| October 12 , 2006 |
| Volume 03, Issue 17 |
| Chamber Events |
| Business Directory |
| Community Event Calendar |
| HutchChamber.com |
| Oct. 18 |
Sponsor: Hospice of Reno County |
Oct. 25 |
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| Oct. 26 |
Sponsor: Penwell Gabel Funeral Home & Crematory |
| Nov. 14 |
Sponsor: Hutton Construction |
Reminder: Chamber Membership Breakfast Sponsored by: Hospice of Reno County October 18, 2006 7:15 a.m. Grand Prarie Hotel and Convention Center |
The following businesses have recently become members of the Chamber. Welcome! Link for full contact information. American Family Insurance Scott Miller Molly Maid Becky & Jeff Stouppe |
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 80 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 October Membership Breakfast on Oct. 18th and at the Business After Hours event on October 26th. Must be present to win. |
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. Business Computer Center has changed thie name Heartland Technology Solutions Kroger Central Region Corporate Office has named Van Tarver as the new Vice President and Kevin Hess as the new Corporate Controller Quest Center for Entreprneurs has named Dan Ledeboer the new Director and Ron Hirst the new Economic Development Specialist Tony & Elizabeth Tipton are the new owners of Daytlight Donutes and Pastry Shop Tracy's Automotive has changed their name to L&L Automotive Krause Plow Corporation has changed their name to Krause Corporation |
"A Passion for Service" Seminar presented by the Chamber
The Chamber presents "A Passion for Service" by Bill Drury on October 25th in the Gallery Theatre at the Stringer Fine Arts Center. This popular three hour seminar will focus on the following; Get ready for turbulent change, Stay motivated, Foundations of service excellence, Who really signs your paycheck? Essentials for outstanding service, Make a great first impression, Build and maintain a positive attitude, Communicate respect to every customer, Remember and use customers names, Personalize your service. Can we talk? Conflict management, Listening skills, Turning irate customers into our best customers, How to handle the 10 most difficult customers, Overcome stress and burnout, Great service begins with pride! . The seminar will have two three hour sessions. The first session running from 8:30-11:30 a.m. with a repeat session from 1:00-4:00 p.m. . Tickets can be purchased on-line or by calling the Chamber at 662-3391. |
Membership Services
Community Development
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Job one for your Chamber is economic development. Every day our efforts are centered on promoting business growth through recruitment and retention. As we work with business executives, site selectors and other professionals, a common question focuses on the quality of education available in the community. The response we are proud and confident to give is a resounding, “Great! Come see for your self. You’ll be pleased by what you find.” Quality education is essential to community health, but it takes constant effort just to maintain and even more effort to improve. A vital part of a commitment to excellence is investment in education facilities and infrastructure. Both Hutchinson USD 308 and Buhler USD 313 have proposed bond issues on the November ballot. These represent substantial investments and are clear commitments to ensuring that our educational facilities are updated, efficient and capable of further improving the quality educational results for community children. Leading researchers have found clear links between quality education and community economic health. Investments in knowledge, training and skills development provide future returns through increases in worker productivity and creativity. The Board of Directors of the Chamber agrees with these experts and believes community investments in a vibrant and successful education system are essential and can be the deciding factor in differentiating our community from competing communities. We support the bond proposals and believe they will help ensure that Hutchinson and Reno County will remain competitive in the years ahead. |
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 the Penwell Gabel, at 300 E. 30th, on Thursday, October 26, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. For more information or to register contact Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391 or register online. |
Joel Walker, Chair of the Leadership Reno County Board of Trustees, announces the 24th Leadership Class sponsored by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. “The announcement of this class is significant in the 23-year history of leadership training in our community. The value of this program has grown in the past couple of years to the point that two classes were needed in 2006 to accommodate the level of interest,” said Walker. “When the decision to expand the program was made, one of the objectives of the Board of Trustees was to attract applicants who have not been able to participate in the past. Rarely have there been applicants from the field of accounting since the program traditionally was held during the spring tax season. This class has several members with jobs in the accounting field. The Board plans to continue to be flexible in the timing of future classes as well.” The 30 class members of the fall 2006 class will convene for 9 sessions beginning with a two-day retreat later this month. The sessions will focus on leadership skills combined with exposure to the attributes of, and issues and challenges facing, Reno County. Each class member will participate in developing a project to benefit Reno County youth as part of their leadership experience. For a complete list of the 2006 Fall Class please log onto the website. For more information on Leadership Reno County contact Program Director Kris Doswell or visit http://www.hutchchamber.com/chamber/leadership.htm. |
