Salina Chamber Newsletter August 2016

A Monthly Publication of the AUGUST 2016 Volume 56, Number 8

AT A GLANCE...

Business After Hours . . . . . . August 4 Tri Rivers Fair Salina Bicentennial Center Arena 800 Midway, 5-7pm Active Shooter Training . . . . August 9 Visit Salina Annex 120 W. Ash 7-9am or 5-7pm Junior Dairy Show . . . . . August 11-13 Saline Co Expo Center Business After Hours . . . . . August 27 Nex-Tech Wireless 2525 Marketplace Ste B, 5-7 pm Business After Hours . . . September 8 K-State Polytechnic 2310 Centennial Road, 5-7pm Details inside!

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SCHOOL TO CAREER CONTINUES See page 4 TO BRIDGE THE GAP

PASS IT ON! n n n n

Human Resources Communications Sales Staff Break Area

SDI

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 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 Salina Area Technical College 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

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE #artwalkedition presents: Hannah Schroeder Hannah and her group will grace the Campbell Plaza stage for First Friday Night Live with great original vocals and a folksy, blues, pop sound. After checking out all the arts exhibits in local venues hit up Campbell Plaza for a relaxing, family fun show.

Come downtown and shop (many retailers are staying open until 7:00 P.M.), browse the art displayed in many downtown establishments, and grab a bit to eat…ALL before your free Friday Night Live entertainment!

Watch Friday Night Live on Facebook for updated times and venues throughout August!

Congratulations to all the downtown winners and finalists in the 2016 Salina Journal Readers’ Choice! We are so fortunate to have such wonderful local businesses and services downtown! Thank you to all who voted for downtown! #shoplocal

OPERATION: Decorate Downtown!

H H

Do you LOVE seeing Downtown decorated for the holidays?

Did Downtown decorations leave you feeling less than satisfied last year?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Salina Downtown, Inc. Downtown Holiday Fund!

With your help we can LIGHT UP the holidays!

Please mail check payable to: Greater Salina Community Foundation MEMO: Downtown Holiday Fund P.O. Box 2876 Salina, KS 67402-2876 “Our Mission is to champion a healthy and vibrant downtown community”

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CHAMBER NEWS

Meet the

Staff!

Follow the Salina Chamber and Visit Salina on Facebook.

Our newest member of the Chamber/Visit Salina staff is Kyle Weiser, Sports and Special Kyle Weiser Events Associate. Kyle will be working on a variety of fronts, but his emphasis will be in marketing Salina as a destination for sports and events, and on-site coordination and support of those events that are hosted in Salina. He will work alongside Tiffany Benien, and make our sports initiative even stronger.

Kyle brings great experience to our staff. A graduate of Kansas Wesleyan University, Kyle worked for the Athletics Department at KWU. His resume also includes game day events for the Salina Liberty Indoor Football Team, work on the front-lines of our local hospitality industry, and non-profit experience with Catholic Charities. Perhaps his greatest asset for us is many hours spent as a Visit Salina volunteer, assisting with softball/baseball tournaments, the KKOA Car Show and many other events. “Kyle is a great fit for us,” commented Tiffany Benien, Manager of Sports and Special Events for Visit Salina. “He will represent us well out in the marketplace, as we look for opportunities. But he also embraces the reality of event administration, from planning to execution, which translates to everything from cash management to hauling tents and coolers. The learning curve is short, and we are thrilled to welcome him!”

In his spare time - which he will undoubtedly have less of - Kyle enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and watching the Royals and Chiefs!

Welcome aboard Kyle!

Sessions Filling Fast for Active Shooter Training As a reminder, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Officer Moreland of the Salina Police Department to offer a course covering how to handle an active shooter crisis, Tuesday, August 9 at the Visit Salina Annex. Officer Moreland will present identical sessions offered from 7-9am and 3–5pm. Attendees will learn the history of mass shootings in the United States, how to ensure your best chance at survival during a shooting, and tips on creating an active shooter emergency plan for businesses. After the presentation, Officer Moreland will be available for audience questions and to offer private employee trainings for local business owners. Sessions are filling fast, so register today at http://bit.ly\SACCregister. For more information please contact Hayley Morrical at hmorrical@salinakansas.org or 785-827-9301.

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CHAMBER NEWS

School to Career Continues to Bridge the Gap health care field that have successfully completed the necessary As individuals clock in across Salina for their daily work prerequisites at their high school. Students will observe three routines, there is another group of the Salina demographic that different health career professions for a total of 30 visits (10 is getting ready to embark on another year towards inevitably entering the workforce. The high school students that are visits for each area) with students visiting their placement two times a week. The second internship option is the Career being educated today are the workforce the community will be Internship; it is a semester long course open for seniors interested relying on in the future to continue to support and grow Salina. in pursuing a career in any field that is not health related.

