2010 Small Business Leader Awards Applications Open July 8
 Applications for the 2010 Small Business Leader Awards will open July 8. Presented by the Columbus Chamber and its Small Business Council, the awards honor professionals whose companies demonstrate outstanding success in growth, sales and innovation.
Applications close Thursday, September 9 at 5 p.m. Learn more and apply at www.columbus.org/sbfla.
Finalists and award recipients will be recognized at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards, Tuesday, November 9 at The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel.
The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are presented in partnership with Commerce National Bank, Columbus Business First, and Rosati Windows. Leaders include Alterra Real Estate Advisors, Sequent, TechSolve, and Fast Signs. Patrons include Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, State Auto Insurance Companies, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, and Spinelli’s Deli. Breakout Sponsors include King Business Interiors Inc. and the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Columbus, and Council Patrons include Invergarry Partners and Portfolio Creative. Additional support is provided by Columbus Chamber Partners Anthem, the Columbus Crew, CompManagement, Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, and Integrys Energy with media promotion provided by Bartha Audio Visual, 99.7 the Blitz, Classic Hits 103.9, and WMNI AM.
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Thousands Network, Do Business at EXPO
From accounting services to website developers, more than 300 Columbus businesses were in the spotlight at the Business2Business Network EXPO on June 9. The EXPO drew an estimated 4,600 business leaders and decision makers to the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
The Business2Business Network EXPO is one of the Columbus region's premier events—providing a venue for connecting with top businesses, seeing their products and services, and learning how to do business with them.
"The 2010 Business2Business Network EXPO was larger than ever - with wonderful entertainment, food and vendors. From a business standpoint, there were many connections to be made. It was a real success!" said Lauren Motsinger, Ricart Automotive.
Planning for the 2011 Business to Business Network EXPO is already underway. Watch the Member Connection for exhibitor registration details later this year.
You can view photos from the 2010 event on Flickr.
The Business2Business Network EXPO was produced by the Columbus Chamber with Presenting Partners CareWorks, The Columbus Dispatch, columbusjobs.com, and Monster. Event partners included Leaders Alterra Real Estate Advisors, College Advantage, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Loth Inc., Xerox, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, and the Ohio Environmental Council and Patrons AEP Ohio, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, Experience Columbus, G Consulting, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Agil IT, FastSigns, Webbed Marketing, and the Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional support was provided by Columbus Chamber Partners Anthem, the Columbus Crew, CompManagement, Inc., Heartland Payment System, and Integrys Energy with media promotion provided by Bartha Audio Visual, 99.7 the Blitz, Classic Hits 103.9, and WMNI AM. Promotional Partners include AT&T, the Columbus Dispatch, Experience Columbus, SWACO, and TechColumbus.
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Save Money with New Chamber Programs
Columbus Chamber members can reduce the costs of doing business with two new saving programs. Launched in June, the programs leverage partnerships with established providers in the natural gas and merchant services industries:
Natural gas with Integrys Energy: Member businesses and their employees will receive a $.10/mcf discount off the Integrys rates found on the PUCO "apples to apples comparison chart." In addition, this special offer is for a fixed price winter/variable summer plan providing a summer adder discounted below the current utility adder. Later this year, the short-term winter fixed rate will be set to stabilize the effects winter can have on natural gas pricing.
Merchant Services from Heartland Payment Systems: Chamber members will receive exclusive pricing on all of Heartland Payment Systems merchant services. Heartland Payment Systems processes all payments — including credit/debit/prepaid cards to online transactions, checks, and payroll— efficiently and cost-effectively so that business owners have the freedom to focus on the business and their customers.
"Our members' success is our top priority at the Columbus Chamber," said Joe Sciulli, director of member services. "We're always at work on initiatives that help them save money and do more with less—leveraging the clout of 2,500 member businesses to negotiate the best prices on products and services businesses use every day."
Other Chamber savings programs include health insurance, human resources, managed cared, office supplies, and workers' compensation. For more information on all the programs, visit www.columbus.org/member-center/savings.
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Capital Connections with Gov. Ted Strickland Tonight
 November's election promises to be monumental. The Chamber's Capital Connections events allow you to hear where candidates stand on important business issues.
Our second event will take place tonight, July 6, with Democratic Governor Ted Strickland. Join us and hear about his plans for our state. The cost is $25 for members, $50 for non-members.
Learn more and register on the event page.
Capital Connections is sponsored by American Electric Power, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, and Steptoe & Johnson.
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Clambake Celebrates 86 Years of Food, Networking & Fun
 Join the Columbus business community as we enjoy great food, networking and entertainment at the 86th Annual Columbus Chamber Clambake. The Clambake will take place Thursday, September 23 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The evening will kick off at 5 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and beverages. A "seafood extravaganza" featuring clams, lobster, crab and more, will run from 7-9 p.m. Entertainment and raffles will be held throughout the evening.
Members can purchase a table of eight for $680 or individual tickets for $85. Non-member tables are $760, and individual tickets are $95.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this time-honored Columbus tradition.
Heighten Your Visibility as a Hospitality Host
Showcase your business as a Columbus Chamber Clambake Hospitality Host.
As a Hospitality Host at the Clambake, you'll have a highly visible position with an 8-foot covered table. You can present materials, display signage, serve hors d'oeuvres – and connect with approximately 800 business leaders and community members. This sponsorship is just $350, plus the cost of food and services.
For more information and to reserve your spot go to www.columbus.org/clambake.
The Columbus Chamber Clambake is presented in partnership with Woolpert. The venue is provided by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and culinary skills are provided by the American Culinary Federation Columbus Chapter. Event leaders are Alterra Real Estate Advisors, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Heidelberg Distributing Company, AEP Ohio, Calfee Halter & Griswold, US Bank, Average Joe's Pub and Grill and Fast Signs. Patron Supporters include Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP and Xerox. Additional support is provided by Columbus Chamber Partners Anthem, CareWorks, the Columbus Crew, CompManagement, and Integrys Energy and Media Partners including Bartha Audio Visual, the Blitz 99.7, Classic Hits 103.9 and WMNI AM 920.
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Preview Chamber Trip to China at Information Night July 27
 Attend a free informational session on July 27 to learn how you can join the Columbus Chamber on a journey of a lifetime.
Representatives from tour provider Premier World Discovery will share details about the Chamber's new Go>Explore China program at a special information night on Tuesday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Easton Community Room, 391 Gramercy Street.
The Go> Explore China program will embark Nov. 10-18, 2010 with a guided tour featuring Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. An exceptional value, the tour is offered for $2,399 per person including air fare from Port Columbus (based on double occupancy).
Visit the event page to learn more and register.
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Columbus Kudos
There are many great reasons to live and do business in the Columbus region. Read some of our June accolades below.
Columbus Named a Logistics Hot Spot
Inbound Logistics Magazine
Columbus Ranked 8th Best City for Volunteering
VolunteeringInAmerica.gov (via ColumbusUnderground.com)
Columbus Metropolitan Library Named Library of the Year
Library Journal
You can also share your reason to live in Columbus, Ohio by participating in the Columbus Chamber's Tell Your Story program.
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Chamber Business - Resolution
At the April 29, 2010, Columbus Chamber Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved the resolution to amend the Chamber's regulations to eliminate term limits for its Executive Committee members. Chamber members may request a copy of the resolution at terry_trissell@columbus.org.
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