August 2016
IN THIS ISSUE pg 2 :: Chamber Nation Feature pg 3 :: Monthly Luncheon pg 4 :: Top 5 Business Listings pg 5 :: Affton Community Days pg 8 :: Member Events pg 9 :: Member News pg 10 :: Trivia Night pg 11 :: Member Discounts
SAVE THE DATE August 1 :: Monday Annual Golf Tournament Tapawingo National Golf Club 11:30 am Registration & Lunch 1:00 pm Shotgun Start August 10:: Wednesday Affton Community Days Meeting Affton Chamber office 5:30 pm August 11 :: Thursday Monthly Membership Meeting Garden Villas South 11:15 am-1:00 pm August 17 :: Wednesday Economic Development Meeting Affton Chamber office 9:00 am September 5 :: Monday Office Closed September 8 :: Thursday Monthly Membership Meeting Genesis Banquet Center
Saturday, September 24 Affton Community Center
find out more on page 5 SPONSORSHIPS make this event happen
participate for free in the PARADE FESTIVAL booths help your group fundraise help us by VOLUNTEERING
MISSION STATEMENT The Affton Chamber of Commerce exists to support the business and general interests of the greater Affton area, and to provide opportunities to network, advertise, and educate its member businesses.
Member Events Advertise to the Affton Chamber & community for FREE! Your event will be on our website Community Calendar & in our monthly newsletter.
You write the description so all the important information is there. Include links to your website & email.
seminars classes fundraisers
trivia nights parties
or any event
email mandy@afftonchamber.com if you need your log in credentials
Thursday, August 18 @ 12 noon Chamber Office, lower level Help us plan...RSVP to 314.631.3100 or info@afftonchamber.com If you’re interested but unable to attend, please contact the Chamber office to arrange a more convenient time.
2
PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
no speaker this month...just networking with fellow members don’t forget your elevator speech! Thursday, August 11, 2016 11:15 am Registration | 12 noon Lunch Garden Villas South 13457 Tesson Ferry, 63128
enter from Suson Hills Drive & follow signs limited parking near front door; shuttle also available $15 members | $20 non-members
register at www.afftonchamber.com by Friday, August 5
meeting sponsor
PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business
3
Claim Your Business Listing on These 5 Directories ASAP By Kitty McConnell, Manta.com Contributor September 3, 2015 Once upon a time, a small business owner only worried about placing the right address and phone number in the phone book, the go-to directory of the analogue age. Today, there are so many online directories it can be hard to keep up. You simply don’t have time to spend playing whack-a-mole with business listings. You can, however, develop a smart strategy for claiming and updating a few of the most important online listings for your small business. So which directories are worth your time and attention? Here are five big ones you’ll want to start with.
Google My Business: The search engine giant has a listing service directed at small business owners like you. Just visit google.com/business to claim or add your business to Google’s directory. From there, your business location, contact information and services will appear across Google+, Google Maps and gain traction in the search engine’s results. Like Main Street, a strong company presence here will do wonders for your business.
MapQuest: It may be a surprise, but the geo-mapping service we all use so frequently offers a listing service for businesses, allowing customers to find you while on the road and in your area. A basic listing on MapQuest will include your business name, address, phone number, website, several business categories and your longitude and latitude. To list your small business, you’ll need to email MapQuest’s support team by first visiting help.mapquest.com.
Yahoo! Local Basic Listing: Yahoo! has carved out a niche in the business world by covering the corporate world and financial markets. Add to that Yahoo! Small Business offerings, which include a free basic listing aimed at bringing local consumers to your doorstep.
Yelp: Yelp gets a bad rep among small business owners because of unfair—even biased—reviews and customer rants. But there is value in Yelp’s business listings. Visit biz.yelp.com to claim or add your business. Once claimed, however, be prepared to spend time monitoring your company page and addressing any dissatisfaction among your customers.
