A Monthly Publication of the NOVEMBER 2016 Volume 56, Number 11
AT A GLANCE... Election Day . . . . . . . . . November 8 Social Media Session . . November 16 Visit Salina Annex 120 W. Ash, 9-11am Business After Hours . . . November 17 Salina Art Center Warehouse 149 S. Fourth, 5-7pm Details inside!
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YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE
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SDI AND CHAMBER
Downtown News By Penny Bettles, Salina Downtown, Inc. pbettles@salinadowntown.com • 825-0535
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! OFFICIAL PUBLICATION The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Connection (USPS 478-100) is published monthly by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 W. Ash, Salina, Kansas 67401. Periodical Postage paid at Salina, Kansas. Subscription rate to members is $1.25 per year. Sylvia A. Rice, Editor. Consolidated Printing, layout and design. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Chamber Connection, PO Box 586, Salina, KS 67402-0586.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Brian Richardson Occupational Performance Corporation VICE CHAIRMAN Mark Ritter Crown Distributors, LLC CHAIR-ELECT Guy Walker Blue Beacon International TREASURER Trey Mowery Central National Bank PAST CHAIRMAN Frank Hampton Hampton Financial, LLC PRESIDENT/CEO Don L. Weiser Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Debra Blomquist Accessible Home Care, LLC Brandon Ebert Waddell & Reed, Ebert-Stein Group Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons Kansas State University Salina M. Olaf Frandsen Salina Journal Julie Goetz Salina Regional Health Center Greg Goode Stuart Hieger Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Peter Johnston Clark, Mize & Linville, Chtd. Tina Lewis Salina Housing Authority Ashley McArthur Long McArthur Ford Michael Spicer Salina Community Theatre, Inc. Ron Stratman Accurate Electric, Inc. Matt Thompson Kansas Wesleyan University Joyce Volk Joyce Volk Insurance Agency, Inc. Frieda Mai Weis PKM Steel Service Mark Zimmerman Salina Supply Company
The Christmas Festival and Parade of Lights is a family fun tradition in downtown Salina! From cookies with Mrs. Claus, horse drawn carriage rides and pictures with the man in the red suit, November 19th is sure to be a big hit! Schedule of Events (subject to change) 9:00-11:00 AM
Big Brothers Big Sisters Frosty 5k Fun Runs 9:00 AM Toy Train Exhibit Opens in Watson Room of Stiefel Theatre 12:00-5:00 PM Children’s Art in the Salina Art Center ARTery 1:00-5:00 PM Entertainment in Watson Room of Stiefel Theatre 2:30-3:30 PM Live Nativity at the corner of Santa Fe and Ash Street 2:00–3:00 PM Cookies with Mrs. Claus at The Flower Nook 2:00–4:00 PM Antique Fire Truck rides, launching at Sunflower Bank 2:00-4:00 PM Bank of Tescott Cookie Decorating at Martinelli’s with a suggested can donation 2:00–5:00 PM Horse-drawn carriage rides, launching the corner of Santa Fe and Mulberry 4:00-5:00 PM Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Art Center 4:00 PMthrough Parade Relay for Life Sale! Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider, Chili, Popcorn, Crafts and more! In the former Toy Parade Building at 119 S. Santa Fe. Stop in to support a great cause! 5:30 PM Pre-Parade Entertainment beginning at Stiefel Theatre 6:00 PM Parade of Lights on Santa Fe, from Elm Street to Prescott Avenue!
This November 26, we want to celebrate our locally owned downtown businesses with you! This is a special time for the community to come together to show support and love for all of our downtown small businesses.
“Our Mission is to champion a healthy and vibrant downtown community” 2
CHAMBER NEWS
Ribbon Cuttings
These Chamber member businesses recently celebrated milestones with an official Chamber ribbon cutting!
Follow the Salina Chamber and Visit Salina on Facebook.
Smoky Hill Quilting recently joined the Chamber! Becky Peterson, owner, has 33 years of quilting experience and is ready to take care of your quilting needs.
St. Mary’s Grade School celebrates their new Design Center! Throughout their years at St. Mary’s, students will create a digital portfolio showcasing projects they’ve completed with skills learned at the center.
