Volume 2014, Issue 1

The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber January 2014

Volume 2014, Issue #1

“We Mean Business”

Update from

Executive

Director Deanna La Velle

2

MAC Committee

provides market-ing opportunities

2

First aid facts

you should know 3

Minimum wage increase this month.

4

January Schedule of Events

4

December Events at a Glance

5

Email Market-ing in 2014

6

Member Page 7

Board of Directors / Chamber Staff

8

Get a jump on promoting your business in 2014! By Margaret Dillard

Communications Director

Last year we took a new approach to

our annual health fair and introduced

the Health, Wealth and Lifestyle Fair.

We wanted to showcase a wide variety

of businesses that can help with well-

being, personal finances and enjoy-

ment of the attractions and benefits of

living in Southern Arizona. It was an

overwhelming success. Vendor partici-

pation rose from 50 to

more than 80! Again this

year the Health, Wealth &

Lifestyle Fair will focus on

energizing your business

and your customers, on

helping clients capitalize

their assets and exploring

all there is to offer in

Cochise County.

Once again, The Mall at Sierra Vista

serves as the perfect venue offering

high traffic and plenty of room for ven-

dors and their customers. This one-

day event will be open to Chamber

members and non-members, although

vendors who are members receive a

discounted rate.

With the Sierra Vista Herald again acting

as a major sponsor, all vendors will re-

ceive free recognition through extensive

advertising in the lead up to Saturday,

March 1—so the sooner you sign up, the

more publicity your business will receive.

Additionally, the Chamber is offering

event sponsor opportunities from as little

as $250. This is a fantastic chance to at-

tach your business to a high profile com-

munity event and receive ongoing market-

ing via the media, the Chamber’s website

(more than 5,000 page views monthly),

Vista newsletter, weekly email blast, and

more.

The Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair takes

place on March 1 from 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. Booth space

ranges from 8’x5’ to a limited

number of 10’x10’ spaces.

Chamber members will be

given priority if there is a

waiting list for booths.

Sign up online at sierravis-

tachamber.org. For further

details on vendor space and

sponsorship, call us at 458-6940.

This was a very good experience. I was able to meet with potential new patients, offer medical services on site, and network with other healthcare profession-als. I hope to participate next year. Pamela Enright Mountain View Family Care, PLLC The event was great! We had the opportunity to visit with many folks, shared information about our pro-grams, networked with local organizations, and as-sisted the public with questions about the college, our community and volunteer opportunities in the area. It was a great event! Ana Smith

Thank you to the sponsors who have signed up so far...

As we enter 2014, I am

reminded of the ever-

changing makeup of our

community as some move

on to new opportunities.

In recent weeks, this has

proven to be the case. I

began my new position as

Executive Director of the

Sierra Vista Area Cham-

ber, on the last night of

the Festival of Trees. This

was a perfect time to

jump in with both feet.

The next morning I was off

to help our Ambassadors

decorate the Chamber

float for our 55th Annual

Christmas Light Parade.

On Saturday morning, we

held our Annual Santa Fly-

In at Ace Hardware. What

a great time of year to see

our community in action!

Sierra Vista is a commu-

nity like no other, and I am

proud to be representing our

Chamber. I’m looking for-

ward to working with all of

our members; therefore if I

haven’t had the pleasure to

meet with you, please give

me a call.

May this year bring joy and

prosperity to you and your

business. One way to work

towards prosperity for your

business is to take advan-

tage of all the benefits

Chamber membership has to

offer. If your business has

recently opened, had a re-

modeling project, moved to a

new location, or changed

ownership, you are invited to

take advantage of the Cham-

ber’s Ribbon Cutting Cere-

mony. With each Ribbon Cut-

ting, your business will be

exposed to the Sierra Vista

community. Event photos and

information of your Ribbon

Cutting will be published in the

Chamber’s weekly e-blast, on

Facebook, and displayed in

our monthly newsletter. A Rib-

bon Cutting Ceremony is a

great way to invite people to

your location and showcase

your business. Not only does

this opportunity get people to

your place of business, but it

offers a unique networking en-

vironment in addition to great

marketing. Contact our Mar-

keting and Membership Direc-

tor John Hargraves at (520)

458-6940 to schedule your

Ribbon Cutting today!

