Friday, February 27, 2009

Chamber Members - Please be advised:

Today the Chamber discovered that CertifiChecks, Inc., which administers the Chamber’s CertifiChecks gift certificate program, has ceased operations effective immediately. CertifiCheccks, Inc. failed to provide any advanced warning of this action. We are trying to learn more and as additional information becomes available we will share it with you. In the interim, we wanted to inform you of this development so that you would not incur any additional financial hardship by purchasing or accepting CertifiChecks.

CertifiChecks, Inc., posted the following notice on their Web site:

CertifiChecks, Inc., has ceased operations, effective immediately. CertifiChecks will no longer administer gift certificate programs. CertifiChecks gift certificate sales have been halted. Do not deposit CertifiChecks gift certificates in the bank as they will be returned. Merchants: Please remove all door and register decals. If you have CertifiChecks gift certificates which you would like to submit for potential reimbursement, please remit to the address listed below.

CertifiChecks, Inc.
Attn: Redemption Dept.
PO Box 13603
Dayton, Ohio 45413

Respectfully, The CertifiChecks Team

Indiana Internships: Smart Moves in Tough Times

The Third Annual Regional Internship Development Workshop takes place this Wednesday, March 4 at the Chamber of Commerce.

Agenda:
7:45 - 8:15 a.m. Registration & continental breakfast
8:15 - noon Workshop

Cost per company (bring as many employees as you want!): $15 for Chamber members; $20 for non-members.

Presenters:
Best Practices by Linda Worden of Navistar
Entrepreneurships by Remound Wright of Northeast Indiana Innovation Center
Internship 101: Write the Posting by Tanya Young of Graduate Retention Program
The Employer/Education Connection by Michelle Merritt of Three Rivers Credit Union
Business/Education Panel: Aptera, Northwestern Mutual, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Huntingon North High School, Indiana Tech, Ivy Tech Community College, and Columbia City High School

Register online at fwchamber.org or call Heather Neilson at (260) 424-1435, ext. 241.

Fort Wayne Closer to Capital Improvements Board

Fort Wayne is a step closer to creating a capital improvements board. Members of the Indiana House of Representatives have approved a bill allowing the reorganization of the Grand Wayne Center Convention and Tourism Authority into the Allen County-Fort Wayne Capital Improvements Board. Supporters of the legislation say it would allow Allen County to better capitalize on investment opportunities.

The bill is moving on to the Senate. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry says the legislation will allow the city and Allen County to work cooperatively on a critical, capital improvement program.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

How Does the Federal Stimulus Package Impact NE Indiana?

What: "The $787 Billion Question: Understanding the Stimulus Package"
When: Friday, February 27 from 1 - 3 p.m.
Where: Sweetwater Sound

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership is hosting an educational presentation on the impact of the Federal stimulus package. The program is for Mayors, County Commissioners, City Planners, Town Managers, LEDOs, State Representatives, Redevelopment Commissions and Economic Development Leaders.

David Gogol, Vice Chair of Baker & Daniels' Consulting out of Washington D.C. will analyze and discuss the impact and importance of the package to the region. B & D Partners Rich Hill and Randy Rompola will add local perspective.

This seminar will help Northeast Indiana navigate the potential opportunities the Act brings to our local communities, focusing on the tools the Act provides to spur economic development and how to capitalize on those opportunities.

For more information or to RSVP contact Vanessa Kuhn at (260) 469-3475 or e-mail Vanessa.kuhn@chooseNEindiana.com.

Governor Daniels and Former Governor Kernan at Chamber

In an effort of bipartisan support of the Kernan-Shepard Report, former Indiana Gubernatorial opponents Daniels and Kernan will visit the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce at noon on Tuesday, March 3. The current and former Governors will hold a rally for proponents of the Report, which provides a framework for legislation to streamline local government. The rally is designed to educate supporters on advocating of the plan within their community and with their legislators.

Please contact Keith Knepp at kknepp@fwchamber.org, or at (260) 424-1435, ext. 228 if you are a Kernan-Shepard supporter and would like an invitation to the event. Seating is limited.

ATHENA Tickets on Sale Now!

Join the Chamber on March 11 as we celebrate 5 years of honoring leaders in our community. The ATHENA Award® honors individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, who provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and who actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.
Tickets for the 5th Annual ATHENA Award® Ceremony and Luncheon are on sale now. The luncheon takes place on March 11 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m at Ceruti's Summit Park. Tickets are $35 per person. Click here to purchase tickets. RSVP's are required by Monday, March 2, so act now!
To reserve your seat, or a table of eight, register online or call the Chamber at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266.

History Center Presents Lecture on the Lincoln Highway

Come to the History Center on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. for a special presentation "The Lincoln Highway Across Indiana."

