Taste was a Delicious Success!

I hope you all made it out to the Taste of the Chamber last night - we had a great time! 400+ networkers bustled through the Chamber building, sampling food from our vendors, bidding on our silent auction trees, and enjoying music from Majic 95.1's Barb Richards.

We want to give a special thanks to Blue Jacket, Inc. for providing assistance at the event, Andrew Davis Menswear for providing uniforms, and Majic 95.1 WAJI for acting as our media sponsor!

Several goody-filled trees were auctioned off to benefit the Chamber Foundation, and we thank all of you members who contributed a tree. And finally, we thank the food and drink vendors that filled all three floors of the Chamber with wonderful sounds, smells and of course - tastes!

Here are some pictures from the evening... Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more photos from this great event!

Holsum Donates to Community Harvest Food Bank

More than one of our posts today has to do with freshly-baked goodness. Two of our members play a role in this story - Community Harvest Food Bank and Holsum Bakery (a division of Lewis Bakeries). Holsum recently delivered 2,000 loaves of freshly baked bread to Community Harvest (which has 460 member agencies). These agencies are experiencing a significant increase - 30 percent - in demand during the holidays.

Jane Avery, executive director of Community Harvest had this to say: "We are so grateful to the folks at Lewis Bakeries who stepped forward to help those in need. They are great caring corporate partners who understand that it takes everyone to build a healthy community. And a healthy community helps build a healthy economy."

Amen to that.

Legislative Preview Next Week

The Taste has come and gone, and now we look forward to another important annual event we have here at the Chamber - the Legislative Preview reception takes place next Wednesday, December 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Chamber hosts along with the Northeast Indiana Chamber Coalition (NEICC). We will be presenting our 2010 State Legislative Agenda. We will also hear from our legislative delegation, as well as the State Chamber, on what their priorities are for the upcoming session, which begins January 5.

Keeping you informed of legislation that impacts your business is part of our mission here at the Chamber, and the Preview is something you will not want to miss. The Chamber's Legislative Agenda is a working document by which we measure bills during session. While I can't give too much away just yet, I can tell you that some of what you will hear about includes:

• Local Government Reform
• Economic Development Incentive Flexibility
• Promoting a Globally Competitive Tax Climate
• Providing Employers Greater Latitude to Make Wage Deductions

The Preview will also include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. RSVP online now. If you have any questions, contact Joni Howell, VP of Government Affairs, at (260) 424-1435.

Feet on the Street: A Mission of Hope

by Aimee Scott, Member Relations Specialist

While festive lights wink a flicker of joy intended for all this holiday, there is a flame of hope burning strong in downtown Fort Wayne all year long. The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission offers a place of refuge, restoration and assured respect for those facing the most challenging of seasons. When the Rescue Mission became a member this past September, I was anxious to learn of ways that the Chamber could amplify the message of their mission.

I met with Larry Piano, CFO who briefed me on the history of the mission and its presence in Fort Wayne. He took me on a tour of the building. I was taken aback when I peered outside into a courtyard: bikes – lots and lots of bikes. We turned the corner and stepped inside the cafeteria. In a room where four hundred meals are served daily, I was surprised at the moderate size. It was far from “industrial feeling” – it was cozy – it was secure. Then Carlton Smith, the volunteer coordinator stepped up to me with a warm smile and a solid handshake. He was anxious to educate me about the immediate needs in the community where I live and work.

Thousands of individuals from Allen county and surrounding areas are supported with meals and housing annually. People who are served by the mission tomorrow are likely only one crisis away from needing help today.

In addition to community meals and housing for those in need, the mission hosts a six month intensive restoration program to assist individuals with mental health, educational and employment issues. Graduates of this phase of programming are offered transitional support through the Learning Center. Carlton shared that participants in the program are always “busy.” They are either studying or becoming equipped with life skills to help them be successful.

