June 2014

Upbeat BreakfastTuesday, June 10Presented by NICTF; Sponsored by Alliance Data

Car d’LaneFri - Sat, June 13 - 14Downtown Cd’A cdadowntown.com

ArtwalkFriday, June 13Downtown Cd’A artsincda.org

Business After Hours

Thursday, June 26Mountain West Bank

Womens ConferenceFriday, June 27Best Western Cd’A Inn

IronmanSunday, June 29Downtown Cd’A

This Month’s Chamber

For the past two months the Chamber has been surveying members via our newsletter “This Week” as well as direct e-mails. Questions were derived from a past survey instrument that was designed for the Chamber by the Western Association of Chamber Executives. The following is a summary of these surveys. All answers were anonymous, and for the most part very positive. A couple respondents expressed some frustrations with the Chamber. I would love to talk to those that expressed these sentiments, and I am always available to discuss Chamber issues with any member. Our plan is to continue placing survey questions

in our weekly newsletter, although from now on the questions will be drafted by the staff and may include topics of local interest. If you have any questions and/or suggestions, please email Steve@CdAChamber.com.

53% indicated that that their relationship with the Chamber is “very valuable”, with another 29% indicating that it is “somewhat valuable”. Only 2% indicated that it is “not valuable at all”.

54% indicated that the Chamber’s image over the last 3 years has “been more positive”, 22% “stayed the same”, 16% “not sure”, and 7% felt it was “more negative”.

69% indicated that the Chamber is “meeting expectations”, 15% “exceeding expectations”, and 15% said it “falls short”.

56% indicated that they are a member of the Chamber for “business exposure and networking”, 13% stated “civic responsibility”, with 9% for “educational opportunities”, and another 9% said it was because of the “committees”.

When rating specific Chamber programs and activities, well over half of the respondents rated all specifically named programs either 4 or 5 stars. The highest rated program was our Leadership program. 16% rated programs either 1 or 2 stars, with the lowest rated event our Wooden Boat Show.

When evaluating the Chamber’s communications strategy, the vast majority felt that the type of media used and frequency is “just right”. Again, a large majority of respondents want to be communicated with electronically.

Some suggestions were made to provide more educational information regarding small business management. To this point we have added a section in our weekly newsletter devoted to local seminars, workshops, and classes. We also post this information on our website under Member Resources.

To all of you who participated in one or more of our questionnaires, we thank you.

Survey Says?

CdAChamber.com 208.664.3194

105 N. First Street,Coeur d’Alene, ID

All answers [to the surveys] were anonymous, and for the

most part very positive.

Chamber survey start page.

C o e u r d ’ A l e n e C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

In year’s past we’ve had the privilege of hear-ing from Ellen Travolta, Shelly Monahan, and many others whose stories inspired us and also tugged a bit on our heart strings. This year will be no different with First Lady, Lori Otter, be-ing our keynote speaker. A few others we will hear from include Kathy Finley, Adjunct Instructor of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University, and Dr. Karolyne Rogers co-author of “In Our Shoes”, a book about women and the power of their stories.

Ladies, it is that time of year again where we come together to listen and learn, and we leave completely exhausted from stretching our minds toward the pos-sibilities of what we can do to grow as individuals personally and profes-sionally. Empowered, Inspired, and Uplifted are words often heard from individuals who attend a Women’s Conference facilitated by the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Com-merce. This 3rd Annual event will be held Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Best Western CDA Inn.

For those of you who have not attended a Women’s Conference, this is an event you do not want to miss. There is something very powerful about a group of over 200 women coming together to build each other up. This event typically sells out, so do not wait to register. Information can be found on the Chamber’s website www.cdachamber.com or contact: Brenda - 208.415.0110, Brenda@CdAChamber.com or Marilee - 208.415.0111 Marilee@CdAChamber.com

Women Empowering Women

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you, always.” - Oprah Winfrey

CVBMay is National Travel

& Tourism month, which made it the perfect time for the CVB to host the Upbeat Breakfast. We would like to thank all of you who were able to attend to celebrate tour-ism, its impact on our community and its con-tinued success. As part of the CVB’s breakfast, we had the pleasure to present our annual Kyle M. Walker Champions of Tourism award to Mr. Bob Templin, our 2014

recipient! After 67 years working to promote travel to North Idaho, we felt he is very deserv-ing. Looking to the fu-ture, the CVB is focused on bringing visitors into our community over the summer to spend money in your stores, dine in our restaurants, stay at our hotels, and enjoy our attractions.

CommodoresAs reported last

month, the Commodores’ pirate float has been

renovated and is ready to delight crowds young and old! Don’t miss the opportunity to see the float at this year’s Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. The ship is used to help pro-mote Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area to towns in Montana, Cana-da, Idaho, and Washing-ton. The Commodores enjoy decking out in their pirate gear and entertaining the parade-goers with their antics.

EducationCongratulations to

Parker Subaru, the Education Committee’s A+ award winner for May. Parker Subaru has continued the legacy of Shirley and Doug Parker with their generous support of education, including: “Learning With Lucky”, which encourages first and second graders to read by giving them a stuffed puppy “reading buddy,” a book log and tasks to work on with their buddy; the Perfect Attendance Spells Success program

which awards each fifth grader in the school district with a free bicycle and helmet for perfect attendance; the new car donation for raffle which annually raises thousands of dollars to support athletics in the high schools, and the incentive for employees’ children to “go on” to college, covering tuition costs for attending a college in Idaho. Thank you Parker Subaru for your generous support of education.

