WEEKLY CALENDAR

TEMPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONDAY MORNING UPDATE – JULY 20, 2009 YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS This Edition Sponsored By Express Employment Professionals 8100 South Priest Drive, Suite 104, Tempe, Arizona 85284 Erin Jagodzinski, Branch Manager erin.jagodzinski@expresspros.com Phone (480) 413-1200 Fax (480) 413-1359 www.expresspros.com Sponsor the Monday Morning Update newsletter and see your name here! CONTENTS Weekly Calendar Monthly Events Chamber News Community News Chamber Benefits Member Spotlight Member Offers Charitable Chamber Committee Corner Member Resources WEEKLY CALENDAR Tuesday, July 21 Business Before Hours 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. SunWest Culinary Events Venue 8370 S. Kyrene Rd. #107 Wednesday, July 22 Business After Hours 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. La Bocca Urban Pizzeria 699 S. Mill Ave. #115 Thursday, July 23 Business Owners Forum 7:30 a.m. El Penasco Mexican Kitchen 19 E. Broadway at Mill Ave. MONTHLY EVENT CALENDAR July 21 - Business Before Hours 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. SunWest Culinary Events Venue 8370 S. Kyrene Rd. #107 Learn more or register July 22 - Business After Hours 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. La Bocca Urban Pizzeria 699 S. Mill Ave #115 Learn more or register July 23 - Business Owners Forum 7:30 a.m. El Penasco Mexican Kitchen 19 E. Broadway Learn more or register To view or print a calendar of our July events, click here CHAMBER NEWS AND EVENTS WHAT HAS YOU FIRED UP? LET US BE YOUR POLITICAL VOICE It is time consuming enough to run your business without worrying about how pending legislation might impact it. We recognize that your focus must be on adapting to daily challenges and positioning your company to succeed. The Tempe Chamber is the recognized voice at local, state and national levels and regularly takes positions on legislation affecting the business environment so that you can focus on the business of doing business. We would like to know what your most pressing concerns are as a business owner in Tempe so that we can most effectively represent you in legislative affairs. Please contact Catherine Mayorga at the Tempe Chamber at catherine@tempechamber.org and share your issues, thoughts and concerns so that we can continue our history of successful lobbying on behalf of the Tempe business community. SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE Every year hundreds of students start their school year off with inadequate school supplies. We ask you to please join our cause to help every student start their year with the necessary supplies and tools for success. On behalf of the Communities in Schools and its “Supplies 4 Students” program, the Tempe Chamber is lending a hand. We have a donation box set up in our lobby to allow you to easily help with this important and worthwhile project. Feel free to drop in from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or simply give your donation to any staff member at one of our events or meetings. The following items (in new, unwrapped condition) are needed by July 29th: backpacks, loose leaf paper, crayons (12-24 count box), spiral notebooks, markers, colored pencils, folders, glue, glue sticks, #2 pencils, children’s scissors, erasers, pens and rulers. Other needed items include: white, navy, or maroon polo t-shirts without logos in sizes 4 through adult large, navy or khaki pants/shorts/skirt in sizes 4 through adult large, socks, underwear, tennis shoes, personal care items like soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Thank you so much in advance for your support of this cause. USE MORE KEYWORDS, GAIN GREATER VISIBILITY Additional keywords may boost your visibility in our online database. If your company offers a variety of different products or services, you can be visible in searches for all of them. You can add additional keywords to your database listing through the Members Only section of our website. When you log in you can click on “Business Info” and enter the new information in the “Additional Keywords” area. This is another powerful, free opportunity that we offer our members to help you achieve success. TEMPE CHAMBER ON YELP We have created a Tempe Chamber profile on yelp.com to help promote the Tempe Chamber and by extension those members who choose to leave feedback on the site. Please feel free to visit and let us know how we’re doing! We’d very much appreciate your feedback to help grow our profile. Yelp is a website composed of real reviews by real people about products, services and businesses. It's free to use and is a major resource for establishing credibility, online presence and search engine recognition. It's a hybrid of social networking and user reviews, backed by profiles created by businesses about their company and services. Businesses that haven’t yet created their own profile should know that Yelp’s database of profiles automatically includes most businesses from the Yellow Pages. Individual companies have the opportunity to claim, modify and enhance their business profiles at no cost at www.yelp.com. EAST VALLEY BUSINESS EXPO REGISTRATION OPEN Registration is now open for the largest networking mixer and business-to-business event of the year, where 1,500 attendees are expected and more than 130 exhibitors will be on site. This event provides the networking opportunities and business-to-business contacts vital to grow your business. Online registration is open and booths are first-come, first-served. The East Valley Business Expo takes place on October 7, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center, 201 N. Center Street. Admission is free with a business card. Gift cards, door prizes and giveaways will be offered to attendees. Food and drinks will be on site. Please visit the official website to learn about the amazing