June Vista '13

Volume 2013, Issue 6

The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber June 2013

Volume 2013, Issue #6

“We Mean Business”

Update from

Executive Director Amanda Baillie

2

Shop Local and Purchase

Chamber Gift

Certificates

3

Vada Phelps re-ceives EDDE Award

4

Chamber Events 4

May Events at a Glance

5

Opportunities for local businesses

6

Member Page 7

Board of Directors / Chamber Staff

8

Advocacy remains an important part of the Chamber’s role

By Amanda Baillie

Executive Director

The Sierra Vista Area Chamber has had a

long history of advocating on behalf of its

members and the wider business commu-

nity.

One of our top priorities is to represent

the interests of our businesses and that is

a subject we have given some detailed

thought to just lately.

Earlier this month the Board of Directors

held its annual planning session.

The purpose of this four hour retreat was

to look at how

the Chamber

can improve

the service it

provides to its

members, how

it can better

advocate on

behalf of busi-

nesses and

what part we

have to play in

future economic development strategies.

To kick off the afternoon we invited Con-

gressman Rob Barber to join us for an

hour and listen to the challenges currently

facing small businesses.

The Chamber is fortunate to have a 15

member board that represents a broad

spectrum, from a home based business

to an international corporation.

That diversity offered Rep. Barber, pic-

tured above with board members, a good

opportunity to hear a range of opinions

and challenges, which included the Af-

fordable Healthcare Act and its negative

impact on small businesses, the effects

of sequestration on local companies, the

significant hurdles imposed by mortgage

lending legislation and how Sierra Vista’s

economy can be diversified.

Rep. Barber listened to what was said

and promised to look into the issues that

were raised.

Next, the board discussed the top three

challenges they face on a day to day ba-

sis.

The purpose behind this was to allow

Chamber staff to listen to those issues

and to start looking at programs or bene-

fits that can help our members overcome

those obsta-

cles. That

could mean

introducing

new programs

or improving

the ones we

already offer.

Our next step

is surveying

our members

(see more on

that in the Executive Director’s update) to

ask them the same questions we posed

to the board, so that we can get as much

input as possible before moving forward.

As I mentioned earlier, advocacy is an

important part of what the Chamber does

and the board spent some time discuss-

ing how we can improve in this area.

The goal is to be as effective as possible

and we felt our Legislative Affairs Commit-

tee (LAC) was not working as well as it

could in its current format. Following a

busy election season, attendance had

started to drop and our business repre-

sentation was lacking. Continued on page 2...

Last month our members

should have received an

email asking them to com-

plete a survey.

We want local businesses to

tell us about the top three

challenges they face on a

day to day basis.

We know how tough it is to

be successful and manage

an enterprise—although a

non-profit, we run the Cham-

ber just like a business.

We know it can be a struggle

to keep up with the bills, to

recruit talented team mem-

bers, to find money for mar-

keting and to ensure there

are enough funds to make

payroll.

Operating a business is a

tough job and the Chamber

wants to help.

While we believe we already

provide many great pro-

grams and benefits, there is

always room for improve-

ment.

As a Chamber, just like our

member businesses, we cannot

afford to stand still and hope

everything will be alright.

We have to remain relevant to

the people we serve.

And that is why we want to

know what keeps you up at

night.

What’s the toughest part about

running your business?

What are some of the chal-

lenges that you could use some

extra help with?

While we cannot promise to

have the million dollar answer

to your problems, the Chamber

will take a good look at the in-

formation you provide and will

work to offer new or improved

benefits that may help.

However, we cannot do this

without solid information from

the membership.

So, if you received the survey

but did not complete it, please

take a few moments to do so.

If you would like to receive the

survey again, just call the Cham-

ber and we will send it to you.

We are not asking for an essay,

just a few sentences describing

your challenges.

Maybe it’s marketing and how to

get the word out?

Are you having problems finding

the right staff?

Do you want to network but don’t

know where to start?

Are you running into some obsta-

cles with the City of Sierra Vista?

Do you need to update your busi-

ness plan, but don’t know how?

No matter what the challenge,

tell us about it.

All responses will be treated in

the strictest confidence.

We will close the survey on Fri-

day, June 15, so don’t delay.

The more information we receive,

the better we can serve our mem-

bers.

Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie

“”As a Chamber, just like our member business, we cannot afford to stand still and hope everything will be alright.”

