Memorial Day Concert This Saturday

The History Center invites the public to a free Memorial Day band concert on Saturday, May 23, at 1 p.m., at the Barr Street Farmers Market. Enjoy an "old-fashioned" patriotic band concert by the American Legion Post 47 Band, honoring past and present military veterans who make our freedom possible.

The American Legion Post 47 Band, directed by Eli Arnold, will perform patriotic songs, stirring marches and tunes reminiscent of World War II popular swing music. Food concessions will be available for purchase. The concert is free to the public.

The Barr Street Farmers Market is located at the corner of Barr and Wayne Streets, in downtown Fort Wayne, behind the History Center, 302 East Berry Street. For more information, call the History Center at (260) 426-2882, or visit www.fwhistorycenter.com.

Support "All America City" Effort

“All-America” City event will take place now through June 12 to help send a delegation of volunteers to Tampa, Florida to compete for the 2009 All-America City Award bestowed by the National Civic League.

Numerous events have been scheduled at local restaurants and retailers holding “All-America” City events where a certain portion of their proceeds will go towards the fund. The following is a list of events taking place:

May 26 - All day Famous Fish of Stroh Pine Valley Shopping Center 10230 Coldwater Road will donate 10% of all purchases (except alcohol).

May 29 -From 10am to 1am; Crazy Pinz 1414 Northland Blvd. will donate 20% of all purchases.

May 31 - All America City – TinCaps Game Day at Parkview Field. Gates open at 1:30pm and a $1 from each ticket will go towards All America City fund with the mention of All America City. Silent Auction consisting of travel packages, fine dining certificates and much more will take place in the Lincoln Event Center (connected to the parking garage). FREE Post game concert provided by Midwest Sound and Production and local band Teays Vein.

June 8 - From 6:30pm - 9pm; Roller Dome North 444 West Coliseum Blvd. will donate 100% of admission ($3.50 admission includes skates).

For more information on upcoming events and the “All-America” City Award please visit www.cityoffortwayne.org/allamericacity2009.

Tee-Up for the Chamber's "Golfopoly"!

Reserve your space now for the Chamber's Annual Golfopoly, scheduled for Thursday, August 27 at Autumn Ridge Golf Club. Morning and afternoon tee times are available.

In addition to golfing, there will be lots of fun new games! Register by clicking here. Morning tee time is 7:30 a.m. and afternoon tee time is 1:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Closing reception with hors d' oeuvres and a cash bar will begin at 6:30 p.m.
If you are interested in promoting your organization through a sponsorship or by donating an item for the silent auction or raffle, please contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Thank you to our Silver Sponsor, Comcast Business Class and our Beverage Cart Sponsor, PHP!

eXcellon Technologies Makes Inner City 100 List

Chamber member eXcellon Technologies is #52 on the list of the fastest growing inner-city companies in America. The 2009 Inner City 100 list was put together by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. This year's honorees were selected for innovative practices and sustained growth.

Now in its 11th year, the Inner City 100 list provides unmatched original data on the fastest growing inner-city businesses in the U.S. For the 2009 list, over 5,000 nominations were received. The 2009 Inner City 100 winners grew at a compound annual growth rate of 40 percent and an average rate of 324 percent between 2003 and 2007. Collectively, the top 100 inner city businesses have employed nearly 17,000 people and created nearly 10,000 new jobs over the past five years.

Live, Learn & Intern Summer Events

The Chamber's "Live, Learn & Intern" program presents free summer events for college interns. ncourage any interns you know to take advantage of this great schedule of free events. Upcoming dates include:

- UltraZone ~ May 28, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Laser tag and pizza

- WWII Victory Museum ~ June 16, 6:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and a tour of the museum

For a full summer schedule click on the image below or contact Katelyn Jacquay-Daniel at (260) 424-1435, ext. 270 or kjacquay@fwchamber.org.


(click on image for larger view)

June 2 & 9 – Join Us for Chamber Academy

• June 2 - “Designing a Team that Improves your Bottom Line” will be presented by Dick Brooks of Richard K. Brooks & Associates from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. Cost ~ $19. To register, click here. Outcomes include:
  -Cut your labor cost by 10%
  -Use teams to lower cost and increase quality
  -Minimize employee turnover

• June 9 -"Survive or Thrive: Change Tips for Turbulent Times," presented by Chris Battell of Mid-West Consulting Group and Kris Taylor of K. Taylor & Associates from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce.
  Leading during these turbulent times is unsettling and unnerving, even for the very best executives and managers. Come learn the dynamics of change leadership and how to build engagement, hold people accountable, and help your organization move forward. Cost ~ $19. To register, click here.
  
  For more information about Chamber Academy contact Heather Neilson at (260) 424-1435, ext. 241 or hneilson@fwchamber.org.
  
  

Help a Child in Our Community with Learn United

Help a child in our community with Learn United, a community effort to close the 3rd grade reading achievement gap. Volunteer to help struggling readers during summer school from June 17-July 17. Give 1 hour a week to work with kids who are up to 2 years behind in reading. In Allen County, 40% of low-income 3rd graders are not passing the reading portion of ISTEP, and experts estimate that 74% will never catch up if they miss this important milestone. With our community's help, we can ensure all children succeed and our community has a brighter economic future. Struggling readers will attend summer school at four sites: Fairfield, Forest Park, Harrison Hill and Northcrest.

Volunteer times are 8:30-9:30 a.m., 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 10:30-11:30 a.m.Register here for a site and time. Learn United is a collaborative partnership between United Way of Allen County, The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen County Schools, Allen County Education Partnership and the Fort Wayne Urban League. For more info visit www.learnunited.org.

