How Color & Design Affect Your Bottom Line

Posted on September 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

A great infographic via http://dailyinfographic.com/how-color-affects-our-purchases-infographic on how color, design and website purchasing affect consumer behavior.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Happy Friday- Update on Downtown Sioux City

Posted on September 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

Happy Friday!

Here are a few updates from Downtown Partners to help get you through the weekend! There is a lot going on with new businesses opening, skywalk discussions, art projects, street décor, getting ready for the holidays (that’s right, already!) and much, much more. As always, if there is anything you would like more information on or are curious about a project, please email or call Downtown Partners and they’d be happy to help.

Fall E-Cycle & More Event September 24 (9– 2 at the Long Lines Family Rec Center)

Dust off the boxes in the basement of old electronics, batteries, printer ink cartridges, CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs, and clothes. Do you have old but useable furniture cluttering up your space? How about piles and stashes of plastic grocery bags? Bring it all down! Volunteers and vendor staff will be there to help you unload all your recyclables–you don’t even have to get out of your car! There is a small fee for electronics but all other mentioned recyclables can be disposed of for free.

Downtown is helping take the first step to become the Healthiest State! As part of the governor’s initiative, Iowans are being asked to join a statewide walk of one kilometer, wherever you are, at noon on Friday, October 7. In Downtown this is roughly 7 blocks and for an average person’s walking rate it will take about 12 minutes. This is plenty of time to stop in and enjoy lunch at a downtown business when you’re done! List of restaurants can be found here

Keep your walking shoes on, because ArtWalk is happening downtown on Saturday, October 8 from noon to 5:00 p.m. We have a lot of great businesses opening their doors to hosts artists. Thank you for your support! Be watching for more information and a map for the day.

Make sure to check out the new hours at the Farmer’s Market! They are now open on Monday nights from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in addition to their normal hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Enjoy Downtown.

Ragen Cote
executive director
418 pierce street – sioux city, ia 51101
p: 712.252.0014 – f: 712.258.8516
e: ragencote@downtownsiouxcity.com
w: www.downtownsiouxcity.com

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Guest Blogger

The River is Down and Bev’s is Up and Running

Posted on September 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

You are invited to celebrate
the Grand Re-Opening of
The Hilton Garden Inn & Bev’s on the River
Come and enjoy some light snacks and beverages
Thursday, September 15th, 2011, at 10am
1132 Larsen Park Road
Sioux City, IA 51103

The water has receded and we are back in business.

We want to extend a big thanks to the

Siouxland Community for all of the support we

have received during this trying time.

 Without your help this would have been

a much longer road to recovery.

Thank you!

-Management of Bev’s on the River

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members

Tagged , , ,

Tailgating for Our Kids…to help change lives

Posted on September 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

A crisp Fall evening…great food… the company of friends… casual attire… and the opportunity to help children and families too…


Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, Inc. and Honorary Chair, Leonard Gill, look forward to welcoming hundreds of guests to Tailgating for Our Kids, a fundraiser scheduled for October 14 at the Marina Inn.  “Last year’s event got such rave reviews that we decided to build upon the theme again this year.” stated event volunteer and board member, Marilyn Wheelock. Wheelock and her husband, Doug, are credited with the idea of the tailgating theme.

Participants are encouraged to wear apparel representing their favorite team and to be creative with their choices.  “We love having high schools, colleges and professional sports represented and we aren’t tied to any one sport.  We can tailgate to anything”, stated Art Silva, President and CEO of the agency.  This year individuals can also nominate “fanatic fans” through the agency’s website and MVPs for the agency will be recognized there as well.

“The most important part of this event is to have guests feel a part of the “Home” team for Boys and Girls Home by attending the event, and it’s our job to make sure everyone has a great time while helping children and families”, said Gill.

Proceeds raised from the event support hundreds of children, adolescents and adults as they change their lives. Services designed to help individuals overcome obstacles to success are available through the agency.  These programs include counseling, child care, and residential treatment services for adolescents, alternative education, stress management and emergency assistance, among others.

