spotlight - Hays Area Chamber of Commerce

2700 Vine Hays, KS 67601
discoverhays.com
hayscc@discoverhays.com
(785) 628.8201
S The Emerald Isle of Ireland
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September 2015
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Imagine yourself in the Emerald Isle
of Ireland. Your adventure begins with a
greeting from your personal guide as you step
onto a motor coach that will take you into a
world of wonder. You find a perfect spot and
comfortably settle into your seat. Soon your
eyes become heavy as you drift off to the hum
of the motor. When you awake, the morning
fog is lifting from the sea unveiling majestic
flat-topped cliffs rising from the Atlantic
Ocean, stretching as far as the eye can see.
From brightly colored coastal villages to
crystal blue lakes, this treasure trove of
historical landmarks and spectacular scenery
will not disappoint. This truly is a stunning,
enchanted land of lush green landscape,
friendly people and a rich vibrant history
spanning centuries.
It is your time to create lifelong memories,
grand stories and bonding friendships.
Chamber-offered trips are definitely
rewarding and, dare we say, the most thrilling
networking opportunity we offer. All are
welcome to participate in this once in a
lifetime opportunity, so invite out-of-town
relatives and friends to join the journey
March 15 to 23, 2016.
Don’t miss out on an Early Bird Special,
ending Oct. 16, at a cost per person as low as
$3,199 with double occupancy. This includes
round-trip international airfare from Wichita,
first-class accommodations, 11 included meals,
all in-country transportation, deluxe motor
coaches and a professional tour host.
Join us for Irish-themed treats and an
informational presentation at 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Golden Griddle, 230 W. Ninth.
There is no fee to attend. RSVP to hayscc@
discoverhays.com or by calling (785) 628-8201.
Travel Itinerary:
Day 1 — Depart U.S. on overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland.
Day 2 — Arrive in Dublin: Fitzpatrick’s Castle.
Day 3 — Glendalough/Limerick: visit St. Kevin’s
Monastery, Bunratty Castle medieval banquet and more. A
perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Day 4 — Cliffs of Moher/Galway Tour: Explore Galway’s
“City of Tribes,” Quay Street and Galway Harbor.
Day 5 — Adare/Killarney Tour: Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral,
medieval monasteries and more.
Day 6 — Killarney/Ring of Kerry Tour: Panoramic drive of
Ring of Kerry, tour Muckross House.
Day 7 — Blarney/Kilkenny/Dublin: Visit the Blarney Stone,
Blarney Wollen Mills, Kilkenny Castle and Dublin.
Day 8 — Dublin: Tour Grafton and O’Connell Street,
Guinness brewery tour, Merry Ploughboy’s Pub.
Day 9 — Dublin to U.S.
Connecting Business. Creating Commerce. Offering Opportunities.
Proudly printed in color by Northwestern Printers Inc.
(785) 625-1110
northwesternprinters.com
Tammy
A
FEATURED
BUSINESS
talk
fter two
years of
planning, the
Chamber is pleased to facilitate
the first ever Community Cruise, a
unique tour of Hays highlighting future development
projects and opportunities for our elected officials.
Partnering with the Hays Convention and Visitors
Bureau, Downtown Hays Development Corp., Ellis
County Coalition for Economic Development, we
are excited to share more information about how we
four Welcome Center entities work together for the
betterment of our community.
Many of you are aware that one of the Chamber’s
roles is to advocate on behalf of our local businesses.
However, advocating doesn’t always equal lobbying.
Taking firm stances can be polarizing with our
members, and our resources don’t allow for us to
financially support trips to Topeka or Washington.
This is why we at the Chamber believe so strongly
in providing quality and timely information, whether
through election forums or seasonal Eggs and Issues.
With this year’s Community Cruise, we hope to aid
those high-level community decision-makers with
important information and awareness of various
happenings throughout the city.
So, on Sept. 23, we will be connecting city and
county commissioners with Hays USD 489 Board of
Education members along with key representatives
from Fort Hays State University and North Central
Kansas Technical College. Our tour through Hays will
show current and future development projects and
opportunities.
This event might seem simple in nature, but we
believe it will be beneficial to our guests as well as
fruitful to all of our Chamber members.
