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July , 2016 The Weekly Newsletter of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce

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The Update: Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce
Front Page Education Programs & Services Legislative Networking Small Street Journal
Xcel Energy: Learn More Upcoming Events
Front Page

Business Community Downtown Wellness Walk

Wednesday, July 20, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce
101 N. Farwell Street

Sponsored by:
Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County
Associated Bank
Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire
HSHS Sacred Heart & St. Joseph's hospitals
Marshfield Clinic
Mayo Clinic Health System


Join us anytime between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, for our annual Business Community Downtown Wellness Walk. Enjoy a scenic route with colleagues and other Chamber members while you take in some of the downtown sights like Sculpture Tour Eau Claire, Phoenix Park and the trail along the Eau Claire River.

There's no charge to participate and you can walk at your own pace. Walkers will have the choice of three routes of varying lengths. Come on your own, or get a group together!

If you're part of a Chamber-member organization and register in advance (by the day before, Tuesday, July 19), you'll be eligible for door prizes and help us anticipate the number of participants. When you check in, you'll also receive a Commemorative Wellness Walk Button. Wear it and you'll be eligible for special offers that day at participating downtown Chamber members.

Rain date is one week later, July 27. If the weather looks questionable, we'll make a decision by 9:30 a.m. and notify advance registrants by e-mail and on Facebook.

Join us on July 20 for some light physical activity and to see what's been happening in downtown Eau Claire!

If you have questions, contact Scott Rogers (715-858-0616).

Read more or register>>




Please click on the links below for more information.


Tuesday, July 12
Ribbon Cutting: Grace Lutheran Communities River Pines

Tuesday, July 12
Groundbreaking: Robert W. Baird & Co.

Wednesday, July 13
Ribbon Cutting: Wausau Homes - Eau Claire

Thursday, July 14
SOHO Social Event

Tuesday, July 19
Ribbon Cutting: Gordy's Market

Wednesday, July 20
Business Community Downtown Wellness Walk

Thursday, July 21
Ribbon Cutting: FASTSIGNS

Tuesday, July 26
Lunch & Learn: "Stay" Interviews: Improving Retention One Employee At A Time

Thursday, July 28
Ribbon Cutting: Pet Food Plus

Friday, July 29
Groundbreaking: WESTconsin Credit Union

Monday, August 1
Ribbon Cutting: Oakleaf Clinics - Eau Claire Medical

Tuesday, August 2
Ribbon Cutting: Bernicke & Associates, LTD

Thursday, August 4
Business at the Airport

Friday, August 5
Business Connection

Tuesday, August 9
Ribbon Cutting: Pillar Construction

Thursday, August 11
SOHO Coffee Talk


View Full Calendar on Website

Month-at-a-Glance (PDF)

Simple Office Solutions

New Members

Please welcome new members that have joined the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce in the past week.

Casual Ore Formal

Karate American

WillzMedia IT Services

Wilson Accoutning Services

Renewing Members

Month of June 2016



ADRC:Learn More

Awards & Recognition

June 2016: Ambassador of the Month

Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings Newsletter Archives Job Bank

Featured Job Posting:
Literacy Chippewa Valley

Member to Member SOHO Board of Directors Staff
Sacred Heart Hospital: Emergency Care
Education


Lunch & Learn: "Stay" Interviews - Improving Retention One Employee at a Time

Presented by: Deb Marshall, Wipfli
Tuesday, July 26, Noon - 1 p.m.
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce
PESI Conference Room
Cost to Attend: $20 Chamber members; $40 non-Chamber members (includes lunch)

Sponsored by:
Aging & Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County
Rhom Construction
HSHS Sacred Heart & St. Joseph's hospitals
Weld Riley, S.C.


