Introductions...

I've been talking to you for a while now, and I think it’s time for an official introduction! My name is Joanna Jessup, and I’m the Communications Manager here at the Chamber. My mission with the Daily Dose is to bring you fresh information that will be helpful to you and your business. We are a member-oriented organization, and that is the focus of this blog – you, and what matters to you. Sometimes you will see other Chamber staff members as well, letting you know about important information that comes up from day to day (like Teresa’s famous Feet on the Street).

I also want to let you know about a couple great new features we have. First, if you prefer to subscribe via feed, we have a variety of feed options now available. Additionally - and this is my favorite - we have a new Search feature. Visit the Dose’s home page, and in the search box on the right you can type in your company’s name, to see where you have been featured on the Dose in the past! And, if you find that you have not yet been mentioned on our blog, and you want to be, let me know - we want to shine the spotlight on you.

Finally, let us know if you ever have any questions or suggestions for the Daily Dose or the Chamber. That’s what we’re here for! Leave a comment on the blog, or email me at jjessup@fwchamber.org.

Hilton Hotel Makes Fort Wayne Business-Friendly

We wish to congratulate the Hilton Hotel at the Grand Wayne Convention Center - in a quality review by Hilton Worldwide earlier this month, they earned an "Outstanding" rating. That rating earns the Hilton a place in the top 25% of Hilton Hotels in North America. The Hilton at the Grand Wayne is also recognized as the "Best Bed in Town."

We owe a thanks to companies like the Hilton that make doing business in Fort Wayne attractive. If I were an outside business person traveling in, I wouldn't mind the Hilton's complimentary business center, airport and shuttle service. I also wouldn't mind staying in a centralized location with easy access to restaurants, shopping and entertainment... enjoying complimentary high-speed wireless Internet... working out in the aerobics center or taking a relaxing swim before a meeting... and then topping it all off with a nice meal in one of the Hilton's on-property restaurants.

Forget traveling in - I'm thinking of going there right now!

Bring Your Soldier Home - Deadline Extended!

I am happy to say that the deadline for the Home for the Holidays contest has been extended - entrants now have until Monday, November 30 to submit their essays! If you need a refresher, Home for the Holidays is a partnership between the Chamber, the Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) and Majic 95.1. We will fly a member of the armed services back home to the Fort Wayne area for the holidays - free of charge - from anywhere in the world.

This is too good to pass up. If you have a loved one on active duty, tell us your story in 300 words or less to be considered for this prize. The stories will be reviewed and the winner will receive one free round-trip ticket to FWA. For contest rules and a submission form, visit Majic's Web site. What a wonderful gift for the holidays!

Trial by Fire! Corrections

Hello all, we owe an apology to Stewart Richardson. In yesterday's post "Trial by Fire!", we made a couple of errors we need to correct:

We posted that the Chili Cook-off will take place in the Stewart Richardson offices on the 12th floor of the National City Center. -That is where the Cook-off will take place, however, Stewart Richardson's offices are located on the 19th floor (we don't want you to get lost if you ever pay them a visit).

And finally, we mistakenly published an incorrect phone number - the correct number to reach Tom at Stewart Richardson is 444-4864.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We at the Chamber want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your Turkey Day and time with your families. The Chamber will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27. We will return Monday, November 30!

Feet on the Street: Trial by Fire!

by Teresa Royer, Member Relations Specialist

Where: Stewart Richardson Deposition Services @ National City Center 110 W. Berry Street 12^th Floor

When: December 14, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I am thrilled that Tom Richardson of Stewart Richardson Deposition Services has recently joined the Chamber.

Tom is a very dynamic, energetic individual and you can tell by listening to him, he knows what he's doing - not to mention he's had over 35 years experience in court reporting and has just opened his 3rd office here in Fort Wayne!

Something very unique and fun that Tom is planning as a way to benefit Toys for Tots and engage the legal industry at the same time is his first Chili Cook-Off to be held in his beautiful office suite on the 12th floor of the National City Bank Building.

Tom's office is seeking all those in the legal industries, be it attorney offices, judges, magistrates, stenographers, etc. to submit their chili (many unique and entertaining categories to pick from). Then the fun part --- you can visit Tom's office between 11-2, pay a minimum of $1 to taste the chili and vote for your favorite. They assure us that ballot stuffing is encouraged, so vote early and vote often for a worthy cause!

I would like to encourage all our friends in the legal industry to represent your chili expertise to help Stewart Richardson Deposition help Toys for Tots --- There's nothing better than a good courtroom drama, anyway!

So if you're in the legal field and would like to compete or have any questions, give Tom's office a call at 444-4868 - better hurry though, the deadline is December 4!

Free Growth Coach Workshop - For You!