| Congressman Jerry Moran Honors Krause Corporation for Export Achievements | |
Krause Corporation was honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) for making their first export sale into Russia. Krause Corporation, in business for 90 years manufactures farm tillage equipment including disc harrows, field cultivators, chisel plows, disc/coulter chisels, one-pass finishers, minimum till and no-till grain drills and soil packers. |
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On Wednesday, October 11, 2006, Krause Corporation was awarded the Export Achievement Certificate. Congressman Jerry Moran was on hand to present the award, “Krause is an excellent example of how Kansas companies are developing export sales that support good jobs across the state. I congratulate Krause on their outstanding export accomplishments.” The U.S. DOC recognizes small and medium-sized U.S. businesses that have benefited from U.S. Commercial Service export services to make their first export sale or open new markets, with the Export Achievement Certificate. Krause Corporation benefited from export counseling and other services by the Kansas World Trade Center, the International Trade Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Wichita U.S. Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Commercial Service in order to make their first export sale into Russia. |
(Left to Right) Congressman Jerry Moran and Richard A. Brown, President of Krause Corporation |
(Left to Right) Steve Krause, Chairman of the Board, Congressman Jerry Moran, Richard A. Brown, President of Krause Corporation, Keith Whitaker Krause Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Curt Davis, Sales & Marketing Development Manager
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“We are grateful of the recognition of our initial export success which represents the individual contributions and accomplishments of many people in all functions of the Krause operations,” said Keith Whitaker, Krause Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “It also recognizes the successful teamwork and support we’ve received from the various government agencies, whose expertise and advice have been nothing short of outstanding.” |
With its network of offices across the U.S. and in more than 80 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. In 2005, the U.S. Commercial Service helped generate nearly 12,500 export successes worth billions of dollars in U.S. export sales. For more on the Wichita U.S. Export Assistance Center, visit http://www.export.gov/ |
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The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors kicked off a four week membership campaign on Tuesday, October 10, 2006. The Ambassadors and members of the Chamber Board of Directors will be calling on prospective members. The goal of this campaign is to increase the awareness of The Chamber, stress the importance of networking with fellow business men/women, and see that being a member of the Chamber is; Good for business. Good for You!
Utilizing the theme ‘If the Chamber didn’t, then who would?’, the campaign focuses on the benefits that come with being a Chamber member.
There are many facets to the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, and our volunteers work hard to relay that information to the businesses in our community, but we are continually seeking new members. If you know of a business that would benefit from becoming a Chamber member, please contact Tom Dooley at 662.3391. “There’s strength in numbers. The more of us there are…the louder our voice, the greater our accomplishments. Joining together is Good for business. Good for you!” said Tom Dooley, Executive Vice-President – Membership. |
On August 23, 2006, Mayor David Razo and U.S. Cellular representatives presented a $5,000 gift to the Hutchinson Boys & Girls Club. The grant will be used to fund after-school educational programs for children in need. "The City of Hutchinson is pleased to welcome U.S. Cellular to our community," said Mayor Razo. "Support from good corporate citizens is vital to our quality of life and we thank U.S. Cellular for funding programs that help underprivileged children realize their full potential." U.S. Cellular acquired the Cellular One operations and customers in Kansas and Nebraska in 2005 and recently expanded service across north central Kansas. With the expansion, U.S. Cellular will serve 37 of the state’s 105 counties. In Hutchinson, the company will employ 14 associates at its two stores located at 1500 E. 11th St. and at 27 E. 30th. U.S. Cellular’s charitable giving program focuses on organizations serving disadvantaged youth, families and seniors—connecting people with opportunities for a better life. “On behalf of Hutchinson’s U.S. Cellular associates, we look forward to serving our new customers in Kansas,” said Mike Burwell, U.S. Cellular senior director of sales and marketing, west operations. “U.S. Cellular is committed to the communities we serve, and we are proud to support Hutchinson Boys & Girls Club.” |
