VALPO CHAMBER MEMBERS
STEWART MCMILLAN AND GUS OLYMPIDIS NAMED TO THE
TIMES 2010 BUSINESS & INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME Valpo Chamber members Stewart
McMillan and Gus Olympidis have been selected for The Northwest Indiana
Business and Industry Hall of Fame. This annual
induction program honors individuals who have
made substantial contributions to business and
industry across the region.
Inductees are individuals who have not only had
exceptional business success, but have shown a
lifetime commitment to the region and community.
McMillian, (pictured left) president and
CEO of Task Force Tips, is a pilot in the "Angel
Flight" program that transports those who need
medical care. McMillan serves the Purdue
Research Park Board and is heavily
involved with the United Way. McMillan was named
the Valpo Chamber Distinguished
Community Leader in 2007.
Olympidis, (pictured right) owner of
Family Express Corp., has made many
contributions in Northwest Indiana including
directorships with Centier Bank, Visiting Nurse
Association, Northwest Indiana Forum, and
Valparaiso Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Foundation. Olympidis received the Valpo Chamber
Distinguished Community Leader in 1993 and
Valparaiso Rotary Four Way Test Award in 1997.
McMillan and Olympidis will be honored March 10 during a luncheon
open to the business community at the Radisson
Hotel.
Congratulations Stewart and Gus!
ENVISION THE FUTURE
Get ready today... to experience tomorrow!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Since
1998, the Valpo Chamber has partnered with
Porter County Middle Schools to provide over
1,000 8th grade students with an amazing
educational experience called "Envision the
Future."
Envision
the Future is a simulation game in which
students, projecting themselves to age 28,
research and identify their career interests
through their class curriculum, consider family
size (marital status and number of children),
and receive a mock checkbook with the monthly
income entered for their specific career.
Students
visit stations, manned by over 140 trained
business volunteers, at which they pay their
monthly bills. At each station, students make
decisions concerning the standard of living they
will assume. For example, at the housing
station, students decide if they want to pay for
a one-bedroom apartment or a three-bedroom
house.
The program
focuses on the monthly costs associated
with rent/mortgage, utilities, taxes, insurance,
childcare, and other living expenses such as
food and clothing. The program also includes
military information in the way of earnings and
allowances if the student chooses the military
as their future option.
The program also includes
unexpected events such as unemployment, medical
bills, and divorce. Students who go through
these unexpected events must also visit an
assistance station to seek counseling for legal,
financial, counseling, or employment education
issues.
The
2010 Envision the Future is a Chamber Coalition
project between the Valpo, Kouts, and Hebron
Chambers. The program is scheduled for
Thursday, March 18, at the Porter County
Expo Center. For more information about Envision
the Future or to volunteer, contact
Kurt Gillins at (219)
462-1105.
Envision the Future Presenting Sponsor:
Contributing Sponsors:
Centier, Teachers Credit Union
In-Kind Donors: NetNITCO
Wireless Broadband; Porter County Expo Center; Strongbow Inn; and Wal-Mart
VALPO CHAMBER MEMBERS... THANK YOU! The Valpo Chamber Board of Directors
and Staff wish to express their
gratitude for your renewed 2010 membership
commitment. We thank you for your help in
strengthening the greater Valparaiso business community by
supporting your fellow Chamber member
businesses. Thanks to your efforts, we look
forward to another prosperous year for the
Valparaiso community!
A.M. VALPO ATTENDANCE
MILESTONE
CONGRATULATIONS are in order for
Judith Cook, of Aspen Studio for reaching an A.M. Valpo
milestone! Cook has attended 50 A.M. Valpo
monthly networking events since the inception of
the program in 2003.
Developed by the Valpo
Chamber Small Business/Retail Committee, A.M.
Valpo is undoubtedly one of the most successful,
free, early-morning networking programs in
Valparaiso. Who will be next? Attend A.M. Valpo
the first Wednesday of every month at South Bend
Chocolate Café at 7:00 a.m. and find out!
Pictured above: Judith Cook (center) with A.M. Valpo Co-hosts
John Freyek, Citizens Financial Bank (left) and Gary Taylor, KENPRO
Cleaning Services (right).
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD GIFT CERTIFICATE
ORDER FORM
Owners
Rod and Bonnie Hontz of BRQ Quickprint
hosted a ribbon
cutting on February 3 to celebrate its 30th
Anniversary.
BRQ Quickprint is your
source for printing and direct mail
solutions from general business needs to
gift ideas. BRQ Quickprint uses only
environmentally-friendly soy inks, and
offers many varieties of recycled papers.
For additional information, visit
www.brqquickprint.com.
THANKS TO...