We are always exploring ways to provide more value
to our area businesses, so please let us know if there
are other ways we can work harder, smarter and more
effectively for you.
Allergy Clinic of Western Kansas
2517 Canterbury Dr. | Hays, KS 67601
Allergy Clinic: (785) 628-1551
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic: (785) 628-3131
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and Western
Beverage would like to congratulate September’s
Featured Business, Allergy Clinic of Western Kansas
and Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of Western Kansas.
• Established in 1992
• Number of staff: 10
What accomplishment/s are you most proud of?
Serving patients for 23 years. Also, Dr. James
Black is on the HMC hospital board and is the
medical director of Ellis County EMS and Pediatric
Advanced Life Support. Dr. Black introduced the
Pediatric Advance Life Support program to China,
where he spent time helping the Chinese develop
their program for pediatricians. He services outreach
clinics in Plainville and Quinter.
What services and/or products do you offer?
Medical care for EMT and Allergy.
What do you want the business community to know
about your business?
Currently, we are accepting new patients.
What do you value most about your Chamber
Membership?
We value receiving current information on
happenings in the business community.
Mission: The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce works for the business prosperity of Hays and its neighbors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR: Brian Weimer, IPI Financial Services
CHAIR-ELECT: Brad Haynes, FHSU Athletic Assoc.
PAST CHAIR: Lance Bickle, Sicoir
TREASURER: Tom Meis, Midwest Energy
Connie Bollig, Emprise Bank
Karen Gutierrez, Gutierrez Restaurant
Travis Kohlrus, Eagle Communications
2
Tammy McClellan, FHSU Foundation
Eric Norris, Hays Public Library
Leland Olive, Couture For Men & Women
Todd Powell, Glassman, Bird, Brown & Powell L.L.P.
Mark St. Peter, Nex-Tech
Shae Veach, Hays Medical Center
STAFF
Tammy Wellbrock
Executive Director
Celeste Sander
Membership Coordinator
Kathy Heinrich
Administrative Assistant
Jessica Krogstad
Communications Coordinator
New Members
Chamber News
Farmers Insurance
Jason Schumacher Agency
221 E. Eighth
(785) 789-4020
farmers.com/jschumacher
Hays Phone Doctor
218 W. Eighth
(785) 261-9089
facebook.com/haysphonedoctor
Heavenly Soles Massage
205 E. Seventh, Ste. 255
(785) 650-7626
Education Appreciation Sponsors
The Chamber would like to thank the following businesses for their
sponsorship of the 27th Annual Education Appreciation from 5 to
6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Rose Garden Banquet Hall: Commerce Bank,
Dean Ellner Inc. Realtors, EnerSys, Midwest Energy, Nex-Tech Inc.,
Rose Garden Catering and Walmart SuperCenter. We wish our area
educators and students a brilliant school year.
National Motivational Speaker
The Hays Area Chamber will host a customer-service seminar and
keynote luncheon with nationally recognized motivational speaker
David K. Aaker. Two identical workshops will be presented Oct. 15.
The morning session will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and the afternoon
session from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be a “Leadership for Business
Success” keynote luncheon Oct. 16 at noon. Sessions and luncheon will
be at Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. Eighth.
Sponsored by Hays Medical Center, the workshop and luncheon
are interactive, enthusiastic and offer dozens of ideas that are tried
and true, a bit wild and creative. You will be able to implement new
strategies within an hour of returning to work.
Chamber members will receive a discounted rate of $35 for the
workshop and $20 for the keynote luncheon. Contact the Chamber
for details and to reserve seats for these edifying events. After each
event, there will be a book signing session (books will be available for
purchase).
Megan Colson Photography
1200 Main, Ste. 501
(620) 213-1010
megancolsonphotography.com
Paint the Towne
810 Main
(785) 432-6011
paintthetowne.com
Super 8
709 S. 13th, WaKeeney
(785) 743-6442
super8.com
The Golden Griddle
203 W. Ninth
(785) 301-2483
Member referral
Congrats to Dustin Roths, Diamond
R Jewelry; Laura Sadeghi, Elite Realty
Group; and Tim Schumacher, Strategic
Financial Partners for referring new
chamber members Paint the Towne, Hays
Phone Doctor and Farmers InsuranceJason Schumacher Agency. All three
received a $10 Chamber Cheque.
