January 2014
Welcome to 2014! Another year has flown by and as such, there is another changing of the guard at the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. John Small has done a fantastic job as president in 2013. I will take over as Chairman of the Board in 2014. “What?!” you are probably yelling at the computer screen or paper. “Tom! Why aren't you president of the Chamber if you are taking over for John!”
treasurer of the board. If you get a chance, thank her personally. Sandy loves lots of attention.
I believe time is our most precious resource and would like to thank some outgoing board members who have given their time to the chamber over the last few years. Amy Ahlers, Jeff Bowar, and Anthony Siemonsma have all finished their board tenure. All three have been valuable assets to myself, the Chamber, and the City of Brandon and we thank you. Per the Chambers rules, you must take one year off but are then again eligible to be on First of all, calm down. Second, we had a re- the board. See you in 2015! naming of positions in the chamber. The posiSpeaking of volunteering...the committees of tion previously known as President is now the the Chamber have been restructured. There Chairman or Chairperson or Chair. The title of are four committees now which are Memberpresident is now bequeathed upon Kim Cership, Special Events, Marketing, and Issues wick. Her official title will be President/CEO of Management. Volunteers are always welcome the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Comand much needed. Please consider contribmerce. Congratulations to her on the new uting at least one morning a month to attendbusiness cards. I believe it was William ing one of these meetings. Please contact the Shakespeare who said, “ A rose by any other Chamber for specific meeting times for comname will still be at ribbon cuttings.” mittees you are interested in. Harry Buck is the Vice-Chair for 2014. This I am excited for the upcoming year and to all means not only is he slated to be the Chairof our future success. I appreciate your memperson for 2015 he also will step in if I cannot bership and support of the Brandon Valley fulfill by duties as this years Chair. It is much Area Chamber of Commerce. like being the runner up on the Miss America Pageant. Another wonderful change is that Thank you! Sandy Dezeeuw will be the official secretary/ Tom Wullstein, 2014 Chairman of the Board
What’s Inside WELCOME to the Family! Did You Know? Auction Amore Cutting, Breaking & Mixing it Up! 7th Annual Membership Campaign is a Success!
Join Us! Auction Amore February 7th 5:30pm-9pm Holiday Inn Express of Brandon $15/person
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January 2014
WELCOME to the Family! Techo Property Maintenance & Rentals Panera Bread Constant Rock Art BizNow Magazine Tonna’s Cake Pat Buysse, Keller Williams Realty
Did you KNOW? Did you know that the Chamber sends emails to all members with reminders of upcoming events? With this information, you can plan your business activities and not miss a single Chamber networking opportunity!
CHAMBER CALENDAR consist of the week ahead and the whole upcoming month of Chamber meetings and events.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS are sent so that you won’t forget those important dates. The reminders come the morning of the event.
HEAD’S UP! emails come on Thursday afternoons. This is a listing of all community events going on in Brandon for the weekend, and the week to come. If you are not on the Chambers emailing list, and you would like to be, please call us at 582-7400.
Don’t miss our 3rd Annual Auction Amore! We will have both a live and silent auction in an effort to raise funds for the Chamber. This event will also promote local businesses through auction packages. Join us for an evening of hors d’oeuvre, spirits and an entertaining auction experience!
JOIN US! Friday, February 7, 2014 5:30pm – 9:00pm 5:30-6:00pm Complimentary Wine! Holiday Inn Express of Brandon $15.00/person (call for tickets @ 582-7400)
Something for Everyone!
Best of the Board Wine, Puerto Vallarta Luxury Vacation, Golfer’s Dream Pack, Pheasant Hunting Trip, Romantic Couples Packages and MORE! Check out our website at www.BrandonValleyChamber.com for a full list of Live and Silent Auction Items!
Chamber Seeking Award Nominations
Chamber Volunteer of the Year is awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution in 2013 to the growth and betterment of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Business of the Year is awarded to a business or organization who has made significant strides in 2013 to improve the quality and success of their organization and the Brandon community.
Nominations must be received by Wednesday, February 3, 2014. Nominations will be accepted on the form below for either award. Please submit to the Chamber by mail: PO Box 182, Brandon, SD 57005, fax: 605-582-8941, or email:
[email protected]. The winners will be selected by the Board of Directors and announced at the Annual Banquet on March 20, 2014.
