Continuing the Education of Employees

This month I had the great fortune of attending my third year at the Institute for Organization Management. This program is held across the country at various sites throughout the year and is hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I am thrilled each year to be able to participate in this class where I can learn the “ins and outs” of organizations like chambers and associations and I can bring back to Valparaiso some best practices and trends from around the country.

The Valpo Chamber has a long-standing tradition of continuing the education of its employees and I would encourage you to look into opportunities for you and your employees to continue down the road of education.

As I am sure you have heard already, the Valpo Chamber is hosting the Disney Institute on Tuesday, August 16. What you may not have heard is that if you are in a profession where you need to obtain continuing education credits, this event may get you closer to your quota. Disney Institute will give you the necessary paperwork to file with your organization for credit once you have received authorization from your association or professional group and completed the course.

As of today there are less than 30 spaces remaining for this event. That may sound like a lot of space, but just last week we had a company call with 26 reservations. That is a company that sees the value in continuing the education of their employees, as well as the value in this wonderful Disney Institute event.

If you are interested in attending Disney Institute or sending your employees, give me a call at the Chamber and we can get the registration completed. Don’t delay!

Kurt Gillins
Programs Director
kgillins@valparaisochamber.org

Valpo Chamber Gift Certificates! Great Gift! Great Marketing Tool!

If you’ve ever been the recipient of a Valpo Chamber Gift Certificate, you already know what a great gift it is. You have a choice of over 100 different venues where to spend it! I don’t know about you but I love to spend “gift” money. Cash disappears on incidentals, but you HAVE to spend the gift certificate before it expires.

I have redeemed my chamber gift certificates to eat out, get my nails done, or simply buy groceries. I have given them as gifts to co-workers, the mailman, or as a birthday gift. I have even donated them to non-profits to use as a silent auction item or inside a gift basket door prize. Everyone loves to receive a gift certificate because it gives the recipient a choice of where to spend, and there are SO many choices.

In 2010, the Valpo Chamber sold approximately $98,000 worth of gift certificates. ANYONE can purchase, so we see businesses buying large quantities to give to employees at holiday time, AND we see folks stopping in to buy one or two … for coaches, schoolteachers, real estate closings, and “thank you for dog sitting” gifts! The marketability is diverse and vast. The number of certificates sold in 2010 was over 5000, in varying increments. Certificates are sold at ANY denomination the buyer stipulates.

So, we know chamber gift certificates have value for the recipient. But, what about the value to our member participants?

The 100+ vendors currently participating on this program pay ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the marketing effect of this program. Every certificate sold includes an alphabetical list of vendors, plus the list is included on our website. Our annual directory defines vendors by including a shopping cart icon next to their name. Moreover, the chamber markets the certificates in email blasts and newspaper advertising, particularly at holiday time. The chamber does its best to bring exposure to all those vendors participating on the program.

Then, if a certificate IS redeemed at the vendor’s business, they simply retain the document, return it to the chamber office, and receive a 95% reimbursement check from the chamber. The top vendor on the program in 2010 received enough reimbursements back from the chamber that their annual membership could have been paid eight times over! The next “top five” vendors where certificates were redeemed include a grocery store, restaurant, automotive shop, butcher, and fueling center. Those five businesses were reimbursed $22,540 collectively…which, again, more than paid for their individual investments with the chamber.

Bottom line. Valpo Chamber Gift Certificates are the perfect gift, AND the perfect opportunity to promote your business to other businesses and to the community at large.

Want to view a complete list of current vendors? Learn more about becoming a vendor? Or, purchase a chamber gift certificate? Click here.

Danielle Oeding
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
oeding@valparaisochamber.org

We've got your number... or do we?

In a few weeks, the Valpo Chamber will start its member verification process to assist us in providing accurate information about your business to your potential customers. The information you provide is also reproduced in our membership directories, on mailing labels, and on our website, http://www.valparaisochamber.org/.

  

The person you’ve designated to be key contact person for your business will receive the verification form in the mail. We hope you will take a few minutes to review the information we have on file, make any necessary corrections and/or additions and return it.

