Bicentennial Center Completes Phase Two Renovations See page 4

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Bicentennial Center Completes
Phase Two Renovations See page 4
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DECEMBER 2015 Volume 55, Number 12
SDI
Downtown News
By Penny Bettles, Salina Downtown, Inc.
[email protected] • 825-0535
Prizes… Prizes… PRIZES!!
SculptureTour Salina is gearing up for the biggest give-away of the year!
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce salinakansas.org
(USPS 478-100) is published monthly by the Salina Area
Chamber of Commerce, 120 W. Ash, Salina, Kansas 67401.
Periodical Postage paid at Salina, Kansas. Subscription
rate to members is $1.25 per year. Sylvia A. Rice, Editor.
Consolidated Printing, layout and design. Postmaster:
Send address changes to: salinakansas.org, PO Box 586,
Salina, KS 67402-0586.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMANFrank Hampton
Hampton Financial, LLC
VICE CHAIRMANBrian Richardson
Occupational Performance Corporation
CHAIRMAN-ELECTJohn Gunn
TREASURERTrey Mowery
Central National Bank
PAST CHAIRMANDale Heuszel
KCoe Isom, LLP
PRESIDENT/CEODon L. Weiser
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce
E. Andrew England
St. John’s Military School
Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons
Kansas State University Salina
M. Olaf Frandsen
Salina Journal
Julie Goetz
Salina Regional Health Center
Greg Goode
Salina Area Technical College
Stuart Hieger
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Mike Junk
Crestwood, Inc.
Donnie Marrs
DMA Architects, PA
Ashley McArthur
Long McArthur Ford
Michael Spicer
Salina Community Theatre, Inc.
Ron Stratman
Accurate Electric, Inc.
Matt Thompson
Kansas Wesleyan University
Guy Walker
Blue Beacon International
Betsy Wearing
BWearing Consulting
Frieda Mai Weis
PKM Steel Service
Mark Zimmerman
Salina Supply Company
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Vote now for your favorite sculpture for your chance to win! All ballots cast through December 31st will
be entered to win one of three prize packages!
Prize Packages
Adult (19+): Tickets to the Stiefel
Theatre, the Toughest Monster Truck
Tour at the Bicentennial Center; the
Salina Symphony; An overnight stay at
Country Inn & Suites; $50 Gift Certificate
to Martinelli’s Little Italy, $100 Smoky Hill
Silver Certificates, and more…
Teen (12-18 Years): Tickets to the Salina
Art Center Cinema; Championship Bull
Riding Showdown at the Bicentennial
Center; $20 Gift Certificate to The Cozy
Inn, and more…
Kids (under 12): Tickets to Rolling Hills Zoo and to Sesame Street Live at the Bicentennial Center;
$25 Smoky Hill Silver Certificates, and more…
SculptureTour Salina ballots are available at downtown businesses, in ballot boxes at each mid-block
crosswalk on Santa Fe downtown, and at the Salina Chamber and Salina Downtown Inc. offices at
120 W. Ash.
At the end of the year, votes are tallied and the City of Salina purchases the “People’s Choice Award”
winning sculpture to add to our community’s permanent sculpture collection.
SculptureTour Salina encourages residents and visitors to stroll through our thriving downtown, tour
the sculptures, and vote for your favorite piece! Meet the
Staff!
CHAMBER NEWS
Follow the
Salina Chamber
and Visit Salina
on Facebook.
Donna Smith joined the Chamber in
September 2000 as a part-time staff person.
Donna Smith,
Her responsibilities are varied and include
Accounting Assistant
more than her title might suggest. In addition
to assisting in the accounting functions of the Chamber, she also manages the Plan
Room. This service provides Chamber members an opportunity to view plans of
construction projects. Donna is also the contact for renting the meeting rooms in the
Visit Salina Annex, and she provides administrative support to Chamber staff.
Donna is a lifelong resident of Salina. She enjoys time with family and friends,
agricultural activities, culinary arts, digital photography and reading. Donna and
husband Doug are especially proud of their son Quinton, who recently finished serving
five years in the United States Marine Corps. Thank you Donna, for all you do!
Chamber Board Appoints EDO
Board Members
The Salina Chamber Board of Directors appointed John Gunn and Samantha Angell
to the board of directors of the new Salina Community Economic Development
Organization (SCEDO). As the Chamber’s appointees, they will join seven other
individuals on the board appointed by the City of Salina, Saline County and the Salina
Airport Authority.
Gunn, former owner of ISG, and Angell, attorney with Achterberg, Angell & Craft,
LLC, have both served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Gunn resigned his
position as 2014 Chair-Elect on the Chamber Board in order to accept the appointment
to the SCEDO board. Angell is a former City Commissioner and Mayor.
