Magic Johnson to Speak at Leadership Fort Wayne 25th Anniversary

Leadership Fort Wayne is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a “Nite of Magic” on Friday, September 26 at the Memorial Coliseum.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be the keynote speaker, chosen for his community leadership activities in urban development. Magic Johnson is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE) which was formed in 1987. MJE’s businesses are at the forefront of urban development, raising the understanding of the multicultural consumer. Through MJE, Magic Johnson is bolstering the economy by establishing brand name businesses in underserved communities, training and hiring local residents, employing local contractors and opening doors for other businesses to find success in diverse communities.

Mr. Johnson is also Chairman and Founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation. Inc. He is dedicated to developing programs and supporting services that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Founded in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) has become one of the most recognizable charitable organizations around the world.

Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) is a nationally recognized community leadership development, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1983. The organization’s purpose is to ensure high quality leadership and active involvement of informed and dedicated citizens to meet the present and future challenges that face the Allen County-Fort Wayne community. Since 1983, thousands of participants, reflecting a cross section of the community, have participated in LFW programs and taken an active role as community trustees. LFW also has extended leadership development programs to the youth of the community and non profit organizations.

To complete the Nite of Magic theme, Dick Stoner, local magician and Jason Latimer, internationally recognized magician, will perform. In 2003 Latimer became the third American in history to hold the “Grand Prix Best Overall World Champion of Magic,” has performed in more than 40 countries, and has collected the most innovative illusions in the industry.

For ticket information, call Leadership Fort Wayne office at (260) 481-6112.

Author Richard Bottner Named to Business Week's Top 25 U.S. Entrepreneurs Under 25

Author Richard Bottner was recently named to Business Week 's "Top 25 U.S. Entrepreneurs Under 25." Bottner spoke at the Chamber this past May at the Graduate Retention Breakfast.

Bottner is the founder of the New England Internship Program and also the author of "Total Internship Management: The Employer's Guide to Building the Ultimate Internship Program."

Congratulations Richard!

Click here for the full story.

Parkview Health Steps Up to the Plate

The City of Fort Wayne, Parkview Health and Hardball Capital today announced that Parkview has agreed to become the signature partner for the new downtown Harrison Square development. Parkview has agreed to make an annual commitment of $300,000 per year ($150,000 of which will be contributed directly to the City’s Capital Maintenance and Improvement Fund) for at least the next ten years. The new downtown ballpark will be known as Parkview Field.

Parkview’s investment in the Harrison Square project will total $3 million over the 10 year initial term. Half of that investment will go directly into the City of Fort Wayne’s Capital Maintenance and Improvement Fund, which will assure that Parkview Field remains a first-class facility and an asset to downtown Fort Wayne and the surrounding community.

In addition to the ballpark being named “Parkview Field,” Parkview Health will receive a seat on the Board of Advisors that oversees both Parkview Field and the employment of the Capital Maintenance and Improvement Fund.

Parkview and the soon-to-be-renamed Fort Wayne Wizards will also be collaborating on numerous health-related initiatives at Parkview Field. Later this fall the logo for Parkview Field will be unveiled to the community. Parkview Health will also be designated as the ballclub’s “Official Hospital Partner.”

The first official game at Parkview Field will be April 16, 2009 at 7 p.m. Parkview Field has also been awarded the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game.

More information on Parkview Health can be found here. More information on the Harrison Square project can be found by clicking here.

Morning Mix Correction

CORRECTION: In September's issue of Business People magazine we incorrectly stated the location and host for the Chamber's next Morning Mix.

The Landmark Conference & Reception Centre will be the host for the next Morning Mix on September 18 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. The Landmark Conference & Reception Centre is located at 6222 Ellison Road.

