Reno Chamber Newsletter

OCTOBER 2015

www.thechambernv.org

Chamber to Host Northern Nevada Business Summit, Regions Premier B2B Trade Show with Educational Seminars On Thursday, November 5, 2015, The Chamber will debut the newest of our annual events – the Northern Nevada Business Summit. Anticipated to grow into the region’s largest business-to-business trade show, we will host over 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest in cutting edge products and services, local vendors, and any tool you need to grow your business!

Northern Nevada is experiencing unprecedented and tremendously diverse business growth, which comes with many opportunities and challenges for our existing businesses. The Chamber is responding to our region’s need and offering a platform to keep businesses and their executives on the competitive edge with networking, product introduction, service solution, and idea collaboration through this one day expo.

The Northern Nevada Business Summit will feature a high-quality and wide-ranging selection of special events and seminars. The event will open at 11:30am with the Taste of Northern Nevada Lunch and food will be provided by Chamber members. The summit will close with our signature Alive After 5 networking mixer from 4-5:30pm. Six valuable seminars will share strategies for business growth with attendees throughout the day - all presentations will be made by accessible, local experts.

Don’t miss out on this phenomenal opportunity to elevate your business!

You’ll find everything you need to know below: Event: Northern Nevada Business Summit Location: Nugget Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave, Sparks, Nevada Date: Thursday, November 5, 2015 • Time: 11:00am - 5:30pm Schedule: Booths Open 11:00am-5:30pm • Taste of Northern Nevada Lunch 11:30am-1:00pm Seminars 1:00pm through 4:00pm • Alive After 5 Networking 4:00-5:30pm Cost: $20, a portion of the proceeds will go to support The Chamber’s new Young Entrepreneurs’ Academy.

Purchase tickets online at www.TheChamberNV.org Sponsorships and booths available … contact Leslie Masterpool for sponsorship and booth details @ (775) 636-9559.

this is your chamber!

Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship.

Take control and be heard As a business person, you know that free enterprise is the foundation of a strong economy and a prosperous society. At The Chamber, we advocate for public policies that help your business thrive. We realize that economic growth and job creation don’t “just happen” and that is why The Chamber’s results oriented, pro-business advocacy efforts are so important to your business and the future of our community.

Getting involved The Chamber offers a multitude of programs and committees that benefit our members as well as lead to growth within our business community. Join one of our councils and help shape policy, become an Ambassador and support new members or enroll in one of our many leadership classes and increase your knowledge and awareness of challenges facing our area. Let us help contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Networking Advancing your business through member to member connections, The Chamber hosts a variety of networking opportunities to help you gain that one-on-one advantage that help promote your business or product.

• Chamber Mixers • Committee Participation • Membership Luncheons

• New Member Orientation • Biz Talk Blender • Ribbon Cuttings

• DIRECTIONS • The Morning Spark

Marketing & Promotion Membership offers outstanding marketing opportunities to get your message out. Let other members know what makes your product or service unique through an array of opportunities.

• Directory Listing & Links on Website • New Member Listings • Social Media New Member Promotion • Sponsorships

• Business Referral • Email New Member Promotion • Member Events Calendar

• Directory Listing • Chamber Lobby Advertising • Custom Publication Advertising

Events & Sponsorship Looking to build your brand? Sponsoring a chamber event helps you reach a key business to business demographic and community leaders.

• Annual Golf Tournament • Chamber 101

• B.E.S.T. Kids Program • DIRECTIONS

• Monthly Luncheons • Biz Talk Blender

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CHAMBER CONNECTION | OCTOBER 2015

message from the executive director 775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS: Sarah Sommers – Chair of the Board Solutions At Work Jim McClenahan – Past Chair UNR College of Business Danny DeLaRosa – Chair Elect United Federal Credit Union Mike Hix – Treasurer First Independent Bank Len Stevens – Executive Director The Chamber BOARD MEMBERS: Nik Antone Wells Fargo Josh Bartella Microsoft

As we enter the last quarter of 2015, we look forward to presenting a NEW program and a NEW event!

Our Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) starts this month on October 15th. The Chamber is proud to be the first organization in Nevada to offer this nationally known program to students in middle and high school.

We are grateful to the many financial supporters, mentors and instructors who are volunteering their time to insure that our students have the most thorough instruction and practical experience available. Special thank you’s to Jennifer Fonda for assisting with student recruitment as well as to the Dale Carnegie instructors for their time.

Each student will spend 30 weeks building and marketing their business idea in an effort to grow that into a business they can own.

In November, The Chamber will present our first annual Northern Nevada Business Summit. We are expecting a fantastic turnout from the business community. We will have 100 booths as well as 6 educational sessions during the summit. Our speakers are

all local, well-known business leaders who are ready to share their knowledge with our members! Tickets to visit the vendor booths and attend the sessions are only $20.

You are invited to join us on November 5th for a day of sharing ideas, learning from local experts and experiencing a Taste of Northern Nevada as Chamber members provide an array of food for the Summit lunch.

