New Chamber Resource Debuts In January 2021, the Sarpy Chamber announced it was developing the Video Resource Page, a feature exclusive to Sarpy Chamber Members. That page is now live online with over 50 videos with content developed and curated specifically for educating and empowering the Sarpy Chamber business community. Members are just a click away from content that covers leadership training, advertising/marketing, finance, IT, security, wellness, and much more. The swift launch of so much video content was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Sarpy Chamber staff and a wide variety of Sarpy Chamber businesses.
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
I always look forward to sharing
in-person events! We have come such
updates on the Sarpy Chamber
a long way in just a year and, I hope
and our community through this
you take a minute to give yourself
publication, but this issue has me
credit for all you’ve overcome and
especially excited. We have so
embrace everything you have to look
much to share on new resources
forward to.
Karen Gibler
available exclusively to our members as well as the return of
WHAT’S INSIDE: SARPY SPRINGS FORWARD
VIDEO RESOURCE BREAKDOWN.........1
Look back and see how far both the
BUSINESS BOOST AT THE SARPY CHAMBER
chamber and Sarpy County have
The Sarpy Chamber expands its
come in the past year.
Small Business assistance.
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VITAL VIDEO CLIPS.............................2 UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS..............6
402.339.3050 WWW.SARPYCHAMBER.ORG 1243 GOLDEN GATE DRIVE
Log in and find stimulating content today!
The Sarpy Chamber’s Video Resource Page currently has over 50 videos comprised of past educational webinars, new series on business leadership, tutorials on digital business skills, and more! Just like your favorite streaming services, we are always adding more to our catalogue. Video Resource Page by the Numbers
MINUTES
MINUTES
The shortest video is just two minutes.
The longest video is 70 minutes
Bite-sized videos pack plenty of relevant information in a quickly digestible format.
Longer videos give viewers the experience of attending a comprehensive workshop in just a click.
HOURS As of this printing, there is a total of 16.75 hours worth of content in the Video Resource Page, so there’s plenty to choose from!
DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
Navigate the available video information through the categories. There is a lot to learn over 11 categories, covering everything from Social Media Marketing to Health & Wellness.
Log in to your account at www.sarpychamber.org/login and click the “Resource” tab to get started!
Clips from the Video Resource Page
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The other favored content is their Articles function. They built the Articles function so people wouldn’t feel the need to post links off their platform. If you already have a blog, just copy and paste your posts and put it directly into the Articles feature. Then it will show the content to 3 times more people than it would show an article that links off of the platform.
(From the Modern Professionals Business Tour of Artistic Sign & Design)
The bulk of the videos have been created through the Sarpy Chamber and released exclusively to the Video Resource Page, but a portion of this project features live premieres on Facebook for series that cover Business Leadership, Modern Professional Business Tours, and more. The chamber has also partnered with members like Google to host their exclusive business educational content. “We’re so grateful to our partners in the business community for helping us bring this resource to life,” said Brian White, Groups & Engagement Manager with the Sarpy Chamber. White coordinated and carried out the filming for many of the videos featuring local business experts. “We know there is a lot of collective wisdom in our business community, and it’s been great to be able to collect it in one spot and easily share it with our members.” Log in to your Sarpy Chamber account for access to the Video Resource Page. Read excerpts from some of our local business experts below: Social Media Best Practices with KidGlov “The thing to know about LinkedIn is there are two types of content being favored by the platform. The first is video. LinkedIn is trying to become less of a place you go to find a job and more of a professional development content platform. So, when you upload a video directly to LinkedIn, that gets seen 6 times more than text and image posts.
So, you get a lot more eyeballs, you don’t have to pay any money for it, and these are just little tweaks you make to your implementation to make LinkedIn work a little bit better for you.” Conversations on Leadership Series - Matt Ricchini, State Farm Agency Owner “I am a very objective-driven person. I want to get things accomplished. The good leaders that I’ve interacted with all talked with me about why I wanted to get something accomplished in an organization. A person’s “why” is the power behind their motivation. People can get a lot of things done if their “why” is big enough. They can put up with a lot of obstacles and challenges and resistance if their “why” is big enough. A good leader is going to figure why someone wants to do something and understand their goals and objectives.” Business Education Series on Website Accessibility with Outlook Business Solutions “Think of things like voice commands, emails, automatic doors in grocery stores. Those were all initially intended for folks that have a disability and now those are every-day features. Maybe you’ll be able to come up with the next great thing just by thinking of how to make your products more accessible. Accessibility is good for business because it fosters innovation, helps increase revenue, protects you against the legal landscape, but most importantly it allows for a wider audience to be able to access your products and services. An audience of all abilities or changing abilities.”