opportunities the East Valley Business Expo offers you and your company. The Expo is a joint production of the Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa Chambers of Commerce. Questions can be directed to Expo Manager Sally Harrison at (480) 969-1307 x26 or sharrison@mesachamber.org. For complete information on the Expo or to register visit www.eastvalleybusinessexpo.com JOIN US ON INTERNATIONAL JOURNEYS THIS FALL Mission to China Join us on an incredible trip to China this October and enjoy amazing and unforgettable experiences visit as you visit ancient and modern sites. From the magnificence of the Great Wall to the lights of Shanghai, this incredible trip will delight the tourist in you while you learn about the Chinese business system. Two trips are available: Oct. 15 – 23 and Oct. 16 – 24. The cost is $1,799 per person, based on double-occupancy, and includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles, 5-star or 4-star hotel accommodations, a deluxe tour bus, English-speaking tour guides in each city, three full meals every day, fees for all attractions and any applicable taxes. As with last year’s trip, seating is limited and will sell out quickly. Registration ends on July 27 or when full. An invaluable pre-tour briefing for all participants will be held at which time we will answer all of your questions and familiarize you with details you will need to know. The trip is hosted by Citslinc, which has three decade’s worth of experience in the China tour business. Click here for complete details, to view a color flyer, or to print a registration form or call (480) 969-1207. Journey to Tuscany The Tempe Chamber in partnership with Terra Travel and Collette Vacations is offering the opportunity to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy. The ten-day trip includes visits to Rome, Assisi, the Basilica of St. Francis, Montecatini Terme Florence, San Gimignano, a Tuscan Feast and winery tour in Siena. The cost including airfare is $3,099 per person based on double occupancy. All information and a wonderfully detailed itinerary and agenda can be found by clicking here. For reservations or to request a flyer by mail or fax, contact the Tempe Chamber at (480) 9677891 or info@tempechamber.org. TEMPE CHAMBER PARTNERS WITH ASU ART MUSEUM TO BENEFIT BUSINESS COMMUNITY The Tempe Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the ASU Art Museum to bring an exciting opportunity to its membership. As part of its business outreach, the Chamber is offering the business community the chance to become involved in a groundbreaking new project that partners artists and local businesses to benefit both, while simultaneously engaging the community. Members of the Tempe Chamber are being invited to participate in advance of the general public to take advantage of a unique and rewarding marketing opportunity. The ASU Art Museum has announced plans for a forward-thinking exhibition that will allow artists to create site-specific works at various businesses throughout the community. The exhibition is planned for the spring of 2010 and will allow artists and their audience to explore businesses by interacting with their physical space and purpose. The works created for the exhibition will address the purpose of each business, with interrelated installations by each artist at both the individual business and ASU Art Museum. A goal of the project is to generate additional traffic to participating businesses and to reinforce the bonds and dialogue between the artists, Tempe community and the museum. To learn more about the project and how you can participate, please contact museum curator John Spiak at (480) 965-2787 or spiak@asu.edu. COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS TAKING CARE OF YOU WHILE YOU TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS “You take care of business. We take care of you. What you need, when you need it. Express Employment Professionals can help you manage adjustments in project work, changes in workflow, and recruiting challenges, all while matching the right people to your needs. From project-based hiring to evaluation and direct hire, we can find the best employee for you. So whether you are looking to fill a professional, administrative or light industrial commercial position, share your need with us and we'll take care of it. Better candidates, less paperwork for you. We follow our ISO quality assured processes for screening, matching, and hiring employees. We test, interview, and verify credentials before you ever meet a candidate from Express. Call the Express Experts at (480) 413-1200 or fax to (480) 413-1359 or email to erin.jagodzinski@expresspros.com” This edition of the Monday Morning Update is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals. To sponsor a future edition and see your name and information here, please contact Sean Donovan at (480) 736-4285 or email sean@tempechamber.org. Your sponsorship includes an editorial such as the one above, and your business prominently featured at the header of the newsletter. GOV. JAN BREWER TO PRESENT STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS In cooperation with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations presents the 6th Annual International State of the State featuring Gov. Jan Brewer on September 22 from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 East Missouri Avenue. The event highlights Arizona’s role in the global economy and how it impacts our local markets. A diverse group of individuals and organizations comes together for this event to learn how international trade enhance Arizona’s global footprint, underscoring the value that the community places on it. At the event the Governor will outline the state’s international goals, discuss critical business achievements and opportunities, review key global issues, and announce new international initiatives important to Arizona. Before Sept. 16 tickets