Chamber Update by Executive Director Deanna La Velle

“I am looking

forward to working

with all of our

members; therefore

if I haven’t had the

pleasure to meet

with you, please

give me a call.”

Page 2 The Chamber Vista

Military Affairs Committee offers opportunity to promote to Fort Huachuca

The Chamber’s

Military Affairs

Committee

(MAC) is offer-

ing members

the opportunity

to not only pro-

mote their busi-

nesses to the

military commu-

nity, but to say

thank you to

those who help

protect our

freedom.

On February 21, Fort Huachuca will stage its

Annual Awards Banquet and local companies

are being asked to help fund some of the

awards, as well as offer gifts to the worthy

winners.

The honorees will each receive a sculptured

American eagle and your business name

could be on one of them as a sponsor for just

$100, which includes the cost of purchasing

and engraving each award.

MAC is also seeking help with gifts, such as

cards or merchandise for the award winners,

who will include Civilian of the Year, Sailor of

the Year, Reserve Recruiter of the Year, Ac-

tive Duty Recruiter of the Year, Marine of the

Year, Instructor of the Year, NCO of the Year

and Soldier of the Year.

Sponsors will receive recognition at this pres-

tigious event.

The schedule has also been completed for

the regular monthly MAC luncheons, held the

first Wednesday of the month at the Thunder

Mountain Activity Centre on post.

There will be eight luncheons during 2013,

beginning February 5 at 11:30 a.m.

Further opportunities exist for Chamber

members to promote their businesses at

each of these events by donating gifts of

each event’s award dinners, as well as buy-

ing them lunch.

During the luncheon honorees receive their

gifts from community businesses, which can

include gift certificates, gas cards, plaques

and assorted small items to be placed in a

bag.

There are up to four award winners at each

luncheon and businesses can donate gifts

monthly, or contribute for the entire year.

Sponsoring award winners’ lunches costs

$150 for the calendar year and must be paid

in full.

Both gift and lunch sponsors will receive

recognition in the monthly program. The

luncheons are regularly attended by senior

Fort Huachuca, City of Sierra Vista and busi-

ness leaders.

For more information, call Margaret Dillard at

the Chamber at 458-6940.

Page 3 Volume 2014, Issue 1

What you need to know about first-aid in the workplace

If an employee of one of your members

is injured at work and treated by the

company’s first-aid kit, then the injury is

not severe enough to warrant a workers

compensation claim.

Cuts, scrapes, small wounds or even a

single headache are insufficient reason

to file a claim.

If, on the other hand, a worker is ex-

posed to a chemical that causes routine

headaches, this could be considered an

“occupational disease” that could

prompt a workers compensation claim.

Your members also should be reminded

not to pay the claims costs for their in-

jured workers.

The reasons?

They may be paying for non-

compensable claims.

They may end up paying more than

what SCF would have paid based on the

contracted fees from its Preferred Con-

nection Network or the Industrial Com-

mission’s Medical Fee Schedule.

What might start as a minor injury

could become worse, and the costs for

treatment could increase.

The Chamber partners with SCF to offer

a special program for members.

For more information, contact:

www.scfaz.com

(602) 403-0792

Don’t forget to download the free

Chamber APP for all your local

shopping and services’ needs.

Featuring only Chamber members,

events, hot deals and more!

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

LUNCHEON

January 30

11:30 a.m.—1:00 pm

Windemere Hotel

& Conference Center

Reserve your seat today!

Call (520) 458-6940

Or visit

www.sierravistachamber.org

Some tools for adapting to recent changes in Facebook

By Gary Dillard

Ask for comments, for example. Subtly, of

course. “What do you think?” is always a

good starting point. Or you can post just to

get input. If you run a restaurant, for ex-

ample, you might ask: “What is your fam-

ily's secret ingredient for barbecue

sauce?” If you have a computer store, you

might ask: “What is your horror story

about viruses?”