The Morning Mix offers speed networking at its best and is designed for professionals who are involved in sales, business development, public relations, or any career that requires getting the word out. You will experience 20 minutes at three different tables, receiving the opportunity to present your "unique selling proposition" to a couple of dozen businesspersons in a fast-paced, fun and structured setting

Admission is $5. In addition, please make sure to bring a stack of your business cards. Continental breakfast is included. To reserve a space, contact the Chamber at (260) 424-1435 or register online here. You do not have to be a Chamber member to attend.

New IPFW Business Seminar on Strategy & Success

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Meet Me @ 5 Tonight!

Tonight don't miss the Chamber's Meet Me @ 5. The event will be hosted by North Eastern Group at the Foxwood Community from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Foxwood Community is located off Wheelock Road (between Rothman & Flutter) in Fort Wayne. Come enjoy the pool side party, trolley tours of the community and networking opportunities.

The cost to attend is $5 plus a business card for Chamber members of $10 plus a business card for non-Chamber members. For more information contact the Chamber at (260) 424-1435 or register online here.

Hope to see you there!

Relax and Recharge

"Take a moment to reflect each day. Remember your thoughts and feelings and know, at that very second, somewhere in the world, a woman quite different from yourself is taking a journey similar to your own."

It is with that thought of connectivity and the common thread among women Woman’s Night Out was established. It is an event that brings women together to simply have fun with absolutely no obligations…

Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends or a chance to meet new people in an unfamiliar city you’ll find the perfect atmosphere at Woman’s Night Out on September 18 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne.

The beautiful venue will allow for a night of great entertainment, delectable treats, upscale shopping and a high fashion runway show that will leave you breathless. In the end, each woman will walk away with a gift bag all their own.

For more information, to learn our history or order tickets for this fabulous event, check out http://www.womansnightout.com/.

Get Mind Captured

Capture the mind of your customers when Tony Rubleski visits the Chamber on September 24!

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Verizon Extreme Tech Home Makeover This Weekend

The Fort Wayne families that will be receiving the extreme technology home makeovers from Verizon have been selected and announced. Congratulations to the Royer Family and Porter Family.

On Saturday, September 13, a block party will be held at the Royer residence at 9420 Saratoga Road which is out west off of Liberty Mills Road. The Porter residence at 1314 East Wallen Road in northern Fort Wayne will have their block party on Sunday the 14th. Verizon is canvasing the area to get word out about these events. A film crew will be on site at each of these sites from 2 - 6pm during the block party.

There will be food, family activities and games to play. At 5:45 pm both days will be the unveiling of each family's home with all of the latest technology and gadgets. The shows will be aired later this fall on a local TV station, available on video on demand nationwide on Verizon's FiOS TV and also available online at www.2pointhome.com for anyone in the world to view.

To view interviews with the family's visit the Web site and check out the block parties this weekend!

Don't Miss New LEADS Forum

LEADS - Leadership Experiences And Developing Success
A new forum has been developed for Chamber members, specifically those looking to grow their business through leads, professional development and relationship-building.

The LEADS Group is designed for young peers in non-competing businesses to meet monthly to share and gain practical knowledge and counsel on today's business challenges.

If your business is a Chamber member and you are a 20- or 30-something, mark your calendar for our kick-off event on Wednesday, September 17 @ 8 a.m. Location - WestPoint Financial, 6920 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 120.

RSVP to Teresa Royer at (260) 424-1435, troyer@fwchamber.org or register online here.

Business Health Services Clinic Moves Locations at Time Corners

The Business Health Services Clinic at Time Corners has moved to a new location within the same complex. The clinic’s new address is 5976 W. Jefferson Blvd. and is located between Head First Styling and China Buffet.

While RediMed is best known for treating minor illnesses and injuries at five urgent care clinics across the region, it also has a proud tradition of providing resources to area employers through Business Health Services.

For more information about Business Health Services call (260-436-2273).

Chamber Member BIG Launches Web Site

Chamber member, Brand Innovation Group, has rolled out their new Web site which features “wow factor” in WebSix interactive environments built around a virtual city to provide a true multimedia experience and tell the brand story.

To see the new Web site, visit gotobig.com.