Why Chamber?

One of the most frequently asked questions, if not THE most frequently asked question from businesses regarding Chamber membership, is "Why?" Membership into a Chamber of Commerce is an investment for a business, and like all investments, they want to know that they're getting their money's worth.  There are sources upon sources that can tell you why you should join us. However, at the end of the day, you'll want to know why you should join the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce. Here's my Top 3 Reasons why we want to see you as a member....but you can always call me for more :)

1) Instant Connection
Currently, the AACC has 130 members. This number grows every week, and has members from all industries. From food service to manufacturing, government to insurance, hair salons to healthcare, you name it, we've got it.  When a new member joins, they instantly become connected to those 130 businesses. You can use the Chamber as your connecting point to facilitate a partnership, event, or promotion with these other businesses.  For example, at Sterling House's recent event (Read more here), they gave away an "Abilene Weekend for Two!" utilizing four other members in the process.  They were able to promote four other businesses.......just by simply joining the Chamber.

2) Business Advocate
When you run a small business, there are so many things to keep up with, and it's really easy to miss things that are going on in your community that affect you. That's what the Chamber is here for. We stay on top of what is happening at City and County government meetings, as well as statewide issues. As a Chamber member, we keep you in the loop. Another way we keep businesses in the loop is with our Chamber newsletter. This goes out every week, keeping people up to date with Chamber and community activities. Click our newsletter picture in the upper right of the page to see this week's newsletter (and check back every Wednesday for a new one).

3) Credibility
Big cities and small towns don't have a lot in common, but one thing they do have in common (most of the time), is a Chamber of Commerce. This office not only serves as a business advocacy membership organization, but it serves as the general information center for the town. Chambers offer more credibility to businesses because of this. When people walk into a business and see a Chamber sticker or plaque, they instantly know that that business cares for their community and cares for the success of local business.  Seeing businesses in collaboration with each other puts customers at ease and are more likely to remember those businesses.  Also, when people search for the Chamber website (since all towns have one), they will automatically see Chamber businesses listed on that website).

Like I said, you can always call or email me for more reasons why you should join the Chamber. We hope to see your business as part of our organization soon.

If We Are Relevant...

The Chamber not only writes a blog, but we follow a few blogs as well! One of these is a local blog, the City Manager's blog (linked at left). This blog is a great resource for everything happening at the City, including public announcements and government updates. Another blog that the Chamber follows is the Chamber Mentor blog, written by "America's Chamber Mentor," Patrick McGaughey. A blog post written by McGaughey a couple of weeks ago has really resonated with the Chamber board and staff. It was as follows:

If we are relevant, we are authentic.

If we are authentic, we are original. 

If we are original, we are genuine. 

If we are genuine, then we are what we were meant to be. 

Like I mentioned, this has resonated within the Chamber the last two weeks. It's really what I call a "reflective statement," something stated to make you reflect inward on who you are as an organization and what it is you strive to be. For the Chamber, we strive to be a voice for business. Whether this is through posting blogs with business information, hosting networking events to get businesses to meet other businesses, sending out newsletters, or pounding the pavement asking how things are going, the voice of local business is what we try to be. 

What is your organization meant to be? Are you relevant, authentic, original, and genuine? Take some time this weekend and give it a thought. Have a great weekend! 

Flying Away

Hallo! That’s German for “Hello!”  As many of you know, I am over 4,000 miles away in Odenheim (Östringen), Germany, which is in the state of Baden-Württemberg, just east of Bavaria.  This is a small town – just like Abilene!

Abilene is home to many small businesses.  A characteristic of small businesses is few staff and employees.  This adds a personal touch to business that customers are looking for, but makes leaving for a couple days or a couple weeks hard.  If you’ve ever been faced with this challenge, or anticipate facing it in the future, read on for some advice on Organizing the Office Before Vacation.

When I was researching this topic, I was led to www.workingmother.com for these tips. 
Leigh Steere, co-founder of Managing People Better, LLC, provided these tips that can make your workplace less stressful in the dates heading up to vacation.

1. Give Warning: As soon as YOU know you’ll be leaving, let your boss & coworkers know. 
2. Stay Covered: Talk to your coworkers about some duties they can cover for you while you’re gone.  Don’t make this list too long or detailed – they still have a job of their own.
3. Prioritize Projects: Focus on urgent deadlines before you leave.  If it can wait, then let it wait.
4. Make a List: Coming back to work can be equally as stressful as preparing to leave.  Create a back-to-work list for yourself.
5. Be semi-available:  If YOU can’t be contacted, ask someone if they’d be willing to answer questions.  In the Chamber’s case, you can contact the CVB at 785-263-2231 (or the Chamber number 785-263-1770) for Chamber questions! Thank you to Glenda and Staff for helping out!
6. Offer Tips: If someone is covering for you, offer them some helpful tips about what could make those tasks easier.
7. Do Double Duty: Put in some extra time before you leave if you’re swamped.  If you have multiple projects to get done, extra hours may be needed before you leave.
8. Set an Alert: Change your voicemails and emails to reflect that you’re gone.  Be sure to include dates of absence and who to contact in the meantime.
9. Clean Up: Your desk will be dirty and piled high when you get back.  Make sure it is spotless before you leave so you don’t get Pre & Post Vacation Piles mixed up.
10. Plan Ahead: Schedule a catch up meeting with your cover person for your first day back to the office.

