November 2007 ~ Issue 212

Palate-tempting cuisine coupled with fine wine and brews highlighted a Friday night social event where the area's young professionals mingled to a backdrop of blues rhythms.

Coastal Connections' annual OktoberFeast on Oct. 5 wrapped-up, and at the same time kicked off, a year of networking events for the Young Professionals Network of the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce.

"From the local vendors to the continuous support of our ever-important sponsors, these are what made OktoberFeast and the third year of Coastal Connections a success," said Interim Co-President and Membership Chair Meg Roman.

The Blues Highway Band entertained guests that dined on a variety of menu samples from The Horse and Plow, Champions Restaurant at The Bull, SkyBox Sports Pub and Grille, Cold Stone Creamery, Highland House, Papa John's, Kris' Cheese to Please, and Sargento Foods, with wine provided by Sense of Taste and brews from Larry's Distributing.

The more than 130 attendees also had the chance to win coveted prizes, such as the grand giveaway of a $100 gift certificate donated by The Fieldhouse at South Pier & Spike's Sports Bar & Grill.

"We couldn't be happier about how the event turned out," added Interim Co-President and Programming Chair Sherri Halverson. "Due to a year's worth of planning and teamwork, we smashed last year's OktoberFeast attendance."

Coastal Connections would like to thank event sponsor Robert W. Baird & Co., as well as ACUITY, for hosting OktoberFeast again this year. Also, the group would like to extend thanks to all of the founding sponsors: ACUITY, Community Bank and Trust, DuFour Advertising, Johnson Bank, Kohler Co., Kohler Credit Union, Sargento Foods and Schenck Business Solutions; to corporate sponsor H.C. Denison Company; and to the newest title sponsor, St. Nicholas Hospital.

UPCOMING EVENT: Coastal Connections' Speed Networking-sponsored by Bank First National-will be held on Thursday, November 8, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Highland House. Free for members ($5 for non-members). For more information, visit our Website at www.coastalconnectionsYPN.com

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Thanksgiving Wishes

While family, friends, co-workers, our beliefs, and our daily bounty are among the forerunners, I always think about how thankful I am to have such great members. Members who don’t complain, members who do. Members who volunteer and members who don’t, Members who, whether deeply involved, or not, are there with us each year - supporting us, holding us up, pushing us to greater accomplishments. It is you, who are the giving ones - and we are so very thankful! Have an incredibly Happy Thanksgiving.

Dee Olsen, Executive Director

First Friday Forums

The October participants had an opportunity to hear an update on the City of Sheboygan Police Station from Chief David Kirk and Lieutenant Tim Eirich. The speakers thanked Mayor Perez and the Common Council for its perseverance in getting the Police Station approved. Occupancy should happen in fall of 2008. Eirich explained the key differences between the old location and the new location include:

More than doubling the square footage to 33,624 sq. ft., tripling the garage space to 15,000 sq. ft., and a more secure customer service area to name a few. Kirk said the only staff change would be the possible addition of a janitor.

Eirich went on to say that the actual building costs are below original estimates and will be around $6.499 million. The additional technology for the building will be separate but he said that the total would not reach $8.5 million as originally projected.

Kirk and Eirich explained the difference in the rooms that will either be in addition to or improved on from the current facility that include interview rooms, evidence processing room, major case room, and a computer crimes room, etc. The new facility gives them the opportunity to have an improved processing flow also. They will not incarcerate there, but rather process and transfer to County facilities.

If you have suggestions for a First Friday Forum program please contact Dee Olsen, at olsen@sheboygan.org or call 920.457.9491 ext 2302. The November 2 Forum will feature a presentation on the 2008 Budgets for the local communities and Sheboygan County. To sign-up call 920.457.9491 ext 2305 or e-mail dickmann@sheboygan.org.

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OktoberFeast was a night full of food, fun and music. Coastal Connections worked tirelessly to put together an evening for everyone’s enjoyment. I was reminded that you don't have to be under 40 to attend.

This is the time of year we begin to transition into the upcoming year. Setting out plans, working on the budget, thinking about Committee and Board rosters are all part of that shift. The balancing comes in working to make certain this year is concluded successfully, focusing on all the year-end efforts, as well as looking ahead.

Postponing the Business and Industry Expo was disappointing. Conceptually the planning committee feels this is a good program for the Chamber and will likely recommend its continuation in 2008. The show could handle 66 exhibitors, with our minimum set at 30 exhibitors. This was our first effort and we frankly fell short with only 25 exhibitors. If the decision is to move forward for 2008, we will work on it much earlier so companies can plan for it. Because of conflicts, we will research the best time to hold an Expo of this nature. We thank our cooperating sponsors: Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center, the City of Sheboygan, the Sheboygan Radio Group and The Sheboygan Press. Our featured sponsors for the "Ultimate Connections" - O'Malley and Associates and Lakeshore Technical College are also to be thanked for stepping forward to sponsor.