After my tour of the men’s facility, Larry Piano took me past the construction site of the new Charis House which is the women’s facility due to be completed around March 2010. This facility will nearly double the programming and housing capacity of the current Charis House. Charis House mirrors several features of the men’s educational and housing program.

Located at 2203 S. Lafayette St., Bargains Galore is a thrift store offered as a shopping alternative for the community. Gently used household items are also accepted and stored for those transitioning into community living.

The Rescue Mission depends on no tax or government funding to keep this flame burning warm and bright. Our community is richer for the hope they provide and for the strength their services are fostering.

We Need Your Photos

We have an opportunity for you to be famous! (Well, sort of.) We need your photos. The Chamber works with Business People Magazine every year to bring you This Is Fort Wayne, a fantastic guide to everything you need to know about Fort Wayne. We are preparing the 2010 issue of This Is Fort Wayne, and we are in search of photos for the publication. See the following message from Business People:

Whether a professional or a hobbyist, you can be a contributing photographer for the 2010 issues of This is Fort Wayne. Do you have a great shot of the Fort Wayne skyline? Did you recently take your kids to Headwater's Park to play in the fountain and capture a fun moment? Maybe you attended this year's Three Rivers Fest Parade and captured some amusing shots. If you did, we would love to see them and they might make their way into the issue.

We want candid shots, fun shots, and environmental shots... if it was taken in Fort Wayne, we may use it. Editorial categories include: Arts & Entertainment, Shopping, Dining, Festivals, Education, Sports, Recreation, and Healthcare. Keep in mind that in order to be considered for publication, your photo must be 300 dpi resolution or higher, be at least 3 inches by 3 inches, and contain a cutline explaining who and/or what is featured in the photo.

Photos may be submitted to Audrey Pelsor, art director, Business People magazine, at apelsor@businesspeople.com, or saved to a CD or DVD and mailed to 7729 Westfield Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825. Photos must be submitted by January 4, 2010.

...If you don't have a copy of This Is Fort Wayne 2009, be sure to pick one up at the Chamber (826 Ewing Street). If you are a Chamber member, the publication is free to you. If you are a non-member, the cost is $25.

Don't miss the Morning Mix

Next week is our December Morning Mix - Thursday, December 10 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. you will have the opportunity to generate a list of new sales leads! You will sit at three different tables for 20 minutes each, where you will share your "unique selling proposition" with everyone else at the table. This is a fun and structured setting for developing sales leads.

The Morning Mix will take place at the Hyatt Place (111 W. Washington Center Rd.) and will include breakfast. The cost is only $5 plus a business card (be sure to bring a stack of cards - you will need them!). If you have any questions contact Laureen Voirol.

Rare Opportunity: Import/Export Seminar in Fort Wayne!

Another bit of valuable info passed down from the execs here at the Chamber... We want you to be aware of an Import/Export seminar on Monday, December 7 from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. at Indiana Tech’s Andorfer Commons. This event hosted by Congressman Mark Souder is an unusual opportunity to interact directly with representatives from the Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, U.S. Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

If you are interested in ways you can expand your exporting business opportunities, then this is for you! Topics of the event include:

• Increasing export sales
• Small businesses and market access
• Working through international regulations
• Providing working capital to fulfill export sales orders
• Protecting the credit businesses extend to buyers
• Supporting lender financing for buyers
• Small business regulations

The Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, U.S. Department of Commerce and SBA will each give short presentations, followed by a question and answer session. There will also be an opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with representatives from these four agencies to discuss issues particular to your business.

To RSVP, contact Derek Pillie in Congressman Mark Souder's office at derek.pillie@mail.house.gov or 1-800-959-3041.

Live United - Be on Time

by Lauren Richwine, Communications Specialist

Ever slide into your staff meeting with barely a minute or two to spare? It can be a close call, especially on those mornings when the dog begs to go out, your coffee spills, and the guy in front of you is too busy multitasking to at least drive the speed limit. Fortunately for me, I made it to the Chamber staff meeting a few weeks ago with time to spare.

