Internship Symposium Monday in Indy

On Monday, February 2 the Chamber's Mike Landram, Vice President of Workforce & Business Development, will take part in the 2009 Internship Symposium in Indianapolis. Mike will speak as part of a panel at 11 a.m. on how "Regional Efforts Pay Big Dividends: Discover powerful regional internship initiatives and learn how you can replicate these
models in your own community."

For more information, click on the image below. Stay tuned for more information regarding the Chamber's own upcoming Internship Symposium, scheduled for March 4, 2009 at the Chamber of Commerce.

2009 ATHENA Nominees

Congratulations to the 2009 ATHENA Award® Nominees :

Barbara Berghoff – President/CEO - Pro Fed Credit Union

Kristi Cortezano – Account Development Rep – T-Mobile

Kim Gonzalez – Communications Manager – Do It Best Corp.

Karen Gregerson – Sr VP/Chief Financial Officer – STAR Financial Bank

Cindy Joyner – Director – Neighborhood Code Enforcement

Linda Kluczinske – Director, Counselor, Minister – Wings of Hope

Kathleen Randolph – President/CEO – WorkOne Northeast

Barb Richards – Program Director – WAJI Majic 95.1FM

Sherri Weidman – CEO – Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana - Michiana

Brenda West – Principal, Adams Elementary – FWCS

Lena Yarian – President – Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana

Please join us in celebrating these remarkable women at the Chamber’s 5th Annual ATHENA Award® Luncheon on March 11, 2009 at Ceruti’s Summit Park (6601 Innovation Blvd.) Tickets are $35, $280 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, click here. For more information please contact (260) 424-1435.

All Three City Skating Ponds Open

For the first time this winter, all three of the City’s skating ponds are open and safe for skaters. Lakeside Park pond is open for the following hours: Weekdays 4 - 9pm and weekends noon – 4pm. The E. Swinney Park and Reservoir Park ponds were also cleared and hockey goals are set up.

Staff from the Parks & Recreation Department check ice conditions daily at E. Swinney, Reservoir and Lakeside ponds. More reliable ice is available at Headwaters Park and McMillen Ice Arena during public skating hours.

For additional information, call the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department at (260) 427-6000 or visit www.fortwayneparks.org.

See you at Cc: me Tonight!

They say its all about who you know. Well they were right!

Hope to see you tonight for a fun-filled evening of communicating and connecting at the Chamber's first Cc: me tonight from 5 -7 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Rooftop Lounge.

Don't miss out...get cc'd!

Next Week: How to Survive the Recession Seminar

Learn the steps to survive and thrive during tough economic times. “How to Survive the Recession” will take place on Tuesday, February 3 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Chamber. Bring your business questions and challenges. Engage the real-world business experience of SCORE's expert presenters.

Workshop topics:
Recognition of a recession
Small business impact and warning signs
Reduce costs
Review personnel and downsize
Review core business analysis - cut out all non value added functions
Manage receivables
Restructure debt
Extend payment terms
Get employees involved and empowered
Maintain/Increase revenue
Benchmark competitors
Benchmark products and review product offering
Review needs with customers
Last Resort - bankruptcy

Register online at fwchamber.org by February 2 or RSVP to Heather Neilson at (260) 424-1435, ext. 241 or hneilson@fwchamber.org. The cost to attend is $20.

Arts United 2009 Fund Drive Starts with Unveiling of Community Mosaic

Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne is starting the public portion of the 2009 Fund Drive with an open house and unveiling of a community art project.

When: Thursday, January 29th from 5:30-7:30 pm
Where: Arts United Center, 303 E. Main Street, downtown Fort Wayne.
Why: Fund Drive Kickoff & opening reception for art display
Who: The free reception is open to the public.

Chamber's Blog Celebrates 1 Year of Informing Business Community

One year ago today, on January 28, the Daily Dose came into existence to inform the Northeast Indiana business community about the latest and greatest happenings. Since that time the blog has developed a loyal following and become nationally syndicated!

We hope that you enjoy your Daily Dose! If you do, recommend it to a friend and be sure to send your news and information to us for inclusion in future postings.

Thank you for making us part of your daily routine. For questions about the Daily Dose please contact Nicole Wilkins at nwilkins@fwchamber.org.

