Chamber Outlook Newsletter |March 2016  
In This Issue
April Action Pak
Due April 1st

If you would like to reach key members of the business community for a fraction of the cost, then the Action Pak is for you.  All you need to do is deliver 1,200 flyers to The Chamber with a message about your products, services, or a special offer to Chamber members!  
 
Criteria
  • Provide 1,200 flyers (8 1/2 x 11 or smaller)
  • All pieces must be the same size & color
  • Deliver flyers to The Chamber by 3:00 p.m., Friday, April 1st
  • Cost: $125
  • It is the policy of The Chamber not to accept political flyers for Action Pak
To participate in the Action Pak,  click here.
New Members  

The following businesses have recently become members of the Chamber. If you see them around town or at a Chamber function, please take the time to welcome them.
Connie Richman
Community Volunteer
Saving Sight
Heather Britain
Partner Relations Coordinator
Fourth Avenue Holding LLC National Credit Adjusters LLC
Brad Hochstein
President/Owner
Archer & Company
Archer Jarrett
Owner/Stylist
Westlake North
Mike Musick

Visitor Watch
Join the Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau in welcoming these visitors making an economic impact on our community:


KSHSAA 3A State Boys & Girls Basketball Tournament
March 9-12
1,500 Athletes
Economic Impact: $300,000

NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship
March 14-19
26,000 in Attendance
Economic Impact: $1.3 million

USSSA The Valley Opener
April 2-3
200 Athletes
Economic Impact: $30,000
Ribbon Cutting Held by Ambassadors:

Learning Rx 
new member

To view the ribbon cutting photos and for more information about these businesses click here.
Nominate a Small Business for the 
Small Business Award!
The Chamber Small Business Committee is seeking Small Business Award nominations from area small businesses.

If you know of a deserving small Chamber business, we encourage you to nominate them for this award. Requirements for consideration are Chamber membership, in business for at least three years, and employs 40 or fewer people.
Click here to nominate a business today!
H-BUCKS

H-Bucks can be used for favorite foods, fun or merchandise and it benefits the local economy!

To learn more and see a list of the local businesses that accept H-Bucks, click here. To order, contact the Chamber office at (620) 662-3391.


A special thank you to:

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is the catalyst for a prosperous business climate that enhances the quality of life.
Convention/Visitors Bureau Gears Up for Hutchinson's Version of March Madness

This week marks the beginning of March Madness in Hutchinson, with the start of the Kansas State High School Activities Association 3A State Boys & Girls Basketball Championship on Wednesday, March 9. Following the conclusion of the tournament on Saturday, March 12, NJCAA Basketball teams will start arriving for their tournament. The dates of this year's NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship are March 14-19.
In addition to these back-to-back basketball tournaments, the Convention/Visitors Bureau has hosted two monumental ceremonies in the past few weeks. On February 15th the NJCAA and American Legion signed a 25-year contract to keep the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship in Hutchinson through 2041.  The contract signing took place at a formal ceremony on the floor of the Hutchinson Sports Arena.  Over 100 people came out to witness this historic event.

On March 7th a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Speakers at the  ceremony included Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho, Dr. Carter File with
Hutchinson Community College, Shannon Bohm with Schaffer Johnson Cox Frey Architects, Scott Sherry with JE Dunn Construction, Ron Sellers with the HutchWins campaign and Mary Ellen Leicht with the NJCAA.  The dirt was officially turned at 2:28 pm to mark the beginning of construction for the $29.5 million renovation project.
March Legislative Forum

Interact with Reno County Legislatures on issues before the Kansas State Legislature at the March legislative forum.  The forum will be held, Saturday, March 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Mennonite Friendship Communities, 600 W. Blanchard Ave, South Hutchinson.

Our legislative forums are co-sponsored by AT&T and the Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Advisory Committee.

