September Chamber Report by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

September 2010

Inside this issue: â&#x20AC;˘ BUY IN - A tool for economic growth

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Table of Contents Article

Page

Featured Member of the Month – Erb’s...............................4 ImpactCR .............................................................................5 Golf Outing Recap................................................................7 Calendar of Events................................................................8 Business Expo.......................................................................9 Buy In.................................................................................10 Golf Outing Recap..............................................................11 Options of Linn County Green Initiative............................12 Rockwell Health Fair..........................................................12 New Members.....................................................................13 EDC.....................................................................................14 Members in Motion............................................................16 Champions at Work.............................................................17 August PM Exchange Recap..............................................18 PM Exchange......................................................................18 Annual Meeting..................................................................19

September 2010 Volume 80 No 1 (USPS558-200) Chamber Report (ISSN 108-50775) is published monthly by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, 424 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Subscription price of $35 per year is included in an annual chamber membership. Periodicals postage paid at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Postmaster: Send changes to: Chamber Report Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce 424 First Ave. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1196 Chair: Brad Hart President & CEO: Shannon Meyer Editor: Kari Stillman Contact the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at 319-398-5317 for reprint permission. ©2010 Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

2010-2011 Board of Directors Officers

Chuck Peters, SourceMedia Group, Chair Nancy Kasparek, U.S. Bank NA, Chair Elect Brad Hart, Bradley & Riley PC, Immediate Past Chair Rob Frederick, The AEGON Companies, Secretary William Vincent, Clifton Gunderson LLP, Treasurer Shannon Meyer, Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, President

Board of Directors

Jill Ackerman, Marion Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Director Dawn Ainger, Genova Technologies, Director Thomas Anderson, Merrill Lynch, Director Todd Barker, NAI Iowa Realty Commercial, Director David Benson, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Director Barry Boyer, Van Meter Industrial, Inc., Chair Priority One Scott Byers, NAI Iowa Realty Commercial, Director Lijun Chadima, Thorland Company, Director Ron Corbett, Mayor, City of Cedar Rapids, Honorary Director Chris DeWolf, Lil’ Drug Store Products, Inc., Director Jeff Elgin, J & T Elgin, LLC, Director James Ernst, Four Oaks Inc. of Iowa, Director Gary Ficken, Bimm Ridder Sportswear, Director Ronald Fielder, Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Director Kristie Fisher, Kirkwood Community College, Director Don Garland, Chair Marion Chamber, Honorary Director Scott Gasway, Ascott Transcription Services Inc., Director Shannon Hanson, ImpactCR!, Honorary Director Tom Hobson, Rockwell Collins, Inc., At Large Director Beth Houlahan, Mercy Medical Center, Director Tim Kintner, Bankers Trust Company, Director Christine Landa, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, Inc., Director Robb Loftsgard, Wells Fargo Bank, Director Curt Nelson, Entrepreneurial Development Center Inc. Honorary Director Doug Neumann, Cedar Rapids Downtown District, Honorary Director Ron Olson, Paulson Electric Company, Director Hazel Pegues, Diversity Focus, Honorary Director Mark Seckman, Priority One, President Priority One John Sheehan, St. Luke’s Hospital, Director Tim Spain United Fire Group, Director Vernon Squires, Leadership for Five Seasons, Honorary Director Michael Sundall, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, P.C., Director Paul Treangen, Alliant Energy – Interstate Power & Light Co., Director Monica Vernon, Cedar Rapids City Council, Honorary Director William Vernon, Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC, Director Brandt Worley, Worley Warehousing, Inc, Director

September 2010__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

From the Chairman’s Desk:

