Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Chamber in the news

Fort Wayne’s Social Service Summit, sponsored by the Health and Human Services Coalition, will be held on December 10 from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana.

Mike Landram, president of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, will provide an update.

More information in Inside Indiana Business.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Chamber hosts Bright Green Business Program

On January 19, the Northeast Indiana Sustainable Business Council will conduct an introduction and training seminar on the Certified Bright Green Business Program.

Wednesday, January 19
8:30-11:30 a.m., registration starts at 8 a.m.
The Chamber building
826 Ewing St., Fort Wayne, Ind.


The Bright Green Business Program is the updated, regional successor to the former Green City Business Program, modified with the City of Fort Wayne’s permission and support. It is designed for any size or type of organization that wants to introduce a basic business-focused Sustainable Practices Program in their operations.

NISBC was founded by ten area organizations as a nonprofit (501-c-6) in October and currently has close to fifty certified business members in Allen County. In 2011, the program will expand throughout the ten-county region of northeast Indiana in partnership with local groups interested in Economic Development and improving their community’s "livability" image.

NISBC is nonpartisan and promotes Sustainability as Stewardship in terms of conducting business in a manner that does not prevent future generations from having sufficient resources to support their activities in a similar manner.

NISBC promotes Energy Efficiency, New Technologies, Creative Manufacturing, Waste Stream Reduction, Lean Operations, Reduction of Imported Energy, Recycling and Alternative Energy Sources as "Smart Business" activities which can improve both the environment and business prosperity.

The three-hour program will provide information on the concept and basic science of sustainability, including the differences in the "green" perceptions, along with instructions on obtaining certification. Several representatives from Bright Green Certified Businesses will share their experiences and results from participating.

Cost for the event is $25 payable to the NISBC and can be mailed to PO Box 5289, Fort Wayne, IN 46895. For convenience, cash or check will be accepted at the door. For more information, call (260) 482-5849, e-mail kerri@nisbc.org, or visit the NISBC web site.

Chicago Magazine recommends visiting Fort Wayne

Here's how the writer began her story:

If you’re in the mood to merge holiday-centric merriment with the spirit of giving, look to Fort Wayne. Indiana’s second largest city (incidentally, home of the country’s largest public genealogical research library) offers ways of celebrating while simultaneously donating to charitable causes.


Read the story here.

Taste of the Chamber winners!

This year's Taste of the Chamber was a wonderful event, with large crowds and delicious food and drink from out vendors.

This year, The Chamber honors vendors in the following categories:
  • Best Decorated – The Olive Twist
  • Best Beverage – Shiloh Hall
  • Best Dessert – The Bagel Station
  • Best EntrĂ©e – Lighted Gardens
  • Best Overall – Fort Wayne Chocolate Fountain
Thanks to all of our vendors and guests for attending!

Chamber sponsors nine-day journey to China in October 2011

The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce is inviting its members and other business leaders to explore China during a nine-day trip in October 2011.

The trip begins Oct. 24, 2011, from JFK International Airport in New York and ends Nov. 1 at JFK.

During the journey, travelers will visit the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. Sights include Tian An Men Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, and the Bund.

Travelers will also learn about the Chinese business system, visit some of the country’s economic development zones and have the opportunity to meet with business leaders.

The cost for the trip is $2,099 per person for Chamber members. Cost is $2,399 for nonmembers.

Included in the cost is the following:
  • Round-trip international air fare (does not include travel to and from JFK)
  • 4- and 5-star hotel accommodations
  • Three meals a day
  • Deluxe bus tours
  • Fluent English-speaking tour guides
  • Entrance fees for attractions
An orientation meeting will be held 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at The Chamber building, 826 Ewing St., Fort Wayne. A representative from Citslinc International, a company with more than 28 years experience in Chine tours, will provide details, including the trip itinerary, visa application and payments.

For more information, contact Michelle Merritt at (260) 424-1435 or mmerritt@fwchamber.org, or visit The Chamber’s web site at www.fwchamber.org.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Athena Award ceremony: Save the Date!

The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce has set the date for the 2011 Athena Award ceremony.

Date: March 23, 2011
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: The Diamond Room at Ceruti's Summit Park, 6601 Innovation Blvd., Fort Wayne. (click for map)
Cost: $35.

Purchase tickets by clicking the register button in the top left corner of the events page, or by calling the Chamber of Commerce at (260) 424-1435.

RSVPs are required by Friday, March 18, 2011.

The prestigious Athena Award honors individuals who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, who provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and who actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Lunch ‘N Learn on continuing education

Join The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce for this Lunch ’n Learn presented by Kelly Trusty, director of the Master of Science in Leadership program at Trine University, on how continuing education in 2011 can advance you personally and professionally.

The event, titled “2011: A Smarter You, A Wealthier You!” will be noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 15, at The Chamber building, 826 Ewing St., Fort Wayne.

Attendees will learn:
  • How to decide whether to go to graduate school
  • The benefits of graduate school
  • The personal characteristics of successful graduate learners
  • Strategies and support for success
  • The search process: how to choose
  • The application process: how to sell yourself
  • Succeeding in graduate school: how to survive
  • Celebrating success and next steps

Cost for this Lunch ’n Learn is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for nonmembers and includes a boxed lunch from The Savory Dish.

Please register at www.fwchamber.org. For more information, contact Laureen Voirol at (260) 424-1435, ext 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org. This event is sponsored by Salin Bank.

Take a survey about NE Indiana entrepreneurship

The Northeast Indiana Fund is collaborating with JumpStart Inc., a nationally recognized non-profit, to develop a Regional Entrepreneurship Action Plan to support the development of high-growth businesses that increase globally competitive jobs and have a significant economic impact.

To help them better assess the region’s entrepreneurial activity, take a few minutes to share your perspectives by completing an Entrepreneurial Opportunity Survey.

The objective of this brief survey is to assess the region’s entrepreneurial climate. The survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete, your participation is anonymous, and the feedback you provide is extremely valuable and could help influence future programs made available to the entire entrepreneurial community.

Click here to take the survey.

The survey results will be assessed and analyzed by the Center for Economic Development at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.

Friday, December 3, 2010

CANI receives grant from Fifth Third

Community Action of Northeast Indiana has received a $2,500 grant from the Fifth Third Foundation to support the agency’s Quality of Life Planning Process in Waynedale.

The Quality of Life Planning Process is part of CANI’s Community Economic Development department. The CED department is charged with providing economic opportunities and improving social conditions in a sustainable way for the community at large. It’s based on the principle that problems facing communities, such as unemployment, poverty, job loss, lack of community empowerment, are better addressed in a holistic and participatory way.

CANI is working with the Waynedale community to reinforce its strengths and assets by increasing resident engagement, promoting neighborhood action, and establishing new and stronger relationships among grassroots organizations and businesses. The plan addresses civic, social, physical and economic growth.

The grant funding from the Fifth Third Foundation will allow CANI to make grants available to civic organization and promote these initiatives.

The Chamber in the news

Recent local news featuring The Chamber:

Legislators, chambers share views: "On many issues, the chambers shared similar perspectives. All three called for a balanced budget, required by the state constitution. In general, they wanted it not to be balanced with tax increases –- though Fort Wayne Chamber President and CEO Mike Landram did say purchases made online ought to be taxed so as to eliminate a disadvantage that retailers here face."

‘Opt-out day’ fails to take off at Fort Wayne airport: "Dave Young, vice president of air service development for the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, said there were no incidents at Fort Wayne International Airport requiring a show of force by security agents, and he did not hear of any complaints prompted by the scanning."