Reno Chamber Newsletter

ONNECTION CHAMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2014 Chamber Welcomed 411 New Members (as of 12/1/14) Thank you to the 107 active and engaged Chamber Ambassadors Instrumental in DEFEATING ballot Question 3 on Margin Tax 69 Chamber Members held Ribbon Cuttings Chamber hosted 51 mixers, lunches, after hours and events 80 leaders graduated from The Chamber Leadership programs including 30th class for Leadership Reno Sparks, Youth Leadership and PACE

DECEMBER 2014

www.thechambernv.org

This is Your Chamber!

Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship.

THE CHAMBER Cordially Invites You to Our

ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCH Friday, December 5 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tickets: $30 Members/$45 Nonmembers Atlantis Casino Help make Christmas brighter for a child from The Boys and Girls Club Sun Valley location by adopting a boy or girl this holiday season! We have 120 children that have shared what they would like for Christmas as well as provided a list of basic needs. Please help to insure these children have a Christmas to remember!

Please R.S.V.P. by December 1 to Susan at SRobinson@TheChamberNV.org or call (775) 636-9552.

Take control and be heard As a business person, you know that free enterprise is the foundation of a strong economy and a prosperous society. At The Chamber, we advocate for public policies that help your business thrive.

We realize that economic growth and job creation don’t “just happen” and that is why The Chamber’s results oriented, pro-business advocacy efforts are so important to your business and the future of our community.

Getting involved The Chamber offers a multitude of programs and committees that benefit our members as well as lead to growth within our business community. Join one of our councils and help shape policy, become an Ambassador and support new members or enroll in one of our many leadership classes and increase your knowledge and awareness of challenges facing our area. Let us help contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Networking Advancing your business through member to member connection, The Chamber hosts a variety of networking opportunities to help you gain that one-on-one advantage that help promote your business or product.

• Chamber Mixers • Committee Participation • Membership Luncheons

• New Member Orientation • Biz Talk Blender • Ribbon Cuttings

• DIRECTIONS • The Morning Spark

Marketing & Promotion Membership offers outstanding marketing opportunities to get your message out.

Let other members know what makes your product or service unique through an array of opportunities.

• Directory Listing & Links on Website • New Member Listings • Social Media New Member Promotion • Sponsorships

• Business Referral • Email New Member Promotion • Member Events Calendar

• Directory Listing • Chamber Lobby Advertising • Custom Publication Advertising

Events & Sponsorship Looking to build your brand? Sponsoring a chamber event helps you reach a key business to business demographic and community leaders.

• Annual Golf Tournament • Chamber 101

• B.E.S.T. Kids Program • DIRECTIONS

• Monthly Luncheons • Biz Talk Blender

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CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2014

message from the executive director

775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS: Jim McClenahan Chairman of the Board UNR College of Business Tim Ruffin - Past Chair Colliers International Sarah Sommers - Chair Elect Solutions At Work Danny DeLaRosa - Treasurer United Federal Credit Union

Brad Woodring NV Energy

Tina Iftiger Reno Tahoe Airport Authority

Larry Hunt Bayer Properties, LLC

Steve Anderson- EDAWN RBC Wealth Management

Kris Wells AT&T

Linda Meissen Realtors Association Prudential Sierra Nevada Properties

Gina Brooks The Glenn Group

Abbi Whitaker The Abbi Agency

Dennis McGovernBusiness Advocacy Legends at Sparks Marina

Tammy Cantrelle-Smith Mountain America Credit Union

Todd Wilson - Leadership Benefit Resource Group

Kimberly Kuntz Noble Studios

Stephen Ascuaga

Tim Crowley Nevada Mining Association

Len Stevens Executive Director The Chamber BOARD MEMBERS: Mike Hix First Independent Bank Alan Olive Northern Nevada Medical Center Josh Bartella Microsoft Bill Hughes Peppermill Lisa Speth-Jones Wells Fargo Chris Bosse Renown Cheri Hill Sage International Inc. Pete Copeland Great Reno Balloon Race

Ziad Rashdan ASUN UNR

Doug Knuth UNR Athletics

John Maher Reno-Gazette Journal Audrey Damonte Altus Insurance

Darrell Plummer - WIN Sierra Nevada Properties CHAMBER STAFF: Len Stevens Executive Director Tray Abney Director of Government Relations Joy Heuer Community & Member Information Manager Jennifer Jones Finance Manager, Administration

Pedro Martinez Washoe County School District Estella Gutierrez Truckee Meadows Community College Helen Lidholm Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Susan Robinson Events Coordinator Leslie Masterpool Programs Coordinator Sandy Ammerman Membership Relations

LIAISONS:

Varney Padgett Membership Sales

Joe Bozsik Young Professionals Network UNR College of Engineering

Laurie Pettyjohn Membership Sales

Mark Tulman - Ambassadors Nevada Association of Employers

Thank you to our 2014 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.