Using Facebook Insights to determine

when your fans are most active, then post

during those times. Use the scheduling

feature to ensure that posts go out at

these time. That also allows you to do

your marketing work at a time that is best

for your schedule.

Facebook posts have shorter lifespans

than ever. Recent studies show that most

engagement takes place within five hours

of the original posting, and most “reach”

takes place in less than two hours. So

don't hesitate to post twice a day, or even

three times.

Consider setting up alerts on your smart

phone so that when someone does com-

ment on a post, you can join the conversa-

tion right away. You might be answering a

question, responding to a comment or

simply contributing to the flow of dialog.

But your customers will know you are

there. And then, of course, you will want

to consider advertising. Facebook ads are

still the best deals going, whether you're

spending a few bucks to make sure im-

portant posts are going to all of your fan

base or whether you're spreading the

word to a new demographic. Advertising is

really the only way to be assured of get-

ting the reach you want.

Facebook can be expected to continue its

evolution during 2014, but it remains, for

the time, the biggest marketing tool in

existence. Learn to use it, and use it well.

Dillard is an owner of Prism Communications,

a local online marketing and development

company. He will be conducting classes on

Facebook for Business and Facebook Advertis-

ing through the Small Business Development

Center at Cochise College Jan. 29. Contact the

SBDC at (520) 515-5478 for details. This arti-

cle is extracted from Dillard's “How To Market

Your (Very) Small Business Online in 2014,” a

book slated for publication under the Market-

ing4Micros imprint in January.

Schedule of Events

Page 4 Newsletter Title

Fri, Jan. 3 - 2:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting for

Sierra Vista CPA, LLC at 400 W. Fry Blvd.,

Suite 4.

Thurs., Jan. 9 - 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Business @

Twilight hosted by The Girl Scouts of Southern

Arizona to be held at 2367 E. Fry Blvd. (Long

Realty Building behind Denny’s).

Wed. Jan. 15 - All Day, Leadership Sierra Vista

2013-14, Education Day. Bus leaves from the

Chamber.

Fri. Jan. 17 - 7:30 a.m., Board Meeting at the

Chamber’s COX Resource Room.

Tues., Jan. 21 - 8:00 a.m. Military Affairs

Committee Meeting at the Chamber.

Thurs. Jan. 30 - 11:30 a.m. Annual Member-

ship Luncheon at the Windemere Hotel &

Conference Center.

Page 4 The Chamber Vista

SAVE THE DATE!

Sierra Vista Area Chamber

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

January 30th, 2014

www.facebook.com/SierraVistaChamber www.twitter.com/SVChamber101

Arizona's minimum wage rate is in-

creased annually based upon a cost of

living formula as defined by Arizona

Proposition 202. Arizona's minimum

wage was last raised by 15 cents on

January 1 2013. In previous years, Ari-

zona raised its minimum wage by 30

cents from $7.35 on $7.65 on January

1 2012, 10 cents in 2011.

Arizona's minimum wage will be raised

again in January 2014 by 10 cents per

hour making the state's legal minimum

wage $7.90.

Starting January 1, 2014 the Minimum Wage

in Arizona is increasing to $7.90/hour and

employers are required to update their post-

ers. You can find the posters free of charge

on the Industrial Commission’s Website:

http://www.ica.state.az.us/HomePage/

HOME_Poster_Rules.aspx

Arizona’s minimum wage to

increase January 1.

Are you ready to become an Ambassador?

By Margaret Dillard,

Communications Director

Your chamber’s Events Coordinator,

Diane Erwin professionally crafts oppor-

tunities that offer members viable ave-

nues to promote their businesses and

your Marketing and Membership Direc-

tor, John Hargraves’ expertise in market-

ing and micro business development

serves as invaluable assets, but your

participation in the one of our five com-

mittees: Leadership Committee, Military

Affairs Committee, Safety Committee,

Business Advocacy Committee and Am-

bassadors Committee, guarantees that

your voice will be heard. We invite you to

consider becoming a committee mem-

ber.

As we look ahead to 2014, the Ambassa-

dors are looking to add a few new mem-

bers who are prepared to act as the

Chamber’s “right hand” during events

and activities.

