Great Golf Next Week at Sycamore Hills!

You are invited to attend the USGA Women's State Team Championship taking place September 1 - 3 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club. Admission and parking are free. Come cheer on Indiana's team as they compete against teams from all across the US for the Women's State Team title.

Sycamore Hills was voted one of "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" for 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus.

For more information call (260) 625-4324.

Taste of the Arts

Mark your calendar and plan to attend downtown Fort Wayne's premiere arts and food festival - Taste of the Arts Saturday August 29 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Arts United Plaza/Freimann Square and surrounding four-block area in downtown Fort Wayne.

CTN will provide free shuttle service between Freimann Square, the History Center and Hall Community Arts Building, every 15 minutes for those who need it. Proceeds from the event will fund new education grants and Artists-in-Residence programs for area schools. For more information click here.

CEO Forum at University of Saint Francis: October 22

Get ready for USF's Annual CEO Forum on October 22, 2009 at the USF Campus, in the North Campus Auditorium. The theme of this year's forum is "Doing the Right Things In Challenging Times."

Objectives of the Forum include:
-To provide mechanism for business people to hear from successful entrepreneurs
-To provide opportunity for businesspeople to interact with one another
-To establish a key lever in connecting the business community to the
entrepreneurial endeavors being initiated in the School of Business
-To inspire students and provide them with exposure to business community

Entrepreneurs, CEO’s, Business Owners, Senior Managers, Potential Entrepreneurs, Middle Managers and Students will all want to attend this event! This year speaker's include Keith Busse and Karen Richards. The Panel consists of moderator Pete Eshelman and members: Kathy Carrier, Brian Emerick, Michael Himes, Matt Kelly, Dane Miller, Helen Murray, Eugene Parker, Joe Ruffolo, Carol Shuttleworth and Marilyn Townsend.

For more information on the CEO Forum call the Busse School of Business & Entrepreneurial Leadership at (260) 399-7700, ext. 8310.

Good Charlotte Concert at Parkview Field August 29

Metro Station, Cobra Starship and Katie Chonacas to open concert event to be held at Parkview Field Saturday, August 29.

Tickets for the upcoming Good Charlotte concert at Parkview Field, presented by Mike the Pike Productions, are on sale now.

Good Charlotte’s last album, ‘Good Morning Revival’ debuted in the top 10 of thirteen countries worldwide including the U.S.

We couldn’t be happier with this lineup,” said Mark B. Newbauer, CEO/President of Mike the Pike Productions. “We’ve already gotten ticket requests in anticipation of Good Charlotte’s forthcoming album release. Now we are adding hot performances from Miley Cyrus’ little brother’s band, Metro Station; Cobra Starship, and a dance/pop opener from hot up and comer, Katie Chonacas who’s breakout release ‘SO N2 U’, is making a splash on today’s hottest dance floors.”

Tickets start at $36.50 and can be purchased by calling the Parkview Field Ticket Office at (260) 482-6400, online through TinCaps.com, or by visiting the Parkview Field Ticket Office located at the south entrance of the ballpark. Gates to Parkview Field will open at 7 p.m. the night of the concert – Saturday, August 29th – with performances beginning at 8 p.m.

The Lettermen at Foellinger Theatre Tomorrow

Foellinger Theatre, Franke Park: Come out to the Theatre on Friday, August 28 at 8 p.m. for The Lettermen. This trio consists of Tony Butala, an original founding member of The Lettermen, Donovan Tea, who joined The Lettermen in 1984 and Mark Preston, who also joined in 1984, but left the trio for a while. The 60’s and the early 70’s saw The Lettermen score over 25 chart hit singles, including “Theme from a Summer Place,” “Goin’ Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and “Hurt So Bad”. Sponsored by The River and PBS39. Fee: $12/$15 Week of Show. For tickets, call (260) 427-6000.

TinCaps Break Season Attendance Record

With just a few home games left to play, the TinCaps have already surpassed the previous season attendance record of 318,506 set in 1993, the first year of Minor League Baseball in Fort Wayne.

"We can feel the energy in the ballpark and being at Parkview Field is as much fun for us as it is for the fans. This has been a tremendous first year and we still have more baseball left to play." said Mike Nutter. "On top of that the Midwest League Playoffs begin at home on September 10th. We have plenty of baseball excitement and entertainment still in store for fans this season."

For ticket info, go to TinCaps.com.

See You on the Green Tomorrow!