W

ow! I can’t believe that we are just about finished with the year, 2014. So many great things have happened at The Chamber this year!

2014 has been magnificent for members as we have welcomed over 400 new members to The Chamber. Our Leadership programs (Leadership Reno Sparks, PACE, and Youth Leadership) graduated 80 participants. Our website is averaging 10,000 hits per month.

The Chamber hosted/ co-hosted approximately 140 ribbon cuttings, open houses, membership lunches, Morning Sparks, Biz Talk Blenders and other events in 2014.

The Chamber Political Action Committee interviewed countless candidates for endorsements this year. We were very instrumental in spreading the word about voting NO on 3 and defeating the Margin Tax. Now, it is time for The Chamber to represent you in Carson City during the legislative session.

I hope that all of you take advantage of the Member2Member discounts and use the benefits The Chamber has to offer.

We are preparing for 2015 and it is shaping up to be an exciting year. The Chamber will continue to focus and revamp benefits, events, and programs that provide value to your membership.

The Chamber will unveil our Choose Chamber campaign in the very near future, which will consistently remind and encourage you to do business with fellow chamber members. Choose Chamber will also focus on keeping our dollars in our community.

As we gear up for a very prosperous 2015, I want to wish all of you the best for the holiday season. Always remember that The Chamber is here to serve your business needs; we are only a phone call away. Let us be your most effective resource and remember to Choose Chamber!

Happy Holidays,

Len Stevens, Executive Director, The Chamber

you don’t want to miss DATES TO SAVE DIRECTIONS 2015 February 5th, 2015 from 7am-1pm Grand Sierra Resort For more information on any of these events, please contact Leslie Masterpool: lmasterpool@thechambernv.org

upcoming events 5

NOTE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 | Annual Holiday Membership Luncheon 11:30am-1:30pm @ Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Members: $30 (see page cover for more details) PLEASE RSVP — Register online at the chambernv.org CHAMBER WILL BE CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: December 24, 25, 31 and January 1 Wishing you a very enjoyable holiday season!

Before any event, please check the events calendar at www.thechambernv.org for any possible additions or last minute changes.

CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2014

OCTOBER

new members Adoption Choices of Nevada Maire Burgess • (775) 200-4585 789 E 2nd St. • Reno, NV 89502

Keller Williams Group One Sparks David Hilbig • (775) 336-3800 5050 Vista Blvd, Ste 105 • Sparks, NV 89436 Keller Williams Group One Sparks Denise Stuart • (775) 336-3800 5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89436 Keller Williams Group One Sparks Jamie Guier • (775) 336-3800 5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89436 Keller Williams Group One Sparks Joanne Tiernan • (775) 336-3800 5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Reno, NV 89501

Advanced Pediatric Therapies, LLC Julie Ortiz • (775) 825-4744 1025 Roberta Lane • Sparks, NV 89431 Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Irene Self • (775) 829-7210 500 Damonte Ranch Pkwy #735 • Reno, NV 89521 Angeles Wanco - Individual Membership (775) 843-3844 • Reno, NV 89509 Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Reno Vanessa Ornelas • (775) 323-2623 2920 Mill St. • Reno, NV 89502

Keller Williams Group One Sparks Marilyn Chapman • (775) 336-3800 5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89436 Keller Williams Group One Sparks Stacey Berger • (775) 336-3800 5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105• Sparks, NV 89436 McSweeney Insurance Cameron McSweeney • (775) 843-6155 9640 S. McCarran Blvd., #200 • Reno, NV 89523

Edward Jones - William Palmer III William Palmer • (775) 787-6200 720 Robb Dr., Ste 102 • Reno, NV 89523 Fireplace Distributors of NV/ D&D Overhead Door Jaime Dosh • (775) 747-1346 8521 White Fir St., Unit C6 • Reno, NV 89523

Invictus

Lotus Radio

Motivision

Mountainview Animal Hospital

Network Service Solutions

Nevada Connections Academy

Rock Thrift Store

Postal Annex - Sparks Brian Childers • (775) 626-6868 1344 Disc Dr. • Sparks, NV 89436

Chevron Hector Infante • (714) 671-3457 145 S. State College Blvd., Ste #400 • Brea, CA 92821 Crowley & Ferrato Public Affairs Tim Crowley • (775) 742-4831 P.O. Box 18645 • Reno, NV 89511

Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet

Pepsi Beverages Company Gordon Fredell • (775) 856-5540 355 Edison Way • Reno, NV 89502

Barracuda Championship Chris Hoff • (775) 322-3900 1 E. 1st St., 16th Floor • Reno, NV 89501

PowerHouse Learning Brandie Hinen • (208) 316-7656 PO Box 776 • Filer, ID 83328 PRMG - Paramount Residential Mortgage Group Art Loera • (775) 785-5714 299 S. Arlington Ave., 2nd Fl. • Reno, NV 89501 Pro AV & Electronics Aaron Lines • (775) 870-4740 1545 Industrial Way • Sparks, NV 89431 Sierra Nevada MasterWorks Chorale Jody Cram • (775) 324-1940 925 E. Riverside Dr., Ste 2 • Reno, NV 89503

Golden Gaming LLC James Wadhams • (775) 850-1000 1050 Terminal Way • Reno, NV 89502

Solutions NV LLC Austin Wilson • (775) 500-1234 1893 Resistol Dr. • Reno, NV 89521

Golden Gate Petroleum Curt Rolland • (775) 850-3010 16580 Wedge Pkwy #300 • Reno, NV 89511 Grifols Biomat USA Inc. Susan Gonzalez • (775) 324-5600 270 East 6th St. • Reno, NV 89502

ribbon cuttings

Uptown Treasures Rosie Bailey • (775) 800-1930 2295 S. Virginia St., Ste 16 • Reno, NV 89502 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - North Valleys Esther Mims • (775) 332-0308 250 Vista Knoll Pkwy. • Reno, NV 89508

Invictus Computers & Gaming Center Omar Muthana • (775) 622-3003 3695 Kings Row • Reno, NV 89503

Waste Management John Langelle • (775) 329-8822 100 Vassar St. • Reno, NV 89502

Kaia FIT Midtown Christine Ermis • (775) 657-6478 820 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89502

White Knight Real Estate Michelle Chism • (775) 322-8585 145 Bailey Dr. • Reno, NV 89506

SPEAKERS Opening Remarks Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (tentative) Technology Lt. Col. (ret.) Warren Rapp, Business Director, Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center, University of Nevada, Reno Economy Jeremy Aguero, Principal Analyst, Applied Analysis Business Mike Kazmierski, President & CEO, Economic Development Agency of Western Nevada Politics Jon Ralston, Political Commentator and Reporter, Ralston Reports TICKETS Early-bird ticket pricing is available until January 15th! Register Online 4-Pack of tickets for only $250! • Tickets (Members) $70 Tickets (Non-Members) $80 Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Exhibitor Booths starting at $1,000.

Contact Leslie at lmasterpool@thechambernv.org for more information

Chamber offers Electronic Funds Transfer The Chamber has been working to improve its billing and payments process.

As part of this new process, members now have the option of making monthly, quarterly and yearly payments by an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This change will allow us to offer lower monthly dues payments with the ease of automatic payments.

To get started with the Electronic Funds Transfer, simply request an authorization form and return to our office via email, fax or U.S. Mail at your earliest convenience.

The Chamber will not begin debiting your account until your membership is up for renewal.

For more information regarding EFT payments, please contact Jennifer Jones at jjones@thechambernv.org or 775-636-9553.

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CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2014

Leadership Reno Sparks Class of 2014 mobilizes local non-profit Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet Ribbon Cutting on October 23, celebrated their brand new van and the organization became mobile.

Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet, GSCC, is a non-profit community service organization dedicated to providing clothing to at-risk individuals, children, and families in the greater Reno/Sparks area free of charge. GSCC is located on Record Street in downtown Reno. They were in need of a new van to use as a traveling “closet” to better serve community members who are unable to access the downtown location.

The Chamber’s Leadership Reno Sparks Program is in its 30th year. Every year, the Leadership Reno Sparks class tackles a special community project that engages participants in a real-world exercise that also helps build our community.

Not only has the Class of 2014 completed rigorous course work, workshops, and community engagement events, but they have been deeply immersed in a class project working with the GSCC. The class raised over $27,000 which was used to buy a van so GSCC could be mobile. Countless donations including clothes, blankets, shoes, and personal items were also gathered to assist in clothing our most at-risk population, the homeless in our community.

This project was strongly supported by: United Federal Credit Union, PK Electrical, Lumos and Associates, Silver State Barricade and Sign, The Applied Companies, KPS3, Benefit Resource Group, NV Energy, Donate Life Nevada, The Casey Family, The Motta/Nichols Family and NVHS class of 2004.