Keeping your good employees is of paramount importance in this time of labor shortages. A powerful tool you can use to improve employee retention is the "stay" interview - a structured conversation each leader has with each of their direct reports to determine what keeps them with you, and more importantly, what may result in their leaving. This session will explore the what, why and how of making the case for implementing this proven process. Retention is a management accountability issue, not an HR issue. Although HR can and should be involved in the process, it is most often the trust level between each employee and his/her immediate supervisor that makes or breaks the employment relationship.

Read more or register >>



8th Annual Marketing & Social Media Conference

Tuesday, September 13, 8:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
The Florian Gardens Conference Center
2340 Lorch Avene
Cost to Attend: $69

Get ready for a dynamic conference packed with a sensational keynote, intriguing breakout sessions on a variety of marketing strategies and an informative panel discussion during our Seventh Annual Marketing & Social Media Conference. This conference will provide an intensive review of marketing and social media tools, tips and strategies that businesses can use to reach out to customers and grow their bottom line.

The Conference will kick off with an engaging keynote from Gerald Bauer of JB Systems and Maggie Cook of Gordy's Market explaining the mystery of how you can improve engagements up to 100 percent and still lose your audience.

New this year, we will offer three different tracks for our breakout sessions: Social Media, Marketing and Public Relations/Special Events. You are welcome to choose sessions from each track or just stick with one track throughout the whole conference - whatever works best for you!

Breakout sessions include:

  • Build Your Digital Funnel: How to Get Leads Online by Ben Stroinski of Satellite Six
  • H2H Marketing Designing Strategies that Make Sense by Nicole Cerillo of Spectrum Reach
  • Event Planning 101: The Tips & Tricks You Need to Plan a Successful Event by Christina Thrun of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association
  • Proper Integration with Traditional Advertising by Scott Montesano Eau Claire Express
  • The Critical Piece You May Be Missing by Sarah Stokes and Chris Herzog of Stokes+HERZOG Advertising
  • Using Social Media to Generate PR by Linda Pophal Strategic Communications, LLC
  • Do I Really Need an Account on - ? Developing a Social Strategy on Accounts that Make Sense by Isaac Risseeuw of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
  • "Aim for Wow" Building a Powerful and Memorable Brand Identity by Meghan Bauer of JB Systems, LLC
  • The Golden Ticket: Transforming Your Events Into Signature "Can't Miss" Experiences by Jacqueline Van Hemert of The Children's Museum of Eau Claire

The conference concludes with a networking lunch featuring table topic discussions on a variety of social media and marketing topics.

Read more or register>>




Programs & Services

Group Project Ideas Needed

The Chamber is requesting service projects for both our adult and Youth Leadership Eau Claire programs. Are you involved with a non-profit organization and have a project that you need help with? Submit a proposal!

What kind of projects?
Each year, we divide our LEC and YLEC classes into teams of 6-9 people to work on community service projects.

For the youth program, the projects that work the best are projects the teenagers can feel passionate about, work together as a team and accomplish something positive for the community. In the past, groups have painted murals, created programming events for children, cleaned up parks, etc.

For the adult program, we ask for project ideas that are more in-depth than simple volunteer tasks. In the past, groups have designed signage for Beaver Creek Reserve, planned large events like the Veterans event recently held at Carson Park and created volunteer manuals and databases.

What doesn't work?
NO fund raising projects of any kind will be accepted. This includes asking the group to plan an event that is intended as a fund raiser. Also, the projects may not be political.

Deadlines

YLEC - July 15
Proposals for the YOUTH program are due by Friday, July 15. More information and a proposal form are available here.

LEC - August 1
Proposals for the ADULT program are due by Monday, August 1. More information and a proposal form are available here.

A list of all past group projects is available here.

If you have any questions, please contact Becky Seelen (715-858-0615).



UW-Eau Claire New Student Welcome Packets

Participate in our UW-Eau Claire Welcome Packets! About 2,350 freshmen and transfer students will enter UW-Eau Claire this fall and move into the dorms. Let these students know that you are here- be part of the UWEC Welcome Packets!

