Feet on the Street: Experience is the Best Teacher

by Teresa Royer, Member Relations Specialist

I learned while visiting Jim Hale of Alliance Computer Technologies (some of you may know them as Alliance Healthcare Solutions) a recent new member that the Chamber is not alone in valuing the concept of enlisting interns to create win-win situations for both a student and an employer.

Jim was telling me about the creation of their Progressive Internship Program which they developed on their own and a few of their success stories.  He recalled one high school student interested in the accounting – administrative side of things.  When she began as an intern she was very shy and not very confident when it came to the “ins and outs” of the office world – from making copies to communicating with others over the phone.  However, as time progressed and she correctly completed tasks assigned and grew to accept more responsibilities – Jim tells me they witnessed a metamorphosis in her personality – going from very timid to very confident and outgoing—so much so that her parents personally thanked him as they noticed a difference as well.

I have to think that is a “double win” for the employer.  1. You’re getting help in your projects and day-to-day operations which can have a direct impact on your bottom line and 2.  You’re making a difference by helping a student grow as a person and professionally, and that can have a profound, positive impact on their future.

If you’re interested in learning about how interns can help your business, please know internships are a very popular subject with us!  We have a program all its own dedicated to combine both the education and business sectors – I am of course referencing our Graduate Retention Program.  Give us a call at 424-1435 and ask to speak to someone from the Graduate Retention team and they will walk you through the process and get you well on your way to the help your business deserves……

In this Issue...

Check out the latest issue of Emphasis magazine, which hits stands today as part of the Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly. In this week's issue you will get an inside look at DeBrand Fine Chocolates (just in time for Valentine's Day), a one-on-one chat with our president, Mike Landram, a look into the policy issue of a single county executive, business tips from The Growth Coach... and much more.

For this and other issues of Emphasis, click here. If you are a Chamber member and would like to be featured in the Emphasis, shoot me an email at jjessup@fwchamber.org.

It's Not Too Late...

Sometimes it's okay to be last minute.You can still register for the City's Green City Business training which will take place Tuesday, February 9 at the downtown Allen County Public Library. Several Chamber members have already taken this program and become green certified businesses. This is an opportunity for business owners and managers to learn about being enviro-friendly while also saving money. The workshop is free, so if you're interested, sign up by this Friday by calling (260) 427-6059 or visiting www.cityoffortwayne.org/energy/gb. 

Rome, Anyone?

Got some vacation time to use? IPFW is providing an opportunity to visit Rome - open to anyone, whether student or community member. This is a two-week study tour sponsored by IPFW's Interior Design program. You can take the trip purely for pleasure, or to earn three college credits. The dates are July 12-24. Class size is limited and time is running out, so if you're interested, find out more by contacting Matthew Kubik at (260) 481-6581 or kubikm@ipfw.edu or visiting www.ipfw.edu/dcs/trips. There will also be a public information session on the trip on February 9 at 6 p.m. at IPFW. 

Tips, Quips and Tallies: The Freshman Mindset

by Katelyn Daniel, Administrative Assistant/Grant Writer

Every fall, Beloit College produces a list of facts about the entering freshman class. This list helps employers and educators to understand the mindset of the newest group of adult employees each year. The following are my 12 favorite facts from this year’s Freshman College Mindset List for the Class of 2013:

• Earvin "Magic" Johnson has always been HIV-positive.
• The KGB has never officially existed.
• The European Union has always existed.
• State abbreviations in addresses have never had periods.
• Women have always outnumbered men in college.
• They have never been “Saved by the Bell.
• CDs have never been sold in cardboard packaging.
• Salsa has always outsold ketchup.
• Rap music has always been main stream.
• Margaret Thatcher has always been a former prime minister.
• Babies have always had a Social Security Number.
• They have never had to “shake down” an oral thermometer.

Hopefully, this will allow you some insight into our young adults’ mindset. For a complete listing of facts from the Freshman College Mindset (Class of 2013), please visit Beloit College’s website: http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2013.php.

Tapestry... a Day of Fun-Filled Inspiration

Sorry guys. This one really isn't for you. -Unless you're looking for a great gift for the special lady in your life. We want to give you a giant heads up, because you will not want to miss this. Tapestry: A Day for Women will take place Friday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The idea is to give women a fun day off while also inspiring and rejuvenating them to go back out into the world at the end of it all. This event is for women of all walks of life, and you are sure to enjoy it - I know I am looking forward to it. This year's special speaker will be Sandra Lee, a best-selling author of 17 books, and a motivational speaker.

