Thursday, December 8
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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.
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Mi Tierra
Jerry Grajeda
Owner
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SignZone
Curtis Copley
Owner
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Target Marketing
Scott Robertson
Vice President
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Our Redeemer Lutheran Church & Early Learning Center
Chad Trunkhill
Sr. Pastor
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The Greater Hutchinson CVB welcomed these visitors last month who made an economic impact in our community!
KSHSAA 3A State Football Championship
November 26, 2016
2,700 attendees
Economic Impact: $270,000
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Submit a Nomination
for the
Small Business Award!
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The Chamber Small Business Committee is seeking nominations for the Small Business Award!
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!
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The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
is the catalyst for a prosperous business climate
that enhances the quality of life.
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Message from the President
For many of your businesses, December is the time of year to look back on the accomplishments and challenges faced in the previous year, and chart a course for growth in the coming year. We do this at the Chamber each fall. Our board sets aside time to ask ourselves what causes we have to celebrate, what we learned, and what changes our organization needs to make.
Like any enterprise, there is always much more to do and our work is never complete. There is always another mission critical project, another need in the community, or another business evaluating a growth opportunity. We are constantly looking toward the horizon to find the next opportunity for the community.
That natural tendency to look at what's coming next makes us remarkably bad at celebrating the year's accomplishments, and reinforces the need for us to do just that from time to time. So I hope you will forgive me for highlighting a few of our successes, because I believe 2016 is one to celebrate. This year:
- The Chamber organized several debates with the Hutchinson News. In total more than 1,300 people watched them; either in person or online. Notably, the debates between candidates of the Kansas Big First District was seen as a nationally important race, and garnered attention locally and nationally.
- The Chamber worked with many others in the community to expand daycare capacity in Hutchinson. This doesn't just benefit families and parents, but makes it easier for businesses to fill open positions by recruiting new families to Hutchinson.
- The Chamber secured funding for the future of the economic development program. A capital campaign is not usually a fun exercise, yet it requires a community to reflect on what its economic goals are and how it can form a program to aid business expansion. Our leadership developed a five year strategic plan and communication strategy that will greatly aid economic growth for Reno County for years to come.
- The Chamber and CVB helped pave the way for the NJCAA to make a 25 year commitment to hold the Men's Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, and then secured a three year commitment to hold the NJCAA Volleyball Championship in Hutchinson. These early wins are a strong indication of future success we expect from other groups that we have developed relationships with. The community's investment in the Hutchinson Sports Arena will be one that brings new activity to the facility.
- Several businesses have expanded this year. Industries like Enterprise Products, Sun Valley Trucking, Tyson, and BOLD 3PL have all made important investments in our community to support growth and secure their presence here. Furthermore, the Hutchinson Mall continues to bring new stores to the community and drive more growth through retail.
We look forward to the start of another successful year and wish everyone a happy holiday season.
Jason Ball,
Chamber President/CEO
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The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to once again be working with the cartographic and marketing firm of Target Marketing to publish a new, up-to-date, full-color Hutchinson/Reno County Area Street Map and Resource Guide. This publication will be the only official map endorsed and distributed by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.
Accurate, user-friendly maps are a popular item for our newcomers, potential commercial relocation candidates and even our lifelong residents.
Here are a few more reasons to include your advertisement on the new map. According to "The New Movers Marketing Potential" published by relevategroup.com:
- Over 12% of the U.S. population moves each year, that is 37.1 million people in 15.8 million households
- New homeowners spend more within 6 months than the average consumer spends in 3 years
- New mover expenditures total more than $150 billion annually
- New movers are 5 times more likely to become your long term customers - if you reach them first.
The Business and Professional Showcase Directory of Members section offers the opportunity to promote your business. This section will classify participating businesses by category, including a brief description of products and/or services. Advertising space on the back cover and a limited number of interior display panel ads are also available. Participating advertisers will receive a complimentary supply of the folded maps with a counter-top display dispenser.
If you are interested in participating in this project, click here to see the full letter or contact Target Marketing at (800) 933-3909.
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2017 Annual Meeting Tickets
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 2017 Annual Meeting tickets featuring entrepreneur and best-selling author Chris Gardner will go on sale to Chamber members on Wednesday, December 14th! For ticket information visit
HutchChamber.com or call the Chamber office at (620) 662-3391. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are still available - if interested contact Marcy Kauffman at (620) 662-3391 or
marcyk@hutchchamber.com.
A special thank you to the following 2017 Annual Meeting Sponsors:
Premier Sponsor: Allen Samuels Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram-Mazda
Championship Sponsors: Dillons/Kwik Shop/Kroger, First National Bank, Nex-Tech Wireless, and The Summit
Platinum Sponsors: The Clayworks at Disability Supports, Heartland Credit Union, Howerton+White, Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, Mel Hambelton Ford, and PrairieStar Health Center.
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Ribbon Cuttings Held by Ambassadors
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All Saints Home Care -
Grand Opening
Allen Samuels Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram-Mazda -
Grand Opening
To view the ribbon cutting photos and for more information about these businesses
click here.
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December Business After Hours
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Thursday, December 8
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Your holiday shopping might just get a bit easier if you attend this combined Business After Hours and Young Professionals of Reno County YP Mingle. The First will be spreading some holiday cheer with over $1,000 worth of holiday giveaways including an opportunity to win a variety of prizes and gift cards. Plus, all attendees will leave with a holiday mini-gift!
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.
