A Monthly Publication of the MARCH 2017 Volume 57, Number 3
■ COveR CROPs
March 28, 29, 30, 2017 Salina, kanSa S Bicentennial Center and Saline County Livestock & Expo Center 9am-5pm, March 28 & 29 • 9am-4pm, March 30 ■ livestOCk and GRain MaRketinG OutlOOk
More Than
300 eXhiBiTS ■ ■ GRAIN STORAGE ■ ■ FARM SUPPLIES ■ ■ EDUCATIONAL CLINICS ■ ■ FARM & RANCH EQUIPMENT ■ ■ FARM BUILDINGS
■ Cattle HandlinG
■ ■ PRECISION ELECTRONICS ■ ■ LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT
AT A GLANCE... Bicentennial Center and
SalineService Co. Livestock & 14 Expo Customer Seminar . . . March 9am-5pm, March 28 & 29 • 9am-4pm Visit Salina Annex, 120 W. Ash 9-11am or 2-4pm
PROGRaMs
Legislative Issue Meeting . . . . March 18 Visit Salina Annex, 120 W. Ash 8:30-10am Business After Hours . . . . . . . . March 23
TueSday, March Christ the King Lutheran Church 28
Little Lambs Pre-school FinE tuning your CovEr Crop p 111 W. Magnolia,4-H 5-7Building pm 10-11:30am;
Conducted by:Farm John Pike, Crop28-30 Adviser, (C Mid America ExpoCertified . . March Sponsored by: Great Plains Manufacturing Saline County Livestock & Expo Center & Salina Bicentennial Center WEEd ControL 28th-29th, 9am-5pm; 30th, 9am-4pm 1:30-3pm; 4-H Building Open to the public
Conducted by: John Pike, Certified Crop Adviser, (C
Sponsored by: Great Plains Manufacturing Details inside!
WedneSday, March 29 training CattLE to ExCEL ON OUR WEBSITE... 10-11:30am; 4-H Building
When you see this icon, it indicates that more information can be found on our website. Watch for itCattLE in all our HandLing publications! Conducted by: Tom Noffsinger, DVM
Sponsored by: Farmers & Ranchers Livestock, Salin Morton Buildings, Salina
1:30-3pm; Agriculture Hall
happening daily!
Conducted by: Tom Noffsinger, DVM
MID AMERICA FARM EXPO DRAWS Free parking AG BUSINESS TO SALINA Free adMiSSionSee page 4 FrEE WELL WatEr tESting 10am-2pm; Salina Bicentennial Center
*Testing for nitrate and chloride. Bring 1 cup of water in clean, disposable container.
March 28, 29, 30, S a l i n a , ka n
For information call the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce at 785-827-9301 Visit our website at www.salinakansas.org
Sponsored by: Farmers & Ranchers Livestock, Salin Morton Buildings, Salina
PASS IT ON!
n Human Resources ThurSday, March 30 n Communications n Sales 10-11:30am; 4-H Building n Staff Break Area
LivEStoCk and grain markEt ou
Conducted by: Tom Leffler, Leffler Commodities, LLC Sponsored by: American AgCredit
SDI AND CHAMBER
Downtown News By Penny Bettles, Salina Downtown, Inc. pbettles@salinadowntown.com • 825-0535
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 Guy Walker Blue Beacon International VICE CHAIRMAN Dr. Matt Thompson Kansas Wesleyan University CHAIR-ELECT Mark Ritter Crown Distributors, LLC TREASURER Joyce Volk Joyce Volk Insurance Agency, Inc. PAST CHAIRMAN Brian Richardson Occupational Performance Corporation PRESIDENT/CEO Don L. Weiser Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Debra Blomquist Accessible Home Care, LLC Brandon Ebert Waddell & Reed, Ebert-Stein Group Scott Eck Philips Lighting Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons Kansas State University Polytechnic M. Olaf Frandsen Salina Journal Julie Goetz Salina Regional Health Center Dave Hiechel Eagle Technologies Brandon Hughes Harbin Construction Peter Johnston Clark, Mize & Linville, Chtd. Tina Lewis Salina Housing Authority Dahx Marrs Marymount Properties, Techniqol Consulting, Kansas Bankers Technologies LuAnn Puvogel Salina Surgical Hospital Michael Spicer Salina Community Theatre Ron Stratman Accurate Electric, Inc. Barb Young Triad Manufacturing Mark Zimmerman Salina Supply Company
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Keep on Crawlin’…in Downtown Salina! Walk, crawl, skip or hop to eight of downtown’s booming establishments on March 18th from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm. These participating bars and restaurants will have drink specials for pub crawlers only! Big Nose Kate’s Blue Skye Brewery & Eats Coop’s Pizzeria Heart of Dixie Martinelli’s Little Italy Paramount Bar Rendezvous Bar Santa Cruz Burritos Cost: $15.00 in advance (T-Shirt, coozie and wrist band included). $20.00 day of event (T-Shirt size/ availability and coozies are NOT guaranteed) Particulars: Must be 21 years or older to participate. Early T-Shirt pick-up will be announced at a later date via Facebook and the email you provide on the registration form. T-Shirt pick-up day of event (for those that have pre-registered) will be on the patio of 117 N. Santa Fe from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm. Sunflower Taxi will provide FREE rides HOME until 9:00 pm! Register online at salinadowntown.org
There are several properties for sale or lease in our historic downtown district. Find out more at salinadowntown.org or by calling Penny Bettles at (785) 825-0535.