Ticket and Sponsorship Sales Going Well on Chamber Annual Meeting Sponsorship and ticket sales are performing well for the Chamber Annual Meeting featuring Carly Fiorina, Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the Salina Bicentennial Center. The banquet will be held in the Arena of the Salina Bicentennial Center beginning at 6:30pm. A membership networking reception will be held from 5-6:15pm in Heritage Hall of the Bicentennial Center. The banquet will be held on the floor of the arena (tables of eight which includes dinner). Tickets for Chamber members are $60 per person for the banquet. Tickets for non-members are $85 per person for the banquet. Reservations can be made by Chamber members now through November 30 by calling the Chamber office ticket hotline at 1-785-827-9310, ext. 123, stopping by the Chamber office, 120 W. Ash, or by emailing Sandy Cole at scole@salinakansas.org. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning December 1. For details regarding the availability and details of sponsorships, contact the Chamber office. For more information on the event and Carly Fiorina, go to www.salinakansas.org. 3
CHAMBER NEWS
Your Vote is Your Voice It would seem unlikely, if not impossible, for anyone to be unaware that this is election season. From media coverage and direct mail pieces to conversations held at the local coffee spots and on social media, there is certainly an abundance of information for the voter to consider. Beyond the politics and opinions, surely the most important message for us all is to exercise our right to vote. On November 8, Saline County registered voters will have the opportunity to vote in several local, state, and national races including the election of our next President of the United States. It is vital that all Americans remember how fortunate we are to have a voice, especially through our vote, in this democratic process. There are approximately 35,400 registered voters in Saline County. The Saline County Elections office reports that in each of the past four presidential elections, our voter turnout averaged 63% as a County. That takes into account that some precincts
may see a 40% turnout and others an 80% turnout. If you have questions about what is going to be on your ballot, or where you go to vote, you can call the Saline County Elections office at 309-5820, or go online. If you search for ‘ballot Saline County Kansas’ you can enter your personal address and find that information as well. Early voting is currently taking place in the elections office at 300 W. Ash, Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm, ending with November 7 from 8am-Noon, when early voting ceases to allow preparations for Election Day at our 33 polling places. Many citizens are even more involved in the election process by working at the polls. It takes a lot of people to conduct an election, and if you have an interest in becoming trained for this, call our elections office at 309-5820. Your right to vote should not be taken lightly, as it was not won easily. See you at the polls!
Go Social! This year, a reported 78% of Americans have created a social media profile on at least one platform. The steady increase of consumers flocking to Google to find information on businesses, and to social media to interact with local business, has caused companies to enhance their marketing strategy to include online promotions and advertising. Are you one of them? Two sessions remain in the Chamber’s seminar series to assist members in learning about and creating an online marketing strategy. In October, businesses learned about “Gaining Customers Through Social Media”. Our November 16 session is entitled “Free Marketing/Design Tools you Should be Using”. The final session, on December 14, will be “Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Analytics”. Sessions will be held in the Visit Salina Annex from 9-11am. The cost to attend is $20 per session, and you can register online at http://bit.ly/chambersocialmedia.
Search for us at
Salina Chamber and
Visit Salina 4
VISIT SALINA
While you are in voting mode… head downtown, grab a SculptureTour Salina brochure/ ballot at a crosswalk or business, take the tour and VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE! Everyone, at every age, Salinan or visitor, is encouraged to vote. All ballots cast by December 31, 2016 will be counted toward choosing the People’s Choice Award winner! So, share your opinion and VOTE!
MarqueeWelcomes November 11-13 Disciples of Christ Joint Assembly November 19
Heart Land Toy Show
November 26
KSHSAA 4A Div II State Football
Dollars Sense Recent groups Visit Salina worked with and the estimated visitors’ spending they created in the community:
Salina District UMW $9,487 SJMS Parents Weekend $95,100
Good Sports Visit Salina is pleased to host the 2016 KSHSAA 4A Division II State Football Championship. The event will be played the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day, November 26 at Salina Stadium with a 1pm Kick-off. “This is a great event for Salina to host!” expressed Tiffany Benien, Visit Salina Sports & Events, “Bringing fans from out of town for an afternoon football game, on the biggest shopping weekend of the year, is a wonderful event combination for our community. With a little luck, we’ll have good weather which traditionally has the 4A class teams and communities creating a great attendance!” Estimated Visitor Spending for the event is $196,000. The event is not possible without scores of community volunteers. Team hosts, officials’ hosts, pass gate workers, ticket sellers, ticket takers, and program & t-shirt sellers are needed. If you would like to help, please contact Tiffany at the Chamber by phone (785) 827-9310 x 130 or e-mail tbenien@salinakansas.org
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Days Inn I-70, winner of our latest Room Pick-up Report drawing. Visit Salina’s Kyle Weiser delivered snacks to General Manager Misty Hunt (left) and Assistant Manager Valerie Vogel (right) to share with the Days Inn staff. THANK YOU to Days Inn I-70 for being a great Visit Salina partner!