The Chamber Annual Meeting If you are reading this, it may already be TOO LATE! The Chamber Annual Meeting is September 14th, at 11:30 AM at the Crowne Plaza downtown. It is very easy to register. Just go to www.cedarrapids.org and follow the easy prompts. The Chamber Annual Meeting is a key meeting at a critical time in our region’s history. Recovering from the challenges of the floods and the economic collapse, we have the opportunity to hear from Stephen Jordan, an expert on community recovery following disasters, and to meet the new City Manager of Cedar Rapids, Jeff Pomeranz. If you have not already registered for the annual meeting, DO IT NOW. We will also have the opportunity to thank Brad Hart for his year as Chamber Chair. As I look forward to assuming that role September 1, I truly appreciate the platform Brad has built. Brad’s dedication in leading the search committee for our new President, Shannon Meyer, has given us an experienced Chamber leader, with a vast network of national and international contacts. Brad and Shannon quickly recognized the need for thorough strategic planning and reorganization in pursuit of the Chamber’s Prosperity Agenda. We are well along in that process. Thanks Brad. At the annual meeting, and throughout the year, you will be hearing more about how you can become engaged in our region’s Prosperity Agenda. True prosperity emerges when we encourage intellectual freedom and integrity, work on substantive and authentic relationships, and persevere through the ups and downs of building community. What can we build together? How can we organize for innovation and effectiveness? I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting. Thanks,

Chuck Peters chairman, board of directors

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Featured The Business Technology Event of the Season.

At Work

September 16th, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Events

Man aged Prin t Ser rate vices d Co Busi ness mmu Con n icati tinui ons ty/D Virtu isast aliza er Re tion cove and Con ry Man solid aged ation Serv ices Integ

You’re on the A-List: Your Backstage Ticket Awaits!

New

Erb’s Technology Solutions invites you to Insider’s Edition, our exclusive business technology showcase and customer appreciation after party.

Technology Expo and Breakout Sessions - Kirkwood Event Center 1:00 – 3:00 We’re bringing you exclusive access to industry leading vendors, plus sneak peeks and workshops on the hottest trends in computing for business. 3:00 – 4:00 Presentation, Meet & Greet with Gary Dolphin, Voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Customer Appreciation Party - Erb’s Corporate Office 4:30 – 7:00 Walk the red carpet, rub elbows with other regional business powerhouses and let us say Thank You for 49 years of business. Prizes? It wouldn’t be an A-List event without fabulous giveaways and prizes! We have a great mix of items lined up, including a fabulous VIP package open to all who register for the event!

Get your Ticket at www.erbsinsider.eventbrite.com

Need more information? Call us at 319-365-5159, or email grow@erbs.com Follow us on

September 2010__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5

An evening workshop presented by ImpactCR and the Linn County Non-Profit Resource Center will be held from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., September 16th at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. All aBoard: Leadership through Committees, Boards & Commissions, is dedicated to educating individuals with a desire to serve the community through leadership. All aBoard is a high-value, low-cost opportunity to advance the leadership skills of the next generation of community leaders in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor. From basic board functions to the enhancement of current roles served, this workshop offers direction from the Corridor’s leading service and civic professionals.

Cost:

$10 - member of a sponsoring organization $20 - future members $5 - full-time students with a student i.d. Hors d’œuvres and beverages included

New Board Members ImpactCR welcomes the following new board members for fiscal year 2011. • • • • •

Lee Burress – Orchestra Iowa Mallory Mohwinkle – Downtown District Joel McDermott – Mercy Medical Center Beth Malicki – KCRG Katie Johnson – NSCA

• Amber Mussman – Cedar Rapids Public Library • Rebecca Sullens – StreetJaw • Mike Butterfield – HDR, Inc.

Fiscal year 2011 Chair is Shannon Hanson, YMCA and Chair Elect is Mitch Bloomquist, Sauter Baty Associates. Board members will begin their positions on September 1, 2010.

Best Networking Group ImpactCR was voted for the second year in a row as Best Networking Group by the Corridor Business Journal. If you are not already a member consider joining, membership is only $35/year for an individual or $50/year for a family. Consider becoming a part of this dynamic organization and make your mark! Corporate Memberships are also available, for more information on this opportunity contact Kelly Slaughter at kslaughter@cedarrapids.org or 319-730-1411.

