| November 22 , 2006 |
| Volume 03, Issue 19 |
| Chamber Events |
| Business Directory |
| Community Event Calendar |
| HutchChamber.com |
| Dec. 7 |
Sponsor: Genesis Health Clubs |
| Dec. 13 |
Sponsor: Grand Prairie Hotel & Convention Center |
| Feb. 12 | SAVE THE DATE! Annual Meeting |
The Countdown to a Blast promotion that the CVB commenced earlier this year has been met with a very positive response by the local community. But just as a reminder to anyone who hasn't yet entered, you only have 38 days left to do so! At the conclusion of the promotion, which runs through Dec. 31st, the CVB will tally up the Countdown Coupons and announce the winner...so don't be left out! Anyone with questions should contact the CVB at 662-3391 and ask for Shawna Allen or contact her via e-mail. Good Luck! Those who have submitted entries for the Countdown to a Blast campaign are eligible to win a prize drawing at upcoming Chamber events. Monthly winners will be drawn at the November Membership Breakfast on Tuesday, November 14th. Must be present to win. |
Gowan Stadium Hosts 2006 4A State Football Championship On Saturday, November 25th Gowan’s Stadium will host its first state high school football championship game! After recent upgrades to the facility, the KSHSAA quickly chose Hutchinson to be the site of the 4A championship game to be played between Andale High School and Paola High School. Game time is 1:00 PM. The Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau, along with the Sports Tourism Committee will be providing food for the hospitality room. Sponsors of the hospitality room are HCC, Kwik Shop and McDonald’s. A big thank-you to our sponsors for assisting us with this important event! |
To notify the membership of location and/or name changes, contact Tom Dooley at 662-3391 or tomd@hutchchamber.com to make changes to your account. Network Management Group, Inc. has hired Ryan Strayer, as a new Executive Consultant and Rheann Leech as the new Marketing Director. Reno County Museum has hired Linda Schmitt as the new Executive Director. |
Employment October 2006 33,509 Civilian Labor Force 32,093 Employment 1,416 Unemployment 4.2% Unemployment Rate Building Permit Valuations October 2006 $3,849,753 Hutchinson Value 208 Permits $2,439,000 Reno County Value 12 Permits |
2007 Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities with the Chamber Have you made an appointment with Holly Schmidt to discuss your plans for the 2007 sponsorship and advertising opportunities? With the success of last year's packaging sales, we're looking to you this year for your continued support. Holly Schmidt, Director of Communications/Special Events, will be contacting you to discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities for 2007. To set your appointment, get more information or sign up contact Holly at 662-3391, or via e-mail. |
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Website Report Jan. 2006 - Oct. 2006 143, 681 Web Visitors 14,368 Average per month 155,241 Business Directory Listings Viewed 15,524 Average per month 12,791 Member Websites Linked 1,279 Average Links per month |
Membership Services:
Tourism:
Economic Development:
Advocacy: |
Community Betterment:
Left Bar:
This issue sponsored by: |
. Sponsored by: Friday, December 16, 2005 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Hutchinson Community College Student Union - Parker Room Take this opportunity to meet your current legislators and discuss the upcoming year. |
Continue your workday at the Chamber’s Business After Hours where you can make contacts with fellow business professionals. This is the perfect chance to build new business relationships and strengthen established relationships at a great venue with good food and atmosphere. Take part in this networking event at Genesis Health Clubs, at 412 E. 30th, on Thursday, December 7, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. For more information or to register contact Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391 or register online. |
The Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau (CVB) hit the road to Manhattan, Lawrence and Topeka to conduct their annual Sales Blitz’ on association meeting planners. During the two-day Sales Blitz, the CVB partnered with the Grand Prairie hotel sales staff and the Kansas Underground Salt Museum’s marketing manager, and conducted approximately 75 sales calls with prospective meeting planners. From these sales calls, eight Request For Proposals (RFP) were generated, fifteen invites were extended to companies for a site tour of the Grand Prairie Convention Center and Hotel and of the Kansas Underground Salt Museum. “This sales blitz gives us the opportunity to showcase our community, its attractions and accommodations, and to meet directly with meeting planners,” said Shawna Allen, Sales Manager CVB. “In addition to meeting prospects, we were able to secure two previously submitted proposals.” Each prospect received a Hutchinson Gift Package worth over $50.00, containing items from local attractions and accommodations. Included in the gift pack were;
