Chamber Chatter July/August 2016

2016

JULY/AUGUST

the Chamber

Chatter THE MEMBER NEWS & INFORMATION RESOURCE

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESS

Sign Up Early & Save GWCC Welcomes Back Disney Institute Learn the secrets behind Disney’s Award-winning Customer Service, and how you can teach your employees these practices.

With more than 90 years of world-renowned customer service, no one understands this better than Disney.

Introducing An Exciting New Program: Disney’s Approach to Quality Service

Monday, September 19, 2016 8:00am – 4:00pm The Desmond Hotel, Malvern

Chamber Member Pricing: $339 (7/2 - 9/19)

Alliance Member Pricing (Chambers in Chester Co.):

$359 (7/2 - 9/19)

Non-Member Pricing: $399 (7/2 - 9/19)

For details and registration, visit GreaterWestChester.com

CHAMBER Mark Yoder President

Staff

Dave Fairman Director of Membership

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESS

CHAMBER

Board

Bethany Kopp Event & Program Manager

Inside this ISSUE p.3 “Fraud Is Closer Than You Think”

By Kathy Wileczek

p.5 “USA CRITS Championship Finals”

Robert Partridge, Chairman Cutanea Life Sciences

Patrick McKenna, Secretary Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

Marc Ernest, Vice Chairman Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union

Donna Urian, Immed. Past Chair Fischer Cunnane & Associates, Ltd.

Marjorie Wentz, Treasurer Trinity Wealth Management, LLC Laura Aloisio DARE Dave’s Automotive Repair Service

Liz Golding BB&T

Marisa Powell Pietro’s Prime

Matt Holliday Chester County Prothonotary

Kevin Rothwell Rothwell Document Solutions

John C. Cunningham Lamb McErlane PC

Quazi Khaled Mars Drinks North America, LLC

Mark Sammarone Arthur Hall Insurance

David Ehrhart West Chester Area School District

Michael G. Louis MacElree Harvey

Jack Enright Fred Beans Ford Lincoln of West Chester

Jeannie McGinn Fulton Bank

Mickey Broyles-Hall Francis Hall Insurance Services

Debi Friedmann Blue Dog Printing & Design Thomas Gavin The Chester County Hospital

Brad Moore Moore Maguire Real Estate Group/ Keller Williams

p.9 “The Growing Pains of an evoloving connected world”

By Paul Dolnick

Donna Saul Donna Saul LLC, Assoc. Business Strategist & Consultant Leigh Timberman Infiniti of West Chester Daniel Zajac SimoneZajac Wealth Management Group, LLC

Matt Shea West Chester University

Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce 119 North High Street West Chester, PA 19380 tel 610.696.4046 / fax 610.696.9110 www.GreaterWestChester.com

p.6 Upcoming Events Summer

Don’t forget to check out our new Chamber members!

See the full list on p. 4

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Twilight excitement!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

USA CRITS Cycling Championship Finals coming to West Chester!

More excitement than ever as top professional men and women cyclists compete for the USA CRITS National Championship!

Pro Women’s Cycling Championship

Pro Men’s Cycling Championship

Tolsdorf Trike Challenge

Benchmark Community Festival

West Chester Dental Arts Kid’s Bike Race

PLUS...

Kid’s Zone Family Fun Activities Great Food AND LOTS MORE!

Presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce

GreaterWestChester.com TITLE SPONSOR

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Chamber Chatter NEWS

PARTNER SPONSORS

SIGNATURE SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

FRAUD is closer than you think Accounting scandals and fraud cases have consumed the news and media recently and studies have shown that no company or individual is immune to the impact of fraud.

Small businesses and non- profit organizations are vulnerable to fraud due to excessive trust, lack of basic controls and leadership’s neglect to monitor financial transactions.

In many small businesses the owner is actively working the business and frequently depends on long-term trusted employees to work without supervision or monitoring. At some point circumstances change for the employee and there is a need that their current financial resources can’t cover. The initial fraud action may begin with the mindset that the action will happen only once and will be repaid when things turn around.

When the transaction is not questioned or discovered it creates a confidence that may quickly accelerate the size and frequency of the theft.

Many fraud perpetrators exhibit certain behavioral characteristics that can serve as warning signs of their fraudulent actions. These red flags include living beyond one’s means, personal financial difficulties, excessive control issues, an employee with an unusually close relationship with a vendor or customer, divorce or other family problems, irritability and defensiveness, addiction problems, complaints about inadequate pay, and refusal to take vacations or other paid time off.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2012 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse exposed the truly global nature of occupational fraud, as well as the severity and impact of these crimes.

