DECEMBER 2015
www.thechambernv.org
DIRECTIONS DIRECTIONS is Northern Nevada’s premier annual economic conference, providing business and civic leaders with insight and perspectives that shape sound decision-making in the year ahead.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND COMMUNICATION EXCELLENCE 2015 Chamber P.A.C.E Leadership Class Graduates Congratulations to the below on completing the P.A.C.E Leadership Program!
With over 700 attendees, DIRECTIONS is the largest business event in the area featuring companies, non-profits and community leaders from across the region. DIRECTIONS provides a platform for discussion within our business community that gives attendees a better plan for tomorrow. Join us for electric discussions, meet potential clients and be seen at the largest business event in Northern Nevada. Whether you’re a networking pro, a business owner or a newly formed organization, DIRECTIONS has the resources and people that you need. Come together with fellow Chamber members and community leaders to find exactly what you are looking for. By becoming a sponsor at DIRECTIONS 2016, your organization will not only have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and business and community leaders, but your attendance will also assist in cultivating your business image as promoting the future of Nevada and growth in our region. For Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities contact Leslie @ LMasterpool@TheChamberNV.org or (775) 636-9559.
Alysia Peters, We Olive Wine Bar Amanda La Torre, Saint Mary’s Fitness Center Ana Flores, Circus Circus Breeze Trebelhorn, Circus Circus Brittina Kogon Hill, Boys & Girls Club Callie Caddell, Renown Christina Vantine, Circus Circus Danielle Hammons, American Heart Association Darren Wise, Wells Fargo Bank Heather Sudano, Intuit Jamie DeBates, Benefit Resource Group Kimberly Rials, Community Services Agency Michael Mellberg, Larry Bigler CPA Michael Santiago, Career College of Northern Nevada Michael Schweitzer, Sierra Air Michal Eckman, Waste Management Patty Umana, Sierra Nevada Job Corps Robert McLaughlin, Career College of Northern Nevada Sarah Sperber, Sky Dance Studio Sonia Folsom, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Susana Alcala, Greater Nevada Mortgage
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES The Chamber is proud to announce eight new candidates for the Board of Directors. These men and women will join the board starting January 1, 2016. (See page 2 for a list of current board members) They are: Linda Bissett – NV Energy Glenn Carano – Silver Legacy Steve Cerocke – IQ Technology Systems Lisa Jansen – Nugget Resort
Jim New – TMCC Darrell Plummer – Sierra Nevada Properties Vick Wowo – Whitney Peak Tom Young – Great Basin Brewing
Danny DeLaRosa, United Federal Credit Union, will serve as Chair of the Board. The Board of Directors is the governing body of The Chamber and is comprised of individuals representing the many diverse businesses and industries representing our membership in Northern Nevada.
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. 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 connections, 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 2015
message from the executive director 775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS: Sarah Sommers – Chair of the Board Solutions At Work Jim McClenahan – Past Chair UNR College of Business Danny DeLaRosa – Chair Elect United Federal Credit Union Mike Hix – Treasurer First Independent Bank Len Stevens – Chief Executive Officer The Chamber BOARD MEMBERS: Nik Antone Wells Fargo Josh Bartella Microsoft
Time is flying by…we have already had snow on the ground, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the holiday season is upon us. Thanks to our membership, The Chamber has had many accomplishments in 2015. From welcoming many new members to an increase in event attendance, 2015 was a good year for The Chamber. The Chamber Board of Directors and staff have worked very hard to provide value to our members through new programs, events and networking opportunities. We ask that you continue to think of The Chamber when you are preparing your 2016 budget. Looking ahead to 2016, areas of concentration will be workforce development, increasing value
Tim Crowley Crowley & Ferrato Public Affairs Estella Gutierrez TMCC Bill Hughes Peppermill Doug Knuth UNR Athletics Kimberly Kuntz Noble Studios Helen Lidholm Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center John Maher Reno-Gazette Journal Dennis McGovern Legends at Sparks Marina Marily Mora Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Alan Olive Northern Nevada Medical Center Ann Silver JOIN, Inc. Kris Wells AT&T
chamber member spotlight
Greg Boyer Renown Health
Abbi Whitaker The Abbi Agency
for Chamber members, as well as working to elect pro-business candidates to public office. I would like to thank all Chamber members for their support and involvement during this past year. 2016 will be another great year! If you are not yet a member, please visit our website (TheChamberNv.org) for details and see why over 1,800 members Choose Chamber.
EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants is headquartered in San Francisco, and has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services. Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to run rate revenue of $200 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. EPIC’s strategic partners include private equity firm The Carlyle Group. EPIC’s specialty practice areas include: Agribusiness, Architects, Engineering, Law Firms, Advertising, Energy Construction, Financial Institutions, Food and Beverage, Healthcare, Hotels/ Hospitality, Life Sciences/Technology, Municipalities, Non-profits, Real Estate/Property Management, Renewable Energy, Transportation/Logistics/ Warehousing, Water District and the Wine Business. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. They remain a fixture on the insurance industry’s ‘Best Places to Work’ lists. EPIC has worked hard to maintain their internal culture and has defined 10 characteristics of shared
Wishing you the best during the holiday season,
Len Stevens CEO, The Chamber
values and beliefs for the organization defined as “EPICness”. These characteristics include: people first, respect, responsibility, adaptability, community, alignment, confidence, innovation, humility and fun. As employees join and clients partner with EPIC they experience all of these characteristics both internally and externally. In addition, EPIC has been recognized as a 2015 “Inc. 5000” Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. EPIC was the Fastest growing large insurance broker/consultant in the nation (revenue in excess of $100 million) and the only company among the 25 largest brokers of U.S. business to be recognized by Inc. They have also been recognized as a top 20 employee benefits consultant and commercial lines agency in the U.S as well as a top 50 global insurance broker (#46). To learn more about EPIC, visit epicbrokers.com.
Interested in the Spotlight Section? Contact Joy at The Chamber, (775) 636-9560.
Brad Woodring First American Title LIAISONS: Steve Anderson EDAWN Joe Bozsik YPN Cadin Fabbi UNR ASUN Heather Lunsford Leadership Reno Sparks Linda Meissen Realtors Windy Culver Molezzo Leadership Reno Sparks Steve Stegmeir Chamber Ambassadors Kris Wells WIN CHAMBER STAFF: Len Stevens Chief Executive Officer
Joy Heuer Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Jones Controller Leslie Masterpool Events and Programs Manager Sandy Ammerman Customer Relations Manager Laurie Pettyjohn Membership Sales
upcoming events
Tray Abney Director of Government Relations
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Chamber Office CLOSED on the following dates: Thursday, December 24 Friday, December 25 Thursday, December 31 Friday, January 1
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NOTE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 DIRECTIONS 2016 8:00 am - 12:00 noon Grand Sierra Resort Tickets on sale now...visit TheChamberNV.org Early-bird pricing expires January 9th For more information on any of these events, please visit www.TheChamberNV.org
OCTOBER
new members
Marcus & Millichap Ryan DeMar • (775) 348-5200 241 Ridge St., Ste 200 • Reno, NV 89501 National Career Skills Institute Nancy Richards • (775) 843-2152 3100 Mill St., Ste. 100 • Reno, NV 89502 Office Boss Richard Stubblefield • (775) 387-2677 5150 Mae Anne Ave., Ste 405 • Reno, NV 89523
Access Event Solutions Seth Sheck • (775) 229-7200 1410 Greg St., Ste 412 • Sparks, NV 89431
Office Boss Jackie Moritzky • (775) 825-5511 3495 Lakeside Dr. • Reno, NV 89509
Angie’s Artisan Treats Brad Burkenpas • (775) 236-0509 1025 Sandhill Rd., Ste C • Reno, NV 89521
Outdoor Power Craig Cummins • (775) 827-6937 4995 Longley Ln. • Reno, NV 89502
Blend, A Catering Company Josh Deri • (775) 843-5297 615 Spice Island Dr., #4 • Sparks, NV 89431
Randi Thompson Consulting Randi Thompson • (775) 830-8407 1435 Coronet Dr. • Reno, NV 89509
Branded Hearts Distillery Joshua Nichols • (775) 336-8195 121 Woodland Ave., #160 • Reno, NV 89523
ReadyConnect, Inc. Dave Usinger • (844) 732-3929 2801 Marvin Dr. • Carson City, NV 89703
Business Solution Providers, Inc. Tim Grant • (415) 800-3578 4155 Jasper Lane • Reno, NV 89509
Sport Clips Haircuts Steve Secora • (775) 357-2680 1565 E. Lincoln Way R-105 • Sparks, NV 89434
Deb Hill Independent Distributor for YEVO International (775) 525-0950 Reno, NV 89523
Teledata Technologies Tim Berry • (775) 657-1510 5301 Longley Ln, Ste A11 • Reno, NV 89511
Dignified Home Loans Cynthia Luongo • (888) 225-7985 9190 Double Diamond Pkwy #113 • Reno, NV 89521 ERA Realty Central Shelly Dougherty • (775) 685-2372 3080 Vista Blvd., #100 • Sparks, NV 89436
CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2015 S
ribbon cuttings
Salons by JC
Sterling Academy
Truckee Bagel Company
Enterprise Car Sales
International City Mortgage
The Office Boss
Tru Talent Agency Justine Reyes • (775) 343-6117 780 Smithridge Dr., Ste 300 • Reno, NV 89502 Worldwide Partnership Inc. Vanda Diaconescu • (775) 525-1511 PO Box 18601 • Reno, NV 89511
Thank you to our 2015 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.
