On the Airwaves Tomorrow

On our radio show tomorrow will be the Chamber's own Dave Young and Mike Landram. The radio show airs at noon tomorrow on 1250 AM and 102.9 FM.



Dave Young is Vice President of Air Service Development at the Chamber and Mike Landram is Vice President of Workforce & Business Development.

Emphasis Hits the Stands Today

Today's issue of Emphasis features a local company that is a world-renowned leader in special event planning as well as thoughts on business continuity from Brent Johnson, Director of the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana.



Also, find out why one study says being a Chamber member PAYS BIG!



Emphasis magazine can be found in the Fort Wayne Business Weekly.

Northwest to Launch Service Sooner than Anticipated

From the press release...


Northwest Airlines Announces Early Launch of New Non-Stop Service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Fort Wayne, Indiana

EAGAN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northwest Airlines announced today its new daily nonstop service between the Minneapolis/St. Paul hub and Fort Wayne, Ind. will begin May 2, 2008, instead of June 5, 2008.

Northwest Airlink partner Pinnacle Airlines will operate the new service using 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft.

Northwest flight 4780 will depart Minneapolis/St. Paul at 8:15 p.m. and arrive in Fort Wayne at 11:10 p.m.

Northwest flight 4781 will depart Fort Wayne at 7:00 a.m. and arrive in Minneapolis/St. Paul at 8:02 a.m.

In Remembrance: Senator David Ford

Our prayers are with the family of Senator Ford today...

59-year-old State Sen. David Ford died this morning at his Hartford City home after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Governor Daniels has ordered flags at the Statehouse to fly at half-staff.

Services for Ford will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Muncie. Details and information can be found at Sen. Ford's web site.

Ford had been under hospice care at his home after being hospitalized January 15 and undergoing emergency surgery at a Fort Wayne hospital. He had kept closely atop Statehouse events this legislative session via telephone and computer, Senate President Pro Tem David C. Long (R-Fort Wayne) said.

State senators will observe a moment of silence for Ford this afternoon at Long’s request.

Ford was a respected Republican who was first elected to the Senate in 1994. He represented District 19, which includes all or parts of Adams, Allen, Blackford, Grant and Wells counties. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, a daughter, three sons,and two grandchildren.

3rd Floor Holds Ribbon-Cutting at Chamber

The Chamber's 3rd Floor celebrated "The Great Cleanup" today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The department wished to unveil their new surroundings to Chamber staff. Representatives from the Mayor's office were also on hand for the celebration.

Wonderful treats, exciting door prizes and networking opportunities were shared by all. Congratulations to the 3rd Floor on an exciting office transformation!

Calling All CEOs

The Chamber is currently expanding the local CEO Roundtable program and invites you to learn more about this program and how it can benefit you at an informational meeting on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 8 a.m. in the Gallery Room at the Chamber.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Rita Chalfant at 424-1435 ext. 263 or by emailing rchalfant@fwchamber.org.

Here are some thoughts by those who have taken part in this invaluable program:

"The people in our Roundtable offer perspectives that I would have to pay enormous sums of money to get in any other way" Chris Battell, President, Brainfood for Business.

"CEO Roundtables create the opportunity to initiate and build high level relationships, bring key concerns and issues to the table and have an open resource of advisors at your fingertips" states Melissa Jaegle, President, Master Consultants.

Internship Symposium Well Attended

The Graduate Retention Program hosted their 2nd Annual Internship Development Workshop at the new Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana this morning.

Despite bad weather threats, over 50 people attended, representing the region’s employers and high school & college educators. Speakers shared their internship experiences, gave tips on developing an internship program, and spoke about generational issues and internships.

“We are very excited to see new employers and educators joining the effort to train and retain our region’s best and brightest students. We anticipate possibly making this workshop a bi-annual event as we work to impact the economic future of Northeast Indiana,” said Kay Anthony, program manager of Graduate Retention.

Joyce Spahr, Human Resources at Ottenweller Company, showed employers how to start an internship program for college students.

Employers and educators listen intently to ideas and tips on working with interns of the Millennial generation.

A Note of Thanks

Dirk at Majic 95.1 WAJI asked us to share the following letter with you...

Dear Dirk and Jeannette,

I am Sharon Leming, Josiah's mother. I just want you to know that you are my heroes! Thank you for being so kind to my son by driving the car to him when my chemotherapy went terribly wrong and put me in a coma. I came home from the hospital Saturday evening, and, even though I am weak, there does not seem to be any permanent neurological damage from the chemo. As you know, Josiah is in California now, but he did not leave my side while I was in the coma.

The generosity of WAJI, Glenbrook Hyundai, and the wonderful people of the Fort Wayne area is absolutely overwhelming. "Thank you" does not seem adequate for all that you did for Josiah. He is so excited to get there in the near future to meet everyone who supports him and who made the car and the other wonderful gifts possible. I wish I could come with him, too, to say thank you in person and to meet all of you. Since that's not possible, I am thanking you now with this message.

I hope someone videotapes his concert there so that I can see it. I have a feeling it will be an amazing celebration!

As a mother, I knew many years ago that the world would discover Josiah's talent one day, and then I would have to share him. I am so grateful that the fans with whom I am "sharing" him are so kind and generous and supportive of him.

Thanks again, from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Sharon Leming

Chamber Co-Sponsors Angel Investing Event

Learn if working with an Angel investor or other investors is the best for your business.

Join the Chamber, Women's Enterprise, Fourthwave and the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center to learn if working with an Angel investor or other investors is the best for your business. This seminar will consist of three parts; (1) a panel discussion with some of Fort Wayne’s top business investors, (2) local attorneys will discuss contract and business considerations when working with investors, and (3) a panel discussion with local business owners who have worked with investors. Each panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A.

Investor Panel: Luke Squire, Ist Source iCARE, Bix Benson, Ruffolo Benson, LLC, The Main Street Venture Fund, LLC and Plymouth Venture Partners I, LLC, Remound Wright, NE Indiana Innovation Center, Karen Goldner, Imagineer Fund

Attorney Panel: Samuel J. Talarico and Janell M. Sprinkle, Barrett & McNagny LLP

Entrepreneur Panel: Melinda Schriver, LacPro Industries, Dr. Herb Schwartz, Schwartz Biomedical

The attendance fee is $10. To register, contact Jo Ellen Pepple at (260) 424-7977 or jpepple@womensenterprise.org.

Chamber Night at the Mad Ants

Last night's Mad Ants game was a good one! Chamber members and staff came out to see the Mad Ants score a victory over Sioux Falls.What a fun night...