Chamber Chair Frank Hampton stated, “Gunn and Angell will provide strong
leadership and experience to the new Salina and Saline County economic development
organization. These professionals will be strong representatives of the business
community, our Chamber membership, as the new EDO moves forward.”
The new economic development organization - SCEDO - is being established in
partnership with the City of Salina, Saline County and the Salina Airport Authority,
to attract new business and industry to Salina. The organization will be located in the
Chamber office at 120 W. Ash, Suite B.
3
CHAMBER NEWS
A New Look at Salina Bicentennial Center
The Salina Bicentennial Center recently completed Phase Two
of their $13.1 million renovation plan which began in December
2014. The project addressed a number of facility challenges, and
latest renovations have created a lot of interest, both from the
general public and potential client/users of the facility.
Encompassing many of the public areas, this phase of
improvements are quite visible. The Concourse features new
lighting, floor covering and double glass entry doors for the
public’s primary access to the Arena, and a much brighter
atmosphere. Luxury boxes have been added in the Arena,
as well as handrails through the upper bowl seating areas.
Concession areas
present a welcoming
look and have been
reconfigured for more
efficient service.
Digital Displays
throughout the
Concourse present
welcome messaging
and promote upcoming
events, and restrooms
have been updated as well. New lighting and carpet give the
Lobby a much warmer feel. Behind the scenes, improvements
to the kitchen and backstage will result in better service to the
client overall.
The building exterior has undergone quite a transformation
as well. Ticketing operations have moved outside, which is a
much more common practice for event centers. The new North
Plaza creates a space for outdoor events, and a more appealing
‘welcome’ to the facility. Features of the Plaza are landscaping,
permanent seating, and a lighted sculpture depicting prairie fire,
by artist Matt Dehaemers.
“This renovation project has given new life back to the
Bicentennial Center. The positive impact was immediate in
how events are handled more efficiently. Seeing the smiles
on people’s faces as they arrive to the building, the positive
comments as they walk from space to space and take in all the
changes, those are the immediate dividends”, said Ron Rideout,
General Manager from Spectra Venue Management.
In addition to on-going public events, a celebration with
City officials and a Chamber Business After Hours the same
week introduced many from the community to the ‘new look’.
Mid-month, Visit Salina and the Bicentennial Center joined
local industry partners
to host an event for
Kansas-based meeting
planners. Nearly 50
planners spent the
day experiencing the
facility and all Salina
has to offer for their
events. The event
included sessions,
exhibits, lunch
with a keynote address, and our special brand of service and
hospitality. Jo Ann McClure, Visit Salina Convention Sales
commented, “The meeting planner event was a first for us,
and is already paying off in scheduled site visits, and booked
meeting business for Salina venues, including the Bicentennial
Center. Visit Salina very much appreciates the partnership we
enjoy with the Center.”
The next phase will take place in summer 2016, centered around
creating a grand entrance from Ohio, and work on the overhead
rigging in the Arena. Take time to go visit the Bicentennial Center.
You’ll be impressed with the changes you see.
There are still spots available for the Salina and
Manhattan Chambers’ May 2016 international trip to
the Alpine Countries. For more information, contact
Sandy Cole by email at [email protected] or by
phone at 785-827-9310, ext 123. (see enclosed flyer)
4
Good Sports!
Salina Welcomes NJCAA
Rep for Site Visit
Tiffany Benien, Visit Salina and Francis
Flax, proposed Tournament Director
were joined by key staff and volunteers
to welcome Buster Gilliss, NJCAA
Men’s Basketball Committee Chair for
an official site visit, November 10-11. The site visit is the second step in the
NJCAA’s process in considering Salina’s
bid to host their Men’s Div II National
Championships in 2018, 2019 and
2020. During his site visit, Buster toured
the Bicentennial Center, several off-site practice facilities, restaurants and hotels.
Following the visit Gilliss shared that he very much enjoyed Salina, and will be
recommending Salina as a top choice for the event. The NJCAA will make the final
site selection at their Annual Meeting in April of 2016.
VISIT SALINA
MarqueeWelcomes
December
Living History Fair
Hunters!
Shoppers!
Families!
Recent groups Visit Salina worked with and
the estimated visitors’ spending they created
in the community:
War of the Wheels
Roller Derby Inv’l
KWU – 1st Round
NAIA Soccer
Four new directors elected; one
appointed to unexpired term
Four persons were recently elected by
the membership to serve four-year terms
on the Chamber’s Board of Directors:
Brandon Ebert, Waddell & Reed, Ebert
Stein Group; Peter S. Johnston, Clark,
Mize & Linville, Chtd.; Mark Ritter,
Crown Distributors, LLC; and Joyce Volk,
Joyce Volk Insurance Agency, Inc.
