june vista '13
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The Chamber Vista, June 2013-a monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber of CommerceTRANSCRIPT
Volume 2013, Issue 6
The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber June 2013
Volume 2013, Issue #6
“We Mean Business”
Update from
Executive Director Amanda Baillie
2
Shop Local and Purchase
Chamber Gift
Certificates
3
Vada Phelps re-ceives EDDE Award
4
Chamber Events 4
May Events at a Glance
5
Opportunities for local businesses
6
Member Page 7
Board of Directors / Chamber Staff
8
Advocacy remains an important part of the Chamber’s role
By Amanda Baillie
Executive Director
The Sierra Vista Area Chamber has had a
long history of advocating on behalf of its
members and the wider business commu-
nity.
One of our top priorities is to represent
the interests of our businesses and that is
a subject we have given some detailed
thought to just lately.
Earlier this month the Board of Directors
held its annual planning session.
The purpose of this four hour retreat was
to look at how
the Chamber
can improve
the service it
provides to its
members, how
it can better
advocate on
behalf of busi-
nesses and
what part we
have to play in
future economic development strategies.
To kick off the afternoon we invited Con-
gressman Rob Barber to join us for an
hour and listen to the challenges currently
facing small businesses.
The Chamber is fortunate to have a 15
member board that represents a broad
spectrum, from a home based business
to an international corporation.
That diversity offered Rep. Barber, pic-
tured above with board members, a good
opportunity to hear a range of opinions
and challenges, which included the Af-
fordable Healthcare Act and its negative
impact on small businesses, the effects
of sequestration on local companies, the
significant hurdles imposed by mortgage
lending legislation and how Sierra Vista’s
economy can be diversified.
Rep. Barber listened to what was said
and promised to look into the issues that
were raised.
Next, the board discussed the top three
challenges they face on a day to day ba-
sis.
The purpose behind this was to allow
Chamber staff to listen to those issues
and to start looking at programs or bene-
fits that can help our members overcome
those obsta-
cles. That
could mean
introducing
new programs
or improving
the ones we
already offer.
Our next step
is surveying
our members
(see more on
that in the Executive Director’s update) to
ask them the same questions we posed
to the board, so that we can get as much
input as possible before moving forward.
As I mentioned earlier, advocacy is an
important part of what the Chamber does
and the board spent some time discuss-
ing how we can improve in this area.
The goal is to be as effective as possible
and we felt our Legislative Affairs Commit-
tee (LAC) was not working as well as it
could in its current format. Following a
busy election season, attendance had
started to drop and our business repre-
sentation was lacking. Continued on page 2...
Last month our members
should have received an
email asking them to com-
plete a survey.
We want local businesses to
tell us about the top three
challenges they face on a
day to day basis.
We know how tough it is to
be successful and manage
an enterprise—although a
non-profit, we run the Cham-
ber just like a business.
We know it can be a struggle
to keep up with the bills, to
recruit talented team mem-
bers, to find money for mar-
keting and to ensure there
are enough funds to make
payroll.
Operating a business is a
tough job and the Chamber
wants to help.
While we believe we already
provide many great pro-
grams and benefits, there is
always room for improve-
ment.
As a Chamber, just like our
member businesses, we cannot
afford to stand still and hope
everything will be alright.
We have to remain relevant to
the people we serve.
And that is why we want to
know what keeps you up at
night.
What’s the toughest part about
running your business?
What are some of the chal-
lenges that you could use some
extra help with?
While we cannot promise to
have the million dollar answer
to your problems, the Chamber
will take a good look at the in-
formation you provide and will
work to offer new or improved
benefits that may help.
However, we cannot do this
without solid information from
the membership.
So, if you received the survey
but did not complete it, please
take a few moments to do so.
If you would like to receive the
survey again, just call the Cham-
ber and we will send it to you.
We are not asking for an essay,
just a few sentences describing
your challenges.
Maybe it’s marketing and how to
get the word out?
Are you having problems finding
the right staff?
Do you want to network but don’t
know where to start?
Are you running into some obsta-
cles with the City of Sierra Vista?
Do you need to update your busi-
ness plan, but don’t know how?
No matter what the challenge,
tell us about it.
All responses will be treated in
the strictest confidence.
We will close the survey on Fri-
day, June 15, so don’t delay.
The more information we receive,
the better we can serve our mem-
bers.
Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie
“”As a Chamber, just like our member business, we cannot afford to stand still and hope everything will be alright.”