Need Printing or Mailing?

Something for EverYone

Helen G. Nassif Marion Stoney Point YMCA Camp Wapsie

Call Chuck at

Cornerstone Press

378-4451

The

makes it possible

www.crmetroymca.org

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New workforce program launched by Priority One Priority One, the economic development division of The Chamber, has launched a new workforce website, www.myternnow.com. The long term goal of the MyTernNow website and related programming is to interest young people in career opportunities in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor and build a workforce pipeline. By attracting a talented worker pool and building a workforce pipeline, the Corridor economy will continue to grow. In addition to addressing long-term workforce needs, the website also lists internships currently available in the Corridor for high school and college students. In order for the site to properly educate the next generation of workers about the career opportunities in the Corridor, employers are asked to submit a profile on the website. By submitting a profile, employers are helping to develop a 21st century economic development workforce tool. After the profile has been created, employers can also choose to list internships or co-op positions to help with short-term workforce needs. Priority One continues to share information with students locally and across the country about career opportunities available in the region. Students are often surprised about the great career opportunities available in our area and are excited to consider the Corridor as a place of employment after graduation. By attending career fairs, career events and other events at high school and college campuses, Priority One is able to communicate the exciting amenities offered within the Corridor and present the region as an exciting place to begin a career.

www.myternnow.com today and create an on-line profile for your company.

Suspend TV talent upside down from Panchero’s ceiling at 2:15 AM? Been there. Done that.

mvpvideoproduction.com | 319.364.8900

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Events Calendar September ❖❖ Thursday, September 2

❖❖ Tuesday, September 14

October ❖❖ October 1-2 2010 Fireball Run Adventurally Road Race

Breakfast of Champions

Chamber Annual Meeting

7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Downtown Cedar Rapids

Join us for breakfast and expand your professional network. On-line registration available at www.cedarrapids.org

$40 per person, $400 table of 10

The Fireball Run Adventurally is coming to Cedar Rapids Oct 1st and departs Oct 2nd. Consider becoming part of an event striving to recover America’s missing children.

Cedar Rapids Marriott

Crowne Plaza Hotel

$20 members, $30 Future Members

On-line registration and payment available Presenting Sponsor:

❖❖ Thursday, September 16

Sponsored by:

Booth space is still available but going fast. Expo Details and registration is available online at www.cedarrapids.org

Media Partners include:

9:00 am – 5:15 pm — Community Softball Games 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm — Vendor Appreciation and Networking Exchange 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm — EXPO 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm — PM Exchange

• • • • •

Learn from exhibitors about new products & services available in the industry Discover new innovative technologies Network and mingle amongst your peers Establish new contacts Be in the same place as other professionals in your industry

Additional sponsorship opportunities still available

“It’s a hassle-free relationship.” Cindy Duran Rockwell Collins

Pete Adkins

AEGON Life & Protection BANKERS TRUST private banker: Laurie Wahlert

Cindy and Pete moved here from Indianapolis and are glad they found Bankers Trust. “We’ve never had service like this,” says Pete, “We’re incredibly impressed.” Cindy adds, “It’s like doing business with friends. They’re proactive. Whatever you need, they make it happen.”

