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September 2017
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.
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Hello, September!
It is hard to know how to respond when the news is filled with uncertainly and despair such as it has been with the recent hurricane battering Texas. Now, as Irma draws near, we have more reason for concern.
I am heartened by looking for the helpers, those who step out of their comfort zone and into the chaos to help strangers who could be us. That reminds me to be thankful for our first responders, always answering the call wherever and whatever the need. I am thankful for my worries and concerns, when they are held in the relative safety and comfort of my corner of the world. I am thankful for the work I can do to help others in my small way.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who suffer in our world, especially this day to those affected by recent hurricanes. Thank you to those who have found some way to help: we encourage everyone to do what you can.
Here at the chamber, we are working hard to remain focused on the things we can control. We have a calendar filled with opportunities to connect you with other business-people so you can learn and grow together. Thank you for taking the time to scroll through this newsletter to find out more: please reach out if you have questions or ideas.
Highlights:
T
uesday, September 19th is our final Party on the Patio at Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center from 5-7pm. Register via the link below and join us for this free opportunity to meet and connect!
Wednesday, September 27th is our September Networking Luncheon, from 11:30am - 1pm at ThornCreek Winery & Gardens. We will hear about programs and services available to ALL in Portage County. Help is Here! Register via the link.
Friday, September 29th we are proud to present Connected Women Succeed, a full-day development conference presented by Aurora Women in Networking and Red Key Network. This is going to be an exciting day! More info below: register to join us!
Saturday, October 7th brings 2 of Aurora's favorite events together into the Fall Festival & Business Showcase. Booths are available: be a part of this celebration of the best Aurora has to offer, held from 11a-4p at beautiful Sunny Lake Park.
All this...and more...we are here for you. Thank you for making us part of your business plan.
Now let's get busy....there is much to do!
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Business After Hours "Party on the Patio"
Aurora Inn - Hotel & Event Center
This is it - our last Party on the Patio for 2017! Don't miss the chance to join us for good food, good conversation, and a positive atmosphere. Connections are made here!
Aurora Inn - Hotel & Event Center will be hosting this wonderful event Tuesday, September 19th from 5-7pm with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
It's FREE for members and their guest! Please pre-register so we know to expect you.
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September Networking Luncheon
Portage County: Challenges & Solutions
These are challenging times for many among us. Employees, friends, neighbors, and family members: we can all find themselves in need of help and support when we least expect it. Thankfully, that help is available.
JOIN US WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH
at
THORNCREEK WINERY & GARDENS
11:30am - 1pm
for up-to-date information
about important programs and services that
ENRICH
the
LIVES
of all in Portage County.
FEATURING SPEAKERS from
- AxessPointe Community Health Centers,
- Family & Community Services, Inc.,
- and United Way of Portage County
$25/Member $35/Non-member
Pre-registration required by Friday, September 22nd
$5 late fee after September 22nd if seats are available
A special thank you to our luncheon sponsor:
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Connected Women Succeed
Professional and Personal Development Event
This professional and personal development conference, the 3rd in the "Women Succeed" series, is presented by Aurora Women in Networking, a committee of Aurora Chamber of Comerce, and Red Key Network, a networking organization for women who live, work, or do business in Geauga County.
The full-day event features keynote and breakout speakers and includes breakfast, lunch, networking opportunities, and more!
Limited SPONSORSHIPS still available
REGISTER NOW TO ATTEND:
$50/member of AWiN, Red Key, or an area Chamber of Commerce
$65/non-member
Check out the event page on Facebook and SPREAD THE WORD!
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Aurora's
Fall Festival &
Business Showcase
Register Today!
The City of Aurora and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce are joining together 2 of our most popular events to present the
2017 Aurora's Fall Festival & Business Showcase
Don't miss your chance to be part of the excitement! Reserve your booth today!
Representatives from businesses, schools, city departments, clubs, and organizations are invited to share information, literature, giveaways, and product samples at this community-wide event.
Businesses are also encouraged to donate enticing prizes: guests are treated to two complimentary raffle tickets upon arrival, and more can be purchased to benefit the Chamber's Scholarship Fund! We will draw for prizes throughout the event.
Opportunities will include:
Tickets for prize raffles Trick-or-treat booths Concessions Hay rides
Fall Crafts Entertainment ...and more!
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS TODAY!
Thank you to our current sponsors: Title Sponsor: The Atrium at Anna Maria Aurora Farms Premium Outlets Partnering Sponsor: Aurora Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Supporting Sponsor: Howard Hanna
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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! 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 new residents about what is available to them when settling into their new hometown?
SUMMER DELIVERY IS HAPPENING NOW -- PREPARE ITEMS NOW FOR OUR NEXT DELIVERY!
