January 2014 by La Crosse Chamber

lacrossechamber.com | January 2014

Welcome & Thank You to Incoming & Outgoing Board Members

New Year, New Look! Over the past couple of months, the Chamber has gone through many positive changes! Maximize your involvement & business exposure with the NEW & IMPROVED Chamber benefits!

Joel Guberud Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc.

Chris Hardie La Crosse Tribune

Ed Jaekel JRM & Associates, LLC

The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce extends a big thank you to Rick Artman of Viterbo University, Jerry Jorgensen of TCI Architects/ Engineers/ Contractor, Inc., Jan Pearson of Scott Kish Joe Poehling Trust Point, Inc. and Schumacher-Kish First Supply, LLC Kim Valiquette of Funeral Home, Inc. CenturyLink for their past years of dedicated service to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The Chamber welcomes the following five new Chamber Board Members: Joel Guberud of Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc., Chris Hardie of the La Crosse Tribune, Ed Jaekel of JRM & Associates, LLC, Scott Kish of Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, Inc. and Joe Poehling of First Supply, LLC.

In this Issue: 2 2 3 5 6

Upcoming Events business after hours New members connecting members to Members ribbon cuttings & Ground Breakings A Publication of

Watch for your new 2014 Membership Directory to be delivered to you on January 10 during Operation Thank you!

• Newsletter Advertising • Business After Hours • Sponsorship Opportunities There is more information throughout the Chamber Connection to keep you up-to-date with all the ways you can get involved with your La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce!

DID YOU KNOW? The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce offers ACH Debit procedure as a method of paying your Chamber membership dues. If you wish to have your dues directly debited from your bank account, please contact Lynn Holtze for an authorization form. She can be reached at 608-784-4880, Ext. 223, or lynn.holtze@lacrossechamber.com. Other forms of payment accepted are cash, check, Mastercard or VISA. You can also receive your membership invoice either by e-mail or regular mail. If you are now receiving your invoice through regular mail and you wish to receive it by e-mail or vice versa, please contact Lynn.

Mark Your Calendar!

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Thursday, January 9 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Piggy’s on Front More information on Page 2!

608-784-4880

2014 La Crosse Area Chamber Leadership Executive Committee Bruce Friell - Chair Gundersen Health System Jack Peplinski - Chair-Elect & Treasurer Altra Federal Credit Union Dave Booth - Past Chair WXOW-19 Dyanne Brudos US Bank National Association Joe Kruse Mayo Clinic Health System Cindy Prindle Hawkins Ash CPAs, LLP Dan Wettstein Wettstein’s

Board of Directors Dave Clements - Ex-Oﬃcio La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Mike Desmond Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse Joel Guberud Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc. Chris Hardie La Crosse Tribune James Hill - Ex-Oﬃcio La Crosse Area Development Corporation Ed Jaekel JRM & Associates, LLC Scott Kish Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, Inc. Sue Kolve-Feehan The Salon Professional Academy Forrest Moe Schomburg Refrigeration Co., Inc. Steve Nicolai Nicolai Apartments Annette O’Hern School District of La Crosse Joe Poehling First Supply, LLC Kevin Roop Hale, Skemp, Hanson, Skemp & Sleik Blake Winters Pischke Motors of La Crosse, Inc.

Upcoming Events January 1 | NEW YEAR’S Day

Happy New Year! Chamber Office Closed

January 9 | Business After hours

You’re Invited!

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Thursday, January 9 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Located at: Piggy’s Restaurant 501 Front Street S., La Crosse Free for Chamber Members!

January 10 | Operation Thank you The 23rd Annual Operation Thank You event is on Friday, January 10. We are looking for volunteers to assist the Chamber staff by personally hand delivering the Chamber’s Membership Directory to approximately 1,200 business leaders. Volunteers will visit Chamber members and thank them for their continued Chamber support throughout the year. Volunteers can choose what businesses they would like to visit, if they have a preference. Volunteers will receive a complimentary continental breakfast at 8:00 a.m. at the Chamber Office, pick up the directories and plan their own delivery schedule for the day. If you would like to volunteer and make new business contacts, give your business visibility, and have fun in the process, contact Lindsay Braatz, Membership Director, at 608-784-4880, Ext. 225, or lindsay.braatz@lacrossechamber.com.

