In This Issue:

Articles

Annual Dinner
Survey Results
Scholarship
Deliberations
Coastal Connections
The Member Ship
Keep An Eye Out
Member Close-Up
Talk of the Town
Board of Directors
May is Manufacturing Month
Welcome These New Members
First Friday Forum
Future Fair
Photos
April Events

Inserts

February Box Score
CC Power Hour
Primary Interstate Reopening
Art Imig's Clothiers
Aurora Business Link
Children's Hospital of WI
Dale Carnegie Training
Impact Direct Marketing
Maritime Insurance Group
Sports Core 2-for-1
Wells Fargo SBA Lending
 

Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce 2007 Annual Membership Dinner

Date: April 19
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Price: $48.00 per person
(Corporate tables of eight may be reserved for $384)
Location: The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake
Reservations by: April 12
Reservations made and not honored will be charged.
Speaker: Julie Loeding, “Fine Art of Schmoozing.”

A fun, energized evening is in store for you at the Annual Dinner of the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. Julie Loeding will be the keynote, speaking on the Fine Art of Schmoozing. If you think it sounds too light, you will be surprised. Effective schmoozing can make or break critical deals for your company. Ineffective, or no schmoozing, can hinder or destroy relationships. Business and life are about relationships. If you really think about it, schmoozing is the essence of our success. Julie Loeding will bring her 'A game". Loeding draws on 23 years of professional management, marketing and communications experience to meet the sales and marketing needs of organizations. Loeding, in Corporate Communications at Waukesha County Technical College, has worked with many firms including Peterbilt Wisconsin, Harley Davidson Motor Company, Coca-Cola, and Rockwell Automation-Allen Bradley. She does special assignment writing for the Journal-Sentinel, Inc., TV appearances and public speaking. In addition, she is a former Miss Wisconsin.

The Annual Dinner will be held on April 19th. For the first time in many years, we have agreed to a change of venue. It will be held at The Osthoff in their new conference center. We are excited to make the change and we look forward to our members sharing the evening with us. Invitations are being mailed to all members individually. AT&T has committed to underwrite our speaker fee in order that we can keep the cost to you the same. Spouse and/or guest attendance is encouraged for this event. See you on April 19th.

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And the Survey Says...

The Chamber’s Government & Public Policy Committee reviewed the results and comments of the latest survey. The survey asked our members to share an opinion about the proposed smoking ban as well as other issues that may affect business. Because the results were nearly split on this issue, the Government & Public Policy Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors to NOT take a position on the smoking ban issue. The results showed that 48% opposed the smoking ban and 52% supported the smoking ban. It does appear to be a topic that is evoking strong reactions.

The legislators on the Government & Public Policy Committee encourage people to call and let them know directly what the feelings are. They have been furnished with the results of our survey but contacting the legislators directly will have greater influence. The phone numbers are as follows:

Senator Glenn Grothman: 608-266-7513
Senator Joseph Leibham: 888-295-8750
Representative Steven Kestell: 888-529-0027
Representative Daniel LeMahieu: 888-534-0059
Representative Terry Van Akkeren: 888-529-0026

Other important issues to our membership based on the survey are:
Privatization of Government Services with 39%, HSA’s Tax Deductible 36%, Tort Reform 28%, Continuation of Private Ambulance Service 27%, Vehicle Fees 24%, Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program 18%, Tipping Fee 12%, and Solid Waste Disposal Tax 10%.

Thank you to all who took the time to fill out the survey.

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In like a lion, out like a lamb! That's about sums up March. I am hoping that same scenario holds true for the year. It seems as though the first three months have come in like a lion and I hope that tapering sets in before year-end. The Chamber Committees have been busy working through their new concepts and directives, as they try to define their specific goals. The goals will be forwarded on to the Chamber Board for a final glance and approval. A Checkpoint Meeting, with the Planning Committee, the new Chairs, our consultant, Paul Ehrfurth, and Chamness Group was held in March to assess how our new developments are progressing and to make certain we stay on task. Fortunately, we are in target on most of these areas.