Medical and Dental Care
The region’’s premiere medical home,
dedicated to providing access to
compassionate, quality care for all.
105W.13th
785.621.4990
www.rstcareclinic.com
Visit us online at discoverhays.com
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Member News
Get ready to discover Hays all
over again with an upcoming
contest from
the Hays
Convention
and
Visitors
Bureau.
More
information
will be
coming out next
month, but be sure to find them at
TailGreat to get a sneak peek at
what’s coming.
Downtown Hays Development
Corp. is proud to announce the
sixth annual Wines and Steins
will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 11.
It’s the premier
fundraising event
which unites
the community
with downtown
for a evening
sampling wines and craft beers.
Wines and Steins is open to guests
ages 21 and older (no children are
allowed, and no one younger than
21 will be admitted). Reservations
are $50 per person. No tickets will
be distributed. Simply present
identification at check-in. Each
admission entitles the guest
to a wonderful evening stroll
downtown sampling beer or wine
and hors d’oeuvres provided by
participating businesses. After
discovering what Downtown
Hays has to offer, participants
are invited to attend the poststroll celebration “under the
stars” in the parking lot of the
former Emprise Bank, 1200 Main.
At the post-stroll celebration,
enjoy live music, complimentary
beverages and desserts, as well as
silent and live auctions. For more
information and reservations, visit
DowntownHays.com or call (785)
621-4171.
who we are and who we serve,
monthly E-newsletter subscription
with up-to-date planning and tax
information, savvy living articles,
the latest on stocks, bonds and
interest rates, as well as a free
wills planner. For details, call (785)
621-5327 or e-mail Allen_Schmidt@
DSNWK.org.
Join the Tiger Gold on Friday
movement and become a TGOF
partner.
Simply sign
up at fhsu.
edu/tgof/
registration
and agree
to offer a
discount
or special
to any customer wearing gold
on Fridays. TGOF partners will
be promoted each week on the
FHSU campus and throughout the
community.
First Assured Mortgage welcomes
Ramie Wasinger to the team.
Wasinger joins Patrick Toepfer,
Stacy Toepfer, Robert Readle and
Randy Schmidtberger at the Eagle
Plaza location. Wasinger brings
30 years of banking and customer
service experience.
Developmental Services of
Northwest Kansas would like
you to visit its website, DSNWK.
giftlegacy.com. Here is what you
will find free of any charge or
commitment: Short instructional
videos on the basics of planning
your will, an online secure wills
planner, A two-minute video of
Backpacks for Kids Distribution
Day was Aug. 6 to 7 and to date
has provided 605 Ellis County
youth with new backpacks filled
with school supplies and hygiene
items to begin the upcoming school
year. First Call for Help thanks
the many businesses, community
organizations and churches for the
in-kind and monetary donations,
as well as hosting collection sites.
In the photo are members from
Nex-Tech Inc., Nex-Tech Wireless
and First Call for Help staff. From
left, Corrina Hudsonpillar, Tasha
Eichman, Laura Shoaff, Linda
Mills, Jenny Leiker and Becky
Howland.
“We offer great Internet , TV and
Phone service, at a great price. I truly
feel we are the best provider.”
here for you
Amy • Help Desk, Hays
nex-tech.com • 877-625-7872
• Convenient e-Billing and
bank payment options
• Affordable Leased Security Lighting
1-800-222-3121
www.mwenergy.com
To submit member news or sign up for Chamber event alerts, email hayscc@discoverhays.com.
4
Member News
providing door prizes to the 27th Annual Education
Appreciation on Sept. 15. Four lucky educators will
receive a $25 Chamber Cheque. Each is welcome to
use these small tokens of appreciation as they wish.
All at the foundation thank you for the hard work
and commitment in providing excellent education
to students. For those interested in learning how to
contribute to the USD 489 Foundation, see the inserted
information inside this newsletter.
More than 45 Hays Area Young Professionals (above)
attended the Defiance Brewing Co. Brewery Tour in July.
Along with the tour, co-owners Matt Bender and Dylan
Sultzer shared their entrepreneurial strategies for their
business.