Bing Place for Business: It’s a good idea to make sure that your business has claimed its listing on all three major search engines. That includes Microsoft’s search engine, Bing. Bing Places for Business allows owners to claim their listing or add their company details. Simply visit bingplaces.com and walk through the steps.
Finally, the Yellow Pages kept up with the digital revolution by building SuperPages. You can claim your business page by entering your phone number at claimlisting.superpages.com. This is also a good listing to spend your time on: Many consumers still consider the Yellow Pages their go-to resource for looking up businesses.
4
PARTNERS Bronze...Commerce Bank, Gapsch CARSTAR Collision Center, Morris Family Chiropractic, SSM Health Center-St. Clare, Syberg’s: An Eating & Drinking Company
leaves Affton High School at 10 am south on Mackenzie, east on Weber west on Gravois, south on Mackenzie
to Festival at Affton White-Rodgers Community Center school bands floats cars & trucks
11 am-9 pm Games | Food Inflatables Beer Garden Police Display
main stage
11:55 am | National Anthem Noon | Juggling Jeff 1 pm | SAMMY J Balloon Variety Show 2 pm | Memories of Elvis near the beer tent
3-5 pm | A Ticket to the Beatles back on the main stage
5-9 pm | Jeremiah Johnson Band
sponsored by Harster Heating & Air Conditioning
A Community Event sponsored by www.afftonchamber.com
/afftondays PARTNERS Committed...Burns Auto Service, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique
5
6
PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
Photos © CindysPhoto.com
New Member Mark Bernard of Mark Bernard Realty.
PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business
7
Submit your event to our Community Calendar in the Member’s Area by the 15th of the month for publication in the next month’s newsletter.
Food Trucks Thursday, August 4 4:30-7:30 pm Affton Christian Church (9625 Tesson Ferry) Bring your friends and meet your neighbors for a change of pace from your everyday dinner!
Trivia Night Saturday, August 13 Doors Open 5:30 pm | Game Begins 7:00 pm The Village at Mackenzie Place (8520 Mackenzie) $160 per table of 8 includes popcorn & soda BYO snacks and drinks Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd | 50/50 | basket raffle Gather your smartest friends and family members for an evening of fun to benefit Project Wellness & resident activities. Call 314.884.7900 to register.
Credit Report Seminars August 23, 30 & 31 free and open to the public The seminars will explain what credit reports and scores are and how to read them. All registered guests will receive free educational materials and a copy of their own credit report and score (only if requested) to follow along with during the presentation. There will also be refreshments and attendance prizes. Free. Please visit www.NeighborsCU.org to register. 8
American Solar Challenge Monday, August 1 12:30-4:30 pm Ullysses S. Grant National Historic Site (7400 Grant) Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is proud to support science innovation and celebrate the National Park Service Centennial by hosting a stop on the American Solar Challenge on August 1. University teams from around the world have designed and built solar-powered cars. Those that qualify will drive them 1,975 miles on the open road during an 8-day rally, stopping at 9 different National Park Service sites in 7 states, including Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. The American Solar Challenge cars will stop at the parking lot of Grant’s Farm, adjacent to Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site on Monday, August 1 from approximately 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Visitors are invited to see the cars, visit with team members, discover how climate change impacts the Midwest, make sun-heated s’mores, and enjoy other activities. As part of the 2016 Centennial, the National Park Service has challenged itself to provide more research and education around the effects of climate change on national park resources. The Green Parks Program encourages walking, biking, ride-sharing, and use of fuelefficient or alternative-fuel vehicles. The American Solar Challenge highlights these efforts by bringing solarpowered cars to parks. Every two years, the Innovators Educational Foundation organizes the American Solar Challenge, a collegiate student design competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered vehicles in a crosscountry time/distance rally event.