We are very excited about a FREE workshop that will take place here at the Chamber next week - one of our very own members, Jim Wyrostek with The Growth Coach, will present "Work Smarter, Not Harder," next Tuesday, December 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (lunch will be served).

Jim is a nationally-renowned leader in Business Coaching. His coaching process is designed for those who have a desire to drive greater success, while maintaining a healthy balance in their lives. In the end, Jim's goal is for you to earn more money, work less, and enjoy an enriched life. What could be better than that? This workshop usually goes for $1500 - but Jim is offering it exclusively to Chamber members for free.

Seating is limited, so register right away. If you have questions about this workshop email Laura Klerner at The Growth Coach.

P.S. If you want to learn more about Jim, check out his "5 Questions" article that will come out this Friday in the Emphasis!

Downtown Holiday Fest begins Tomorrow!

If you don't often find yourself in downtown Fort Wayne, make sure you get here at least once this holiday season! Tomorrow, November 25 will be the kick-off of the Downtown HolidayFest, a collaboration from the Downtown Improvement District, Fort Wayne Newspapers, Sanco Industries, A Part Apart, MAJIC 95.1 and the City of Fort Wayne.

Downtown Fort Wayne has long been the home of nostalgic Christmas light displays, including the fantastic Santa and Reindeer which grace the side of the National City Bank building. Tomorrow evening at 6:15 will be the official lighting ceremony (Night of Lights) for Santa. Attendees will also be treated with free hot chocolate from local restaurants on the newly renovated Calhoun Street.

After that, the new Wells Fargo Holiday Lighting display will be revealed (corner of Wayne and Calhoun) and the "Merry Christmas" wreath at One Summit Square will be lit.

That's enough to make the evening great, but there's even more! I'll give you a few hints: Mayor Henry - horse-drawn carriage. Caroling. Botanical Conservatory.

This sounds like a magical evening... Don't miss it! Find out more about Night of Lights and the Downtown HolidayFest at DowntownHolidayFest.com.

Annual ATHENA Awards® are Underway!

Plans for the 6th Annual ATHENA Awards® are underway here at the Chamber! We are pleased to offer this program to our members and the Fort Wayne business community. If you are not familiar with ATHENA, the idea is to celebrate the potential of all women as valued leaders in the community, as well as to recognize those who support them. ATHENA is an international program that the Chamber began participating in back in 2005. We want to be part of honoring women who excel in their field, devote time and energy to their community, and who open paths that others may follow.

Nomination forms for the 6th Annual ATHENA Awards® are now available at our Web site. Go to the bottom left corner of the home page, and you will find a link to nomination forms. ATHENA recipients must meet each of three specific criteria:

• Assist women in reaching their full leadership potential;
• Demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession;
• Provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

If you have any questions about the ATHENA program, contact Laureen Voirol at the Chamber. Her phone number is (260)424-1435, ext. 266.

MartinRiley and Hagerman Collaborate on Downtown Project

One of our members, MartinRiley, recently finished an award-winning project in downtown Fort Wayne. If you're downtown at all, you've probably noticed the work going on at the beautiful Trinity English Lutheran Church... Well, that project was just dedicated. The work includes almost 11,000 square feet of added or renovated space: a multi-million dollar project that has improved functionality, accessibility and building efficiency.

One of the results of the project is a new ground source heating and cooling system. That, combined with a Solar Electric system, additional insulation levels and other measures has drastically cut the church's carbon footprint. These efforts have earned the project a title of "Lugar Energy Patriot" from Senator Richard Lugar.

In addition to MartinRiley, another Chamber member was involved in this project - Hagerman, Inc. was the general contractor.

We tip our hats to those who worked toward the successful completion of this project - another great step toward a revitalized downtown.

Call for Volunteers: Let's Close the 3rd Grade Reading Gap

United Way needs our help. They are looking for 250 volunteers to help with Learn United - a 10-year plan to close the 3rd grade reading gap in our community. Why is that important? Through 2nd grade, kids are typically "learning to read," and by 3rd grade, should be "reading to learn." If a child is reading below level by the 3rd grade, the odds are against them for ever catching up and being a strong reader. Difficulty reading translates to all areas of education. Children who are strong readers have a better chance of success in their schooling, career, and life. Unfortunately, the odds are against a struggling 3rd grade reader unless someone offers a helping hand. -74% of kids who are not assisted at this stage will never catch up!

It's the mission of Learn United to "close the gap," and ensure success for our community's children, and future workforce! Learn United needs 250 volunteers - and there are hundreds of different opportunities you can choose from. One area of focus is writing - the writing portion of the ISTEP will take place for 3rd graders in March. We know that those who struggle with reading also struggle with writing. If you are interested in helping these children improve their writing skills, register here.

For all of the different ways you can volunteer, visit LearnUnited.org or call 469-4030.