I will be out of the office from Tuesday June 10 – Friday June 20.  I will return on Monday June 23.  Please continue to call the Chamber office for questions at 785-263-1770.  The Chamber newsletter, “All About Abilene,” will still be sent in my absence, you can check out the Chamber blog at chamberconnectionabilene.blogspot.com, and you’ll still see my column next week! 

Odenheim, Germany, my home for the next 11 days

Flat Ike Travels Abroad!

Hey everybody! My name is Flat Ike. You've heard of Flat Stanley right? Flat Stanley was started as a project for school children to write to each other from different areas of the country. Kids took pictures with Flat Stanley when they traveled places, and sent the pictures to their pen pals! Abilene's own Garfield Elementary School has done this! That's what I am too - only since I'm from Abilene, I'm Flat Ike!

This is Me!

You know Torey right? She's the Chamber director who usually writes the blog posts (I typed this without her looking). She's going on an exciting vacation tomorrow, and she's taking me with her! I'm pretty excited too. She wanted to let you all know what was going on herself, but I beat her to it!

So here's what's happening. Tomorrow afternoon, Tuesday June 10, Torey are I will fly out of Wichita, and fifteen hours, three airplanes, and two countries later, we'll arrive in Frankfurt, Germany! Over the next 11 days, we'll travel around Germany and Paris, France!

Torey will be out of the office from June 10-June 21. She'll return on Monday June 23. Torey's left the Chamber in pretty good hands. Not only will you see blog posts on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays over the next two weeks, you'll still see the weekly newsletters and the weekly newspaper columns.  If you have Chamber questions, you can call the Chamber number 785.263.1770, and speak with CVB staff.

You won't hear from me until after we get back, but check back on Wednesday for a new post! See you soon!

Heidelberg Castle, one of the places we'll visit in Germany

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France - we'll be there too!

Benjamin F Edwards Hosts Business After-Hours

Tuesday June 3, the Benjamin F Edwards office here in Abilene, Kansas opened their doors to guests for June's Business After-Hours event.  This monthly event, hosted by a Chamber member, is designed as an informal networking event for community members. They are able to gather freely after the workday is complete. It doubles as a way for the hosting businesses to share their area and speak about their services.

The staff at Benjamin F Edwards put their clients first, every time.  Their commitment to their clients' best interests are what enables them to stay focused on what really matters - you and your financial well-being. At Benjamin F Edwards, you will receive objective advice along with dedicated service and support. Come see for yourself what their special brand of client-first service is all about. They can be reached at 785.263.3794, or at 102 NW 3rd.

Thanks to Benjamin F Edwards for hosting a great event!

    

 

             

 

The Proudest Thing...

He was the third of seven sons.  He was a high school athlete.  He was a husband, a father.  He was a five star general.  He was the 34th President of the United States, from the 34th state admitted to the Union.  You all know who I'm talking about, because we all still "Like Ike."  I'm talking about Dwight David Eisenhower.

June 6, 1944. D-Day. D-Day, or "Operation Overlord," as it was codenamed, was the largest mission of its scope before or since its execution.  It was the largest air, land, and sea operation, including 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and over 150,000 servicemen.  These brave men invaded five beaches of Normandy: Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha, and Utah, and halted Hitler's idea of world domination. Eisenhower served as the Supreme Commander for this invasion, some people even referring to it as "Ike's Invasion."  The morning of June 6, this snippet was heard from his Order of the Day: "Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you."

The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, & Boyhood Home is celebrating D-Day +70 Years this Friday and Saturday, and you're invited.  This is the greatest international commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day in the United States. The weekend will include a remembrance ceremony, documentary viewing and panel discussions, concerts, military re-enactors, vintage military vehicle equipment displays, and a C-47 flyover. Concluding the commemoration is the Salina Symphony performing the Symphony at Sunset D-Day Concert. Food and beverages will be available Saturday afternoon and evening allowing families to picnic on the grounds and participate in all the day's activities.

What an amazing honor Abilene has by being home to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, & Boyhood Home and this event. Hundreds of people will be coming to Abilene this weekend to celebrate with us and bring dollars and commerce into our community. Upon returning from the war, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."  Well, Ike, the sentiment certainly goes both ways, because one of the proudest things we can claim is having the privilege of having you as a resident. Show your pride this weekend by helping celebrate Friday and Saturday.

As always, you can contact the Chamber at 785-263-1770, or chamber@abileneks.net.

Sterling House I Unveils New Renovations

Last Thursday, May 29, Sterling House I hosted a ribbon cutting and reception for their new interior.  They underwent a complete renovation at the beginning of the year.  The lobby area, dining, public areas, hallways, and office spaces were all renovated, including all new artwork hung in the main areas and hallways. This is the first renovation done in the building's 19 year history.



Tours were given by Sterling House staff, showing the new areas.  Three significant areas showcased were the dining room, lobby & public areas, and the new living room area.  They were able to renovate a section of the front lobby, adding a second television, allowing residents more opportunity to congregate and socialize with each other.

            

At the end of the event, there was a grand prize drawing.  The grand prize was an "Abilene Weekend for Two!"  The winner, Joe Bond, received two tickets to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, & Boyhood Home, two tickets to any mainstage show at Great Plains Theatre, two dinner train tickets aboard the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, and a $50.00 gas card.  Todd Moore, Marketing Director, noted that, "We wanted to give the community of Abilene a way to experience Abilene." The Chamber worked with Todd on the idea, and appreciate Todd utilizing us as well as promoting fellow Chamber members! 

Congratulations to Sterling House I!

L to R: Todd Moore and Joe Bond 

Photo by Tiffany Roney, Abilene Reflector-Chronicle