June 7, 2012: A Chamber Milestone

June 7, 2012. A very important milestone for the Valpo Chamber. One hundred years ago, on this date, the organization was founded.

Very few things last for 100 years. The Valpo chamber has not only lasted, but continues to thrive and remain an important business organization working day in and day out to serve our 700+ members, the community, and the region.

The true fabric which has pieced the Chamber’s 100 years together is the common theme of a committed business community that has volunteered time, talents, and financial resources to make the organization effective.

The Winter 2012 issue of the Valparaiso Magazine had a cover picture with two Valpo business leaders: Len Ellis, founder of Valparaiso’s first Radio Station nearly 50 years ago and Jon Schmaltz, local attorney. Both men share the experience of being the Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. The difference between their services as Chair is a time span of nearly fifty years apart.

Since it is my great privilege to know them both, I am struck by their same firm belief about the Chamber. Each is committed to the vision and values of the Valpo Chamber and believes in the organization’s importance as a catalyst to make this community a great place to live and operate a business.

Len Ellis believed that 50 years ago because I have read editorials he wrote for the radio station at that time. Jon Schmaltz believes that today because I have seen his actions and heard his comments at our board meetings this year.

Every volunteer leader between has had that same belief. How fortunate the Valpo Chamber has been to have men and women who have led the organization spanning 100 years share that common belief and commitment to the organization.

To all the volunteers, board members, and officers and employees of the Valpo Chamber during the last 100 years, I say thank you!

Rex G. Richards
President
richards@valparaisochamber.org

Chamber Celebrates Centennial Year

100 years.

It’s a long time.

In 1912, life expectancy was a mere 47 years. The average wage was .22 per hour. And, only 8% of homes had telephones. Roosevelt was president. There were only 46 states.* And 95% of births took place at home. Oh baby, we’ve come a long way.

The Valpo Chamber is celebrating its Centennial Year, and we’ve come a long way too. We’ve grown by leaps and bounds. What was once known as the Commercial Club evolved into the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce on June 7, 1912. The same year that the Titanic sank, Fenway Park opened, and the Girl Scouts were established. Through victories and defeats, economic growth and down economies, what is now known as the Valpo Chamber is an organization of strength and accomplishment, of respect and vigor. We are over 700 members strong, and growing each year.

We celebrate 100 years in good company. This year also marks the centennial year for LL Bean, Arthur Murray dance studios, and NIPSCO. Heavy-hitters like Kellogg’s, Chevy, Whirlpool and General Electric have recently reached that 100-year mark. It’s a recognition we don’t take lightly.
We are proud to commemorate this special occasion and wish to extend our profound thanks to our membership businesses, countless volunteers, and strong board leadership. You are the reason we withstood the test of time. More importantly, you are the reason we continue to carry out the chamber mission of serving business needs, enhancing quality of life and providing opportunities. You have brought us to this pinnacle, and we are excited for what the future holds.

*wondering what states were NOT yet states in 1912? Oklahoma, Arizona, Alaska, & Hawaii

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

Marketing Tool for Business Exposure – Valpo Chamber Partnership Program!

The 2012 calendar year will be an excellent time for Valpo Chamber members to consider participating in the Chamber Partnership Program to market their business brand to other businesses in greater Valparaiso.  

2012 is the Valpo Chamber Centennial Celebration, marking 100 years of service to the business community of Valparaiso. 

The Valpo Chamber Partnership Program provides a great opportunity to promote your business brand at specific chamber events throughout the year. The higher the partnership level, the greater the opportunity for exposure. There are four levels to the program: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.  

In 2011, 21 members utilized the Partnership Program:

Platinum

Porter Health System

Gold
Centier Bank
Frontier Communications
Teachers Credit Union
Silver
1st Source Bank
Citizens Financial Bank
Comcast Business Services
Harris N.A.
Laciak Accountancy Group
NIPSCO
REGIONAL federal credit union
The Times Media Company
Uzelac & Associates, Inc.
Bronze
Berglund Construction
Burke Costanza & Carberry
Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP
Horizon Bank
MacLennan & Bain Insurance
Peoples Bank
Rittenhouse Senior Living of Valparaiso
Scannell Wealth Management Group

Please contact Danielle at (219) 462-1105 or oeding@valparaisochamber.org with any inquiries about the 2012 Valpo Chamber Partnership Program. 

Rex G. Richards 

President
richards@valapraisochamber.org

 

Another great benefit to being a Valpo Chamber member? Referrals!

Did you know that the Valpo Chamber office fields more than 1,000 phone calls each month? Many of those calls are individuals inquiring about a variety of services.

For instance, do we know someone who can clean their gutters, fix their broken furnace, or list their house? We also have people call to ask where they can go to pick pumpkins, have professional photos taken, eat a good meal, have furniture refinished, board their pet, and the list of inquiries goes on and on and on.