Page 2 The Chamber Vista
Advocacy remains an important part of the Chamber’s role
Continued from page 1…
So we are taking a new approach.
The LAC has now been disbanded
and we have instead formed a new
group called the Business Advocacy
Committee.
We want to broaden the scope of our
advocacy efforts and felt that the
name Legislative Affairs Committee
was not representative of what we
want to do.
The new committee will consist of a
core group of four board members
who will meet on an as needed basis
to work with me to help determine
the issues we should be looking at as
a Chamber.
That could be legislation at the state
and federal level, attending City of
Sierra Vista work sessions, helping
businesses navigate the permitting
process, keeping our local represen-
tatives abreast of business issues,
staging candidate forums, supporting
or opposing ballot measures, or en-
dorsing election candidates.
We will then hold roundtable discus-
sions, luncheons, breakfasts and
meetings – whatever is appropriate –
where we will invite relevant guest
speakers, government representa-
tives and businesses to listen to and
talk about specific issues.
We believe this more targeted ap-
proach will prove to be more effec-
tive than our current efforts and will
provide us with good input from busi-
nesses.
Page 3 Volume 2013, Issue 6
Business at Twilight
Thursday, June 13th
5:00 pm
Windemere Hotel
& Conference Center
These monthly mixers are a great way to learn more about the Chamber, other local businesses and to promote your own! Don't forget your business cards and bring another business owner with
you! No RSVP required.
Food! Raffles! Prizes!
For info., call the Chamber at
458-6940 or email:
Shop local and purchase Chamber gift certificates
CHAMBER 101
Need a refresher on your Chamber benefits?
Join us for this monthly presentation where
Membership & Marketing Director John Har-
graves will explain how to make the most of
your membership.
Held on the last Friday of the month,
a free lunch is provided by a
Chamber member restaurant.
Next Chamber 101 will be Friday, June 28,
11:30 a.m. RSVPs are required.
Call 458-6940.
What do you buy the person who has everything?
Need a reward for your employee of the month?
How do you thank your volunteers?
Chamber gift certificates are the perfect answer to
each of these questions.
Designed to keep spending dollars here in our com-
munity, Chamber gift certificates can be accepted
by most of our member businesses.
Just stop by the Chamber to buy your certificates
and present them to your recipient, along with our
membership directory.
Businesses just process them like a check and the
money is redeemed by the Chamber.
Stop by the Chamber to learn more.
Advertise to 625 local businesses
for about 20 cents each!
Schedule of Events
June 5th - Military Affairs Luncheon. 11:30 am at
Thunder Mountain Activity Centre. Lunch $15.
RSVP by Monday, June 3rd. ( 520 ) 458-6940.
June 11th - Ambassadors Committee Meeting.
5:30 pm at Pizzeria Mimosa.
June 13th - Business at Twilight. 5:00 pm at
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center.
June 14th - Ribbon Cutting at First Things First.
11:00 am at 77 Calle Portal, Suite B140.
June 19th - Military Affairs Committee Meeting.
8:00 am at the Chamber office.
June 19th - Leadership Class Graduation. 4:00
pm at the Chamber office.
June 28th - Board of Directors Meeting. 7:30 am
at the Chamber
June 28th - Chamber 101. 11:30 am at the
Chamber
Page 4 Newsletter Title
Reach over 625 businesses in Sierra
Vista and surrounding communities
Take advantage of this member-only
benefit!
We insert and mail for you!
Super low advertising rates! Members
pay only $99. Executive Club Members
pay just $49.
SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on
8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight
(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)
paper.
June NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
NOTE: Insert space is limited and is pro-
vided on a first come, first serve basis.
For information, call the Chamber at
458-6940 or email:
Page 4 The Chamber Vista
Workforce ED, Vada Phelps receives EDDE Award
AAED Past President, Teri Drew an-
nounced that Vada Phelps was awarded
the prestigious EDDE award from the
Arizona Association for
Economic Development.
Every year, AAED honors
significant contributions
to the advancement of
the organization and eco-
nomic development
within the State of Ari-
zona. The Economic De-
velopment Distinguished
by Excellence (EDDE).
Awards were established
by the members of AAED to recognize
the outstanding work of their peers. The
membership of AAED is responsible for
nominating their peers for these awards.
The value and prestige of the EDDE's is
defined by the membership, through
their accomplishments and commitment
to the organization.
For 2013, Vada Phelps, Executive Direc-
tor for the Southeast Arizona Workforce
Connection, was awarded the prestig-
ious EDDE award for Workforce Practitio-
ner of the Year.