Zach Woolf recently has joined the Hays Convention
and Visitors Bureau as its destination
marketing manager. After graduating from
Fort Hays State University in 2013 with
a bachelor’s degree in informatics and a
minor in entrepreneurship, Woolf worked
in Nex-Tech’s media department before
joining the CVB staff at the end of July.
Clean-Rite Janitorial Service & Supplies is proud to
announce team member Jake Craig has successfully
completed the class and certification for applied
microbial remediation through the Institute of
Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification. This
makes him certified to do mold remediation. For more
information about mold remediation, call (785) 6281945.
The USD 489 Foundation Board of Directors
sends best wishes to all of the area educators on a
successful school year. Furthermore, the foundation
is proud to partner with the Hays Area Chamber in
During the July HAYP Connection lunch, more than
30 members met with “tweeting troopers” Tod Hileman
and Ben Gardner. The troopers presented on how social
media, specifically Twitter, has engaged, informed and
positively affected the relationships of Kansans with
the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Sunflower Bank has raised $39,221.79 for Make-AWish Kansas. Sunflower customers and non-customers
alike helped by making donations to Make-A-Wish at
local Sunflower Bank branches. As
part of Sunflower Bank’s commitment
to supporting the communities they
serve, they partnered with local MakeA-Wish chapters from April 1 through
June 30 to raise funds and awareness
for this important cause. In addition to
supporting organizations like Make-A-Wish, Sunflower
team members also volunteer several thousand
hours of service each year in their communities. Visit
SunflowerBank.com or kansas.wish.org to learn more.
Switch now with the
phone and tablet
BuyBack Program!
Nex-Tech Wireless
4310 N Vine, Hays
785-621-3670
Nex-Tech Wireless • The Mall
2918 Vine St, Hays
785-639-1461
To submit member news or sign up for Chamber event alerts, email hayscc@discoverhays.com.
5
Chamber Programs
Ambassadors
5
TAKE
Kelly Ellner
Leiker,
Dean Ellner Inc.
Realtors
1. Tell us about your current position. I am a Realtor
and the managing broker at Dean Ellner Inc., Realtors.
We help people make their real estate dreams a reality,
whether residential or commercial.
2. Why do you feel it is important to be involved in the
Chamber Ambassador Program? My dad, Dean Ellner,
always told me how important the Chamber of Commerce
is and encouraged all of his office to be a part of it. He
always said he felt like being a Chamber member gave
us the license to do business in Hays. I love being an
ambassador, and I feel like we are the “welcoming arm” of
the Chamber. Being able to welcome a new business or a
new business person to our community keeps me informed
of everything that is going on in our community.
3. What is your favorite Ambassador memory? I
would say I treasure the memories of all Chamber and
Ambassador events and the friendships I have formed
with other ambassadors.
4. How long have you been serving as an Ambassador?
I have been an ambassador for 30 years. I have been a
Chamber member since 1992 and a Chamber Ambassador
since 1996.
5. What do you enjoy most about living or working in
the Hays community and surrounding area? I love Hays.
I was born and raised here. We are a friendly community
with good schools and a great place for someone to raise a
family.
Hays Area Young Professionals
ne
2 watch
Mike Crain,
Covenant
Builders
1. Tell us about your current position. I
am the director of sales and marketing at
Covenant Builders. Covenant
Builders is a home-builder
that specializes in highquality customized new
homes. I handle the majority
of our client relations, and
I am the person our clients
interact with on a weekly
basis for the duration of their
build.
2. Why is it important for you to be
involved in HAYP? As someone who is
relatively new to Hays (August 2014), HAYP
has been important for getting to know this
New HAYP Members
Welcome and congrats to our newest HAYP members:
• Jessica Younker, Hays USD 489
• Jill Moeder, Golden Belt Bank
community and my peers. It has been good
for networking and building friendships in
a place where I did not know anybody.
3. What other community activities are
you involved in? Hays Area Konza Club,
Leadership Club, Celebration Community
Church and Chamber Ambassadors.
4. What goals do you have for the
upcoming year? Sell homes, provide
clients with an excellent home-buying and
building experience, and grow as a person
and a professional.
5. What do you enjoy most about living or
working in the Hays community? I love the
people. This community is so friendly and
welcoming.
