Salina Chamber Newsletter December 2015

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Bicentennial Center Completes Phase Two Renovations See page 4 A Monthly Publication of the

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Human Resources Communications Sales Staff Break Area

DECEMBER 2015 Volume 55, Number 12

SDI

Downtown News

By Penny Bettles, Salina Downtown, Inc. pbettles@salinadowntown.com • 825-0535

Prizes… Prizes… PRIZES!!

SculptureTour Salina is gearing up for the biggest give-away of the year!

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce salinakansas.org (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: salinakansas.org, PO Box 586, Salina, KS 67402-0586.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Frank Hampton Hampton Financial, LLC VICE CHAIRMAN Brian Richardson Occupational Performance Corporation CHAIRMAN-ELECT John Gunn

TREASURER Trey Mowery Central National Bank PAST CHAIRMAN Dale Heuszel KCoe Isom, LLP PRESIDENT/CEO Don L. Weiser Salina Area Chamber of Commerce E. Andrew England St. John’s Military School Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons Kansas State University Salina M. Olaf Frandsen Salina Journal Julie Goetz Salina Regional Health Center Greg Goode Salina Area Technical College Stuart Hieger Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Mike Junk Crestwood, Inc. Donnie Marrs DMA Architects, PA Ashley McArthur Long McArthur Ford Michael Spicer Salina Community Theatre, Inc. Ron Stratman Accurate Electric, Inc. Matt Thompson Kansas Wesleyan University Guy Walker Blue Beacon International Betsy Wearing BWearing Consulting

Frieda Mai Weis PKM Steel Service Mark Zimmerman Salina Supply Company

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Vote now for your favorite sculpture for your chance to win! All ballots cast through December 31st will be entered to win one of three prize packages!

Prize Packages

Adult (19+): Tickets to the Stiefel Theatre, the Toughest Monster Truck Tour at the Bicentennial Center; the Salina Symphony; An overnight stay at Country Inn & Suites; $50 Gift Certificate to Martinelli’s Little Italy, $100 Smoky Hill Silver Certificates, and more…

Teen (12-18 Years): Tickets to the Salina Art Center Cinema; Championship Bull Riding Showdown at the Bicentennial Center; $20 Gift Certificate to The Cozy Inn, and more…

Kids (under 12): Tickets to Rolling Hills Zoo and to Sesame Street Live at the Bicentennial Center; $25 Smoky Hill Silver Certificates, and more…

SculptureTour Salina ballots are available at downtown businesses, in ballot boxes at each mid-block crosswalk on Santa Fe downtown, and at the Salina Chamber and Salina Downtown Inc. offices at 120 W. Ash. At the end of the year, votes are tallied and the City of Salina purchases the “People’s Choice Award” winning sculpture to add to our community’s permanent sculpture collection.

SculptureTour Salina encourages residents and visitors to stroll through our thriving downtown, tour the sculptures, and vote for your favorite piece!

Meet the

Staff!

CHAMBER NEWS

Follow the Salina Chamber and Visit Salina on Facebook.

Donna Smith joined the Chamber in September 2000 as a part-time staff person.

Donna Smith, Her responsibilities are varied and include Accounting Assistant more than her title might suggest. In addition to assisting in the accounting functions of the Chamber, she also manages the Plan Room. This service provides Chamber members an opportunity to view plans of construction projects. Donna is also the contact for renting the meeting rooms in the Visit Salina Annex, and she provides administrative support to Chamber staff.

Donna is a lifelong resident of Salina. She enjoys time with family and friends, agricultural activities, culinary arts, digital photography and reading. Donna and husband Doug are especially proud of their son Quinton, who recently finished serving five years in the United States Marine Corps. Thank you Donna, for all you do!

Chamber Board Appoints EDO Board Members

The Salina Chamber Board of Directors appointed John Gunn and Samantha Angell to the board of directors of the new Salina Community Economic Development Organization (SCEDO). As the Chamber’s appointees, they will join seven other individuals on the board appointed by the City of Salina, Saline County and the Salina Airport Authority.

Gunn, former owner of ISG, and Angell, attorney with Achterberg, Angell & Craft, LLC, have both served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Gunn resigned his position as 2014 Chair-Elect on the Chamber Board in order to accept the appointment to the SCEDO board. Angell is a former City Commissioner and Mayor.