Lutheran Hospital Announce New Name for Ortho Facility

The newest hospital of the Lutheran Health Network has undergone a name change to better reflect the type of care it provides. Beginning immediately, the Lutheran Musculoskeletal Center will be known as The Orthopaedic Hospital of Lutheran Health Network.

The Orthopaedic Hospital of Lutheran Health Network opened under the name Lutheran Musculoskeletal Center in January 2006 as a 114,600-square-foot addition to Lutheran Hospital addressing the special needs of this patient population. The 17,873-square-foot FWO outpatient surgery center, 7601 W. Jefferson Blvd., opened in 1994.

Leadership Development Roundtable Kickoff February 12

Leadership Development Roundtable Kickoff has been moved to February 12 from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact Heather Neilson at (260) 424-1435, ext. 241 or hneilson@fwchamber.org.

Come to the Third Annual Hard Hat Awards

Join the Downtown Improvement District for the third annual Hard Hat Awards on Wednesday, January 28 at 6 p.m. The Hard Hat Awards recognize outstanding maintenance, improvement and construction projects, as well as civic leadership and entrepreneurship in Downtown Fort Wayne.

The Awards take place at 6 p.m. in the One Summit Square building (2nd Floor Auditorium). Refreshments will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m.

RSVP at (260) 420-3266 or rsvp@downtownfortwayne.com.

Get cc'd Thursday

This Thursday don't miss the launch of the Chamber's new monthly networking event, Cc: me, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum lounge from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

They say in business it's all about who you know...They were right! Cc: me is the place to build your professional network, establish lasting business relationships and catch the latest business buzz.

This is not a place where you will be bombarded with sales pitches. It is about networking in its truest sense. Not sure what true networking is or how to do it? Chamber "Connectors" will be present to help connect you to those you should meet and know.

Our first Cc: me has lots of surprises in store. Create your own Sports Illustrated magazine cover, meet local sports mascots and enjoy Complimentary Cerveza, hosted by Five Star Distributing.

Thank you to our sponsors, First Federal Bank and Five Star Distributing and our host, the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. For more information or to get involved with Cc: me contact Member Relations Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Spice Up Your Home for Spring at the Home & Garden Show

Embrace the signs of spring at the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show, the No. 1 winter attraction in the Midwest. Handymen, antique collectors and kids alike will all find something they enjoy at this year's show, which takes place February 26 - March 1 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

This year the Home & Garden Show features a variety of opportunities to learn how to spruce up your home for spring and lessen clutter. Experts will also be sharing the newest trends in gardening and the secrets of landscape design. In addition to organizational and interior design tips for adults, there will be plenty of fun for kids too, including lessons on making healthy snacks, face painting, pottery, appearances from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, and more.

Cancer Services will be raising funds and awareness for its annual fundraiser, Design on Life, on February 21 from 7 - 10 p.m. at the Show.

For show hours, admission prices, and a full listing of speakers and activities visit the Home & Garden Show Web site.

ATHENA Scholarship Deadline Extended to 2/6

The ATHENA Scholarship deadline has been extended to Friday, February 6. If you know a female high school senior, class of 2009, who plans to attend college anywhere in the state of Indiana then have her apply!

The application and information can be found on the Chamber home page at www.fwchamber.org.

For more information please contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Be a Sponsor for a Good Cause

Be a sponsor for the Kids Helping Kids Basketball Invitational and support a worthy cause while gaining exposure for your organization. The Kids Helping Kids is the signature fundraising event for the Mad Anthony Children's Hope Hospitality House, which is the only freestanding pediatric hospitality house in northeast Indiana.

The Kids Helping Kids Invitational takes place February 13-15 at Spiece Fieldhouse in Fort Wayne, and promises to be a learning opportunity for young athletes as well as a chance to impact families with children suffering from injury or chronic illness.

A number of sponsorship levels are available, from $250 to $5,000. Sponsors' information will be on display throughout the event, which will have approximately 5,000 attendees.

For more information on the Invitational or how to become a sponsor, contact Lorie Ailor, Event Chair at (260) 435-7248. Sponsor ads and logos must be submitted by February 1.