July 2019 Greater Burlington Partnership Newsletter Vol
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The JULY 2019 GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER VOL. 99 NO. 7 PARTNERSHIP PRESIDENT & CEO’S LETTER Belinda Colwell Office Manager 319-208-0042 [email protected] Steve Frevert Downtown Partners, Inc. Exec. Dir. 319-208-0056 [email protected] Barb Gerst Director of Finance 319-208-0044 HELLO FROM THE NEW CEO [email protected] Cindy Henry by Della Schmidt Customer Relations Specialist 319-208-0052 [email protected] Jeremy Hess Dir. of Economic Development 319-208-0050 Greetings, Greater Burlington! I am so excited to be joining this community. During these first [email protected] few weeks, I have had some great conversations with City officials, business owners and the Chelsea Lerud staff at the Greater Burlington Partnership and have been impressed with the tremendous pride Convention & Visitors Bureau Exec. Dir. 319-208-0045 people feel towards the Greater Burlington area. I look forward to learning more about the [email protected] hopes and dreams for the future of this region. Brenda Levitt While exploring my new home, I have been struck by the plethora of assets contributing to the Graphic Designer 319-208-0047 region’s quality of life. The natural beauty, the Mississippi River, the historic structures and many [email protected] recreation offerings that are second to none. Coupling that with the strength of Great River Health System, robust tourism amenities, a phenomenal historic downtown district, thriving Rachel Lindeen Event Coordinator retail operations and diverse manufacturing sector, it all comes together to make the Greater 319-208-0046 Burlington area a very desirable place to live, work and play. [email protected] In the coming months, I will be out in the community meeting with leaders to listen and learn Emily Pattee Welcome Center Manager & more about the opportunities for the Greater Burlington area. I will be scheduling several Young Professionals Listening Round Tables where I want to hear about the visions that you have for your businesses 319-752-8731 [email protected] and the area. I welcome your voice at the table. Dustin Roth I will be digging deeper into the workforce needs. Recruiting, retaining and developing talent Marketing & Communications Dir. is a top priority for the next several years. It will require a multi-faceted approach. We will need 319-208-0048 [email protected] to develop new programs to address the growing gap between employer needs and worker skills. We need to help prepare today’s students for future in-demand careers in the major Kay Sackville Breuer Vice President industry sectors throughout the Greater Burlington area. Further, we need to identify barriers 319-208-0041 to recruiting talent and then develop strategies to address those concerns. Partnerships will be [email protected] critical for success. Della Schmidt I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. Hopes, dreams, opportunities – I want to hear President & CEO 319-208-0043 them all. Together, let’s continue to build the Greater Burlington area to its full potential! dschmidt@greaterburlingtoncom SUBSCRIPTIONS: SUBSCRIPTIONS: PricePrice is is $24, $24, which which is is included included inin annual annual events events fees. fees. Non-members: Non-members: $4 $3 per per issue. issue. PeriodicalsPeriodicals postage postage paid paid at at Burlington, Burlington, Iowa. Iowa. POSTMASTER: POSTMASTER: TheThe PartnershipPartnership isis publishedpublished monthly monthly byby the the Greater Greater Burlington Burlington Partnership Partnership 610 610 North North FourthFourth Street, Street, Suite Suite 200, 200, Burlington, Burlington, Iowa Iowa 52601. 52601. POSTMASTERPOSTMASTER send send address address changes changes to to Greater Greater BurlingtonBurlington Partnership Partnership (USPS (USPS 001-692) 001-692) 610 610 North North FourthFourth Street, Street, Suite Suite 200, 200, Burlington, Burlington, Iowa Iowa 52601 52601 page 2 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 ON THE COVER c RAGBRAI® Volunteers The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride across Iowa celebrates Featured on the cover are a number of the Committee Chairs and Executive its 47th year with a special twist. For the first time in its history, Committee members, including: there will be two communities featured as a stop that sit along the Deb Fowler, Executive Chair #1 Mississippi River. Burlington was selected as an overnight stop for Andrea Walz