“Our Mission is to champion a healthy and vibrant downtown community”
CHAMBER NEWS
Second Legislative Issue Meeting This Month
In an effort to keep area citizens informed on state legislative activity during the 2017 state legislative session, the Chamber is presenting a series of Legislative Issue Meetings with our local Saline County Legislative Delegation. The series continues this month on Saturday, March February 18, 8:30-10:00am in the Visit Salina Annex, 120 W. Ash. These meetings are sponsored by AT&T, and are free and open to the public. The format of the meetings will consist of opening remarks from the legislators, written questions from the audience, and closing remarks from the legislators. All Saline County State Legislators have been invited to attend.
Follow the Salina Chamber and Visit Salina on Facebook.
Legislators’ contact information in Topeka this session is: Diana Dierks, Representative (R) 71st District 300 SW 10th Avenue, Room 519-N Topeka, KS 66612 • 785-296-7642 Diana.dierks@house.ks.gov J.R. Claeys, Representative (R) 69th District 300 SW 10th Avenue, Room 274-W Topeka, KS 66612 • 785-296-7670 jrclaeys@house.ks.gov Steven C. Johnson, Representative (R) 108th District 300 SW 10th Avenue, Room 185-N Topeka, KS 66612 • 785-296-7696 Steven.johnson@house.ks.gov Randall Hardy, Senator (R) 24th District 300 SW 10th Avenue, Room 223-E Topeka, KS 66612 • 785-296-7369 randall.hardy@senate.ks.gov Legislative Hotline 1-800-432-3924
www.kslegislature.org
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CHAMBER NEWS
Mid America Farm Expo draws Ag Business to Salina Approximately 250 companies from around the United States equipment displays, will include seminars on Cover Crops, Cattle Handling, and Livestock and Grain Market Outlook. will be exhibiting their products at Salina’s Bicentennial Center There will also be an opportunity for individuals to have their and Saline County Livestock & Expo Center March 28-30 at well water tested free for nitrate and chloride all three days the Mid America Farm Expo. Approximately 350 exhibits will be on display showing the latest in farm technology, machinery, during the expo. “This show has grown over the years to become one of the equipment and supplies. premiere early spring farm shows in the The Expo began 52 years ago as a project Midwest,” stated Carl Garten, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee of the Salina “This show has grown over the of the Chamber’s Ag Division.” This is Area Chamber of Commerce. It was named years to become one of the going to be one of the largest shows we the Salina Materials Handling Show, and premiere early spring farm have had in several years. Companies had 44 exhibits on display on the Saline from across the United States come to County Fairgrounds, now called the Saline shows in the Midwest” exhibit their farm machinery, equipment County Livestock and Expo Center. With Carl Garten, Chairman of the and supplies. Millions of dollars of the construction of the Bicentennial Center Chamber’s Ag Division equipment are on display. In addition to directly across from the Expo Center, the displays, I think we have one of the the Farm Expo expanded and is now one best line-up of programs we have had for many years.” of the largest spring farm shows in the Midwest. It attracts There is no charge for admission or parking at the Mid approximately 8,000 - 10,000 persons over the three days. America Farm Expo. Hours are 9am-5pm March 28, 9am-5pm The Expo is headquartered in the Bicentennial Center, with March 29 and 9am-4pm March 30. The event is sponsored additional displays in Agricultural Hall, and Exhibition Barn by the Agriculture Division of the Salina Area Chamber at the Saline County Livestock & Expo Center. In addition, of Commerce. outside exhibits are located in front of Ag Hall and on the For more information, contact Delta Bryant at the Chamber, Bicentennial Center west parking lot. Special features of the Expo, in addition to the variety of farm (785) 827-9301.
