What's Up Wednesday? News You Should Know Now!
104 N. Howard Street

Promote your Business in the Classifieds Area of the Chamber's Website

I-Clips Coupon and Classified Ads

Who needs Groupon when you can post your coupons, classified ads, employment openings, or available rental properties without paying any fees!  Members only can promote their businesses by posting an ad in the newly developed classifiied section of the Chamber's website!

Posting your ad is easy!  Learn more about utilzing this resource by contacting the Chamber at 515-961-6269.
 

Chamber of Commerce Mobile App


 
Download the Chamber's Free Mobile App on your phone or tablet today to make sure you are in the know! 

Go to your Google Play or other App Store and search "Indianola Chamber of Commerce" Just download the app and start receiving all the benefits you deserve as a member!

This app is designed to connect our community and guests to our members!

 

Chamber Golf Open

It's a Play Date Not to Miss!

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Chamber's biggest fundraiser of the year!  The Chamber Golf Open will be held on June 3, 2015, at the Indianola Country Club. T-time is 9 a.m.! It will be an event you don't want to miss!

Cost is $100/golfer, the same as last year!  There are still sponsorship opportunities available.  View all of the golf sponsorship opportunities and more in the new Chamber Member Manual available online at www.indianolchamber.com.  
 
Register for the event and make your sponsorship selection online at: http://indianola.chamberofcommerce.me/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=INDI&evid=22262075

Contact the Chamber office at 515-961-6269 with questions!

Informed Employees are Happy Employees

Share your Chamber Membership Benefits with Employees

Maximize your Chamber benefits by sharing information with all of your employees who are interested in getting the Chamber's newsletters, action alerts, and other electronic communications issued by the Chamber. 

Send your list first name, last name, and email to whatsup@indianolachamber.com now!
 

Support the 2015 Iowa AAU 8th Grade State Volleyball Championship!

Simpson College volleyball is hosting the 2015 Iowa AAU 8th Grade Volleyball State Championship this coming Saturday, March 21st.  60 8th grade teams representing the entire state have registered for the tournament.   Tournament matches are scheduled at Simpson College, Indianola High School, and the Indianola Middle School/Blake Fieldhouse.  Pool play begins at 8:00 am followed by the championship single elimination finals with four divisions – Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Red-White-Blue.
 
700 players and coaches along with more than 1500 parents and fans will travel to Indianola for the Iowa AAU event. 
 
Following is a sample message which might be used on community video boards to welcome our teams to Indianola:
 
WELCOME
IOWA AAU
STATE VOLLEYBALL
PLAYERS AND FANS

Discounted Movie Tickets at Indianola Fridley Theatre

Member2Member Program

Make sure you stop in to the Chamber to get your discounted movie tickets! As a member, you can enjoy this benefit any time! Each ticket is $6

 

Chamber of Commerce Fundraiser

Ski in the Alps! Swim in the Tropics! YOU DECIDE!

Enter to win a travel voucher of $1,500! Purchase you raffle tickets by June 3, 2015, the close of Chamber's Golf Open for a chance to win this awesome trip!

The travel voucher may be redeemed for up to $1,500-you choose the destination! It must be redeemed by June 30, 2016, and travel must be purchased from Vacations by Paula.

Win a wonderful trip and support your community at the same time!

Calendar of Events

March 21- 2015 Iowa AAU 8th Grade State Volleyball Championships at Simpson College

March 26 - Morning Mingle at Warren County Abstract, 7:45 a.m. 

March 27- Greater Des Moines Partnership Lecture $20/pp; Register now, spots will fill up quickly!

April 4- Iowa Energy Chamber Night; Starts at 7 p.m.

April 23-Morning Mingle at Vintage Hills Cooperative; 7:45 a.m.

May 14- Morning Mingle at Accelerated Rehab; 7:45 a.m.

June 3- Chamber Golf Open
$100/pp; Register now at www.indianolachamber.com!

July 25- Open Air Market 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vendors must register by May 1 and all late registrants by June 15!


 

Best Slice of Pie in 2015!

Crouse Cafe entered their pies into the "Best Slice of 2015" contest through Travel Iowa and their cherry pie won! 

Travel Iowa went in search of the very best pies in Iowa, and to do so, they created a contest via Facebook to measure who's pie was the very best. Voting closed last week and the results showed that Crouse Cafe had the very best slice of pie! Make sure to stop in and congratulate them and then sit down for a slice of the best pie around! 