By: Kathy Wileczek

Some key highlights from the study are outlined below: • Fraud cases reported lasted a median of 18 months before being detected.

• Tips are the most likely detection method at 43%, followed by management review, internal audit and “by accident”.

• The smallest organizations in the study suffered the largest median losses because they typically employ fewer anti-fraud internal controls than larger organizations which increases their vulnerability to fraud.

• Nearly half of the victim organizations do not recover any of the losses suffered due to fraud.

• Most occupational fraudsters (87%) are first-time offenders with clean employment and criminal histories.

Creating an environment to prevent fraud does not have to be expensive or time consuming. There are basic controls and monitoring that even the smallest business can effectively apply. While fraud may not be 100% preventable, controls, procedures and monitoring help an honest person remain honest.

A Certified Fraud Examiner or Certified Public Accountant can help owners and management identify existing fraud risks and implement proper controls to help reduce the company’s risk of fraud in the future.

Kathy Wileczek, CPA, is an associate at Umbreit, Korengel & Associates, P.C., a full-service certified public accounting firm, offering a complete range of financial consulting, planning and tax services that help you run and grow your company most efficiently.

kwileczek@ukacpa.com | 610-444-3222 | www.ukacpa.com

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The Chamber Welcomes NEW MEMBERS American Red Cross

Bruce T. Cavin, AIA

Ms. Jane Bridwell 2221 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19103 610-375-4758; Fax 215-299-4089 jane.bridwell@redcross.org www.redcross.org/local/eastern-pa

Mr. Bruce Cavin 401 Sunset Hollow Road West Chester, PA 19380 610-405-4043 b.cavin@archalli.com

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

BHHS Fox&Roach Realtors

ARCHITECTS

Samaritans At Last, LLC

Ms. Rachelle Beebe 1234 West Chester Pike West Chester, PA 19380 610-431-1100; Fax rachelle.beebe@foxroach.com www.rachellebeebe.com

Ms Jennifer Stevens 1055 Westlakes Drive Suite 300 Berwyn, PA 19312 610-566-1361; Fax 610-500-5223 jennifer.stevens@samaritansatlast.org www.samaritansatlast.org

REAL ESTATE

ADULT/SENIOR CARE SERVICES

BRS Insurance Services

Steele House Nutrition

Mr. James Murphy 281 E. Evergreen Street Suite 2 West Grove, PA 19390 484-667-8410; Fax 484-667-8657 jim@brsservices.net www.brsservicesinc.com

Tavish Steele 237 E Gay St Unit #4 West Chester, PA 19382 515-570-3678; Fax steelehousenutrition@gmail.com www.steelehousenutrition.co

INSURANCE

NUTRITION & WEIGHT LOSS

Lorenzo and Son’s Pizza

The Accounting Office, Inc.

Mr. Giuseppe Pulizzi 27 N. High Street West Chester, PA 19380 484-999-8756; Fax lorenzoandsonswestchester@gmail.com www.lorenzoandsonspizza.com

Ms. Joan Stokely 433 W. Market Street, Suite 6 West Chester, PA 19382 484-266-0480; Fax 484-266-0272 accountingteam@accounting-inc.com www.accounting-inc.com

FOOD & BEVERAGES

ACCOUNTANTS

PA Leadership Charter School

VISTA.Today

Dr. Heidi Gough 1332 Enterprise Drive West Chester, PA 19380 610-701-3333; Fax 610-701-3339 info@palcs.org www.palcs.org

Mr. Ken Knickerbocker 737 Constitution Drive Exton, PA 19341 610-256-9571; Fax kknickerbocker@vista.today http://vista.today/

SCHOOLS/COLLEGES/ UNIVERSITIES

PUBLISHERS (PRINT OR ONLINE)

Celebrating

Chamber Membership

ANNIVERSARIES Please help us congratulate these businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries with the Greater West Chester Chamber in the months May and June 2016.

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Lara Ross Agency / State Farm Insurance D’A scenzo’s Gelato 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Neumann University Limoncello Ristorante, LLC 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TD Bank - West Chester Colborn and Associates B. Neil Gentry Excavating and Septic Jim Robins, Consultant 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Independence Blue Cross Strasburg Court Apartments

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USA CRITS Championship FinalsCOMES TO WEST CHESTER

For the last 11 years the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series has grown in significance as one of the most important cycling events in the country. On August 20, 2016, the annual event takes a quantum leap forward by becoming the venue for the USA CRITS Championship Finals for top men and women professional riders. The event is the culmination of the 10-race USA CRITS Championship Series, now celebrating its 10th Anniversary.