According to a recent study by employment agency Manpower, Students will intern with one local business 31% of employers nationwide say that they have found it difficult to fill positions for a total of 30 visits, two times a week for “USD 305’s long-standing a little more than an hour each visit. Career because of a shortage of available talent. The market for talent is expected to become even partnership with the Salina Area internship placements will be scheduled throughout the day with the business more challenging as baby boomers continue Chamber of Commerce for the availability in mind. to retire at a rate of 10,000 daily across the Medical and Career Internship USD 305 Superintendent Bill Hall nation; more than ever before it is critical program provides a valuable summed up the importance of the School that businesses correctly brand themselves hands-on, real life experience for to Career Program by stating, “USD 305’s and work to get their companies in front of and appeal to the next generation of students. It is directly in line with long-standing partnership with the Salina the workforce. the school district’s vision that all Area Chamber of Commerce for the Medical and Career Internship program The Millennial generation will make up students graduate college and provides a valuable hands-on, real life 46% of the workforce by 2020. This is part career ready. A big thanks goes experience for students. It is directly in of the reason why the School to Career out to the Salina Area Chamber line with the school district’s vision that all Program continues to be one of the most important tools that the community has to of Commerce and all partners for students graduate college and career ready. help give students exposure to the local making a difference in the lives A big thanks goes out to the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and all partners career opportunities right here in Salina. of these students.” for making a difference in the lives of For over 15 years, the School to Career Bill Hall, USD 305 Superintendent these students.”

Program has been led by the Chamber and With the unemployment rate low works in conjunction with USD 305 to place and the demand for skilled workers students in semester long internships. The expanding rapidly, this program is a great way to help influence program is designed to be inclusive and constantly forming new the next generation of Salina while exposing your business or partnerships with local business and industry that allow students organization to potential employees! to experience work based learning outside of the classroom in If you would like more information on the duties and real world settings. responsibilities of a business host and how to get your There are two internship options available to students; the first business involved please contact Delta Bryant by email at is a Medical Internship Rotation and the second is the Career dbryant@salinakansas.org or by phone at 785-827-9301.

Internship. Medical Internship Rotation is a semester long course open only to seniors interested in pursuing a career in the

“What’s all the buzz about?”

Check it out at http://www.salinakansasyp.com 4

VISIT SALINA

Good Sports!

Visit Salina is one of 25+ communities that comprise the Sports Kansas coalition.

Now in its second year, this group works cooperatively in marketing Kansas as a destination for sports events. One of the avenues used is participation in marketplaces that bring together potential host cities, like those in Sports Kansas, and events rights holders, such as ASA, AAU, NAIA, NJCAA and many others. In September, two such events will see representation from Sports Kansas, and specifically Visit Salina. Tiffany Benien, our Manager of Sports/Special Events, and Kyle Weiser, Sport/Special Events Associate will attend the S.P.O.R.T.S. Relationship Conference and the TEAMS Conference in September. Another event on our radar is the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) next spring. We continue to research other opportunities as well. Our primary goal is to meet with rights holders and determine what events might be a good fit for Salina’s facilities, including the Bicentennial Center, the Salina Field House, and our many parks and recreation sites.

Sometimes it IS all about us! At least it was for a week in June when Salina was featured during “All About Us” week at the Goodland Tourist Information Center on I-70. Thanks to Kansas Tourism for this opportunity to introduce Salina to interstate travelers stopping at the TIC, and thanks to the TIC staff for always promoting us!

MarqueeWelcomes August 2-5

Kansas Material Managers Assoc

August 11-13 Missionary Baptist Church August 11-13 Kansas Junior Dairy Show August 15-21 Slick Stock 2016 #7 – Auto Club August 20

7th Annual Fools Day 5K Glow Run

August 25-28 Wreck Master Class – Auto House Towing

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

American Legion KS Grand Slam Baseball $204,300 ARC Tennis

$18,000

KS ASA 12 U Softball $90,892 Sacred Heart Alumni Golf Tourn $13,130

Nearly 50 delegates of the Kansas Material Managers Association convened in Salina the first week of August. In addition to their business meetings at the Holiday Inn, enjoying and excursion downtown and some golf were part of their agenda. Quality Inn & Suites welcomes 100+ delegates of the Smoky Hill District Association of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church this month.

