On January 28, the Valpo Chamber hosted its Annual Meeting with 400 business professionals and community members at Valparaiso University's Harre Union.

Mayor Costas

You asked for it and we want to give it to you!

Throughout the past year, the Valpo Chamber has looked at ways to better serve our members.  One request we often get is to host small business workshops. 

Starting in February, we are introducing a new series called FYI Business Workshop. These workshops will be hosted by local businesses and help you, our members, tackle some very important issues.

Our first FYI Business Workshop will be titled:  The Risky Business of Outdated Technology. 

Spending money on IT solutions can be a costly outlay for small-and medium-sized businesses, so it's easy to understand why you might cherish what you already know and love.  But failing
 to keep up with the times by using outdated technology could be putting your business in danger! At this workshop, Chester, Inc. will teach you how to mitigate business risks that come with your outdated technology.

Join us on Wednesday, February 18, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Valpo Chamber Office, 162 W Lincolnway for this FYI Business Workshop.

Registration is only $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

Click here to register

Chester, Inc. will be giving away a copy of Microsoft Office 2013 as well as other Microsoft giveaways at this workshop.

The Valpo Chamber wants to let you know there is a free service provided for business professionals who are looking for a little advice or guidance.

Northwest Indiana SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives) meets weekly at the Valpo Chamber office, by appointment, to provide business professionals and entrepreneurs assistance with questions and concerns they have about their businesses.

SCORE's expert mentors provide effective business advice on everything from how to write a business plan, to cash flow management, to growing an existing business. Chamber members, as well as non-members, can access SCORE's free and confidential mentoring services face-to-face at the Chamber office, on the phone, or online.  

All SCORE mentors are volunteers with specialized training that increases the quality and effectiveness of their mentoring. SCORE is a branch of the Small Business Administration, with access to support resources and materials, free of charge. Workshops, roundtable discussions and on-site visits provide personalized and customized solutions for growing your business. Call the Chamber office at 219-462-1105, or go online: To arrange a meeting, to participate in one of the workshops, or to volunteer visit www.score.org.

You may have noticed there is a new look to the Valparaiso Magazine!

We are very excited to be working with AC Incorporated this year on the design of our quarterly publication.  Home Mountain Printing prints this publication, and Flanagin's Bulk Mail Service makes sure it gets to your mail box in a timely fashion.

Throughout the year, you will read feature articles by D. Cohn Communications, showcasing several Valpo Chamber member businesses.  Our Winter issue, already mailed, focused on nationally-recognized, franchise businesses.  In Spring, the issue will focus on pets and animals and the businesses who love them. The Summer issue will focus on the future of banking and the impact of technology on the banking industry. And finally, the Fall issue will focus on businesses who cater to Valparaiso's youth.

Another new feature this year is an article titled "A Look Back."  These articles are provided by the Porter County Museum and focus on the history of various buildings throughout Valparaiso.

Valpo Chamber members are encouraged to submit a 130 word (or less) press release to be featured in the Around Town section of the magazine.  This is a great way to get some free exposure for your business.

Click here to read the current and past issues of Valparaiso Magazine online.