Chamber Staff

February 6 | Business Day in Madison

Bill Schmitz, Interim Executive Director 608-784-4880, Ext. 226 bill.schmitz@lacrossechamber.com

Business Day in Madison will be on Thursday, February 6 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison. Local Chambers of Commerce across Wisconsin are partnering with 17 other statewide organizations to bring Wisconsin’s premier legislative event to Madison. Featured presentations and speakers are:

Lindsay Braatz, MembershipDirector 608-784-4880, Ext. 225 lindsay.braatz@lacrossechamber.com Lynn Holtze, Finance Director 608-784-4880, Ext. 223 lynn.holtze@lacrossechamber.com Dawn Honken, Oﬃce Manager 608-784-4880, Ext. 222 dawn.honken@lacrossechamber.com Melisa Valencia, Program Manager 608-784-4880, Ext. 224 melisa.valencia@lacrossechamber.com

• “It Can Still Be Morning in America” by Govenor Scott Walker and Charles Payne • “Politics and Public Policy: 2014 and Beyond” by A.B. Stoddard • “Never Quit: The Story of a Life Built on Successful Missions” by Robert O’Neill • “A Tour of a Challenged World” by Daniel Christman Rates are $165/person ($1220 per table of 8). To register, visit www.businessdayinmadison.com. If you have questions, contact 608-258-3400.

Welcome!

New Members The Alliance

5510 Nobel Drive, Suite 200 P.O. Box 44365 Fitchburg, WI 53711 (608) 276-6620 (800) 223-4139 Fax: (608) 276-6626 www.the-alliance.org Debora Kunferman, Provider Relations Health Care

Ameritas Group

317 4th Street S., Suite 301 La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 386-7030 (888) 313-9061 Fax: (888) 600-5304 www.ameritasgroup.com Jeremy Earp, Large Group Rep Brian Siegenthaler, Large Group Rep Lori Terry, Small Group Manager Insurance

Birthright of La Crosse

115 5th Avenue South, Suite 406 La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 782-0373 www.birthright.org Jan Prokes, Director Charitable Organizations

Dependable Solutions, Inc.

3815 Mormon Coulee Road, Suite 104 La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 519-5665 www.dpndbl.com Joe Ruskey, Owner Computer Sales & Services

C & E Builders

55 Copeland Avenue La Crosse, WI 54603 (608) 519-5623 Roy Crutchfield

Questions?

Ok, so - you’re a new (or current) member of the La Crosse Chamber and you’re not sure of what to do next? Contact Lindsay Braatz, Membership Director, at 608-784-4880, Ext. 225 or lindsay.braatz@lacrossechamber.com with your question(s) and she will be happy to answer your question(s) on how to become more involved!

Cartridge World

1220 Crossing Meadows Drive Onalaska, WI 54650 (608) 783-2644 www.CartridgeWorld.com Dustin Williams, Manager Ink & Toner Refills

Congratulations to January’s Member of the Month!

Active Chiropractic Clinic is the Chamber’s featured member of the month. Dr. Mark Cassellius provides chiropractic care for people of all ages. Other services available are DOT & NON-DOT physicals & drug testing. Live Active. Visit their web site today at www.activechiropractic.us!

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Are You a young Professional?

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Young Professionals of the

C oulee R egion

If you are between the ages of 21-40, please consider joining the Young Professionals of the Coulee Region! Contact Melisa Valencia, Program Manager, at the La Crosse Chamber for more information: 608-784-4880, Ext. 224, or melisa.valencia@ lacrossechamber.com.

YOUR AD HERE! Business Card Size Ad (3.5” x 2”): $150

ANNUAL DISCOUNT COMMITMENT: Buy 11 consecutive ads, get 1 FREE.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Color: Full Color (CMYK) • .pdf or jpeg file needed • All ad material must be to the Chamber by 10th day of the month prior to publication. Please note: Rates subject to change. Based on availability.

www.lacrossechamber.com

Connecting

Business & Education

54th Annual Honor Student Banquet Set for April 30 The Business and Student Education Committee of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the 54th Annual Honor Student Banquet on Wednesday, April 30, 7:00 p.m., at UW-L, Cartwright Center, Valhalla. The purpose of this annual event is to pay tribute to and honor the achievements of the top 5% of the graduating seniors from 11 area high schools. You can show your support of our area youth and the importance of a good education by sponsoring one or more of the students at a cost of $160 per student. As a sponsor, you and a guest will have the opportunity to attend the banquet along with the student(s) and his/her parent(s). All sponsors will be listed in the program for the evening, on the table tent mementos for the students, and acknowledged in the Chamber’s newsletter.