Page 2 The Chamber Vista

Advocacy remains an important part of the Chamber’s role

Continued from page 1…

So we are taking a new approach.

The LAC has now been disbanded

and we have instead formed a new

group called the Business Advocacy

Committee.

We want to broaden the scope of our

advocacy efforts and felt that the

name Legislative Affairs Committee

was not representative of what we

want to do.

The new committee will consist of a

core group of four board members

who will meet on an as needed basis

to work with me to help determine

the issues we should be looking at as

a Chamber.

That could be legislation at the state

and federal level, attending City of

Sierra Vista work sessions, helping

businesses navigate the permitting

process, keeping our local represen-

tatives abreast of business issues,

staging candidate forums, supporting

or opposing ballot measures, or en-

dorsing election candidates.

We will then hold roundtable discus-

sions, luncheons, breakfasts and

meetings – whatever is appropriate –

where we will invite relevant guest

speakers, government representa-

tives and businesses to listen to and

talk about specific issues.

We believe this more targeted ap-

proach will prove to be more effec-

tive than our current efforts and will

provide us with good input from busi-

nesses.

Page 3 Volume 2013, Issue 6

Business at Twilight

Thursday, June 13th

5:00 pm

Windemere Hotel

& Conference Center

These monthly mixers are a great way to learn more about the Chamber, other local businesses and to promote your own! Don't forget your business cards and bring another business owner with

you! No RSVP required.

Food! Raffles! Prizes!

For info., call the Chamber at

458-6940 or email:

[email protected]

Shop local and purchase Chamber gift certificates

CHAMBER 101

Need a refresher on your Chamber benefits?

Join us for this monthly presentation where

Membership & Marketing Director John Har-

graves will explain how to make the most of

your membership.

Held on the last Friday of the month,

a free lunch is provided by a

Chamber member restaurant.

Next Chamber 101 will be Friday, June 28,

11:30 a.m. RSVPs are required.

Call 458-6940.

What do you buy the person who has everything?

Need a reward for your employee of the month?

How do you thank your volunteers?

Chamber gift certificates are the perfect answer to

each of these questions.

Designed to keep spending dollars here in our com-

munity, Chamber gift certificates can be accepted

by most of our member businesses.

Just stop by the Chamber to buy your certificates

and present them to your recipient, along with our

membership directory.

Businesses just process them like a check and the

money is redeemed by the Chamber.

Stop by the Chamber to learn more.

Advertise to 625 local businesses

for about 20 cents each!

Schedule of Events

June 5th - Military Affairs Luncheon. 11:30 am at

Thunder Mountain Activity Centre. Lunch $15.

RSVP by Monday, June 3rd. ( 520 ) 458-6940.

June 11th - Ambassadors Committee Meeting.

5:30 pm at Pizzeria Mimosa.

June 13th - Business at Twilight. 5:00 pm at

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center.

June 14th - Ribbon Cutting at First Things First.

11:00 am at 77 Calle Portal, Suite B140.

June 19th - Military Affairs Committee Meeting.

8:00 am at the Chamber office.

June 19th - Leadership Class Graduation. 4:00

pm at the Chamber office.

June 28th - Board of Directors Meeting. 7:30 am

at the Chamber

June 28th - Chamber 101. 11:30 am at the

Chamber

Page 4 Newsletter Title

Reach over 625 businesses in Sierra

Vista and surrounding communities

Take advantage of this member-only

benefit!

We insert and mail for you!

Super low advertising rates! Members

pay only $99. Executive Club Members

pay just $49.

SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on

8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight

(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)

paper.

June NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

NOTE: Insert space is limited and is pro-

vided on a first come, first serve basis.

For information, call the Chamber at

458-6940 or email:

[email protected]

Page 4 The Chamber Vista

Workforce ED, Vada Phelps receives EDDE Award

AAED Past President, Teri Drew an-

nounced that Vada Phelps was awarded

the prestigious EDDE award from the

Arizona Association for

Economic Development.

Every year, AAED honors

significant contributions

to the advancement of

the organization and eco-

nomic development

within the State of Ari-

zona. The Economic De-

velopment Distinguished

by Excellence (EDDE).

Awards were established

by the members of AAED to recognize

the outstanding work of their peers. The

membership of AAED is responsible for

nominating their peers for these awards.

The value and prestige of the EDDE's is

defined by the membership, through

their accomplishments and commitment

to the organization.