The following members of the Reno County legislative delegation are invited to participate: Senator Terry Bruce, Representative Joe Seiwert, Representative Steven Becker, Representative Jan Pauls, Representative Jack Thimesch. There is no cost to attend the forum. Members of the Chamber and the general public are encouraged to attend.


For more information concerning the legislative  forums, contact Patti Schmidtberger at pattis@hutchchamber.com or (620) 662-3391.
February Small Business Award Presented to
Yoder Auto Center

The Chamber in partnership with The Hutchinson News  present the  Small Business Award each month, to recognize the significant contribution small business makes to our local economy and membership. During the January Membership Breakfast, the Small Business Award was presented to Yoder Auto Center, owner Weldon Headings accepted the award.

Weldon Headings purchased Yoder Auto Center in 2010, after working for the previous owner since 2004. The business is locally owned and managed and provides services to people in a 10 to 15 mile radius around Yoder.

Yoder Auto Service offers personalized service, Weldon makes a point to personally greet and take care of customers as much as possible. they offer customers free pick-up and drop off service and usage of a loaner car while their car is being serviced.
 
To read the full article and view picture click here.


12 Tips for Protecting Your Mobile Devices
By Keith Hughes, CEO, First National Bank of Hutchinson

As use of mobile devices continues to climb, cyber criminals are targeting those gadgets more frequently. According to a report by the Federal Reserve, 52 percent of smartphone users say they have used mobile banking in the past 12 months. In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, March 6 - 12, I'm highlighting 12 ways you can take extra precaution to protect the data on your mobile device.

The First uses gold-standard safeguards to protect customer information, but it's also important for you to practice safe measures on your end to prevent sensitive data from being compromised. It's easy to forget that your mobile device can be vulnerable. Any device used to connect to the Internet is at risk.
  • Use the passcode lock on all devices. This makes it difficult for thieves to access information.
  • Log out completely every time you finish mobile banking.
  • Protect your phone from viruses and malicious software by installing mobile security software.
To read full article including more tips,  click here
March Business After Hours
Sponsored by
Nex-Tech Wireless

Thursday, March 24
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Nex-Tech Wireless
1624 East 11th Ave.

Enjoy refreshments and conversation with fellow Chamber members as you learn more about Nex-Tech Wireless, located at 1624 East 11th Ave, adjacent to the Hutchinson Mall. Be sure to sign up at the event for a chance to win prizes, including two March Madness Gift Baskets, Nex-Tech Wireless gift cards and must-have new accessories.

Nex-Tech Wireless is a premiere wireless provider offering high-tech wireless solutions to resident in 40 counties of central and western Kansas. Nex-Tech Wireless focuses on providing its customers cutting-edge technology including 4G LTE data and mobile services, as well as the latest wireless equipment and competitive wireless plans that provide nationwide coverage.

If you do not have a Flash Pass, cost for the Business After Hours is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. To register online click here or call Belinda McClanahan at (620) 662-3391.
March Membership Breakfast
Sponsored by NJCAA
Featured Speaker Mary Ellen Leicht
Executive Director of the NJCAA

Our March membership breakfast is sponsored by the National Junior College Athletic Association. Join us and help celebrate 68 years of Hutchinson hosting the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball  Championship and looking forward to the next 25 years!

Our featured speaker will be NJCAA Executive Director Mary Ellen Leicht. Attendees will also hear from the Chair of Division 1 Men's Basketball Committee, Dean Myrick.

