April 2016

Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

April 2016

What a year it has been! April 6th will mark my one-year anniversary as the Executive Director. I would like to start by thanking you for being a valued part of this Chamber.

Individually, your businesses each play an important role in the success of our community and together, your businesses are the reason we continue to make the Heart of the Valley area a great place to live, work and play.

"The Heart of the Valley Chamber has been an excellent asset in several ways. Our business has experienced growth from the

The Heart of the Valley Chamber strives to provide our members with valuable, relevant

connections made by participating in several events

information on topics and issues that may affect you. We are hosting a seminar on April

throughout the year. You

12th that will give you an update on the Affordable Care Act. Health Insurance is a

certainly get out what you put

huge cost for business owners and we want to make sure that you are up to date on

in…and then some. Getting

current information. You will also see that we are co-hosting a panel discussion with the Fox West Chamber on Thursday, May 19th that will focus on how to “Take Your

involved in the networking events are a great way to gain exposure and connect with

Business to The Next Stage”. Also included in this newsletter is a description of an

local leaders within the

upcoming event sponsored by The Weidert Group that will take place on May 23 rd and

business community.”

th

24 entitled “Experience Inbound”. As a member of The Heart of the Valley Chamber, you will receive $30 off your registration! We are excited to provide you with these and

- Josh Hermann, Eagle Graphics

many other events. Please take a moment to check our website as we are adding new events daily.

The Chamber also has 2 golf outings coming up!

We are launching our First th

Annual Women’s Golf Event on Wednesday, May 25 . If you are looking for a way to market to a dynamic group of professional women in the area – take a look at the sponsorship form! Foursomes are filling up fast, so get your registration in! Also, the 27th Annual Golf outing will take place on Wednesday, June 15 th! Sponsorship opportunities are still available - get your business involved today!

Thank you again for your support! If you have any questions about your membership – please give me a call!

Kelli Clussman, Executive Director 920.766.1616 kclussman@heartofthevalleychamber.com

Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, April 5th!

Where do I go to vote?

Click Here: https://myvote.wi.gov/

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Upcoming Events Name: Ribbon Cutting: Vanderloop Shoes Date: April 6, 2016 Time: 11:00 AM Location: 400 Moasis Dr. Little Chute, WI Name: Government Relations Roundtable Group Date: April 8, 2016 Join Dr. Dean Gruner, President and CEO of ThedaCare, for a discussion as ThedaCare’ explores its Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM facilities, including Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah.

Location: Chamber Office Name: Business Before Hours: The ACA 2016: What's New and What's Next?

Date: April 12, 2016 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Location: Chamber Office Name: Wireless Coaching Session with Cellcom Date: April 15, 2016 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Chamber Office Name: Business Between Hours: Ways to Improve Business Cash Flow and How to Restructure Debt Date: April 20, 2016 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Chamber Office Name: Business After Hours - BLC Community Bank Date: April 20, 2016 Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: 206 E Main St. Little Chute Name: Business Card Exchange: Dental Associates Date: April 21, 2016 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Location: 2115 E. Evergreen Drive Appleton Name: Ribbon Cutting: Anduzzi's Date: April 21, 2016 Time: 11:00 AM Location: 800 S. Washington St. Kimberly Name: Non-Profit Roundtable Group Date: April 26, 2016 Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Chamber Office Name: Grand KaKalin Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening Date: April 28, 2016 Time: 3:30 Ribbon Cutting, 4:00-7:00 Open House Location: 600 Thilmany Rd, Kaukauna Name: Ribbon Cutting: Ladder House Date: April 29, 2016 Time: 2:30 PM Location: 130 E Main St, Little Chute, WI 54140 To register for an event, go to www.heartofthevalleychamber.com or email jamie@heartofthevalleychamber.com

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Business After Hours: Gerhards Co-Hosted with Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities

Business Card Exchange Check out our monthly Business Card Exchange. Each participant is allotted a period of time to introduce themselves with a prepared short elevator speech which summarizes key elements of their company, their products and their services. We are now offering to travel to your business to host it!

This Business Card Exchange was hosted by Jake’s Diapers in Kaukauna.

This Business Card Exchange was held at Jake’s Diapers.

