Don't Miss Chamber Third House Forum Tomorrow

Be aware and understand issues and policy that affect Northeast Indiana by attending the Chamber's 3rd House Forums. These forums will provide you with an update on both the legislative climate in the Statehouse, and how the Chamber's business issues are faring in the process. Legislators of the Northeast Indiana Delegation are available to take questions and respond to your concerns. Third House Forums take place at the Chamber on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-noon. The dates for 2009 are:

Saturday, January 24
Saturday, February 28
Saturday, March 28

RSVPs are not necessary. Hope to see you there! For more information please contact Keith Knepp at (260) 424-1435, ext. 259 or knepp@fwchamber.org.

In This Issue...

In this issue of the latest Emphasis magazine...center section of the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Corporate Event Organizers provides insight into event planning

Q&A with Melissa Jaegle on why Networking 4 Success is a must for businesses and their employees

What is Chamber Academy?

The Third House Forum Schedule is available!

For more information on Emphasis please contact Nicole Wilkins at nwilkins@fwchamber.org.

On the Air Waves...

Tomorrow's Chamber radio show guest will be Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Smith. The Chamber radio show airs each Saturday at noon on 1250AM and 102.9FM, the River. Tune in if you get a chance!

Mayor's State of the City Address: February 12

Mayor Tom Henry’s State of the City Address will take place Thursday, February 12 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Academy.

This event is co-sponsored by the the Chamber and the Alliance. There is no charge to attend.

The schedule is as follows:
Safety Academy Demonstrations 11:30
State of the City Speech Noon
Light Lunch 12:30

The event is open to the public. Please RSVP to Keith Knepp at (260) 424-1435, ext. 259 or kknepp@fwchamber.org.

Learn About 4-H Opportunities in Allen County

Stop by one of the following locations and learn what the 4-H Program in Allen County has to offer your pre-schooler (Cloverbuds), K-3rd grader (Mini 4-H), or 3-12th grader (Traditional). You will learn about 4-H Clubs near you, and the different 4-H project options for all youth. 4-H Volunteers and Staff will be on hand to answer all your questions about what the 4-H program has to offer.

Open House Locations:

February 7
Main Branch - Childrens Section
Stop by anytime between 1:30-3 p.m.

February 16
Waynedale Library
Stop by anytime between 6:30-8 p.m.

February 24
Georgetown Library
Woodburn Library
Stop by anytime between 6:30-8 p.m.

March 2
Dupont Library
Stop by anytime between 6:30-8 p.m.

March 4
Purdue Extension - Allen County Office
Stop by anytime between 6:30-8 p.m.

History Center to Discuss Early African-American Settlers in Northeast Indiana

Come to the History Center on Sunday, February 1, at 2 p.m., as Dr. Curtis Jones presents "They, Too, Came as Pioneers: Early African-American Settlers in Northeast Indiana."

This free lecture is part of the 2008 George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series and examines the historical research findings on a family's journey from about 1760 until 2009. The Jones family is the primary focal point of this presentation.

Curtis Joseph Jones, Ph.D. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up on a dairy farm in Byron Center, Michigan. He is Professor Emeritus at Grand Valley State University. He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from Western Michigan University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Michigan State University.

Canterbury 5th Grade Scholar Challenge

Chamber member, Canterbury School, is pleased to announce its first “Canterbury 5th Grade Scholar Challenge.” This event is for all Canterbury and area fifth graders and will be held at Canterbury Middle School on the morning of February 21

This unique opportunity will award up to five, $3,000 scholarships that will be applied towards Canterbury Middle School (6th , 7th and 8th grades.) Awards are based upon standardized testing, essay writing and an informal interview.

For more information contact Krista Lohmar, Director of Admissions, at (260) 407-3553, ext. 2007.

(click on image below for larger view)

Chamber Academy

Chamber Academy offers members the chance to teach as well as to learn, with two-hour to four-hour sessions focused on topics designed to help members grow their businesses.If you are interested in sharing your subject-matter expertise, increasing your bottom line and getting in front of potential clients, please submit a proposal to present a seminar.

