Awards Banquet and Culinary Competition
Returns to StanCraft Boat Co. April 14
The Chamber is excited to announce that the Annual Awards Banquet and Culinary Competition will be held at StanCraft Boat Co. again this year. Thank you Robb and Amy Bloem for providing this amazing venue!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 14. Last year's event was a ton of fun! Don't forget if you're a Gold or Platinum Chamber Member we'll be contacting you about your complimentary tickets.
Your business can be involved by being a sponsor, purchasing a table, or donating something for the auction. Don't miss this one!
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We're Hiring!
 Help us find our next Executive Director.
Are you the perfect fit or know someone who is? Go to
www.Indeed.com
and search for "Executive Director" in "Hayden" to review the job description and learn how to apply.
Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Have questions? Call us at 762-1185.
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2nd Annual International Food
and Drink
Festival is Jan. 28 at the Silver Lake Mall
Last year's event was a huge success and this year's International Food and Drink Festival promises to be even better. Come taste beverages from Daft Badger, Tricksters, Mad Bomber, and North Idaho Cider, plus wines from around the world.
More restaurants and entertainment this year will create an exciting cultural festival throughout the Silver Lake Mall.
A great family event, tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for kids, and available by clicking here.
Last year's participants:
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Aebleskivers
Caramel Kitchen
Cheryl Davilas Salsa
Coeur d'Alene Casino
Girl Scouts of America
GreenBriar Inn
Olive Garden
Outback Steakhouse
Panda Express
Pita Pit
Scone Ranger
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Sweet Lou's
The Fedora
Culinary Stone/The Italian Bakeshop
The Wellness Bar
Mad Bomber Brewery
Daft Badger Brewery
Tricksters Brewing
Pepsi
Possibilities Wine Shop
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Networking Breakfast is Thurs., Jan. 25
"5 Free Ways to Grow
Your
Business Online"
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Jim Hobart, center, testifies before a U.S. Senate Committee in Washington, D.C. in April.
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7:00 a.m. Check-in begins
7:00-7:20 a.m. Networking and Trade Tables
7:20 a.m. Breakfast served
Salvation Army Kroc Center
$18 at the door
(credit cards, check, or cash).
$20 without RSVP.
Click
here
to reserve a Trade Table --
A great way to promote your business,
organization, or event.
Alpaca Direct owner to share online business success
Jim Hobart, co-owner of Alpaca Direct on Hayden Ave., was honored to be invited to speak before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business Challenges and Opportunities last April.
Hobart shared his experience as a small business owner and how he and his wife Kelley built a thriving 'Click and Mortar' business offering over 3,000 products, serving over 100,000 customers in 30 countries.
The Hobarts use Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube to find customers interested in their products. Their interactive online approach allows them to start conversations with customers to better understand their needs.
Their social media tools include Google AdWords to reach customers overseas and build an international awareness;
YouTube and Facebook to share knitting techniques and product reviews; Google's Geolocation tool to attract customers living in cold weather climates; Google Analytics to improve their marketing campaigns; and Google Hangouts to invite people around the world to participate in their weekly knitting group at the Hayden store.
What is Alpaca Direct?
Jim and Kelley sell high quality
eco-friendly luxury yarns, alpaca socks, apparel, and gifts from their store on Hayden Ave. and from their online location.
What do they base their Hayden company on?
The Alpaca Direct Mission
- Provide exceptional customer service...every day
- Sell only products that we are proud to wear and use
- Listen to our customers and learn from them
- Treat our employees and customers as part of our family
- Do what's best for the customer and it will be what's best for us as a company
- Offer the best products at the lowest prices by operating efficiently
- Continuously evolve to better serve our customers
While testifying to the Senate Committee, Hobart listed two key challenges facing small businesses like Alpaca Direct:
1. Internet access; and
2. Affordable healthcare for his employees
Hobart said his competitors in larger cities operate on the equivalent of a 12-lane freeway while his access to that freeway is like a worn-out toll road with potholes maintained by a single-source provider with little incentive to make improvements. Hobart's vision includes a platform that allows customers to virtually walk and shop through his store as if they were actually there.