Take your mobile emails up a notch Sending texts and emails from your phone is a part of life and business, but maintaining your professionalism doesn’t have to go out the window when you’re on the go. Consider these quick tips from Cellcom to master mobile messaging: 

Edit your email signature – The default signature in the stock mail apps typically only indicates the message has been sent from a mobile device, but doesn’t include your name or contact information. You can edit the signature in your settings menu. For iOS go to Settings>Mail, Contacts, Calendar and scroll down to signature. For Android, it can vary depending on your device, but if you go into your mail app, tap the menu button and then settings, you’ll see your signature – simply tap to edit.



Create keyboard shortcuts – if you find yourself typing the same word (like your company name) or phrase on your mobile device, create shortcuts to save you time when crafting your messages.

On iOS, visit Settings>General>Keyboard>Shortcuts and tap on the plus sign in the top right corner. You’ll see blanks for phrase and shortcuts. In the phrase, type the longer phrase you want to show up and in the shortcut bar type the letter combination you want to expand to your phrase.

For Android, visit Settings>Language & Keyboard>Input>Personal dictionary. You’ll again tap the plus sign to add your phrase and shortcut options.



Avoid emojis and emoticons – Ever wonder why the letter “J” shows up in emails on your phone? Or why there’s a box with a question mark inside on your desktop email client? Emojis that are commonplace in texting and messaging don’t always translate to desktop email. Conversely, emoticons, created using combinations of symbols on your desktop computer, don’t show up as intended on mobile devices. With emails being cross-platform in many business situations, it’s best to leave these icons out if you don’t know where the recipient will be reading the message. In our fast-paced world, emails sent from your mobile devices does not have to mean sacrificing time or quality. Follow Cellcom on LinkedIn for more tips and updates on mobile technology.

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Welcome New Members Brian Asendorf, AAMS Edward Jones-Appleton 2301 S. Oneida Street Appleton, WI 54915 (920) 738-9252 (work) brian.asendorf@edwardjones.com I'm Brian Asendorf and I first started working for Edward Jones in January 2002. Over the years I have been involved with and have served on numerous different committees.

One I enjoyed the most over the years was the Board of Regents at FVL and served also as Chairman of the Finance Committee. I enjoy working at Edward Jones and working on my goal of being the preferred financial solutions provider in our community, specializing in areas of retirement and estate planning. To always place the ideas and goals of my clients at the forefront of every customized service plan I present.

I feel the Heart of the Valley Chamber helps me attain this goal by different events they host monthly. They get me in front of many different people in all different occupations that could use this type of help.

Lisa CruzOwner/President Red Shoes Pr, Inc 400 N Richmond St, Ste A Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 574-3253 (work) lisa@redshoespr.com Red Shoes PR helps organizations reach their target audience through meaningful and strategic communication. Whether it’s through traditional media relations, internal/external communication (i.e. community relations), government relations, events, visual communication or social media, Red Shoes PR helps companies tell their stories to create awareness and engagement to ultimately impact their bottom line. Additionally, Red Shoes PR is known for its work in crisis communication.

Curless Dental, LLC Amy Zimmerman - Office Manager 2101 E. Calumet St. Appleton, WI 54915 (920) 731-1550 info@curlessdental.com

Curless Dentail, LLC is a cutting edge dental office on the East side of Appleton.

Offering general dental care for the entire family, periodontal treatment including periodontal scope ( an alternative to surgery), and specializing in cosmetic dental makeovers. Our experienced team of dental professionals strive to make you feel like part of our family.

Tundraland Home Improvements Lindsey Schmidt - Special Events Coordinator 2277 W. Frontage Road Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130 9207344786 LindseyS@tundraland.com Tundraland is a local, top quality home remodeling company that specializes in bath remodeling, replacement windows, and sunrooms. The business was started on a folding table in 2009 and has grown to be one of the largest home remodeling companies in the nation. The company culture at Tundraland is very much a special one, and it radiates throughout their headquarters located in Kaukauna. Positivity, creativity and a desire to do good are just some of the traits you’ll find in the Tundraland team

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Good News is Worth Repeating KELLER, Inc., a Design/Build General Contractor with offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau announces the hiring of Penny Bergerud and Christy Stranberg as an Administrative Assistant.

Bergeurd

KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders, a Design/ Build General Contractor with offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau will renovate Genesis Club under the direction of Keller Project Manager, John Elrick and Architect, Rob Lindstrom.