Simultaneously, a Location Committee, appointed by the Board, has been exploring possibilities for a future Chamber location that will fulfill the requirements to house our business assistance efforts. We have had dialogue with the City of Sheboygan about the value of having space available for cooperative tourism exposure. If mutually agreeable, this will certainly be given consideration as we move forward. That Committee will likely take recommendations to the Board no later than June.

New developments are on the horizon. We will be hosting a Manufacturing Reality Cash Flow course, in partnership with LTC, during May is Manufacturing month. This will be an excellent program and we hope several manufacturing companies participate. This is our first partnership program under the new plan. On May 16 Sheboygan County will host the International Trade Office Directors. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce has International Trade offices in six countries. Each year they bring the Directors of those offices to Wisconsin to better understand the state, the culture and the companies that are seeking their help. The countries are: China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Brazil. Manufacturers that import or export may have an interest in this program. If so, call the Chamber so we can assure you are on the invitation lists.

In addition, the Chamber is organizing a Committee (sub-committee to Business Assistance) to hold a Business and Industry Expo in fall. Preliminary steps have been taken and more details will be provided once planning is in full swing. Also for very late fall, Sheboygan County Chamber has been approached by New North to host the New North Economic Summit. This was held in Manitowoc on December 14 and was a great success with about 550 people attending. This is being seriously considered at this time.

ComedySportz was held in March. Several comedy events were being held during the month of March, impeding the attendance a little. The Ambassadors did a great job with planning the event. Special thanks to Kris' Cheese To Please for donating the wine for the event and The Sign Shop of Sheboygan for donating signage. So much going on still. Soon we roll into summer with great excitement about the U.S. Senior Open being held July 2 - 8, 2007. Come join in on all that the Chamber and Sheboygan County has to offer.

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Coastal Connections presents "Nothing Trumps Passion" May 3 in Oshkosh

The youngest contestant on "The Apprentice," who was fired on TV and then rehired behind the scenes, will be in Oshkosh May 3 for an evening event titled "Nothing Trumps Passion!"

Andy Litinsky, who leads the day-to-day business operations of Trump Productions in Los Angeles, will speak at the EAA AirVenture Museum. With generous sponsorship from Affinity Health Systems, young professional groups in the New North, including Sheboygan's Coastal Connections organization, invite Litinsky to Oshkosh to present "There is No Substitute for Passion."

In his presentation, Litinsky states, "If you do not love what you do, then it is impossible to convince others to follow your path." Working side by side with Mark Burnett, producer of the Apprentice, and real estate billionaire Donald Trump, Litinsky has firsthand knowledge of how the country's most successful businessmen inspire and motivate others with their passion for success.

Born and raised in south Florida, Litinsky learned early what it takes to succeed in business. He created his first business at the age of 13, and in just two years, the company grew to more than 30 part-time employees while generating six-figure revenues.

Litinsky used the profits from his business for tuition at Harvard University. Once there, Andy started a non-profit organization, "The Harvard AIDS Coalition," to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa. The coalition exceeds 100 Harvard members and is in place at more than 10 other universities across the country.

Litinsky left Harvard University at the age of 22, one month before his college graduation to tape "The Apprentice." His final exams were taken at Trump Tower during the show taping to graduate with honors from Harvard.

"Nothing Trumps Passion" will begin at 5:15 p.m. (Registration and Cocktails) with Litinsky's presentation scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. An hors d'oeuvres reception and entertainment are scheduled to follow.

Cost to attend is $20 per person. To register, please contact the Chamber at 457-9491.

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Great Start for This Year’s
Business Connections Program

Two for two is the best of times.

There's this game, baseball, I think it's called.  If you are baseball player and you have two hits in the book and it is only the third inning, man, you know you're going to have a great game.  Because in that game, baseball, I think it is called, if you finish with two hits all day, you've had a good game.

So it is (boy, this is a weak analogy, but I'm fearlessly going to press forward with it), in the world of Business Connections.  (Told you.)

Printwear Xpress and The Bean, a Coffeehouse and Delicatessen co-sponsored the January Business Connections and Landmark Square sponsored the February Business Connections.  More than 60 people showed up in January and more than 100 in February.  The demonstrations at Printwear were most interesting, The Bean's wraps were outstanding, and at Landmark the tours that gave us an inside look at the new units were insightful and interesting and the hors d'oeuvres were wonderful.