For every question we’re asked, we refer callers and visitors to Valpo Chamber members ONLY.

Several weeks ago, all members were mailed a verification form. One purpose of this form is to keep our database up-to-date so that we can make accurate referrals. The information included on our verification forms is also posted on our website, so anyone can get up-to-date information about our members. Referrals are just one of the countless benefits of being a member of the Valpo Chamber.

Julie Gaskell
Vice President, Operations
gaskell@valparaisochamber.org

Do you get SPAM-A-LOT?

Have you ever received an e-mail and wondered how in the world you got on that mailing list? I have. It is annoying. I am sure that at times e-mails from any business can be an annoyance, including the chamber….Yes, we know we send out lots of e-mails to you, but it is only because we want you to be able to get the most out of your chamber membership.
My problem is not the number of e-mails received, it is receiving e-mails that I don’t want nor know how to stop receiving. In 2010, the Chamber signed up for a service called Constant Contact, a web-based company that assists in e-mail marketing. The benefits of this service are numerous….

Constant Contact allows you to (1) keep an up to date database of e-mail contacts, (2) view who is opening your e-mails,(3) who is clicking any links on them, and (4)check who is forwarding them to others. Constant Contact offers easy templates that allow you to create nice looking e-mails (I have to admit it took a bit of time for me to figure out how to remain creative while using these templates, but it’s possible.)

All the above benefits are worth signing up for Constant Contact, but the most important is the fact they help keep our e-mails LEGAL. There are so many people/companies out there who are sending e-mails that don’t fall in line with the federal CAN-SPAM Act. This Act sets rules for commercial e-mail use including: Don’t use false or misleading header information; Don’t use deceptive subject lines; Identify the message as an ad; Tell recipients where you’re located; Tell recipients how to opt out of receiving future e-mail from you; and Honor opt-out requests promptly.

I don’t want to beat anyone over the head with legalities on this blog, so if you want more information, click the link below for everything you need to know about CAN-SPAM.

http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business 

Now here is my added extra plug for Constant Contact….this company is so great, they are offering a discount to any Valpo Chamber member if you sign up….and you thought you had to have an American Express Card to have privileges.

If after reading this e-mail you would like information on signing up for Constant Contact, visit www.constantcontact.com/chambermembers.

Kurt Gillins
Programs Director
kgillins@valparaisochamber.org

 

Who do you know that has a business and is NOT a Chamber member?

But they should be!?

Invite them to the second annual Member/Guest event on Thursday, September 22 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. This is a FREE event to all members bringing a guest. We will serve cocktails and appetizers upstairs at the chamber office. Nonmembers will have an opportunity to learn a little bit more about the Valpo Chamber, in a casual, social environment.

The 2010 debut of this event was fun.

“Last year Methodist Hospitals attended the Member/Chamber Guest Event, and decided to become a Valparaiso Chamber member,” commented Evelyn Morrison, Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Methodist Hospitals. “I was very impressed by the number of businesses that belong to the Chamber and the number of other programs they offer to their members. We are delighted to be a part of the Valpo Chamber.”

The 2010 event was attended by about 50 people. Eight attendees won door prizes, and one lucky nonmember won a $100 certificate to apply to a chamber membership.

Please consider coming out for another great Member/Guest event this year. Contact Danielle Oeding for more information, or to RSVP for the event.

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

Valparaiso Notecards and Postcards exclusively at Valpo Chamber!

Recently, my friend Susie told me that one of her friends was moving from Valpo and she wanted to get her a going away gift and asked me if I had any gift ideas. I told her I knew the perfect gift – Valparaiso Note cards offered exclusively by the Valpo Chamber. These note cards are sold as a set of six cards each with a lovely – and different – photo of Valparaiso on the front. The inside of the note card is blank to allow for the recipient to add whatever greeting they’d like. In addition, the set of cards come packaged in a beautiful blue ribbon making it perfect to give as-is. Susie took advantage of my idea and was so happy with the gift cards she bought for her friend, that she bought a set for herself!

These note cards are perfect as thank you cards, invitations, professional notes, personal stationary, and hostess gifts. And thinking way ahead, they even make a perfect stocking stuffer! An additional benefit to purchasing these note cards (with envelopes) is they are very reasonably priced – a set of six for only $7.00! The note cards can also be sold separately.

In addition to note cards, the Valpo Chamber is also now selling postcards. Choose from one of the six available postcards, each featuring the same photo displayed on the note cards. The back includes information about the photo and a space for the recipient’s address. Postcards are $1.00 each.

If you would like to purchase either the note cards, postcards, or both, please contact the Valpo Chamber office at 219-462-1105 or e-mail us at info@valparaisochamber.org.

Julie Gaskell
Vice President, Operations
gaskell@valparaisochamber.org