221 Third Avenue SE 319-896-7777 400 Blairs Ferry Road NE 319-221-1230 www.bankerstrust.com Member FDIC

10 �� September 2010

BUY IN –

An economic development tool for growth The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce formally launched its BUY IN initiative nearly 18 months ago in March, 2009. The Chamber’s BUY IN initiative encourages area businesses to shift just 5% of their current out-of-area spending back into our local economy. In the first year, $2 million additional dollars have been generated in Linn County due to the companies that pledged to make the 5% shift. Much has been in the media regarding a variety of Cities’ buy-local policies. These policies give preference to companies located within their perspective city bidding for various City projects. The Chamber is supportive of a buylocal policy from government but only if it is embraced at a regional level, such as extending to include Linn County. A study conducted in 2008, revealed that more than $12 billion is spent by consumers, government agencies and businesses out of Linn County. Of that just over $8 billion of those products and services can be found right here. The Chamber’s Business Long Term Recovery case management team continues to uncover the hard truths of our small businesses affected by the disastrous floods. To-date more than 150 businesses have closed and more than 2,300 jobs lost. Although not every job or business lost can be saved by implementing the BUY IN program but the economic impact is significant. In fact, if the entire community (consumers, businesses and government) shifted 5% of its buying power into Linn County it would bring an additional $400 million annually to our county. In addition, the increased purchasing power in our region will result in new jobs. It is estimated that an additional 2,311 jobs would be required to meet the demand of a 5% shift. If you haven’t already done so, consider making the pledge to shift just 5% of your current out-of-area spending to our local regional economy. Go to www.buyinlinn.com and pledge your commitment to growing our regional economy.

Economic Impact: If the entire community participated: $400 million additional dollars annually to Linn County Create 2,311 jobs

September 2010________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11

Outing The Chamber hosted another sold out golf outing on Monday, August 2nd at Elmcrest Country Club. Participants dodged a potential rain delay as clouds gave way and allowed a Noon shotgun start as designed. The Chamber would like to thank all of their gracious sponsors that allowed the event to be a great success.

Premier Sponsor:

Cart Sponsor:

Hole-in-One Sponsor:

Dinner Sponsor: Beer Sponsor:

Congratulations to U.A. Local 125 for winning the 2010 Golf Outing.

Hole Sponsors:

Back in Line Family Chiropractic & Wellness PC Bradley & Riley PC Braun Intertec Clifton Gunderson LLP Hills Bank & Trust Company King’s Material Inc. Knutson Construction Services Lindstrom Environmental Inc. Modern Piping Inc. MVP Video Production Neil Boudreaux Salon Parks & Schmit Orthodontics PC Paulson Electric Company Presentations Rinderknecht Associates, Inc. Spur Milwork Stratos Four U.S. Bank Van Meter Industrial Veridian Credit Union Flags provided by: Spackler Marketing Photography provided by: DKP – Dan Kempf Photography Golf Balls Donated by: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort

Chamber staff stand with the Chopper Dropper winner, Deb Mazzocco (front center) who won $8,000 from this year’s event!

12 �� September 2010

Go Green with an Expanded Recycling Project

Be Mindful of Employee’s Safety and Health

Options of Linn County, a local program providing employment services to people with disabilities, is starting an expanded polystyrene (StyrofoamTM) recycling program, in conjunction with the Solid Waste Agency. Options of Linn County will have the equipment needed to break up and condense the Styrofoam into logs and those logs are then used by a vendor to re-use in other products, such as picture frames. This process closes the loop—none of the Styrofoam goes into the landfill! Options of Linn County is hosting two informational sessions to learn more about this effort. Sessions will be held in The Chamber’s boardroom on Thursday, September 9 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, September 14 from 8:00– 9:00 a.m. The sessions are free to attend, to register please contact Amber O’Connor at amber.oconnor@linncounty.org

As employers already know, the less healthy employees are, the more likely they are to miss work, be less productive on the job and have higher medical bills and workers’ compensation claims. Research shows that encouraging employees to make healthier lifestyle choices can improve their physical and mental health. Employers who can help their staff get healthier tend to enjoy increased productivity, reduced insurance costs and savings on their long-term health costs. With this in mind, Rockwell Collins is hosting an Environment, Safety and Health Fair from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Oct. 12 and from 6:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Rockwell Collins Recreation Center, 800 Collins Rd. NE. Area employers and the local community are invited to attend this free event and learn more about the importance of safety, health, ergonomic and environmental principles in the workplace, at home and throughout the community. More than 70 vendors are expected at the fair.

