HAPPY BIRTHDAY A.M. VALPO! Happy
Golden Birthday AM VALPO! Can you believe
our early morning monthly networking
opportunity is turning five on Wednesday,
November 5? Make sure to get up early and
be at the Chocolate Cafe, located at 57
Franklin, at 7:00 a.m. to help celebrate
this milestone AND get some great networking
opportunities. We hope to see you there!
Make sure to bring plenty of business cards
and your best 30-second commercial. There
is no charge to attend and no reservations
are required.
LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW
2009 In
lieu of the November Valpo Chamber Public Policy
Forum, the Chamber asks members to attend the
Legislative Preview 2009 presentation at the
Northwest Indiana Forum. The morning begins with
a 7:30 a.m. continental breakfast with the
presentation beginning at 8:00 a.m.
The event will be held in the Main Auditorium
of the Northwest Indiana Forum, 6100 Southport
Road in Portage. For more information, please
contact the Forum at (219) 763-6303.
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CONNECTIONS MADE! ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CHAMBER
NETWORK NIGHT! The Porter County Chamber Coalition
hosted its annual CHAMBER NETWORK NIGHT on
October 23 at the Porter County Expo Center.
Over 750 business
professionals attended this year’s premiere
business-to-business networking event,
showcasing the innovative businesses in Porter
County. Over 150 exhibitors were in one spot to
introduce their newest and greatest products and
services. Chamber Network Night is dedicated to
discovering solutions to business needs,
generating high-quality leads, learning from the
brightest, and networking with the best.
Chamber Network Night is
organized by the Porter County Chamber
Coalition, which includes the Chesterton/Duneland,
Hebron, Kouts, Portage, and Valparaiso Chambers
of Commerce. The Times served as Grand
Sponsor.
Following the business-to-business expo,
attendees relaxed and continued their networking
at the Business After Hours, hosted by Porter
and The Times. The Business After Hours
featured Porter County food vendors and live
entertainment.
Sponsors for this event
were1st Source Bank; Able Disposal;
Centier Bank; ComfortKeepers;
DRD, LLC; Express Employment
Professionals; General Insurance Services;
Harris N.A.; Hoeppner Wagner & Evans
LLP; Horizon Bank; Indiana Re-Bath;
LovingsHeating & Cooling;
NetNITCO Wireless Broadband; NIPSCO;
Porter County BusinessLeague;
REGIONAL Federal Credit Union; SERVPRO of
Porter County; Synergy Healthcare
Resources; Teachers Credit Union;
Vic Volom CLU, CFP - Northwestern Mutual
Financial Network; and Working Well.
Congratulations door prize
winners Connie Kubiak, Lindsey Chamberlain,
Theresa Edwards and 50/50 winner Sumer Rex!
SEND IN YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR DISTINGUISHED
COMMUNITY LEADER AND LEGACY OF SERVICE AWARDS The
Distinguished Community Leader and Legacy of
Service Awards represent the highest recognition of our
Chamber towards members of the
business community.
Valpo Chamber Members are invited to
nominate an individual or individuals for these prestigious acknowledgements.
The Distinguished
Community Leader Award is given to an
individual within the community who demonstrates
a leadership role, is successful in promoting
and developing business and industry, is
involved and contributes to the community, has a
general reputation among the community business
leaders, and enhances the quality of life in our
community on a sustained basis.
The Legacy of Service
Award recognizes an individual in the
community who has, over the course of time or in
an extraordinary circumstance, given service to
the community beyond what is expected in their
profession. They have, in fact, created an
example to which others might aspire and a
legacy from which others might learn the value
of community service.
The Award Committee
consists of past recipients of the Distinguished
Community Leader Award. This year’s awards will
be presented at the Salute to Leadership dinner
on Saturday, January 10, 2009.
To nominate a candidate for
either of these awards, please download the
Distinguished Community Leader or
Legacy
of Service nomination forms and return to the Valpo Chamber by
November 14, 2008.
