Four Members Achieve "Green City Business" Status

Four Chamber members just completed the City of Fort Wayne's "Green City Business" certification:

• Central Branch YMCA
• Jorgensen Family YMCA
• Fort Wayne Wire Die, Inc.
• Weigand Construction. 

These members are four out of 16 businesses in Fort Wayne to complete the Green City program in its first year. This is a nationally recognized program that helps businesses and organizations adopt enviro-friendly practices, as well as save on energy costs. The program also has a mentoring component, which enables Green City Businesses to act as a resource and example to other businesses in the community. We've noticed that Chamber members often are leaders in the community - but then we are a little partial...

If you are interested in becoming a Green City Business, the next training session will take place on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. Find out more about the program here. Don't forget that registration is required, either online or by contacting Julia Gorrell at 427-6059.

"Cap & Trade" Workshop Highlights Impact on Your Business

Vera Bradley Tops 2009 Vendor List

Good news for Chamber member Vera Bradley. They have been named "Vendor of the Year" by the National Trade Magazine Gift Beat. If you're from Fort Wayne, you are probably familiar with Vera Bradley, but just in case: they produce specially designed handbags, stationery, travel and eyewear. Started by two friends locally in 1982 with a $500 investment, they have grown into a national trend. Vera Bradley products have even appeared on several shows and movies, and were included in celebrity gift lounges at the 2009 Tony and Daytime Emmy Awards.

Wow. All of that to say - they're doing pretty well! Cheri Lantz, Vera Bradley's VP of Sales, says "It is quite an honor to be awarded nationally as the company that contributed the most to the bottom line of gift stores across the county. Last year, we were number three on the list; It feels great to move up to number one!"

Here's the list that they have topped for 2009!

1) Vera Bradley
2) Demdaco
3) Brighton
4) Yankee
5) Ganz
6) Enesco
7) Pandora
8) Grasslands Road/Amscan
9) Evergreen
10) Virginia Candle

Track Bid Opportunities with the City and County

For those of you interested in bid opportunities with the City and County, a joint service has been launched making it easy for you to track the opportunities you may be interested in. You can now sign up to receive e-mail updates about new bids that you might pursue. Go to either bidding.cityoffortwayne.org or bidding.allencounty.us, and you will find a list of current bid opps from the City's Public Works Department, Allen County Highway Department, City Utilities, City and County Purchasing, and other City and County departments. 

Visit either one of the sites above to see what bids you might wish to compete for, and sign up for daily or weekly alerts with new opportunities. 

U.S. Chamber Brings Campaign for Responsible Health Reform to Fort Wayne

The following information is from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

The Indiana Campaign for Responsible Health Reform “Rolling Democracy Tour” will hold a press conference in Ft. Wayne Thursday to discuss how the current health care reform legislation will impact Hoosiers.  The tour is visiting Indiana cities throughout the week asking Hoosiers to call Senator Bayh and voice their opinions on the proposed legislation.

“We want health care reforms that lower costs for people and don’t add to the federal deficit,” said Scott Jennings on behalf of the Indiana Campaign for Responsible Health Reform.  “We think that’s how most Hoosiers feel and this tour will help amplify their voices in Washington D.C.”

The “Rolling Democracy” tour is making stops across the state this week providing information about health care reform and offering a mobile phone bank to help citizens can reach out to Sen. Bayh.

WHEN:  Thursday, December 17, 2009, 10 a.m.
WHERE:   Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1619 West Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818
WHO:   Indiana Campaign for Responsible Health Reform, Scott Jennings, Campaign Spokesperson

The Campaign for Responsible Health Reform is sponsored by the United States Chamber of Commerce. This is a grassroots campaign to educate businesses and citizens about the need for meaningful and affordable health reform that protects employer-sponsored health insurance and shows what's at risk with government-run health care and other dangerous proposals.

An Insider's Perspective...

Usually I write for members, and with members in mind. However, it's not often that I have a unique insider perspective on a member. That's where I'm coming for this post. I want to encourage you to check out the Fort Wayne Philharmonic this weekend - if you don't, you're missing out!

I have the privilege to sing with the Philharmonic Chorus, and I can tell you with confidence the Philharmonic Holiday Pops this year is a phenomenal program! You will of course enjoy the outstanding Philharmonic orchestra, as well as the Chorus, the Fort Wayne Children's Choir, and 6 excellent musical theater performers from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music who bring additional song, dance and dramatic flair to the production. Pops concerts take place two more times, this Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. Get your tickets now, before they sell out!

Also, don't forget the Philharmonic's performance of Handel's Messiah, this Friday evening at 8 p.m. This will be an excellent performance of this beloved work, featuring the Philharmonic orchestra and Chorus, the Heartland Chamber Chorale, and soloists - directed by Maestro Robert Nance.

To learn more about this year's holiday performances, see this great article in the News Sentinel. These concerts are a great holiday tradition in Fort Wayne, and an excellent gift for friends and family members. I hope to see you there!

Great Article on Fort Wayne International Airport

Check out this great article about Fort Wayne International Airport, written by Harriet Baskas on her blog, Stuck at the Airport. She talks about some of the great items a traveler can find at FWA, including Vera Bradley goodies and DeBrand Chocolates yummies. Speaking of yummies, today from 3 to 5 p.m. cookie judges are assembling at the airport for the official judging of the One in a Million Cookie Contest! I hear that leftover cookies may be handed out...

Great Networking Tomorrow at Tower Bank!

Don't miss our last networking event of 2009! Each December dozens of networkers turn out for Cc: me at Tower Bank - don't miss this fun holiday event, this Thursday, December 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tower Bank in downtown Fort Wayne (116 East Berry Street). You will enjoy networking, hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar, all in a festive holiday setting.