Mind your business. You’ve got plenty to keep you busy – no spare time to fret about basics that should be hassle free. That’s where CITY comes in. We offer a wide range of rental uniforms and mats to meet your unique needs. It’s the clean and simple way. Want a customized solution to let you focus on what really matters? Call us today and we’ll sweat the small stuff.

www.cityuniformsandmats.com 319-283-5621 800-798-5621

WORKPLACE UNIFORMS & MATS

Cle� �d simple.

September 2010________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13

New

The Ceramics Center 329 10th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Ben Jensen, Executive Director Phone: 319-365-9644 Web: www.theceramicscenter.org Email: info@theceramicscenter.org

The Ceramics Center is a non-profit facility whose purpose is to promote understanding, appreciation and professional development in the ceramic arts. The Center is organized and operated by Iowa Artworks, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization supported by earned income, grants, private contributions and memberships.

Kettlebell Adantage LLC 5249 North Park Place NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Mark Erickson, Owner Phone: 319-721-7457 Web: www.kettlebelladvantage.com Email: kettlebelladvantage@q.com

Kettlebell Advantage is the first fitness center in Cedar Rapids to offer RKC Certified Instruction dedicated to Group Kettlebell Workouts. Our RKC kettlebell instructors have undergone the world’s most rigorous of kettlebell instructor certification courses and are fully qualified to help you meet and surpass your goals, be they fat loss, strength and power development or athletic success. Come let our Instructors design and lead you through every workout that can produce twice the results in half the time.

McBre Construction 4060 Glass Rd NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 David Karon, Owner Phone: 319-654-1950 Web: www.mcbreconstruction.com Email: dkaron21@aol.com

We are a General Contracting / Building company specializing in residential remodeling, new construction and construction management. We also offer pre-construction design work as well as complete building and working drawings and prints.

Moods Salon 600 3rd Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52228 Jessica Herold, Owner Phone: 319-364-1020 Web: www.moods-salon.com Email: jessica@moods-salon.com

Moods Salon is here to add some energy and creativity to downtown Cedar Rapids. We are here to bring the latest trends in haircare, color and styling by educated and talented stylists. Moods decor has a sleek urban feel, located in the Warehouse on 3rd building.

MSI Systems Integrators David Petersen, Networking Solutions Sales Specialist Phone: 319-558-9759 Web: www.msiinet.com Email: DLPetersen@msiinet.com

MSI Systems Integrators (MSI) is an information technology services company, which provides hardware, software and services to enable its clients to gain the highest strategic, financial, operational, and organizational benefits. MSI’s goal is to enable companies to be more responsive, productive, and resilient through business technologies.

Red Nose Lighting 500 West Main Street Robins, IA 52328 Deborah Balik, Owner/President Phone: 319-558-8104 Web: www.rednoselightingiowa.com Email: rednose@msn.com

Red Nose Lighting provides the following services: Holiday & Event Lighting; Residential & Commercial; Indoors & Outdoors. We do trees, bushes, rooflines, indoor décor, novelty decorations (interior & exterior). We love Christmas, weddings, graduations, special events and more. We take care of the installation, maintenance throughout the season/event, tear down.

Spackler Marketing, Inc. Steve Fairchild Phone: 877-427-2275 Web: www.spacklermarketing.com Email: steve@spacklermarketing.com

Spackler Marketing allows advertisers to communicate their message on the most visible object on the golf course, the golf flag. This approach is unique, cost effective and reaches an exceptional demographic. Custom golf flags are also available for your golf event; honor customers, have flag/hole sponsors or use another way to make your event unique and memorable.

14 �� September 2010

ENTREPRENEURS’ CORNER

Curt Nelson, President & CEO, Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC)

Social Media, Email, and Leadership The ability to type and send messages, any time of day, in an array of methods, while arguably timesaving, creates significant communication gaffs. From email to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and phone-text messaging, bright, eloquent people are reduced to tabloid columnists with the stroke of key. Would-be leaders create irreparable damage to client and team relationships. The ability to save time ultimately works in reverse. If it is your goal to be a quality leader (or friend) in today’s environment, then it is essential that you master the communication tools you employ.

