'Do the Best You Can Until You Know Better. When You Know Better, Do Better'
- Maya Angelou


Hello, February!

Members and friends, I hope this finds you all well. It has been a busy year already, and I look forward to working with you to make our exciting plans for 2017 a reality.

Those who attended our January State of the Chamber luncheon know that tables were buzzing as members and guests made connections and built relationships. Those connections are truly what will provide the greatest benefit for your membership investment. Whether you attended or not, I challenge you: Get out of your comfort zone in 2017! Join a committee, participate in a new event, invite a client or vendor to join you at a networking luncheon. You can do it -- and I think you'll be glad you did.

The 3Chamber Women's Expo was another buzz-worthy event. The energy was high as over 60 businesses presented themselves to a diverse crowd. Thank you to those of you who participated as a vendor, volunteer, or attendee. 

Looking forward, please note that the deadline for this year's Community Guide is upon us. Remember: we print and distribute 11,000 Guides to local, area, and regional businesses and travel bureaus. Guides are also sent to everyone requesting information about Aurora, whether they are looking to work, live, or play here. Lastly, a business listing by category and including your email address and phone number is a FREE benefit to membership. PLEASE get your ad and enhanced listing registrations to us -- AND UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION ON ALLABOUTAURORA.COM SO YOU ARE LISTED CORRECTLY! 

Also in February, we are proud to present our annual State of the City luncheon event. A special thanks to Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin and Aurora City Schools Superintendent for joining us to talk about issues relevant to our businesses and our community.

Enough from me:  Please pay special attention to the information below.  There's a lot happening, and we want you to be at the heart of it all.

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

Sincerely,
  Laura  
Laura Holman
Executive Director, Aurora Chamber of Commerce 


Chamber News & Events

City of Aurora

State of the City
Luncheon
Wednesday, February 22nd

 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Bertram Inn & Conference Center
600 North Aurora Rd.
Aurora


February Networking Luncheon
State of the City


Please join us as we welcome Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin and Superintendent of Aurora City Schools Pat Ciccantelli.

Both Mayor Womer Benjamin and Superintendent Ciccantelli are deeply committed to protecting and promoting the strengths of Aurora, and will speak on issues relevant to your business and our business community.

Do not wait to register for this important Chamber event!
 


 
CLICK HERE to register.



March Networking Luncheon

Wednesday, March 22nd


 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Aurora Inn - 
Hotel & Event Center
30 Shawnee Trail
Aurora, OH 44202

March Networking Luncheon
Presented by Aurora Women in Networking,
a committee of Aurora Chamber of Commerce

ALL ARE WELCOME:

Save the Date!

Guest Speaker:  LISA CRILLEY MALLIS
Impactive Strategies:  Coach, Author, and Speaker    

Achieve More Without Giving Up Your Nights and Weekends

Participants will learn:
  • A simple, easy-to-implement 3-step system to accomplish important tasks every day, without giving up your nights and weekends
  • How to unlock the secret key to upgrading your to-do list mastery
  • How to increase your productivity with less stress

    
Registration Coming Soon -
SAVE THE DATE
 
2017 Community and Events Guide
Advertising Opportunities Available

It's that time of the year to reach new customers and retain old ones for 2017!  Reserve your advertising spot in the Community Guide. 

Deadline for ads & listings is Feb 10th: Don't delay!
 
This valuable advertising tool includes a listing
of Community Events for 2017.
 
A minimum of 11,000 will be printed and distributed
to Aurora area residents, visitors and regional tourism agencies.

Remember, every member business is listed in the Guide by category, including website and telephone number. This not only extends your reach, but creates a double-use as a Membership Directory!  Member accounts must be current and paid in full in order to be included in the guide.  Call the chamber office with any questions.  330.562.3355
Deals, Discounts and Specials!
MEMBER TO MEMBER DEALS !

Do you have a deal exclusive to chamber members?  We have just the place to advertise them. 
Login to your chamber member account and add your member to member deal.  Reach hundreds to fellow members eager to see what you've got to offer!


   
Embrace Aurora!

Welcome Newcomers to the Neighborhood
and Introduce Them to Your Business!

The popularity of the Embrace Aurora program is really incredible. We now have new residents come into the office to ask when their Embrace Aurora delivery can be expected. They are hearing from their new neighbors that this is just the type of thing that makes Aurora such a special place to live, work, and play! Thank you to all who participating, especially our volunteers.

Our current list of property transfers included 185 addresses. 185! This is from May - August 2016. We are growing!  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?
 
We have prepared this round of deliveries: to be involved in our next round this spring, register below. We will send follow-up information.
 
