| Chamber Endorses Gilbert Town Council Candidates | |
By Kathy Tilque, president and CEO
This election cycle has brought out eleven candidates for four Town Council seats. Several incumbents have served during both rapid growth and now economic decline; others have participated in discussions about sustainability both short-term and long-term; and all have committed to bringing their perspective and varying degrees of expertise to the voters in March.
"We encourage our members to actively participate in voting as well as encouraging their employees and family to vote," said Rayhons. "Decisions made at the Town level directly impact both businesses and residents' daily lives and it is important to have a say in who is making those decisions."
During this election cycle the Chamber requested responses to a questionnaire from each candidate, participation in a formal candidate forum, and individual personal interviews. We also surveyed our membership regarding each of the candidates. All of this information was compiled by our public policy committee and Board of Directors to determine which candidates would bring the expertise in understanding business issues, provide long-term strategic visioning and implementation policies, as well as, support the growth and attraction of successful businesses in our community.
"What we found is a fine slate of candidates running for Council this year," said JW Rayhons, Chairman of the Board. "Each candidate brings their own unique strengths that would benefit our community; which makes it extremely difficult to endorse one over another. We are confident though that we could work with any of the candidates to strengthen the business community in Gilbert."
Click here to review all candidate questionnaires and video from the candidate forum.
Linda Abbott Ben Cooper Dave Crozier Les Prysmk
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| Members-Only Ad Sales Begin For Business Directory | |
By Sarah Watts, executive assistant
Advertising sales are now underway for the Chamber's 2011 Business Directory and Visitors' Guide, printed by Lawton Publishing. This marketing piece features an alpha listing and categorical list ing of Chamber members and is distributed to all current and prospective Chamber members, to the community at various locations including libraries and at the Town, and to homes and businesses across the country.
This year's publication will again feature Gilbert's official Visitor's Guide including a destination map and listing of members at the Tourism membership level. An overrun of the Visitor's Guide is distributed to tourists at the Chamber, hotels, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport and other locations.
In addition, the Business Directory and Visitor's Guide will be made available on the Chamber's website - gilbertaz.com - and Gilbert's Tourism website - visitgilbertaz.com.
In the coming weeks, you will be contacted by a Lawton Publishing advertising representative. This rep will be able to provide you with a number of investment options. Take advantage of this opportunity to promote your business by learning about the advantages of advertising in this exclusive publication. Click here for immediate attention. |
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Members To Network at Mall Crawl Event | |
By Marty Tomljenovic, VP special events
Get to know Chamber members as you work your way around the beautiful, open-air SanTan Village at our first Mall Crawl, sponsored by SanTan Village and Jim Hayden & Associates.
Your tour will have you visiting retail stores and stopping along the way for great food and tasty treats at some of your favorite resturants.
Mark your calendar to join us for this fun networking event on Thursday, March 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The tour will begin at the ALARIS Business Center, 2200 E. Williams Field Rd., Ste. 200 in the SanTan Village center. General admission is $25 and chamber member admission is $5.
Attendees will be entered to win great door prizes, including a $150 gift card from San Tan Village. To register click here or contact us at (480) 892-0056. |
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Are You On Social Media Networking Overload? | |
By Adrianne Lynch, IT Director
As we kick off 2011, it is important to look back at what has been accomplished with regard to web marketing strategies and what can be done to improve these strategies over the next year. In particular, it is helpful to review social media networking strategies. With almost 100,000 networking websites to choose from, it's not always easy to determine what site will best serve the needs of your business. At the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, we regularly evaluate the popularity of different sites and place an emphasis on communicating with the largest number of members - not only to spread the word about the Chamber's events and programs but also to share information about the great things our members are doing within our community. Mainstream sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are the Chamber's main networking websites for promoting the organization and our members. For member commercials and other video content, we use YouTube and often link these videos back to business listings in our membership directory. Although we have attempted to diversify our messaging by incorporating other lesser-known sites in the past, we recently narrowed our efforts to these mainstream sites so as to effectively manage our information in a timely manner. This year, we will test and review sites for connecting you to the business or product you are using. This could be a great way to get business exposure as there is an art to checking in and a way to make it part of your online identity as long as you are focusing on location, content and/or brand and not checking in to just say you checked in. We will keep you posted on any social networking news we are part of and would love to hear what you are doing to enhance your online business presence. A big thank you for your support on the launch of our new website at gilbertaz.com. We had over 3,500 page views with 900 visitors and gained 40 new fans on Facebook. Thank you to ROCKET MEDIA for our website design and ROCKET Analytics for our reports! |
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 Referral Institute; Strengthening Your Network | |
By: Annette Sellers, Director of Sales
There are three main reasons people do not get referrals from outside sources-they do not ask, they ask at the wrong time, and they are asking the wrong people.
