "the little red schoolhouse" bill. Standardized building plans could help save money on design costs and could help establish more reasonable, lower-cost standards for school construction. The Chamber supports this initiative to use economies of scale in order to maximize the tax dollar.

Wednesday is the last day for bills to be heard on 3rd reading. If a bill hasn't been past by it's house of origin by Wednesday, it dies. The bills will switch chambers next week, House bills will go to the Senate and Senate bills will go to the House.

Third House Forum

Saturday's "Third House Forum" at the Chamber was a success! The Northeast Indiana Delegation made a strong showing to share information about the legislative session with Chamber membership.

The Forum gives members a chance to understand the issues and policies affecting Northeast Indiana. Legislators took questions and responded to concerns voiced by the community as well.

The next "Third House Forum" will take place on Saturday, February 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Chamber.

Verizon Plus Celebrates Grand Re-Opening

On Saturday, January 26 Verizon celebrated the grand re-opening of their Verizon Plus store with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store is located at 4722 Coldwater Road, in the shops at Joann Plaza.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and Commissioner Nelson Peters joined company and Chamber officials for the dedication.

As a result of Verizon's investment in the most advanced network right here in Fort Wayne, its newly modernized store on Coldwater Road showcases the future of entertainment and communications. With the latest in High Definition television, wireless phones and accessories and Internet gaming experience, coming to this store will be unlike any other.

Business Community Gets ‘Daily Dose’ with Chamber Blog

Just launched press release...

Business Community Gets ‘Daily Dose’ with Chamber Blog

The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce announces the launch of ‘The Daily Dose,’ a blog focused on the Chamber, Chamber members and the Northeast Indiana business community.

The mission statement reads: “The Daily Dose is the Chamber’s answer to timely, member-focused business news and content. Get your ‘daily dose’ of the latest Chamber happenings and information relevant to you, your business and the greater Northeast Indiana community.”

The blog, currently available at http://www.chamberdailydose.blogspot.com/ will be housed on the Chamber’s new web site when it is launched in Spring 2008. Interested readers may sign up to receive information posted on the blog by email or RSS feed. Members are invited to post comments and create a meaningful two-way dialogue.

“The Daily Dose is exactly the right communication tool we need to help strengthen our relationship with our members,” said Shannon McNett-Silcox, Vice President of Member Relations. “We are pleased to be opening the door to mutual dialogue and look forward to keeping our membership informed and up-to-date. This blog is yet another step in our Chamber revitalization process – and a cutting-edge step at that.”

The term blog is a shortened form of “web log.” The modern blog evolved in the early 1990s from the online diary, where people kept running account of their lives. Blogs are now widely regarded as important, interactive corporate communication tools to provide information, resources and to post thoughts and comments.

ABOUT THE CHAMBER
The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to business advocacy in Northeast Indiana. Through Member Relations, Government & Community Affairs, Workforce/Business Development and Air Service Development efforts, the Chamber strives to meet and exceed the needs of its nearly 2000 member base.

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The Daily Dose is Here

Welcome to the Daily Dose, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce's answer to timely and appropriate information for our members. Our motto is "Member's First" and so with the creation of our blog we strive to deliver quality news and information and articulate all the Chamber is working toward for members and the greater Northeast Indiana Community.

As always, we welcome your feedback. Please email nwilkins@fwchamber.org with comments and suggestions on what you would like to see from the Chamber.

And most importantly, check back daily or sign up to receive updates of our exciting news and information.