For a listing of upcoming events, visit the HAYP on Facebook at
facebook.com/HaypHaysAreaYoungProfessionals
HAYP’s September Organization of the Month
During September, HAYP will be collecting donations
for Project Suitcase, for kids who are in state custody or a
facility. These children are removed from their homes with
none of their personal belongings. A suitcase provides
them with hope. Each suitcase has a name tag, prayer
bear and a few goodies. Please consider contributing
cash, suitcases, duffle bags, shampoo, conditioner, soaps,
books, and luggage tags. Items can be dropped off at the
Chamber or to Ashley Allan at the Salvation Army, 203 E.
Seventh, Ste. A.
To submit member news or sign up for Chamber event alerts, email hayscc@discoverhays.com.
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Ribbon Cuttings
Chamber Chats
Brookdale Hays, 1801 E. 27th St.
(785) 628-1111 brookdale.com
The Buckle, The Mall at Hays
(785) 625-4624 buckle.com
Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main St.
(785) 628-9430
Good Samaritan Adult Day Services, 220 E. Eighth
(785) 621-4726 good-sam.com
Paint the Towne, 810 Main St.
(785) 432-6011 paintthetowne.com
The Salvation Army Red Shield, 203 E. Seventh St.
(785) 621-2794
The Paisley Pear, 1100 Main St.
(785) 621-4660 thepaisleypear.net
Membership Lunch
Program: FHSU Management Development Center
Sponsor: Sunflower Bank
Event Location: Rose Garden Banquet Hall
Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, 1701 Hall
(785) 625-6577 tmp-m.org
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September Calendar of Events
Monday
Labor Day,
Chamber office
closed
Tuesday
7
HAYP AC Meeting,
noon, WC
1
8
Wednesday Thursday
RC, 4 p.m.,
grand opening
at Impressions
Everlasting
(Centennial Plaza)
3
9
RC, 10 a.m.,
Megan Colson
Photography (1200
Main St.)
10
CC, 9 a.m.,
Smoky Hills Public
Television (3000
Sternberg Dr.)
11
17
CC, 9 a.m.,
Ashley Home Store
(2702 Vine)
AMB Monthly
Luncheon, noon,
Thirsty’s (2704 Vine)
18 HAYP Adult
HAYP Connection 15 RC, 2 p.m., grand
16
Lunch, noon, Smoky
opening at Golden
Hill Country Club
Griddle (230 W. Ninth)
Chamber BOD
Meeting, 3 p.m., WC
Education Appreciation,
5 p.m., Rose Garden
Banquet Hall)
21
BAH, 5 to 7 p.m.
22
Eagle Communications
Media Center (2300
Hall St.)
23
28
HAYP Happy Hour, 29
5 to 7 p.m., Golden Q
(809 Ash)
Ireland informational
meeting, 5:30 p.m.,
Golden Griddle (230 W.
9th St.)
RC, 10 a.m.,
30
Ameriprise Financial
Services (1105 E. 30th
Ste. A)
CC, 9 a.m., Hays Area
Children’s Center (94
Lewis Dr.)
AMB Team Captain
Meeting, noon, Cancun
Mexican Grill
Chamber Board of
Director’s App. is due.
4
Sat/Sun
2
14
Abbreviation Legend:
AMB = Ambassador
LH = Leadership Hays
BAH = Business After Hours
RC = Ribbon Cutting
CC = Chamber Chat
ML = Membership Lunch
HAYP = Hays Area Young Professionals
WC = Hays Welcome Center
Friday
Oktoberfest,
Hays Municipal Park,
Chamber office closed
12/13
FHSU
26/27
TailGreat, gates open
at 11 a.m.
Lewis Field
2
3/4
Executive Circle Chamber Members
For details, see your
weekly emails.
ENCLOSED FLYERS ARE NOT
ENDORSEMENTS OF THE HAYS AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THEY ARE
PAID ADVERTISEMENTS BY
CHAMBER MEMBERS.
19/20
Prom, 7:30 to 11 p.m.,
VFW (2106 Vine)
RC, TBD,
24 CC, 9 a.m.,
25
at CK Technologies
Al’s Chickenette
(2721 Canal Boulevard)
(700 Vine)
ML, noon, Smoky Hill
Country Club
1
5/6
“Thanks to these businesses for making the ultimate investment!”