December Youth Leadership was held at Various Volunteer Locations The 3rd session for the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program was held on Tuesday, December 3. Students arrived at the Chamber and Bekky Mayfield, Volunteer Coordinator for the Habitat ReStore, spoke to the students about the different volunteer opportunites with Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat ReStore. The students split into different groups and volunteered at Riverfront, Inc.; The Salvation Army; The Salvation Army Christmas Boutique and The Hunger Task Force. After two hours of volunteer work at their specified areas, the students returned to the Chamber to discuss their volunteer experiences. Many of the students commented that it was an eye-opening experience to see, first-hand, what struggles and obstacles many people face on a day-to-day basis. They also commented that they are very thankful for what they have and that they are excited to volunteer again in the future. A special thanks goes out to Bekky Mayfield, Dawn Honken and everyone else who assisted with the Youth Leadership Program at various volunteer locations!

A list of student honorees will be available later this month. If you are interested in sponsoring a student(s), please contact Dawn Honken at 608-784-4880, Ext. 222, or dawn.honken@lacrossechamber.com.

Bekky Mayfield, Volunteer Coordinator at the Habitat ReStore, talked with the students about volunteer opportunities at the Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat ReStore. She also played a game of “Habitat for Humanity” Bingo! (Left)

Students had fun as they volunteered at Hunger Task Force by separating and organizing all of the food donations received from the Rotary lights from the previous weekend! (Right)

Sponsorship Questions? Contact Lindsay Braatz, Membership Director at 608-784-4880, Ext. 225, or lindsaybraatz@lacrossechamber.com.

Thank you!

Connecting Members to Members

Allergy Associates of La Crosse, Ltd. Allergy Associates of La Crosse, Ltd. is pleased to welcome back Dr. Demetrios Theodoropoulos. He is triple Board Certified in Pediatrics, Genetics, and Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and will see both adult and pediatric patients. For appointments, contact 608-782-2027. Crescent Printing Company Crescent Printing Company, also known as CPC Printing and Promotions, unveils their exclusive Promotional Product web site for customers to shop for products that can be branded with company logos. Visit www.cpcpromotions.com or contact Marcy Lund at 608-791-5060, Ext. 5060.

Jagress Intimates l'étoile magazine lists Jagress Intimates among the best in fall 2013 collections from Twin Cities designers! See the editorial entitled, "Ladies of Leisure": http://issuu.com/letoile magazine/docs/091813_letoile_fall2013 Mutual of Omaha Eric Guth Division Office with Mutual of Omaha sponsored a Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom Event with Peter Gros and live animals in La Crosse. They visited local elementary schools, hospitals, TV and radio stations and ended with a community park event.

Servpro of La Crosse County Servpro of La Crosse County announces D.R. Johnson & Associates, LLC Ryan Fuller, Production Manager, passed his D.R. Johnson & Associates, LLC announces certification for the Amdecon Hoarder Charles Horman has joined the firm. Property Cleaning Course. Ryan’s other Mr. Horman is a MBA graduate of UW-L. The certifications include: Mold Remediation, firm provides audit, bookkeeping, tax, payroll Trauma and Crime Scene Decontamination, and accounting services for a variety of and Lead Safe Removal. industries and is located in the US Bank Building. Dairyland Power Cooperative Dairyland Power Cooperative donated $15,000 to the Town of Genoa towards the purchase of a new water tanker truck for the Genoa-Harmony Fire Department, which serves the entirety of Dairyland’s property located in both the Town and Village of Genoa.

Do you need extra help? Visit the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) FREE online job board. Advertise your job posting to a large applicant pool of qualified UW-L students. To post your job opening, visit https://www.myinterfase.com/uwlax/employer. If you have questions, contact 608-785-8613. YWCA of the Coulee Region Have you heard about the 5 star childcare center? Located adjacent to the Western Technical College campus (419 9th Street N.); the YWCA of the Coulee Region Child Center is a play based childcare center that meets academic standards and helps children learn social skills. Contact 608-781-2783.