PARTNERS Bronze...Commerce Bank, Gapsch CARSTAR Collision Center, Morris Family Chiropractic, SSM Health Center-St. Clare, Syberg’s: An Eating & Drinking Company
If you have hired someone, received an award, or added to your family, send it to mandy@afftonchamber.com by the 15th of the month for publication in the next month’s newsletter.
Happy 20th Anniversary to The E & A CFO Group!
Dennis Stahl & The UPS Store for the great
turnaround time and service for the July newsletter. Affton Fire Protection District for hosting the June 28 Meet & Greet Breakfast with the St. Louis Police Department-Affton Precinct. Sharpshooter’s Pit & Grill for hosting a fundraiser and donating 20% of proceeds to police officer Mike Flamion on July 23.
July Meeting Sponsor Willingham Insurance Agency. Delicious lunch at Orlando Gardens Banquet
Welcome Kristie Gabel as the new representative for America’s Incredible Pizza located at 5254 S. Lindbergh Blvd. (63126).
Center Greeters Marty Carr, Deca Realty; Tammy Scott, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique; Dr. Eric Werner, Morris Family Chiropractic. Speaker Barry Coziahr, Response Targeted Marketing
PARTNERS Committed...Burns Auto Service, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique
9
Saturday, October 15th Affton Community Center 9801 Mackenzie Road
Doors open at 6:30 PM Trivia at 7:00 PM
Trivia NIGHT $160 Per Table (Maximum of 8 people) Popcorn │Beer │Soda │Water Non-Smoking Event
Event Sponsor | $500 | 1 available includes 1 table of 8 at event Beverage Sponsor | $250 | 1 available includes opportunity to provide koozies
Round Sponsor | $100 | 3 available includes logo or name on answer sheets Poker Hand Sponsor | $100 | 1 available includes logo on all poker hands sold Popcorn Sponsor | $100 | 1 available includes logo or name on popcorn dishes also needed: Silent Auction or Raffle Donations VOLUNTEERS FOR THAT EVENING! visit WWW.AFFTONCHAMBER.COM or CALL THE CHAMBER: 314-631-3100 to:
become a sponsor | reserve a table | donate an item | be a volunteer 10
PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
Thanks to the following businesses and organizations for renewing their memberships. Year joined is in parentheses. Listed renewals are June 23 to July 20.
Cricket Wireless (2015) DEH Jewelers Inc. (2009) Gateway Tree Care (2015)
The 50/50 amount of $45 was won by Pat Yaeger of Citizens for Pat Yaeger. Trevor Willingham of Willingham Insurance Agency donated golf items won by: Chief Jim Fritz, Affton Fire Protection District Linda Henry, County Executive’s Office Julie Loyet, St. Louis Community College Want to see your name mentioned here? Attend a meeting, buy 50/50 tickets & win OR donate an item for the 50/50 drawing.
Shop Chamber Members! To take advantage of the following discounts, take along your newsletter as proof of membership or stop by the Chamber office to pick up a card showing you are a current member. Add your company to this list!!! A Plus Printing Services—10% discount on printing & copying. Ad Source One—10% discount. Advance Carpet One—10% discount on any non-sale item. Crown Optical—10% off all eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses & accessories. Not valid with insurance or other discount plans. The E & A CFO Group—One month free payroll or other accounting service with 1 year commitment. Call for free quote. Extra Space Storage—Receive 5% off your monthly rent. Ask Patrick for details. F2 Garage Door Solutions—Free Installation with Purchase of Garage Armour Security Kit ($35.00 value). Fran Ann Engraving—10% off purchase from store. John G’Sell DDS—10% discount off services. Gateway Alarm, Inc.—Receive 3 months free monitoring with a new system. Gateway Tree Care—10% off services. Great Clips-Schnucks Plaza—Haircuts: $10.99, $5 off perms, & 20% off products. Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique—10% discount off services. Infinity Hair Design—15% OFF your first precision haircut or color. Mehlville-Oakville Alumni Assoc—$5 discount (regularly $15) for Alumni by Choice Membership for non-alumni owned businesses Mops in Motion, Inc.—$10 discount on cleaning service of 3 hours or more. Morris Family Chiropractic—Meet the Doctor “Special”: New Patient Free Services: Consultation, Exam & Report of Findings. Park Forest Apartments—Application fee waived and 13 month lease with 1 month free. Pauline’s Place Adult Day Care, LLC—Any enrolled senior family member who is admitted for a year will receive a $10 discount with private pay attendance of 6 or more Monday to Friday hours. Southern Floral Shop—10% discount on each order, or free mylar balloon with a purchase. Ziegenhein Funeral Home—FREE METAL CASKET with "traditional" funeral service for US Veteran or paid pre-need funeral contract If you would like to see your business in this monthly column, simply offer a discount by WRITING OUT the discount and emailing or faxing it to the Chamber office. Your dues must be current.