Chamber Chair Frank Hampton stated, “Gunn and Angell will provide strong leadership and experience to the new Salina and Saline County economic development organization. These professionals will be strong representatives of the business community, our Chamber membership, as the new EDO moves forward.”

The new economic development organization - SCEDO - is being established in partnership with the City of Salina, Saline County and the Salina Airport Authority, to attract new business and industry to Salina. The organization will be located in the Chamber office at 120 W. Ash, Suite B. 3

CHAMBER NEWS

A New Look at Salina Bicentennial Center The Salina Bicentennial Center recently completed Phase Two of their $13.1 million renovation plan which began in December 2014. The project addressed a number of facility challenges, and latest renovations have created a lot of interest, both from the general public and potential client/users of the facility.

Encompassing many of the public areas, this phase of improvements are quite visible. The Concourse features new lighting, floor covering and double glass entry doors for the public’s primary access to the Arena, and a much brighter atmosphere. Luxury boxes have been added in the Arena, as well as handrails through the upper bowl seating areas.

Concession areas present a welcoming look and have been reconfigured for more efficient service.

Digital Displays throughout the Concourse present welcome messaging and promote upcoming events, and restrooms have been updated as well. New lighting and carpet give the Lobby a much warmer feel. Behind the scenes, improvements to the kitchen and backstage will result in better service to the client overall.

The building exterior has undergone quite a transformation as well. Ticketing operations have moved outside, which is a much more common practice for event centers. The new North Plaza creates a space for outdoor events, and a more appealing ‘welcome’ to the facility. Features of the Plaza are landscaping, permanent seating, and a lighted sculpture depicting prairie fire, by artist Matt Dehaemers.

“This renovation project has given new life back to the Bicentennial Center. The positive impact was immediate in how events are handled more efficiently. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they arrive to the building, the positive comments as they walk from space to space and take in all the changes, those are the immediate dividends”, said Ron Rideout, General Manager from Spectra Venue Management.

In addition to on-going public events, a celebration with City officials and a Chamber Business After Hours the same week introduced many from the community to the ‘new look’.

Mid-month, Visit Salina and the Bicentennial Center joined local industry partners to host an event for Kansas-based meeting planners. Nearly 50 planners spent the day experiencing the facility and all Salina has to offer for their events. The event included sessions, exhibits, lunch with a keynote address, and our special brand of service and hospitality. Jo Ann McClure, Visit Salina Convention Sales commented, “The meeting planner event was a first for us, and is already paying off in scheduled site visits, and booked meeting business for Salina venues, including the Bicentennial Center. Visit Salina very much appreciates the partnership we enjoy with the Center.”

The next phase will take place in summer 2016, centered around creating a grand entrance from Ohio, and work on the overhead rigging in the Arena. Take time to go visit the Bicentennial Center.

You’ll be impressed with the changes you see.

There are still spots available for the Salina and Manhattan Chambers’ May 2016 international trip to the Alpine Countries. For more information, contact Sandy Cole by email at scole@salinakansas.org or by phone at 785-827-9310, ext 123. (see enclosed flyer)

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Good Sports!

Salina Welcomes NJCAA Rep for Site Visit

Tiffany Benien, Visit Salina and Francis Flax, proposed Tournament Director were joined by key staff and volunteers to welcome Buster Gilliss, NJCAA Men’s Basketball Committee Chair for an official site visit, November 10-11.

The site visit is the second step in the NJCAA’s process in considering Salina’s bid to host their Men’s Div II National Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020. During his site visit, Buster toured the Bicentennial Center, several off-site practice facilities, restaurants and hotels.

Following the visit Gilliss shared that he very much enjoyed Salina, and will be recommending Salina as a top choice for the event. The NJCAA will make the final site selection at their Annual Meeting in April of 2016.

VISIT SALINA

MarqueeWelcomes December

Living History Fair

Hunters!

Shoppers!

Families!