For 2013, Vada Phelps, Executive Direc-

tor for the Southeast Arizona Workforce

Connection, was awarded the prestig-

ious EDDE award for Workforce Practitio-

ner of the Year.

Ms. Phelps was instrumental in organiz-

ing a successful merger of Graham,

Greenlee and

Cochise counties into a cohesive work-

force area that includes

Pima, Santa Cruz and

Yuma counties. This

merger has provided a

significantly expanded

delivery of workforce de-

velopment services,

reaching more clients and

businesses. Ms. Phelps

also brought in outside

resources to help fund

the higher service levels

and business outreach.

Partnerships have been created with

three county Boards of Supervisors, busi-

ness leaders, training providers, two

community colleges, a university and

major employers.

AAED serves as the leading statewide

advocate for responsible economic de-

velopment in Arizona since 1974. AAED's

foundation is rooted in three fundamen-

tal pillars (Advocacy, Education and Net-

working) that continue to affect positive

change and increase Arizona's competi-

tive position to attract investment and

create jobs.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS!

Tuesday, July 30,

Affordable Healthcare Act Business Seminar (FREE)

Sponsored by the Chamber and Small Business Development Center

Cochise College Community Room

8:30 a.m. to Noon

Seating will be limited. Call the SBDC at 515-5478 to reserve your seat.

Speakers to be confirmed, but will feature state accredited personnel.

Saturday, September 7

Annual Home & Business Expo

at The Mall at Sierra Vista

This event sold out last year and booths will be available on a first come,

first served basis. Look out for registration details in early July.

Vada Phelps with AAED Past

President, Teri Drew

Page 5 Volume 2013, Issue 6

Events at A Glance

For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events

Top Row: GAME ON! Sierra Vista drew crowds of gamers, collectors, cosplayers and

exhibitors who enjoyed strategy board games, video games, tournaments and more.

2nd Row: More than 50 members turned out for Business at Twilight held in Bisbee

and hosted by Bisbee After 5.

3rd Row: Southwest Coins celebrated their Re-Grand Opening. Ambassadors show

their support in neon pink polos. The Leadership Class learned about Ft. Huachuca.

Midas employees and Chamber Ambassadors celebrate new management.

Bottom: Steven E. Brown is recognized for winning the Civilian of the Month award,

during the Military Affairs Committee monthly luncheon held at the Thunder Mountain

Activity Centre, Fort Huachuca AZ, May 1, 2013.

Page 6 The Chamber Vista

Opportunities for local businesses lie beyond the city and county boundaries

There has much talk

lately about economic

development in Sierra

Vista, what it means and

how it should be done.

The Sierra Vista Area

Chamber already plays a

large part in regional eco-

nomic development.

Every day we work hard

to provide the best pro-

grams, events and bene-

fits for our members to

help them create a

strong local economy,

and we will continue

to carry out this im-

portant mission.

But our role in this

field must go beyond

providing networking

and marketing opportuni-

ties. We have to be will-

ing to embrace new

ideas, programs and

strategies to help our

businesses grow.

With that in mind, board

chairman Michael Ben-

son and Executive Direc-

tor Amanda Baillie at-

tended a breakfast in

Tucson hosted by Rose-

mont Copper, which is

plans to open a mine off

Sonoita Highway 83, 30

miles southeast of Tuc-

son.

This project has been

many years in the mak-

ing, with the permitting

process having taken

five years alone. How-

ever, the company’s

leadership believes it will

receive the final permit

to start work by late Sep-

tember.

It will be about another

18 months before the

mine operational, but

that’s a period of time

that could be crucial to

Sierra Vista businesses –

but only if they take ac-

tion now.

A project this big has a

wide reaching impact on

the surrounding commu-

nities. While the location

of the mine is not in Si-

erra Vista, or even

Cochise County, it is

close enough to be of

interest to local busi-

nesses.

Rosemont Copper is ac-

tively looking for poten-

tial vendors who can pro-

vide many of the services

and products they will

need, from filling jobs

and placing contractors

in accommodation, to

janitorial and office sup-

plies.

And the company has

stated on many occa-

sions that it wants to

both hire and shop local.

You may not think your

business has anything to

offer a mining company,

but the needs of a multi-

billion dollar operation

are many.

They include surveying,

waste management, se-

curity, janitorial, office

supplies and equipment,

HVAC maintenance, ca-

tering, laundry, lodging

and employee training, to

name just a few.

There are a number of

local businesses that

could potentially offer

these services, and the

Chamber is encouraging

its members to register

with Rosemont Copper

as soon as possible.