Knights of Columbus Regional $24,097 West Shrine Football Practice $25,825 KKOA Leadsled Spectacular

$921,225

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS

In The News

DESIGN CENTRAL, The Office Environment Specialists located in downtown Salina at 152 S. 5th Street, has a new employee.

Luke Gordon, a native of Marion, KS, will be responsible for sales and customer service.

Luke attended Fort Hays State University, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration. He has been a resident of Salina for over three years and is an active member of Salina Area Young Professionals. Luke is looking forward to helping Design Central call on customers throughout central Kansas to assist them with office furniture needs and interior design services.

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.

WORLD TRAVEL BUCKET LIST, will be hosting a FREE information session on river cruising August 9 from 5-6 p.m. at the Salina Public Library in the Prescott Room. There will be a guest presenter from AmaWaterways (rated best in Europe in multiple categories). All attendees will receive $100 off on any cruise booked during the session, or $50 off within 2 weeks of the session. Also, everyone who RSVPs before noon on August 9 will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Light snacks provided.

DESTRO MEDIA is hosting their second annual Midwest Microfest, Saturday, August 27th from 1-4:30pm at the Salina Bicentennial Center. This year promises more breweries, more entertainment, a better deluxe package and a new addition in pretzel necklaces for every attendee. Tickets are on sale at bicentennialcenter.org or at the Bicentennial Center Box Office. Email info@destromedia. com for more information.

Jeffrey Norris has joined the law firm of CLARK, MIZE & LINVILLE, CHARTERED, 129 S. Eighth, as an associate attorney. Norris is a Salina native and received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from Kansas State University, and his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University.

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Brett Mitchell is a recent addition at BENNINGTON STATE BANK. Mitchell is a loan officer and will be based at the bank corporate office, 2130 S. Ohio. He is a Salina native and his emphasis will be in commercial lending and the bank’s business development efforts.

HOLIDAY INN and HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS welcome Nate McClanahan to their staff as Regional Sales Rep. Both hotels are owned by the Liberty Hotel Group. Nate has been in the Salina hospitality industry for several years. You can contact him at nathan.mcclanahan@libertyhotelgroup.com or by calling 785-404-3300.

Ambassador of the Month Mark Walle, Marketing Consultant of the Salina Journal, has been named “Ambassador of the Month” for July. Rhonda has Mark Walle secured 4 new members so far this year.

“Mark is a great addition to the Ambassador team, and we’re proud of the job he is doing for the Chamber,” said Don Weiser, Chamber President/CEO. For his efforts, Mark will receive a $25 Smoky Hill Silver Gift Certificate. Congratulations Mark!

New Members SLEEP NUMBER (OPENING IN OCTOBER) 3015 S. Ninth, Ste. C • Christi Hellner (417) 434-1640 christi.hellner@selectcomfort.com DALE CARNEGIE TRAINING-KANSAS HEARTLAND 200 Southwind Place, Suite 204 Manhattan, KS Amy Gross, Ph.D, Gordon Hibbard (785) 320-2753 gordon.hibbard@dalecarnegie.com WORLD TRAVEL BUCKET LIST 903 Mellinger • Mile Philson (785) 477-1559 mike@worldtavelbucketlist.com TACO MASTER 2141 W. Crawford • Marco Mereles (785) 820-2826 • salina.plus@yahoo.com ALL IN SCREENPRINTING 402 Mattson • Smolan, KS John, Cindy, Hunter and Adam Koeller (785) 668-2555 allin@allinscreenprint.com JW ENTERPRISES 400 Hummingbird Lane • Minneapolis, KS Jennifer Watts • (785) 914-9080 jennifer@jwattsenterprises.com HERTZ 3230 Arnold • Bryan Hatch (785) 827-7237 • bhatch@hertz.com SALINA KIWANIS CLUB 515 S. Ninth • Craig Dassow (785) 822-8030 • dassowcraig@gmail.com PINOY PO TAYO CAFÉ 1315 S. Santa Fe Vivian Macion, Clemencia Hall (785) 341-2016 pinoypotayocafe@gmail.com J C PENNY 2259 S. Ninth Charles Strang, Kindra Franks (785) 827-7221

Search for us at

Salina Chamber and

Visit Salina

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, LLC 129 S. Tenth • Rachel Dix, Corey Haden (785) 342-2986 opportunityknocks11c3@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Ribbon Cuttings Chamber ribbon cuttings were part of recent celebrations for these Chamber members:

Meet Chamber Member Adrienne Allen, Executive Director of Salina Symphony 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 grew up in western Kansas and continued my education in eastern Kansas, earning a B.A. in communication from Ottawa University and a M.S. in administration from the University of Kansas. I worked as director of alumni relations at Ottawa University and assistant director of Salina Adult Education Center before being named executive director of the Salina Symphony in 2009. My husband, Jim, and I are thankful to live, work and raise our children in Salina.