As you can see, The Chamber is ending 2015 with a bang! These offerings are just a sample of all that The Chamber has to offer members. Watch for more new member offerings in 2016.

Thank you and Choose Chamber!

Len Stevens Executive Director, The Chamber

Tim Crowley Crowley & Ferrato Public Affairs Estella Gutierrez TMCC Bill Hughes Peppermill Doug Knuth UNR Athletics Kimberly Kuntz Noble Studios Helen Lidholm Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center John Maher Reno-Gazette Journal Dennis McGovern Legends at Sparks Marina Marily Mora Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Alan Olive Northern Nevada Medical Center Ann Silver JOIN, Inc. Kris Wells AT&T

chamber member spotlight

Greg Boyer Renown Health

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants is headquartered in San Francisco, and has nationwide presence with a depth of industry expertise across key lines of insurance, including commercial property and casualty, employee benefits, unique specialty program insurance, and private client services.

Since its founding in 2007, EPIC has grown revenue from $12 million to $160 million through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. EPIC’s strategic partners include private equity firms The Carlyle Group and Stone Point Capital.

EPIC’s specialty practice areas include: Agribusiness, Architects, Engineering, Law Firms, Advertising, Energy Construction, Financial Institutions, Food and Beverage, Healthcare, Hotels/Hospitality, Life Sciences/Technology, Municipalities, Non-profits, Real Estate/Property Management, Renewable Energy, Transportation/Logistics/Warehousing, Water District and the Wine Business.

EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. They remain a fixture on the insurance industry’s ‘Best Places to Work’ lists.

EPIC has worked hard to maintain their internal culture and has defined 10 characteristics of shared values and beliefs for the organization defined as “EPICness”. These characteristics include: people first, respect, responsibility, adaptability, community, alignment, confidence, innovation, humility and fun.

As employees join and clients partner with EPIC they experience all of these characteristics both internally and externally.

In addition, EPIC has recently been recognized as a 2015 “Inc. 5000” Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. EPIC was the Fastest growing large insurance broker/consultant in the nation (revenue in excess of $100 million) and the only company among the 25 largest brokers of U.S. business to be recognized by Inc. They have also been recognized as a top 20 employee benefits consultant and commercial lines agency in the U.S as well as a top 50 global insurance broker (#46).

To learn more about EPIC, visit epicbrokers.com.

Interested in the Spotlight Section?

Contact Joy at The Chamber, (775) 636-9560.

Abbi Whitaker The Abbi Agency Brad Woodring NV Energy

Thank you to our 2015 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.

LIAISONS: Steve Anderson EDAWN Joe Bozsik YPN Cadin Fabbi UNR ASUN Heather Lunsford Leadership Reno Sparks Linda Meissen Realtors Windy Culver Molezzo Leadership Reno Sparks Steve Stegmeir Chamber Ambassadors Kris Wells WIN

Len Stevens Chief Executive Officer Tray Abney Director of Government Relations Joy Heuer Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Jones Controller Leslie Masterpool Events and Programs Manager Sandy Ammerman Customer Relations Manager Laurie Pettyjohn Membership Sales

upcoming events

CHAMBER STAFF:

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 Morning Spark Establishing a Business Succession Plan 7:30-9:00am The Chamber @ 449 S. Virginia St. #200 Members $5, Nonmembers $25 Please RSVP WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Brown Bag Lunch with MarkUBiz Overall Marketing Plan 11:30am-12:30pm The Chamber @ 449 S. Virginia St. #200 FREE to attend but RSVP required — please visit http://markubiz.com/events/

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Northern Nevada Business Summit 11:30am-5:30pm Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave. Members $20, please RSVP

NOTE

For more information on any of these events, please visit www.TheChamberNV.org

AUGUST

new members

Bev Saunders - Independent Wine Consultant WineShop at Home Beverly Saunders • (775) 450-4940 Dayton, NV 89403 Carneys Full Service Movers Rob Carney • (775) 358-3900 1749 Victorian Ave. • Sparks, NV 89431 CentSai Doria Lavagnino • (718) 757-2922 3435 Southampton Dr. • Reno, NV 89509 Chase International Real Estate Ruby von Schwerin • (775) 232-3884 985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy #110 • Reno, NV 89521 Cheap Sweep Larry Pizorno • (775) 225-9258 PO Box 7093 • Reno, NV 89510 Constant Contact - Jennifer Baker Jennifer Baker • (775) 830-8691 Reno, NV 89501 Design Solutions, LLC Clyde Hill • (775) 722-0998 9732 Pyramid Way #102 • Sparks, NV 89441 FEAST Ken Long • (775) 686-6969 516 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89501 FranNet Carl Gerhardt • (248) 459-7822 14145 SaddleBow Dr. • Reno, NV 89511 Haven Massage and Health Center Ana Bowman • (775) 360-7272 9110 Double Diamond Pkwy Ste A Reno, NV 89521 Munch Better Vending LLC Kira Harris • (775) 473-9565 18274 Grizzly Bear Ct • Reno, NV 89508