Participation is easy and
FREE
to Chamber members! Non Members are welcome to join in as well for a nominal fee. Next scheduled delivery spring 2018.
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Vist cose.org/salesacademy to learn more and register. |
NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Person of the Year/Business of the Year
Deadline to submit nominees is Friday, September 15th!
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Position Available!!
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Board of Director Position
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is a member-based organization that depends on YOU for its continued strength and vitality.
Get involved!
A nominating committee, chaired by Board of Directors Vice President Laura Radcliff of Edward Jones Investments, is currently reviewing information from member representatives interested in being put on the slate of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election.
Selected candidates will be approved by the current Board of Directors in October. After this, every member will be asked to vote. Candidates voted in will begin the first of two possible 3-year terms on January 1, 2018.
We would love to continue to have representation from a variety of sectors on our Board of Directors. Let your voice be heard!
Please consider this opportunity, and contact Laura Holman at the Chamber office or Laura Radcliff at [email protected] for more information. Deadline for consideration is September 22, 2017.
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Cynthia Williams
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The Portage Substance Abuse Community Coalition's annual Portage Opiate Conference
SAVE THE DATE!
The Portage Substance Abuse Community Coalition's annual Portage Opiate Conference will be held on Tuesday, Oct 31 from 1-5pm at NEOMED in Rootstown. Learn about medication-assisted treatment, the link between trauma and addiction, a community update, and more. Look for registration and more information soon at www.mental-health-recovery.org
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COSE
September Happenings
Social Media: Don't be Sales-y. Be Show-and-Tells-y
Marketing success on social media comes down to being able to find your business' story, and telling that story as non-sales-y as you can. Annie Pryatel of AMP Brand Studios explains
What I Learned from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
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The attorneys of Gertsburg Law have a comprehensive understanding of the countless legal issues facing businesses on a daily basis. In order to share our knowledge with the community, we publish weekly blog articles that explain and elaborate on issues relevant to business owners. Here are some of the articles available on our blog this month:
Unilever Said "Yes" to the Robot Overloads - And Business May be Better for It
It's the classic dilemma: How do you attract potential hires to your company that are not only bright, educated, energetic and ready to work, but who also have that little something "extra" that makes your company what it is? Today's business culture is shifting, and finding the right mix of Baby Boomers, Gen-Xers, and Millennials can be challenging. Perhaps that's why Unilever decided to delegate the task of choosing new hires to artificial intelligence software.
How Conducting an Employee Performance Improvement Plan Properly Will Make You a Better Manager
From an employee's perspective who may not be doing the job to his or her greatest potential, a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) often means the first step in being fired. From the perspective of a manager, it presents an opportunity to give that employee another chance to be successful, and make meaningful improvements. Unfortunately, many companies handle PIPs the wrong way. In this article, we will look at how a PIP can be effective in turning around an employee's performance, if that is the outcome that both employee and manager want to see.
Jobs or Horses? Understanding Eminent Domain in the Face of the Nexus Pipeline
Property disputes, generally speaking, are not "exciting" news. They can be challenging, and often require quite a bit of paperwork and documentation, but in the end, both parties reach a resolution, and the world moves on. When one of those parties is the US government, however, a simple property dispute can become anything but.
US Job Growth and the Upcoming NAFTA Renegotiations - A Tale of Two Trumps
Long ago, in an era far away (re: 1992), a political consultant named James Carville hung a sign in the campaign headquarters of an upstart politician named Bill Clinton. That sign had three points: (1) Change vs. more of the same, (2) The economy, stupid, and (3) Don't forget health care. Twenty-five years later, and the country is still obsessed with number two.
To learn more about the services of Gertsburg Law, call us today at 440-571-7777 or complete our contact form. From our Chagrin Falls office, we proudly provide legal services for businesses of all sizes.
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Drive It Yourself TourSeptember Business After Hours
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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 and regional 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.
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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!
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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.
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Western Reserve Safety Council
For the latest news and event information
Click Here.
Portage County Safety Council
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
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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
Secretary
Vicky Rovder
Excalibur Collision
Karen Adams
Don Joseph Toyota
Diane Barben
The Atrium at Anna Maria
Michelle Harman Harman Home Designs
Jim Kraus
City of Aurora
Alan Shorr
Reitz, Paul & Shorr
Sue Tinlin
The Tinlin Team -
Platinum Real Estate
Doug Wieder
Mill Distributors, Inc.
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Liaison Pat Ciccantelli
Liaison
Denny Kovach/Harold Hatridge
Aurora City Council
------------------------- Executive Director
Laura Holman
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Aurora Community
and Events Guide
If you need more Community guides, please contact us and we will deliver!
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Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
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