The Chamber has been involved in the planning for the New North Summit, to be hosted in beautiful Sheboygan County on Friday, December 14, 2007. This event is open to all businesses and we encourage your attendance. The theme of this conference is Workforce Development. Ed Gordon, author of the 2010 Meltdown will be the featured speaker. This year's summit will run from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senator Kohl and Governor Doyle are both invited guest speakers. In addition, afternoon breakout sessions will involve key people to look at the new trends for the future workforce.

Equally important is that Sheboygan County will be in the limelight. We have re-written the lyrics to "New York, New York" which will be performed by a local choral group. The Great Lakes Aerospace Science and Education Center will have the spotlight for a portion of the program, as will a special Sheboygan County DVD that is being produced. We are excited to work on this cooperative effort with New North and the Planning Committee. As a summit sponsor, the Chamber shows "We Mean Business."

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Chamber, Theatre Co. to Make
Valentine's Day Special in '08

The Chamber's Ambassadors and the Sheboygan Theatre Company are teaming up to make Valentine's Day 2008 a very special event.

The Ambassadors' annual Winter Event this year is a dinner theatre production of “I Do! I Do!,” a touching, intimate, nostalgic musical that will be brought to life by performers Sarah Pittner Riemersma and Michael Roehl under the direction of Sheboygan Theatre Company Director Ralph Maffongelli.

The show (book and lyrics by Tom Jones, music by Harvey Schmidt, based on “The Fourposter” by Jan de Hargot) traces the life of Michael and Agnes Snow beginning on their wedding night and ending 50 years later when they leave their house to the next pair of newlyweds. In that time the audience will watch them go through their wedding night jitters, raise a family, negotiate mid-life crises, quarrel, separate, reconcile and grow old together, all to the strains of a charming score that includes 20 songs.

Dinner shows are scheduled, Thursday, Feb. 14 (Valentine's Day), and Friday, Feb. 15, at CityStreets Restaurant. Cost for the Sliced Tenderloin of Beef and Jumbo Shrimp dinner and show is $45 per person. Tickets can be purchased individually or in tables of 10 beginning on Dec. 1 at the Chamber of Commerce office, 712 Riverfront Drive, Suite 101. Tables will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons with questions can call 920-457-9491. Reception is at 6 p.m., dinner 6:30 and show 7:30 p.m.

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Business Assistance Resources: If you have questions, we have answers! The Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce is an excellent resource about starting a new business or strengthening an existing business. To start the process, call me - John Rogers @ 457-9491 extension 2-307. I have worked with businesses from 1 to 100's of employees. I also have an extensive network of resources. Yes, I can even answer the question "Are there any grants or loans to help start a business?"

SCORE: Over the past 33 years, SCORE has become one of America's premier sources of free and confidential advice for entrepreneurs and owners of small, existing businesses. SCORE is a resource partner with the US Small Business Administration so they understand the various SBA programs available. Across the country, SCORE has helped almost 8 million small businesses with a wide array of assistance including planning, finances, marketing, transition planning, and more. When it is appropriate we can recommend a SCORE counselor to you. SCORE counselors can meet with you at your convenience at a variety of locations.

Lakeshore Technical College: Kristin Bell Abell coordinates LTC's Center for Entrepreneurship. Kristin oversees an array of excellent programs if your goal is to start your own new business. For example, an important first step to starting a new business may be to prepare a Business Plan. You need to know what is included in a Business Plan. LTC has a 2 to 3 hour introductory class that provides a 'snapshot' of business planning.

After you look at the snapshot you decide you need to prepare a Business Plan, but want to know about the numerous chapters of a Business Plan. LTC and SCCC can help you with a 10 to 15 week class that provides you with the learning tools, but more importantly guides you through the process as you prepare your plan. Since the State of Wisconsin likes entrepreneurs that start-up new businesses there may be money available to you for the class. However, you actually have to prepare an acceptable plan!

In the coming months, Kristin and I will be forming a club for Inventors and Entrepreneurs. Are you one? Stay alert for announcements about the first meeting!
Wisconsin Entrepreneur Network: WEN is an excellent way to find specialists to help answer unique questions. For example, does your idea or invention require a copyright, trademark or patent. How do you get one? I can help get the right WEN contact for you. You can also email your questions to me to at rogers@sheboygan.org.