PACE LEADERSHIP Professional Achievement Communication Excellence Fee is : $595 for Chamber Members -Eleanor Roosevelt

“An ounce of action, is worth a ton of theory”

PACE Leadership 2015

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Strengthen Your Personal Leadership This Chamber of Commerce program is a 9 month leadership and employee development program that revolves around communication skills, professional development and community engagement. Led by Jeffrey Benjamin from Breakthrough Training, the PACE program features “hands-on” training with leadership and team building exercises designed to foster communication skills for real world use.

The program is designed for business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, supervisors, and key company team members. The course offers a flexible schedule and each class is designed around interactive, hands-on exercises that build a strong foundation of communication and critical thinking skills that are necessary for strong leadership.

PACE Leadership Modules:

• Inroduction to Leadership - Module 1, April 1 • Leadership and Personal Development - Module 2, April 15 • Community Awareness & Involvement - Module 3, May 6 • Government Affairs & Interaction - Module 4, May 20 • Mastering Your Communication - Module 5, June, 10 • Education Systems - Module 6, July 15 • Business Development - Module 7, August 12 • The Unlimited Power of Teamwork - Module 8, September 9 • Productive Media Interaction - Module 9, October 7 • Leadership Luncheon Reports - Module 10, November 18 • Leadership Graduation Ceremony - Module 11, December 02

Dear Chamber Member, First of all, thank you for your membership. Your commitment of time and resources allowed us to assist in defeating the margin tax and in electing pro-economic vitality candidates to our councils, commissions, school board, the state legislature, and the state capitol. You put up with all of our emails, phone calls, and requests for money and you reached out to your colleagues, suppliers, and employees to let them know how important this election was to your ability to operate your business. Your membership allows us to speak with a collective voice and we are grateful for that.

We mentioned the margin tax above and we all know that the defeat of Question 3 was our top priority this year. And while we were successful, and that success was larger than we ever thought possible, we do not have the luxury of sitting back, putting our feet up, and being thankful that we dodged a bullet.

Our local and state education systems still need our undivided attention.

We know that Question 3 was a horrible solution to a very real need. We know that our test scores and graduation rates are still too low and the need for remediation in college is still too high. And we know that our school facilities need to be upgraded and enhanced. We cannot expect to fund a modern school system with a decades-old tax structure.

The point is, we must do something to reform our tax structure and fund education properly. Unless you want to fund and fight a margin tax-type battle every two or four years, it’s time to pass a tax package the proper way: with research and debate in Carson City through the legislative process. We must move away from a system funded by one or two cyclical industries. We must ensure that our dollars spent on education and other key government services are spent efficiently and effectively. We are not talking about throwing money at education, but throwing out the status quo and funding a system that demands results.

The Chamber does not have a tax plan to present today. We won’t be creating a proposal in a vacuum. We pledge to work with Governor Sandoval, legislative leadership of both chambers and both parties, the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, other business groups, and YOU to come up with a plan for the future.

We have always supported a tax structure that is equitable, stable, and broad-based. We can’t depend on a specific industry or type of business to fund the common good. Everyone must have skin in the game. The broader your tax base is, the lower the rate can be. Key areas to look at are property and sales taxes, which individuals and businesses pay. And we must ensure that any business tax is assessed fairly across all sectors of our economy.

Given the election results on November 4th, we have an opportunity to institute real reforms that will save taxpayers real money. Money that can be used for education, mental health, and other Nevada priorities. We will urge the Governor and the Legislature to take a serious look at reforms in the following areas: construction defect, prevailing wage, public employee collective bargaining and retirement benefits, and other issues that affect the business community and every Nevadan.

The Chamber is not interested in working with ideologues, publicity seekers, and those with axes to grind. We are interested in working with leaders, people who are ready to actively seek solutions. We are ready to get down to work and we will need your help.

Getting through the election was only the beginning. The real work begins now. Can you help us?

Please consider contributing to our Political Action Committee. We need to replenish that account after our margin tax fight.

Contact Tray Abney, our Director of Government Relations, at tabney@ thechambernv.org to learn more about how you can assist with our efforts.

Thanks again for your membership and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Program Info • 24

Applications Accepted are 4 Hours • Must Attend all Modules

• Modules

• Download the Application & Full Program Description at: www.thechambernv.org/the-chamber /leadership • For More Information and to Submit Your Application Contact Leslie at The Chamber at (775) 636-9559

Facilitated By:

Jeffrey Benjamin

www.TheChamberNV.org

Len Stevens Executive Director

Tray Abney Director of Government Relations