Monthly Archives: March 2010

Our World-Your Market: 2010

Posted on March 31, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Our World-Your Market Summit on International Trade will be an exciting event this year at Western Iowa Tech Community College.  On April 15th, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. until noon, there will be a set of fantastic global speakers who will be talking about a variety of subjects and great breakfast food.  This summit is sponsored in part through a grant by the U.S. Department of Education, City of Sioux City Economic Development Department & Western Iowa Tech Community College and because of these sponsors there is no cost to get it! Manufacturers, Processors, Researchers, Economic Developers, Entrepreneurs, and Bankers are all highly encouraged to attend.

Here is a sneak preview about the speakers: the first is Tom Faranda who will be speaking about “Global Realities That Impact YOUR Bottom Line.”  Faranda is was named one of the most exciting speakers in America by “Meetings & Conventions Magazine.”  David Oppedahl, an economist and researcher at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, will be speaking on the topic, “The Global Reach of Midwest Culture.”  Speaking about “How To Take Advantage Of New Global Markets” will be Roger E. Axtell, former Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for the Parker Pen Company.  The final discussion topic will led by Richard “Dick” E. White, a leading Fortune 500 executive and international business speaker and consultant.  He will be giving a synopsis of the “Hyperion Project & Common Sense International Market.”

The event will be held at WITCC in Room L416/417 use Parking Lot 3 Entrance 11.  Learn more about this opportunity at http://bie.witcc.edu

To Register for this event click here.  If you have any questions, send an email to BIE@witcc.edu or call 712-274-6418.

Chelsey/ Social Media Intern

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Are You The Next Chamber Intern?

Posted on March 30, 2010 | 1 Comment

Do you have what it takes to be the next Siouxland Chamber Intern? At the beginning of May both Lindsay and myself will be bidding farewell to our cubicle. Which means the Chamber is currently taking applications for a social media intern.

As a social media intern you would be responsible for keeping Siouxland in the know through blog posts, Tweets, Facebook, YouTube videos, Flickr photos, and Utterli audio posts. Sound Greek to you? Don’t worry, Chamber Director of Investor Relations, Beth Trejo, has a wealth of knowledge in the area, and has gained national recognition for the social media program she started at the Siouxland Chamber, which means a great opportunity for you to get experience in a field that will be growing for years to come.

While there’s no coffee fetching here, you can find a cup at weekly networking events where you’ll meet local business leaders, media, and other young professionals. During our time as interns so far we have had the opportunity to publish dozens of articles, hear the Governor speak, interview several local business owners, and build a portfolio of works that will be invaluable when we start our search for a job after graduation in May. We encourage students in Mass Communication, English, Journalism, Business, Marketing related fields to apply.

Please send your resume and cover letter to:

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Beth Trejo

101 Pierce St, Sioux City, IA 51101

or by email to:

btrejo@siouxlandchamber.com

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If you have a purse fetish like me…this event will really get your heart thumping!

Posted on March 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

The United Way of Siouxland will be hosting the 3rd Annual “Power of the Purse Raffle” on Thursday, April 22nd at the Marina Inn. I’m sure this news brought a smile to your face if you love purses and have the luck of the draw on your side! This raffle is helping to promote the Women’s Power Lunch, so start buying your tickets now. Anyone can buy the raffle tickets, even if you’re not able to attend the luncheon, and tickets will also be sold at the door. The tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 and proceeds go toward Single Parent Scholarships, which will be matched by the Waitt Family Foundation.

Not only could you win one of the 60 purses donated, but each one has a surprise “stuffer” inside. There are also three grand prizes, which include a $500 Gift Service Card to Ave Medical Laser Spa, a Teeth Whitening Package at Lilly Family Dentistry and a Gift Basket from Rhonda’s Speak Easy.