Peninsula Stone, Inc. recently announced the addition of Chris Andrews as a natural stone consultant.

KELLER, Inc. will also design and build a 13,850 square foot tank wash for Ottery Andrews Epiphany Law, LLC, a boutique law firm Brothers, LLC under the direction of Keller in Northeast Wisconsin, will be hosting interactive Project Manager, Bob Poch and Architect, Strangberg monthly meetings that allow small business owners Steve Klessig. with 5-50 employees to share ideas, learn about various business topics, and share best practices relevant to business professionals. Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 7:30 – 8:30 am at Cambria Suites in Appleton, 3940 N. Gateway Drive. Registration is required; contact Shannon at 920-996-0000 or sdaniels@epiphanylaw.com to register or for more information.

KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders, a Design/ Build General Contractor with offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau will design and build a 20,160 square foot warehouse addition for EuroPharma under the direction of Keller Project Manager, Mark Nysted and Architect, Steve Klessig.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (Bank) is pleased to announce a Wisconsin recipient of its 2016 Community First® Awards. The emerging leader award was presented to Beth Baar of CAP Services.

Baar

KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders, a Design/ Build General Contractor with offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau will design and build an 8,800 square foot building for Harold Tauschek Excavation under the direction of Keller Project Manager, Mark Nysted and Architect, Rob Lindstrom.

KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders. Lindsay Wiese, Director of Marketing and Business Development, has been awarded the Emerging Leader Award from the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce.

KELLER, Inc., a Design/Build General Contractor with offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau announces the promotion of Shawn Timm to Expeditor and Whitney Stecker as HR Generalist/ Recruiter.

Julie Kons of Oshkosh has been hired as the new executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fox Valley Region.

ThedaCare announced that Theda Clark Medical Center becomes ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah on Wed., March 23.

Marco has been named the winner of two 2016 Perfect Image Awards by imageSource Magazine in the categories of Dealer of the Year and Outstanding Leadership in Customer Engagement.

Contact Us

Kent Nelson from QuickStart was featured in the February edition of the New North B2B magazine where he KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders, a discussed the Design/Build General Contractor with offices Stecker current state of SBA in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and lending in the area.

Wausau will renovate Moto Mart’s interior under the direction of Keller Project Manager, John Elrick and Architect, Steve Klessig.

Timm

Give us a call for more information about our services and products Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce 101 E. Wisconsin Ave. Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 766-1616 info@heartofthevalleychamber.com

Visit us on the web at: www.heartofthevalleychamber.com

Kaukauna Mayoral Race The Mayoral candidates for Kaukauna recently submitted their responses to a questionnaire. Don’t forget to vote on April 5th! Your vote counts!

Challenger Marty DeCoster Q. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City, and what are your thoughts on addressing that issue?

A. One of the biggest issues facing the city that I feel needs addressing would be the amount of empty businesses in the downtown area and the empty lots located in the Commerce Crossing business park. To attract and retain businesses to the city, I believe Kaukauna needs to be promoted better, offer programs to help encourage the start-up of new business and the expansion of growing existing businesses.

Q. What is the mayor’s role in attracting and retaining businesses?

A. My role as mayor to attract and retain businesses will be to promote Kaukauna in different ways, along with encouraging city friendly events to attract people to the area. I also think it is very important to keep an open line of communication with the businesses to listen to their concerns and needs.

Q. What is your vision for development and/or recreational opportunities along the Fox River?

A. The Fox River is the only reason the city of Kaukauna exists and is located where it is. The river is a very important part of the city’s history but has recently just been an obstacle going through the center of the city. I am very excited knowing that the locks system will one day be open again! The problem is, there are no ways for boaters to access our downtown area. I

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would like to see boat slips and docking areas along the north side of the river with a trail system connecting to the downtown businesses.

Q. Do you support public-private partnerships? Yes or No? Feel free to provide additional comments.

A. Yes, I do support public-private partnerships. I have actually taken advantage of some of the current opportunities the city has to offer to help better my own business. Private businesses and public agencies all working together is very important to keep businesses and public programs strong to deliver good services and facilities to the general public.

Q. The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce currently serves roughly 1,100 members. Why should business members support your bid for Mayor?

