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Transcript of Sierra Vista Chamber Newsletter
Volume 2012, Issue 12
The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber December 2012
Volume 2012, Issue #12
“We Mean Business”
Chamber’s Annual Meeting to be held January 24th
If you’ve been wondering how the
Chamber has put your money to
work this past year, then the An-
nual Membership Meeting is the
place to find out.
Save the date now and plan to
attend this important event on
Thursday, January 24.
Once again, the meeting will take
place at the Windemere Hotel
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is the event where both the
Board of Directors chair, Dee Dee
Hoeft of Wells Fargo Home Mort-
gage, and Executive Director
Amanda Baillie will give annual
reports on how the Chamber
worked on behalf of the business
community in 2012.
It is important to the Chamber
that its members stay informed.
And while we send out details of
what we are doing on a regular
basis via our weekly email blasts,
monthly newsletter and social
media outlets, this event really
spells out how effective this or-
ganization has been over a 12
month period.
From helping the economy to
advocacy efforts, there is much
to report on.
We will also tell you about events
and programs we have planned
for the upcoming months in
2013.
This event, sponsored by SSVEC
and Rosemont Copper, also pro-
vides a great networking opportu-
nity as it is typically attended by
around 180 to 200 people.
The cost to attend will be $25 per
person, which includes lunch and
a copy of the annual report.
Look out for mailed invitations in
the coming weeks and more de-
t a i l s o n o u r w e b s i t e
www.sierravistachamber.org
An Update From
Executive
Director Amanda
Baillie
2
Member Spotlight
on Big Bird’s
Carpet Cleaning
3
A New Commu-
nications Director
3
Calendar of
Events
4
Events at a
Glance
5
General Word of
Mouth
SV Travel Survey
6
Member Page 7
Board of
Directors/
Chamber Staff
8
Sierra Suites to Host Fabulous Business at Twilight
“Hosting the Business at Twilight is a lot of work,
but we are having fun with it!” said Glen Cobb,
General Manager of Sierra Suites when asked
about this month’s Business at Twilight. Her enthu-
siasm was evident over the phone.
The event, themed “Christmas Around the World,”
is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Decem-
ber 13, and Glen and her staff, with help from Pam
Anderson at The Landmark Café, will serve selec-
tions of foods from the United States, Germany,
Italy, Australia and South America. There will be
three food selections and beverages that are rep-
resentative of each country. “We have terrific door
prizes, too!” said Glen, but when prompted for
more details, she said she wanted “an element of
surprise.”
This is your opportunity to mix and mingle with
other business people in the community in a re-
laxed and fun environment. Bring your best smile,
a pocket full of business cards and your appetite
to the Chamber’s Business at Twilight at Sierra
Suites,.
Here at the Chamber we be-
lieve communications are a key
component of running a suc-
cessful organization.
We also pride ourselves on
being informed on what is hap-
pening in our community. It
helps us to do the best job we
can, especially in dealing with
the calls we take daily on a
wide range of subjects.
The Chamber uses various
forms of communication to
reach our members and tell
them about upcoming events
and programs, as well as infor-
mation submitted to us by area
businesses and organizations.
We are conscious of the fact
that, in today’s modern world,
we are all overwhelmed with
information on a daily basis,
from telephone calls and texts
to emails and Facebook posts.
That is why we typically keep
member email correspondence
to once a week via our Wednes-
day morning blasts.
Occasionally we send out addi-
tional emails when we think the
event or information warrants indi-
vidual attention.
Once a month, we send you our
newsletter via mail and email, so
you can choose to read it in paper
form (my personal preference) or
on your electronic device.
The Chamber also advertises spe-
cial events in the Sierra Vista Her-
ald, as well as through local radio
stations Cherry Creek Radio and
KKYZ, and via television through
Cox.
Budget allowing, we try our best to
get the word out.
We know our members are busy
running their businesses, but we
do encourage you to take some
time to stay informed. You never
know how a new piece of informa-
tion could help you professionally
or personally.
Is there a workshop you could be
attending to help your company?
Is there a Chamber or community
event that offers an opportunity to
promote your business? Is a dead-
line approaching to sign up for a spe-
cial event or program? Is there a
chance to network with other busi-
ness people?
These are all topics that any busi-
ness owner or manager should stay
on top of to make the most of the
opportunities out there.
If you have not read our email blast
or newsletter lately, or checked out
our website, then take just a few
minutes to do so. You may be sur-
prised at the wealth of information
you will find.
And speaking of communications, I’d
like to welcome our new Communi-
cations Director, Margaret Dillard, to
the Chamber team.
Margaret has replaced David Elkins,
who did a great job improving this
department before moving on to a
new position in our community, and
brings a wealth of experience with
her.