...Chocolate
Café, John Freyek, Citizens Financial
Bank
and Gary Taylor, KENPRO
Cleaning Services, Inc.
for hosting the very popular Valpo Chamber
monthly
morning program A.M. Valpo!
...Indiana
Senator Ed Charbonneau and Indiana State
Representative Ed Soliday for addressing
key legislative issues at our February
Legislative Hotline.
...all
the Chamber Members who supported our 2nd
Annual Blood Drive on February 5!
Thanks to Indiana Blood Center for its support.
...Hoeppner
Wagner & Evans LLP and Horizon Bank
for sponsoring the Valparaiso
Economic Development Corporation's Annual Meeting. Special thanks
to keynote speaker Eric P. Canada, partner at Blane Canada Ltd.
...Nicole
Bissonnette and her terrific crew at Bistro 157 for the fabulous food and wine
selections at the 6th Annual Wine Experience!
...Chicago
Street Theatre for hosting the February Valpo Chamber Business
After Hours!
...Best
Buy for hosting a special exclusive Valpo
Chamber Member Appreciation Night at
its store!
...the
following members who have sent
membership leads in February: Tom Almanza,
Rent-a-Man Maintenance, Inc.; Sue Gilbert, MS Nails; Jon
Groth, Porter County Career &
Technical Center; Dorcas Hammond, Horizon Bank; Kathy
Jacobs; First Partners LP; and Mary Elisabeth Pitz, Mary Elisabeth Pitz & Associates.
Thursday, March 11
Percolator Club
Monthly Membership Meeting 12:00
p.m.
"NWI Economic Trends"
Presented by Mark Maassel, Interim President
of the Northwest Indiana Forum
Strongbow Inn
Members: $12/prepaid $14/invoiced
Non-members: $17/prepaid
Unfulfilled reservations will be billed
Presenting Sponsors: Centier Bank,
Teachers Credit Union RSVP by March 9 DOWNLOAD FLYER
REGISTER ONLINE
Thursday, March 11
Ribbon Cutting &
Grand Opening Coco's
Canine Cabana and Pretty Paws Pet Photography
4:30 p.m.
405 Elm St, Ste A
Thursday, March 18 Envision the Future
Porter County Expo Center
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Interested in volunteering? Download form
here.
Presenting Sponsor: Porter Health System Contributing Sponsors: Centier Bank,
Teachers Credit Union In-kind contributions: Strongbow Inn;
NetNITCO Wireless Broadband; Porter County
Expo Center; Walmart Envision the Future is a simulation game in which
area 8th grade students, projecting
themselves to age 28, research and identify their career interests through
their class curriculum, consider family size, and receive a mock checkbook with the monthly income entered for
their specific career. Students then visit stations manned by over 170
trained business volunteers at which they pay their monthly bills. At each
station, students make decisions concerning the standard of living they will
assume.
Thursday, March 18
Business After Hours 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Mortgage Professional Group
209 E Morthland, Ste 3
Friday, March 19 Legislative Hotline 7:30
a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Valpo Chamber
2nd Floor Conference Room
Free to attend; no reservations required.
This roundtable
format encourages open discussion on timely
topics. State Senator Charbonneau and
Representative Soliday will participate in
person or via conference call to provide
updates from the State Capitol. This is a
great opportunity to interact with state
legislators and county and city officials.
Discussion also includes Portage and
Duneland Chambers.
Friday, April 2
Valpo Chamber
CLOSED - Good Friday The Chamber
will re-open Monday, April 5
Wednesday,
April 7 A.M. Valpo 7:00
a.m. Chocolate Cafe, 57 Franklin Free to attend. No reservations required. A.M. Valpo is a favorite Chamber
networking event among members. Each
participant gives a 30-second introduction
of their business and services. The event is
the perfect way to improve your networking
and speaking skills.
Thursday, April 22
Ribbon Cutting &
Grand Opening Central Bakery Wiseway Food
Center
2168 Morthland Dr
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Open House 4:30 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting
SAVE THE DATE For these great Chamber events!
FunDay Golf Classic - June 28
Community Improvement Awards - July 8
Lu-Wow! Rooftop Rendezvous - August 6
Chamber Network Night - October 28
You have received this e-mail because you are a member of the Greater
Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.
If you have any changes to your membership information, contact the
Chamber at (219) 462-1105.
Your membership is valuable. Thank you for your continued support.
Community Leader in 2007.
Since
1998, the Valpo Chamber has partnered with
Porter County Middle Schools to provide over
1,000 8th grade students with an amazing
educational experience called "Envision the
Future." 
12:00
p.m. 
Envision the Future
7:30
a.m. - 8:30 a.m.