“The gift boxes are a way for us to thank each client and leave them with a lasting impression of our hospitality and their importance to us as a community,” said Allen. Future sales blitzes are planned by the CVB, and local participation by all types of tourism entities is encouraged. To find out more information, contact Shawna Allen at the CVB 620-662-3391 or e-mail at shawnaa@hutchchamber.com. |
| Business Assistance Programs at Your Fingertips | |
For local businesses planning expansions, federal, state, and local resources are Some of the programs include:
Many of the programs are from the Kansas Department of Commerce and are based on job creation and capital investment. They come in the form of tax credits, grants, loans, or a combination. Another source of economic development funding is USDA Rural Development. During fiscal year 2005, USDA Rural Development in Kansas administered nearly $235 million in financial assistance. Programs available:
We can provide contacts and assistance to help your company gain access to these programs. For more information on these programs, contact Jon Daveline or Dana Regerh at 662-3391. |
| Ho-Ho Hutchinson Holiday Coupons Now Available | |
The Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau along with Market Hutchinson have kicked off the 2007 holiday season in grand style. The third and final flight of television spots, featuring the Christmas shopping season, will run through mid-December promoting retail, attractions and accommodations in the Greater Hutchinson area. In an effort to promote local merchants, the CVB has downloaded coupons on their web site for visitors to access. Many local merchants, attractions and accommodations have taken part to offer shoppers discounts. All coupons are valid through Jan. 1, 2007. Log on, take advantage of the savings and enjoy spending time this holiday season in Hutchinson. The following are participating merchants: |
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Alexander's Jewelers Allie's Deli & Coffee Shoppe Antique District Burdette's Birdies Cottonwood Quilts Decor Dillon Nature Center Wild Things Gift Shop Fraese Drug & Soda Fountain Frank's Frame Shop Harley's Bicycles Hayes Sight and Sound, Inc. Hutchinson Credit Union |
Lazy H Western Store Midwest Feed LLC Payton Optical Pools Plus Inc R. Westphal Jewelers Sarah's Catholic Bookstore Scrapbook Unique Singleton-Joyce Optical Dispensers, Inc. Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Store Sport Shack The Park Bench The Renaissance Shoppe Westlake Ace Hardware Woody's Furniture |
The Education Committee of the Chamber, chaired by Kellie Chastain held a goal-setting and planning session for the 2006-2007 School-Business Partnerships. Thirty individuals representing either a school or a business attended the meeting. A 15 minute Powerpoint was presented on the success of last school years partnerships followed by a panel discussion made up of three partnerships. Time was then allowed for discussion and goal setting of each individual partnership. |
In the foreground, from left to right, Dave Patterson, Hutchinson High School, Rod Rathbun, Morgan Elementary, and Joe Woody, HMS #7. |
Pictured left to right, Kellie Chastain, Hutchinson Clinic, Annie McMannis, Lowe's, Denise Neighbors, Principal, Faris Elementary School, Liz Peirce, Principal, Hutchinson Magnet School @ Allen, and Betty Zeka, Hutchinson Recreation Commission |
Partnerships between educational institutions and businesses help schools improve the quality of education and thus the quality of life for the community. Just one of many benefits for the students is the interaction with the adult population in a learning situation. If you are interested in becoming a partner in this program, contact the Tom Dooley or Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391. |
The Education Committee of the Chamber congratulates the 2006-2007 partnerships. The 24 partnerships include: |
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Hutchinson Magnet School @ Allen Hutchinson Recreation Commission Avenue A Elementary Tyson Prepared Foods Buhler Elementary Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community Buhler High School-Horticulture Prairie Hill Nursery Faris Elementary School Lowe’s Graber Elementary Wesley Towers Haven High School Hutchinson Credit Union Holy Cross School Medical Center, P.A. Hutcherson Center (Headstart) Wal-Mart SuperCenter Hutchinson High School Morton International, Inc.-Salt Division HMS 7th Grade First National Bank of Hutchinson HMS 8th Grade Commerce Bank |
Lincoln Elementary Infinia of Hutchinson McCandless Elementary Hutchinson Good Samaritan Morgan Elementary Kansas State Fair Obee Elementary School Dillon Stores Division Pleasantview Academy Stutzman Greenhouse Prairie Hills Middle School Hutchinson Clinic, P.A. Prosperity Elementary School Elm Grove Estates Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson Good Samaritan St. Teresa’s Catholic Grade School Cargill Salt South Hutchinson Elementary School Bank of Kansas Union Valley Elementary School Lowen Corporation Wiley Elementary School Hutchinson News |