Ms. Phelps was instrumental in organiz-
ing a successful merger of Graham,
Greenlee and
Cochise counties into a cohesive work-
force area that includes
Pima, Santa Cruz and
Yuma counties. This
merger has provided a
significantly expanded
delivery of workforce de-
velopment services,
reaching more clients and
businesses. Ms. Phelps
also brought in outside
resources to help fund
the higher service levels
and business outreach.
Partnerships have been created with
three county Boards of Supervisors, busi-
ness leaders, training providers, two
community colleges, a university and
major employers.
AAED serves as the leading statewide
advocate for responsible economic de-
velopment in Arizona since 1974. AAED's
foundation is rooted in three fundamen-
tal pillars (Advocacy, Education and Net-
working) that continue to affect positive
change and increase Arizona's competi-
tive position to attract investment and
create jobs.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS!
Tuesday, July 30,
Affordable Healthcare Act Business Seminar (FREE)
Sponsored by the Chamber and Small Business Development Center
Cochise College Community Room
8:30 a.m. to Noon
Seating will be limited. Call the SBDC at 515-5478 to reserve your seat.
Speakers to be confirmed, but will feature state accredited personnel.
Saturday, September 7
Annual Home & Business Expo
at The Mall at Sierra Vista
This event sold out last year and booths will be available on a first come,
first served basis. Look out for registration details in early July.
Vada Phelps with AAED Past
President, Teri Drew
Page 5 Volume 2013, Issue 6
Events at A Glance
For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events
Top Row: GAME ON! Sierra Vista drew crowds of gamers, collectors, cosplayers and
exhibitors who enjoyed strategy board games, video games, tournaments and more.
2nd Row: More than 50 members turned out for Business at Twilight held in Bisbee
and hosted by Bisbee After 5.
3rd Row: Southwest Coins celebrated their Re-Grand Opening. Ambassadors show
their support in neon pink polos. The Leadership Class learned about Ft. Huachuca.
Midas employees and Chamber Ambassadors celebrate new management.
Bottom: Steven E. Brown is recognized for winning the Civilian of the Month award,
during the Military Affairs Committee monthly luncheon held at the Thunder Mountain
Activity Centre, Fort Huachuca AZ, May 1, 2013.
Page 6 The Chamber Vista
Opportunities for local businesses lie beyond the city and county boundaries
There has much talk
lately about economic
development in Sierra
Vista, what it means and
how it should be done.
The Sierra Vista Area
Chamber already plays a
large part in regional eco-
nomic development.
Every day we work hard
to provide the best pro-
grams, events and bene-
fits for our members to
help them create a
strong local economy,
and we will continue
to carry out this im-
portant mission.
But our role in this
field must go beyond
providing networking
and marketing opportuni-
ties. We have to be will-
ing to embrace new
ideas, programs and
strategies to help our
businesses grow.
With that in mind, board
chairman Michael Ben-
son and Executive Direc-
tor Amanda Baillie at-
tended a breakfast in
Tucson hosted by Rose-
mont Copper, which is
plans to open a mine off
Sonoita Highway 83, 30
miles southeast of Tuc-
son.
This project has been
many years in the mak-
ing, with the permitting
process having taken
five years alone. How-
ever, the company’s
leadership believes it will
receive the final permit
to start work by late Sep-
tember.
It will be about another
18 months before the
mine operational, but
that’s a period of time
that could be crucial to
Sierra Vista businesses –
but only if they take ac-
tion now.
A project this big has a
wide reaching impact on
the surrounding commu-
nities. While the location
of the mine is not in Si-
erra Vista, or even
Cochise County, it is
close enough to be of
interest to local busi-
nesses.
Rosemont Copper is ac-
tively looking for poten-
tial vendors who can pro-
vide many of the services
and products they will
need, from filling jobs
and placing contractors
in accommodation, to
janitorial and office sup-
plies.
And the company has
stated on many occa-
sions that it wants to
both hire and shop local.
You may not think your
business has anything to
offer a mining company,
but the needs of a multi-
billion dollar operation
are many.
They include surveying,
waste management, se-
curity, janitorial, office
supplies and equipment,
HVAC maintenance, ca-
tering, laundry, lodging
and employee training, to
name just a few.
There are a number of
local businesses that
could potentially offer
these services, and the
Chamber is encouraging
its members to register
with Rosemont Copper
as soon as possible.