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December Membership Breakfast
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Wednesday, December 14
Atrium Hotel & Conference Center
1400 N. Lorraine St.
Sponsored by
Nex-Tech Wireless
Featured Speaker - Bernie Koch
Executive Director, Kansas Economic Progress Council
Our featured speaker for the December Membership Breakfast will be Bernie Koch, Executive Director of the Kansas Economic Progress Council. Having spent more than 42 Kansas Legislative sessions as a journalist or lobbyist, Bernie is excellent at providing insight into the Kansas Legislature. During the breakfast, Bernie will be providing a budget and legislative outlook for the 2017 Kansas legislative session.
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.
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November Small Business Award Presented to the Downtown Sampler Restaurant
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 The Chamber in partnership with
The Hutchinson N
ews
presents the
Small Business Award each month to recognize the significant contribution small businesses make to our local economy and membership. During the October Membership Breakfast, the Small Business Award was presented to the Downtown Sampler Restaurant. Eileen Cottingham accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
Special thank you to First National Bank, Heartland Credit Union, Eagle Communications, and KFSA Insurance for their sponsorship that makes this award possible each month.
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Farm Focus Families Honored at
November Membership Breakfast
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Each November the Chamber honors our Reno County agriculture heritage by celebrating all Reno County farmers and awarding the distinction of Reno County Farm Focus Families to three area families engaged in agri-business. The 2016 Farm Focus Families who received this honor at the November Membership Breakfast were Randy & Jane Harder, Chuck & Kylie Buggeln, and Geoff and Jenny Burgess.
Randy & Jane Harder have been in farming for over 27 years. Randy is a full-time farmer and also has his own pasture clearing business and Jane is the Director for Reins of Hope. The Harders have two children, Brandon and Katie. Coming from a farm background, The Harder's farm consists of their Simmental cow/calf operation, hay, pasture, and range management business. In addition to Jane's work there, the Harders are very involved with Reins of Hope, as well as Journey to Yoder.
Photo Courtesy The Hutchinson News
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Chuck and Kylie Buggeln are first generation farmers. Chuck works for B&B Hydraulics and Kylie is the Curator at the Hutchinson Zoo. They have two children Zeke and Ross. They have been farming for over 20 years including raising cattle and growing wheat, milo and soy beans. Chuck and Kiley are active with the Hutchinson Zoo, the New Covenant Presbyterian Church and Haven School.
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Geoff and Jenny Burgess have been farming since 2008. They have two children, Dillan and Jessica.
Burgess Hill Farm includes crops such as wheat, corn, sorghum and soybeans. Geoff also has a machinery repair business and Jenny also writes a farm column for several different publications. Both Geoff and Jenny are very active in the community. Jenny is one the Reno County Farm Bureau board of directors and is involved with CommonGround Kansas. Geoff was recently selected for the Kansas Corn Corps and the family is involved with Sterling Church of Christ.
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By Keith Hughes, Vice Chairman & CEO
First National Bank of Hutchinson
Safe and Secure Holiday Wishes from The First
As we enter the holiday season, First National Bank of Hutchinson wishes you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. As you begin your holiday shopping, The First urges you to continue to think about being safe and secure.
A new survey from the National Cyber Security Alliance found that more than a third of holiday gift givers plan to purchase internet-connected devices as gifts this holiday season. However, more than half reported concerns over the security of such devices following the recent distributed denial of service against online platforms like Amazon, Twitter and Reddit.
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BREG - Advanced Manufacturing Forum
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The Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth (BREG), an initiative of the Greater Wichita Partnership, will present a free Advanced Manufacturing Forum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13th at the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita. This special, one-day event will bring together industry leaders from across the region to explore the partnerships and innovations that will keep south-central Kansas at the forefront of advanced manufacturing in the U.S.
Topics covered during the forum will include supply chain management, automation, workforce development and innovation. In addition, participants will get a chance to connect with numerous community resource providers during a free networking lunch.
If you, or someone you know, is involved in advanced manufacturing or would like to gain insight into the future of an important industry to our regional economy, visit advancedmanufacturingforum.com to learn more or register today online.
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Save the Date!
The next Chamber Action Pak is due to the Chamber office by
Friday, January 6, 2017 by 3:00 p.m.!
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A Sneak Peak at the Voice of Christmas Concert by the Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra
On Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. the Orchestra will unwrap just for you, a stunning acoustic instrumental solo performance including Vivaldi's Winter (Maciek Zawadzki, violin), Faure's Elegie (Jay Hawkins, cello), and Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Wizards in Winter (Bruce Boyd, guitar). It also wouldn't be Christmas without Conductor Dr. Richard Koshgarian's annual signature presentation of Mannheim Steamroller's Stille Nacht. Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre and are $25 at the door for adults; $10 for students. All Christmas Concert attendees will receive a gift of a complimentary ticket to the February 12, 2017 concert, for re-gifting, so that you can share the love and invite a friend to enjoy the experience! Watch for more performance announcements and at HutchSymphony on Facebook or email hutchsymphony@gmail.com.
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Young Professionals of Reno County
Young Professionals of Reno County is starting a new initiative to help their members make deeper connections within the organization. It's called YP Circles, and the concept is really simple. Members sign up, are assigned a
small group, and get together 3-4 times a year. That's it!
This program is free for YP members, and encourages the creation of lasting bonds that keep young talent in Reno County. Sign up by December 15th to join a group.
Not a YP Member? It's only
$50 to join
for the entire year and includes many fantastic benefits.
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Have an exciting milestone to celebrate or a fundraiser or event coming up in the community? Send it to Chelsey at chelseyd@hutchchamber.com for inclusion in the Chamber Outlook. Listings are limited to one listing per Chamber member per quarter and must be 100 words or less.
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