Interested in meeting with Chamber board members and staff to chat about your business?
Email hmorrical@salinakansas.org or call Hayley at 785-827-9301 to attend the next Twelve at 12 session. At each monthly event, 12 Chamber member business representatives have lunch, on us, with Chamber board and staff members to talk about the good, bad, and upcoming in their business and Salina. It is a great opportunity to tell the Chamber how we can better serve your business, as well as a chance to learn more about Chamber programs!
At a press conference on Wednesday, February 22, General Manager Ron Rideout announced that naming rights have been secured for the facility formerly known as the Salina Bicentennial Center. Through a marketing and sponsorship partnership, the facility is now named the Tony’s Pizza Events Center. Congratulations to the staff and management of Spectra by Comcast, the City of Salina, and Tony’s Pizza – The Schwan Food Company! 4
VISIT SALINA
Good Sports
MarqueeWelcomes
KSHSAA 4A Division I High School State Championship – March 8-11, 2017 Tickets: $7 Students, $9 Adults General Admission Wednesday, March 8 (Boys)
3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:15 pm
Thursday, March 9 (Girls)
3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:15 pm
Friday, March 10 (Girls & Boys)
3:00 pm, 4:45 pm, 6:30 pm, 8:15 pm
Saturday, March 11 (Girls & Boys) 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:15 pm Visit Salina estimates this event provides direct visitor spending to the community of $478,000.
Always prospecting Are you a member of an association or organization that would consider meeting in Salina? Visit Salina would love to prepare a proposal for you! We can do your legwork in contacting appropriate venues, making suggestions for off-site activities, and preparing a service package, customized to your needs. Find out more by contacting Jo Ann McClure at the Chamber’s Visit Salina office, jmcclure@salinakansas.org or (785)827-9310, x 126.
CONGRATULATIONS
Visit Salina congratulates the staff of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 755 W. Diamond Drive, the winners of the January Room Pick-Up Report Drawing. Seen here are Visit Salina staff Kyle Weiser (left) and Sylvia Rice (right) with HIE staff including General Manager Darren Nearhood (3rd from right/back row). Thanks for being a GREAT Visit Salina Partner!
March 8-11
KSHSAA 4A Div. 1 State Basketball
March 8-10
KS Electric Cooperatives
March 27-29
KS Student Technology Association
Dollars Sense Recent groups Visit Salina worked with and the estimated visitors’ spending they created in the community:
KS Registers of Deeds $47,295 SJMS Parents Weekend $96,600 KSHSAA 4A State Wrestling $495,810 USA Kids Wrestling $116,730
The Kansas Electric Cooperative Spring meeting will bring 75 people for three days to the Courtyard by Marriott this month. Kansas Student Technology Association will be hosted at Webster Conference Center, and is expected to have an attendance of 200 for three days.
Search for us at
Salina Chamber and
Visit Salina 5
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
In The News
JCPENNEY, 2259 S. Ninth St., will be celebrating 100 years in Salina on March 24th. It will be a day of celebration in which JCPenney will show its appreciation to our community. The store will have special coupons for the first 100 customers through the door, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony held by the Chamber of Commerce. We will have cake and other activities throughout the day as well. Please join us on this historic day as we celebrate our past, enjoy our present and look forward to the future. 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. THE FLOWER NOOK, 208 E. Iron is transforming their 3,000-square foot floral showroom into a blend of flowers with a unique handcrafted artisan gift line. In addition to the year of First Friday events that feature a monthly back wall showcase, the 2017 restructure is off to a great start with products from 11 different Kansas artisans. Owners Wayne and Peggy DeBey plan on adding more vendors monthly to create a Shop Local gift store. Want to get a peek at product? Like us on Facebook, go to www.Flowernooksalina. com and look around! Or better yet, stop in and we will give you a personal tour. NORTH SALINA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT has announced the election of 2017 officers and new board members. 2017 Officers are: Barb Young, president; Barb Goode, vice president; Greg Stephens, secretary; Johnna Vosseller, treasurer. New Board Members are: Barb Goode, Sandy Beverly and Jon Blanchard. KANSAS STATE POLYTECHNIC, 2310 Centennial, has hired Terri Gaeddert as its first-ever director of academic operations. Gaeddert is charged with strengthening program collaboration under the campus’ recently implemented School of Integrated Studies. Dr. Gaeddert has a doctorate in educational leadership from Wichita State University, a master’s in teaching from Friends University and a bachelor’s in mathematics and computer science from Chadron State (NE).