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Member Close-Up

Crafted Plastics Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of Remarkable Growth

In sales volume, production space and employees, Crafted Plastics Inc. has shown remarkable growth.

William Eastham has owned and operated Crafted Plastics Inc. since 1982 when the company had 15 employees and annual sales of $950,000.

On Oct. 2 this year, Crafted Plastics celebrated 25 years of Eastman's leadership.
The organization has grown from 15 employees to 53, from 33,000 square feet of production and warehousing space to 63,400 after an expansion in 1997 and the purchase of warehousing space last year, and from $950,000 in sales to over $8 million.

It has always been Crafted Plastics’ philosophy to remain competitive in the marketplace by investing in technology and modern equipment. Crafted Plastics' in-house engineering department helps with material and tool design using the most up-to-date tooling and production methods.

Crafted Plastics Inc. has served the plastic extrusion needs of manufacturers and distributors worldwide. It has built its reputation on producing quality extruded plastic profiles and plastic tubing. A producer of basic extruded profiles or a more complex custom profiles has always been Crafted Plastics commitment.

There is one word that defines Crafted Plastics’ team of experienced employees the through the years "craftsmanship". It is the spirit of craftsmanship that has always been best reflected in the quality of the products produced at Crafted Plastics Inc.

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Talk of the Town

Schenck Business Solutions has been named a 2007 Practice Innovation Award winner by Practical Accountant magazine. Also, Jodi M. Sommer, CPA, has been promoted to Supervisor.

Mark Zipperer, owner of the AmericInn of Sheboygan, was recently appointed to the Owner Advisory Board for the AmericInn Lodging System.

Marcia G. Schreiber has been named Cash Management Officer/Health Savings Account Specialist at Community Bank & Trust, and, Shannon VanderPutten was promoted to Operations Officer for the Sheboygan Falls location.

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has awarded "Primary Stroke Center Certification" to Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center.

First National Bank is changing its name on November 1 to Bank First National.

Lakeshore Technical College is offering: ? Online Banking and Investing Nov. 7 from 6-9 p.m., ? Successful Franchising—How to Get Started Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon., ? Selling on eBay—Advanced Nov. 14 from 6-9 p.m. ? Creative Marketing Ideas and Low Cost Advertising Nov. 29 from 6-9 p.m. To register or more info on cost, call 888-GO-TO-LTC (888-468-6582), ext. 1366.

November 17 from 9am-1pm will be a Family Health & Wellness Day at North High School. Healthy Sheboygan County 2010, AODA Committee, and Friends of St. Nicholas Hospital are sponsoring the event. Drop off expired prescriptions or medications you are no longer taking.

Aurora Sheboygan Clinic welcomes Petra Nedoba, M.D. to its staff in the internal medicine department.

Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne was elected President of the Wisconsin County Executive and Administrators Association for a two-year term.

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Photos

It was a beautiful fall day at Camp Y-Koda! Members in this year's Chamber Leadership Institute participated in a variety of team building activities on the camp's ropes course.

The Blue Point Wine & Tapas Bar was a busy place when its flagship Weissgerber's Seabird Restaurant hosted the September Business Connections. Dick Seidemann (PARTNERS for Community Development) makes a point as Mary Meins (US Bank), Tracy Williams-Prince (Keller, Inc.), Jennifer Nitzband (Glass Doctor) and Laurie Paul (Manpower) smile in agreement.

Renewal by Andersen opened its doors in The Shoppes of Mill Road in October as Sales and Marketing Manager Steve Cannon and General Manager Joe Mand (with scissors) are joined by the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors as they prepare to cut the ribbon and officially open the store at 3414 Mill Road.

M & I Bank's Business Connections Oct. 10 was another huge success. Here Ambassador Bob Finger, Konrad Testwuide of H.C. Denison and Ron Van Rooyen of the Rehabilitation Center of Sheboygan enjoy the refreshments while they hold down a prime chatting corner.

Embrace Care Management "officially" opened its doors when Jenny Nyhuis, and owners John and Mary Pitsch, surrounded by co-workers, family, friends and the Chamber Ambassadors, cut the big ribbon. Embrace Care Management assists seniors and their families as they deal with the problem or sorting out the maze of senior services.

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November Chamber Events

November 2
First Friday Forum
12-1:15pm
CityStreets Riverside Restaurant
$10 for lunch
Topic: 2008 Budget
(Local Communities and Sheboygan County)

November 6
Business Connections
5-7pm
SkyBox Sports Pub & Grille

November 8
Coastal Connections
Speed Networking
Sponsored by Bank First National
5:30-7:00pm
Highland House

November 22-23
Chamber Office Closed
Happy Thanksgiving!

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