For more information about Tailgating for Our Kids and to make reservations visit www.boysandgirlshome.com/tailgating_2011

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members

Tagged , ,

Postcards to wounded Veterans honor Sept.11

Posted on September 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Siouxland Volunteer Center, a program of Center For Siouxland is partnering with the US Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, the US Army Recruiters and Buffalo Wild Wings to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11th.   As a part of the activities the Buffalo Wild Wings will be donating 10% of all pre-taxed food sales from customers with tickets on Wed. September 7th to the Siouxland Volunteer Center.  Tickets for this can be obtained by calling the Siouxland Volunteer Center at 224-1001.  On Friday, September 9th, from 3:00-8:00 p.m. in the Buffalo Wild Wings parking lot the public is asked to stop by the tent to write a postcard that will mailed to a wounded Veteran at a military hospital.  In attendance to greet those completing postcards will be a purple heart recipient, along with Marine Corps and Army Recruiter officials.  The goal is to have 1,000 postcards mailed.  The public will also have the opportunity to register with the Siouxland Volunteer Center and learn about disaster and non-disaster volunteer opportunities in our community.

The Siouxland Volunteer Center is a new program of Center For Siouxland and was initiated in March of 2011.  Since that time the Center has partnered with 3,500 volunteers who have provided the community with 7,000 hours of service.  The Siouxland Volunteer Center connects people with opportunities to serve, acts as a resource and coordination center for volunteers and works with spontaneous volunteers during times of disaster.

For more information contact:

Contact: Kim DeWitt, Vice President Volunteer Services

Center For Siouxland, Siouxland Volunteer Center 224-1001

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members, Member Spotlight

Tagged , , ,

Sioux City Declares YP Day

Posted on August 31, 2011 | Leave a comment

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members, Press Release

Tagged , , ,

Local Author Publishes Children’s Book

Posted on August 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

Guest Blogger and business partner in What Women Want Boutique, Debbie Bernstein LaCroix talks about her new children’s book. This book can be found at What Women Want Boutique, downtown Sioux City, IA.

“It’s Almost Time” is a picture book inspired by all the hours I’ve spent visiting clock stores with my boys. My son Alex was always interested in clocks, and this book’s goal was to bring it home. I didn’t really expect it to be published, but was so excited when I got the email saying that Kane Miller was interested in buying this manuscript!

Sarah Chalek is the illustrator. She’s amazing! Kira Lynn, my editor, picked Sarah, and I had no contact with her. But I Googled her and fell in love with her work. This is her first book. I think she did a fabulous job.

The book takes you through the anticipation of the top of the hour… with the clocks ticking, as they get ready to chime… It’s a very fun read aloud. The first part rhymes, until you get to the hour where all the clocks go off. The horse and blue jay in the pictures react to each clock, and the kids love the sounds.

It’s not a typical story like “The Gingerbread Man,” but it’s a great way to build vocabulary and teach about observing things around you, plus tons of onomonopia. I have many teachers who have told me they can’t wait to use it in their classroom.

-Debbie Bernstein LaCroix, What Women Want Boutique

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members

Tagged , ,

Flood Recovery Meeting for Residents and Contractors

Posted on August 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

From the start of the Flood Fight the Siouxland Chamber has made it a part of our job to keep the general public and our business community up-to-date with relevant and accurate information. We hope to continue this effort by partnering with Iowa State University Extension as well as the City of Sioux City to bring you two free seminars from a  leading expert in flood cleanup.

Nationally known flood recovery expert, Dr. Ken Hellevang of North Dakota State University’s Extension Disaster Education Network will cover the hazards associated with flood restoration and clean-up, as well as recommended personal protective equipment; water damage restoration and accepted mold removal standards and procedures; specific guidelines for appliances, HVAC, electrical, and different types of construction materials and components; appropriate biocides and other chemicals; and the process for the critical drying of the structure. Ample time will be provided for questions and answers.