“We are pleased to bring this prestigious race to West Chester,” said Mark Yoder, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the race organizer. “It takes the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series to a new level of excitement.”

The concept behind the USA CRITS Championship Series is similar to the Formula One Championship Series. Both use a points system and a set of rules to which all participants must comply. This year’s USA CRITS season consists of ten races, known as criteriums held on public roads usually in towns and cities where spectators can enjoy the racing action as well as the ambiance and festivities the locale offers. Riders are awarded points primarily based on placement with the winning rider earning 200 points. Additional points are awarded for sprinting prowess, lap leads and other criteria. Separate cash purses of equal value will be awarded in both the pro men’s Iron Hill Twilight Criterium and pro women’s championship final.

One thing is certain, not only will the top riders in both

the men’s and women’s series be on hand, but the top winners of last year’s USA CRITS Championship Finals are also expected to compete in West Chester.

Since its inception in 2005, the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series has brought thousands of race spectators and their families onto the streets of West Chester where they get an up-close look at top athletes as they race in the downtown streets at speeds up to 35 mph and more. As host for the 2016 finals in the USA CRITS Championship calendar, Yoder expects that this year’s Iron Hill Twilight Race Series will be the largest turnout since the race’s inception.

In addition to top-notch professional bike racing, the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series, now in its 12th year, will be packed with lots of family-friendly events and activities throughout West Chester.

The fun and excitment begins at 4 PM when the Kid’s Zone, Benchmark Community Festival and the Market Street Block Party open to the public. It is also when the West Chester Dental Arts Kid’s Race, a series of age-determined sprints for children between 3 and 10, kick of the evening’s racing events. Bigger tricycles will take over the street soon after with the Tolsdorf Twilight Trike Challenge, a double-elimination tag-team race. The excitement will continue to build, first with the Rothman Institute Amateur Men’s Race, followed by the Pro Women’s Championship Series Final and culminating with the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium/USA CRITS Championship Series Final.

Truth be told, this day of nail-biting competitive racing will have started much earlier with the Rothman

(­continued on page 7)

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Summer EVENTS CALENDAR

Grow your network.

THURSDAY, JULY 14 | 5:30PM – 7:30PM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10 | 5:30PM – 7:30PM

Business Card Exchange

Business Card Exchange

Enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors’doeuvres while networking with other guests!

Finish out the summer by making new connections at this well-attended annual exchange.

128 South High St., West Chester Free for members | $10 for non-members RSVP is appreciated

1155 West Chester Pike, West Chester Free for members | $10 for non-members RSVP is appreciated

FAME FIRE COMPANY OF WEST CHESTER  

All highly-trained volunteers

Regional Rescue Task Force member serving 500,000 Chester County citizens and businesses 

Looking to break ground on a new addition in 2016!

Please visit www.famefireco.org to learn more about our capital campaign!

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Chamber Chatter NEWS

Advertise with THE CHAMBER

1 Issue 3 Issues

6 Issues

(2 Months) (6 Months) (12 Months)

Save 10% Save 20% Half Page Package (includes web & eblast ad) 7.5” (w) x 4.75” (h) . . . . . . . . $300.00.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $565.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000.00 Full Page Package (includes web & eblast ad) 7.5” (w) x 9.75” (h) . . . . . . . . $345.00.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $850.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,500.00 Space reservation is due by the 1st of the month prior to publication (i.e. March/April edition-reserve by Feb. 1, submit ad by Feb. 15).

The Chamber Chatter is a bi-monthly publication with a circulation of 1100. It is free to members of the Chamber. Editorial Content and advertising is limited to Chamber members. Editorial coverage does not imply or indicate Chamber endorsement of members business, product or services.

­continued from page 5 Institute Amateur Cycling Trials at 8:00 a.m. and running until 3:00 p.m. on the campus of Bayard Rustin High School in West Chester. This series of nine criterium-style races is open to Cat. 2, 3, 4, 5 men and women riders, as well as masters 35+, 45+, 55+, 65+ and juniors 9 to 18. The top qualifiers in selected categories will help determine the field for the aforementioned Iron Hill Twilight Criterium Amateur Finals.

