Registration deadline approaching ... reserve your place today!

Exceptional networking and learning opportunities abound on Wednesday, Feb. 2, as the Chamber continues an annual tradition: the Groundhog Day Community Forecast Breakfast at Brookside Country Club.

Check-in, networking and breakfast begin at 7 a.m. The program will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 9:15 a.m.

Sponsors of the Groundhog Day breakfast are AT&T and W.M. Business Coaching/Focal Point. At the event, plan to meet David Kandel from AT&T and Wes Mayer from W.M. Business Coaching and to visit their displays.
 

Speakers will include Worthington City Manager Matt Greeson; Economic Development Manager Jeffry Harris; Worthington Libraries Director Chuck Gibson; and Worthington Schools Superintendent Melissa Conrath. They will explore the ways that our community partners are refocusing to support our businesses as we all "recalibrate" in a new economy and find new ways to operate.
 

Note: At the annual Groundhog Day Business Forecast Breakfast, executive director Kathryn Paugh shares summary results of an annual survey of members who share predictions on how their businesses will fare throughout the year.
Please take the survey using the link at the top of this e-newsletter.
 

Register today to ensure your place at this important annual event. Click on the REGISTER NOW link to learn more and to register, or call 888-3040.

Seven central Ohio chambers serving businesses in Ohio's 15th Congressional District encourage you to attend a Legislative Update with Steve Stivers, freshman congressman from the 15th District.
 

The breakfast event will be held on Friday, Feb. 4, at the Holiday Inn Columbus/Worthington, 7007 N. High St., Worthington 43085. Check-in and networking begin at 7 a.m.; the program follows at 7:30 and will conclude at 9 a.m.

Get to know the Congressman representing us in the 15th Congressional District. Reflecting on his first critical days "on the Hill," Steve Stivers will ...

• answer questions that you and others in the audience submit. What are the business issues you care about most?
• discuss health care reform; reaction to the State of the Union address (to be given Jan. 25); Fiscal Year 2012 spending/budget (to be presented by the President on Feb. 14); and Stivers' work on the Financial Services Committee

Ben Taylor from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also will offer a brief overview of key legislative issues business owners should monitor during the coming year.

Enjoy a full breakfast buffet and networking with other business persons from seven area chambers. Cost: $15/person. Registration is required by Feb. 1. Register using the REGISTER NOW link on the screen at right and follow the prompts (be sure to click "submit"), or call the Chamber office at 888-3040.

The Women's Business Network of the Chamber invites all Chamber members* to a luncheon workshop on  Thursday, Feb. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Catering by Design (division of Sanese Services), 6465 Busch Blvd., Columbus 43229.

Our program: Think "COAT" - and You're Covered!

Tips and Tricks to Dress Up Your Business Writing.

Whatever the subject or length of your message, you write to connect with people. Learn how to get the attention and response you want by applying the COAT formula: Make it Clear, Organized, Active and True, and you're covered.

Note: Coats will be collected for local charities at this event. Chamber member Alterations/Dry Cleaning Station will dry clean and mend your donations before contributing them to local charities for homeless and disadvantaged citizens. 

Our presenter:

Jessica Rubinstein of Language, Accurately Deployed provides a full range of marketing communications services designed to change minds, establish and maintain relationships, and sell ideas and services. She helps clients establish compelling messages, deploy them effectively with unified communications strategies, and produce and implement advertising and media relations programs.Starting her career in retail as a copywriter for Lazarus in Columbus, Jessica has developed special expertise in financial services, education, health care and consumer events, along with issue and campaign communications.

Her work has helped to make Columbus "SmokeFree;" convince high school students and families to "Respect the Game" at sports events; create a Health Care Home to promote wellness among Medicaid recipients; and pass school levies, Ohio's Advanced Energy bill, and funding for the Third Frontier. In all communications, Jessica is a strong proponent of clarity and sensitivity to audience, rather than strict adherence to rules of any kind.  

Cost: $25/Chamber members; $35/non-members. Support our scholarship fund by making announcements ($5/member; $10/guest), distributing promotional literature or samples ($10), and participating in door prize drawings ($1/member/guest).

Reservations are required by Feb. 7. Reserve your place (and pay by credit card, if desired) by clicking "REGISTER NOW" on the screen at right. Follow the prompts, and click "SUBMIT" when finished. You'll receive a confirmation e-mail when successfully registered.

* Gentlemen are always welcome at programs conducted by the Women's Business Network.

Young Professionals of Worthington (YPoW),

a career development event on Jan. 27, in conjunction with NexGen, the young professionals affiliate of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and Union County Young Professionals. The event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Franklin University-Dublin Campus, 495 Metro Place South, Dublin.  Holly McFarland, director of the Center for Career Development and Graduate Coaching at Franklin University, will discuss your career plan, how to keep yourself and your skills valuable to your current or potential employer, where to look for career information resources, and the current "hot" careers. After the presentation, attendees will enjoy networking, free appetizers, and a door prize drawing. The evening is FREE for members of the participating YP groups and costs $10 for non-members.

Make your reservations today through the REGISTER NOW block above or by calling 614-888-3040.

Not yet signed up as a YPoW member? This is your chance! The event is free for YPoW members. For prospective members, $30 is your admission to the events AND your annual membership fee if your company is a current Chamber member. Click here to download a brochure describing YPoW and membership opportunities.

6155 Huntley Road, Suite D. Enjoy great appetizers, beverages and professional exchange. Watch your e-mail for further details.
 

 Monthly Business After Hours (BAH) events are designed to give Worthington Chamber members the opportunity to network with other members in an informal setting and to learn more about Chamber member businesses.

We encourage pre-registration. Select "REGISTER NOW" above to reach the online registration page, and follow the registration prompts.  Be sure to click "SUBMIT." You'll receive an e-mail confirmation when successfully registered. Members who pre-register on our website by Feb. 14 at noon will receive preprinted name tags, eligibility for extra door prizes, and listing in the

"Know Before You Go"

section of the Web site.