Welcome Margaret!
Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie
“You never know
how a new piece of
information could
help you
professionally or
personally.”
Page 2 The Chamber Vista
Congratulation to the 54th Annual Christmas Light Parade Winners!
54th Annual Parade Winners! Cox Award-Best Overall: Clark Information Systems. Lawley Award-Excellence in presenting lights:
CerendipiTees. Chamber Award-Best Commercial: Lowes. Chairman's Award-Best Non-commercial: Gethsemane Church of
God. Judges' Award-Outstanding design: Buena High School Student Council. Honorable Mention: MV35 Concrete, LLC. and
Naco Border Patrol-Explorer Post.
Page 3 Volume 2012, Issue 12
Member Spotlight on Big Bird’s Carpet Cleaning
By Amanda Baillie
Executive Director
Michael Cecil is living proof that per-
severance can be a winner
when it comes to business.
Eighteen months ago the 32-
year-old launched himself into
the world of entrepreneurship
and started Big Bird’s Carpet
Cleaning and More.
Looking back, he admits his
biggest pitfall was starting a
business without being fully
prepared – a typical scenario
for many failing companies.
Michael, however, maintained
a ‘try again’ attitude and has
seen his enterprise flourish as a re-
sult. He now cleans for a loyal base
of clients, including area property
management companies and the
theatre at The Mall at Sierra Vista.
“If I had to give some advice to some-
one starting a business, I would tell
them to be prepared,” he said. “Be
prepared for the setbacks, because
not everything is going to go the way
you want it to. You also have to be
well rounded. You have to know mar-
keting, public relations and how to
network.”
Michael picked the cleaning business
because he figured it was a
“universal market” – his logic being
that everyone has flooring and uphol-
stery that needs to be cleaned.
While some may call his approach
naive, it’s one that has so far paid
off. He is now in the process of refur-
bishing a new cleaning unit to allow
him to bring on an employee and
spread the workload.
His ultimate goal is to expand his
company to include total home
maintenance, from carpet
cleaning and household chores
to landscaping and handyman
jobs.
He has already added house-
hold cleaning to the list, in ad-
dition to the carpet, tile and
furniture upholstery he began
with last year.
Michael is also proud to have
reached his 2012 sales goals
before the end of the year.
He credits his success to his
faith, but also believes his Chamber
membership has had a major influ-
ence.
“It’s been my biggest return on in-
vestment,” he said. “The Chamber
accounts for a huge chunk of my
business, thanks to the many refer-
rals I get. My membership is working
when I’m not.”
SVAC Staff Spotlight: Get to know SVAC’s new Communications Director
An independent busi-
nessperson in
Cochise County for
more than 20 years,
Margaret Dillard has
participated in the
evolution of commu-
nications technology. Starting out
as an advertising broker for print
and radio, she soon entered the ca-
ble television market and leased
and ran channels in three rural Ari-
zona communities. With that came
the production of both live televi-
sion programming and corporate
videos.
As the communications world
evolved to take advantage of the
internet, she began building and
managing websites and social me-
dia and email campaigns.
She also taught these various sub-
jects to other businesspeople
around the county in a variety of
classroom and office settings.
Many will remember a series of
social media classes that she and
her husband taught for Cochise
County Small Business Develop-
ment Center in 2010.
Born in Minnesota and raised in the
Midwest, Margaret has lived in
Arizona for more than 30 years.
She is married to Gary Dillard, a
local historian and mining industry
expert and has four grown children
and a nine-year-old grandson
named Zachary. She is currently
taking college classes to remain
state-of-the-art in the communica-
tions and marketing fields.
CLICK HERE! “Like” our Facebook page
Advertise to 600+ local businesses
for about 20 cents each! Business at Twilight
Hosted by:
Sierra Suites
“Christmas Around the World”
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Thursday, December 13, 2012
391 East Fry Boulevard
Food, Beverage and Decor from 5
Countries! Bring your business cards.
Mingle with other business people in
our community!
Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair
Sponsorship opportunities open to
Chamber members.
Booth space available for members
and non-members.
March 2nd, 2013
at the
Mall at Sierra Vista
More details coming soon!
Schedule of Events
13 Dec. - Sierra Suites Business at Twi-
light, 391 East Fry Boulevard, 5:00 p.m.
Save the Date
24 Jan. - SVAC Annual Membership
Meeting., Windemere Hotel
2 Mar.—Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair,
Mall at Sierra Vista
Don’t miss a networking or promo-
tional opportunity for your busi-
ness. Keep up to date on upcoming
events and programs by visiting the
Chamber’s website
www.sierravistachamber.org
Page 4 Newsletter Title
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 4 5
MAC 6 7 8
9 10 11
LAC
12 13
BAT
14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21
22
23/30 24/31 25 26 27 28 29
December 2012
Reach over 600 businesses in Sierra
Vista and surrounding communities
Take advantage of this member-only
benefit!