ADVERTISE WITH THE AFFTON CHAMBER!
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING
reaches over 350 business leaders & decision-makers
Business Card - starting at $30 Quarter Page - starting at $50 Half Page - starting at $75 Full Page - starting at $450
Newsletter Flyer Insert - $100/month contact info@afftonchamber.com for more info or to begin today
Classified Ads New Feature of the Member’s Area! Services | Items for Sale Properties | Job Openings Submit your ad for free… it’s on our website for the public to see!
PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business
11
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
AFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.afftonchamber.com 9815 Mackenzie Road Affton, MO 63123-5424
P AID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT No. 3156
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers President
Support the schools in 63123!
Provide scholarships to seniors at Affton High School, Bayless High School, Cor Jesu Academy, and Lutheran High School South. Donate to senior lock-in parties. Provide welcome bags to new teachers at Affton & Bayless School Districts, Cor Jesu Academy, and Lutheran High School South. Donate to schools that provide workers for our inflatable rides at Affton Community Days.
Because great schools produce great citizens! 12
Carrie Carrigan Great Southern Bank President-Elect Dr. Eric Werner Morris Family Chiropractic Vice-President Dr. Steve Brotherton Affton School District Secretary Kayla Lackner American Eagle Credit Union Treasurer Dane Huxel State Farm Insurance Directors Michael Bamvakais Dill, Bamvakais & Newsham, PC Keith Brooks Sharpshooters Pit & Grill Marty Carr Deca Realty Patricia Cowan Rainmaker Sales Support Chief Jim Fritz Affton Fire Protection District Capt. Jeff Fuesting St. Louis County Police-Affton Charlie Merx Merx Flooring Tammy Scott Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique Suzanne Welker Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes Trevor Willingham Willingham Insurance Agency Lisa Rackley Mandy Montgomery
Executive Director Office Assistant
Saturday, September 24th Parade 10 a.m./Festival 11 a.m. Festival at Affton Community Center 9801 Mackenzie Road Affton, MO 63123
The Affton Community Days Parade & Festival are made possible by the financial contributions of our members and the community. Thank you for your support!