are $45 for Tempe Chamber members and members of cooperating organizations or $55 for the general public. Registrations after Sept. 16 are an additional $10. For more information or to purchase tickets or table sponsorships, please visit www.pcfraz.org or call (602) 441-4967. CITY SIGN CODE CHANGES BENEFIT BUSINESS The Tempe City Council has passed changes to the sign code that allow businesses more flexibility with signage. Businesses now may have one significant event every six months. Each event will allow a business to display temporary signage for 21 cumulative days. Temporary, portable signs that direct people to apartment and condominium developments may increase to six square feet. Sale, lease and rent signs for commercial, industrial and multi-family developments may now be as large as 16 square feet. These changes are in effect for nine months. Visit http://tempe.gov/business/ for more information. CITY TAX AND LICENSE OFFICE TO MOVE The city’s Tax and License division will be closed on Aug. 7 for a move from its present location at the Centerpoint building, 660 S. Mill Ave., to the third floor of the city building at 525 S. Mill Ave. The division will reopen on Monday, Aug. 10. After the move, Tempe residents and businesses will be able to pay water and tax bills in the same building. The division, previously in a rented building, will operate from a city-owned one after the move. The location change is part of Tempe’s budget reduction efforts. After the move the division will have expanded business hours and will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (480) 350-2955. HELP TEMPE WIN $100K Tempe has been selected as one of 10 national finalists for the United States Tennis Association’s “Best Tennis Town” award and a $100,000 prize to expand after school tennis programs and provide free lessons to the Tempe community. You can help Tempe win by voting at www.BestTennisTown.com. Be sure to confirm your vote by responding to the confirmation follow-up email. METRO LIGHT RAIL EXTENDS WEEKEND HOURS Beginning in July, METRO will extend service hours on Friday nights/Saturday mornings and Saturday nights/Sunday mornings until past 2 a.m. The last full trip of the night will occur at 2 a.m., arriving at the opposite end of the line at 3 a.m. METRO will continue 20-minute service in this extended period. Please check in with the METRO website for updated information: http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/how_to_ride/. CITY CONSTRUCTION PERMITS PLAN CHECK SUBMITTALS 06/05/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 1140 S. Priest Dr. for Brookline College Declared Valuation: $250,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0431 06/10/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 1610 S. Priest Dr. for Ellison Machinery Declared Valuation: $442,900 Plan Check No.: PC09-0446 06/12/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 1255 W. Rio Salado Pkwy. for Riverside Spec Suite Declared Valuation: $420,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0452 06/23/09 – NEW STORE & FUEL FACILITY at 5240 S. Rural Rd. for Circle K Declared Valuation: $400,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0479 06/26/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 1050 W. Washington St., Ste 214, for Sunstate Builders Declared Valuation: $300,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0497 PERMITS ISSUED 06/02/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 2720 S. Hardy Dr. for Infincom Declared Valuation: $300,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0281 06/05/09 – NEW BUILDING at 600 E. Gilbert Dr. for Wilson Electric Declared Valuation: $859,100 Plan Check No.: PC09-0081 06/05/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 1310 W. Drivers Way for Supplemental Nutrition Tech Declared Valuation: $200,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0167 06/05/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 1255 W. Washington St. 1 Flr, for Sonora Quest Laboratories Declared Valuation: $361,500 Plan Check No.: PC09-0329 06/12/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 3225 S. Hardy Dr. for Pinnacle Education Declared Valuation: $310,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0316 06/17/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 1131 W. Warner Rd., Ste 107, for Broadcom Corporation Declared Valuation: $310,000 Plan Check No.: PC08-1205 06/17/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 8350 S. River Pkwy for Walgreens Mail Order Facility Declared Valuation: $2,700,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0273 06/18/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 1430 E. Baseline Rd. for Accel, Inc. Declared Valuation: $480,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0227 06/24/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 1255 W. Washington St., 2 Laboratories Declared Valuation: $300,500 Plan Check No.: PC09-0384 nd st Flr, for Sonora Quest 06/25/09 – NEW BUILDING & ADDITION at 9002 S. Hardy Dr. for United Rentals Shop Declared Valuation: $216,500 Plan Check No.: PC08-0988 06/26/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 1330 E. Dava Dr. for Kyrene Elementary School District Declared Valuation: $2,604,900 Plan Check No.: PC08-0840 06/26/09 – NEW BUILDING at 1406 W. University Dr. for Robo Wash Declared Valuation: $725,000 Plan Check No.: PC09-0214 PERMITS FINALLED 06/05/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 5705 S. Kyrene Rd. for Southwest Gas Tempe Solar Declared Valuation: $250,000 Plan Check No.: PC08-1076 06/18/09 – ADDITION/ALTERATION at 1835 E. Guadalupe Rd. for Fry’s Food & Drug Declared Valuation: $500,000 Plan Check No.: PC08-0997 06/29/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 2900 S. Diablo Way for Motorola Phoenix, Bldg A. Declared Valuation: $500,000 Plan Check No.: PC08-0133 06/30/09 – TENANT IMPROVEMENT at 2900 S. Diablo