NOMINATION FORM FOR CHAMBER AWARD Specify Award being nominated for (select one) _____ Volunteer of Year ____ Business of Year NAME OF NOMINEE: ___________________________________________________________ BUSINESS: ___________________________________________________________________ ROLE IN BUSINESS/TYPE OF BUSINESS: __________________________________________ BRIEFLY DESCRIBE INVOLVEMENT IN CHAMBER:
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY:
REASON THEY SHOULD RECEIVE THIS AWARD:
SUBMITTED BY: _______________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________ Email ________________________________________
Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Legislative Platform As a result of our recent survey to our members, we have determined that there was overwhelming support for or against some of our questions. We have documented them here. Those questions that had significant support on both sides of a question, or that no longer were appropriate this year have been left off this Platform. Thank you to all who participated. We will now present this report to our Legislators both in Pierre and Washington D.C.
1. The BVACC supports legislation to enact uniform sales tax so retailers in other states and on the internet will be able to collect South Dakota sales tax. 2. The issue most often cited as a priority for improvement by our members was health insurance costs and availability. 3. The BVACC supports the construction of an Eastern South Dakota Veterans Nursing Home on the Bethany Meadows campus in Brandon. 4. In order to properly maintain SD highways and bridges, the BVACC supports counties having the ability to issue bonds as a means of financing highway construction projects. 5. In order to ensure a properly trained workforce, the BVACC supports adequate funding for the area technical institutes; more coordination between businesses and the technical institutes to design specific training programs to meet business’ unique needs; and more emphasis on industry/education partnerships to encourage development in new technologies. 6. The BVACC supports legislation that would allow local municipalities the option through local elections to collect an extra penny sales tax for the purpose of funding specific capital projects.
Thursday, January 16
George Boom Funeral Chapel 2500 E Aspen Blvd. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, February 20
V.F.W. 321 Main St. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, March 20
BVACC Annual Banquet Holiday Inn Express, Brandon 5:30 Social Hour; 6:30 Banquet
Thursday, April 10
The Riviera by Rocco’s 26665 481st St. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, May 15
Edward Jones 308 S. Splitrock Blvd. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, June 19
Double D Bar 325 Main Ave. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, July 17
Performance Press 900 E Redwood St. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, August 14
Ten Below Frozen Yogurt 1224 E Holly Blvd. 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, September 11
Membership Mixer Tailgators Grill & Bar 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 16
Heartland Funeral Home 1801 Frontier Street 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, November 13
Mega Mixer Holiday Inn Express, Brandon 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursday, December 4
Oakridge Nursery & Landscaping 2217 S Splitrock Blvd. 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Dear Brandon Chamber Members: The Marketing Committee and the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce would like for you to be aware that we will be offering the opportunity to pre-order any additional phone books you will need for your office. You will still be receiving one free Brandon phone book in the mail but any additional phone books will be a $ 3.00 fee for pre-orders and $4.00 for those requested after the phone book has been printed. Please fill out the information request below and return this form to our office by no later than January 31, 2014.
Business Name: ___________________________________________________ Mailing Address: __________________________________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________________________________ Number of Phone Books requested: ___________________________________
_____ Payment is enclosed _____ Please invoice me
Signature: _________________________________________
Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce 109 N. Pipestone St. * PO Box 182 Brandon, SD 57005 Phone: (605) 582-7400 Fax: (605) 582-8941
We need the right workers at the right time with the right skills. There’s a skilled labor shortage in Sioux Falls and across the entire region. As we grow, the demand for an innovative, educated and well-trained workforce has never been greater. The region’s industrial employers rely on qualified workers to compete and thrive in today’s competitive global marketplace. Where will this strong technical workforce come from? Technical education provides the workforce development needed to prepare workers with the necessary skills and to meet industry’s increasing need for a skilled technical workforce. But that’s not enough. We need you.
A Workforce Initiative Partnership Southeast Tech and Forward Sioux Falls, with the support of area businesses, are partnering to address critical workforce needs in the following targeted industries: Construction Manufacturing Automotive/Transportation
• • •
TechEd Works for Me is an initiative to elevate the image of technical
education and position it as a fast-track solution to lucrative career opportunities in industry, while encouraging business and industry leaders to support tech ed grads with employment and advancement opportunities.
TechEd Works for Me will have a lasting impact on the community by
helping to address urgent skilled labor shortages and creating a sustainable workforce to serve the entire region now and in the future, and will raise awareness that for students, parents and our economy, tech ed works.