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BENNINGTON STATE BANK, with Salina locations at 2130 S. Ohio and 200 S. Ninth St., recently announced several promotions. Linda Lilly is now a vice president/loan officer, Melanie Ohlson is now assistant vice president/loan operations supervisor, Debbie Andrews is now assistant vice president/ operations manager, and Shay Cox is now senior loan processor. Congratulations to all!
New Members CHICK-FIL-A 2245 S. Ninth • Shawn Hubbard (785) 820-8007 0373@chick-fil-a.com CORNERSTONE OF CARE 200 S. Santa Fe, 2nd Floor Carol Grimaldi (816) 508-1765 carolgrimaldi@cornerstoneofcare.org IN MY HOME HOME HEALTH & HOME CARE, OCCK, INC. 1710 W. Schilling Road Stephanie Gehring (785) 827-9383 inmyhome@occk.com JOCELYN’S PHILIPPINE KITCHEN 1315 S. Santa Fe Randall and Jocelyn Elliott (785) 829-3125 0226749@gmail.com DAVID MARTIN 853 D Fairdale Road (785) 822-8795 Ddwmartin711@yahoo.com PARAMOUNT BAR 219 N. Salina Kevin Rome (785) 827-0992 kev.rome@yahoo.com SUMMER SNOW, LLC 7841 E. North Street Jeremy Bryant, Jim Howard (785) 706-1003 service@summersnowllc.com SALINA’S BEST OVERSTOCKS & DISCOUNT STORE 1300 S. Santa Fe Doug Werth (785) 822-1951 jayhawk22@sbcglobal.net
Meet Chamber Member Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager of North Central Kansas Coordinated Transit Council, Inc. (nonprofit) as you read excerpts from our 5-minute/ 5-question interview. Can you please give us a three sentence summary of your personal background? I have been the Mobility Manager of this region for about 4 months. Previously, I worked at Sunflower Bank, the Greater Salina Community Foundation and Brown & Vogel, Chartered. I have always been involved in school events and committees, 4-H leadership and youth sports coaching. What is it about your business that is unique or special? What separates you from your competitors? Because we work in conjunction with KDOT, all of the providers in the region will work together to improve transportation services, where in partnership with each other or other entities, public or private. The true purpose is to serve the public in the best way possible. In general, how is demand for your product or service? We have 11 transportation providers in the region that each cover different territories within the eight counties. Although coverage is good, we are always looking for ways to improve. Just in Salina/Saline County, OCCK provides 250,000 rides a year for CityGo and 32,000 rides a year in Paratransit. 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!
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
The Virtual Welcome Bag Additional Marketing Business to Visitors! Businesses The Visit Salina “Virtual Welcome Bag” gets your business and your special offer sponsor Jr. noticed by people visiting Salina! If you’re willing to provide a great offer, we believe this program will provide you excellent exposure, and likely drive customers Leadership to your business. Visitors will access the “Welcome Bag” either through the Salina Chamber App (offers), on our www.SalinaKansas.org website, or through event 2017 Program organizers (KKOA Car Show, ASA Softball, etc.) that will distribute a direct link to the “Welcome Bag” to their registrants. This is a very affordable investment as well, at $120 per year. For more information contact Tiffany at the Chamber by phone or e-mail, (785) 927-3901 x130, or tbenien@salinakansas.org
Website Advertising on www.SalinaKansas.org The Chamber’s official website - www.SalinaKansas.org - offers Chamber members website banner advertising, or enhanced listings featuring logos, pictures, and more. Your business can receive additional leads by enhancing your advertising on our website. Chamber website banner advertisers receive 73% more leads than nonadvertisers, and 63% of customers prefer to do business with Chamber members. If you’d like to know more about advertising on the Chamber website, contact our Internet Ad Sales Consultant Matt Volk by e-mail mvolk@salinakansas.org or by phone (785) 502-0718. Offers are exclusive to Chamber members.