The new Awakenings Day Spa opened at 2100 S. 9th Street

Sprint celebrated the opening of their new location at 2629 Market Place with a Chamber ribbon cutting.

What is it about your business that is unique or special? What separates you from your competitors?

The Salina Symphony is a regional orchestra dedicated to enriching lives through artistic music performance and education. As one of the premiere musical ensembles of North Central Kansas, the Symphony performs six concerts per season at the beautiful Stiefel Theatre as well as an outdoor summer concert. Under Maestro Ken Hakoda’s direction, the Symphony has become known for finding ways to break out of the traditional symphony concert “box” while still maintaining the integrity of the music.

The Symphony’s Youth Education Program, which consists of three youth orchestras and one youth choir, serves more than 200 students from elementary through high school.

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!

Salina Area Technical College students completed a home at 732 Marla Court built by their students. The home is now on the market through SalinaHomes.com listing agents Jody Ryan and Morgan Powell.

All Breeds Junior Dairy Show August 11-13 Dairy cattle from across the state will compete for prizes, ribbons and cash at the annual Kansas All Breeds Junior Dairy Show August 11-13 at the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center. In its 51st year, the show is the largest gathering of 4-H and youth dairy members in the state. Approximately 125 head of cattle will be entered, representing approximately 100 youth from about 25 Kansas counties.

Activities include a Quiz Bowl, Judging School, Fitting and Showing Competition, General Judging Competition and County Herd Competition.

The show is sponsored by the Ag Division of the Chamber, in cooperation with Kansas State University, the Kansas Dairy Commission, and Kansas Dairy Association.

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BUSINESS HOURS REFRESHMENTS • TOURS • DOOR PRIZES

Tri Rivers Fair

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!

Salina Bicentennial Center Arena 800 The Midway Thursday, August 4 5-7pm • $5 per person or Fast Pass The Tri-Rivers Fair began in Saline County over 80 years ago as a way for locals, particularly rural children and families to showcase their livestock, horticulture and home economic abilities. Today’s Fair is for everyone, country and city folks, children and adults! Each attendee will receive one admission ticket to the rodeo that evening at the Grandstand, or one admission ticket to the Saturday evening Draft Horse Pull in Ag Hall, courtesy of the Tri Rivers Fair.

Nex-Tech Wireless

2525 Marketplace Ste B Thursday, August 25 5-7pm • $5 per person or Fast Pass Nex-Tech® Wireless opened its location in Salina in March 2013. Since then the company has expanded to include locations in Abilene, Central Mall in Salina, McPherson and Hutchinson and now has nearly 50 locations to serve its customers. Additionally, they have aggressively built out their LTE network to bring high speeds to rural Kansans. You’ll experience something different when you do business with Nex-Tech® Wireless – a local company that gives back to the communities they serve, personalized customer support, unlimited data, the latest phones and tablets, and nationwide coverage.

Wage and Benefit Survey Completed The 2016 Salina Wage and Benefit Survey is complete. Wage and benefit information was submitted by 28 companies representing 1,507 hourly and 145 salary employees.

The high, low and average wages were calculated using a spread sheet program. The program extracts the high and low wages, and also calculates the average wage from the data entered for each specific occupation.

The survey is on the Chamber website and you may access it at www.salinakansas.org by clicking on the Members Only tab found on the Members drop down tab. You will need your user name and password to view the survey. If you do not have a user name and password please contact Allison Webb at awebb@salinakansas.org requesting access to the Members Only Section and she will assign one to you. Thanks to all who participated!

Come out, network with fellow Chamber members & check out what Tri-Rivers Fair and Nex-Tech Wireless have to offer!

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 DRAWING IT PAYS TO ATTEND!!

It’s not too late to order your 2016 “Business After Hours” Fast Pass. For $30, the pass will gain you admittance to all Chamber After Hour events throughout the year. There are several BAH events scheduled for 2016, so that averages less than $3.00 per event, a GREAT savings! To order your Fast Pass, email Delta at dbryant@salinakansas.org or call her at the Chamber office, (785) 827-9301.

The next mailing of CHAMBERNET – our economical, direct mail based, quarterly marketing tool – is September 1st. The cost is $95, and participants must bring 1,500 flyers to the Chamber by 5pm on August 15th. If you have any questions, contact Delta at the Chamber office, 785-827-9301.