Way, Ste 101, for Motorola Phase III Declared Valuation: $750,000 Plan Check No.: PC08-0285 MADCAP THEATER HOSTS LIVE MUSIC All summer long, MACAP Theaters will feature live performances of rock, acoustic, hip hop, blues, jazz, and funk on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m. Madcap is located in the space once occupied by Harkins Centerpoint on Mill Ave. www.madcaptheaters.com YOUR INPUT SOUGHT ON PAPAGO PARK MASTER PLAN Your input is being sought to help develop a vision of the future of Papago Park. The cities of Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are conducting a series of public workshops to guide the park’s future. The plan will enhance natural, cultural, historic and archaeological resources, transportation, trail connections and wayfinding including ADA accessibility, environment and native habitats, renovation and restoration of structures and facilities, park activities and education and park sustainability. The project team is seeking input from the public in a final workshop on August 20. Online participation is permitted at www.discoverpapagopark.com. Please call (480) 391-6800 with any questions. EARN MORE THROUGH CITY BIDS AND PROPOSALS The City of Tempe regularly accepts bid and proposals on jobs, services and products. As a service to Tempe Chamber members, we list a selection of recent listings in this section. A complete list can be found at www.tempe.gov/purchasing/bids/. Bid solicitations can be obtained on this site or in person at the City of Tempe Procurement Office, 20 East Sixth Street, 2nd Floor. Among other items, the City of Tempe currently is seeking bids on cleaning and maintenance of catch basins, dry wells and storm drains, TCA water feature maintenance, tactical reconnaissance robots, wastewater sampling equipment, fire department vehicle maintenance and repair, sod and more. Maricopa Community Colleges also list bid opportunities on a regular basis. Among other items, it currently is seeking a radio audio management system, paper, plastinated cadavers and more. Visit http://www.maricopa.edu/purchasing/ for a complete list. IRS UPDATES AND TAX NEWS IRS Phoenix Office Has Moved The Phoenix IRS office has moved to 4041 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85012. The Taxpayer Assistance Center is located in Building A. Small Business Can Apply for ARC Loans Beginning June 15 Starting June 15, SBA will begin accepting loans for a temporary new program called America’s Recovery Capital. “ARC” loans of up to $35,000 are designed to provide a “bridge” for viable small businesses with immediate financial hardship – to keep their doors open until they get back on track. For information on SBA’s other Recovery Act programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/recovery/index.html. Law Offers Special Tax Breaks for Small Business The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) created, extended or expanded a variety of business tax deductions and credits. Because some of these changes are only available this year, eligible businesses only have a few months to take action and save on their taxes. See http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=208318,00.html for a full summary of the key provisions. New service lets employers verify Social Security numbers 24/7 Employers (and third parties acting on their behalf) can now verify employee Social Security numbers wage reporting purposes using an automated Telephone Number Employer Verification service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TNEV allows registered users to verify up to 10 employee names and SSNs at one time - without having to speak to a Social Security representative. Employees, Cell Phones and Taxes http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=209795,00.html IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman issued a statement regarding rules pertaining to employerprovided cell phones. Secretary Geithner and the Commissioner have asked that Congress act to make clear that there will be no tax consequence to employers or employees for personal use of work-related devices such as cell phones provided by employers. Special Tax Break on New Car Purchases Available in States With No Sales Tax http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=209624,00.html A tax break for the purchase of new motor vehicles is available in states that do not have a state sales tax. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, taxpayers who buy a new motor vehicle this year are entitled to deduct state or local sales or excise taxes paid on the purchase. CHAMBER BENEFITS MONDAY MORNING UPDATE SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE This newsletter is sent via email to more than 2,000 members of the Tempe Chamber community and shared through internal distribution with many more. For an investment of $100 per edition your company logo, name and contact information will be positioned at the top of the newsletter with a “Sponsored by” tagline above it. Sponsors also will receive a 100-word text ad or offer of their choice at the top of the “Community News” segment. Your company name and website address will also be listed in the broadcast email announcing the new Monday Morning Update, as well as through Twitter in an announcement that Monday. This is a great way to gain visibility and recognition for a minimal expense. Contact Sean Donovan at (480) 736-4285 or sean@tempechamber.org to learn more or secure your spot. PARTNER WITH THE TEMPE CHAMBER AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS In tough times it is vital to build a stronger and wider awareness of your business. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through “Face Time” with potential customers and clients. The Tempe Chamber has some powerful ways to help you accomplish this goal at one of our many programs and events. By sponsoring an event, your name recognition grows exponentially along with your sales and influence. Attaching your company’s name and logo to one of our signature events shows community involvement and presence that is instantly recognizable. Our website has a yearly event calendar with a full-color “Face Time” sponsorship packet designed to meet the needs of any member. Are you trying to build more awareness of your business? What you need is “Face Time” with other potential customers. The Tempe Chamber has some powerful ways to accomplish this through our many programs and events. Click here for some great ideas! Members can promote their businesses with a donation to an event’s silent auction. All auction donors will have their business recognized at the event and also will have the opportunity to include flyers, brochures and business cards with the donation of a complete auction basket. Contact Sean Donovan at sean@tempechamber.org to learn more. Promote your company with a door prize at our mixers and networking events. During the events, we recognize by name each member who brings a door prize. It’s a great way to generate good feelings towards your business and to drive clients to your door. Simply bring a gift when you attend and we’ll handle the rest. Reach out to new members through our new member goodie bag. At our New Member Briefings we give each attendee a welcome gift bag which contains information and items to give them a jump start in the Chamber. You can contribute to these bags to both promote your company and to give a warm welcome to your newest colleagues. Contact Renee Lopata at renee@tempechamber.org to participate. MEMBER PERKS Online Renewal As you and your businesses have to work harder and harder every day to succeed, your time becomes more and more valuable. We’re pleased to offer simple and quick membership renewals on-line in the Members Only section of our website at www.tempechamber.org. If you have any questions or need your username and password please contact Magdalena Warecka at (480) 736-4281 or magdalena@tempechamber.org. Logo Use Members of the Tempe Chamber are able use our official logo on letterhead, business cards, websites or other published materials to show this important affiliation. Studies prove that Chamber membership boosts customer confidence and response. For guidelines and regulations for using the Tempe Chamber logo, click here. If you’d like to further show your audience your connection with us, please feel free to link to our website at www.tempechamber.org on your site, or through an embedded hyperlink when using our logo. Monthly Payment Plan In challenging times we want to ensure that you continue receiving the benefits of Chamber membership. We now offer an automatic monthly payment plan. It’s easy, it’s fast and it’s secure! For further details, please contact Magdalena Warecka at (480) 736-4281 or magdalena@tempechamber.org. Bring a Guest, Win a Prize Bring a friend or colleague with you to a Chamber event and introduce them to the wonderful opportunities that membership offers. Any member who brings a non-member guest to one of our events will be entered for a drawing for a grand prize each month! Events included in this promotion are Business Before Hours, Business After Hours, Networking @ Noon and Hot Topics & Lunch. Please introduce us to your guest and mention this offer at the event’s registration table to have your name entered. Testify and be Recognized How would you like to be promoted in every email that is sent from the Tempe Chamber? In the signature line in each email from the Tempe Chamber staff there’s a testimonial from one of our members. We’re letting everyone we talk to know how beneficial membership is, and we’d like to ask you for your assistance in helping us. Each week we add a new testimonial of between 50 to 100 words showing how chamber membership has benefitted our members and/or their businesses. We'd love to hear yours! Your name and business name will be in the byline of the testimonial so that we can also promote you in the thousands of emails we send weekly. Simply email sean@tempechamber.org with your testimonial and we'll take it from there. WEBSITE OFFERS POLITICAL RESOURCE An integral feature of our website is the Political Resources area featuring the “Tempe Votes!” section of our site, where we bring the best political news and resources right to you. The Tempe Chamber is the recognized voice at state and national levels and regularly takes positions on legislation affecting the business environment. We inform the public and our membership about the most important political issues impacting the business community. This section of our site will provide you with the tools you need to become informed and active at a political level. Click here for more information and to see how you can get involved! MEMBER SPOTLIGHT WOW Green has changed its name to Green Lean Ideas LLC. The Dhaba restaurant at India Plaza, 1874 E. Apache Blvd. has won the Arizona Republic’s readers choice award for "best indian food". It celebrated its one-year anniversary on June 28. Several Tempe Chamber members were listed among the 25 Most Admired CEOs named by the Business Journal on June 12. They are J. Doug Pruitt, Sundt Construction; Doug Parker, US Airways; Todd Davis, Lifelock; Richard Silverman, Salt River Project; Mike Ahearn, First Solar; Steve Betts, SunCor; Rick Simonetta from Metro Rail; Don Smith from SCF; Rich Boals of Blue Cross Blue Shield and Susan Frank of Desert Schools Credit Union. Sun Sounds of Arizona received top “Program of the Year” honors at the International Association of Audio Information Services Conference for three of its programs: Love Letters, Community Calendar and Poetry Readings Blended with Music. The awards recognize quality programming and technical achievement among more than 100 reading services world-wide. The American Business Women's Association’s Tempe Charter Chapter is holding its first annual