Businesses that do not
go through this proce-
dure will not even be
able to bid for contracts.
And while the inevitable
paperwork that comes
with such a process can
be off putting, the end
results could be well
worth the time and ef-
fort. Rosemont Copper is
also willing to work with
local companies to help
them through the vendor
registration.
According to an inde-
pendent study conducted
by the Arizona State Uni-
versity, Rosemont Cop-
per will bring 400 direct
and 1,700 indirect jobs,
with an average income
of $59,000.
It will contribute more
than $19 million annu-
ally in local tax revenue
and $15 billion in local
revenue over the 20-
year life of the mine.
Those are impressive
figures that our econ-
omy will most cer-
tainly benefit from.
Rosemont Copper’s rep-
resentatives are regular
attendees of Chamber
events, demonstrating
their support of area
companies and their in-
tent to do business lo-
cally.
The Chamber will con-
tinue to work with Rose-
mont Copper to show-
case Sierra Vista and its
businesses, but it is up
to business owners to
take the step of becom-
ing a registered vendor.
To start this process, go
to www.rosemontcopper.com,
click on the Construction
tab and then Vendor
Registration.
Page 7 Volume 2013, Issue 6
Thanks to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community
A Special Welcome to Our New Members!
Executive Club Members
Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum
American Southwest Credit Union
American Family Insurance
American Systems
Arizona Water Company
BrightStar
CACI, Inc.
Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc.
Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC
CerendipiTees
CGI
Cherry Creek Radio
City of Sierra Vista
Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.
Cox
Data Systems & Technology, Inc.
Dental Village
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Farmers Insurance-Ginny Francis
Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home
General Dynamics Information Tech.
Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.
Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency
JR's Food and Spirits
KKYZ Radio
Landmark Cafe, The
Las Palomas
Lawley Automotive Center
Lawley's Team Ford
Life Care Center
Long Realty Co.
Longhorn Restaurant
Mall at Sierra Vista - Management Office
ManTech Telecommunications & Info
Systems
Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC
Naco Dental
National Bank of Arizona
Navy Federal Credit Union
Netmedix IT Solutions
New Frontier Animal Medical Center
Northrop Grumman Corporation -
*Large Business of the Year 2013*
Patio Pools & Spas
Pioneer Title Agency
Pueblo del Sol Country Club
Rommel Equipment Services
Rosemont Copper Company
Sierra Vista Ace Hardware
Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review
Sierra Vista Regional Health Center
Southeastern Arizona Contractors Assoc.
Southwest Gas Corporation
Southwestern Eye Center
Specialists in Dermatology
Stachel & Associates, P.C.
Stilwell's Learning Center, LLC
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop.
Sun Canyon Inn
Systems Integration
Tailored Living
The Boeing Company
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
University of Phoenix
Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors,
David Burnett
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wayland Baptist University
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
Chrome Pony Rally, LLC (520) 220-5915
Love Letters Photography (520) 226-9567
Steve's Bus Tours (520) 227-8560
Timesavers (520) 234-0864
Studio 4 Tattoo (520) 234-1485
NCM Media Networks (520) 505-4141
Zeal for Life (520) 378-9423
1st Dental Care
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership
Above Board
American Systems
Apria Healthcare
Arizona Workforce Connection / Cochise One Stop
Bayada Home Health Care
Berg's Heating & Air Conditioning
Bowie Power Station
Candlewood Suites
Citizens Transfer & Storage Co.
Cyrs Cleaning Service
Desert Swing
Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites
Jan Pro Cleaning Systems
Lawley Automotive Center
Lawley's Team Ford
Life Care Center
McDonalds Hwy 92
Mountain View Air Conditioning & Heating
PPEP TEC High School
Sentrillion
Service First Realty
Sierra Vista Symphony Association
Stachel & Associates, P.C.
Tap Into Wellness
Texas Roadhouse
The Place at Savanna Springs
Westwood Village Apartments
21 E. Wilcox Dr.
Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635
The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878
www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2012-13 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairman - Michael Benson, TDY Housing Past Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair Elect - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Treasurer—Anita Farrow, National Bank of Arizona Secretary—Jack Blair, SSVEC Board Members Frank Gonzalez, Lawley Automotive Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office Glen Cobb—Sierra Suites Kevin Peterson—CGI Linda Brown—Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Mary Tieman—Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection
Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
HEREFORD, AZ
PERMIT NO. 29
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Chamber Staff Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, [email protected] Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, [email protected] Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, [email protected] Office Manager - Toni Rogers, [email protected] Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, [email protected]