Recent groups Visit Salina worked with and the estimated visitors’ spending they created in the community:

War of the Wheels Roller Derby Inv’l KWU – 1st Round NAIA Soccer

Four new directors elected; one appointed to unexpired term Four persons were recently elected by the membership to serve four-year terms on the Chamber’s Board of Directors: Brandon Ebert, Waddell & Reed, Ebert Stein Group; Peter S. Johnston, Clark, Mize & Linville, Chtd.; Mark Ritter, Crown Distributors, LLC; and Joyce Volk, Joyce Volk Insurance Agency, Inc. Olaf Frandsen has been appointed to Brandon Ebert Mark Ritter fulfill the unexpired term created by John Gunn’s resignation from the board. Gunn resigned in order to accept the Chamber appointment to the new EDO Board (see related EDO article).

The new directors will join the following returning directors to form the 2016 Board: Brian Richardson, Greg Goode, Frieda Mai Weis, Trey Mowery, Peter S. Johnston Joyce Volk Ron Stratman, Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons, Michael Spicer, Julie Goetz, Dr. Matt Thompson, Guy Walker, Mark Zimmerman, Stuart Hieger, Ashley McArthur and Frank Hampton.

Two persons will be appointed by the 2016 Chair, once officers are selected. The new directors will take office January, 2016.

Heart Land Toy Show KSHSAA 4A Div II State Football

$24,512 $8,900 $64,800 $201,562

The Kansas Society of Association Executives (KSAE) Annual Conference and Expo will be held in Topeka December 10 and 11. Jo Ann McClure will represent Visit Salina at the traditional Expo (tradeshow), and also at the new Marketplace.

The Expo remains a staple of the event, providing a ‘browsing’ opportunity for planners to meet with vendors. The Marketplace is an appointment driven event for planners to meet with suppliers one-on-one. This new concept provides a more deliberate opportunity for suppliers to answer specific questions and promote how our products address the needs of the individual group client.

Jo Ann served as a member of the 2015 Annual Conference committee and was involved in establishing the new Marketplace format of the event. She, along with other Salina KSAE members, will also have educational sessions to attend for professional development.

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS

In The News

NEX-TECH WIRELESS, 2525 Marketplace Suite B and 2259 S. Ninth (Central Mall), announce the kick-off of the company’s annual toy drive. Toys are being collected at both locations to benefit Salina Catholic Charities. Anyone who donates a toy will be entered into a drawing for a $250 Visa Gift Card. The winner will be announced on January 8, 2016, and will also be able to choose their favorite charity to receive $250 from Nex-Tech Wireless and Nex-Tech. The toy drive is a way for the company to support local organizations and particularly children.

BIG JOHN’S BREWING COMPANY, 2445 S. Ninth, recently celebrated their 2nd anniversary. They also announce that a new menu is now on tap, featuring pub sandwiches, soups, salads and appetizers.

Diane Harris, General Manager can be reached at 785-404-3228.

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 salinakansas.org.

Summit Holdings announces that Justin Fink will become Chief Executive Officer of SUMMIT TRUCK GROUP, 1944A N. Ninth, in January 2016. Fink currently serves as President and, in his new role of both CEO and President, will assume leadership responsibilities for all operations of the organization. Current CEO Blair Roberts will transition to serving as an executive coach to Summit’s management leadership team and organization, and will focus on driving operational improvements throughout Summit.

KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, 100 E. Clafin, will be hosting a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack at the Student Activities Center on Sunday, January 17th, and Monday, January 18th, 2016. They will pack 175,000 meals for the starving children around the world. There are two ways to be a part of this great event. 1) Donate - each meal is 22 cents and the KWU goal is $38,500; 2) Volunteer - We will need 800 volunteers on those days, so sign up individuals, family, friends, and small groups. Go to

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www.fundraising.fmsc.org/SalinaKansas to donate or volunteer. On the MobilePack event days, non-perishable food items will also be accepted for local needs. To learn more, contact Linda Ourada at 785-452-9638 or ljourada@cox.net or Cameron Jackson, cameronj@kwu.edu Danielle Brown, director of professional education and outreach at KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC, 2310 Centennial Road, has been named the Association for Continuing Higher Education’s Rising Star for 2015. Brown was selected for her contribution to the development of new credit, noncredit and certificate programs for K-State Polytechnic, as well as communitybased programs that pair the campus with Kansas industries.