Fellowship Day on July 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event takes place at 458 N. Jackson in Gilbert Contact Marleen Stewart for details at (480) 619-3300. Heidi's Events and Catering has received an award for "Best Arizona Caterer for Intimate Events Under 150 Guests" by Arizona Bride Magazine. Do you want to see your company name here? Simply contact Sean Donovan with newsworthy information to have it added to our Member Spotlight. Email sean@tempechamber.org. MEMBER OFFERS This section of the Monday Morning Update is designed to allow Tempe Chamber members to share their discounts or special offers with each other and with the extended community who may be forwarded this newsletter. Offers will run for one month before being automatically removed. To submit or renew your offer, please email sean@tempechamber.org Famous Dave’s BBQ is offering a 12-piece order of wings to all members. Stop by its Mesa Riverview location and mention your membership and the wings are free with a $15 purchase. Special Moments Catering & Events at 1845 E. Baseline is offering free use of a meeting space with complimentary coffee service for up to 12 people on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Breakfast or lunch are available for purchase as well. Please call Michelle or Brad at (480) 730-1114 for more information. The Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel/Tempe at 1600 S. 52nd St. is offering a free night’s stay as part of the “Give a Day, Get a Night” program. Volunteers who can donate a minimum of eight hours time of community service between July 1 and Dec. 20 will be given the free stay. Volunteers must provide a letter on a non-profit organization’s letterhead verifying that they completed at least eight hours of community service at a 501c3 organization. Visit www.giveadaygetanight.com for details or contact the Sheraton at (480) 967-6600. Heritage Graphics is offering the chance to win a $100 gift card for every quote on a new print th th project submitted through September 11 . Winners will be chosen on the 14 of each month. Send quote requests to Pat Marco at pat@heritagegraphics.com or call (480) 837-4849. Quality Suites near Old Town Scottsdale and Tempe is offering rooms for $37.99 plus tax th through September 10 . The offer includes a continental breakfast and free internet and is valid for up to 4 people per room. Call (480) 947-3711 to RSVP. Alpha Card offers a 30% discount on all credit card processing equipment to all members and a free analysis of your current credit card processing. The company also is holding a free workshop on Aug. 8 for members and their guests on how to cut the costs of doing business. Contact Jon Stevens at (480) 966-5552 or jstevens@alphacardaz.com for more information. Sun Devil Trophy, Inc. is offering a 20% discount to members on employee recognition awards, including glass, acrylic and engraved trophies and plaques through August. Contact scott@sundeviltrophy.com for more information. Aloft Tempe is offering a special $69 room rate for Chamber members through Aug. 31, available any day of the week. Its W xyz bar also features a corporate happy hour for members with half price appetizers and drinks from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Aloft is located at 951 East Playa Del Norte in Tempe and can be reached at (480) 621-3300. The Hilton Phoenix Chandler is offering free meeting space throughout the summer. The new hotel features 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, 197 guest rooms, lobby bar, and full service restaurant. It is located adjacent to Chandler Fashion Center on Frye Road, at the junctions of the Loop 202 and 101. Contact (480) 899-7400 for more information. State Farm agent Judy Aguilar-Woertz is offering Tempe Chamber members the free use of an eight-person conference room at Warner and Priest on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To reserve the room please call (480) 598-0544. Contractors Inc. d/b/a Infinite Electricity is offering 25% off basic install labor for any residential solar energy system or 15% off basic install labor for any commercial solar energy systems through the end of September. Contact (480) 251.8457 or www.infinite-electricity.com for more information. Bob Reichard and Lauran Bramnick of Dreim will are offering members free admission to the “Understanding Loan Modifications, Foreclosures and Short Sales” class. Attendees will learn processes, options, bankruptcy, rules for investors, pending legislation and issues for landlords. The class is held three times per month. Call (480) 306-8404 for more details or to RSVP. Heidi’s Events and Catering is offering 50% off wedding packages at Le Petite Maison for ceremonies held in July and August. The package for up to 70 people is $3,500 on Saturdays or $3,000 weekdays and includes the venue, officiant, ceremony set up with arch or columns, aisle runner, chairs, hors d’ oeuvres, plated dinner or buffet, wedding cake, service staff and more. For complete details or to book your date contact (480) 491-5254 or visit www.heidisevents.com. Serantoni Photography is offering 20% off its Studio #1 wedding photography package including six hours of time by two photographers, 120 color-corrected printed photos, an archival CD folio, and online ordering convenience. Package cost with discount is $720. Additions options include custom albums, engagement sessions and more. Visit www.SerantoniPhotography.com to view a portfolio or call (480) 396-5325to learn more or to schedule a free consultation. Collins College is offering graphic design workshops on Illustrator (July 10, 17, 24), Photoshop (July 31, Aug. 7, 14) and Flash (Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9) for $295 per class. Contact (480) 446-1217 or hgelman@collinscollege.edu for more information or to RSVP. The Web Hosting Goods Store is offering a free domain name plus web hosting for one year