After witnessing first hand the tremendous opportunity that Landmark offered to the community and its senior residents, all 100 who attended the event join the Chamber in expressing their sorrow over the devastating fire that occurred March 19.

Although out of deadline necessity, this is being written before the March Business Connections at The Wreath Factory/Otter Creek Landscape was held, I'm sure it was just as interesting, informative and enjoyable as the others.

From the standpoint of place, the site of the Business Connections is important because a primary purpose of the event is to provide the host the opportunity to acquaint other Chamber members with his place and his business.  So this writer certainly appreciates place, but more than that, he appreciates the folks who turn out for the Business Connections.  Renewing friendships, updating others on what you are doing and hearing their updates, putting faces with names, and just plain enjoying the company of other Chamber members, many of whom have become fast friends, is equally important to this penman.

The annual dinner at The Osthoff on April 19 will take the place of Business Connections on that month's Chamber Calendar.  But if you haven't been to a Business Connections for some time make an effort to cruise out to Sleep Inn & Suites in May, Art Imig's Clothiers in June and the Z-Spot in July.

Join us; make the most of your membership.

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click image for full size

Keep An Eye Out!

The Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce was contacted by one of our members regarding the Chamber's City/County Map. A firm by the name of Universal Advertising Associates, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio has falsely claimed they are producing the official map for the Chamber and that the Chamber endorses them. That is inaccurate.

It is important for the business community to know that the Chamber will advise our members when we are beginning a map update. Our last three maps have been prepared by Novoprint USA, and then printed by Times Printing Company from our county. Both are Chamber members.

The Chamber has not entered into any agreement with Universal Advertising Associates, nor have they even contacted the Chamber office. We ask the business community to be aware of unethical practices. If you have further questions, or feel you have been mislead, please notify the Chamber office, and/or the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.

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Member Close-Up

Providing a century of fine apparel and gifts for men

While Art Imig's officially marks 98 years in business this year, the company's roots go back to 1850 when German immigrant, Michael Imig, opened a tailor shop in Sheboygan. Since then, Art Imig's has been on the cutting edge of fashion, dressing gentlemen with classically modern, smart, comfortable clothes, backed up by a professional, knowledgeable staff, and a heritage that spans more than 150 years.

That heritage includes longtime ties to the Chamber of Commerce. Art Imig's was a charter member of the Chamber and has logged 93 consecutive years of membership.

At Art Imig's Clothiers, they know that clothing is communication and that appropriate attire sends a message of confidence and professional. Since 1909, men have been turning to Art Imig's for fine clothing. Brothers Art and Bob, the fourth generation of the Imig family to own this menswear store, believe the company's longevity is the result of a focus on quality products and customer service.

Whatever your clothing needs, from tuxedos to blue jeans, the staff at Art Imig's will assist you in finding the perfect fit, both for the occasion and for your body type. Truly a full service center, Art Imig's offers more than just apparel from premier American and European vendors. To ensure that you always look your absolute best, Art Imig's provides quality professional dry cleaning, shirt laundering and leather cleaning to keep your beautiful clothes looking like new. We offer complete tailoring and alterations for men and women at our full service tailor shop downtown. If you are one of the many men who simply cannot buy clothes off the rack, Art Imig's can offer made-to-measure suits, sport coats, trousers and dress shirts. Because details are the key to achieving the perfect look, a broad selection of shoes, ties, and accessories are also available. Visit Art Imig's Clothiers and Art Imig's Cleaners, where they take pride in helping you look your best.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 12 noon to 5 p.m. or for your convenience, by appointment. Art Imig's Clothiers is located in the Shops at Woodlake Kohler, 795D Woodlake Road (920-459-4190) and Art Imig's Cleaners is located at 723 New York Avenue in Sheboygan (920-459-4180).                                Top

Talk of the Town

Jim Pankow, Inc. has been awarded a contract with Sigma-Aldrich for expansion and renovation at their Sheboygan Falls location. This is the 21st major building project partnership between Sigma-Aldrich and Jim Pankow, Inc. since 1987.

Ross Imaging Inc., (a division of Imagetec L.P. headquartered in McHenry, IL) recently announced it has entered into a contract to acquire the copier division of Office Technology Inc.