GREAT NEWS! Chamber Members can now receive the significant savings of the Chamber Office Depot Program in the OfficeMax Retail Stores. Print your store purchasing card and go to any Office Depot OfficeMax retail store to receive discounts of up to 60% from a list of 650 commonly-purchased business essentials including paper, ink and toner. You can also save up to 70% on your copy and print needs and 40% off finishing. We encourage you to look into this program and see what it can offer you. Join the Chamber Program today! www.saveatofficedepot.com/thechambernv
chamber trips
Don’t miss out! Your early booking discount for the Chamber’s Canadian Rockies tour is quickly approaching on January 15, 2016! Contact Jennifer at jjones@thechambernv.org or at (775) 636-9553 for more information. Revel in the history and beauty of Greece, the Greek Isles and Turkey for nine days sailing to ports of call aboard your cruise ship in the beautiful Aegean Sea. This combined sea and land tour is departing on October 11, 2016 and includes 14 meals, roundtrip airfare from Reno to Greece, four nights in Athens and three nights on the Celystal Olympia. Also, new for 2016, Discover Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast with Chamber Discoveries departing on October 20, 2016. This 8 day journey will take you through the ancient history of Pompeii and the stunning coastal scenery of the Amalfi Coast with roundtrip airfare from Reno, NV. Enjoy demonstrations of local artists with a Limoncello. And no trip to Italy could be complete without a demonstration and a tasting of local pizza! If you’d like more information on this exciting tour, join the Chamber on March 10th at 5:30 PM for our travel presentation. Our office is located at 449 S. Virginia St. and please RSVP to Jennifer at (775) 636-9553.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2015
The Chamber’s First Annual Northern Nevada Business Summit Recap On November 5th, The Chamber debuted a very successful inaugural Northern Nevada Business Summit (NNBS). Anticipated to grow into the region’s largest business-to-business trade show, in its first year the NNBS started off with a bang and phenomenal feedback. The event welcomed 450 decision-making attendees, hosted 75 exhibitors showcasing the latest in cutting edge products and services, and featured six valuable seminars sharing strategies for business growth averaging 50 audience members per session. The NNBS kicked-off with the very unique Taste of Northern Nevada, a heavy-sampler lunch provided by Chamber members and closed out with The Chamber’s signature monthly mixer, Alive After 5. The Chamber couldn’t be happier with the launch of this new event, the attendees were engaged and the NNBS provided a groundbreaking platform for business development. Look for the Northern Nevada Business Summit to take place again in the fall of 2016! Seminars: Growing Your People; Working With the Generations; Creating a Desirable Culture Danny DeLaRosa, United Federal Credit Union It All Adds Up Rick Murdock, Eldorado Resorts Rebranding and Repositioning: Telling Your Story on Social Media Jennifer Baker, Performance & Engagement Consulting Stages of Business Development: A Candy-Makers Perspective Joe Dutra, Kimmie Candy Don’t Just Retain Your Employees.. ENGAGE Them! Cam Sorenson, Intuit Innovation As A Mindset Chad Hallert and Sharon Sperry, Noble Studios Taste of Northern Nevada Lunch Vendors Reno Provisions Asian Crawfish Cuisine The Bridge Model Dairy Circus Circus Famous Dave’s Paisan’s McDonalds Costa Vida Sponsors and Supporters United Federal Credit Union University of Nevada College of Business NV Energy Wells Fargo Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center iZon Content Iron Mountain TapSnap .. and many others.