Cc: me is an 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 make introductions.

Admission is $5 for Chamber members, $10 for for non-members. For more information contact Laureen at lvoirol@fwchamber.org or (260) 424-1435, ext. 266. Hope to see you there! 

Feet on the Street: All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned From...

by Aimee Scott, Member Relations Specialist

… so what do you think about when I say Girl Scouts?  Cookies?  Crafts?  Camping?  Maybe you reflect.  Maybe as a child your life was changed.  Maybe as a young adult you created a facebook group for your 3rd grade troop.  Maybe as an adult your mother rescued your daughter’s badge collection just in time and sewed them on … (since you were ready to whip out the stapler)! 

Maybe you never got to be in Brownie Scouts, but always wanted to. 

Maybe you wonder if an organization such as Girl Scouts is even relevant in times such as these.

I can assure you, Girl Scouts is relevant.  It is not only relevant, it is cutting edge.  Girl Scouts today offers a leadership experience and curriculum that is second to none.  It’s hip, high-tech, fast-paced, inclusive and most importantly – individualized for each and every girl. Any civic minded person would want opportunities such as these for our women of tomorrow.

The Girl Scouts program is one that fosters self-discovery.  Discovery of talents and personal values.  It provides a safe place to connect with others and learn about differing points of view.  It is a place to express, inspire and be inspired.    All are encouraged to take action – to problem solve, strategize, communicate, and do something to make the world a better place. Discover. Connect. Take Action.

Entreprenuerialism.  Preparedness. Teamwork. Creativity. Leadership!  I’m fairly certain that the dozens of business people I’ve shared a handshake with just this week would agree – these are relevant and vital skills for today’s workplace.  Discover. Connect. Take Action. Let’s support growing girls strong.  Let’s support the premiere leadership organization for girls.  Let’s build girls of courage, confidence and character.

…maybe you memorized the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law and continue to try to live by them daily…

Welcome new Chamber member Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana Michiana!

Looking to Entrepreneurs for Job Creation

The following is another article lead that our Interim President and CEO, Mike Landram, wanted me to share with you. This is an interesting article written by Amy Wilkinson, who is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University Center for Business and Government, as well as a policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center. In the article, titled "Job Creation? Look to Entrepreneurs," Amy argues that it is the small, just-off-the-ground, risk-taking business entrepreneurs who will be responsible for revitalizing the economy. Here's a snapshot of what she says:

"The mom-and-pop shops, garage start-ups and small businesses across the country will put Americans back on the payroll. According to the Census Bureau, nearly all net job creation in the U.S. since 1980 has been generated by firms operating less than five years."

This is what concerns us, what drives us, here at the Chamber - ensuring that all businesses, small, medium, and large, have the tools, resources, and freedom to succeed. Read the full article here.

Chamber Hosts Legislators and Members for Annual Preview

On Wednesday, December 9 the Chamber presented its State Legislative Agenda to Chamber members and area legislators at the Annual Legislative Preview.

Vice President of Government Affairs, Joni Howell, and Chairman of the Chamber's Legislative Council, Ben Eisbart, presented the Chamber's priorities for the 2010 session. The Chamber's Agenda focuses on issues that will help Northeast Indiana businesses grow and prosper. The guiding principles behind the Agenda are: promote a globally competitive tax climate, decrease regulatory burden, strengthen the workforce, strengthen infrastructure, advance economic development, and promote an efficient government structure.

To see the Chamber's full Agenda visit fwchamber.org.

Legislators responded and warned that this would be a difficult session, as revenues continue to drop. President Pro Tem David Long shared that leaders of all four caucuses have agreed that any major spending initiatives would not make it this session.

Representative Jeff Espich wrapped up the legislative comments and stressed that while times look difficult he wanted to be positive. Having just driven from Indianapolis that afternoon he referenced a billboard that said "Funny thing about Recessions. They End." He assured Chamber members in the crowd that this was the case, and that unlike other states in the country the General Assembly wouldn't attempt to end this through taxation, saying "we're not going to tax you, we're going to be prudent."

Clinkenbeard Dentistry: Now That's What I Call a Personal Approach

This past Friday we were happy to help one of our new members, Clinkenbeard Dentistry, celebrate their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Denise Porter-Ross from the City of Fort Wayne joined us on behalf of the City, as well as several friends, family and staff members of Ben Clinkenbeard, resident dentist and owner of the practice. We got to tour the facility, and I noticed the windows in each room, where bright sunlight streams in.

Something Ben told us really struck a chord with me and my coworkers. He told us that one of the main things that pushed him to start his own practice was his desire to have the freedom to spend time getting to know each patient. He said he would rather make less money, and have the ability to sit with a patient for ten minutes and talk to them, than to make more money but have to rush on to the next patient and procedure.

Now, I think you'll agree with me when I say that's exactly what every patient looks for in a dentist or doctor. Congratulations to Clinkenbeard Dentistry, and I suggest you check them out! They are located at 3615 Lake Avenue, and their phone number is (260) 424-6031.

Tips, Quips and Tallies: Reverse Engineering Your Resume

by Tanya Young, Graduate Retention Representative/High School Initiative

With the job market being tight today, students and job seekers need to figure out how to get their resume into the hands of the right person to land an interview. "Your resume may be getting tossed aside by the computerized screening systems that most employers use these days to winnow huge numbers of resumes down to a manageable few," says Mark Lyden, who wrote a book aimed at new grads called "Do This! Get Hired!"

Lyden's book is a source where the information and advice has been PROVEN TO WORK with thousands of students already. The book is jam-packed with insider tips on getting the job you want -- from how to get an interview to coming out on top in salary negotiations. The book costs just $16, and is available at dothisgethired.com.