We insert and mail for you!
Super low advertising rates! Members
pay only $99. Executive Club Members
pay just $49.
SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on
8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight
(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)
paper.
JANUARY NEWSLERTTER DEADLINE:
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
NOTE: Insert space is limited and is pro-
vided on a first come, first serve basis.
For information, call the Chamber at 458-6940 or email:
Page 5 Volume 2012, Issue 12
Events at A Glance
For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events
Top row (l-r): Boys & Girls Club of Si-
erra Vista celebrates its new kitchen
installation, Sierra Vista Economic
Development Foundation’s new loca-
tion celebration, Delio’s Restaurant
grand re-opening.
2nd Row (l-r): Legacy Home Health-
care, Indochine Restaurant and Jer-
sey Girl Sunless Tanning all celebrate
their grand openings.
3rd Row: Business at Twilight, hosted
by Southwest Gas, and Horizon
Health Care Institute’s new location
ribbon cutting.
4th Row: Buena High School’s DECA
Club & Marketing Class celebrated
the grand opening of their Colts Cor-
ner store. And Santa & Mrs. Claus
stopped by Buffalo Corral BBQ after
flying in to the Sierra Vista ACE Hard-
ware parking lot.
Page 6 The Chamber Vista
Catholic Community Services is look-
ing for volunteers who would like to
help low income families in Sierra
Vista. The VITA program provides free
income tax preparation for low and
moderate income families and is
great need of volunteers tax prepar-
ers and site greeters to help carry out
this important work. No previous ex-
perience is needed, as free training
is provided to become IRS certified.
The training for the Cochise County
area will be held at Cochise College
in January. Classes will run from 9
AM until roughly 4 PM. Additional
training options are available online
for those who cannot attend, but who
still wish to volunteer. Please come
help us serve the working families of
Sierra Vista in this vital effort. For
more information or to register for
the training course, please call Eryka
at 520-458-2770.
1. Target the talkers. It is word of mouth,
after all, so you need to aim your efforts
at the people who like to talk about the
great products, services and businesses
they use.
2. Develop a pitch line that’s interesting
and easy for people to share. Ask your-
self, honestly, why a customer would
want to talk about you? Try not to think
like a marketing person. Boil it down to
one sentence. Maybe two.
3. Be amazing. If you want people to
spread the word about you, you have to
deliver something exceptional. Your
products and packaging — including your
store, office and website — should look
great. If you and your employees are ex-
cited and energized about what you do, it
will spread to your customers.
4. Put it in motion. You already have lots
of ways to do this. For example, your
business profile, website, newsletter,
brochure, emails and social media pages
should include “tell-a-friend” forms or
functions. Consider using postcard mail-
ings, coupons, stickers, buttons and QR
codes. When you make it easy for people
to share, they are much more likely to do
so.
5. Create continuous reasons to talk.
You can create word of mouth opportuni-
ties with special sales, great new fea-
tures or something fun, such as a con-
test or event. Do something others
aren’t.
6. Connect to the conversation. Having a
presence online – specifically in social
media such as Facebook, Twitter and
Google+ — is a great way to join and fa-
cilitate conversations about your busi-
ness. Ask some questions about your
business and its Send lots of thank you
notes. Reply to emails, Facebook mes-
sages and blog comments as quickly as
possible.
CLICK HERE to read the full article from
SCORE. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedi-
cated to helping small businesses get off the
ground, grow and achieve their goals through edu-
cation and mentorship. We have been doing this
for nearly fifty years.
On-line survey launched to gather information on Sierra Vista travel
The City of Sierra Vista and the Ari-zona Department of Transportation are seeking public input for an on-going study to identify options to improve traffic flow by reducing the number of motorists who drive alone to work or school.
The Sierra Vista Transportation Effi-ciency Study has completed a survey of workers at the city’s largest work-places to better understand how peo-ple commute and what types of pro-grams would encourage them to make fewer single-occupancy vehicle trips. The study found that more than 90 per-cent of workers in Sierra Vista currently drive to and from work and school alone.
Today, the ADOT-administered study is launching an on-line survey to learn about the travel habits of the general
population of Sierra Vista and to under-stand what alternative options would reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.
Click here to send us your input today. The survey will be open to responses through Dec. 21.
The study team, which includes both Sierra Vista and ADOT transportation planners, is seeking to assess:
Travel behavior
Knowledge of and satisfaction with
local transportation and transit options
Willingness of employers to em-
brace programs to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by workers
Willingness of workers and stu-
dents to use alternate modes of trans-portation for commuting
Findings from the study will be used to develop a Travel Reduction Plan that will include strategies that decrease the number of single-occupant vehicles on Sierra Vista roads.
