Briefly Speaking
By: Phil Penn,
Chamber President/CEO
Ever feel like you are working in the middle of a war zone? Having lived next to the Lerner renovation project for some time now, we find that Main Street in front of our building is now a huge hole in the ground. Any construction or reconstruction job is messy, dirty, and certainly an inconvenience to anyone who encounters it. The good news is that both Main Street and the Lerner projects are in the hands of top-notch contractors and when they are both completed we will be very proud to have our building be a part of it. Meanwhile your Chamber is still open for business.
If it’s any consolation, Elkhart is certainly not alone in going through some tough times. Kathy, Denise, Jennifer and Claudia returned from ACCE in Milwaukee with some pretty scary stories from their colleagues around the country about the economic woes and challenges their communities and chambers are dealing with. After all the notoriety Elkhart got when the hammer dropped a couple of years ago, the ladies felt pretty good about where we are now compared to others. Even though we are still #2 in the State for unemployment, Elkhart County is #1 in dollars of committed investment from new or expanding industry, and business is picking up a tad for many companies. As I have said many times before, Elkhart’s recovery is not a matter of “if” but “when.” For most of us it can’t be soon enough. Meanwhile, I feel very fortunate to have the continued loyal support of our Membership. If the Chamber is the backbone of our Business community, Elkhart is standing tall. I am convinced that better times are not too far down the path.
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Chamber Seminars/EventsFor more information or to register, visit our website.
September 2, NCI: Lean 101 Workshop, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Greater Elkhart Chamber, 418 S. Main St., Elkhart. Chamber Members: $250, Non-Members: $295 (members of other Regional County Chambers receive member price; 2nd person from same company may attend at NO CHARGE). This workshop is FULL! The next meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2010.
September 15, OSHA Council Breakfast: Dusty Workplace, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center. Members: $9.
September 16, Technology Council Breakfast: Welcome Frontier Communications, 7:30 – 9:00 am, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Guest Speaker: Ron Belin. Members: $15, Non-Members: $25. Sponsored by: Frontier Communications.
September 16, Women’s Council Luncheon: Indiana University’s First Lady – Laurie Burns McRobbie, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Christiana Creek Country Club, 116 W. Bristol St., IU Alumni and Members $15, Non-Members $25.
September 23, OSHA: Safety Conscious Supervision, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, 418 S. Main St., Elkhart. This workshop is full! The next workshop is scheduled for January 27, 2011.
September 30, FUNWorking, 7:00 am, Christiana Creek Country Club, 116 W. Bristol St., Elkhart. Members: $25, Non-Members: $45 – Sept. 10 (after Sept. 10 Members: $35, Non-Members: $55). All participants who bring a door prize ($15 - $25 value) get to participate in an additional round!
October 7, Environmental & Safety Conference, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Members: $75, Non-Members: $125.
October 12 & 13, OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Safety & Health Program, Matterhorn Conference Center, 2041 Cassopolis St., Elkhart. Presenter: Tris Gour, ISES. Chamber Members: $200, Non-Members: $300.
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Member EventsAugust 30, Adult CPR Review, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, American Red Cross, 721 Riverview Ave., Elkhart. For more information call 293-6519.
August 31, Infant/Child CPR Review, 6:00 – 9:00 pm, American Red Cross, 721 Riverview Ave., Elkhart. For more information call 293-6519.
August 31, An Introduction to Digital Cameras, IUSB Elkhart Center. For more information call (574) 520-4261 or go here.
August 31, Read Away the Fines, Elkhart Public Library, 300 South Second St., Elkhart. For more information call (574) 522-2665 or go here.
September 1, Spaghetti Dinner benefitting United Cancer, Knights of Columbus, 112 E Lexington Ave., Elkhart. For tickets call (574) 875-5158 or for more information call (574) 825-3422.
September 1, Summer Classic Car Show benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Between the Buns, 2041 Cassopolis St, Ste A, Elkhart. For more information go here or call Stephanie Patka at (574) 875-1039 or Nicole Pickavet at Between the Buns (574) 206-9900.
