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| Valpo Chamber Members honored as "Companies to Watch" | |
 The Valpo Chamber would like to congratulate Chamber members Diversified Marketing Strategies and Retro-Tech Systems, Inc. for being named two of 43 "Indiana Companies to Watch" in 2011 by the Indiana Chamber of
Commerce.
Honorees are privately-owned firms that have advanced beyond the start-up phase and are focused on steady, sustainable growth. They employ six to 150 full-time equivalent workers and generate annual revenue or working capital of $750,000 to $100 million.
Companies are selected by a panel of judges convened by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, its Small Business Development Center network, Purdue University and the Edward Lowe Foundation.
Diversified Marketing Strategies, founded in 1993, offers a wide array of services from promotional specialties, online marketing, and event planning, to public relations and business-to-business publishing. To learn more, visit www.3dms.com.
Retro-Tech Systems, also founded in 1993, designs, engineers, and installs energy-efficient lighting systems in commercial and public-use facilities throughout the United States. To learn more, visit www.retrotechsystems.com.
Congratulations! We wish you continued business success! |
| October Percolator Luncheon to cover "State of the Schools" | |
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Dr. Andrew Melin |
On Thursday, October 13, the Valpo Chamber will feature Dr. Andrew Melin, Superintendent of Valparaiso Community Schools, as he gives the "State of the Schools" Address at the monthly Percolator Club Luncheon.
The luncheon will be held at Strongbow Inn, 2405 US Hwy 30 at 12:00 p.m. Dr. Melin came to Valparaiso from the position of Superintendent of the Peru School System in Peru, Indiana.
Dr. Melin has presided over the formation of a new strategic plan for the Valparaiso School System. Recently, a number of the schools in Valparaiso were given very high achievement status by the Indiana Department of Education.
Presenting Sponsors for this event are Centier Bank, Frontier Communications, and Teachers Credit Union.
Members: $13/prepaid $15/invoiced
Non-members: $17/prepaid
Unfulfilled reservations will be billed.
Click here to reserve online. |
| Valpo Chamber Election Forums | |
 The Valpo Chamber once again is organizing Election Forums to feature several city candidates providing an opportunity to express their positions on various issues before the November elections.
There will be two Forum evenings. Both events are open to the public, 90 minutes in length, and free to attend.
The Mayoral candidates Forum will be held on Tuesday, October 18, at the Chicago Street Theatre, 152 W Chicago Street beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Mayoral candidates invited to participate include Jon Costas and Robert McCasland.
The City Council candidates Forum will be held Thursday, October 20, at the Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Avenue at 7:00 p.m.
City Council candidates invited to participate include:
At Large: Deb Butterfield, Jan M. Dick, Carl Diaz
1st District: Jeff Lawley, Robert Taylor
2nd District: Timothy Daly, Jesse R. Harper
3rd District: D. Joey Larr
4th District: J. Michael Baird, Lily M. Schaefer
5th District: John S. Bowker
Each Forum will begin with a two-minute introduction prepared and presented by each candidate. After the introductions, a series of questions, prepared in advance by the Valpo Chamber, will be posed to each candidate focusing on relevant community issues.
Each candidate will have opportunity to answer each question within a one-minute time limit. During each event, audience members will be able to submit written questions. Questions will be screened for relevancy and each candidate will have a chance to respond. Each candidate will be provided two minutes to make final remarks. |
| Next Valpo Chamber "Insights" special guest: Gus Olympidis | |
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Gus Olympidis |
Join the Valpo Chamber on Tuesday, October 18, for the next Insights program featuring special guest Gus Olympidis, President and CEO of Family Express Corporation.
The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Valparaiso Country Club, 2501 Country Club Road.
Insights was designed to give business professionals of all ages the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of the most successful leaders from the Midwest. Insights brings you the most interesting and innovative leaders for a lively discussion about themselves, their companies, and their passions in life.
Members: $10 prepaid/$12 invoiced
Non-Members: $20/prepaid
Unfulfilled reservations will be billed.
Click here to reserve. |
| Join us for Chamber Network Night October 27! Sure to be SPOOKTACULAR! | |
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Tudor Cleaning & Restoration Services |
The Porter County Chamber Coalition will host its annual Chamber Network Night (CNN) on Thursday, October 27 at the Porter County Fair & Expo Center from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you're in business in Porter County, this is where you need to be!
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 Media Company serves as
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Digital Graphic Solutions |
Grand Sponsor.
More than 1,000 professionals are expected to attend this year's premiere business-to-business networking event showcasing the innovative businesses in Porter County. Over 140 exhibitors will be 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.
Following the business-to-business expo, members can relax and continue their networking at the Business After Hours from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., sponsored by Porter Health System and The Times Media Company. The Business After Hours will feature food vendors from throughout Porter County and live entertainment.