Morning Mix Tomorrow

The next Morning Mix of 2009, hosted by Chick-fil-A will take place Thursday, May 21 from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. at Indiana Wesleyan University (8211 West Jefferson Blvd.)

The Morning Mix offers fast-paced, lead generating opportunities and is designed for professionals who are involved in sales and business development. 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. For more information, or if you are interested in being a table captain for a Morning Mix, 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.

Register for DC Fly In Today!

The Chamber's Annual DC Fly-in will take place June 2-3, 2009 in Washington DC.

Each year the Chamber takes issues impacting our business community to The Hill. This year we will be focusing on the biggest change to federal labor law since 1935 - the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA.)
The highly-controversial bill would effectively strip employees of a private ballot in union organizing drives, hand the federal government power to dictate workplace pay and benefits, and force unfair mandates on business.
Join us as we meet first-hand with members of our Federal Delegation, get briefed by national experts on the impacts of EFCA and network with local business and community leaders. Register by 5 p.m. today to save $$$!
Cost to participate is $600/person for Chamber members, $750/person non-member.
(Covers travel expenses, accommodations at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and most meals.)
To register click here. To earn more about the DC Fly-in contact Keith Knepp at (260) 424-1435, ext. 228 or kknepp@fwchamber.org.

A Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs

The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center is hosting their Second BiAnnual Salute to Northeast Indiana Women Business Owners. The "Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs" will take place Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Fort Wayne Marriott Marquis Ballroom. The recipients of the 2009 Leadership Award will be honored, and Linda Hollander, the "Wealthy Bag Lady" will be the keynote speaker. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be provided at this free-of-charge event.

Register today at niic.net or RSVP to Mary Jane Blackford at mblackford@niic.net or (260)407-1736.

Fort Wayne Firm Lands Military Work

Chamber member ITT Corp. of Fort Wayne has won a nearly $23 million U.S. Navy deal for radio system software support. The contract is for single channel ground and airborne radio system waveform software support for the Network Enterprise Domain under the Joint Program Executive Office, Joint Tactical Radio System. Work will be performed in Fort Wayne, Ind., and is expected to be completed by 2010.

Get A Real Sales Advantage

The Chamber is proud to offer our members Dale Carnegie's "Sales Advantage" Program. This is the very same program that Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, John Deere and Boeing use to increase their sales teams' productivity by 20%. This four day course taught by Certified Master Trainer, Dr. Dale Ferrier, examines the strategic answers to today's make-or-break selling issues. Click here for full session-by-session details of the "Sales Advantage" program.

"The Sales Advantage" will take place over four Wednesdays in June: June 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost is $1,195 for Chamber members and $1,295 for non-members. Group Pricing (4 or more from the same organization) is also available. Does your company offer tuition assistance? The Sales Advantage program also qualifies for most tuition assistance programs as it is approved for undergraduate college credit through the University of Central Missouri.

Space is limited so be sure to register today at fwchamber.org. For more information contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Business Expo Today

The 22nd-annual Greater Fort Wayne Business Expo (formerly the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Business Expo) will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today - Tuesday, May 19, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in downtown Fort Wayne, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd.

The expo, sponsored by Business Weekly, is one of the region's largest business events and will feature more than 70 vendors. At 5 p.m., a post-expo "wind-down" gathering will be held at Parkview Field. Tickets for the gathering will be distributed at the expo. There is no charge to attend the expo.

For more information www.fwbusinessexpo.com.

"Fish with the Pros" Hosted by Chip Harrison

How does a laid back weekend of bass fishing and bar-b-q sound? Well, now is your chance to join FLW pro Chip Harrison and a few of his fellow pros for some great early season fishing! Chamber Member Lifeline Youth & Family Services presents this weekend-long event May 28-31 at Torch River Resort in Rapids City, Michigan. The weekend includes lodging at Torch River, meals, and two days of fishing with a pro in his boat - using his equipment! The cost per fisherman is $1,500. Register today by contacting Ann Hettig at (231)632-3535 or ahettig@lifelineyouth.org.

"Get on Board" & Get Your Organization Involved

Chamber members, do you have talented young executives on your staff that you would like to get more involved in the community? Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) introduces "Get on Board," a program for young professionals interested in becoming further connected in the business community by serving on a non-profit board.

Learn the basics of board service at a free workshop 5/20 from 6 - 8 p.m. @ the Downtown Public Library. Space is limited so RSVP quickly to rsvp@ylni.org. Please put "5/20 Get on Board event" in the subject line.

Then... Get on Board! 6/17 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Tower Bank Lobby
Meet with local non-profit agencies that are searching for talented individuals to serve on their boards. RSVP to rsvp@ylni.org. Please put "6/17 Get on Board event" in the subject line.

All attendees are encouraged to create a free profile at www.boardnetusa.org prior to the event.

Right Relations, Inc. Receives Award for Community-Enriching Programs

Right Relations, Inc. received a certificate and cash award in acknowledgment of programs that have improved the well being of families in Indiana. Right Relations provides principle-centered education that empowers people to create strong, healthy relationships in all aspects of their lives. Right Relation's 6-week Family Enrichment Series addresses the need parents have to build and maintain stable and viable relationships with each other and their children. Studies show that the program not only benefits participants but also taxpayers due to healthier families and lower court costs.

The Inspiring Families and Building Communities Award was presented to Right Relations on Wednesday, May 13 by Dean Savaiano, Dean of the College of Consumer and Family Sciences of Purdue, West Lafayette.