Businesses that do not

go through this proce-

dure will not even be

able to bid for contracts.

And while the inevitable

paperwork that comes

with such a process can

be off putting, the end

results could be well

worth the time and ef-

fort. Rosemont Copper is

also willing to work with

local companies to help

them through the vendor

registration.

According to an inde-

pendent study conducted

by the Arizona State Uni-

versity, Rosemont Cop-

per will bring 400 direct

and 1,700 indirect jobs,

with an average income

of $59,000.

It will contribute more

than $19 million annu-

ally in local tax revenue

and $15 billion in local

revenue over the 20-

year life of the mine.

Those are impressive

figures that our econ-

omy will most cer-

tainly benefit from.

Rosemont Copper’s rep-

resentatives are regular

attendees of Chamber

events, demonstrating

their support of area

companies and their in-

tent to do business lo-

cally.

The Chamber will con-

tinue to work with Rose-

mont Copper to show-

case Sierra Vista and its

businesses, but it is up

to business owners to

take the step of becom-

ing a registered vendor.

To start this process, go

to www.rosemontcopper.com,

click on the Construction

tab and then Vendor

Registration.

Page 7 Volume 2013, Issue 6

Thanks to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community

A Special Welcome to Our New Members!

Executive Club Members

Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum

American Southwest Credit Union

American Family Insurance

American Systems

Arizona Water Company

BrightStar

CACI, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CerendipiTees

CGI

Cherry Creek Radio

City of Sierra Vista

Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.

Cox

Data Systems & Technology, Inc.

Dental Village

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Farmers Insurance-Ginny Francis

Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home

General Dynamics Information Tech.

Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.

Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency

JR's Food and Spirits

KKYZ Radio

Landmark Cafe, The

Las Palomas

Lawley Automotive Center

Lawley's Team Ford

Life Care Center

Long Realty Co.

Longhorn Restaurant

Mall at Sierra Vista - Management Office

ManTech Telecommunications & Info

Systems

Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC

Naco Dental

National Bank of Arizona

Navy Federal Credit Union

Netmedix IT Solutions

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Northrop Grumman Corporation -

*Large Business of the Year 2013*

Patio Pools & Spas

Pioneer Title Agency

Pueblo del Sol Country Club

Rommel Equipment Services

Rosemont Copper Company

Sierra Vista Ace Hardware

Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review

Sierra Vista Regional Health Center

Southeastern Arizona Contractors Assoc.

Southwest Gas Corporation

Southwestern Eye Center

Specialists in Dermatology

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

Stilwell's Learning Center, LLC

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop.

Sun Canyon Inn

Systems Integration

Tailored Living

The Boeing Company

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

University of Phoenix

Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors,

David Burnett

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wayland Baptist University

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center

Chrome Pony Rally, LLC (520) 220-5915

Love Letters Photography (520) 226-9567

Steve's Bus Tours (520) 227-8560

Timesavers (520) 234-0864

Studio 4 Tattoo (520) 234-1485

NCM Media Networks (520) 505-4141

Zeal for Life (520) 378-9423

1st Dental Care

Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership

Above Board

American Systems

Apria Healthcare

Arizona Workforce Connection / Cochise One Stop

Bayada Home Health Care

Berg's Heating & Air Conditioning

Bowie Power Station

Candlewood Suites

Citizens Transfer & Storage Co.

Cyrs Cleaning Service

Desert Swing

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites

Jan Pro Cleaning Systems

Lawley Automotive Center

Lawley's Team Ford

Life Care Center

McDonalds Hwy 92

Mountain View Air Conditioning & Heating

PPEP TEC High School

Sentrillion

Service First Realty

Sierra Vista Symphony Association

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

Tap Into Wellness

Texas Roadhouse

The Place at Savanna Springs

Westwood Village Apartments

21 E. Wilcox Dr.

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878

www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2012-13 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairman - Michael Benson, TDY Housing Past Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair Elect - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Treasurer—Anita Farrow, National Bank of Arizona Secretary—Jack Blair, SSVEC Board Members Frank Gonzalez, Lawley Automotive Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office Glen Cobb—Sierra Suites Kevin Peterson—CGI Linda Brown—Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Mary Tieman—Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection

Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

HEREFORD, AZ

PERMIT NO. 29

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Chamber Staff Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, [email protected] Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, [email protected] Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, [email protected] Office Manager - Toni Rogers, [email protected] Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, [email protected]