Tapestry is two positive causes wrapped up together - not only does it provide a fun-filled day for Fort Wayne women, but proceeds from the event go to support the Tapestry Parkview Endowment and Scholarship funds. Since 2002 (it's first year), Tapestry has raised almost $300,000 and awarded $41,000 in scholarships. This year $35,000 in scholarship funds will be awarded to those studying health sciences at IPFW.

Registration for the event begins on February 26. Found out more. Hope to see you there! 

ATHENA Scholarships Due Next Week

While we're on the subject of scholarships, now seems like a good time to remind you that the scholarship deadline for ATHENA 2010 is fast approaching on Friday, February 12. We will be awarding $1000 scholarships to female high school students for use in continuing education - the awards will be given at this year's Annual ATHENA Award® (got your tickets yet?) on March 24 at 11:30.

In 2006, the ATHENA Scholarship was founded with a generous contribution from Dr. Michelle Helfgott of Northeast OB/GYN. Dr. Helfgott and Northeast OB/GYN continue as sponsors, and Dr. Helfgott will present the scholarships to this year’s recipients.

Find out more about ATHENA and download the scholarship application at our Web site, and if you have any questions, contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435. 

Embassy Dedicates New Pedestrian Walkway

Another exciting development is taking place in downtown Fort Wayne this month. On February 16 the Embassy Theatre will dedicate a brand new walkway which will provide the new Marriott Hotel with patron access to the Grand Wayne Convention Center. This pedestrian corridor on the Embassy's third floor is also an opportunity to develop the Indiana Hotel's five floors that have been closed for a good 30 years.

The dedication will honor the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission and the Goldstine Foundation, both of which funded the project, as well as the Embassy's board, Weigand Construction (manager of the project), 21 other local companies contracted to work on the project, and MSKTD & Associates (designer). A special plaque will be unveiled to recognize all those who made the project possible. 

Double Dose of Good News for FWA

The Fort Wayne International Airport made an exciting announcement yesterday. Delta Air Lines will be bringing new seasonal daily non-stop service between Fort Wayne and the Delta hub at Minneapolis/St. Paul. This will begin in April of this year. Tory Richardson, Executive Director of Airports had this to say: 

“This new service represents a huge victory for the residents of our region. In addition to providing an excellent routing option for travel to the western United States, this opens up additional one-stop destinations to the west from Fort Wayne, including destinations in the Orient.”

Wow. And as if that wasn’t enough, a new report for Indiana Airports stated that Fort Wayne Airports contribute over $370 million to the Fort Wayne/Allen County community every year. For Indiana as a whole, airports provide an economic impact of more than $5.2 billion, and employ more than 17,000 people. Richardson says: 

"Airports mean jobs in our community and economic wealth for our region. Fort Wayne International and Smith Field play a critical role in supporting existing businesses and fostering business growth that leads to economic development. Communities that are readily accessible by air transportation are at a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace."

Well said. That is why it’s so important to us to support the airport. If you have questions about what the Chamber does at FWA, contact Dave Young, VP of Air Service Development. If you would like to book a flight between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Fort Wayne, visit www.delta.com. 

Forum for Managers

Don't forget, if you are a manager looking for ways to bounce ideas off your peers, we are holding a special event to introduce you to our Leadership Development Roundtable groups. Coming to this event tomorrow, February 2 from 4 to 5:30 does not obligate you to join a Roundtable Group - this is simply a free event to let you know what it's all about. The idea is for mid-level managers to get together and share ideas and troubleshoot problems together - all to promote success for each business involved. Learn more.

Down the Line: 4 Legends from Locals

by Lauren Richwine, Communications Specialist

Chamber Members Unite! Thanks to a unique collaboration from the Embassy, Hoosier Park and One Lucky Guitar (all Chamber members), the Embassy Theatre is proud to announce “Down the Line 4: Legends from Locals.”

The event is a one-night Embassy Theatre benefit and musical tribute to five legends of rock-n-roll. The five legends that will be embodied by other bands this year include Queen, David Bowie, The Ramones, Hank Williams Senior, and The Beatles. The bands to play include Brother, Fawn Liebowitz, Flamingo Nosebleed, Huckleberry Blue, and Thunderhawk.

“Down the Line” takes place on Saturday, February 20 at 7 p.m. at the Embassy Theatre. The event is open to all ages and tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 the week of the show. Tickets may be purchased at the Embassy Theatre box office, at all other Ticketmaster locations and even online at www.ticketmaster.com.