The federally funded study stems from the City of Sierra Vista Strategic Lead-ership Plan, which identified five trans-portation goals to meet quality of life needs in the community. Two of the five goals identified in the plan include reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicle trips.
For more information about the study, visit http://www.azdot.gov/SierraV, or contact ADOT Project Manager Mark Hoffman at [email protected] or by phone at (602) 712-7454,
Catholic Community Services
looking for volunteers How to Generate Great Word of Mouth By Daniel Kehrer,founder, BizBest.com
Page 7 Volume 2012, Issue 12
Thank You to These Members for Renewing Their Commitment to The Business Community:
A Special Welcome to Our New Members! B & D Lumber—432-3622
Bare Aesthetics—803-7640
Different Strokes Motorcycle Sales and Service—458-3804
Echoing Hope Ranch—508-2087
Golden Rule Jewelry, Antiques and More—249-1277
HanLing Acupuncture Healing Center, Inc.— 878-8116
Mighty Organized Life—335-6977
Quintero's Authentic Mexican Restaurant—459-0714
Rapha Medical Center— 458-4648
Sierra Vista Dream Center—266-2934
Specialists in Dermatology-458-5539
The Mahoney Group -- Kenneth Stickler—784-6672
The Project DJ— 678-8248
Tyler's Yard Tree & Landscaping Services— 234-5369
Valor HospiceCare & PalliativeCare—458-9450
Executive Club Members
A+ Texture
American Family Insurance American Systems Arizona Water Company BrightStar
CACI, Inc. Campstone Transfer, Inc. Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc. Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC
CGI CerendipiTees Cherry Creek Radio City of Sierra Vista
Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. Cox Communications Data Systems & Technology, Inc.
Dental Village Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot Farmers Insurance - Ginny Francis Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home
General Dynamics Information Technology
Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.
Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency
KKYZ Radio
Landmark Café Lawley Automotive Center Lawler's Team Ford Life Care Center
Long Realty Co. Longhorn Restaurant Mall at Sierra Vista ManTech Telecommunications &
Information Systems Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC National Bank of Arizona Navy Federal Credit Union
Netmedix IT Solutions New Frontier Animal Medical Center Northrop Grumman Corporation
Patio Pools & Spas Pioneer Title Agency Pueblo del Sol Country Club Restless Wings Photography
Rosemont Copper Company Sentrillion Sierra Vista Ace Hardware Sierra Vista Herald Bisbee Daily Re-
view
Sierra Vista Regional Health Center
Southeastern Arizona Contractors Association
Southwest Gas Corporation Southwestern Eye Center
Stachel & Associates, P.C. STG Inc. Stilwell’s Learning Center, LLC Suburban Extended Stay Hotels
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop. Sun Canyon Inn The Boeing Company TDY Housing
TMS - Ty Media Services TownePlace Suites by Marriott University of Phoenix -
Sierra Vista Campus Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wayland Baptist University Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
3D Game Box
ABRIO Family Services
Air Force Association Cochise Chapter 107
Beehive Homes of Sierra Vista
Bill's Evaporative Cooler
Center for Academic Success
Cochise Cowboy Poetry and
Music Gathering
Columbian Association aka
Knights of Columbus
Comfort Keepers
D&M Promotional Accessories
Daystar Payroll, LLC
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
EXIT Realty Southwest Spirit
Fairfield Inn Tucson Airport
Falcon Court Apartments
Galeria de Coronado
Signature Rental Homes
Garden Plaza Apartments
High Desert Clinic
Lundtvedt, Gayle Y., D.M.D., P.C.
ManTech Telecommunications
& Info Systems
New Frontier Animal Medical Center
Petit's Auto Care
PuroClean Water, Mold, Fire
& Trauma Spec
R. L. Workman Homes
RSC Equipmental Rental
Sierra Vista Rotary Club (Noon)
Southwestern Eye Center
Strain, Bob
Summit Fitness
The Local Pages of Arizona
Western Motel
Wilson Electric
Windemere Hotel
& Conference Center
21 E. Wilcox Dr.
Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635
The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878
www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2012-13 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Past Chairman - Frank Gonzalez, Lawley Automotive Chair Elect - Jean Giuffrida, Long Realty Treasurer - Michael Benson, TDY Housing Secretary - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista Board Members Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Pamela Anderson - Landmark Café Jack Blair - Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Anita Farrow - National Bank of Arizona Joe Stroud - Edwards Financial, Inc. Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office
Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
HEREFORD, AZ
PERMIT NO. 29
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Chamber Staff Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, [email protected] Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, [email protected] Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, [email protected] Office Manager - Toni Rogers, [email protected] Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, [email protected]