A. I believe the business members will support my bid for mayor because I am one of them and they can relate to me. I too have experienced the tough battle of starting up and running my own business. Putting in the long hours and doing all that needs to get done for success. I will bring that dedication with me to the mayor’s position, to fight to strengthen Kaukauna’s current and future local businesses.

Kaukauna Mayor Gene Rosin Q. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the city, and what are your thoughts on addressing that issue?

A. The continuous erosion of local control along with reductions of state shared revenue and transportation aid has been extremely challenging for local government. Operating and maintaining reliable and efficient infrastructure systems is critical to keeping businesses running, communities strong and a thriving economy. The loss of ever important state shared revenue and transportation aid has created a financial imbalance to properly operate and maintain these systems as well as the delivery of basic essential services. Kaukauna’s been fiscally responsible by being proactive in addressing the ever important challenge of having an adequate revenue source to address this paradox. As mayor, I'm committed to a can do attitude! Promoting and fostering a positive culture of pride that's conducive to meeting everyday challenges with acute attention to reinvest in our community, our work force and working with our established business community while courting potential new businesses to grow and locate here, that's the cornerstone to my philosophy.

Q. What is the mayor's role in attracting and retaining business?

A. As mayor for the past ten years, my commitment and record on job retention, creating jobs and growing the economy right here in Kaukauna, is clear and successful. I'm committed to growing, retaining and attracting every single job possible in Kaukauna! The redevelopments of the defunct dog track and the Gustman site were facilitated by the city, as was the repurposing of the century old mill that will become home to the corporate headquarters of Expera Specialty Solutions and the new library. Commerce Crossing, the industrial parks and agricultural park networks, the clean-up of the Lehrer landfill and the ensuing developments were all facilitated by the city.

These efforts helped leverage over 125 million dollars of investment and created nearly 700 community sustaining jobs. The city has partnered with numerous downtown businesses to successfully leverage millions of dollars of investment in the downtown and I’m committed to continuing those efforts.

and developed and/or helped facilitate numerous developments along the river for recreation and development purposes. The new Hydro Park downtown is a catalyst for community gatherings and events along the river. Over $60 million dollars has been invested along the river since I've been mayor, most of which was facilitated by the city in one way or the other. Expera's corporate headquarters, new city hall, senior living facilities, new library, multi-family housing, new hydro plant, hydro park, Kaukauna Utilities expansion and stores facility are all improvements located along the river. The farmers market, Firecracker 5k, Electric City Experience, 1000 Islands-Art Fair and Eagle Days, Grignon Mansion-Reenactment Days, Old Car Show and School Days and a host of other recreation events and other functions are all along the river.

Q. Do you support public-private partnerships?

Yes or No? Feel free to provide additional comments.

A. Every community has its challenges, but many successful projects have one thing in common--a strong public-private partnership. The historic Eagle Mill in Kaukauna is a perfect example. From the beginning, it was clear that saving the 1872 historic mill would require collaboration of many partners.

Originally, the City partnered with the developer-Stadtmueller and Associates, in an effort to develop the necessary framework to repurpose the old mill, however, it took many others such as Expera, Wis. Economic Development Corp., National Park Service, State Historical Society, SEH and Associates and the Library Board. The same can be said about a number of other projects including the old Gustman, Lehrer Landfill and dog track sites, it also can be said about many events in town such as the Farmers Market, Firecracker 5k and the Electric City Experience, we have worked collaboratively with these organizations to make them a reality.

Q. Why should business members support your bid for Mayor?

A. Serving 16 years as an alderman and the past 10 as mayor, my track record of collaborating and working with developers and the business community on a number of different fronts speaks for itself. Few communities in the entire state have seen the amount of economic development and overall positive change that we've enjoyed here in Kaukauna. Kaukauna's a thriving community and I’m proud to be a part of it! I contribute much of this success on Kaukauna Pride and the fact that we have community-minded citizens with a positive attitude of how to get things done rather Q. What is your vision for development and/or than dwell on the negative; we face everyday recreational opportunities along the Fox River? challenges head-on with an attitude to resolve rather than capitulate. While we have seen much progress, A. Kaukauna is a leader in development and recreation there’s more to accomplish and I ask you to support along the river. We acquired over four miles of trails me in my bid to continue growing Kaukauna.

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