Carol Ann Schneider, CEO and Chair of the Board for SEEK Careers/Staffing, Inc. was recently awarded Governor Doyle's 2006 Trailblazer Award for Women in Business.

Aurora Health Care is pleased to announce Carl BlomWillis as he new Manager of Volunteer Services for Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center and the Aurora Sheboygan Clinic.

The Oostburg School District recently gained public support for $9.85 million in upgrades to all of their school facilities with assistance by Abacus Architects and Jos. Schmitt Construction. The project will include roughly 36,000 square feet of building additions and roughly 30,000 square feet of remodeling. Abacus Architects was also recently awarded a 14,000 square foot warehouse addition project for WAGO Innovative Connections in Germantown, WI.

Maritime Insurance Group welcomes Tom Cain as a new Account Executive in the expanding Commercial Lines Department.

The Primary Interstate Plaza Inc, 4024 Highway 42 will host a Re-Grand Opening Event on April 26th from 11am-4pm. Ribbon Cutting will be held on the premises at 12:15pm. Join us for prize give-aways, food, and celebration!

Lakeshore Technical College is offering Small Business seminars at the Cleveland campus. ~ QuickBooks Overview (#26669, $39) will be held April 18 from 6-9 p.m. in Room L115 in the Lakeshore Building. ~ How to Talk to Your Banker (#27447, $15) will be held April 26 from 6-9 p.m. in the Wisconsin Training Room in the Lakeshore Building. To register by phone, call 888.GO.TO.LTC (888.468.6582), ext. 1366. Download a registration form at http://www.gotoltc.edu/doc/seminar-registration.doc.

WPS Energy Services will now be known as Integrys Energy Services.

Entrepreneur magazine named Glass Doctor to its 2007 "Franchise 500" list. Known as the world's first, best and most comprehensive list of franchises, the magazine bases its rankings on financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. Glass Doctor ranked No. 303.

Keller, Inc., will be the General Contractor of the 3,000 Sq. Ft. interior office build out for Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice. Keller, Inc. is acting as the Architect for the project.

Schenck Small Business Center will be hosting a Business Improvement Workshop on April 5 entitled “Effective Marketing Through the Internet.” The seminar will be held at Pine Hills Country Club, 4914 Superior Ave., Sheboygan from 8–9:30a.m. There is no cost to attend. To register, visit www.schencksolutions.com/events or call Leanna at 920-803-3146.

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2007 Board of Directors & Officers

*Mary Brasseaux, Chamber President, St. Nicholas Hospital
Jeff Breit, The Sports Core
George Bruggenthies, Elkhart Lake’s Road America
Ed Felchner, ACUITY
David Gass, Rohde Dales
Patti Glaser-Martin, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
Joseph Hilke, Human Resources Professional
*Jay Hogfeldt, Wind Mill Slatwall Products
*William Kerwin, Pemco, Inc.
Kristine Konen, Sargento Foods
Niel Larsen, Maritime Insurance Group
*Michael Leibham, O’Malley & Associates
Gary Maples, M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Retired
*Mark Maurer, Heartland Business Bank
*James Maxon, M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
Paul Nemschoff, Nemschoff Chairs
Scott Niederjohn, Lakeland College
*Dee Olsen, Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce
Susan Patterson, Al & Al’s Stein Haus
Lola Roeh, Elkhart Lake Chamber of Commerce
Dennis Roehrborn, Sargento Foods
Craig Roush, Rockline Industries
Steve Schmitt, Sheboygan Falls Chamber/Main Street
*Richard Scroggins, Harbor Centre BID, Scroggins Jewelers
Tom Slezewski, Random Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
David Sonnentag, Veolia Environmental Services
Bryon Zimmerman, ZDO
*Officers

Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Staff (920.457.9491)
Dee Olsen, Executive Director (ext 2-302)
Denny Moyer, Director of Membership (ext 2-304)
Diane Hackbarth, Information & Workforce Development Coordinator (ext 2-301)
Lisa Hartman, Business Manager (ext 2-303)
Tammy Dickmann-Flunker, Executive Assistant (ext 2-305)
Amanda Shaker, Co-Op Student

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Welcome These New Members

Associated Financial Group, LLC
815 S. Taylor Drive, Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-457-5316
Paulette Ruminski
www.associatedfinancialgroup.com
A multi-line insurance agency with nine offices located throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. They provide employee benefits, retirement plans, benefits administration services, property/casualty insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, individual personal insurance, as well as homeowners and auto insurance.

