WELCOME, Spring??

I know, I know - exactly how far did we move it when we 'sprang forward' for daylight savings time?!? Our poor spring flowers bought the fake and are now shivering under snowflakes. Have faith, friends and flowers; sunny days and warmer temperatures are coming.

Thank goodness we are busy in the meantime keeping our business community strong! Check out all the offerings below, and please remember to call, email, or stop by if you have questions or want to talk over any new ideas. We are literally here FOR YOU. We know it, and we appreciate it. 

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL:

NEW COMMUNITY GUIDES distributed beginning April 15 (if I don't get to you first, call me!) Remember, every Chamber member is listed by business category!

3Chamber Networking Luncheon April 21 at Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg

Multi-Chamber Networking After-Hours April 26 (15 chambers represented!)

Registration NOW OPEN for May 11 NEO Business Show at Signature of Solon
Featuring member businesses from Aurora, Chagrin Valley, Solon & Twinsburg Chambers of Commerce and presented by Rock the House entertainment

Sponsorships and Foursomes registering NOW for the 6/16/16 Aurora Business & Community Golf Outing to be held at the fabulous Boulder Creek Golf Club

Scroll through for registration links and more information about these opportunities....and more.

Now let's get busy - there is much to do!
Laura
Laura Holman
Executive Director
Aurora Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

ps feel free to forward this to a colleague or friend who might want to learn about what's happening: registration links will work for them, too!
Chamber News & Events
3Chamber Networking Luncheon
Thursday, April 21st at Hilton Garden Inn
Featured Speaker - Matt Fish, Melt Bar & Grilled

A professional local chef for 18 years and counting, Matt planned to open his own restaurant for quite a while. His concept for Melt-a combination of "comfort food dressed up," and beer-started from a fairly simple idea: he was always a big grilled cheese fan.
 
Come hear the Melt story and how it has become one of the top restaurants in Cleveland!
 

 
 
MultiChamber Social Networking Business After Hours
  Business After Hours!


PLEASE NOTE: Aurora Chamber of Commerce is NOT handling registration, so register through this link ONLY. No late-comers or walk-ins will be admitted!
 
NEO Business Show 2016
Wednesday, May 11 4-7pm
Signature of Solon
Aurora, Chagrin Valley, Solon and Twinsburg Chambers of Commerce

Presented and energized by Rock the House entertainment

Are You Looking to
· connect with other businesses?
· generate leads?
· enhance the quality of your business?


Register your business TODAY to put your business forward!  This business-to-business show features members of the Aurora, Chagrin Valley, Solon and Twinsburg Chambers of Commerce.


The NEO Business Show is an affordable way to provide your company maximum exposure in front of people who want to learn more about what you and how you do it. Attendees of this FREE event will c heck out your best products and services while enjoying samples from area restaurants, entertainment, and a cash bar. 


  
 
May Networking Luncheon
Wednesday, May 18th 11:30am - 1pm
The **NEW** Lodge Restaurant, Boulder Creek Golf Club 


Join us at Boulder Creek Golf Club in their new restaurant - THE LODGE.  Come and network with  old friends and make some new contacts.  Enjoy great food and good conversation.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Sponsored by:

 

         

Landscaping, Outdoor Visionaries  

 

and 
 
 
 
Aurora Business & Community Golf Outing
Thursday, June 16, 2016
at
Boulder Creek Golf Club


Want your business recognized?  Golf sponsorships are a great way to do just that. You can also donate a raffle prize to raise scholarship funds. 

Of course, we also want you out on the course! Don't have a foursome?  No need to worry: We'll get you set up for a successful day at beautiful Boulder Creek Golf Club.

Enjoy golf, fun, connections, and food all while helping to support the Aurora Chamber of Commerce scholarship fund. 

Premier Sponsor:

  
 
INTERESTING READING:
One of your fellow members passed this information along from Crain's Cleveland Business:  
Who knew?!?

Cleveland is the fourth-cheapest large U.S. city to run a business
KPMG study

Crain's Cleveland Business reports a new study by KPMG confirming what many Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs already seem to know: It's cheap to do business in Cleveland.