Building a referral network and training your sources are key ingredients to success in business. Do not be afraid to ask, keeping in mind "Givers Gain". Establish relationships beyond visibility and build on those relationships to obtain credibility before asking.
There are eight sources of referrals:
1. Your best customers,
2. Your best customers testimonials,
3. People you give referrals to,
4. People who have given you referrals,
5. People you do business with,
6. Your "Contact Sphere" - Most powerful source or your sphere of influence such as those that serve the same clients you do but are non-compete with your business,
7. Your staff, and
8. People whose business benefits from yours.
Be sure to interconnect your networks for more referrals. Limit your networking time to a few key opportunities, like the Chamber.
Encouraging them to join the Chamber allows for you to have your best referral relationships with you in your networking efforts. Productivity and profitability will be yours if you train your network sources properly and arm them with the right tools.
See you in April for the next Referral Institute: Defining a Referral Process and Tracking Referrals! Register here! |
| Members to Begin Filming Free Commercials | |
By: Adrianne Lynch, IT Director
The Chamber has again partnered with Anthony Miles, owner of 4th Wall TV and Video Productions, to film member commercials. These professionally-edited, 60-second videos allow members to share a message about their products or services.
Your commercial will be featured on the Chamber's YouTube and Facebook pages and will be added to the member's online directory listing. To view the latest commercials produced by 4th Wall, visit facebook.com/GilbertChamber.
Filming will take place on Thursday, February 24th by appointment only. To make an appointment or for more information, contact adrianne@gilbertchamber.com. |
| Go Green! Tip of the Month |
Shut down and unplug electronics.
Make small changes to use - and pay for - less energy, like shutting down your computer when you're not using it and plugging your cell phone and otherelectronics into power strips so you can turn
several devices off with one switch.
Source: filterforgood.com |
| Chamber member "Shout Out"! |
The following members provided door prizes and/or catering at recent events: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Bruegger's Bagels Gilbert Insurance Group Maddy's Pool Supply & Service MAX Solutions, PLLC National Bank of Arizona Rayhons Financial Solutions/ING Financial San Tan Elegante Conference & Reception Center Southwest Airlines The I.T. Workshop Val Vista Lakes Community Center Wildflower Bread Company |
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Mission: The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce serves as the business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert.
The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing for more that 47,000 employees. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com. |
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The Chamber celebrated outstanding women in business last month at the What Women Want... In Business luncheon where Gayle Schmidt of Buffalo Wild Wings was named 2010 Business Woman of the Year. |
Early Edition Networking Event | |
New Member Welcome Reception |
Wednesday, February 16th
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
119 N. Gilbert Rd. Ste. 101
Gilbert
Sponsored by:
7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. - Engage, Connect, Advance Your Business
Attend this special panel discussion to learn more about your benefits as a member of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. Learn how you can take full advantage of your membership to engage the community, connect with others, and advance your business. Meet new and prospective Chamber members.
and/or
8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Networking Begins
Connect with others and build relationships to improve your referral business! Prepare your commercial, win door prizes, and enjoy a light breakfast
General admission-$25
Chamber member admission-$5
Guests of members may attend at member rate.
Register Now!
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| | Mayor's Annual Address |
Tuesday, February 22nd
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
SanTan Elegante Conference & Reception Center
1800 S. SanTan Village Pkwy, Gilbert
Sponsored by:
The Mayor will feature a review of 2010 highlights including our 90th birthday celebration, and strategic views into our future based on the General Plan and the Town Strategic Plan for 2011-16. We welcome you to share in the pride that collectively, "We Are Gilbert!"