Get Involved. Become part of the solution
by joining in the Workforce Initiative Partnership. Visit TechEdWorks.com or call the Southeast Tech Foundation at (605) 367-7464. A Partnership With:
AND
Join this growing list of industry partners: AGC Building Chapter AGC Highway Chapter Amesbury Architecture Incorporated Component Manufacturing Company Dakota Digital DocuTap Egger Steel Company Graham Tire Company Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire Jay Egge Automatic Service
Koch Hazard Lloyd Companies Luverne Truck Equipment Marmen Energy Midwestern Mechanical P & M Steel Company POET SDN Communications Sheehan Mack Sales & Equipment Showplace Wood Products Van Buskirk Companies Wilson Trailers
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January 2014
CUTTING, BREAKING & Mixing it Up!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Business 2 Business Luncheon * Tuesday, January 7th
2014 marks the 125th anniversary of the state of South Dakota. Flags available at Brandon Ace Hardware for $49.95
7th Annual Membership Campaign is a Success! The New Year has only just begun but the Brandon Chamber has already had a very successful start to 2014! Our 7th Annual BVACC Membership Campaign has brought both success and many new members! Please welcome these organizations to the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Family! As we complete the membership campaign, it is important to know that our success is YOUR success! Growth is always at the forefront of our goals as your membership becomes more valuable with the more members we can attract. By working together, we can accomplish so much more! If you know of any company that is not currently a chamber member, please feel free to talk to them about the benefits they can receive by becoming a member of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Chamber or have them call Brandon Lane for a full description of details. Every member is important to the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and we will continue to strive for excellence to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve. If you have any questions about your membership, marketing opportunities, or have suggestions, please feel free to call us anytime at 605-582-7400.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Platinum Member Marmen Energy
Base Members Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church Covenant Roasters The Riviera by Rocco’s Miriam Hackler, Town and Country Realtors Finish Line Graphics Double D Bar The Warehouse Visual Images Salon, Kimberly Carson River Oak Limousine Start to Finish Builders Sayre Associates ReDesign Comforts Techo Property Maintenance & Rentals Panera Bread Constant Rock Art BizNow Magazine
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events!
Tuesday, January 21st
Saturday, January 25th
Saturday, February 15th
Thursday, March 20th
The Horizon
January 2014
CALENDAR of Events February 2014
March 2014
4—Executive Committee—8:00am at the Chamber
4—Executive Committee—8:00am at the Chamber
5—Marketing Committee—8:30am at the Chamber
5—Marketing Committee—8:30am at the Chamber
7—Auction Amore—5:30pm—9:00pm at the Holiday Inn Express 1103 N. Splitrock Blvd.
11—Chamber Board—8:00am at the Chamber
11—Chamber Board—8:00am at the Chamber 15—Legislative Coffee—9:00—11:00am at Bethany Meadows 3008 E. Aspen Blvd.
19—Special Events Committee—8:30am at the Chamber 20—BVACC Annual Banquet—5:00pm at Holiday Inn Express 1103 N. Splitrock Blvd.
17—Chamber Office Closed—President’s Day!
25—Networking at Noon—12:00-1:00pm at Tailgators Grill and Bar 1013 N. Splitrock Blvd.
19—Special Events Committee—8:30am at the Chamber
26—Membership Committee—8:00am at the Chamber
20—Chamber Mixer—5:00-6:30pm at V.F.W.—321 Main St.
27—Issues Management Committee—8:00am at the Chamber
25—Networking at Noon—12:00-1:00pm at Brandon Steakhouse 1308 E Rushmore Dr. 26—Membership Committee—8:00am at the Chamber
27—Issues Management Committee—8:00am at the Chamber
Don’t get the weekly email updates? Sign up today or you miss out! Email
[email protected]
Horizon is an official publication of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce www.brandonvalleychamber.com
BVACC Board of Directors Chair, Tom Wullstein, Brandon Health Mart Pharmacy Vice Chair, Harry Buck, Town & Country Realtors Secretary/Treasurer, Sandy DeZeeuw, Home Federal Bank Past Chair, John Small, Sunny Radio Trevor Guthmiller, Bethany Meadows Kris Haase, Express Copy & Printing Aaron Hansen, Pizza Ranch of Brandon Pat Lund, Grand Falls Casino Diana Nelson, Eastern Farmers Cooperative Chrystal Rothenberger, First National Bank
BVACC Staff Kim Cerwick, President/CEO Brandon Lane, Membership Account Executive