VCP 2009 - VALPO CHAMBER
PARTNER'S PROGRAM The Valpo Chamber Partner's Program offers a unique opportunity to
take advantage of a yearlong marketing campaign, which prominently promotes
your business in Chamber publications, websites, and events. The
Valpo Chamber Partner's Program is a terrific way to market your business to
gain extensive exposure and valuable name
and logo recognition throughout the year.
Launched in 2006, the Valpo Chamber Partner's
Program includes four partner packages to choose
from. The various packages include exclusive access and incentives, special
recognition and promotion, and sponsorships to high-profile, networking, and
educational
events.
The Valpo Chamber Partner’s program was designed to
provide our members with the option to choose a streamlined approach to
Chamber sponsorship opportunities while enhancing their recognition and
promotional opportunities.
To inquire about the available packages and
their benefits, contact Rex
Richards, at (219) 462-1105.
VALPO GIFT CERTIFICATES-GIVE THE GIFT OF CHOICE!
Great for the holidays, as well as employee incentive
and appreciation programs!
This
year, give the gift of choice to your family,
friends, and co-workers. Valpo Chamber Gift
Certificates are the perfect size, shape, and
color!
Because the Valpo Chamber specializes in
providing a unique gift certificate that is
accepted in over 100 participating member
locations, your family, friends, and co-workers
can enjoy shopping local merchants knowing the
dollars stay in Valparaiso!
Participating merchants
Gift
Certificates are also part of the largest and fastest
growing segment in the corporate gift/incentive
marketplace, providing a meaningful, physical
product in a corporate world that must address
workforce diversity of taste and lifestyle.
With Valpo Chamber Gift
Certificates, employees can enjoy the freedom to
choose exactly what they want.
Valpo Chamber Gift
Certificates are wonderful, flexible gifts not
only for the holidays but for birthday celebrations, giving
thanks, or a welcome to the community!
You can purchase gift certificates at the chamber office, by telephone (219) 462-1105 or download the
order formand fax it to (219) 462-5710.
All major credit cards, checks and cash accepted.
Business Owners, is your company one of the many
member merchants taking advantage of being
enrolled in our gift certificate program? It's
fast, FREE, and easy to sign up!
In 2007, over 4,400 gift certificates were sold
with a redemption value of over $98,000! The
Valpo Chamber Gift Certificate is free exposure
of your business!
Sign up today
ORDER EARLY! LAST DATE OF SALE FOR CHAMBER
GIFT CERTIFICATES IS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23. THE VALPO CHAMBER
WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 25, and FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26.
SAVE THE DATE -
VALPO CHAMBER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Save the date for this year's Valpo
Chamber Holiday Open House. On Thursday,
December 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
the second floor of the Chamber Office will
again be transformed into a winter wonderland to
celebrate and thank you for a great year. Invitations will be mailed soon!
SAVE THE DATE -
VALPO CHAMBER HOLIDAY
FOOD
DRIVE The
Valpo Chamber will be participating in its
own food drive this holiday season. Starting
on Friday, December 5and running
through Friday December 19, we are
asking all our members to bring in
non-perishable food items or cash donations
to be distributed to local food pantries. We
hope you will help us make this a wonderful
tradition for the Valpo Chamber. For further
information, contact
Kurt Gillins at
the Chamber office (219) 462-1105.
Accelerated Rehabilitation Center hosted a
ribbon cutting ceremony on September 30 at
their LaPorte Avenue location.Accelerated
Rehabilitation Centers is the premier
provider of physical rehabilitation
services. They are dedicated to our
patients’ rapid and safe return to work and
recreation. Accelerated offers a hands-on,
service-oriented approach that their
patients value.
Accelerated is the choice for the nation’s
top professional athletes, largest employers
and busy professionals who all wish to
return to their “playing fields” with less
pain, increased strength and mobility and
most importantly, enjoyment of life.
For more information
please call Accelerated Rehabilitation
Centers at 219-477-4500 or visit
www.acceleratedrehab.com.