Presenting Sponsor (exclusive) $2,500
“Presented By” & logo on all marketing materials, Presenting Verbiage on Signage at Main Stage, “Presented By” & logo on Affton Community Days website & on front cover of booklet distributed along parade route
Patron (non-exclusive)
$1,000
Promoter (non-exclusive)
Supporter (non-exclusive)
$250
Signage at Sponsored Area Company Name on Affton Community Days website & in booklet distributed along parade route please select area: Security Tables & Chairs Parade Bands Chamber Tent Food Tent Festival Set Up Beer Garden Hometown Hero
$600
Signage at Sponsored Area Logo on Affton Community Days website & in booklet distributed along parade route please select area: Beer Garden Band Memories of Elvis Inflatable's SAMMY J Balloons
$400
Signage at Sponsored Area Company Name on Affton Community Days website & in booklet distributed along parade route please select area: Sound System Main Stage
Signage at Main Stage “Presented By” & Company Name on entertainment schedule, Logo on Affton Community Days website & in booklet distributed along parade route
Enthusiast (non-exclusive)
Monetary Donation
$_______
Minimum donation of $100 receives: Company Name on Affton Community Days website & in booklet distributed along parade route
For more information or to become a sponsor contact: Affton Chamber of Commerce 314.631.3100 | info@afftonchamber.com | afftonchamber.com Please return this form to the Chamber office at 9815 Mackenzie Road, Affton, MO 63123
Business:_________________________________________ Name:_________________________________ Address:___________________________________City:__________________________Zip Code:_________ Telephone:___________________________Email Address:________________________________________ Method of Payment: Check (enclosed)
Credit Card
Credit Card Number:_____________________________________ Expiration Date:____Security Code:_____
AFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“80’s” TRIVIA NIGHT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15th @ 7:00pm Doors open at 6:30 Affton White-Rodgers Community Center 9801 Mackenzie Road, Affton, MO 63123 G Presenting Sponsor | $500 | 1 Available
G Poker Hand Sponsor | $100 | 1 Available
Table of 8 at event Company logo on all answer sheets On-site signage Acknowledgement by emcee during event Logo as “Event Sponsor” on all promotional materials Logo placement on screen at beginning and conclusion of slides Option to provide company ink pens or pencils (company provides) Judge the best “80’s” table
G Beverage Sponsor | $250 | 1 Available
On-site signage Acknowledgement by emcee during event Name and logo featured on all event promotional materials Option to provide company koozie cups for beverages
G Popcorn Sponsor | $100 | SOLD-Merx Flooring
On-site signage Acknowledgement by emcee during event Name and logo featured on all event promotional materials Company logo on all envelopes containing poker hands
G Round Sponsor | $100 | 1 Available
On-site signage Acknowledgement by emcee during event Name and logo featured on all event promotional materials Name and Logo placement on round answer sheet & slide
G Silent Auction/Raffle Donations | Cost: Your Choice!
In addition to sponsorships or purchasing tables, we welcome any Silent Auction or Raffle items you wish to donate. Please list items on the reservation form.
On-site signage Acknowledgement by emcee during event Name and logo featured on all event promotional materials
For more information or to become a sponsor contact: Affton Chamber of Commerce 314.631.3100 | info@afftonchamber.com | afftonchamber.com Please return this form to the Chamber office at 9815 Mackenzie Road, Affton, MO 63123
Business:_________________________________________ Name:_________________________________ Address:___________________________________City:__________________________Zip Code:_________ Telephone:___________________________Email Address:________________________________________ Method of Payment: Check (enclosed) ______ Charge: ______ Charge Card Number:_____________________________________ Expiration Date:____Security Code:_____ Silent Auction / Raffle Donation:________________________________________________________________
AFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT
Saturday, October 15th Affton Community Center 9801 Mackenzie Road
Doors open at 6:30 PM Trivia at 7:00 PM
Trivia NIGHT $160 Per Table (Maximum of 8 people) Non-Smoking Event Popcorn │Beer │Soda │Water
Event Sponsor Beverage Sponsor Round Sponsor
Poker Hand Sponsor Popcorn Sponsor Theme Table Contest
FOR INFORMATION, CLICK ON WWW.AFFTONCHAMBER.COM OR CALL THE CHAMBER: 314-631-3100 Return completed form and check made payable to: Affton Chamber of Commerce, 9815 Mackenzie Rd., Affton, MO 63123-5425 or Fax completed form & credit card information to 314-631-3102 We accept Discover, Mastercard, & Visa Paid by Check Credit Card Total Payment @ $160 per table___________ Credit Card #______________________________ Name_________________________________ Name of Card _____________________________ Address_______________________________ Exp. Date_____________CVV Code____________ Zip___________________________________ Billing Address #_______ Billing Zip Code _______ Phone________________________________ Signature_________________________________