In 1912, Carl Fisher, of Indianapolis Motor Speedway fame, gathered automotive leaders at the Athenaeum (The Rathskeller) in Indianapolis to garner their support for the nation's first coast-to-coast auto highway. That road would become America's Main Street - or the Lincoln Highway - and served as the nation's first memorial to Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Highway ran from New York to San Francisco, and through Allen County and downtown Fort Wayne.

This free lecture is part of the George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series, and is presented by Jan Shupert-Arick of Arts United, past director of the Lincoln Highway Association. For more information visit fwhistorycenter.com.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Third House Forum Date Change to March 7

The second Third House Forum will take place on Saturday, March 7 at the Chamber. Please note that this is one week later than the originally scheduled date. The Forum begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Gallery and will feature members of the Northeast Indiana delegation to the General Assembly. Over 75 people attended the first Third House Forum, along with 12 legislators who presented their views on the happenings at the Statehouse and responded to audience questions.

Please contact Keith Knepp at kknepp@fwchamber.org, or at (260) 424-1435, ext. 228 for more information.

Regional Partnership Launches Economic Development Blog

One of the Chamber's community partners, The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEIRP) has announced the launch of their blog, Northeast Indiana Pulse. Written for economic development and business professionals, the blog features topics covering northeast Indiana's area investment and business activities.

Visit "Northeast Indiana Pulse"

Cc: me on March 12 @ Crazy Pinz

Join the Chamber and other Fort Wayne professionals for an evening of relationship building at Crazy Pinz Entertainment Center.

Enjoy free bowling and shoes (Cc: me attendees only) and luau-style hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

Cc: me is a new after-work event designed to create opportunities for you to build lasting relationships with other Fort Wayne professionals and find out the latest business buzz without being bombarded with sales pitches.

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.

Join us Thursday, March 12 from 5-7 p.m. at Crazy Pinz (1414 Northland Blvd.). $5 for Members ~ $10 for Non-members. See you there!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Getting Your Story Heard: Media Lessons from the Pros.

The latest in the Chamber's Business Brown Bag series...

Learn from media experts how to get your story heard - from determining what is "newsworthy" to writing the perfect news release.

Join us Thursday, March 5 from noon-1 p.m. here at the Chamber of Commerce. Register online now or pay at the door. $5 for Members ~ $10 for Non-members.

The media panel for this event includes:
Bob Caylor - Reporter for the News Sentinel
Peter Newmann - News Director for Indiana News Center
Linda Lipp - Associate Editor & Reporter for the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Nominations Needed for the Parkview Cancer Care Award

Parkview Cancer Care Award recognizes and honors individuals (or organizations) who, through care or service, have improved the quality of life for current or future cancer survivors. Service is defined as including innovative treatments, education and improved access to quality care.

Simply fill out the nomination form (see below) and tell Parkview (in 500 words or less) why the nominee deserves recognition. Each nominee will receive a letter from the selection committee. The 2009 award winner will be notified by phone early in April and presented with the award at a ceremony at the cancer center on April 22.

Please return the form by February 28 to:
Community Outreach Coordinator
Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center
11141 Parkview Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46845

(click on images below for larger view and more information)



Monday, February 23, 2009

Community Book Discussion of "The Pact"

Join East Allen County Schools for a community book read and discussion of "The Pact," which chronicles the true story of three young friends who inspire each other to future success and careers as physicians. The authors, Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins visited Fort Wayne in October to share their story and encourage area young people to form their own "pact" to succeed.

The book discussion takes place Tuesday, February 24 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Paul Harding High School, Auditoria (6501 Wayne Trace).

Dr. Neal Brown, Principal at Paul Harding High School and Mr. Glynn Hines, 6th District Councilman, will serve as guest speakers and discussion leaders.

The discussion is free and open to the public. Learn more about "The Pact."

SBDC to Hold Marketing Analysis/Financial Statements Workshop

SBDC Marketing Analysis/Financial Statements Workshop

Monday, February 23, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 20, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Northeast Indiana SBDC
Hobson Center, 4312 Hobson Road, Ste. B, Fort Wayne, IN 46815
Free of Charge
Registration Required
Call (260)481-0500 to register

The “heart and soul” of a business plan is the market analysis and the resulting financial diagnosis. This two-hour workshop will concentrate on what may be the most difficult section of a business plan for most entrepreneurs. Some topics include:

· The market area and knowing the customer base
· Advertising strategies
· Pricing strategies
· Understanding cash flow and income statements

To learn more about the services of the Northeast Indiana SBDC -- which is hosted by Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) -- call (260) 481-0500 or visit http://www.isbdc.org/.