Guidelines for the Connecting Members to Members Section of the Newsletter The Connecting Members to Members section of the Chamber Connection is intended for our members to share business developments with their fellow members. Submitted items must be received before the 10th of the month, prior to publication. Items submitted should be no more than 40 words in length and should be limited to personnel news or changes, new ownership, merger or acquisitions, awards, change of location, expansions, or remodeling, or sponsorship of community events only. The Chamber reserves the right to edit items over 40 words in length. Items will be placed on a space available basis in the order they are received.

Great Rivers United Way, Inc. Great Rivers United Way, Inc. would like to thank area businesses and employees who graciously donated to the 2013-2014 campaign ending this month. For more information on employee campaigns and donations contact 608-796-1400 or visit www.gruw.org

Show Employees What They Earn Each year employers give their employees their annual W-2 Statements as required by law. Sometimes they forget to tell employees all of the other associated costs that employers participate in on their behalf. As a suggestion, you might include an additional form with the W-2 this year. A sample is printed in the next column and you may need to adjust for your company for other items you might want to include.

University of WisconsinLa Crosse The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) is one of only two public colleges in Wisconsin to make “Kiplinger's Personal Finance” magazine’s list of top 100 best values in public colleges for 2014. The leading financial magazine recognized UW-L for delivering academic quality and affordability.

Total Employee Earnings Wages $_____ Employers Share of Taxes $_____ Health Insurance $_____ Life Insurance $_____ Dental Insurance $_____ Long Term Disability $_____ Pension or Retirement $_____ Vacation Days $_____ Clothing, etc. $_____ Total $_____

November SBA5 was Hosted by Altra! Strictly Business After 5 for November was hosted by Altra Federal Credit Union Operations Center, located at 1700 Oak Forest Drive, Onalaska. There was a great turnout for the November SBA5! Attendees enjoyed great hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and everyone received a FREE Altra induction speaker that syncs to your smartphone! Thank you to Jack Peplinski, President/CEO, and the wonderful staff of Altra Federal Credit Union for hosting the November SBA5!

Attendees awaited the announcement of a FREE iPad Air and additional great door prizes that Altra gave away at the November SBA5!

www.lacrossechamber.com

Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings

V2 Studios held a ribbon cutting on December 5 for their location at 3120 South Avenue, La Crosse. Visit them online at www.v2studioslax.com!

Cartridge World held a ribbon cutting on December 11 for their location at 1220 Crossing Meadows Drive, Onalaska. Visit them online at www.CartridgeWorld.com!

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Thank You 2013 Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze Members! PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP

GOLD SPONSORSHIP

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8”

Newsletter Advertising

YOUR AD HERE!

5”

1/2 Page Ad (8” x 5”): $495 ANNUAL DISCOUNT COMMITMENT: Buy 11 consecutive ads, get 1 FREE.

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December SBA5 was Hosted by Dalco!

What’s New?

Business After Hours

(Formerly Known as Strictly Business After 5)

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2nd THURSDAY of the Month 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. • FREE for Chamber Members! • Chamber Members have the ability to host event • Attend for networking opportunities • Complimentary hors d’oeuvres & refreshments

Sponsorship Programs The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce is introducing a new sponsorship program for 2014

These programs give you the opportunity to participate in & sponsor the Chamber’s most visible activities.

Sponsorship

• The program cost would be in addition to your regular annual dues, which is based on the number of your full-time equivalent employees. (See Page 4 for details!)

Programs

Strictly Business After 5 for December was hosted by Dalco, located at 3132 Berlin Drive, La Crosse. There were great hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and Christmas candies provided by Dalco to get everyone in the Holiday spirit at the last Strictly Business After 5 for 2013! A big Thank you goes out to Jerry Ball, Branch Manager, and the wonderful staff of Dalco for hosting the December SBA5!

Attendees enjoyed great hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and Christmas candies at the December SBA5!

For more information, visit www.lacrossechamber.com! www.lacrossechamber.com

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La Crosse, WI Permit No. 219

712 Main Street • La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 784-4880 • Fax: (608) 784-4919 info@lacrossechamber.com www.lacrossechamber.com

The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce proudly thanks its 2014 Platinum, Gold, Silver & Bronze Sponsors for their support! PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP

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