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Issue 6 : Apr 1, 2004 |
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In this issue: Calendar of Events
Friday, April 2 WDM Chamber web site:
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Hi, Jim!
Member Communication Plans
Highlighted The West Des Moines (WDM) Chamber is actively looking at
opportunities to enhance its role as a promoter of WDM businesses and the
WDM community. The Communication Committee recently completed a detailed
communication plan that will assist us in maximizing those opportunities.
The plan emphasizes what our chamber will do throughout the year to
recognize new and long-standing members, provide networking opportunities,
and to help make WDM a premiere place to work, live and play. A few
highlights include:
1) Online Communication. The WDM Chamber implemented a new
online monthly newsletter with additional features and easier access to
online registration for events. Positive feedback has been overwhelming.
Subscription numbers are significantly increased compared to the
previous hard copy mailings. This number continues to increase with new
subscribers each month. The Chamber members are benefiting with better
communication and the Chamber is saving $18,000 annually thanks to this
improvement.
We are looking at ways to further add value to our members through
online communication. Visit the WDM Chamber's award-winning web site at
www.wdmchamber.org to request the online newsletter or to register for our
next event.
2) Ribbon Cuttings. The WDM chamber averages 2-3 ribbon cuttings
each month. However, already this year, we have enjoyed 10 ribbon cuttings
with many more likely to occur around the time of the Jordan Creek Town
Center opening this summer.
The WDM Chamber ambassadors (AKA: the "Blue Jackets") and other members
provide warm welcomes to new businesses within our community. To learn
more about ambassador opportunities, contact Greg France or Karla Stessman
(phone number listed to the left).
3) Local Newspaper Coverage. Regular communication of WDM
Chamber and community events are submitted to the local papers for
publication.
4) Events. From monthly luncheons and Breakfast Before Business
events to the annual West Side Golf Day (Save the date - September 17,
2004), the Chamber will plan and organize educational and networking
opportunities for its members to meet and gain leads to increase their
business.
5) Member Value and Recognition. Our goal is to provide value to
both new and veteran members. New members are recognized in newsletters,
at ribbon cuttings, at monthly luncheons, and at an annual new business
luncheon. The Communications Committee is considering ways to recognize
long-time WDM Chamber members and to add even more value to WDM Chamber
membership.
The WDM Chamber is a dynamic, forward-thinking organization that
continues to work for its members and community. Get involved and embrace
the opportunities. You'll be glad you did.
Buy Into the Circle, a public awareness campaign initiated by the
Greater Des Moines Partnership and it's affiliate chambers and
organizations, is about revitalizing our area economy and creating a
sustainable future for our community. Based on our research, it is
estimated that 7.2 billion in business to business dollars leaves our
economy annually. Buy Into the Circle is encouraging local companies to
shift just 5% of those dollars back into our community resulting in an
annual economic jolt of $360 million and the potential creation of over
7,700 jobs.
The greater Des Moines region thrives because of its people, its
community spirit and the desire to make the area a better place to live,
work and play. Our local area enjoys the benefits of a relatively healthy
economy, but like any system, the health of our economy needs to be
sustainable. To do so, local companies need to be able to compete with
non-local organizations. A buy local campaign doesn't just even the
"playing field," it weaves the community together even more tightly by
reintroducing consumers to the suppliers within our own community. We
realize that our vendors don't really need a leg up on their competition,
but by helping consumers find goods and services in our local economy in
an easier way, the entire community prospers.
So, if you are a business located in greater Des Moines, employ our
friends and neighbors and contribute to the local tax base -- join the
movement! 1) Pledge to shift 5% of your out-of-area purchases back into the local
economy (go to www.buyintothecircle.com to sign up or call 515-286-4934
for a pledge card). Where you spend your money is somebody's business!
The Learning Connection Absolute Music DJ Service Caleris, Inc. DNA Today, LLC Hartzler Creations
Piques Diets and Desserts Advanced Technologies Group, Inc. InTrust Home Health Internet Solver, Inc.
Olson-Larsen Galleries is located at 203 Fifth Street in West Des
Moines' Historic Valley Junction. Olson-Larsen Galleries represents the
finest of original artwork by Iowa and regional artists. The gallery
maintains a diverse inventory that includes work in virtually all art
mediums. The gallery also offers a variety of services including
consulting, presentations and proposals for both corporate and individual
clients, museum-quality framing, and commissioned works of art.
April marks the 25th Anniversary of Olson-Larsen Galleries. We are
celebrating this exciting milestone with an exhibition of work from all
artists in the gallery. An opening reception will take place on Friday,
April 2, 2004 from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will remain on display until May
15. Another enjoyable occasion to view the exhibition is Gallery Night in
Historic Valley Junction on Friday, April 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. Nine
galleries in the area will stay open late and serve refreshments. Ann and Marlene followed Jan's lead in promoting local and regional
artists, which is the standard by which the gallery is run today. The
gallery has been under continuous ownership by Marlene Olson since 1979
and she took over full ownership of the business in 1984. Two annex
galleries have been added to the original space at 203 Fifth Street in the
last seven years.
Olson-Larsen Galleries If your business is interested in being a featured "Business of the
Month", please contact Linda Jenkins at the WDM Chamber office for
information on the next available date.
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Chamber
Info WDM
Vision Relocation Lifestyle Community
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© 2003, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce 4200 Mills
Civic Parkway
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published with
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By: Ellen Moore, WDM Chamber Board Member and
Communications Committee Chair
DHL Express
Marlene Olson and Ann Larsen, who worked together at
the Iowa Arts Council, opened Olson-Larsen Galleries in 1979. They bought
the business from Jan Shotwell, who ran Jan's Gallery from 1970 to 1979.
The gallery was one of her many contributions to central Iowa arts, which
include assistance in the formation of the Artists' Emporium and the Arts
District in downtown Des Moines, as well as the annual Valley Junction Art
Festival.
Willing volunteers needed for variety of tasks
involving planning of the WDM, Clive and Urbandale Golf Play Day,
scheduled for September 17.
Wednesday, April 21