A representative from United Way took center stage pretty quickly and began to introduce all of us (in the event we didn’t already know) to who the United Way is and what they do. For the benefit of all you hard working, late-to-staff-meetings individuals, we decided to share what we learned here.

United Way assesses the needs of the local community then responds to them with donated funds and supplies. The focus areas are basic needs, family stability, and success in school. A popular and growing program right now that seeks to help make reading exciting for grade school boys is Real Men Read. Don’t have the time to go into schools and read? United Way makes it easy to support your community’s diverse needs financially through a paycheck deduction program. For more information about United Way or the organizations they partner with, visit www.unitedwayallencounty.org.

Welcome Douglass Law Firm!

We'd like to introduce you to one of our newest members - Douglass Law Firm LLC. They just celebrated their grand opening in the Fifth Third Metro Center on West Berry Street here in downtown Fort Wayne.

Michael Douglass, owner and resident attorney, specializes in criminal and family law. Areas in which he can provide counsel include divorce, child custody/support, modifications, driving under the influence, drug offenses, domestic violence, traffic violations, misdemeanors and felonies. I know that's not all, so to learn more you should visit their Web site: thedouglasslawfirm.com.

Michael is a native of Fort Wayne (went to Northside High). He started out in the legal field by working as an Allen County Deputy Prosecutor, and went from there to the Sweeney Law Firm. Needless to say, these and other experiences resulted in a rich resume for Michael - in addition to court room know-how, he has experience in civil litigation, mediations, depositions and a variety of other civil court proceedings.

Having come originally from Fort Wayne, Michael's goal is to help the people of Fort Wayne with any family and criminal law needs. One other note: if you think you may need legal counsel, he offers a free initial consultation.

Congratulations to Douglass Law Firm, and welcome to the Chamber!

Tips, Quips and Tallies

Internships: A Thought for Students
by Marlene LeMon

Employers in the region are promoting internships to help students prepare for real-world job experience. A recent article in the Chamber's Emphasis quoted Carmen Ballard, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs at Lutheran Hospital. She said, "Some students don't realize that their mentors could possibly be their co-workers in two to four years." That's a strong "heads up" thought for students concerning the power of connections through internships.

For more information on the Chamber's Graduate Retention Program, click here, or contact Kay Anthony, Program Manager, at kanthony@fwchamber.org.

Become a Fan of the BBB...

One of our members, the Better Business Bureau, has joined Facebook and now has their business fan page up and running! As we all know, the BBB helps to hold businesses (and consumers) accountable. If you have a complaint to lodge against a business that did not serve you well, you can let them know. Also, it's of benefit to you to receive accreditation with the BBB - that way other org's and consumers know you value honesty and ethics when they look at doing business with you. You also may not know that the BBB provides a resource library, is involved in teaching students about BBB through Junior Achievement's Finance Park, and offers dispute resolution for consumers and businesses.

Kristal Heffley, Investigative Research & Dispute Resolution Specialist (see, I told you they do that stuff!) says "the home page will have worthwhile information such as BBB tips for consumers and businesses, scams to be on the lookout for, BBB events in the community, pictures and much more!"

If you are on Facebook, I encourage you to become a fan of the BBB.

P.S. While you are logged in, if you're not yet a fan of the Chamber, make sure you do that as well! (I know, I know - shameless plug.)

Taste of the Chamber this Thursday!

I can't believe the time has already come - but this is my final reminder to you for this year's Taste of the Chamber, because it is happening this week! The Taste will take place December 3 from 5 to 8 p.m., right here in the historic Chamber building. Please join us and the hundreds of others who will mill through our three floors filled with yummy food, tasty drinks and festive music!

We have been in a flurry of preparation, decorating the Chamber for this holiday party. We look forward to this every year, and we hope you do too! If you order before Thursday, tickets are just $10. Tickets will be $15 the day of the event.

Barb Richards of Majic 95.1 will be here with a live radio remote, and don't forget to bid at the holiday tree silent auction - these trees are not only beautiful (they make great gifts), but many of them contain hidden treasures from Chamber member businesses!

