Celebrating 15 Years In The Community!

Serving Over 290 Businesses & Organizations In The Area

Josh Torres

The Chamber ended the year with 120 members in attendance at the Annual Membership meeting hosted by Lial Catholic School on December 8th. The theme of this year's meeting was Mission Possible: Anything is possible for your business if you put your mind to it and use the tools and knowledge the Chamber has to offer its members.  The meeting agenda included the induction of new board members, our financial report which showed a 270% increase in net income in 2010 of $25,211.95 along with a 223% increase in membership from 130 members in 2009 to 290 members ending fiscal year 2010.  Looking forward this year, we are forecasting a net income of $30,010 and an increase in membership to between 325 and 350 members. 

We also presented our 2011 Program of Work that outlines our agenda along with our initiatives and task force member assignments.  We honored Debbie Kuck for her outstanding community service to the Chamber since 1996 as well as Cindy Gusky and Hope United Methodist Church for their Wednesday Community Luncheon's. 

The focus of the meeting was our Main Street Marketing Program, an instant marketing plan for any style of business which includes over 75 marketing and promotional tools to help you accelerate your branding efforts. It is all about branding your business and yourself by utilizing the free and affordable tools that the Chamber has invested in to assist you in taking your business to the next level. All of these documents are available in the backoffice of your member log-in area on the Chamber's website.  I have attached some of these documents with today's newsletter.  This year the Chamber will celebrate its 15 year anniverary and its top priority is the restoration and revitalization of our Downtown district along with a major emphasis on developing a Business Grant program for all Whitehouse businesses.

Today it is the Chamber of Commerce who can provide everything a business owner needs to get their business properly positioned locally online WITHOUT any of the frustration. With a unique combination of the Chamber of Commerce’s reputation, terrific online automation, Chamber Search Engine and our Free Members Support program, some amazing things can happen in a community that's served by a progressive Chamber of Commerce. Are you looking for ways to solve big issues and improve commerce?  I encourage and welcome all members to contact me to set up an appointment to explore all of the benefits that your Chamber membership has to offer as well as get your business noticed with our Main Street Marketing Program.  You may contact me at the Chamber office at 419-877-2747 to schedule a meeting to start making positive changes that will help your business grow and prosper.  ---Josh

The 2011 Board of Directors was inducted at the Annual Membership Meeting on December 8th at Lial Catholic School.  Josh Torres is the only salaried employee, serving as the President/CEO with the responsibility for the daily operations and management of the Chamber. Vice President Matt Padgett, whose primary focus in on membership management and retention is the Chairman of the Ambassadors Task Force.  Raymond Huston will serve as Secretary and Zac Bartko remains the Treasurer.  The trustees include: Darrel Limes, Tracy Hayes, Joe Urenovitch, Carole Conner, Chris Ruby, and Jyamme Torres.  The Board of Directors will have regular meetings and they are open to all members to attend.  The dates for this year's meetings are as follows:Feb.10, April 14 ,June 2 , August 11, October 13, and November 10 with the meetings taking place from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Chamber office.  For complete information along with biographies on all of the Board members please visit:whitehouseohiochamber.com/board-of-directors.htm.

The Mirror Newspaper Chamber Member Benefit

The Chamber has reserved a full page in The Mirror Newspaper on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. We will highlight two businesses each month, feature our ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, special events, as well a community events listing for the Whitehouse area.
We are offering our members a low-cost, high quality business card size ad for only $60 per week or $100 for two weeks, which includes design and layout of your ad. This full page business promotion layout will run in all 3 editions of The Mirror Newspaper and be delivered to 15,000 subscribers in Anthony Wayne, Maumee, and Holland-Springfield. There is NO contract required for members and you will pay The Mirror Newspaper directly and be responsible for paying their invoices to avoid being suspended from this very affordable marketing benefit.
Cost analysis:
15,000 subscribers at $60.00 per week=$0.004 per home or $0.003 per home when you run two weeks. There is no limit to how many times that you ad runs, you must adhere to these deadlines:

Publish Date Deadlines For Ad Copy
1st Thursday of the month 4th Friday of the month
3rd Thursday of the month 2nd Friday of the month

Want to participate?  Contact Josh at the Chamber office at 419-877-2747 or via email at jtorres@whitehouseohchamber.com.  The deadline for artwork and ads for the January 20th paper is Friday, January 14th.

1099 Compliance & New Tax Laws/Issues for 2011

Chamber Learn @ Lunch

Thursday, January 20th 11:30am-1:00pm  The Whitehouse Inn 

On January 1, 2010 several federal mandates became effective that directly impact how you run your business. If you own a business, are self employed, farm or own rental property, the Health Care Reform Act dictates an increase in the number of 1099’s that you must issue at the end of 2011. In addition, you could be responsible for back up withholding for payments made for GOODS & Services in 2011. Are you ready for these changes. Louann Artiaga of Spring Valley Business Solutions will discuss federal mandates related to 1099 compliance as well as other recent tax issues effecting business. 

The cost is $10 per Chamber member when you register online or by calling the Chamber office (419-877-2747) and  $13 at the door for Chamber members and non-members.  We must have reservations ahead of time to keep our costs down with these lunch buffet's.  You may register online at:www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php.

Tuesday, January 18th from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Anthony Wayne 24-Hour Fitness     6655 Providence Street-Whitehouse       Come and see what AW 24-Hour Fitness is all about and enjoy making connections and networking with other Chamber members.  Refreshments and drinks will be provided.

100-day Community Health & Wellness Challenge

FIT WHITEHOUSE is a 100 day health and wellness challenge sponsored by The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Task Force along with these sponsors: AW 24 Hour Fitness, AW Physical Therapy, Subway®-Whitehouse, Satori Martial Arts & Wellness Center, Fallen Timbers Chiropractic, La Te Da Salon & Spa, & On The Beach Tanning.
There is a prize pack worth $500 from these presenting sponsors in each division of this challenge.
There is a Men’s division and a Women’s division for this challenge.

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The Whitehouse and Waterville Chambers of Commerce will present The Anthony Wayne Business Expo in conjunction with the Anthony Wayne Spirit of Giving's Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser during the AW vs. Perrysburg Girls basketball game.  The event will take place on Friday, February 18 from 4:30-8:00 p.m. at the Anthony Wayne High School Auxiliary Gym with full access for the public to attend this event. Unlike last year, this year the Chamber has confirmed with the school district that ALL doors will be open into the Business Expo with an expected 500+ people to attend.  The Chamber is accepting registrations for the Business Expo for interested businesses, groups, and organizations interested in promoting their products and or services at a booth. The cost to register is $20.00 per Chamber member per business and $50.00 for non-Chamber members with a deadline of February 1st for all participants. The cost covers advertising and includes 1 8ft.banquet table and 2 chairs for booth setup. For complete information and to register visit: www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php.