The Chamber will present welcome packets to all new freshmen and transfer students living in UW-Eau Claire dorms. For just $135, you have the opportunity to insert 2,350 brochures, coupons or other promotional items in the gift bag. Or better yet, volunteer to help stuff bags for two hours and get a reduced fee of just $85! Reservation deadline is July 22 and handouts must be delivered by Thursday, July 28. For more information contact Becky Seelen (715-858-0615).

Read more and sign-up >>



Market Your Business Here

Legislative
Eggs & Issues

Eggs & Issues: Washington Update & Outlook With The U.S. Chamber

Friday, August 19, 7 - 8:30 a.m.
Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce
101 N. Farwell Street
$20 per person for Chamber members


Sponsored by:

This is a great opportunity to get an update on key federal issues, including international trade, regulatory reform, tax reform, immigration and more. Hear about the latest developments related to the current administration's key rulemaking efforts, like the overtime rule, the fiduciary rule, environmental regulations, etc. Plus, we'll look at the outlook for Congressional activity this fall and in the later lame duck session, as well as analysis of the upcoming election. The U.S. Chamber's John Kirchner will join us to bring a candid, business-focused perspective you won't hear from the national news media. John serves as the manager of Congressional and Public Affairs for the Midwest Region, where he develops and implements the Chamber's grassroots legislative and political activities. This is a Chamber members-only event.

Read more or register>>



The New Overtime Rule - Will You Be Ready?

Join us for a practical one hour breakfast or lunch seminar

Monday, July 25

8:00-9:00 a.m. OR 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Chamber Office, PESI Conference Room


Effective December 1, 2016, the threshold to be considered an exempt salaried employee under federal Fair Labor Standards Act overtime regulations jumps from $23,660 to $47,476. Sponsored by the Chamber's Business & Workforce Development Committee, this one-hour seminar will help you understand the rule changes, how they will impact your organization, and what you can do to prepare. You'll learn how these changes affect employee wages and overtime pay, how to determine who can be an exempt employee, and what to do about other rules applicable to any newly non-exempt staff members. There will also be time for questions about how to address specific issues like break requirements, travel time, off site work, bonus/commission pay, communication with employees, and more.

This seminar is presented by Deb Marshall, Senior Manager, HR Consulting, Wipfli CPAs and Consultants. With over 25 years of HR management experience in both industry and consulting, she brings a practical approach to addressing HR issues and problem solving.

Registration fee for this workshop is $20 per person for Chamber members, and includes breakfast or lunch. To reserve your place, click one of the sessions below, or call the Chamber office at 715-834-1204.

Register: July 25, 8:00-9:00 a.m. (breakfast at 7:45 a.m.)

Register: July 25, 12:00-1:00 p.m. (lunch at 11:45 a.m.)


Networking
Business At the Airport



Thursday, August 4
5-6:30 p.m.
Chippewa Valley
Regional Airport

3600 Starr Avenue
 

Pilot Sponsors: Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, HSHS Sacred Heart & St. Joseph's hospitals

Please join the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Menomonie chambers of commerce for the annual Business at the Airport on Thursday, August 4. Find out what is happening at your airport, network with other business members, visit more than 30 exhibitor tables, have a chance to win great door prizes.

This event takes the place of the August Business After Hours but please note that it is held on Thursday rather than Monday.

Cost to attend is $6. You do not need to pre-register.

For more information>>



SOHO

SOHO Social
Thursday, July 14
4:30 -6 p.m.
K Point Brewery

Sponsored by: Chestnut Consulting

Join other Small Office Home Office (SOHO) members for a relaxing, non-structured networking event. K Point Brewery is a new addition on to the Coffee Grounds and serves a variety of craft beers and food. The Coffee Grounds does serve wine and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Registration is appreciated so we can get an approximate head count.

Register online >>


Small Street Journal

Read the current Small Street Journal for updates and announcements from Chamber members. Please submit your updates to Becky Seelen.

 

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