To learn more about this event and purchase tickets to add a new purse to your collection, call 712.255.3551 or visit www.unitedwaysiouxland.com

Chelsey Meyer/ Social Media Intern

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Destination: Washington, DC

Posted on March 26, 2010 | Leave a comment

At the end of April Chamber members and local community leaders will be leaving on a jet plane, straight to the U.S. Capitol.  This year is the 56th Annual Siouxland/Washington Conference & Steak Dinner.  It begins on April 20th bright and early and adjourns with the steak dinner on April 21st, 2010.  This event is especially important for local business owners and community members because they will be able to speak with the legislators from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota on a “grass-roots” level.  Although many companies think this type of stuff is for their lobbyists to handle, its also important to hear concerns and encouragement directly from the tax-payers and business owners.  Hearing first-hand from the leaders in our community has a different and often times more powerful impact than that of a lobbyist.

Some events that take place during the trip include social and networking events, such as the Steak Dinner and presentations from various National speakers that will discuss issues that concern the Siouxland community.  A few of the issues that came up last year include: Downtown Rail Crossing Improvements, Hyperion Energy Center, Interstate 29 Reconstruction & Utility Relocation and the Perry Creek Flood Control Project.

We are still accepting registrations for this event! To register visit:  http://www.siouxlandchamber.com/washington-conference.html

Chelsey Meyer/ Social Media Intern

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Posted in Chamber Members, General info, Legislative Alert

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Looking for something to do in Sioux City? Well look no further…

Posted on March 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Have you ever felt the urge to do something on a Wednesday night but didn’t know what was going on?  Well, that seems to be the case with a lot of people and because they don’t know where to look, they end up staying in, watching re-runs of “Friends” and heating up left-overs.  But that doesn’t have to happen anymore!  There’s this great website called SiouxCityNightOut.com that lets you know all about Sioux City and the events taking place.  It’s great, you can find anything from restaurants to bars to entertainment for any given night.  Not only will it tell you the names, addresses and phone numbers of these things but also will give you any specials happening there.

If you’re looking to see what’s happening on a specific night, just check out the daily event calendar and see the top ideas for that night.  This website can help you plan your whole night.  First, find a restaurant with a great special on the main course, then find out where a new band will be playing and finally see if there are any drink specials at your favorite bar.  Just in case you need a cab, they provide those numbers too!

The nights of re-runs and re-heated food are over, so go to SiouxCityNightOut.com to find out what’s happening in Siouxland!  To get more updates, follow SiouxCityNightOut on Facebook and Twitter.

Chelsey Meyer/ Social Media Intern

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Earth Hour: The non-power hour

Posted on March 24, 2010 | Leave a comment

What are your plans at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27th, 2010?  Not sure, well, me either but I do know one thing…my lights will be off!  From 8:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. local time it is officially Earth Hour.  This event is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and it asks businesses, individuals, well everyone for that matter to turn off all non-essential lighting as a way to send a message that the U.S. is a leader in the fight to end climate change.

Last year, one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries participated in Earth Hour.  Many international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids and several infamous city skylines such as Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Tel Aviv supported Earth Hour and shut down the power.  If they can do it, so can you!  Help to make a bold statement of concern about climate change and flip the switch, down that is, at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Chelsey Meyer/Social Media Intern

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InMoTx Lauches North American Operations right here in Siouxland!

Posted on March 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Last week, a European-based company called InMoTx™ officially opened its first North American headquarters in North Sioux City, South Dakota.  Founded in Frederikshaven, Denmark by Preben Hjørnet, InMoTx™  is a global provider of robotic workforce solutions which are designed to automate packing and loading operations in the food processing industry.

This new addition to Siouxland is a great advance in our economic development.  Not only is it a new company for us but also for the United States.  It is an honor to have North Sioux City to be chosen as the starting ground for this project and it is extremely exciting to have this new facility here that will change the whole food processing industry because of its advanced technological capabilities.  Joseph Wright, Vice President of Technology Transfer at the Siouxland Chamber said, “This is another testament to the fact that Siouxland, although we are the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker, we do it in the most technological way.  This company fits in perfectly with so many other hi-tech food processors in our community and we’re confident that InMoTx™ and the technology they represent are platform technology with a huge growth potential.  They are a small, start-up company now but they have the potential to grow in leaps and bounds.”

