On the Airwaves Tomorrow

On the Chamber Radio Show tomorrow will be Karen Tejera of Fort Wayne Shows talking about the upcoming Home & Garden Show. The radio show airs at noon tomorrow on 1250 AM and 102.9 FM.

Fort Wayne Shows has been producing high quality consumer shows for 35 years. The most popular each year is the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show which takes place at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Feb. 28 - March 2. New for 2008 will be the Treasures of King Tut Exhibit.

"Biggest Losers" Coming to Fort Wayne

Chamber member, Supper Thyme USA, just let us know that two of NBC’s “The Biggest Losers” will be in Fort Wayne this weekend to kick off Fort Wayne's own "Biggest Loser Contest." Marty Wolff and Amy Hildreth combined lost over 250 pounds on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser."

Amber Fiess from Super Thyme USA hopes their story will inspire people to lose weight and improve their health and become Fort Wayne's Biggest Loser.

Marty and Amy will be making an appearance at Supper Thyme USA (6735 W. Jefferson Blvd.) on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. for a customer reception.

Call (260) 436-0467 for more information.

Umbrella Series Makes a Splash

Here are some pictures from this morning's Umbrella Series. What a great event and there's more to come. The first in the series, "The Umbrella Story" gave us insight into manufacturer/dealer relationships.

But don't worry. If you missed this session its okay. There are 5 more you can attend. See one or join the rest of the series - its up to you.

The next seminar takes place on February 28 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. with "Conviction" and boy are we looking forward to it. "Conviction" tells the TRUE story of Buck, a real business owner who made the conscious decision to trust his employees. And here's the kicker: they were all ex-convicts! Learn how to transform your business and your life with this next presentation. It is not to be missed!

Contact Rita Chalfant at the Chamber to find out how you can attend by calling (260) 424-1435 or rchalfant@fwchamber.org

Discounts are available for members and non-profits!!

Bid Opportunity for Indianapolis Airport

Our friend (and Chamber Champion) Stacey Smith of Prairie Quest Consulting has passed along a wonderful opportunity for Chamber members here in Fort Wayne.

The New Indianapolis Airport has put out an RFP for a Tenant Fit-Out (Bid Package H41) They are looking for, among other things, bids on floorcoverings, sealants, wallcoverings, electrical, HVAC, fire protections, lockers, and much more.

Click here for a full list of information or visit http://www.newindianapolisairport.com/

Pre-Bid: February 21, 2008 at 10:00 am
Aviation Technology Center, Room #1093
2175 South Hoffman Rd, Indianapolis, IN

Bid Opening: March 11, 2008 at 2:00 am
Midfield Program Office2349 Aviation DriveIndianapolis, IN 46241

Gov. Daniels to Sign Great Lakes Compact

Joni's Notes From the Statehouse...

A bill that would put lndiana at the forefront of an effort to protect the Great Lakes has become one of the first bills to reach Gov. Mitch Daniels' desk this legislative session.

The Indiana House voted 91-8 Tuesday to approve Senate Bill 45 without changes, sending the legislation straight to Daniels, who is expected to sign it into law (Indianapolis Star). The legislation implements the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The pact requires the governors of all the Great Lakes states to approve any effort to divert water from the lakes to other regions of the country.

Joni's Notes from the Statehouse

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

Yesterday was Allen County Day at the Statehouse. Our local officials traveled through the ice to meet with our legislative delegation on issues that effect local goverment and Allen County. County Council members Paula Hughes and Paul Moss testified before Ways & Means as to how the proposed caps would effect budgets, services, and taxpayers. While the caps would significantly affect budgets, our local officials seemed optimistic that the measures would be do-able.

I'm encouraged by the increased participation of our local officials, community leaders and public. If Northeast Indiana folks aren't talking to our legislators I can guarantee someone else will!

Today there are a couple of big issues that will be up for discussion. Legislation that deals with tightening Tax Increment Financing (TIF) (Senate Bill 17) will be heard in Ways & Means this morning. Also being heard is SB 335 on illegal alien matters. The controversial bill has been weakend significantly since it's introduction, however there are still some serious concerns for business.

Chamber to Partner on Mayor's State of the City Address

In a news release from yesterday afternoon -


Fort Wayne, Ind. – Putting his own stamp on a Fort Wayne leadership tradition, Mayor Tom Henry announced that the State of the City address will be a signature event for the community during his tenure. He issued a special invitation to the public to attend the first of these hallmark speeches set for noon Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Grand Wayne Center.

“Even in the midst of these changeable times, Fort Wayne is a place filled with opportunity,” said Mayor Henry. “By working together, marshalling our creativity and making every dollar work doubly hard, I know we can keep our momentum growing. I look forward to the State of the City. Let’s talk about how we continue to make Fort Wayne a first-choice city known for its good jobs, healthy neighborhoods, innovation, fiscal stewardship and climate of possibility.”

The City is partnering with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance to host the address.

The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP by 5 p.m. February 25 with the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Chamber’s Government & Community Affairs coordinator Jennifer Spurlock at (260) 424-1435 x 259 or jspurlock@fwchamber.org to reserve a space.

The address will be televised live on WANE-TV and Indiana’s NewsCenter. City TV is scheduled to air it throughout March on Comcast Channel 58 and Verizon Channel 28.

Chamber's Mike Landram to Moderate All-Star Panel

This Wednesday the Chamber's own Mike Landram, Vice President of Workforce & Business Development will moderate an all-star panel of state leaders in advance manufacturing, life sciences, technology and entrepreneurism at the 2008 Internship Symposium on February 13 in Indianapolis.

The event is billed as: “Indiana’s Edge: Accelerating Growth Through Internships” and is presented by Indiana INTERNnet at the Indiana Chamber Conference Center in downtown Indy.

Panel members Carol D’Amico of Conexus Indiana, David Gard of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Brian Modiano of TechPoint and Brian Stemme of BioCrossroadsLINX will explore how internships are incorporated into Indiana’s economic initiatives.

Event information: The cost is $49 per person. Tickets include an internship manual and lunch. To reserve your seat, call (317) 264-6894 or visit http://www.indianaintern.net/.

Casa Fundraiser Takes Place Sunday

We just got word from Jim Casaburo, Owner/Operator of Casa Restaurants that they are having a fundraiser this Sunday, February 17 at Homestead High School from noon - 6 p.m.

The fundraiser will benefit the educational fund of the children of Mike Triegoaff. Triegoaff was a long-time employee of Casa restaurants, having worked 13 years as a bartender. He recently passed away from bladder cancer.

Jim said that "Mike was just one of those guys everyone loved. He touched a lot of people. He is sorely missed by us all."

The fundraiser consists of a silent auction with food provided by Casa Restaurants. The cost is $10 a ticket.

There are some great items to bid on including: a set of Vera Bradley luggage, auto detailing, sports memorabilia, jewelry, Komets & Wizards box seats and much more.

For more information call: (260) 745-7200