with any new website design. Contact Woody at (480) 284-0411 to discuss your website design ideas. Visit http://www.webhostinggoods.com to learn more. The Hilton Chandler on Frye Rd. is offering a “Christmas in July” special that includes weekends in July (Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights) for $79 with breakfast for two. Weekdays in July (Monday-Thursday) are $109 with breakfast for two. For reservations call Nicole at (480) 8997400 x4912 or email Nicole.proulx@hilton.com The Gainey Suites Hotel is offering a Summer Getaway Package through mid-Septemer that includes an extra night free when staying two or three nights. Rooms start at $109 and include a free breakfast, evening reception, wi-fi, and much more. Tour the hotel here. CHARITABLE CHAMBER This section contains ways that you can assist with charitable causes in the community. If you are a Tempe Chamber charitable organization in need of help or if your company is hosting a food drive or other similar charitable event, please contact Sean Donovan at sean@tempechamber.org to be included here. The Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel/Tempe at 1600 S. 52nd St. is offering a free night’s stay as part of the “Give a Day, Get a Night” program. Volunteers who can donate a minimum of eight hours time of community service between July 1 and Dec. 20 will be given the free stay. Volunteers must provide a letter on a non-profit organization’s letterhead verifying that they completed at least eight hours of community service at a 501c3 organization. Visit www.giveadaygetanight.com for details or contact the Sheraton at (480) 967-6600. The Tempe Community Foundation, a permanent endowment fund working in cooperation with the Tempe Community Council, has provided six nonprofit organizations in Tempe with more than $1,200 each in grants. The nonprofits receiving funding were: A New Leaf: Men’s Shelter, NewTown Community Development Corporation, Tempe Salvation Army, The ARC of Tempe, The Centers for Habilitation/TCH and Tumbleweed Youth. The grant funding was provided from the endowment’s interest, which is distributed once a year to human service agencies applying for City of Tempe financial support. Westchester Campus of Care is seeking supporters for its Fall Into Giving Gala on November 6. The event aims to raise funds to procure new therapy equipment for its physical, occupational and speech therapy departments. All proceeds from the Gala will go toward restoring independence, increasing strength and endurance and improving self esteem of its residents. Silent auction items and gifts are needed. The facility is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all gifts are tax deductible. Contact Bonnie Ewen at (480) 305-7276 for more information. United Food Bank is running its Christmas in July food drive. United Food Bank also is making it easier for people to help those in need with its Virtual Food Drive opportunity. Visit www.unitedfoodbank.org and click on Food Drive to visit a virtual grocery store complete with shopping cart. COMMITTEES The Tempe Chamber has a variety of committees which are open to all members. Many of the Chamber’s successful programs are a direct result of the efforts of its volunteer committees. In turn, the Tempe business community benefits from these various projects. Whether it’s your expertise, products, services, or dollars, consider being a partner on a committee. Please visit our website and look under “Committees” in the “About the Chamber” menu for full details on all of our committees and how you can participate. Every week we will feature a different committee in this Committee Corner. Click here to learn about all of our committees. Please click here to request more information about joining a particular committee. MEMBER RESOURCES Chamber Services Tempe Chamber Logo Use Members of the Tempe Chamber are able use our official logo on letterhead, business cards, websites or other published materials to show this important affiliation. Studies prove that Chamber membership boosts customer confidence and response. For guidelines and regulations for using the Tempe Chamber logo, click here. Tempe Chamber Website Our website offers the opportunity to make the most of our resources when and where it’s convenient for you. Please visit www.tempechamber.org to discover the many ways that you can benefit for the site’s new features. Chamber members also have their businesses listed in the site’s online directory, generating business and referrals on a daily basis. Lobby Brochures As a benefit to all Tempe Chamber members, promotional brochures and printed material for your business may be displayed in our lobby free of charge. Members may bring these items to our office to have them distributed. SCORE Representative for Chamber Members The Tempe Chamber offers the complimentary services of an East Valley SCORE representative. SCORE is the Service Corps Of Retired Executives and is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. Please call (480) 967-7891 to make your appointment. The Business Advocate Advertising Our monthly newsletter is one of our most effective and valuable resources to reach the business community and public. Full color ads can be secured for as little as $200. For information on how you can advertise or to secure a spot in an upcoming issue contact Sean Donovan at sean@tempechamber.org or (480) 736-4285. Programs and Discounts ASU Gammage Discounts ASU Gammage is offering Tempe Chamber members discounted tickets to all of its Broadway shows. Enter the password “tourism” at www.eventusher.com to purchase tickets to the 09-10 season shows in advance of the public. Contact Jennifer Gadek with any questions at (480) 9658969. OfficeMax Discount Card OfficeMax has made their Retail Connect Card available to all members in a printable PDF format. It provides a discount on office supplies and printing services at any of