Here it is: Connections Newsletter August 2016

Connections Newsletter

August 2016

The mission of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate the growth of

Aurora area businesses, promote tourism, and invest in programs

that enhance and enrich the community.

Aurora's Business and Community Golf Outing Fun!

Welcome, August!

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying this hot and sunny summer.

Looking at the photos above reminds me that we have had an abundance of successful events and opportunities to support and promote you. What a wonderful feeling!

Our golf outing was, as you can see, enjoyed by all involved. Then, on a beautiful Saturday in July we welcomed over 70 visitors to our office for this year's Drive it Yourself Tour, and were so pleased and proud to hear how much they enjoyed visiting your businesses and learning more about Aurora's growing business community.

THANK YOU to those who participated for spreading the word all about Aurora! HEY: do you still have tour stop signs? GIve us a call so we can come get 'em!

This summer's party on the patio has also been lively and fun. These free after-hours events are a great way to showcase our restaurant venues while providing an opportunity for people to connect and build relationships in a relaxed atmosphere. We have another Party on the Patio planned for September 14th at Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center - register today and we'll see you there!

Our luncheon series continues on August 31st, when we host the annual 3Chamber legislative luncheon at The Bertram Inn & Conference Center with our current Congressman Dave Joyce. We sincerely appreciate Dave's commitment to staying connected with the legislative issues that effect businesses, and look forward to his update.

In September, we return to beautiful ThornCreek Winery Gardens to receive further education on relevant legislative issues -- perfect timing to get informed before this year's elections. The COSE/Greater Cleveland Partnership advocacy team is sending Senior VP Marty McGann to share his valuable insight.

Check out these and other opportunities below, and, as always, contact us if you have news to share. We are here for you!

Now let's get busy....there is so much work to do!

Laura Holman

Executive Director, Aurora Chamber of Commerce

Chamber News & Events

After-hours

MultiChamber Speed Networking Event

Thursday, August 11th

4 -7 PM

$15 per person

Embassy Suites Beachwood

3775 Park East Drive

Beachwood, OH 44122

REGISTRATION EXTENDED: REGISTER NOW!

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10th

CLICK THROUGH THE RED LINK BELOW TO GO TO THE BEACHWOOD CHAMBER'S ONLINE REGISTRATION PAGE

MultiChamber Speed Networking Event

7 Chambers Included!

Expand your networking reach with our area's largest
Multi-Chamber Speed Networking Event!

Thursday, August 11, 2016
4 pm - 7 pm (networking and cocktail hour 4-5 pm)
Cost: $15 per person, MUST be a member of a participating chamber
Cost includes: entrance fee, appetizers, beverages (cash bar available)

You MUST pre-register and pre-pay via the link through Beachwood Chamber of Commerce. No walk-ins for this event. When registering, please indicate which chamber you are a member of.

Embassy Suites Beachwood
3775 Park East Drive
Beachwood, OH 44122

Presented by:

Click Here for More Information and to Register. THIS LINK ONLY!

3Chamber Networking

Luncheon

Wednesday, August 31st

11:30 AM - 1 PM

The Bertram Inn & Conference Center

600 North Aurora Road

Aurora, OH 44202

$25 Members,

$35 non-members

Click Here to Register and for More Information

Rotary Club of Solon

September Business After Hours

Party on the Patio

Wednesday, Sept. 14th

5-7 pm

Aurora Inn - Hotel & Event Center

30 Shawnee Trail

Complimentary appetizers

Cash bar

Business After Hours - Party on the Patio

We know you're busy and finding time to network isn't always easy. So come on out to Aurora Inn and relax while you new business relationships. Let's celebrate a great summer!

Click Here for More Information and to Register

September Networking

Luncheon

Wednesday,

September 21st

11:30 AM - 1 PM

ThornCreek WInery & Gardens

155 Treat Rd.

September Networking Luncheon

Cose Advocay Team

Join us September 21st, Wednesday, at ThornCreek Winery & Gardens as we listen to our featured speaker, Marty McGann - senior VP Government Advocacy for the Greater Cleveland Partnership, update us on hot legislative topics and their impact on your business, including medical marijuana, income tax, and minimum wage increase.

Click Here to Register and For More Information

Nominations Now Being Accepted

Deadline is September 9th!

2016 Person of the Year Nominations

This award is given to recognize the contribution of a person who exemplifies civic awareness,

demonstrates leadership, and works for the betterment of the Aurora community.

Clink Here For a POY Nomination Form

Or fill out our online form by going to www.allaboutaurora.com!

2016 Business of the Year Nominations

This award is presented to a local business, organization, or agency that makes a positive contribution to the Aurora business community while showing a commitment to making Aurora a better place to work and live.

Click Here for a BOY Nomination Form

Member News & Events

Information & Resources

New Menu Items!

Building a Talent Pipeline: Here's How you can Help

Employers from a variety of industries and of all sizes in our region and around the state say finding and keeping a talented workforce is one of their top challenges.

One solution with a long-range view on how to make this happen is to start talking to students about planning a career path as early as eighth grade.

That's the focus of an innovative program-True2U-a collaboration among the Cleveland Foundation's youth development program, My Com, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) and the Neighborhood Leadership Institute.

Launched in September 2015, True2U provides CMSD eighth-graders with support to explore their purpose, identify their strengths and set personal goals for success.

The GCP is currently recruiting business professionals to serve as volunteer mentors in the 2016-2017 school year. Click here to learn more about becoming a True2U mentor.

Reduce your Home Electric Bill: Information from COSE's energy program

As a valued member, we want to be sure you are maximizing your benefits and that includes energy choice both for your own and your employees' homes. At the Aurora Chamber, we take pride in working with our partners at COSE to develop energy procurement solutions for our valued members like YOU and are pleased to extend a great residential electric offer. You are one of the first in Ohio to receive this exclusive offer.

Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Toledo Edison and Ohio Edison customers can lock in this fixed monthly rate of .0629 cents per kWh for 12 months, please visit: www.ppandu.com/cose. Rates for CEI and other service areas can change monthly, so be sure to check online for current rates. Exclusive discount available through July 31, 2016!

As the managing consultant of the COSE Natural Gas and Electric Choice Programs, OnDemand Energy is offering exclusive savings with Public Power, LLC ® to COSE members, and employees of the member company.

We look forward to providing this important benefit to you and your employees to continue to help you monitor costs and identify the right solutions for your home and your business. For general questions, please feel free to reach the COSE Energy Team at (216) 592-2205.

*Founded in 2008, Public Power LLC is a leader in the retail energy industry, offering electricity services that help customers better manage their budget and energy costs. Public Power LLC is not to be confused with Cleveland Public Power, the municipal electric company, operating only in the city of Cleveland. If you have any questions, please contact Public Power LLC at 888-354-4415.

For more information visit www.gertsburglaw.com/our-insight/events/

Seats are limited so please RSVP to The Gertsburg Law Firm at

440-571-7772 or [email protected]

City of Aurora

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.

Read More

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

August Program: Five Biggest Mistakes Employers Make in Handling Workers' Comp Claims

Date: August 3, 2016

Time:

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EDT

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

Check out their new website!
www.portagedevbd.org

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!

Click Here to Download ePlaque

Embrace Aurora!

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

UPDATE: 95 Embrace Aurora bags are on their way to new residents! Thank you to the members of City Council and to Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin for hand-delivering these bags directly to the doors of our new neighbors -- and your potential customers!

Next round of deliveries is anticipated to be in August/September/September.

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 Here for Registration Form