According to the Big Four audit firm's biennial Competitive Alternatives study, Cleveland is the fourth most cost-friendly city for American businesses among 31 large metro markets - those with populations greater than 2 million people - that were analyzed.

According to the analysis, Cleveland has the third-lowest industrial lease costs of all cities examined and moderate costs in all other categories.
 
 
Member News & Events
Are you curious about the Suffragette Movement?
League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County

Join us for an interesting event to learn more about how women achieved the right to vote.
 
The League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County will be showing the recently released SUFFRAGETTE movie, and offering a plated dinner ($10.00) at the Atrium in Aurora.
 
The movie will be shown on Wednesday, April 27th, at 6:00p.m.  Enjoy an educational and social evening, and meet members of the local League..  More information and reservations may be made by calling Pat at 330-562-8410 or email at pioneertrlpat@aol.com
 
The League is a nonpartisan organization that encourages active participation in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues.
The Spring edition of The Messenger, Northeast Ohio Medical University's community newsletter is now available:
  

If you've missed The Messenger in the past, archived editions are available on our website www.neomed.edu. Also, if you know of friends or family that would be interested in receiving this and other community updates, please encourage them to join the mailing list.
  
City of Aurora
July 4th Grand Marshal Nominations
City of Aurora

The City of Aurora extends the opportunity to the community to nominate a deserving individual to be the Grand Marshal for this year's July 4 th Parade. The nominations will be reviewed by the Mayor, Parks and Recreation Director and the Parks and Recreation Community Events Coordinator.

 
 

 
CLICK HERE:  clevelandbtobmatchmaker.com  
for more information or to register!

Economic & Community Development Institute
Information provided by COSE, the Council for Small Enterprises
cose.org

Investing in People, Businesses & Communities


The Economic & Community Development Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization founded in 2004. ECDI has assisted over 6,900 individuals, disbursed over $29 million through 1,400 loans, and created and retained 5,100 jobs via our comprehensive suite of programs available through our offices in Colum bus, Cleveland, Akron, and Toledo. Our programs and services have been supported by over $50 million in federal, state, local and private funds and have proven to spur local economic development.
How do we do this? We invest, educate, and innovate with the businesses and people who are inspired and who inspire us.
Invest
ECDI's mission is "to create measurable and enduring social and economic change" for communities by helping entrepreneurs and small business achieve the capital they need to grow.
  • 3rd Largest Small Business Administration intermediary microlender in the nation
  • U.S. Treasury designated Community Development Financial Institution
  • Provide loans up to $350,000
  • Fixed-rate loan products
  • Serves those who do not qualify for traditional bank financing due to insufficient credit history, collateral, or business experience
Educate
ECDI provides specialized educational programs designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed.

Women's Business Center (WBC) of Ohio:
  • Only SBA-funded Women's Business Center in state
  • Experts provide training, and one-on-one business counseling
  • Access to computer lab, internet access, copying/printing, and resource library
  • Networking
Small Enterprise Development Training
  • Series designed for entrepreneurs ready to enhance their business idea or expand an existing small enterprise into a viable/profitable business
  • Four critical developmental areas-business concept, organization, customer relations and operations-uses the GrowthWeel® platform
Innovate
ECDI partners with community and economic development organizations to create innovative programs that enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Cleveland Culinary Launch & Kitchen
An innovative commercial kitchen that serves as an incubator and accelerator for local food-based businesses.
SEAchange
Northeastern Ohio's social enterprise accelerator that provides coaching, connections, and capital to people making a difference in the community.
ECDI Cleveland | 2800 Euclid Ave Ste. 620 | 216.912.5655 | www.ecdi.org
Chamber of Commerce Information & Resources
City of Aurora
Aurora recently received accolades in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management and for demonstrating environmental improvement and high level of tree care.
 