Nevada Army National Guard Heather Harris • (775) 887-7202 2460 Fairview Drive • Carson City, NV 89701 Nevada Builders Alliance Aaron West • (775) 882-4353 806 Randell Dr. • Carson City, NV 89701 Nevada Chiller and Boiler, Inc. Rodney Leavitt • (775) 842-3823 Sparks, NV 89436

CHAMBER CONNECTION | OCTOBER 2015

ribbon cuttings

Nevada Industry Excellence Sandy Haslem • (775) 784-1935 UNR Mail Stop 406 • Reno, NV 89557 Pacific Energy Alternatives Greg LaFayette • (775) 852-4674 955 S. McCarran Blvd., Ste D-106 Sparks, NV 89431 Poletic Fitness Brandon Deriso • (775) 409-4933 3929 S. McCarran Blvd • Reno, NV 89502

Junk King

McSweeney Insurance

RR Distinctive Bedding Ruby Russell • (775) 781-7220 7395 Lindsey Lane • Sparks, NV 89436 SixFour Growlers Richard Taylor • (775) 337-9578 555 S. Virginia St., Ste 105 • Reno, NV 89501 Sola Salon Studio Jana Wettig • (775) 846-7580 4875 Kietzke Lane • Reno, NV 89509 State Farm - Dana Sebestyen Agency Dana Sebestyen • (775) 829-1111 1575 Delucchi Ln., Ste 204 • Reno, NV 89502 SWAG - Blue Moon Promotions David Sutherland • (775) 359-5600 1375 Greg Pkwy., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89431 Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency Kimberly Robinson, MUP • (775) 324-8393 1105 Terminal Way, Ste. 316 • Reno, NV 89502 Wings Lifecoaching Jayde Gilmore • (775) 240-7238 Sparks, NV 89434

WalMart

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CHAMBER CONNECTION | OCTOBER 2015

This is an important year in the payments business as new technology to support more secure processing of card transactions becomes mainstream.

This transition is critical for small businesses - to meet customer preference, add enhanced security, and protect against fraud liability.

The U.S. is a priority target for criminals because we are one of the last to convert to chip. But new chip card technology will make electronic payments safer and more secure for both you and your customers. By eliminating the value of information criminals attempt to access when hacking into a business, chip technology stops fraud before it starts.

New EMV chip cards are being introduced in the U.S. to help prevent fraudulent purchases from counterfeit cards. Which means that millions of chip cards will be in your consumers’ wallets by the end of 2015. Businesses are upgrading to secure payment terminals that process chip transactions because their customers want increased safety along with the convenience of card purchases. Use of chip technology is also a key component to minimizing the risk of data breaches and safeguarding your business from fraudulent activity.

Small businesses win on service, quality and the relationships that create loyal customers. So with the security of chip technology, you are meeting customer preferences. And that leads to confident consumers who spend more, more often. Modern payment technology also signals that you are a savvy business person who keeps up with best practices and provides every convenience for customers. The combination of local, specialized and personal service with seamless and secure payment technology is appealing to consumers.

After October 1, 2015, businesses that have not upgraded to a chip terminal could be held liable for counterfeit card fraud. Upgrading to a chip terminal ensures you receive fraud liability protection even if a counterfeit card is used at your business. New terminals process both chip and traditional magnetic stripe payment cards, so there is no risk of losing valuable sales. As you transition to a chip-terminal you should be able to add capabilities to accept new forms of payment like Apple Pay too.

EMV sends the message that your business is too hard to hack. By upgrading your payment terminals, you are sending a clear message to consumers and criminals alike that your business operates a secure environment.

chamber trip

Attention Small Businesses: Chip-In for Your Security

The Chamber is excited to introduce a brand new trip for 2016 with Collette to the Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park! During your 7 day tour you will get out and get some fresh air while experiencing pristine forests, lofty waterfalls, alpine meadows that are home to over 70 species of mammals and take a drive on one of the most scenic drives in the world along the Icefields Parkway. You will stay in the Historic Prince of Wales Hotel overlooking Waterton Lake and The Fairmont Banff Springs, known as the “Castle in the Rockies.” The cost of this trip is $3,149 per person with double occupancy if you make your deposit by January 15, 2016. This price includes roundtrip airfare from Reno, Nevada, all hotel stays, guided tour fees of included tours and 9 meals.

Reminder – the deadline for the early booking discount for our Shades of Ireland tour is quickly approaching! Reserve your spot now and save $200 per person through October 16th. And if you haven’t signed up to receive our travel newsletter, please contact Jennifer at jjones@thechambernv.org or (775) 636-9553 to be added exclusively to our travel program emails.

GREAT NEWS!

Chamber Members can now receive the significant savings of the Chamber Office Depot Program in the OfficeMax Retail Stores.

Print your store purchasing card and go to any Office Depot OfficeMax retail store to receive discounts of up to 60% from a list of 650 commonly-purchased business essentials including paper, ink and toner.

You can also save up to 70% on your copy and print needs and 40% off finishing.

We encourage you to look into this program and see what it can offer you.

Join the Chamber Program today! www.saveatofficedepot.com/thechambernv