their nearly 900 retail locations. If you would like a copy of the PDF complete with discount card, please email sean@tempechamber.org. METRO Light Rail METRO, the Valley's new light rail transit system, is offering a free Metro Max card for discounts and special offers from participating businesses along the Metro route. For more information about the card or light rail news, contact Metro at (602) 254-7245. Fair and Legal Employment Act Webinars The Tempe Chamber in co-operation with the Arizona Chamber and Dept. of Homeland Security offers free monthly webinars on the Fair and Legal Employment Act (House Bill 2779) and how to use the Basic Pilot Program to verify employment eligibility and comply with the law. Email info@azchamber.com to R.S.V.P. and receive log-in instructions. The webinars are held each Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Free Employment Seminars Each Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Tempe Public Library at Rural and Southern offers instruction on job placement including finding current job openings, using Microsoft Word to build a résumé, attaching a résumé to an email, and navigating online job applications. For more information, contact Tracy Hokaj at (480) 350-5507 or tracy_hokaj@tempe.gov. Business Boosters Sky Harbor Business Opportunities Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has unveiled a website feature to provide information about its development plan and the construction and capital improvement projects related to it. The site allows companies to find design and construction business opportunities, contact information, and details on doing business with the City of Phoenix and its prime contractors. Visit www.phxskyharbor.com and click on Jobs and Business for detailed information about dates, times and locations of educational workshops, trainings and seminars related to design and construction business opportunities at the airport. List Your Business Free on RailLife.com As an added free bonus to Tempe Chamber members located along the Light Rail route, Rail Life will visit your business, take a photo, add you to its website and mention you on its blog. To submit your business, look for the "Add Your Business to Rail Life" link at www.RailLife.com. Once your business has been submitted, contact Nick at Rail Life at (602) 527-6425. Free Business Counseling The Arizona Small Business Development Centers provide free, one-on-one counseling designed to find practical solutions to business problems. An SBDC business advisor can maneuver you around the obstacles to your success. Through direct counseling, it provides a incredible range of management and technical assistance services. Visit www.azsbdc.net or call Deputy State Director Teri Williams at (480)731-8729 for more information or to arrange your free counseling session. Free Press The Arizona Republic wants to hear from local business owners who are interested in writing articles about their company for publication in the paper's News By You section in both the print and online editions. Email tempe@arizonarepublic.com to learn more. Azcentral.com also accepts listings of special offers from businesses for its “Deals” page. Contact Dianne Ross at dianneross15@cox.net to learn more or submit your offer. Free TV Coverage If your business has a great story to tell, ABC 15 wants to hear it. This resource represents a great opportunity to make a pitch and perhaps secure an incredibly valuable promotion for your business. Contact Assignment Editor Danell Gallardo at dgallardo@abc15.com or (602) 6856349. ASU ApplicantSearch Arizona State University offers ASUAA ApplicantSearch, a service designed to help match employers with ASU alumni. Employers may request and receive a free login at http://asumalumni.applicantsearch.com/employers/signup Maricopa County Business Services Maricopa Workforce Connections is a county program that helps businesses secure qualified staff, teaches methods of training current employees to use new industry technology and provides layoff aversion resources and transition strategies. To learn more, contact the Business Services team at (602) 506 WORK or visit www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com/business/businessservices.asp City Information Bids and RFP Opportunities The City of Tempe Procurement Office invites all vendors to obtain purchase orders and contracts with the city. Log on to www.tempe.gov/purchasing to access available solicitations or bidder registration forms. You may also call (480) 350-8234 for information not available on the website. Maricopa Community Colleges also list bid opportunities on a regular basis. Visit http://www.maricopa.edu/purchasing/ for a current list. City Recycling Program The City of Tempe's recycling program is one of the best in the state, recycling more than 15,000 tons of material each year. Do your part for the environment and your community by recycling whenever possible. For a complete list of acceptable items visit http://www.tempe.gov/recycling. City Social Services for Small Businesses City of Tempe Social Services can provide low cost counseling to Tempe residents. If you are a small business in need of these services for your employees, please contact Tempe Counseling Services for eligibility at (480) 350-5400. City of Tempe Community Development Update The Community Development Department's Weekly Update provides the latest information on development, job attraction, housing, business and neighborhood enhancement. Check out this week's newsletter at www.tempe.gov/comdev/WeeklyUpdate.html City of Tempe Graffiti Removal Graffiti on public property can be reported to the city's hotline at (480) 350-8384 or online at www.tempe.gov/graffiti. The city's Street Maintenance division will usually have the offending graffiti painted over within 24 hours. Property owners are required by city code to paint over graffiti on their grounds within ten days.