General admission-$35 Chamber member admission-$20
Register Now! |
| Chairman's Express |  |
The following members are recognized for their continued support and contributions to the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce:
Banner Gateway
Medical Center
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
SRP |
| Premier Members |
APS
Banner Gateway Medical Center
East Valley Tribune
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
Southwest Airlines
Thorobred Chevrolet
Town of Gilbert
Villa Siena
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| Website Referrals |
December 2010
Listings Displayed in Directory
Big League Dreams Gilbert
Bolero's at Seville Golf & Country Club
FarmhouseVillage Pavilion
Hale Centre Theatre
Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix-Gilbert
HigleyCenter for the Performing Arts
Hyatt PlacePhoenix / Gilbert
Joe's Farm Grill
SanTan Elegante and Legado Hotel
SanTanVillage
Coupon Displayed
ACM
AIG - Alexandria International Grocery & Dessert
California Pizza Kitchen
International Minute Press of Gilbert
Sam's Club
Sponsor Displayed
APS
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Cox Communications
Gilbert Insurance Group
Maddy's Pool Supply & Service
MAX Solutions, PLLC.
Rayhons Financial Solutions / ING Financial Partners
San Tan Ford
SCF Arizona
SRP
The I.T. Workshop, LLC.
Website Clicked On
A Green You Can Trust; Think Green When You Clean
Big League Dreams Gilbert
Clear Auto Spa
Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix-Gilbert
Hyatt PlacePhoenix / Gilbert
Joe's Farm Grill
Orbit Cleaning,LLC
SanTan Elegante and Legado Hotel
SanTanVillage
Whiskey Ranch BBQ & Wood Fired Pizza Co., LLC
Map of Location Displayed
AKA Internet Marketing
Allstate Insurance - The Stowe Agency
Azulenergy Group
Community Bridges, Inc.
ElderBenefit
FarmhouseVillage Pavilion
Mutual of Omaha Bank
Pediatric Endocrine Gilbert
SanTanVillage
Tree Care Plus. Inc.
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| You Say It Best! | |
"Being in business for 5 years as a Chamber member was OK but I didn't notice any value until I engaged in the events and networking opportunities available. And then I noticed a drastic, very noticeable advantage to my business, the exposure my business got through my involvement in the Chamber has been phenomenal and extremely valuable to the success of my business."
Gayle Schmidt
Buffalo Wild Wings | |
| Membership Anniversaries | | |
December 2010 Renewals
1-5 YEARS
68 Creative Group
A Child's Place at the Ranches, LLC.
A Simple Path Montessori
A.Q. Innovation
AlphaGraphics of Gilbert
American Tax and Financial Services, LLC.
Authenticity Photography
Automotive Consumer Advocates
AZ D & C Commercial Advisors
Debra R. Merrill CPA, PLLC.
Desert Sun Chiropractic
E A Real Estate - West USA Realty
Edward Jones - Ray C. Thompson
Experts on Sight, LLC.
Falcon Air Conditioning
Farmers Insurance
FASTSIGNS
Flight Deck
Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix-Gilbert
High Efficiency Air Conditioning
Hyatt Place Phoenix-Gilbert
It's A Grind Coffee House
JP Pancake
Kely's Salon & Spa
Lisa's Rum Cake Worldwide
Living Well Chiropractic
Mahler A/C & Heating
MAX Solutions
Montessori International School
Napa Auto Care
Oasis Orthodontics
Orbit Cleaning
Pinnacle Office Cleaning
Ravenswood Realty - Mary Cobb
Rosepapa Creative Solutions
Saddlewood Contracting
Sam's Club
Sierra Cleaners/Errand Service
Springbok Wellness Centre
Storage One Self Storage
Tempe Improv
Wells Fargo - 3222 East Ray Road
6-10 YEARS
April Air Conditioning
Arizona State Credit Union
Desert Gateway Baptist Church
Gilbert Santan Motorplex
Higley Unified School District No. 60
Spyglass Financial Group
The Business Journal
11-15 YEARS
Chandler/Gilbert Family YMCA
Flancer's Café
Thorobred Chevorlet
16-20 YEARS
Gilbert Mail
21+ YEARS
Wells Fargo Bank - 1901 S. Gilbert Road |
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