Planet Beach
Contempo Spa 503 Silhavy
Square, Ste 103
(219) 462-0770
Salons/Spas
Tanning
On
October 13, Planet Beach Contempo Spa
celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon
cutting and open house. Planet Beach
Contempo Spa offers you spa quality services
and results at a fraction of the cost. From
massages and facials to teeth whitening and
Mystic Spray-On tanning, their services will
help you look and feel your very best!
ANALYZE YOUR
SALES DATA: HELP IDENTIFY YOUR BEST CUSTOMERS How do you define
what makes a "best" customer for your business
and, more importantly, what do you know about
your customers and their buying habits?
Click here to
read article
Source: U.S. Chamber of
Commerce
BALANCING ALL
YOUR PRIORITIES: TAKING TIME OFF FROM YOUR
BUSINESS A small
business often looks like a whirlwind being
ridden by its founder who is attempting to exert
some control over it. And while this takes on
many forms, including managing cash flow,
leading people, and increasing sales,
occasionally the owner asks with an almost
rhetorical lament, "How do I get off of this
thing for awhile?"
Click here to
read article
Source: U.S. Chamber of
Commerce
Commit to go
green
in 2008! Article series courtesy of the City of
Valparaiso and Recycling & Waste Reduction District of
Porter County.
Don’tWASTE Your Holidays!
The holidays, which are
filled with festive parties, merry family
gatherings, and joyous gift giving, are nearly
upon us. Throughout all this fun and fellowship,
we can easily slip into overindulgence and
excess when it comes to waste. The Recycling &
Waste Reduction District is reminding each of us
to RE-think our holiday (and every day!)
purchasing, gift giving, and disposal habits.
The holidays will see a lot of old electronics
and once live holiday trees being tossed. Make
sure they get recycled by bringing them to the
Valparaiso Compost Site. Starting Saturday,
December 13, the site will be open on Saturdays
only from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (weather
permitting). So bring in those old TV’s and
trees!
During the month of November, the District is
holding FREE workshops which provide attendees
with waste reduction tips and information like:
how to consider a product’s energy efficiency
and recycled content, no waste gift giving along
with innovative eco-friendly/recycled content
gift ideas, as well as reducing waste in the
first place and the path your recycling takes.
Following is a schedule and description of the
workshops:
v Holiday
Waste Reduction Workshop
Thursday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. @ The Dunes
Nature Center
Come and gain knowledge about:
·
Innovative eco-friendly/recycled content gift
ideas
·
No waste gift giving/gift wrapping ideas
·
Reducing Waste on Christmas Day
·
Christmas Tree Recycling
·
Electronics Scrap Recycling
v"Green"
your Recycling- Waste Reduction Workshop Thursday,
November 13 at 6:00 p.m. @ The Dunes Nature
Center In
honor of America Recycles Day; learn the rules
of recycling, as well as information about waste
reduction and reuse.
Come and gain knowledge about:
·
The ins and outs of recycling at your curb
·
The path your recycling takes with pictures and
video
·
Where to recycle hard to dispose of items
·
If recycling is not the answer, learn how to
reduce waste in the first place.
v
Shop Smart Workshop
Thursday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m.@ The Dunes
Nature Center
This New Year’s - Resolve to be a Green Shopper
by reducing waste and saving money!!
Come and gain knowledge about:
·
Learn how
to consider a product’s: energy efficiency,
recycled content, design for the environment,
packaging and the manufacturer’s social
responsibility.
·
How might you reduce waste before you make it?
These workshops are the District’s gift to you!
Join us to get the information you need to be
less wasteful while enjoying this holiday
season. Registration is required. For
registration or more information call the
District at (219) 465-3694.
THANKS TO... ...Chocolate
Café
and hosts 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!
!
...Bill
Oeding,
Director of Public Works for the City of
Valparaiso, for discussing the
various city projects happening in the community.
...Guest
Dane Miller, Ph.D., Founder of Biomet, Inc., and
Moderator John Seibert,
President of
Housing Opportunities, Inc. for the
October 14 presentation of
Insights: Candid Conversations
with Successful Leaders.
...Leigh Ellis, Radio One Communications,
Larry Galler, Larry Galler & Associates,
and LeAnn McCrum, Small Business Development Center, for sharing
valuable marketing
information at our complimentary "Marketing Intelligence" breakfast
seminar.