Additional Valpo Chamber CNN sponsors include:1st Source Bank, Berglund Construction, Burke, Costanza & Carberry, LLP, Centier Bank, Coco's Canine Cabana, Citizens Financial Bank, Comcast Business Services, Express Employment Professionals, Frontier Communications, Great Lakes Labs LLC, Harris N.A., Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP, Horizon Bank, Laciak Accountancy Group, P.C., MacLennan & Bain Insurance, NIPSCO, Peoples Bank, Porter County Business League, The Post-Tribune, Purdue University North Central, REGIONAL Federal Credit Union, Rittenhouse Senior Living, Scannell Wealth Management Group, Shelter Insurance, St. Mary Medical Center, Teachers Credit Union, Uzelac & Associates, Inc., Vic Volom CLU, CFP - Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. |
| RIBBON CUTTINGS/GRAND OPENINGS/OPEN HOUSES | |
Allstate Insurance - Hudson Insurance Agency
11 W US Hwy 6
(219) 246-2211
Insurance
On September 1, Allstate Insurance - Hudson Insurance Agency celebrated its office opening with a ribbon cutting and open house. Hudson Insurance Agency can help secure what's important to you by looking at your overall coverage needs and create a plan. Hudson will help you consider the insurance options that address your unique needs and is there to help reevaluate and update your policies as your needs change over time. For more information, visit www.allstateagencies.com/normhudson.
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from left: Julie Gaskell, Valpo Chamber; Patricia Miller, Vera Bradley; Danielle Oeding, Valpo Chamber and Donna Phelps, Seasons on the Square. |
Seasons on the Square
One Lincolnway
(219) 465-0165
Apparel - Retail
On September 8, Seasons on the Square held a special appearance open house featuring Patricia Miller, co-founder of Vera Bradley. Attendees learned about Vera Bradley history, designs, and the team behind the brand. Miller graciously posed for pictures and shared personal stories with guests. To see what Vera Bradley styles are currently available, stop in at Seasons on the Square. |
| BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE REPORT | | |
To better serve its members, the Valpo Chamber now subscribes to the Business Intelligence Report, a nationally distributed, quick-read resource that provides business professionals with the latest strategies, trends, tips and news for today's business. Each issue contains:
- Business strategies to help our members run their businesses more effectively.
- News and research from today's best business sources.
- Cutting-edge trends and legislation information to keep members aware of the changing business climate.
- The best ideas from business experts - ideas our members can apply to their own businesses.
Click here to read the October 2011 Business Intelligence Report
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| THANK YOU...FOR THE CONNECTIONS! | | |
THANKS TO... Porter County Education Services Division of Career & Technical Services, Family Express Corporation, and The Center of Workforce Innovations for hosting the Sessions #2, #3, and #4 of the 2011 Leadership Academy!
THANKS TO...the following members who sent in membership leads in September: Dave Collins, Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.; Paul Denesuk, PHH Home Loans; Minakshi Ghuman, Century 21 Pace Realty; Renee Gluth, Citizens Financial Bank; Beckie Guffin, Direct Mail ADvantage; Dorcas Hammond, Horizon Bank; Jonathan Hildebrand, Centier Bank; Jodi Hoestra, Site Services; Mary Ivanovich, National Cinemedia; Deb Koeppen, Valpo Family YMCA; Ann Lichnerowicz, Edible Arrangements; Megan Marrs, Marrs Media Group; Mike Moreth, Simko Signs; Evelyn Morrison, Methodist Hospital; Lori Nicklas, Teachers Credit Union; Bill Oeding, Valparaiso Mayor's Office; Carlos Rivero, Don Quijote Restaurante; Dave Rose, Horizon Bank; Desila Rosetti, Organizational Development Solutions, Inc.; Tevlyn Schwerd, Bargain Barn; Mike Stulac, Colonial Cleaners; Jamie Sulcer, Chicago Title; Jane Szymczak, Laciak Accountancy Group PC; James Tudor, Tudor Cleaning & Restoration Services; and Linda Zyla, Century 21 Alliance Group. |
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ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Reach your desired market
with Valpo Chamber WEB SITE ADVERSITING!
Premium Ads have high impact position with great visibility. Enjoy the benefits of dominant presence and premium position.
Banner Ads get outstanding visibility as the anchor prositoin of the page and are a powerful way to enjoy the benefits of being online!
Ask about our "Featured" web listings! Go beyond the basics and enhance your business listing in our Member Directory section plus enjoy being linked from our landing (home) page! In addition to business contact information, "Featured" web listings include a description of your business up to 100 words, a map to your business and a space for your logo or desired photo!
For additional information, contact:
Danielle Oeding at oeding@valparaisochamber.org or (219) 462-1105. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS | | |
Tuesday, October 4
Ribbon Cutting
4:30 p.m.
Valparaiso International Center's "Welcome Mat," 309 E Lincolnway
Wednesday, October 5
A.M. Valpo
7:00 a.m.
 Thursday, October 6Ribbon Cutting & Open House
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, October 13 Percolator Luncheon 12:00 p.m. Strongbow Inn, 2405 US Hwy 30 "State of the Schools" Address with Dr. Andrew Melin, Superintendent, Valparaiso Community Schools Thursday, October 13 Business After Hours 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hosted by Prompt Ambulance Service, held at Opportunity Enterprises 802 Evans Ave Tuesday, October 18 Insights: Casual Conversations with Successful Leaders Special Guest: Gus Olympidis, President/CEO, Family Express Corp. 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Valparaiso Country Club, 2501 Country Club Road Tuesday, October 18 Election Forum - Mayoral Candidates 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Chicago Street Theatre, 154 Chicago Street Thursday, October 20 Ribbon Cutting 4:30 p.m. Bargain Barn, 815 Calumet Ave Thursday, October 20 Election Forum - City Council Candidates 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Avenue Friday, October 21 Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting at 5:00 p.m. The Silver Spoon, 15 Lincolnway Thursday, October 27 Chamber Network Night (CNN) 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Exhibition 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Business After Hours Porter County Expo Center  Wednesday, November 2AM Valpo 7:00 a.m. Chocolate Cafe, 57 Franklin |
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