Midwest KS Cup Soccer $178,600 Foodservice Professionals $43,100 KCC Pipeline $93,032 4A State Volleyball $218,180
Salina will welcome more than 200 convention delegates for the Nebraska-Kansas Joint Regional Assembly 2016 of Christian Church Disciples of Christ at host hotel Quality Inn and Suites, November 11-12. In addition to the Assembly agenda, Kansas and Nebraska Disciples Women (KDW, NDW) will cosponsor a 5K FUN WALK/RUN, with the theme “Breaking the Chains of Human Trafficking: Building Hope Link by Link.” All proceeds of this charity fundraiser will be divided among these organizations which assist people coming out of being trafficked: Clover House, part of Saint Francis Community Services in Salina; Hope Ranch, Wichita; and Salvation Army of Nebraska. The Run/Walk will take place at Bill Burke Park in Salina, on Friday, November 11. Registration begins at 11am and the event begins at 1 pm.
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MEMBERSHIP NEWS
In The News
HAYS ACADEMY OF HAIR DESIGN, with locations in both Hays and downtown Salina, took home the top honors in all three categories at the Wella Midwest School Show in Omaha, NE. CEO of Nuts and Bolts Business Training Company Jim Yates was in attendance as a judge and guest speaker and shared, “Once again, Hays Academy shows how good their schools and staff really are. Their passion for producing real salon-ready successful graduates is unsurpassed in our industry... and oh yes, they’re really nice people as well.” GOT NEWS? Do you have news to share about your business or organization? Email srice@salinakansas.org and we’ll publish it in an upcoming issue of Chamber Connection. KC&G BUSINESS APPRAISAL ASSOCIATES, INC. founding owners Stephanie Klingzell Carlin and Melissa Goetz served on the Steering Committee for the 2016 KSCPA Business Valuation Workshop that was held in Kansas City on October 21. The KSCPA (Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants) Business Valuation Workshop is an annual program designed for CPAs, business valuation professionals, attorneys and others who are interested in pursuing business valuation as a service. This workshop focused on the latest updates on discounts for lack of marketability, tax affecting pass-through entities under the income approach and an assessment of economic indicators. Jenny Stack, KC&G Business Valuation Analyst, also attended the workshop. A Taste of Christmas Holiday Market and Soup Supper will be December 2 at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 122 N. 8th, from 4-7pm in the Fellowship Hall. The market will include the following stores: Art & Photography, Bakery, Linens & Lace, Mrs. Claus’ Cupboard, Sweet Shoppe, and a Woodwright. The soup will be loaded baked potato or chili, with relishes, crackers and ice cream. Tickets are $6 adults, $5 for children ages 4-12, 3 and under free. If purchased in advance, each ticket has a $1 coupon toward any item in the Holiday Market. There will be an activity area for children while parents shop. The Christmas Story will be told by Pastor Eric at 6pm and family pictures taken throughout the evening. For more info, call (785) 825-0228.
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S&B Motels announces management personnel changes at their COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, 3020 Riffel Dr. Kara Cox is the new General Manager for the property. Assistant General Manager is Nicholyn Strome and the Director of Sales is Leslie Lawson. These positions are being filled in preparation of moving current management to their new property the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center, now under construction at 3320 S. Ninth Street. For more information, contact the property at (785) 309-1300. BENNINGTON STATE BANK has announced that Dale Heuszel has been elected to their board of directors. Heuszel, a retired partner at K-Coe Isom (formerly Kennedy and Coe) has more than 40 years of experience as a CPA. On the BSB board, he will lead the oversight duties of the bank’s audit committee. He has been involved with a number of local organizations and boards, including the Chamber board. Michelle Griffin is the new mobility manager at OCCK, 1710 W. Schilling. Griffin has 19 years of experience in the customer service industry. At OCCK, she will work within the north-central Kansas counties of Saline, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Ottawa, Mitchell, Cloud, Republic and Jewell to identify and close gaps in transportation services, and facilitate agreements and relationships between providers and users.
International Trip Update At press time three places are left for the Chamber’s spring international trip to Italy. The March 28-April 5 itinerary features Rome, Tuscany, and Florence. Highlights will include Statue of David, Assisi Tour, Basilica of St. Francis, Leaning Tower of Pisa and more. Deadline to register is fast approaching. If you are interested, contact Sandy Cole at (785) 827-9310, Ext. 123.
Ambassador of the Month Carrie Clouse, Personal Banker with First Bank Kansas, has been named “Ambassador of the Month” for October. Carrie Carrie Clouse has secured seven new members so far this year. “Carrie is doing a great job for the Chamber, and is a strong member of the Ambassador team,” commented Don Weiser, Chamber President/CEO. For her efforts, Carrie will receive a $25 Smoky Hill Silver Gift Certificate. Congratulations Carrie!