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Sarpy County Springs Forward In March 2020 the Sarpy Chamber was suddenly faced with very different set of circumstances. Throughout the year, the Sarpy Chamber stayed as busy as usual, just in new ways. Already based in community service, the chamber’s mission became even more focused on this with projects like a food drive and the small business grant program. One year later, the Sarpy Chamber is excited to offer the robust list of in-person events it has been known for as well as the continuity of innovative adaptations. With a huge virtual turnout, the State of the County event for 2021 will once again be held virtually over Zoom on June 15th. The ease of the online setting meant more people than ever before could attend this important informational event. The chamber looks forward to utilizing this digital advantage to connect more people to their representatives and elected officials on important issues. Other information events like the Membership Breakfast and Website 101 are also set to stay virtual at this time. The chamber’s adaptation to online events will also continue with a series of virtual video events designed to connect viewers with local business leaders, legislative representation, as well as unique tours and promotion of local businesses. Past events and upcoming events can be found at Facebook. com/SarpyChamber. The digital venue on the Sarpy
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(Conversations on Leadership series episode with Martie Cordaro, President & GM of the Omaha Storm Chasers & Union Omaha)
(New name and branding for the Sarpy Chamber’s annual men’s event at Oak Creek Sporting club.)
Chamber’s Facebook page allows these guest speakers to reach a larger audience with the Business Leader series.
“I am dedicated to throughly educating homebuyers about the loan products we offer that best suit their needs and goals.”
Service
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Taking over 120 people on a tour of TopGolf Omaha would be difficult to manage in person, but a video format of the Modern Professional Business Tour works perfectly for such a big crowd. The Modern Professionals group has embraced digital meeting spaces, but the group is returning to in-person gatherings in 2021 with a kick-off networking event at Lucky Bucket Brewing Company on May 6th. More Sarpy Chamber groups are resuming inperson events like the W.O.M.E.N. Group. “We Optimize, Mentor, Elevate, Network” Sarpy Chamber W.O.M.E.N. is a resource for all interested in supporting women navigate the unique challenges and opportunities in the work world. The group is welcoming a new start with a networking and fundraising event on May 25th at Soaring Wings Vineyard. Guests will enjoy networking, wine, and a raffle with 50% of the event’s proceeds being donated to Rejuvenating Women, a nonprofit that supports survivors of human trafficking.
4 Ribbon Cuttings have also made a strong comeback on the Sarpy Chamber’s calendar, serving as a great indication that even after a challenging year, our local business community is still in a position to grow and expand. The Sarpy Chamber is especially excited to spring forward by celebrating the launch of the county’s next generation of leaders. The Leadership Sarpy class of 2021 has developed and refined their leadership skills while taking this 9-month course in the most unique set of circumstances a class has ever faced.
(Above: The Leadership Sarpy Class of 2021 participates in the obstacle course at the program orientation retreat. Below: The class attends a workshop with a virtual speaker.)
Their journey as community leaders will begin on May 11th at the Leadership Sarpy Graduation Ceremony. Graduates will give attendees a preview of the greatness coming to our community when they present on their Legacy Projects. These are community initiatives created by Leadership Sarpy teams that allow them to directly apply their new skills and knowledge to a project that will leave a lasting, positive impact on Sarpy County. The chamber’s calendar is filling up with opportunities to connect back to the community and soon the Sarpy Chamber office will be able to welcome back members through its doors. Be sure to sign up for E-Blast updates to get the latest on office openings and visit www.sarpychamber.org/events to register for upcoming events.