Sweet Basil Restaurant
645 Walton Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073
920-892-7573
Bob Benzinger
A casual, fine dining restaurant with a Mediterranean/Italian atmosphere and menu. It is our intent to provide out guests with the highest quality food and service in the industry. Sweet Basil: a high level of dining for everyone.

First Friday Forums

On March 2 the First Friday Forum focused on State Legislative Issues. Senator Joseph Leibham, Representatives Steve Kestell and Dan LeMahieu (Representative Terry VanAkkeren was excused) spoke to the nearly 50 attendees about state issues. Discussion followed on the nearly 1800-page biennial budget proposed by Governor Doyle and released in mid-February. The three concurred that compromise is necessary to pass a budget. Votes made by legislators may not necessarily make sense but everyone needs to work together. Only three bills have moved forward since the democratic controlled senate convened.

Major taxation proposals will impact business. The Governor's biennial budget calls for a 9% increase in spending; $2 billion for new taxes and fees. Discussion focused on the key items, i.e., the hospital tax on gross revenues (patient tax), real estate transfer fees, an increase in stewardship funding, tipping fees and garbage tax increase, diverting funds from the Injured & Patients Compensation Fund, environmental repair tax and much more. LeMahieu noted this calls for doubling the levy cap from 2% to 4% for local increases. He felt one of the biggest faults is raiding the segregated funds.

Party Affiliation aside, they encouraged members to get energized and active now because public opinion does change public policy. The next First Friday Forum will focus on local/county issues. The Mayors and County government officials will be invited to provide updates.

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The Future Fair Committee is looking to add committee members. The meetings take place the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 8am. Future Fair is a way for High Schoolers to learn more about careers. The Chamber believes that high school students (as well as non-traditional “students”) need some direction on what they need to continue to a profession. The Future Fair Committee coordinates this effort. If you are interested in the committee or would like more information, please contact Tammy at 920.457.9491 ext 2-305.

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Photos

SURROUNDED BY BEST BUY employees, Sarah Captain presents a check in the amount of $10,000.00 to Jeff Mehn, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Sheboygan County. A charitable donation is part of the grand opening tradition for Best Buy.

Members of the 2006-07 Leadership Institute class learning about monitoring devices from Deputy Paul Rickmeier before touring the Sheboygan County Detention Center on Criminal Justice Day.

BEST BUY, located on County Highway A, just south of Hwy. 28, held its ribbon cutting and grand opening in February - and grand it was. After a proper employee warm-up, first customer Jon Wieskamp had the honor of using the Chamber's giant shears to officially cut the ribbon to open the store. To Wieskamp's immediate right is Best Buy's Customer Experience Manager Ryan Sturm and next to him is District Manager Stacey Fischer. To Wieskamp's immediate left is Kohler Village President Tom Leonardt.

MORE THAN 100 turned out for the February Business Connections (a.k.a. Construction Party) at Landmark Square.  The event took place only a few weeks before the devastating fire ruined hopes for those planning to move into the building when it was scheduled to open in May.

April Chamber Events

April 6
Good Friday : Chamber Offices Closed

April 11
Chamber Briefcase, Town & Country, 7:30am-9:00am. The cost to attend the program is $9. This is a great opportunity to hear what the Chambers are doing and to network with other County Chambers membership.

April 12
Coastal Connections Power Lunch (Power Breakfast Option), Council Room, Appley Theatre in Kohler. 7-8am or noon-1pm. $5 for Coastal Connections Members or $15 for non-members. The program will be Working with Different Personalities. Call 457.9491 ext 2-301 for more information.

April 13
First Friday Forum at CityStreets Riverside Restaurant. The cost is $10 for lunch. The program will feature an update from each City as well as County Government. The program is from noon-1:15pm. Call 457.9491 ext 2-305 to register or more information.

April 19
Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Dinner held at The Osthoff in Elkhart Lake.

April 25
Don’t Forget... It’s Administrative Professionals Day!

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