Here's a sneak peek at who will be serving this year... See you there!

Edible Arrangements
Cadillac Coffee
Indiana Tech
Mad Anthony Brewing Co.
Texas Roadhouse
Tastefully Simple
Nelson's Catering
Panera Bread
The Lantern
Shiloh Hall
Fort Wayne Chocolate Fountain
Chick-fil-A Glenbrook Square
ARAMARK/Memorial Coliseum
Mad Anthony Brewing Co.
MyMenu
The Roasted Bean
Hyatt Place
The Bagel Station
Friends & Friends Too
Ceruti's Catering
International Wine Markets
DeBrand Fine Chocolates
Nutcracker Sweet Shoppe
Crazy Pinz
Honey Baked Ham
Splendid Fare
Vital Living Therapeutic Massage
Holiday Inn at IPFW & Coliseum

Legislative Updates...

Joni Howell, our VP of Government Affairs, wanted me to share the following information with you. Joni is a vital element of the "voice" the Chamber provides its members and Northeast Indiana business. She watches policy at the local, state and federal level and advocates for a pro-business agenda. If you have any questions about the issues below, or the Chamber's upcoming Legislative Preview, send Joni an email.

Debate Begins Today on Health Care Bill in Senate

The Senate begins debate on its health care bill today. Before the Thanksgiving recess, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) warned Senators to expect daily votes on the bill, plus evening and weekend sessions. The debate is expected to last weeks due to numerous amendments on abortion and the public option. The Senate is scheduled to go into session at 2 p.m. Debate is expected to be around 3 p.m. You can watch the debate online here.

Seven Issues to Watch as the Senate Begins Amending the Health Care Bill
The Hill
Senators will be asked to cast their votes on numerous amendments as they begin a debate to reshape the country's health care system. Some amendments will be designed to improve the bill, some to satisfy a special interest or pet peeve. Still others will be presented as poison pills. Here are seven issues likely to arise during the amendment process. Click here to continue.

State Discusses UI and Caps
The State Senate Tax and Policy Committee meets Tuesday to consider a bill to delay increases in the unemployment tax on Hoosier businesses and the proposed constitutional amendment to cap property taxes at 1 percent of assessed value for primary homes, 2 percent for rentals and 3 percent for commercial property.

Both will likely see passage in the Senate, but the 1, 2, 3 cap plan will face a tougher time in the House. Should it pass, it would still have to be approved in a statewide referendum.

The Phil Donates Tickets to Local Non-Profits

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is doing something pretty cool I want you all to know about - particularly if you are part of a non-profit organization. The Phil is donating up to 500 tickets to the December 10 performance of the Holiday Pops series. The tickets will go to clients and families of the non-profit organizations that would normally not be able to afford a Phil concert. Staff members of the non-profits can also receive a discount to the performance. Non-profits can request up to 30 free tickets for their organization.

Samantha Teter, Director of Marketing and PR for The Phil, says "By donating these available seats to area non-profits, we hope that the gift of music will allow many of their clients and families to have a happier holiday season."

If you are a non-profit interested in this opportunity, contact Samantha at steter@fwphil.org no later than December 4.

In this Issue....

Make sure you check out our latest issue of the Emphasis, which circulates every two weeks within the Fort Wayne Business Weekly.

This issue came out on Friday, and features a lot of interesting information about the Fort Wayne International Airport. We spoke with Tory Richardson, Executive Director of Airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. He shared with us about the new Master Plan study they are conducting. Tory also wrote a letter to you, our readers, explaining how the airport contributes to the economy, and how we can contribute to the airport. It's a great read.

Other items of interest you will find include an evaluation of Indiana's real estate market by Diana Parent of Sperry Van Ness/Parke Group, and "5 Questions" with Jim Wyrostek of the Growth Coach, who will present a free workshop here at the Chamber tomorrow morning.

Find this and other Emphasis issues online.