Morning Mingle Line-Up

Mark Your Calendar and Plan to Attend

Morning mingles are an excellent way to network and showcase your business!  Show your support for fellow business owners and plan to attend the following Morning Mingles, which all start at 7:45 a.m.

March 26 - Warren County Abstract, 215 W. Salem Ave.

April 23 - Vintage Hills Cooperative, 600 E. Hillcrest Ave.

May 14 - Accelerated Rehab, 1709 N. Jefferson, Ste 100
 

Todd's Shoes for Women Ribbon Cutting

Congratulations to Don and Sandy Streubing, who just celebrated their grand opening of Todd’s Shoes for Women in Indianola.  Don is no stranger to retail, starting when he was 17 years old.  He and his partner Todd Boy have successfully owned 18 shoe stores across the state including Todd’s Naturalizers, Todd’s Hush Puppy Shoes, and Todd’s Shoes for Women.  After Todd passed away last year, Don decided to down size a bit selling all but one store – Todd’s Naturalizer shoes in Valley West Mall.  What a great addition to our business community. Stop by and welcome Don and Sandy! They are truly excited to be a part of this community and really appreciate the enthusiasm and welcome that the community has offered. 

Don't Forget to Renew Your Membership Today!

Chamber Membership is a Good Business Strategy

Renew your Chamber membership today at: http://indianola.chamberofcommerce.me/members/evr/regmenu.php?orgcode=INDI.  

Nominations are in... VOTING STARTS MARCH 17!

Warren County Economic Development Business Excellence Award

Warren County Economic Development would like to thank you for your business excellence nominations.  Next step - VOTE!

The top three finalists in each category have been announced, with the online public voting period running from March 17, 2015 – April 3, 2015.
Go to the Warren County Economic Development web page to cast your vote today!

Winners will be announced at the awards event scheduled for April 9, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Kent Campus Center at Simpson College.  The event is free to attend but reservations are required.  Contact Rachel Gocken today to make your reservation to attend this this very special event at rgocken@wcedc.com or (515) 961-1067.

The top three finalists for each category are as follows:

Business of the Year: City State Bank, James Oil Company, Cemen Tech
New Business of the Year: Amore Pet Boutique, O'Leary Celebration of Life Center, Rudolf Insurance Consultants
Top Business in a Community under 3,000 Population: Iowa Distilling Company, Milo Locker, William's Machine Shop
Woman-Owned Business of the Year: adorn, Beauty is...Aveda, Jack L. Anderson Auto Body
Employer of the Year: Westview Care Center, Cemen Tech, Downing Construction
Top Industrial/Manufacturing Business: Cemen Tech, Marble Works, Iowa Distilling Company
Most Innovative New Product or Service: Cemen Tech, Iowa Distilling Company, Create Alignment
Exporter Recognition: Does your business export product outside of the United States? Let us know as there will be special recognition given at the Warren County Awards Event.
Business Longevity Recognition: Please help us identify and recognize Warren County businesses that celebrated anniversary milestones in 2014. Tell us the business and the anniversary they celebrated (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 years, etc.).

Summerset Winery Upcoming Events!

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!!

Summerset Winery will be hosting several events and want to invite you to join the fun!

Watercolor Workshop
April 8-10, 2015

Jo Myers-Walker & Dianne Liepa will be bringing their talent to Summerset Winery for a 3 day works shop focusing on watercolor.  Registration is limited to the first 20 registrants. Check out all the details here!

Goddess Gathering
Friday April 27, 2015

A Goddess Gathering is a unique and intimate experience that brings women together for goddess-fare (wine and snacks!) and psychic readings. Bring your favorite goddess friends and join us for an evening of Wine and the Divine! Hosted by Amber Diehm Heuer, Owner and Spiritual & Intuitive Guide of Celebrate Your Path. Click here for more info! 
 

Upcoming Classes Available Through Your Clear Next Step

Member2Member Discount Available

Business experts at Your Clear Next Step are here to help local Indianola businesses! Classes featured in April include communication, leadership, and decision-making competencies to help you lead your organization into success this Spring! See upcoming learning opportunities below, and contact Your Clear Next Step  to receive a special discount for Indianola Chamber Members!  
 