Olaf Frandsen has been appointed to
Brandon Ebert
Mark Ritter
fulfill the unexpired term created by John
Gunn’s resignation from the board. Gunn
resigned in order to accept the Chamber
appointment to the new EDO Board (see
related EDO article).
The new directors will join the
following returning directors to form
the 2016 Board: Brian Richardson, Greg
Goode, Frieda Mai Weis, Trey Mowery,
Peter S. Johnston
Joyce Volk
Ron Stratman, Dr. Verna Fitzsimmons,
Michael Spicer, Julie Goetz, Dr. Matt Thompson, Guy Walker, Mark Zimmerman,
Stuart Hieger, Ashley McArthur and Frank Hampton.
Two persons will be appointed by the 2016 Chair, once officers are selected. The
new directors will take office January, 2016.
Heart Land Toy Show
KSHSAA 4A Div II
State Football
$24,512
$8,900
$64,800
$201,562
The Kansas Society of Association Executives
(KSAE) Annual Conference and Expo will be held
in Topeka December 10 and 11. Jo Ann McClure
will represent Visit Salina at the traditional Expo
(tradeshow), and also at the new Marketplace. The Expo remains a staple of the event, providing
a ‘browsing’ opportunity for planners to meet with
vendors. The Marketplace is an appointment
driven event for planners to meet with suppliers
one-on-one. This new concept provides a more
deliberate opportunity for suppliers to answer
specific questions and promote how our products
address the needs of the individual group client.
Jo Ann served as a member of the 2015 Annual
Conference committee and was involved in
establishing the new Marketplace format of
the event. She, along with other Salina KSAE
members, will also have educational sessions to
attend for professional development.
5
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
In The News
NEX-TECH WIRELESS, 2525 Marketplace
Suite B and 2259 S. Ninth (Central Mall),
announce the kick-off of the company’s
annual toy drive. Toys are being collected
at both locations to benefit Salina Catholic
Charities. Anyone who donates a toy will
be entered into a drawing for a $250 Visa
Gift Card. The winner will be announced
on January 8, 2016, and will also be able to
choose their favorite charity to receive $250
from Nex-Tech Wireless and Nex-Tech. The
toy drive is a way for the company to support
local organizations and particularly children.
BIG JOHN’S BREWING COMPANY, 2445
S. Ninth, recently celebrated their 2nd
anniversary. They also announce that a
new menu is now on tap, featuring pub
sandwiches, soups, salads and appetizers.
Diane Harris, General Manager can be
reached at 785-404-3228.
GOT NEWS? Do you have news to share
about your business or organization? Email
[email protected] and we’ll publish it in
an upcoming issue of salinakansas.org.
Summit Holdings announces that Justin
Fink will become Chief Executive Officer
of SUMMIT TRUCK GROUP, 1944A N.
Ninth, in January 2016. Fink currently
serves as President and, in his new role
of both CEO and President, will assume
leadership responsibilities for all operations
of the organization. Current CEO Blair
Roberts will transition to serving as an
executive coach to Summit’s management
leadership team and organization, and will
focus on driving operational improvements
throughout Summit.
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, 100
E. Clafin, will be hosting a Feed My Starving
Children (FMSC) MobilePack at the Student
Activities Center on Sunday, January 17th,
and Monday, January 18th, 2016. They will
pack 175,000 meals for the starving children
around the world. There are two ways to be a
part of this great event. 1) Donate - each meal
is 22 cents and the KWU goal is $38,500;
2) Volunteer - We will need 800 volunteers
on those days, so sign up individuals,
family, friends, and small groups. Go to
6
www.fundraising.fmsc.org/SalinaKansas
to donate or volunteer. On the MobilePack
event days, non-perishable food items will
also be accepted for local needs. To learn
more, contact Linda Ourada at 785-452-9638
or [email protected] or Cameron Jackson,
[email protected]
Danielle Brown, director of professional
education and outreach at KANSAS STATE
UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC, 2310
Centennial Road, has been named the
Association for Continuing Higher Education’s
Rising Star for 2015. Brown was selected for
her contribution to the development of new
credit, noncredit and certificate programs for
K-State Polytechnic, as well as communitybased programs that pair the campus with
Kansas industries.