Spring Perennial Swap
Date:  May 21, 2016
Time:  11 am - noon
Location: Kiwanis Moore Park
                35 West Pioneer Trail
 
Date:  May 21, 2016
Time:  8:30 am
Location:  Sunny Lake Park

Stay informed!
www.auroraoh.com
 
Anthem NOACC                
Now you can get cost savings on your health insurance benefits usually reserved for larger companies.  How?  You get the purchasing power of the group insurance market through your chamber of commerce membership. www.NOACC.org
  
Think Chamber
THE NORTHERN OHIO AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE GIVE MEMBERS GROUP BUYING POWER AND ENCOURAGE BUYING LOCAL.

BWC News
Private employers: Prospective billing transition effective July 1. Watch video & sign up for seminar/webinar Click Here.
For BWC eNews   Click Here.
Western Reserve Safety Council
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00
Location:  Mustard Seed Market & Cafe (second floor)
6025 Kruse Drive
Solon, OH  44139

For the latest news and event information Click Here
 
Portage County Safety Council
Stay up to date on news and events by visiting www.portagesafetycouncil.com.
 
COSE
COSE connects small businesses with resources and expert advice they need to grow! www.cose.org 

Portage Development Board
2016 Ohio Export Internship Program
 Finding the time to focus on developing a new market is a challenge for many small businesses. The Ohio Export Internship Program is designed to help businesses overcome this challenge by matching them with highly motivated students, from Ohio universities and colleges, who have taken export-focused coursework at Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University or Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University.

Spring 2016 Leadership Conference
Join us for Leadership Portage County's Leadership Conference & Showcase. 
 
Thursday, April 7, 2016
From 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
NEOMED
Electronic Membership Plaques
Current active 2016 members!

As you are aware the Chamber has exciting new branding.  If you are a current 2016 member, please download the membership 
ePlaque and link us ( www.allaboutaurora.com) to your website.  Let's stay connected! 
 
 
Embrace Aurora!
Welcome to the Neighborhood!


There is no better way to reach new residents than an invitation to your business through Embrace Aurora!  What better way to inform movers about what is available to them when settling into their new homes?

Click on the form below to register and for further details.  Participation is easy and FREE to Chamber members!  Non Members are welcome to join in as well for a nominal fee.

Once registered, your promotional items can be dropped off at the Chamber Office M-F from 9am-2pm.  That's it.  We take it from there and get your items where they need to go!

 

CLICK TO REGISTER
 
Build Relationships - 
Join A Committee! 
Our volunteer-led committees are at 
the very heart of our success!

Contact the Chamber office for more information about how you can get involved!

Awards  
Build the Chamber scholarship fund - award scholarships - promote and select person & business of the year: we do it all!
 
AWIN - Aurora Women in Networking
This engaged and engaging group provides support and encouragement to each other and our membership through discussion and targeted events. 

Business Advocacy  
The BAC connects us to business-related issues in local government.  

ProBusiness/Tourism 

Supports member businesses through events and activities that get the word out about YOU.

Member Services 
New member? Veteran member? Potential member? This group is looking out for ways to enhance your member benefits. 
Board of Directors
 
President
Lisa Kusner

Vice President
Jennifer Stanley
First National Bank

Treasurer
Dan Mormile
Andersen Aurora Manufacturing
 
S ecretary
Laura Radcliff
Edward Jones
 
Diane Barben
The Atrium at Anna Maria

Dottie Dupuy
Howard Hanna

Michelle Harman
Harman Home Designs

Ing Kiland
Metis Construction

Jim Kraus
City of Aurora

Vicky Rovder
Excalibur Collision

Alan Shorr
Reitz, Paul & Shorr

Sue Tinlin
The Tinlin Team -
Platinum Real Estate

Doug Wieder
Mill Distributors, Inc.
-------------------------
Liaison
Pat Ciccantelli

Liaison
Denny Kovach 
Aurora City Council 
-------------------------
Executive Director
Laura Holman 
director@allaboutaurora.com

Aurora Community  and Events Guide

  CLICK HERE  to view entire guide.

Look for our NEW Guide coming SOON!

Platinum Sponsor

Howard Hanna


Gold Sponsors
Harman Home Designs

STAY CONNECTED