The mission of the Ambassadors Com-

mittee is to aid the Membership depart-

ment in welcoming new members, retain-

ing existing members, and to support the

mission of the Sierra Vista Area Cham-

ber. This committee represents the ulti-

mate in networking opportunities. The

group is comprised of business owners

and managers who meet once a month

and act as the hosts for the Chamber

Ribbon Cuttings and special events.

As you read the mission, you probably

noticed that members of this committee

are involved in many activities and

events. The truth is that this committee

takes more time and personal involve-

ment than the others, but with the com-

mitment comes value that gets your

name and that of your business to many

people in our community.

Here are a few benefits regarding be-

coming a member of the Ambassadors

Committee:

Attending Ribbon Cuttings as an Am-

bassador features you as a community

leader to businesses who are new or

expanding.

Ambassadors are a group who are

set apart as business mentors and ex-

perts in their fields.

Involvement in Chamber activities

promotes the message that you are will-

ing to serve for the betterment of the

business environment and tells others

that you are approachable.

“I’ve personally enjoyed the experience,”

says committee co-chair, Mary Tieman.

“Through this networking opportunity, I

have developed lasting relationships and

Arizona Workforce has been able to as-

sist numerous businesses with their hir-

ing needs.”

Mary is the Executive Assistant to the

Director of Arizona Workforce Connec-

tions. The organization promotes and

supports a workforce system that offers

employers, workers and communities

across Cochise, Graham and Greenlee

Counties. You can read more about Ari-

zona Workforce Connections on their

website at: www.seazworkforce.org .

Page 5 Volume 2014, Issue 1

For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events

Top Row: Ribbon Cutting at Hoppin Grapes,

Business @ Twilight at Sun Canyon Inn, Rib-

bon Cutting at Heavenly Fudge.

2nd Row: Leadership Class at Sierra Vista

Flowers, Presentation of check to the Boys &

Girls Club of Sierra Vista from Festival of

Trees.

3rd Row: Parade award winner, New Frontier

Animal Medical Center’s float.

Bottom Row: Parade and Santa Fly In

Page 6 The Chamber Vista

While national business average

revenues seem to be rebounding

slightly, these trends will take longer

to reach small businesses in rural

America. A creative, proactive,

budget-conscious approach is key to

setting your business on the road to

success this year. Consider the

benefits of email marketing when

creating your 2014 business plan.

Be where your customers are — the

inbox.

Your customers check email several

times a day, and with Email Market-

ing, you're there. That means more

people through your door, more calls,

and more revenue.

Easy on your budget.

Email Marketing is a great value!

Prices start at around $15 a month,

and chamber members get a special

discount with Constant Contact.

Create personalized messages.

Get more customers through your

door with emails that have the right

message. Email lets you send per-

sonalized, targeted messages to your

contacts.

Email is mobile.

Research shows that 43% of your

emails are likely read on a mobile

device*.

Plays well with social media.

Email builds your social word-of-

mouth. With an email marketing ser-

vice, you can easily share your con-

tent on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twit-

ter, and so can your fans, friends,

and followers.

It's connected.

Services work seamlessly with your

existing business tools.

It gets results.

Email Marketing produces higher ROI

than digital marketing or print cata-

logs** and you can track your suc-

cess with real-time reports that show

your opens, bounces, and clicks.

Sierra Vista Chamber Member who

use currently use or create new ac-

counts with Constant Contac receive

up to a 25% discount by contacting

the company.

New Constant Contact Users:

www.constantcontact.com/promo/

chamber/signup.jsp

Already using Constant Contact?

Email:

chamberprogram@constantcontact.com

You will need our User Name:

SVChamber 101

Email Marketing may be one tool that propels your business forward in 2014

Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair

Sponsorship opportunities open to

Chamber members.

Limited booth space available on a first

come, first served basis

March 1st, 2014

10 a.m.—4 p.m.

The Mall at Sierra Vista

Call the Chamber at

458-6940

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

get 2 free inserts per year!

SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on

8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight

(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)

paper.

February NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

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:

mdillard@sierravistachamber.org

Advertise to 640+local businesses

for about 20 cents each! Business at Twilight

sponsored by the

Girl Scouts of Southern

Arizona

at 2367 E. Fry Blvd.

(Long Realty Building behind Denny's)

Sierra Vista, AZ

Thursday, January 9th,

5:00 pm

These monthly mixers are a great way to learn more about the Cham-ber, other local businesses and to

promote your own! Don't forget your business cards and bring another

business owner with you!

No RSVP required.

Page 7 Volume 2014, Issue 1

Thanks to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community

A Special Welcome to Our New Members!

Executive Club Members Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum

American Southwest Credit Union

Arizona Water Company

Beacon Group

Bishop & Brown, LLC

BrightStar HomeCare

CACI, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CerendipiTees *Home Based Business of 2012*

CGI *Large Business of the Year 2012*

Cherry Creek Radio

City of Sierra Vista

Cox

Dental Village

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home

General Dynamics Information Tech.

Hobby Lobby

Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.

JR's Food and Spirits

Landmark Cafe, The

Las Palomas Apartments

Lawley Automotive Center

Lawley's Team Ford

Life Care Center

Long Realty Co.

Longhorn Restaurant

Mall at Sierra Vista - Management Office

ManTech Telecommunications & Info Sys-

tems

Mr. Fix It

Naco Dental

National Bank of Arizona

Netmedix IT Solutions

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Patio Pools & Spas

Pioneer Title Agency

Pueblo del Sol Country Club

Real Estate Press of Sierra Vista

Rommel Equipment Services

Rosemont Copper Company

Sierra Vista Ace Hardware

Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review

Sierra Vista Regional Health

Southeastern Arizona Contractors Assoc.

Southwest Gas Corporation

Southwestern Eye Center

Specialists in Dermatology

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop.

Sun Canyon Inn

Systems Integration

Tailored Living

The Boeing Company

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

University of Phoenix-Sierra Vista Campus

Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors, David

Burnett

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wayland Baptist University

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center

For a Better Life (520) 678-7032

Mona's Maternity (619) 8862165

Three Canyons Roasters (520) 249-2176

Intermountain Center

for Human Development (520) 721-1887

Linda Grale Realty (602) 430-7071

Primo Vapors (520) 227-0987

Nextiva (800) 983-4289

Outback Steakhouse (520) 458-1313

Baroumes Law Group (520) 335-1858

Website Banner Advertising

Opportunities

available on the Chamber’s website.

Call Margaret at (520) 458-6940 or visit

http://bit.ly/19DFJ4F

Arizona Auto & Radiator Repair

Sierra Vista Self-Storage & Carwash

Screaming Banshee Pizza

Bob Strain

Service First Realty

Aegis Communications Group

An elegant Touch

Lundvedt, Gayle Y., D.M.D., P.C.

Sterling Pointe Apartments

Sierra vista Rotary Club

Daystar Palyroll. LLC

Clear Channel Outdoor

Spur Western Wear

Western Motel

Petit's Auto Care

Galeria de Coronado Rental Home

University of Arizona-Sierra Vista

United Way of Cochise County

The Morris Team, ERA Four Feathers Realty

Jones-Wilson Insurance & Investments, Inc.

Villa Vista Assisted Living

Dental Village

Century Link Communications

Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival

Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon Preserve

Shell Super Stop

Tierra Antigua Realty

Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency

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

Chairman - Michael Benson - TDY Housing Past Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair Elect - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Treasurer - Anita Farrow, National Bank of Arizona Secretary - Jack Blair, SSVEC

Board Members

Frank Gonzalez, - Lawley Automotive Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office Glen Cobb - Sierra Suites Kevin Peterson - CGI Mary Tieman - Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection

Jon Galchik—TASC

Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

HEREFORD, AZ

PERMIT NO. 29

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Chamber Staff

Executive Director - Deanna La Velle, dlavelle@sierravistachamber.org Membership & Marketing Director - John Hargraves III, jhargraves@sierravistachamber.org Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, mdillard@sierravistachamber.org Office Manager - Toni Rogers, officem@sierravistachamber.org Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, derwin@sierravistachamber.org