CEO Robert M. (Bob) Spears will head the operations in the new location and has said that North Sioux City is an ideal location for InMoTx™ for several reasons, “Siouxland offers us everything we need to hit the ground running, while providing our company with both the personnel and the economies of scale we need to build a foundation for long-term success.”

This system is unique because it has gripping technology and a vision guide system which make the robot able to handle products which traditionally had to be packed by hand.  The robot is equipped with food-grade quality silicon, suction-based grippers which are capable of handling non-uniformed sized, non-rigid items that can be either fresh or frozen. InMoTx™ has developed a software which links together the vision system, the Adept Quattro™ robot, and the InMoTx™ grippers.

Founder Preben Hjørnet demonstrating how the robot works

Chelsey Meyer/ Social Media Intern

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“Oh What a Night!”:Girls Inc. Presents Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Posted on March 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

Over the years Girls Inc. has brought many big name musical stars to perform at the Orpheum to benefit their programs.  These acts have included Tony Bennet, the Beach Boys, Wayne Newton, and Grammy Award winner Amy Grant.  This year “grease” is the word because on May 19th Girls Inc. will proudly presents an evening with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at our beautiful Orpheum Theatre.

One of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ biggest hits was Big Girls Don’t Cry.  This mirrors the purpose behind Girls Inc. and how they prepare girls and young women for a bright and shining future.  Girls Inc. strives to help girls realize their true potential through programs such as Operation Smart, which encourages girls’ interest in science, math, and relevant technology.  Other programs include tutoring, health education, self-reliance and life skills, sports and adventure, and they have also implemented a girls’ bill of rights, which includes such mottos as: “girls have the right to be themselves and resist gender stereotypes” and “girls have the right to prepare for interesting work and economic independence.”

Girls Incorporated is a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.

Tickets for the benefit start at $47.50.  A limited number of tickets are still available!  It would be a wonderful Mother’s Day gift.  Reserve your seats at the Tyson Events Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.  For more information, call the Tyson Events Center Box Office at 712-279-4850, or check out www.orpheumlive.com.

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Some Thoughts on Health Care Reform Bill

Posted on March 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

We believe national healthcare reform is necessary. However, we believe that the healthcare reform legislation that is pending in Congress is missing some important elements that should be part of the solution.

We asked Dr. Samuel Clovis, Chair and Professor, Department of Business Administration and Economics at Morningside College, to present some potential solutions to the rising cost of healthcare. He has reviewed the pending federal legislation and studied them in depth. He then developed several ideas for healthcare reform that would have a positive impact.

Attached you will find his PowerPoint presentation on potential solutions for national healthcare reform.

 031810 revised PPoint Healthcare Reforms_Clovis_SiouxlandChamber

 

Barbara M. Sloniker

Vice President, Government Relations & Transportation 

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

101 Pierce Street

Sioux City, IA  51101

(712) 255-7903

bsloniker@siouxlandchamber.com

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This year’s RAGBRAI slogan has been chosen!

Posted on March 17, 2010 | 1 Comment

As many know, Sioux City will be the start line in this year’s RAGBRAI race and to add to that excitement, the slogan chosen for this year was submitted by the Chamber’s own Beth Trejo.  The slogan is “Sioux City: Rock, Ride & Go from the Mighty Mo!” and it will be used to market and promote the race which will begin on July 24th.  The track will continue to eastern Iowa and will end in Dubuque.

Sioux City’s Mission Statement for the event states,

Sioux City will welcome riders from across the world and provide attendees with an experience that will exceed all expectations. Our community will showcase Sioux City’s vibrant quality of life. Our unique location on the Missouri River will create a memorable beginning to the RAGBRAI XXXVIII journey. Sioux City will maximize collaborative resources to motivate community support and create revenue-generating opportunities for area businesses.

More information about RAGBRAI can be found at www.ragbrai.com and any questions can be directed to the official Sioux City e-mail address for the event, ragbrai2010@sioux-city.org

Chelsey Meyer/ Social Media Intern

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