Committee Roundups

cont., see Roundups

A message from the Business Development Committee

C o e u r d ’ A l e n e C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

MembershipThe Membership

Outreach Committee wrapped up the May Spring Membership Blitz with 25 new Members to their credit. A list of new Members can be found at the Chamber website www.cdachamber.com. We would also like to thank our prize Sponsors who made our week fun: Capone’s, Hayden Noodle Express, Salvation Army Kroc Center, Fire Artisan Pizza, Subway, Lake City Playhouse, Coeur d’Alene Casino, Texas Roadhouse, and AAA. The next project the Committee is working on is the July 17 Putt Putt Golf Tournament held at the Park Side Towers. Sponsored by Miller Stauffer Architects, Texas Road House, and Centennial Distributing, this tournament is always a sold out event as it caters to golfers and non-golfers alike. Teams

compete while having fun and networking.

Membership Outreach is actively seeking sponsors for this event both in hole sponsorship at $100 and prize donations. If you would like to play, contribute, or sponsor, please contact Marilee Wallace at 208.415.0111 or Marilee@CdaChamber.com.

Leadership Coeur d’Alene

The 2014 Leadership Coeur d’Alene Class enjoyed an enriching

and educational Health Care Day held at

Kootenai Health. The day opened with the CEO of Kootenai Health setting

the tone for the day discussing the history,

vision, and expansion of the hospital. The class also heard from other

healthcare professionals who presented

information on ethics, the new healthcare

law, community issues, dentistry, and alternative

/ preventive medicine.

Tours of the Kootenai Health Hospital as well

as the Rehabilitation Hospital gave even a greater insight

to the class on how important healthcare is in the community.

Leadership Coeur d’Alene strives to be better each year for every graduate. That is what makes the Coeur d’Alene Leadership Program invaluable.

Natural ResourcesThe Natural Resources

Committee, as sponsor of the Osprey Cruise for the past 15 years, along with the Idaho Department of Fish & Game and the BLM (formerly TNC and Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation, as founding members) will again be coordinating this year’s Osprey Cruise, Saturday, July 12, 9am-11am, hosted by Coeur d’Alene Cruises. Wildlife biologists and other experts on habitats, water quality, and the lake will be on board to

give a brief presentation and show kids and adults alike interesting osprey and eagle habits and habitats. Up close observation of the banding of osprey chicks by retired IDF&G wildlife biologist and osprey expert, Wayne Melquist, is always a treat not to be missed. It is said that this event is one of its kind and not able to be done anywhere else. As always, this cruise is a truly educational and entertaining learning experience for all, while cruising the north end of Lake Coeur d’Alene on a summer morning. Advance reservations through the Chamber can be made beginning in June. More information will be available at that time. This year’s Osprey Cruise will coinside with the City of Coeur d’Alene’s annual Parks Day Celebration on the same day so that the cruise attendees can walk right on over to McEuen Park where

the celebration will already be in progress.

Arts & CultureThe Coeur d’Alene Arts

and Culture Alliance is excited to present our 2014 season of events, including ArtWalk in downtown Coeur d’Alene and the University of Idaho Summer Concerts at Riverstone Park. Every second Friday, from April through December, enjoy local and nationally acclaimed artist in our downtown galleries during ArtWalk. Visit participating shops, restaurants and businesses for an evening of exceptional art and dining. The Summer Concert Series starts on July 3. Every Thursday thereafter, enjoy a free concert from a variety of our best local performers from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. For more information about these free, family-friendly events, call 208.292.1629 or visit www.artsincda.org.

Roundups continued

A new branding cam-paign and website have just started. Race CDA is a joint project of the Chamber, the CVB, and the North Idaho Centen-nial Trail Foundation to promote Coeur d Alene

as the hub of varied and numerous runs, swims, bike events, triathlons, and fun athletic activities, such as the Muddy Miles.

“This is an opportunity

for all race organizers to promote their events to local residents and travelers,” stated Katherine Coppock, manager of the Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Endurance events such as the CDA Marathon, Ironman, and the CDA Triathlon attract participants from

And They’re Off and Runningthroughout the US, particularly the Northwest.”

“This is an attempt to enhance CDA’s image as a major destination for these activities, and entice new visitors to our area” continued Coppock. Race organizers wishing to

“This is an opportunity for all race organizers to promote their

events to local residents and travelers.”

promote their events are encouraged to contact Katherine directly at 208.415.0114 or Katherine@CdaChamber.com.

C o e u r d ’ A l e n e C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

May’s Upbeat Breakfast Awards

Volunteers have helped shape this organization every day for 101 years and counting.

Thank you to our valued Members for making the Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce the second largest in the State of Idaho. Visit www.CdAChamber.com.

Pinot’s Palette 32 W 2nd Ave., Suite 100, Spokane, Washington

Mountain Madness Soaps 117 S 4th St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

RVs Northwest 6520 N Government Way, Dalton Gardens, Idaho

Kyle M. Walker Champion of Tourism AwardBob and Mary Templin and Jerry Jaeger

A+ Education AwardChris Leonard and Jeff Yates, Parker Subaru

Presented by Marie Price

Ribbon Cuttings