Spaces Available for Aaker Customer Service Seminars International speaker, trainer, and author, David K. Aaker, IOM, will be in Salina on March 14th to present his popular seminar “Turning Service Into Sales”. This lively and interactive two-hour presentation is designed to motivate employees with tested methods to improve customer service and help your employees make positive changes that will stimulate company growth. The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses of all industries to consider sending all employees to either session, to learn from David’s tested customer service information, including communication tools, internal & external customers, and building lifelong customers! You may register for either the morning session (9-11am) or afternoon session (2-4pm). Both sessions will be held in the Chamber’s Visit Salina Annex at 120 W. Ash, north of the Chamber office. Tickets are $75 for the seminar or $95 for the seminar plus a book. After each session, David will hold book signings. Register online at http://web.salinakansas.org/events/Customer-Service-Workshop-TurningService-Into-Sales-9475/details. Chamber members, watch your email for a $25 off discount code to use in your registration! For more information contact Hayley Morrical at the Chamber, hmorrical@salinakansas.org or (785) 827-9301.
Joining those listed in the February Chamber Connection, we thank these additional Jr. Leadership Salina sponsors for their generosity: Blue Beacon Int’l (2) REPCO (1) Crown Distributors (1) Salina Surgical Hospital (5) Great Plains Manufacturing (2) Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (1) Hampton & Royce (1)
Ambassadors Version 2017 The Chamber Ambassadors have begun their 2017 Membership Campaign. The group is working on identifying potential new members and contacting them about the benefits of membership. The 2017 Ambassadors include: Tom Arpke; Jenilynn Blair, Rocking M Radio; Carrie Clouse, First Bank Kansas; Emily Demars, Sunflower Bank; Dana Frederking, Assurance Partners, LLC; CJ Hammon, Nex-Tech Wireless, LLC; Linnea King, Brookdale Home Health; Rhonda McDaneld, Sunflower Bank; Steve Murrison, Murrison Group; Tracee Powell, Cerner Corporation; Clarke Sanders, Rocking M Radio; Kristin Van Wie, Farm Bureau Financial Services; and Mark Walle, Salina Journal. If you know someone who might be interested in becoming a member, refer them to an Ambassador listed above, or contact Don Weiser at the Chamber, dweiser@salinakansas.org or (785) 827-9301.
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BUSINESS HOURS REFRESHMENTS • TOURS • DOOR PRIZES
Christ the King Lutheran Church Little Lambs Pre-school
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!
111 W. Magnolia
Thursday, March 23 5-7pm • $5 per person or Fast Pass Christ the King Lutheran Church invites you to explore their Little Lambs Christian Pre-school. Their school is a Christian outreach program of Christ the King Lutheran Church and they offer classes Monday through Friday, both morning and afternoon for children ages three through five. They are currently enrolling for the 2017-2018 school year and invite you to tour their classrooms and visit with pre-school director/teacher Chelsey Mueller. Come on out, network with fellow Chamber members and discover all that Christ the King Lutheran Church has going on. For reservations call 827-9301 or email: dsmith@salinakansas.org.
Tremendous Thanks! Check it out at http://www.salinakansasyp.com
SAYP Update Important dates this month:
Mike Berkley At the February Business After Hours hosted by Bennett Buick GMC, the $1,000 Membership Drawing was won by Mike Berkley, Bennington State Bank. Ever a strong supporter of the Chamber, Mike donated his winnings back to the Chamber to support our work and programs. THANK YOU Mike! 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
• In the Know Wednesday - “Meal Planning and Exercise” - March 15th @ noon in Visit Salina Annex • Thirsty Thursday at The Hideaway - March 16th, 5:30-7:30PM • Lunch Club @ 12 @ Gutierrez - March 29th @ 12 • Link to register as SAYP member: http://bit.ly/SAYP2017 • Like us on Facebook for more in-depth event information! Call Hayley Morrical to learn more about SAYP at (785) 827-9301. 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