These two meetings will be held at the Sioux City Convention Center

  • August 29, 2011 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM for homeowners and businesses and on
  • August 30, 2011 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for contractors.

Flood restoration and clean-up are the major topics that will be discussed by Dr. Hellevang.  “Think of cleaning your home after a flood as a marathon,” Dr. Hellevang advises. “Flood recovery is a long process, and it can have a huge impact on many parts of your life, including your health, emotions and finances. Because cleaning a flooded home is such an enormous undertaking, don’t make hasty decisions.”

Dr. Hellevang is an Engineering Specialist and Professor in the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department at North Dakota State University.  He is a nationally known specialist in flood preparation and recovery including mold and moisture problems and has provided educational and technical assistance to several flooded Midwest regions including Eastern Iowa and North Dakota.  “This likely is a new experience for you, and you need to do the cleanup correctly,” he stresses.

The seminars will cover how to protect yourself from hazards associated with cleaning a flooded home, the recommended process including what can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded, recommended procedure for cleaning and sanitizing, and proper drying procedures. Proper mold removal and steps to minimize mold growth will also be covered.

This meeting is FREE to the public. Flood related publications and Extension staff will be available to answer questions.

For information or questions call the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce at 712-255-7903 or the Woodbury County Extension Office at 712-276-2157 or visit the Iowa State University Extension Flood Resources Site at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/recovering-disasters

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members, General info, Press Release

Tagged , , , ,

Sioux City Businesses: Now is Your Chance to be a Part of the NAIA Events

Posted on August 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sioux City has been the home for two of the National Championship women’s events for the NAIA.  For the past 14 years Sioux City has proudly hosted the NAIA Women’s Division II Basketball National Championships.  Over that time the tournament has grown to be the premiere championship experience for the NAIA, players, and fans.  Each March, 640 players and coaches, along with fans from the area and around the country, come to Sioux City to watch great basketball in an exciting environment.  Sioux City is able to showcase our community to people from all across the country and provide them with memories that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Our community’s support of the basketball championship was so great that the NAIA awarded Sioux City the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championships.  For the past 3 years we have hosted the volleyball championships and we look forward to extending the volleyball championships for many years to come.  Coaches, players, and fans from all across the country are excited to come to Sioux City each year and enjoy Midwest hospitality and they are impressed with the way Sioux City embraces the championships and makes the experience a special one for players, coaches, fans, and everyone involved.

THE NAIA WANTS YOU!

Here is your chance to make a difference!  Join other local businesses that are already part of the championship experience.  Get involved and enhance the National Championship experience for players, fans, and YOU!  Meet other sponsors at a Sponsor After Hours social event at Bob Roe’s on August 25, from 5:30 to 7:30.  Find out how you can be a part of the NAIA National Championship events in Sioux City.

Please contact Mike Skaggs at 224-6476 or by email at mskaggs@sioux-city.org to RSVP or to learn more about how you can become part of the Sioux City NAIA Championship experience.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Chamber Members, Video

Tagged , , ,

SOLD on SELLING

Posted on August 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

Our apologies as we know this blog’s been quiet for awhile. We have been working on quite a few things at the Chamber and we’re excited to show you just a start of what’s to come.

Sold on Selling Seminar- August 24th 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Take the Fears Out of Selling

*New Attitudes for perspectives for effective salesmanship
*Build great chemistry with your buyers
*Perfect for people who say “I hate selling”
*Effective and efficient sales and closing skills

I first had a chance to hear our speaker for this event at a Midwest Chamber Conference and I’m very excited for his presentation here in Siouxland. Pat McGaughey speaks all over the country on business topics including showing employees how to increase their effectiveness when selling. We are lucky to have him speak to our Siouxland Chamber of Commerce members and guests.

His presentation will cover a wide variety of sales topics which are here. If you only attend one seminar this year, put this on your calendar.  Hope to see you there!

Details of the Event

Beth Trejo, Director of Investor Relations, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Business Roundtable

Tagged , ,