...Bob Johnson, Nationwide Floor & Window
Coverings, for facilitating the Business
EDUCATING Business Roundtable "How to Plan
for your Successor." Sponsor: Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
...Kyle Klobucar of North Coast
Distributing, Inc., for facilitating our
first-ever Beer Tasting
Event held at Martinis! Special thanks to Chef Louis
Kalafatis for creating a delicious
seven-course meal! Sponsor: North Coast Distributing, Inc.
...Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita
for sharing essential voting information at our
Percolator Club Monthly Membership Meeting! Thank you Program
Sponsor: Burke
Costanza & Cuppy LLP and Presenting Sponsors: Centier,
Harris
N.A., NIPSCO, and REGIONAL Federal Credit Union!
Wednesday, November 5
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.
Wednesday, November 5
Ribbon Cutting/Open House 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Simply AMAZING Market Opportunity Enterprises 2801 Evans
Ave
Monday, November 10
Business
EDUCATING Business Workshop "Unlock the Secrets of QuickBooks"
Basic: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Intermediate/Advanced:
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Valpo Chamber, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Members: $25/advance
$30/invoiced
Non-members: $35/advance
RSVP by Nov 5 - space
is limited
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REGISTER ONLINE
Thursday, November 13 Percolator
Club Monthly Membership Meeting "Economic
Outlook 2009" presented by Alan Krabbenhoft,
Ph.D.; Dan Rutledge, Ph.D.; R. Derek
Bjonback, Ph.D.; and Anthony Sindone, Purdue
University North Central
12:00 p.m.
Strongbow Inn
RSVP by November 10 Program Sponsor: Anton Insurance Agency,
Inc. Presenting Sponsors: Centier, Harris
N.A., NIPSCO, REGIONAL Federal Credit Union
Members: $12/prepaid $14/invoiced
Non-members: $17/prepaid
Unfulfilled reservations will be
billed DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER
REGISTER ONLINE
Friday, November 14
Legislative Preview 7:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Presentation
Northwest Indiana Forum
Main Auditorium
6100 Southport Rd, Portage
For more information, contact the Forum at
(219) 763-6303 This Legislative
Preview will take the place of the November
Valpo Chamber Public Policy Forum.
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Wednesday, November 19
VEDC Breakfast Seminar "Adapt,
Expand, Prepare: Managing a Changing
Workforce"
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Sand Creek Country Club
Chesterton, Indiana
$20 prepaid
RSVP by November 12
Presented by The Center of Workforce
Innovations
Hosted by Valparaiso Economic Development
Corp. DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER
REGISTER ONLINE
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.
In
lieu of the November Valpo Chamber Public Policy
Forum, the Chamber asks members to attend the
Legislative Preview 2009 presentation at the
Northwest Indiana Forum. The morning begins with
a 7:30 a.m. continental breakfast with the
presentation beginning at 8:00 a.m. 
October 23 at the Porter County Expo Center. 
services. Chamber Network Night is dedicated to
discovering solutions to business needs,
generating high-quality leads, learning from the
brightest, and networking with the best.
The
Distinguished Community Leader and Legacy of
Service Awards represent the highest recognition of our
Chamber towards members of the
business community.
VALPO GIFT CERTIFICATES-GIVE THE GIFT OF CHOICE!
Save the date for this year's Valpo
Chamber Holiday Open House. On Thursday,
December 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
the second floor of the Chamber Office will
again be transformed into a winter wonderland to
celebrate and thank you for a great year. Invitations will be mailed soon!
.gif)
Don’t
WASTE Your Holidays!
Valparaiso
Magazine
"Unlock the Secrets of QuickBooks"
"Economic
Outlook 2009" presented by Alan Krabbenhoft,
Ph.D.; Dan Rutledge, Ph.D.; R. Derek
Bjonback, Ph.D.; and Anthony Sindone, Purdue
University North Central 
"Adapt,
Expand, Prepare: Managing a Changing
Workforce"