Participation is easy and FREE to Chamber members!  Non Members are welcome to join in as well for a nominal fee.
September Business After Hours


  


CLICK TO REGISTER

Wednesday, February 22nd


 



 

Portage County Roundtable

Thursday, February 23rd
 

 


 
 
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. 
YOU'RE INVITED!!
Let's kick off the new year with the Sixth Annual Great Big CHAMBER NETWORKING NIGHT at the Great Big Home & Garden Show at the I-X Center (near Cleveland Hopkins Airport) on Thursday, February 9th from 4-6 pm.

 A $ 15 ticket will give you entrance to the show from 11 am-9 pm and the Chamber Member only PRIVATE PARTY from 4-6 pm that will include GREAT appetizers, sodas, cash bar, prizes from exhibitors and MORE!  All the information is on the form below, and tickets can be purchased by clicking either picture.
 
Everyone had a great time last year and we expect an even bigger crowd this year! This is a GREAT networking opportunity for everyone, and lots of fun too. For more details visit: www.greatbighomeandgarden.com.  Use the promo code "CHAMBER" to buy your ticket. Or use link below.
 
If the picture below does not appear in your email viewer use this link to order tickets:  https://www.tix123.com/tix123/etic.cfm?code=TGBHGS17&disc=CHAMBER


Member News & Events

Harman Home Designs
WE ARE MOVING!  It's a new year...time for growth and a new location!


After Feb. 1st - Harman Home Designs will be merging with our granite company Landmark Stone to better serve our customers from one location!
 
Our new address will be 1632 Enterprise Pkwy - Suite A, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087.  
 
Call (330) 562-1147 if you have any questions.

 
 
CLICK HERE to visit COSE Event.

COSE
Energy News:
Reduce Your Energy Usage and Your Operating Expenses

COSE has teamed with FirstEnergy's Ohio Utilities to provide member businesses with an exclusive energy savings opportunity. The first step is a comprehensive assessment of how your facility uses power; gas, electric, even steam. The best part? There's no out of pocket expense! Read what Craig Wallace, CEO of PACE Engineering, Inc., learned from his energy audit with the COSE Energy Advisors.
 
"Every firm looks to lower their operating costs.  Pace Engineering took advantage of the energy audit that COSE offered.  Energy accounts for 4% of our costs from process gas and electricity used in our manufacturing to general uses heat and lighting. Most people view energy costs as fixed.  The energy audit identified a number of projects that when implemented will reduce our energy costs more than 9%.   We were surprised because five years ago, we spent more than $250,000 on energy efficiency projects.  From the COSE audit, we learned where our energy is consumed and have uncovered even more savings than were identified in the audit." - Craig Wallace, CEO PACE Engineering, Inc.

 
 
Save the Date!

2017 Greater Cleveland Partnership Internship Summit
 
The 2017 Cleveland Internship Summitwill bring together business community representatives, students and educators to discuss how to increase and improve internship opportunities in Northeast Ohio through a range of panels and conversations. Join us from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Embassy Suites, 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd. North, in Independence.
 
The 2016 event, which included the launch of GCP's Internship Central initiative, was attended by about 250 educators and business community representatives.
 

Information & Resources
City of Aurora
Stay informed!
City meetings are open to the public.
Agendas and minutes are made available 
to all who request them.
For schedules of City Council and other City Committee meetings, please visit:
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
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
  
Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County
Mental health and addiction recovery information: 330.673.1756

2017 Board of Directors

President
Jennifer Stanley
First National Bank

Past President
Lisa Kusner-Hovanec

Vice Presidenet
Laura Radcliff
Edward Jones
 
Treasurer
Dan Mormile
Andersen Aurora Manufacturing

Karen Adams
Don Joseph Toyota

Diane Barben
The Atrium at Anna Maria

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/Harold Hatridge
Aurora City Council 
-------------------------
Executive Director
Laura Holman 
director@allaboutaurora.com

Aurora Community  and Events Guide

 CLICK HERE  to view entire guide.

If you need more Community guides, please contact us and we will deliver! 

Platinum Sponsor

Howard Hanna



Gold Sponsors
Harman Home Designs

Headline
Optional Subheading

We know you're busy and finding time to cook isn't always easy. That's why we're re-introducing "Kids Night" where kids eat free, every Tuesday, from 5-7 p.m.

Kids aren't the only lucky ones though! You'll receive a free appetizer if you spend $30 or more on dinner. Optional Link
 
 
WANT IN ON THE ACTION?
Was this forwarded to you? Click below to get your own copy: join our mailing list.
Members and friends, send us your updates and event information.   
We're proud to promote your good news! 
Laura Holman
Executive Director

Aurora Chamber of Commerce 330-562-3355

9 East Garfield Rd.  Suite 101 Aurora, OH  44202  www.allaboutaurora.com 

STAY CONNECTED