Below are some specifics to assist you in the verification process:  

• Member Information: Primary contact person, phone number, mailing address, including suffixes like Co., Inc., LLC, PC, etc.  
• Preferred communication: email or mail.  
• Representatives: Additional employees/business representatives you would like to receive Chamber information.  
• Business Category: Each Chamber member receives one category at no cost. Additional categories may be purchased and appear in the Chamber directories and on the Chamber web site. 
• Business Description: Help us provide information about your business to potential customers, 40 words max.  

Once the necessary changes have been made on the verification form, please sign, date and return to the Chamber office via fax, mail or email. If you have any questions about the verification process, contact the Chamber at (219) 462-1105.

Wishing you continued business success!

Susan Antoszewski
Marketing & Communications Specialist
santoszewski@valparaisochamber.org 

 

New strategic objectives to carry Chamber to next level

Every successful business has a strategic set of goals that it hopes to achieve which in turn will help that business to be productive and survive in the market place. Recently, Microsoft made one such strategic move by acquiring Skype to further its competitive advantage in its industry.

The Valpo Chamber is no different in that it has a set of strategic objectives and goals to improve its member services. Four years ago, the Valpo Chamber adopted two important strategic objectives to help build a stronger organization.

The first objective was to undertake a major renovation of the second level in the Chamber building creating a first-rate conference facility for use by the Chamber as well as its members. The second objective included upgrading the Chamber web site, www.valparaisochamber.org, to better serve the members, provide a communication tool, to have a dynamic presence on the internet. Both objectives were accomplished.

In May, the Valpo Chamber Executive Committee hammered out a new set of strategic objectives that has since been approved by the Board of Directors. When accomplished, over the next several years, these strategic objectives will make the Valpo Chamber a stronger and more dynamic membership-based business organization.

Valpo Chamber Strategic Objectives:

1. Improve communication by surveying the membership to find out what our members feel is important.
2. Engage the Valparaiso City Council on Chamber programs and initiatives.
3. Advocate priority in spending proceeds of $185 million resulting from the sale of Porter Hospital.
4. Inform the membership of the importance of Porter County Regional Airport and its impact on industrial expansion and job growth.
5. Expand advocacy on state legislative issues impacting Valparaiso businesses.
6. Increase dialogue with federal elected officials for business, city, and regional projects.
7. Use 100-year Chamber Anniversary, in 2012, to build new resources and membership numbers.
8. Engage Valparaiso School system on capital expenditures for needs of K-12 schools. 

Some of these strategic objectives will take more than one year to accomplish. To accomplish these goals, the Chamber will continue to utilize its committed Board of Directors, knowledgeable and professional staff, and dedicated, active members.

Rex G. Richards
President

rrichards@valparaisochamber.org

Got meeting space? No? Well the Valpo Chamber has exactly what you’re looking for!

In 2010, a major renovation was undertaken on the second floor of the Valpo Chamber building. New conference rooms with state-of-the-art technology, comfortable accommodations, and room to host groups of 6 to 60 participants were the result of the extensive renovation – all in a professional atmosphere.

Conveniently located in beautiful downtown Valparaiso, the Valpo Chamber has three room sizes available exclusively to our members. Our small meeting room can accommodate 6-8 people, the Board Room will accommodate up to 28 people, and the large meeting room can fit up to 60 people.

In addition, a full kitchen is available. We’ll even provide you with a list of Chamber member caterers to fulfill your needs. Our Wifi enabled conference rooms are a great solution for conducting frequent meetings with your staff, clients, and business associates.

Meetings can be held any time during office hours which are Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm.

Conference rooms include:
• Comfortable chairs designed for extended periods of sitting
• 6 foot tables equipped with modesty panels
• Wall Mounted 60 inch LCD TV equipped with computer for online and power point presentations
• an Easel with Paper
• Completely equipped kitchen

Room Rental Rate (for Chamber members) details, as follows:

• $50 for two (2) hours

• A minimum of two hours is required

• Each subsequent hour (or portion) is $10

• Maximum daily rate of $100

Feel free to contact me at 219-462-1105 or gaskell@valparaisochamber.org if you’re interested in renting one of our rooms or if you have any questions.