Join us Jan. 25 as Jim shares tips that could most likely help your business or organization.
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Chamber Introduces Pre-Pay Breakfast Program
To make it easier on our members and streamline check-in at the monthly Networking Breakfast, the Chamber is providing a new opportunity to pre-pay for the 2018 breakfasts. Members that choose this option will be listed on a PrePaid List at check-in and if they can't make it, someone else from their organization can attend in their place.
The PrePay Option is $216, which includes 12 breakfasts at the new $18 rate. This option will be available in January and February
only (prorated for 11 months in February). This option is only available for members who are at the Individual ($125); NonProfit ($125), and Bronze ($250) membership levels.
If you'd like to prepay and need us to invoice your organization, we'd be happy to do that, just let us know.
Questions? Call us at 762-1185.
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Free Screening of Public TV's "Victoria" is this Wednesday at Hayden Discount Cinemas
Idaho Public Television invites the community to a free screening of the first hour of Season 2 of "Victoria" at 7 p.m. this Wednesday, Jan. 10 at the Hayden Discount Cinemas in the Prairie Shopping Center.
The screening is free, but click
here to pre-register.
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H.A.Y.D.E.N. Awards Nominations
It's time to recognize our community heroes. The Chamber is honored to recognize community members and businesses for their contributions and achievements.
The H.A.Y.D.E.N. awards are presented each year at the Chamber's Annual Awards Banquet. Help us recognize our best by nominating a colleague, boss, employee, business owner, student, teacher, artist, or business for the annual H.A.Y.D.E.N. Awards.
We all know people that are deserving for this prestigious Hayden-based award. Please take a few minutes to nominate someone!
H.A.Y.D.E.N. Award Categories
"H" Human Rights or History
"A" Arts or Aerospace
"Y" Youth
"D" Distinguished Citizen
"E" Education
"N" New or Noteworthy Business or Non-Profit
Nomination forms can be emailed to you. Just send us an email by clicking
here.
Previous Recipients:
2017:
Pete Optekar, Unitech Composites, Karen Yother, Gary Norton, Sue Thilo, and Mad Bomber Brewing Co.
2016: Eula Hickam, Michael Horswill, Hayden Little League, Ron McIntire, David and Lindsay Patterson, and Triple Play Family Fun Park.
2015: JoAnn Harvey, Richard LeFrancis, Judy Eichelberger, Mary Sibulsky, Marilyn Griffitts, and the Inland Northwest SIDS Foundation
2014: Monty Danner, Jim Glenn, Rich Swoboda, Ben Tran, Corey and Rebekah Comstock, and Tessindorf Family Chiropractic.
2013: Michelle Fink, Tonia Gable, Steve Omi Foundation, Wayne Syth, Jim Gray, and Numerica Credit Union.
2012: Rebekah Kastning, Nancy Sue Wallace, Joe Regnere, Dale Stamper, Pam Pratt, and RDI Heating.
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Take Your Membership to the Next Level
Want to m
eet new people?
Guide the Chamber in 2017?
Help with a Chamber event?
Chamber members are encouraged to take their membership to the next level and join a Chamber committee.
Check out the list below and let us know if there's a committee or volunteer spot that's calling your name. Click
here to send us an email.
Ambassadors
(No meetings!)
Participate in Welcome to the Chamber photos, ribbon cuttings, drop-in visits to Chamber members, greet people at Chamber events, and help the Chamber participate in various parades.
Membership and Appreciation Committee
(Meets periodically)
Help identify potential new members and develop ways to help with member retention and appreciation.
Programs Committee
(Meets periodically)
Help determine monthly programs, as well as topics and speakers for other Chamber events.
April 14 Annual Auction and Awards Banquet Committee
Meets January-April as needed.
Help plan the event by procuring auction items, seeking nominations for H.A.Y.D.E.N. Awards, and promoting the event.
Kite Festival Volunteer
(Date TBD)
Involves 3 hours of volunteering at the event to judge participants or serve refreshments.
Business Expo Committee
(Date TBD)
Meets February-June as needed.
Help plan the event!
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Special thanks to our Platinum Members
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Gold Member support is huge! Thank you.
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