New Members STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY 2315 S. Ninth • Morgann Williams (785) 823-2245 us1904119@starbucks.com SALINA SEPTIC SERVICE, LLC 827 N. Thirteenth Helen and Randy Leister (785) 823-5295 salinasepticservice@gmail.com CREATIVE SENIOR SOLUTIONS 204 S. Santa Fe, Suite 3 Thadd Wellshear (785) 213-0740 thad2@cox.net DREADLOCK ESCAPE ROOM 100 S. Broadway Rebecca Pauley, Corey Moye (785) 342-8469 dreadlockescaperoom@gmail.com SPRING MOBILE AUTHORIZED AT&T RETAILER 2629 Market Place • Kristian Kromer (785) 914-5157 salina@springmobile.com METZGER HOMES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 676 S. Ninth • Logan Metzger (785) 416-0710 logan-metzger@yahoo.com
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Meet Chamber Member Diane Erickson, Owner of Soggy Dog Salon & Suites, Inc. as you read excerpts from our 5-minute/5-question interview. Can you please give us a three sentence summary of your personal background? My love for dogs began in the 70’s at a dog kennel owned by my parents, where I was responsible for the care and feeding of several different breeds; my compassion for dogs comes from that experience. I moved to Salina to attend Marymount College, and have 30+ years of business and managerial experience. What is it about your business that is unique or special? What separates you from your competitors? Soggy Dog Salon & Suites is a luxury dog resort, featuring five boarding options, daycare for all sizes, and certified, professional grooming. We’re staffed 7am-7pm, with another 9pm “outside” break before bedtime. Guests dine on their own food, and medication and special diets are not a problem. Guests are temperament tested before accepted for daycare, and there’s an indoor and outdoor playground for socializing and exercising. When guests go “outside”, they’re on K9 grass, a patented, antimicrobial surface designed for safety and comfort. For security, the playground is surrounded by an 8’ high concrete block wall, with multiple HD video cameras monitoring 24 hours, inside and out. In general, how is demand for your product or service? Our guests come from across town and across the country, and tell us they’re drawn here to attend activities such as the Smoky Hill River Festival, Leadsled, Stiefel events, Blues Masters, reunions, sports, you name it! Dog owners appreciate that, while they’re enjoying themselves, their four-legged child is safe and secure, eating well, and being cared for like one of the family. Cuddle time is always available! How long have you been in business and why are you operating in the Salina region? Soggy Dog Salon opened in my basement in 2005, and moved downtown to Wood Fashion Plaza in 2007. With assistance provided by a Project Open loan through the Salina Chamber of Commerce, we moved in December of 2014, to 640 N. Santa Fe, allowing us to expand from 1,200 sq. ft, to 6,800 sq. ft. The business was incorporated and the name changed to Soggy Dog Salon & Suites, Inc. See the entire interview, and others, posted at www.salinakansas.org/chamber/take_5.aspx Want to be interviewed about your business? Contact info@salinakansas.org!
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BUSINESS HOURS REFRESHMENTS • TOURS • DOOR PRIZES
Salina Art Center Warehouse The Warehouse 149 S. Fourth St.
Thursday November 17 5-7pm • $5 per person or Fast Pass At the Salina Art Center, we believe we can make a positive difference in people’s lives through art, and our mission “to create exchanges among art, artists, and audiences that reveal life,” is at the core of all that we do. Through educational programs, contemporary exhibitions, films, classes and discussions we bring community members, of all ages, opportunities for meaningful experiences through encounters with viewing and creating visual art. Please come to The Warehouse, our building that provides living and work space for our artists-in-residence, as well as public rental space for events. Come on out, network with fellow Chamber members and explore all that the Salina Art Center has going on at The Warehouse!
For reservations call 827-9301 or email dsmith@salinakansas.org DOOR PRIZES (MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN) $100 CASH ATTENDANCE DRAWING $500, $500, $1,000 MEMBERSHIP DRAWINGS
2017 “Business After Hours” Fast Pass is on sale now! For $30, the pass will gain you admittance to all Chamber After Hour events throughout the year. To order your 2017 Fast Pass, contact Delta at the Chamber office, 827-9301 or email dbryant@salinakansas.org
PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID SALINA, KS 67401 120 W. Ash, P.O. Box 586 • Salina, KS 67402-0586 785-827-9301 • fx 785-827-9758 • www.salinakansas.org HELP US KEEP YOUR ADDRESS CORRECT If address is wrong in any respect, please correct directly on the label and return to Chamber of Commerce. Thank You!