The Chamber is looking forward to tomorrow's Annual Golfopoly at Autumn Ridge Golf Club.

In addition to golfing, attendees will enjoy a silent auction, with such wonderful prizes as a Lunch with the Mayor at JK O'Donnells and many fun new games on the course, including a special Hole-in-One chance to win a New Car from O'Daniel Automotive!!

There will also be a closing reception with hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and a chocolate fountain and cheese fountain from Fort Wayne Chocolate Fountain starting at 6:30 p.m.

See you tomorrow! For questions contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Thank you again to our Silver Sponsors, Comcast Business Class & ROCK104 and our Beverage Cart Sponsor, PHP.

Chamber Annual Meeting: Call for Nominees

Join us for an exciting “View from Above” at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, Thursday November 5, 2009 at the Summit Club from 5:30-8 p.m. Enjoy stunning views of downtown Fort Wayne as you are briefed on the latest in Northeast Indiana business. Awards will also be handed out for CEO, Employee, Small and Large Business of the Year.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting provides the opportunity to recognize great contributions and innovations from the Fort Wayne business community. Please read through the awards criteria listed below for each category and submit your nomination by Wednesday, September 30 to Laureen Voirol at lvoirol@fwchamber.org. Nomination forms are available at fwchamber.org.

Small Business of the Year:
Presented to a Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce member business which has been in operation for at least 5 years and has fewer than 50 Full Time Equivalent employees. On the nomination form, please demonstrate how the company has contributed to the community, it’s reputation for integrity and fair business practice; examples of product or management innovation and successful problem-solving.

Large Business of the Year:
See qualifications above, with the business having 50 or more Full Time Equivalent employees.

CEO of the Year:
Presented to the CEO of a Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce member who has made unique contributions not only their business and employees, but to the Fort Wayne Community as a whole.

Employee of the Year:
Presented to the employee of a Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce member who serves as a positive role model in the workplace along with showing exceptional dedication to advancing the interests of his or her organization.

For more information call Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266.

Card Check Legislation Update

A top labor official said Monday that President Obama and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have indicated that they will not bring up "card check" legislation until after healthcare reform is done in Congress.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, the expected incoming president of the influential union, pledged during a web chat on the liberal blog firedoglake that organized labor would work to pass healthcare reform in order to move onto one of its top priorities, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

"The President/and Emanuel have both said they don’t intend to bring Employee Free Choice Act up until Health Insurance Reform is done," Trumka wrote on the blog. "Which gives us an additional reason to do Health Insurance Reform now!"

Click here for full story.

Laws are changing: Is your business prepared?

You've made your Labor Day plans. But have you made plans to deal with Labor and Employment issues? Recent state legislation impacts your business. Stay informed, be prepared. The Unemployment Insurance Compensation Workshop on Wednesday, September 23 will equip you with the tools to manage these changes successfully.

Join Chamber and Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) officials for an update on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund legislation (HEA 1379) and how it impacts necessary procedures for employers. You will be briefed on how to ensure compliance with the new law.

Topics of the workshop include:

• Successfully Representing Yourself in Unemployment Insurance Matters
• Unemployment Insurance Claims and the UI System
• Online Employer Self-Service of Unemployment Processing
• Employers and Unemployment Insurance
• Q&A with DWD Panel

Cost is $50 for Chamber members, $80 for non-members. Register three or more people from your company and receive a discounted rate of $35/person (Chamber members), $65/person (non-members). Register online now or contact Keith Knepp for more information at kknepp@fwchamber.org or (260) 424-1435, ext. 228.


COMING SOON: Watch for details on the upcoming EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act) Update Workshop on Wednesday, September 30, 2009.

Be Prepared: Allen County Business Preparedness Summit 2009

Be Prepared: Allen County Business Preparedness Summit 2009

Registration (9am-9:50am)
Welcoming Remarks (10am)
Mayor Tom Henry
Commissioner Nelson Peters

Opening Plenary Session (10am-11am)
Keynote Address
Ted Kwiatkawski, AEP
Pandemic Preparedness for Businesses

Break (11am-11:10am)

Concurrent Breakout Sessions**
(11:10-12:10pm, 12:20-1:20pm, and 1:30-2:30pm w/breaks in between each session)

Session I: "Threats and Preparedness Steps for Large & Small Businesses"
Mindy Waldron and Matt Brokaw (Ft. Wayne-Allen Co. Dept. of Health)

Session II: "Information Technology/Business Continuity"
Greg McCormick (Precisely Right, Inc.)