New Members
BWEARING CONSULTING
20121 Raymond • Betsy Wearing
(785) 452-8888 • [email protected]
CGI COMMUNICATIONS
130 E. Main Street
Rochester, New York, 14604
Brandon Bartz • (585) 427-0020
[email protected]
QUALITY INN
2110 W. Crawford • Mukesh Patel
(785) 825-2111
[email protected]
R & J MAILING SERVICES
901 N. Ninth • Jim Furgison
(785) 488-8063
[email protected]
CALVERT SMITH
Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors
2036 S. Ohio
[email protected]
HIGH PLAINS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
638 Joanie Lane • Joseph Denham
(785) 823-2224
[email protected]
9TH STREET DINER
2100 S. Ninth
Taylor Copas, Courtney Wiggins
(785) 502-5099
[email protected]
ADVANCED MOTORSPORTS, LLC
527 S. Broadway • Kerry Meyer
(785) 404-3838
[email protected]
JOSH FARRELL
Midwest Regional Agency
232 S. Santa Fe, Suite A
(785) 827-1011
[email protected]
MINNEAPOLIS GARAGE DOOR, LLC
470 Meadowlark Drive
Minneapolis, KS • Rome Witt
(785) 392-5427
[email protected]
POOLS PLUS OF SALINA
2501 Market Place, Suite 1 • Gina Plante
(785) 823-7665
[email protected]
SALINA FENCING COMPANY
623 Carl • Jason Mann
(785) 822-2018
[email protected]
Ambassador of
the Year
Linnea King,
Home Health
Coordinator with
Brookdale Senior
Living, has been
named Ambassador
of the Year for
Linnea King
2015. Linnea
secured 30 new members during the
year. This is her 5th consecutive year
being named Ambassador of the Year!
“Linnea did another outstanding
job securing new members this
year,” stated Pat Foster, Ambassador
Chairman. “She is a great
representative of the Chamber, and
obviously does a wonderful job
conveying all the reasons membership
in the Chamber is a good investment.
As always, it’s been a pleasure
working with her.”
For her efforts, Linnea will receive
a plaque and will be recognized at the
Chamber’s Annual Banquet February
4. Congratulations Linnea!
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Ribbon Cutting
Meet Chamber Member Bill North, Executive
Director of the Salina Arts Center and Cinema as
you read excerpts from our 5-minute/5-question
interview.
What is it about your business
that is unique or special?
What seperates you from your
competitors?
The Art Center Cinema is one of
Salina’s cultural treasures. Located in the
heart of downtown, the Cinema features
first run independent, documentary, and
international films. The Cinema is an
intimate, 92-seat venue equipped with
the latest digital projection technology
where Salinans can see important films
they would otherwise not have the
opportunity to see locally. For example,
films presented at the Art Center Cinema
accounted for 20 of the 25 Oscars
awarded in 2015.
See the entire interview, and others, posted at
www.salinakansas.org/chamber/take_5.aspx
Want to be interviewed
about your business?
Contact [email protected]!
Search for us at
Salina Chamber
and
Visit Salina
Cornerstone Classical School, 830 S. Ninth, recently opened and celebrated with a Chamber
ribbon cutting!
Sales Strong
for Chamber
Annual Meeting
Tickets now on sale
to public
Tickets sales are going well for the
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce
Annual Banquet and Membership
Meeting Thursday, February 4, 2016.
The banquet will be held in the Arena
of the Salina Bicentennial Center
beginning at 6:30pm. A membership networking reception will be held from 5-6pm in Heritage Hall
of the Bicentennial Center.
The featured speaker this year is John Stossel, television journalist, host,
commentator, and author.
Tickets for Chamber members are $50 per person for the banquet. Tickets
now on sale for non-members are $75 per person for the banquet. Reservations
can be made by calling the Chamber office ticket hotline at 785-827-9310,
ext. 123, stopping by the Chamber office, 120 W. Ash, or emailing Sandy Cole
at [email protected]. 7
PERIODICAL
POSTAGE
PAID
SALINA, KS 67401
Dates Filling Fast
120 W. Ash, P.O. Box 586 • Salina, KS 67402-0586
785-827-9301 • fx 785-827-9758 • www.salinakansas.org
HELP US KEEP YOUR ADDRESS CORRECT If address is wrong in any respect,
please correct directly on the label and return to Chamber of Commerce. Thank You!
Are you interested in hosting a Chamber
“Business After Hours” event in 2016? Dates
are being booked now! Only a few open
dates remain. It’s a great way to promote
your business or organization. Contact
Don Weiser at the Chamber, 827-9301, or
[email protected] for more details
and to check available dates.
Membership Winner!
from the Chamber Staff!
Gary Stansberry
Gary Stansberry, Salina Blue, 209 S. Santa
Fe, won a $1,000 Membership Drawing at the
November 19 “Business After Hours” hosted by
EyeCare Associates. Pictured presenting the
check to Gary is Hank Corcoran Boyer, chairman
of the Chamber’s Hospitality Task Force.
$ It Pays to Attend $
Search for us at
Salina Chamber
and
Visit Salina