| Join Us! Find Us! Follow Us! | |
|
|
|
|
VALPO CHAMBER WINS BIG AT STATE AWARDS | |
 | | Valpo Chamber President Rex Richards with ICEA Board Member Brian Shafer |
The Valpo Chamber took home honors at the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) Awards Luncheon held recently in Indianapolis.
Valpo Chamber President Rex Richards received recognition as the Chamber "Executive of the Year" by his statewide peer network. The ICEA selected Richards based on his proven community leadership, his long-term tenure in the profession, and recent successes of the Valpo Chamber during his tenure as president.
Richards was nominated by 2011 Board Chair Martin Sonnenberg of Task Force Tips. The nomination letter was also signed by past chairs of the Chamber dating back to 2006.
An engaged community leader, Richards serves numerous boards such as United Way of Porter County, Rotary, Lubeznik Foundation, and Northwest Indiana Regional Development Company. In 2009, he was chosen as the Small Business Advocate for Northwest Indiana by the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation.
"The hard work and dedication of the professionals at the Chamber is apparent through the works submitted for review by the judging panel," says Shelli Williams, ICEA President. "The Valpo Chamber was up against some very well-respected competition, so to take top honors like this really says a lot."
|
|
MARCH PERC LUNCHEON TO FOCUS ON LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET | |
 The Valpo Chamber continues the Percolator Luncheon series on Thursday, March 8, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Strongbow Inn, 2405 US Hwy 30.
This membership meeting will feature a panel of real estate experts: Larry Hitz, Prudential Executive Group; Bob Macmahon, RE/MAX Commercial Property Solutions; and Nick Sommer, Century 21 Alliance Group, to discuss "The Real Estate Market & Opportunities For You."
Join us to hear about today's real estate market and how it affords an unlimited ability to achieve your goals.
The 2012 Percolator Luncheon series is sponsored by Gold Level Valpo Partners Centier Bank, Frontier Communications, St. Mary Medical Center, Teachers Credit Union, and The Times Media Company.
Click here to reserve today! |
|
SAVE A LIFE! SIGN UP FOR THE CHAMBER BLOOD DRIVE | |
 The American Red Cross Blood Mobile will be in front of the Chamber office located at 162 W. Lincolnway from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12.
If you wish to donate, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be in good general health. Please be sure to bring a photo ID. An individual can donate every 56 days.
Each hour, a visitor's name will be entered into a drawing to receive a $20 Valpo Chamber Gift Certificate, redeemable at over 100 participating member businesses.
To reserve a donation time, please visit www.redcrossblood.org and click on "Enter a Sponsor Code" on the left-hand side. Use code "valpocc." Walk-ins are also welcome.
For more information on either of these events, contact Kurt Gillins at the Valpo Chamber (219) 462-1105. |
|
ENVISION THE FUTURE EVENT GEARING UP FOR 2012 | |
 | | Volunteer today for Envision the Future! |
Envision the Future is a simulation game in which students, projecting themselves to age 28, research and identify their career interests through their class curriculum, consider family size (marital status and number of children), and receive a mock checkbook with the monthly income entered for their specific career.
Students visit stations, manned by over 120 trained business volunteers, at which they pay their monthly bills. At each station, students make decisions concerning the standard of living they will assume. For example, at the housing station, students decide if they want to pay for a one-bedroom apartment or a three-bedroom house.
The program focuses on the monthly costs associated with rent/mortgage, utilities, taxes, insurance, childcare, and other living expenses such as food and clothing. The program also includes military information in the way of earnings and allowances if the student chooses the military as their future option.
The program also includes unexpected events such as unemployment, medical bills, and divorce. Students who go through these unexpected events must also visit an assistance station to seek counseling for legal, financial, or employment education issues.
The 2012 Envision the Future is a Chamber Coalition project between the Valpo, Kouts, and Hebron Chambers. The program is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m on Thursday, March 15, at the Porter County Expo Center.
Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor: Porter Health System, Contributing Sponsors: Centier Bank, St.Mary Medical Center, The Times Media Company, Teachers Credit Union, and In-Kind Donors: Home Mountain Printing, Porter County Fair & Expo Center, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
 Since 1998, the Valpo Chamber has partnered with Porter County Middle Schools to provide over 1,000 8th grade students with an amazing educational experience called "Envision the Future." Click here to volunteer! For additional information contact Kurt Gillins at (219) 462-1105. |
|
BOWLERS ROLL WITH THE NETWORKING | | |
|
|
CHAMBER CELEBRATING CENTENNIAL YEAR
| |
Through all economic upswings and downturns, triumphs and tragedies, the Valpo Chamber has been there. This June, the Valpo Chamber turns 100. Check out our promo video produced by 27 Entertainment.
 | | Valparaiso Chamber 100 Year Video |
|
| THANK YOU...FOR THE CONNECTIONS! | | |
THANKS TO... Porter Health System and CEO Jonathan Nalli for sharing the logistics of the location change of the future Porter Regional Hospital being constructed at highways IN 49 and US 6.
THANKS TO...the following members who sent in membership leads in February: Dawn Collins, Century 21 Executive Realty; Sue Gilbert, MS Nails and Massage; Mike Moreth, Simko Signs; Diane Price, Mr. CopyRite; Martin Sonnenberg, Task Force Tips; and Kay Watts, A&K Advertising Specialties. |
|
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Membership Directory & Community Resource Guide
Deadline approaching! Call today to reserve your space! Exclusive to chamber members only. This annual publication features directory listings of all members both alphabetically and by business category. If you wish to add additional categories to your listing, call Danielle today!
Valparaiso Magazine
Apr/Spring '12 issue deadline: March 2, 2012
July/Summer '12 issue deadline: June 1, 2012
Oct/Fall '12 issue deadline: September 7, 2012
2012 Valparaiso City Map
Sales open in April
2012-2013 U-Guide
Deadline July 2012
Valparaiso Chamber Website
Deadlines vary
Contact Danielle Oeding at (219) 462-1105 or oeding@valparaisochamber.org for more information. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS | |
 Wednesday, March 7
A.M. Valpo
7:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 8
Percolator Luncheon Monthly Membership Meeting
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 8
Ribbon Cutting
4:30 p.m.
Monday, March 12
Blood Drive
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Valpo Chamber, 162 W Lincolnway
Thursday, March 15
Envision the Future
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Porter County Fair & Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd
Volunteers still needed! Click here!
Wednesday, March 21
Business After Hours
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 
Ribbon Cutting & Grand ReopeningRibbon Cutting 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 6 Valpo Chamber CLOSED Chamber will reopen at 8:00 a.m on Monday, April 9 |
|
SAVE THE DATE 2012! | | |
Monday, June 25
FunDay Golf Classic
Valparaiso Country Club, 2501 Country Club Rd
Saturday, August 11
Valpo Chamber Centennial Celebration
Valparaiso University Harre Union, 1509 Chapel Dr
Thursday, September 13
Community Improvement Awards
Valparaiso University Harre Union, 1509 Chapel Dr
Thursday, October 25
Chamber Network Night
Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd Thursday, December 6 Holiday Open House Valpo Chamber, 162 W Lincolnway |
|
|
|
|