Session III: "Networking Lunch"

**Concurrent Breakout Sessions will be repeated so that all attendees can attend both sessions as well as lunch

Closing Plenary Session (2:30-3pm)

Attendance is limited to the first 180 registrants
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

TO REGISTER (no cost), email the company name, proposed attendee names, and all associated contact information to: ACBusinessSummit09@co.allen.in.us
on or before August 30th, 2009.

Reminder: Leadership Development Roundtable Kick-off TOMORROW

Are you interested in a forum for mid-level managers designed to promote business success? You will not want to miss this opportunity to learn more about the Chamber's Leadership Development Roundtables!

Join us at the next recruitment meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26 from 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. at the Chamber and hear roundtable panel members highlight the benefits and rewards of participating in this peer forum. Continental breakfast will be provided.

Leadership Development Roundtables are structured to help business managers address a variety of important issues and to offer a springboard for solutions to help improve productivity and profitability. Groups are based on members having at least three direct reports, meeting time availability, and business fit. Come and find out if a Roundtable is right for you!

To RSVP contact Katelyn Daniel at kdaniel@fwchamber.org or (260) 424-1435, ext. 241.

Renaissance Pointe YMCA to Hold Groundbreaking September 1

The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne has scheduled the groundbreaking ceremony for its new Renaissance Pointe YMCA branch for Tuesday, September 1 at 11:30 a.m. The state-of-the-art family recreation and wellness facility will be located near the intersection of Bowser and Hurd Streets, behind the Fort Wayne Police Department’s headquarters.

Fort Wayne First Indiana City Selected for Immmigrant Integration Program

Fort Wayne is one of three cities nationwide selected to participate in a pilot program to engage and integrate immigrants into the community and civic life.

Fort Wayne will participate in the Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration program for 2009. It will focus on City government, non-profit agencies serving immigrant and refugee populations and immigrants themselves to emphasize civic engagement, working toward American citizenship and participation in the 2010 census.

The National League of Cities selected Fort Wayne because of its nationally recognized efforts from Mayor Henry and City government, local agencies and state and federal government working together to address Fort Wayne’s growing international population, many of whom are political refugees. Last year the same groups collaborated to open the Community Resource Center for Refugees, 2826 S. Calhoun St., in September.

The Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration program focuses on promoting civic engagement and naturalization among immigrant communities in U.S. cities. It will establish a knowledge-sharing network among cities and organizations. MAII aims to be a resource for municipal officials and community-based organizations who seek assistance in addressing immigrant integration challenges.

The two primary components of the program are:

· The CITYzenship community initiative will help city officials strengthen working relationships with immigrant communities and organizations. Participants will work toward an action plan to manage immigrant integration challenges in Fort Wayne. The Municipal Action for Immigrant project will provide city participants with customized levels of assistance and support to help local officials promote civic participation and naturalization.
· The NewCITYzen naturalization campaign will focus on highlighting the many benefits of citizenship. Fort Wayne can to use the program’s campaign toolkit to launch a naturalization campaigns locally.

Hispanic and immigrant liaison Palermo Galindo and other City staff will work closely with NLC staff and local agencies to design a customized program specifically for immigrants in Fort Wayne. The partnership will last a minimum of six months and could be extended as the groups further define short-term and long-term goals. The program comes at no cost to the City or participating agencies and individuals.

The other cities participating in 2009 are Littleton, Colo., and another city yet to be announced.

Volunteer Center @ RSVP Provides Free Unemployment and Food Stamp Assistance

Chamber member The Volunteer Center @ RSVP is offering free assistance to individuals and families applying for Food Stamps and Unemployment Benefits. They have a number of well-trained volunteers who are offering this service at CANI (Community Action of Northeast Indiana), Community Harvest Food Bank and the Volunteer Center office on Lake Ave.

Call 211 for more information… Volunteers are available to assist you in filing for Indiana Unemployment and Food Stamp benefits.

FREE Here to Help Access Team SITES:

Volunteer Center @ RSVP (Unemployment Benefits only)
3401 Lake Ave. Suite 4 Sunday, 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Did You Know?Trained volunteers are here to help you file electronically

Community Action of Northeast Indiana - CANI
227 E. Washington Blvd. (at Barr Street)Tuesday & Thursday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Community Harvest Food Bank 999 E. Tillman Road Monday, Tuesday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Provided by a grant from the Paul Clark Endowment Fund-Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.