Spring Leadership Series  Runs 8:30-11:30 every other Thursday for 5 sessions, starting 4/9/15
Do you have new or emerging leaders in your business? Help them form a foundation for leadership so they can help you grow a healthy, successful workforce! This is the perfect opportunity for leaders who need new skills or tools to lead changing employee teams or changing workforces, or to meet new customer demands. This interactive 5-part series is packed with a simple framework, a reusable model, and a ton of hands-on, practical application of today’s tried-and-true best practices to help lead your team and your organization to greater success in 2015.

Communication Essentials  April 28, 8:30am-4:30 p.m.
From communication styles, one-on-one communications, communicating effectively in difficult situations, email and written communication tips, giving direction, providing feedback, and presentation skills, this course is a comprehensive look at how to communicate more effectively.

Making Decisions that Stick  April 30, 1:00-4:00pm:
Make good decisions –even when you don’t have a lot of time or information. This careful look at decision-making offers a set of reusable tools to improve decision-making so you and your staff feel more confident in your business decision-making abilities.

Iowa Energy Chamber Night April 4th!

Enjoy chamber night with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Iowa Energy on Saturday, April 4, 2015!  This is an excellent way for regional chamber members to network and enjoy the Iowa Energy game together! Game time is 7 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Discounted tickets are $6 each.  Enjoy a pre-game event starting at 5:30 p.m. located in the Restaurant on the south end 3rd floor with 1/2 price appetizers.  At the pre-game warmup there will be a Surge Bobblehead giveaway, an Acrodunk halftime show, and $2 beer through the end of the first quarter. There’s also the opportunity  to win a tour of the Energy locker room prior to the game and a chance to win an autographed Iowa Energy basketball!  Purchase your tickets online at www.desmoinesmetro.com/events.


 


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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Protecting Children is Everyone's Business


Great childhoods, and healthy, productive futures, are undermined by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Research shows that children who experience abuse, neglect, and/or household dysfunction are at greater risk for poor health, learning and behavior outcomes. The greater number of adverse experiences a child is exposed to, the greater the risk of long-term negative consequences.

In the Iowa ACEs Study, one in five Iowa adults reported three or more ACEs growing up.    Fifteen percent of Iowans reported four or more ACEs -an ACE score that has been shown in many studies to be tied to a wide range of poor health outcomes such as heart disease, lung disease or clinical depression.   Here in Warren County, more than 40% of people surveyed reported two or more ACEs.  

Preventing ACEs leads to positive long-term outcomes for children and communities by helping children grow into more prosperous and productive adults.  We all have a role to play and  together we can help ensure that our community is the best place for children and families to thrive.  What can you do to help?
  • EDUCATE others about resources that prevent child abuse and what they can do to get involved
  • PARTICIPATE in local prevention efforts and help raise awareness about the importance of healthy childhoods
  • DONATE to organizations that support families and prevent child abuse
  • ADVOCATE  for legislation that positively impacts children and families in our state
 
To learn more, contact:
The Child Abuse Prevention Council of Warren County
PO Box 417, Indianola IA 50125
(515) 249-5130
www.cap.warren.ia.us

Get Off Auto Workshop

Hosted by MRogalla Photography

Mrogalla Photography will be hosting a Get Off Auto Workshop for two nights on March 24 & 25, 2015 from 5:30-8:30 each night or participate in the all-day workshop on Sunday March 29, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These events are photography workshops to teach you how to improve your images with your DSLR Camera.

Plan to learn are how to use your camera settings for any situation, how to use any available light source, techniques to create captivating images of your everyday life and much more!

For more information and to register, please visit www.mrogallaphotography.com/workshop.

Make sure to register as soon as possible, as space is limited!


 

Greater Des Moines Partnership Members Benefit from this Powerful Speaker

Leadership Breakfast Featuring Charlie Wittmack

As a member of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce you can participate in many of the awesome benefits offered by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.  Mark your calendars and plan to attend a state-wide luncheon featuring Charlie Wittmack, the man who climbed Everest! Join members the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Business and Industry, and the Urbandale Chamber for this inspirational event!

When: Friday, March 27, 2015 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Where: Hilton Garden Inn (8600 Northpark Drive)
Cost: $25/person-includes full breakfast meal

Register at www.uniquelyurbandale.com.  Hurry space is limited!
What's Up Wednesday - What's Up Wednesday? News You Should Know Now!