Here are a few simple rules of text-based communication: 1. Do not type or attach anything that you would not feel comfortable seeing on the front page of your local newspaper. 2. Never send text-media when you are mad. You can type it, even store it for review later, but wait until a cooler head prevails to hit send. 3. Always add the recipient(s) last – in this way you cannot accidently send without truly wanting to do so. 4. Don’t type content you wouldn’t deliver in person. If you can’t say it face-to-face – don’t type it. 5. Never use text-media to communicate on personal issues such as employee reprimands, terminations, or any interpersonal issues.

6. Remember that when you hit send, share or post – you have sent your message into the world for any and all to see – assume this is what will occur and create the content accordingly. 7. Always spell / grammar-check your copy. Your written content speaks volumes about your professional capabilities. If you are sloppy here – you are sloppy, period. 8. Never use text-media while operating a vehicle. If you take or damage a life while breaking this rule, no amount of messaging will ever set you free.

When it comes to communication technology, just because you can use it at this very minute, with this very thought – doesn’t mean that you should. Tools require skill to create the desired outcome – improve your communication skills and feel the results.

For more information, contact the Entrepreneurial Development Center at 319-369-4955 or visit us at www.edcinc.org.

Discover a New Way.

www.truenorthcompanies.com

Employee Benefits

Risk Management

Financial Strategies

Individual Solutions

September 2010________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15

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16 �� September 2010

Brosh Chapel Grand Opening

Kettlebell Advantage

Moods Salon

Office Express Office Products

Mercy Medical Center

Modern Piping

February 13

August 11

Boiler Plant Opening August 18

July 21

August 12

August 19

Featured September 2010________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17

At Work Ambassador of the Quarter

Events

New

Linda East with Community Greetings was named Second Quarter Ambassador. The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Linda’s commitment to The Chamber’s Ambassador Program and her dedication at events is greatly appreciated.

Chamber Member Benefit Jeffrey Gitomer, author of the Little Red Book of Selling, The Sales Bible and the Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude, presents on GOT SALES ATTITUDE? This seminar will be held Friday, September 24th at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel. Registration, networking and continental breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Jeffrey Gitomer presentation: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. As a Chamber Member, attendees will receive a special discounted offer of $20 off the $99 registration fee. To register visit www.gitomer.com/cedarrapids and enter the promo code: CRCHAMBER” to receive your discount. This event is sponsored by:

18 �� September 2010

August PM Exchange Recap Nearly 350 guests enjoyed the August PM Exchange held at Modern Piping. Modern Piping hosted their grand opening event with a tailgate theme complete with RV, televisions and plenty of food for its numerous guests.

SEPTEMBER PM Exchange

Have a ball at the ballpark!

PM Exchange 5:00 - 7:00 PM Thursday, September 23 VEterans Memorial Stadium A Home Run Event! Brought to you in sponsorship by:

September 2010________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19

2010 Annual Meeting Carrying the Torch for its Members Join the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at its 92nd Annual Meeting, September 14th. The annual luncheon provides the forum in which our business and community leaders come together to receive a recap of the extensive activities accomplished by The Chamber during fiscal year 2010. Keynote Speaker: Stephen Jordan, Senior Vice President and Executive Director for the Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The BCLC has been called “the coordination hub for corporate disaster response” by the Public Affairs Council and private sector’s alternative to FEMA by the Wall Street Journal. Jordan will provide insight into the opportunities and challenges that will affect the future community and economic development of Eastern Iowa and the U.S. Guest Speaker: Newly hired City of Cedar Rapids City Manager, Jeff Pomeranz will also make a few remarks at The Chamber’s annual meeting.