“Over the last decade the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series has become the biggest public event in West Chester,” said Yoder. “Now with the best-ofthe-best certain to be competing here, visitors can count on a really exciting day of bicycle racing – and much more!”

Details of all the day’s activities can be found at GreaterWestChester.com.

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Dan Holloway (AltoVelo-SeaSucker) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Ryan Aitcheson (Astellas Cycling Team) to win last year’s Iron Hill Twilight Criterium in downtown West Chester, PA Poconos native Laura VanGilder (left) outsprinted Amy Cutler to win the 2015 Pro Women’s Criterium in West Chester, PA, making it her 5th first-place finish at the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series.

fultonbank.com | 1.800.FULTON.4 Fulton Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Loans are subject to credit approval. Fulton Bank is not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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AAA Mid-Atlantic presents…

Tropical Costa Rica 9 Days • 13 Meals • March 18 – 26, 2017 Highlights: San Jose, Coffee Plantation, Guanacaste, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges Tour, Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal Cruise, Cooking Demonstration, Cano Negro Refuge, Zarcero, National Theatre

You’re invited…to a special travel presentation!

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 5:30PM Pietro’s Prime 125 W Market St. West Chester, PA 19382

RSVP or for more information contact Linda Downing at 610.696.8100 ext. 71911 or email ldowning@aaamidatlantic.com

Travel provided by CST# 2006766-20 UBN# 601220855 Nevada Seller of Travel Registration No. 2003-0279

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Chamber Chatter NEWS

The Growing Pains of an evoloving connected world

By: Paul Dolnick

For many businesses, we are becoming more dependent on wireless and the reality of cloud-based applications. This brings with it greater demands on our WiFi networks and the bandwidth needed to be productive.

Let’s delve into the circumstantial conditions and the physical constraints that many companies and institutions are experiencing as a result. Ready?

The time was that a business could measure its needs based upon ’butts in a chair’, each user accounted for one connected device. With the advent of wireless, and the liberation it promised, organizations added access points allowing users to connect to the network without being cabled. Now, notebooks, tablets and smartphones are pervasive, some companies are even opting to forego cabling on new and fit-out facilities. Translating the impact of this reality, the average organizational infrastructure is now functioning at only fifty percent of the new load requirement.

Weighing further on effectiveness is the increased dependence upon hosted industry software, the cloud.

Most businesses are running on the same broadband as they did four or five years ago when the applications running the operation were internally installed. Often these connections are asynchronous, having more downward speed than up because we pulled down information and only sent up clicks, which dampens user’s present bidirectional data traffic needs.

Furthermore, whereas we could suffer with the temporary loss of the internet as work could be conducted unaffected, today productivity would screech to a halt were we to lose this vital link to the systems we rely so heavily upon.

Few businesses have adapted by introducing a redundant Internet Service Provider (ISP).

With increases in both users/devices and broadband, and potentially a secondary ISP, businesses and institutions are

compelled to meet demands that firewalls, installed even two to three years ago, are ill-equipped to handle. To meet the challenge, stronger firewalls with greater throughput and higher user/device counts are necessary.

Lastly, the wireless access points used to connect these users and their devices are often undersized. Wireless access points are governed by standards which define speed, range and the number of connection supported.

Older access points supported significantly less connections and had far less range; they were typically installed for a unique purpose, such as a conference room.

With the introduction of additional areas like offices, hallways, manufacturing floors, etc. newer access points are necessary; the current standard can accommodate four times the number of connections at two and one half times the range and deliver twice the speed.

In short, it’s time for the average organization to reevaluate their readiness for a world that is different than it was merely a few short years ago. The decisions you make today will affect your company’s efficiency tomorrow.

Reliance on old models is an impractical approach to our evolving connected world; they lack the capability and capacity to deliver scalability, dependability and agility. These issues ought to be the topic of discussions you should be having with your IT provider, more aptly, that they should be having with you.

Paul Dolnick is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Computer Systems Resource, Inc. The West Chester based company is offering clients network installation, administration, multiple platform integration and disaster preparedness with prompt consistent service.

610.430.3308 | csri-qt.com

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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce 119 North High Street West Chester, PA 19380

AU TO R E PA I R

AU TO B O DY

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West Chester, PA Permit #177

AU TO O U T L E T

301 S. Bolmar Street, West Chester, PA 19382 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday | 8:30-4:00 Saturday

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610-696-7153

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