If you d o not  have a Flash Pass, cost for the breakfast is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Click here to make reservations or call Belinda McClanahan at (620) 662-3391.
Chamber Briefs
New Administrator at Waldron Place

Waldron Place Assisted Living by Americare and the Arbors at Waldron Place Memory Care Assisted Living by Americare, recently named Bill Gault, PhD, as Administrator. Mr. Gault brings experience from long term and memory care, his own private case management company, an educator, and as a personnel manager with the United States Air Force. Bill holds a PhD in Education, Training and Performance Improvement, along with a Masters in HR, Counseling, and Instructional Psychology. Please join us for a Meet & Greet on March 10th any time between 3:00 & 6:00 p.m. at Waldron Place, located at 1700 E. 23rd Ave. in Hutchinson.
Open House at B & B Theatres

B & B Theaters is hosting an Open House for Chamber Members on Thursday, March 17, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. A Ribbon Cutting will kick off the Open House at 4:30 p.m. Meet the members of B & B who invested in our community, enjoy snacks, and tour the remodeled theaters prior to the theater opening to the public at 6:00 p.m.  
Have an exciting milestone to celebrate, fundraiser or event coming up in the community? Send it to Patti at pattis@hutchchamber.com for inclusion in the Chamber Outlook. Listings are limited to one listing per Chamber member per quarter and must be under 100 words.
Leadership Reno County
A Program of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce

The purpose of Leadership Reno County is to strengthen the network and effectiveness of leadership capacities in Reno County.

For more information on participating in Leadership Reno County, visit hutchchamber.com or contact Lynette Lacy at lynette@klconnections.com or Kris Doswell at kdoswell@cox.net.

Leadership Reno County Class of 2016

Celena Aguinaga-Mears - Hutchinson News
Monte Ball - JACAM Chemicals
Megan Bartley - HCC - Student Body President  
Tony Bianciella - City Beverage
Alex Carvalho Rodriguez - MassMutual Financial Group
Justin Combs - City of Hutchinson - Parks & Facilities
Jon Culley - Reno County Sheriff's Department
Angie Davenport - Primary Residential Mortgage
Robert Gardner - Kroger Supermarket Petroleum Group
Tara Ghere - Reno County Health Department
Elizabeth Grilliot - Hutchinson Recreation Commission
Katie Hawks - Central Bank and Trust Co.
Lindsey Herndon - Pleasant View Home/Pleasant Hills
Tommy Hornbeck - Prairie Bank of Kansas
Justin Jensen - Hutchinson Clinic
Lisa Jolliff - Hutchinson Community College
Molly McElgunn - Kroger C-Store
Clint Nelson - Interfaith Housing Services, Inc.
Randy Regehr - Reno County Community Corrections
Angela Richard - City of Hutchinson
Erica Rivera - Prairie Independent Living Resource Center, Inc.
Tonia Roberts - Healthy Families
Sean Rutherford - The Kroger Company
Patti Schmidtberger - Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
Dale Snell - Prairie Hills Financial Group
Lacy Stauffacher - Interfaith Housing Services, Inc.
Angela Stevens - AngelComputing
Matt Tatro - Reno County Sheriff's Department
Sky Templeton - HRMC - Health-E-Quip
Mark Thompson - South Hutchinson Police Department
Sara Warren - First National Bank of Hutchinson
Erin Woods - Substance Abuse Center of Kansas
March Lunch and Learn
sponsored by Hutchinson Credit Professionals International 

Fraud Protection and Prevention
Presented by Mark Larkin
Special Agent, Home Land Security Investigations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
 
Friday, March 18
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Learn from expert, Special Agent Mark Larkin, steps you can take to protect yourself and your business. Hutchinson Credit Professionals International (CPI) is sponsoring this month's Lunch and Learn which will be held at HCC Shears Technology Center.

Special Agent Larkin has investigated a wide variety of cases involving everything from Identity Theft and Human Trafficking to War Crimes with a particular focus on Human Rights Violators.  He will share his experiences and tips for keeping your personal and business information safe.  

The cost of the class is $15 and includes a lunch buffet. To register,  please call Kay Shive at HCC (620) 665-3559. For more information, contact Marcy Kauffman at marcyk@hutchchamber.com.
Questions or Comments about this newsletter or to opt out of receiving?
Contact Patti Schmidtberger
Patti Schmidtberger:
pattis@hutchchamber.com

Hutchinson, KS 67504-0519