Julie Gaskell, Vice President of Operations

gaskell@valparaisochamber.org

Newsflash! College students spend money!

Really, that’s not news, is it?

The 10th annual "College Explorer Study" indicates close to 16 million students (ages 18-34) entered college classes in the Fall of 2010, an all-time record and up 6% from about 15 million the year before. Their collective $306 billion in buying power is 13% more than roughly $270 billion the previous year.

That’s a lot of zeros.

And, that’s a lot of spending!

A student spends more than $13,000 per year on average, 19% of which is discretionary. That adds up to a substantial $211 per month of discretionary spending.* So, besides books and tuition, they spend on electronics, cosmetics, automotive needs, food, clothing, shoes, apartments, haircuts, carry-out, personal care products… it’s not just about Ramen noodles and energy drinks anymore (although they still like those).

I should know. I have one of those college students living under my roof this summer. She will return to Ball State University next fall as a senior. I like to think I’ve done my part for the economy of Muncie, Indiana these past three years!

But, guess who’s doing “student spending” in greater Valparaiso? Nearly 3500 undergraduate students of Valparaiso University…460 VU law students…250 graduate and international students…4000 Ivy Tech students…4500 Purdue North Central students…not to mention their parents and relatives, the faculty & staff at those schools, and the occasional visiting boyfriend/girlfriend.

Over ten years ago, the Valpo Chamber began publishing the student resource guide or, The U-Guide, as we now call it. This glossy, four-color, 50+ page publication was designed specificially to capture the attention of the student market and make them aware of the goods and services available to them from our chamber member businesses. These guides are placed in student mailboxes or meeting venues at area universities. The U-Guide is also available at www.valpo.edu and www.valparaisochamber.org, so it can be viewed by anyone checking out those websites. Over 4000 are printed, but many more are accessible online.

Check out our 2010 U-Guide!

If you want to cash in on $306 billion in buying power, why not consider reserving advertising space in the chamber’s U-Guide? Chamber members receive discounts and ads begin at just $175. Sales close July 18.

I know it seems like summer vacation just started, but the Fall 2011 semester begins again in just two months!

Danielle Oeding
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Oeding@valparaisochamber.org

*Other college student spending stats, per www.stateuniversity.com: The typical college student is in their mid-twenties, either lives at home or on campus, and has a job. Students no longer expect to complete college in 4 consecutive years, and many fluctuate between full-time and part-time study over a period of 5 to 7 years. The older the student, the more money he or she generally has.

Most money comes from work. 75% of students maintain jobs while attending school, earning $645 per month on average. 20% have secured an on-campus job and 42% are spending school breaks working. Parents contribute too, contributing an average of $154 to a student’s monthly income.

Members Helping Members program offers discounts on goods and services

One of the programs the Valpo Chamber offers you may have overlooked is Members Helping Members. For many years the chamber has encouraged members to offer other members discounts on goods and services. This program have been around for many years and gone through many different approaches, and recently it has transformed again.

Back in April, Members Helping Members went completely to email and the website. On the second Friday of each week, the chamber will be sending you a list of the current discounts for you and your employees (remember…everyone that works for you is eligible for these discounts, so pass them along).

When you read this blog, take a couple of minutes to look it over and see what is new.

You can find current offers at: http://www.valparaisochamber.org/services/members-helping-members.php

If you would like to offer your fellow Valpo Chamber members a discount it is easy to sign up. Just email me your offer and I will get it on the next email. Once you sign up to participate in the program, you won’t have to renew. If you decide you want to change your offer or remove your offer, you can simply email me once again. The Valpo Chamber has tried to make it as simple as possible to offer and receive these great discounts.

I hope you take advantage of these great offers! I have been able to use many of them including the free chips and queso at Chili’s....mmmmm….FREE!

Kurt Gillins
Programs Director
kgillins@valparaisochamber.org