New Members BWEARING CONSULTING 20121 Raymond • Betsy Wearing (785) 452-8888 • bwearing@cox.net CGI COMMUNICATIONS 130 E. Main Street Rochester, New York, 14604 Brandon Bartz • (585) 427-0020 brandonb@cgicommunications.com QUALITY INN 2110 W. Crawford • Mukesh Patel (785) 825-2111 mukeshmp@gmail.com R & J MAILING SERVICES 901 N. Ninth • Jim Furgison (785) 488-8063 rjmailservice@gmail.com CALVERT SMITH Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors 2036 S. Ohio csmith@wradvisors.com HIGH PLAINS COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 638 Joanie Lane • Joseph Denham (785) 823-2224 jdhpc@hotmail.com 9TH STREET DINER 2100 S. Ninth Taylor Copas, Courtney Wiggins (785) 502-5099 salinaninthstreetdiner@gmail.com

ADVANCED MOTORSPORTS, LLC 527 S. Broadway • Kerry Meyer (785) 404-3838 kmeyer31@hotmail.com JOSH FARRELL Midwest Regional Agency 232 S. Santa Fe, Suite A (785) 827-1011 jfarrell@midwestagencyllp.com MINNEAPOLIS GARAGE DOOR, LLC 470 Meadowlark Drive Minneapolis, KS • Rome Witt (785) 392-5427 garagedoormaster@yahoo.com POOLS PLUS OF SALINA 2501 Market Place, Suite 1 • Gina Plante (785) 823-7665 sales@poolsplusofsalina.com SALINA FENCING COMPANY 623 Carl • Jason Mann (785) 822-2018 jmann@ksfap.com

Ambassador of the Year

Linnea King, Home Health Coordinator with Brookdale Senior Living, has been named Ambassador of the Year for Linnea King 2015. Linnea secured 30 new members during the year. This is her 5th consecutive year being named Ambassador of the Year!

“Linnea did another outstanding job securing new members this year,” stated Pat Foster, Ambassador Chairman. “She is a great representative of the Chamber, and obviously does a wonderful job conveying all the reasons membership in the Chamber is a good investment.

As always, it’s been a pleasure working with her.”

For her efforts, Linnea will receive a plaque and will be recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet February 4. Congratulations Linnea!

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Ribbon Cutting

Meet Chamber Member Bill North, Executive Director of the Salina Arts Center and Cinema as you read excerpts from our 5-minute/5-question interview.

What is it about your business that is unique or special?

What seperates you from your competitors?

The Art Center Cinema is one of Salina’s cultural treasures. Located in the heart of downtown, the Cinema features first run independent, documentary, and international films. The Cinema is an intimate, 92-seat venue equipped with the latest digital projection technology where Salinans can see important films they would otherwise not have the opportunity to see locally. For example, films presented at the Art Center Cinema accounted for 20 of the 25 Oscars awarded in 2015.

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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Visit Salina

Cornerstone Classical School, 830 S. Ninth, recently opened and celebrated with a Chamber ribbon cutting!

Sales Strong for Chamber Annual Meeting Tickets now on sale to public

Tickets sales are going well for the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Membership Meeting Thursday, February 4, 2016.

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 5-6pm in Heritage Hall of the Bicentennial Center.

The featured speaker this year is John Stossel, television journalist, host, commentator, and author.

Tickets for Chamber members are $50 per person for the banquet. Tickets now on sale for non-members are $75 per person for the banquet. Reservations can be made by calling the Chamber office ticket hotline at 785-827-9310, ext. 123, stopping by the Chamber office, 120 W. Ash, or emailing Sandy Cole at scole@salinakansas.org.

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PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID SALINA, KS 67401

Dates Filling Fast

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!

Are you interested in hosting a Chamber “Business After Hours” event in 2016? Dates are being booked now! Only a few open dates remain. It’s a great way to promote your business or organization. Contact Don Weiser at the Chamber, 827-9301, or dweiser@salinakansas.org for more details and to check available dates.

Membership Winner!

from the Chamber Staff!

Gary Stansberry Gary Stansberry, Salina Blue, 209 S. Santa Fe, won a $1,000 Membership Drawing at the November 19 “Business After Hours” hosted by EyeCare Associates. Pictured presenting the check to Gary is Hank Corcoran Boyer, chairman of the Chamber’s Hospitality Task Force.

$ It Pays to Attend $

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