September 1, Opening Convocation: President Dr. James E. Brenneman. 10:00 am, Goshen College, Goshen.
September 11, Fall Plant Exchange, 2:00 pm, Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave., Elkhart. For more information call (574) 293-5070.
September 12, Center for Hospice: Bike Michiana for Hospice, South Bend, IN. For more information go here.
September 14 – September 21, Picture This: Using Digital Cameras, IUSB Elkhart Center. For more information call (574) 520-4261 or go here.
American Red Cross Classes: Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Training and Certified CPR/ First Aid Instructor. For more information call 293-6519
Register Now! YMCA fall session one youth programs: swim, dance, gymnastics, fall soccer, tae kwon do. Programs start September 7. Call (574) 389-7878 or go here.
Every Mon., Wed. & Fri., Senior Swing Exercise Class, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, EGH West Wing. For more information call (574) 523-3303 or go here.
Ongoing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Jazzercise: A Powerfully Fun & Effective Workout, 5:30 – 6:30, Elkhart General Hospital West Wing, Elkhart. For more information call (574) 903-5355 or visit here.
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Biz-Ness Event and Member InformationConnecting again and again…
Join us at Harrison College for the September 2nd Biz-Ness Before Hours from 7:00 am – 9:00 am at 56075 Parkway Ave. The event will feature the many ways Harrison is assisting the community to grow a better economy whether it’s getting an education or utilizing their intern program. They invite you to stop by and learn how they can help you!
Not only will your business card help you to gain leads, but it may also aid in the redemption of a great door prize!
Schedule Your 2011 Biz-Ness Event Now!
Click here for more information.
To learn more, contact Claudia.
Attention: Business Owners, Marketing & Account Managers
Do you hate cold calls? Would you like to make an innovative introduction to potential new customers? The Chamber staff makes monthly calls on Member Investors to thank them for their participation and investment. It is fun to surprise those visited with a token of appreciation from another member! If you want to provide that gift, and get your product in their hands, please complete and return to the Chamber or contact Claudia (mailto:cmeenan@elkhart.org) to get on the 2010 calendar.
Great Chamber Member Offers Available Here!
Building Partnerships – Building Business with Member2Member discounts! If you would like to offer other Member Investors incentives and grow your business simultaneously, the Chamber can help! For Details.
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Businesses looking at Cloud Computing for SavingsThe Greater Elkhart Chamber’s Technology Council recently held a breakfast at the Matterhorn Restaurant where attendees learned about cloud computing (aka, doing computing over the Internet). The speaker was Ganesh Vaidyanathan, PhD., Director of the MS-MIT Program at IU South Bend. This event was sponsored by Information By Design, LLC of Granger, IN.
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Ribbon Cuttings
Member Celebrations! Currently Scheduling for Fall 2010!
Ribbon Cuttings for September/October being scheduled now!
August 31st at 4:00 pm Ryan's Place, Inc. at 431 South 3rd St. Elkhart will host a Ribbon Cutting to bring awareness of the organization. Please visit their website to learn more about this non-profit.
The Chamber would like to help you celebrate your accomplishments! Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breakings are great ways to bring attention to a new member, new product, remodel or addition, anniversary, award, etc. Ribbon Cutting pictures are published on the back page of the monthly newsletter. To schedule a Ribbon Cutting for your business or organization next month or next year, please complete the Celebration form and return to the Chamber or contact us for details.
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ATTENTION! Career Day Speakers Wanted!FOR THE 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR
GOAL: To bring career information to students to
help them determine their career path while making them
aware of opportunities in their Local Community.
ALLOTTED SPEAKING TIME: Two -10 min. Sessions
SUGGESTED SPEAKER TOPICS TO INCLUDE:
Your Occupation
Education & Training
Salary / Benefits
Job prospects in Elkhart County
Visuals or handouts always well received
Questions & Answers
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT:
Kathy Cardwell, Education Council Liaison
Ph# (574) 293-1531 ext. 122
or visit our website under Councils/Education Council to submit a speaker form.
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