The first major Sarpy Chamber event to be held in person in 2021 will be the 25th Annual Golf Tournament on May 27th. The event quickly sold out, signaling the community’s eagerness to gather and connect. The Ladies Day Out event returns to the chamber’s calendar on June 23rd at Tiburon Golf Club. This annual event is low in formality and high in fun! Attendees will hit the links with their team and later gather for a reception with prizes and a wine tasting. Other events are returning with a rebrand, like the Men’s Corporate Clay Cup on June 3rd. Formerly known as the “Guy’s Event”, this fun day out at Oak Creek Sporting Club now features a Trap Knockout Game, and whiskey tasting in addition to the awardwinning clay course and raffle. With fewer indoor venue restrictions in place and a stage set for further re-openings, the Sarpy Chamber is excited to bring back its monthly networking events like Coffee & Contacts and Business After Hours. The first Coffee & Contacts event of 2021 was held at the Beardmore Event Center in March, with dozens of attendees getting to know their business community peers face to face.
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Small Business Support Program
Sarpy Chamber is incredibly grateful to PayPal and Facebook for already stepping up as sponsors to help small businesses build back their networking, education, and advocacy resources as Sarpy Chamber members.
The Sarpy Chamber has been in constant connection with the businesses in our community and we know the past year has been a struggle for many small businesses. Last year we were fortunate enough to give hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to small businesses. Now they need resources beyond money.
Applications for small businesses interested in taking advantage of Sarpy Chamber memberships through this program are open and can be found at sarpychamber.org/ small-business-support. Eligible businesses must be based in Sarpy County with 25 or fewer employees. Any businesses interested in joining the Small Business Support program as a sponsor can contact Sarpy Chamber President, Karen Gibler, at president@sarpychamber.org.
The challenges of 2020 have left many with limited marketing funds and distance in their relationships to their customers and peers. The Small Business Support Program is designed to provide access to the many marketing, education, and networking opportunities that come with Sarpy Chamber membership. Sponsors of this program will give Sarpy County small businesses a one-year Sarpy Chamber membership to boost them through this pandemic until business is back on track. The
(Membership meeting at the Sarpy Chamber office.)
facebook.com/SarpyDataCenter
Congratulations Facebook Grant Recipients! Facebook’s Sarpy Data Center is proud to recognize our 2021 Community Action Grants recipients. Through this year’s program, Facebook contributed $210,000 to projects that provide technology for community benefit, connect people online and off and improve STEM education. • Bellevue East High School
• Logan Fontenelle Middle School
• Bellevue Public Schools
• Omaha STEM Ecosystem
• Bellevue West High School
• Papillion La Vista Community Schools
• Birchcrest Elementary School
• Sarpy County Museum
• Fontenelle Forest • Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska
• Springfield Platteview Community Schools
• Gretna High School
• Twin Ridge Elementary School
• La Vista Community Foundation
• Sarpy Community YMCA
Upcoming Major Events Leadership Sarpy Graduation Tuesday, May 11th Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch 25th Annual Golf Tournament Thursday, May 27th Tiburon Golf Club
First In-Person 2021 Events The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce is excited to get back to hosting opportunities for face-to-face connections in 2021. These were our first events of the year where we were able to gather in person and we look forward to many more!
Men's Corporate Clay Cup Thursday, June 3rd Oak Creek Sporting Club State of the County 2021 June 15th Held Virtually via Zoom Ladies Day Out Wednesday, June 23rd Tiburon Golf Club The Sarpy Chamber is adding more in-person and virtual events to the calendar like Coffee & Contacts, Membership Breakfasts, and group events.
Papillion 150 Butterfly Effect Mural Unveiling Series January 27th at Tara Plaza March 2nd at Midlands Place
Visit www.sarpychamber.org/events to register for these events and get the latest information.
Midwest Pain Clinic Ribbon Cutting in Bellevue March 12th
Coffee & Contacts Networking Event at Beardmore Event Center March 18th
SARPY CHAMBER STAFF Karen Gibler President Annisa Visty Vice President
Karen Gibler Celeste Pille
Marketing Manager Brian White
Groups & Engagement Manager
OUR MEMBERS PUT THE HEART IN SARPY!
Quinn Cooper Membership Manager Jim Masters Leadership Sarpy Facilitator
“There are so many ways to make connections with people at the Sarpy Chamber, whether it’s done virtually or in-person. I’ve been able to share some insight on creative ways to build customer relationships through the new Video Resource Page, but we’ll also get the chance to meet with people face-toface when Anchor Roofing hosts the quarterly meeting for the Ambassador Group in May. No matter the setting, the chance to network and connect is always there.”
Equipping business today for what’s coming tomorrow. Smart solutions for staying competitive and connected.
cox.com
-Thom Hazell, Anchor Roofing