Desired areas of expertise include Sales/Marketing, Technology, Management/Leadership, The People Side of Business, Growing Your Business and Professional Development. Presenters may submit multiple date requests for a recurring seminar over the period of a year.

The deadline to submit a proposal for first quarter sessions is January 28. For more information, or a Chamber Academy application, contact Heather Neilson at (260) 424-1435, ext. 241 or hneilson@fwchamber.org.

Cc: me Next Week

Don't miss the Chamber's first Cc: me on January 29 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Cc: me has lots of surprises in store: create your own Sports Illustrated magazine cover and enjoy Complimentary Cerveza hosted by Five Star Distributing. (click on image for larger view).

And mark your calendars for Thursday, February 12 from 5 - 7 p.m. as the next Cc: me event takes place as part of "Art Off Main." More details coming soon!

Chamber's Third House Forums

Be aware and understand issues and policy that affect Northeast Indiana by attending the Chamber's Third House Forums. These forums will provide you with an update on both the legislative climate in the Statehouse, and how the Chamber's business issues are faring in the process. Legislators of the Northeast Indiana Delegation are available to take questions and respond to your concerns. Third House Forums take place at the Chamber on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-noon. The dates for 2009 are:

Saturday, January 24
Saturday, February 28
Saturday, March 28

A wrap-up forum following the end of the Legislative Session will take place in late-April or early-May, date TBD.

RSVPs are not necessary. For more information please contact Keith Knepp at (260) 424-1435 or kknepp@fwchamber.org.

Community Harvest Gala 2009

Save the date for the 2009 Community Harvest Food Bank Gala!

Saturday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Fort Wayne Marriott Ballroom
Dinner, Music, Live & Silent Auction

Tickets - $175
Table of 8 - $1,400
Table of 10 - $1,800

To purchase tickets or to volunteer contact Karen Richards at (260) 447-3696, ext. 306 or krichards@feedingamerica.org.

Chamber Member Babicz Introducing New Technology at NAMM Show in California

Babicz Design Ltd. introduced their innovative patent pending Full Contact Hardware at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California January 15-18.

The proprietary Full Contact Hardware technology results in unmatched sustain and tone, dramatic tonal enhancements and substantial performance improvements. Babicz also has a patent pending on the Babicz Serpentine Lever technology.

Babicz Guitars USA, headquartered in Poughkeepsie, New York, maintains a showroom facility in Fort Wayne. Babicz has patented the Variable Set Neck, Torque Reducing Split Bridge, and the Lateral Compression Soundboard. Babicz Guitars are favored by many of the music industry's most renowned artists, such as Todd Rundgren, The Black Eyed Peas, The Pretenders, and many others.

For more information on Babicz Guitars visit babiczguitars.com.

First Morning Mix of 2009 This Thursday

The first Morning Mix of 2009 will take place this Thursday, January 22 from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the new Holiday Inn across from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The Morning Mix was rescheduled from last week due to bad weather.

Come check out one of the newest and coolest Fort Wayne hotels and enjoy speed networking at its best. The Morning Mix 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. If you are interested in being a table captain for a Morning Mix or reserving your space, please contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org. You do not have to be a Chamber member to attend. Walk-ins are welcome.

Do You Know a High School Senior?

Each year the ATHENA Award® program presents several $1,000 scholarships to outstanding area students. The ATHENA scholarships are open to 2009 Indiana high school graduates attending a two- or four-year college or vocational school in Indiana.

Assistance will be given to women demonstrating outstanding leadership in their high school and community. Recipients may attend school half time (at least 6 credit hours) or full time.

For an application visit http://www.fwchamber.org/. Deadline is Monday, February 2.

For more information please contact Kristi Holmes, Vice President of Communications & Member Relations at (260) 424-1435 or kholmes@fwchamber.org.