Hartman, Executive Chair #2 the first time. It is estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 people will visit on Joe Jolin, Executive Chair #3 July 26, 2019. Over 10,000 riders will take part in the annual event. Darren Grimshaw, Executive Chair #4 Eva Castillo, Chair – Volunteers Finding a place for 30,000 people to sleep, having enough food Bob Gabby, Chair – Signs available, providing entertainment and even having enough Gina Hardin, Chair – Public Safety bathrooms, showers and trash cans is a monumental task. Combine Breydn Hill, Chair – Electrical those variables with additional traffic, road closures, and being on Keely Kangas, Chair – Campgrounds the lookout for severe weather, all while trying to ensure that Shanna Krogmeier, Chair – Communications Greater Burlington is the best host it can be, takes a very dedicated Vickie Levins and MaryAnn Jordahl, Co-Chairs – Housing crew of volunteers. Nick MacGregor, Chair – Transportation Jenna Meeker, Chair – Information Center Burlington RAGBRAI has 16 committees all working together for Angie Moore, Chair – Public Safety planning purposes. Additionally, each of those committees has Stephanie Nagrocki and Joanna Schneden, Co-Chairs – Hospitality several volunteers who will be helping the week or day of the big Mike Norris, Chair – Showers and Sanitation event on Friday, July 26. Mike O'Neil and David Kroll, Co-Chairs – Beverage Garden /Entertainment Kristin Rowley, Chair – Food & Vendors Gary Szymula, Chair – Ride Right Wayne Thomson, Chair – Law Enforcement Nathan Toops and Brennan Patterson, Co-Chairs – Medical #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 3 Flood Update Downtown Burlington is getting back to normal floodwall did not fail, and it is not complete. after dealing with the third highest flood on record, Additional permanent floodwall construction is along with strong winds and heavy rains. Those with slated for 2020. This and other flood remediation buildings and businesses affected by the flood and improvements partially depend on local sales tax recent storms should have reported damage to the income. Amazon does not care if our riverfront is Des Moines Co. Emergency Management Agency, protected, and neither do out of town malls or big 319-753-8206. box stores. Spending your dollars locally does make As we deal with the aftermath of the flood, it’s a difference. important to remember that the permanent Partnership Night Out... ... at the Bees AUGUST 10 The Greater Burlington Partnership is excited to partner with the Burlington Bees again this year! Enjoy all of the action on August 10 at Community Field when the Burlington Bees take on the Kane County Cougars, followed by fireworks. Game begins at 6:30 PM. Pre-order Tickets are $4 each when buying 10+ tickets by Monday, August 5. Burlington Bees staff will contact chamber of commerce members by phone, or call the Bees directly for tickets at 319-754-5705. GO BEES! page 4 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 REGISTERED OFFICIALS ON l MAIL-IN DEADLINE l ONLINE DEADLINE l TEAM FEE AUGUST 3 - 4 EVERY COURT JULY 12 JULY 15 $144 Register Now! On the Mississippi Riverfront Gus Macker, the original 3-on-3 basketball festival, is more than just a basketball tournament. It’s a weekend festival for the whole family! Even if you aren’t a player, stop down to the riverfront to check out the action! FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL GAMES Starting at 6 PM • Game #1 Midwest Magic vs Burlington Fire Department Back for a rematch. The Magic took home the trophy last year - who Partnership Night Out... will it be this year? • Game #2 Great River Health System vs Great River Entertainment Two sponsors go head-to-head. SATURDAY SPECIAL EVENTS • Dinky Dunk Contest Qualifying rounds 2 - 4 PM | Finals Sunday, 10 AM Anyone under the age of 16, under 6 ft tall is eligible to participate. • Dunk Contest Noon at Top Men’s Court Any registered player is eligible to participate. Signups will take place Saturday morning. * Must be registered with a team to participate in dunk contests. Presented by Want to be involved with the event? Help out by volunteering! Sign up for a time slot at GreaterBurlington.com/visit-us/gus-macker/. No basketball knowledge is needed! Sign up at MACKER.com/burlington-ia #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 5 A Very VintageJuly Market 20, 9 am – 4 pm | Downtown Burlington A one-day outdoor extravaganza, A Very Vintage Market is a place for shoppers and vendors to share their passion to reuse, remake, and restyle. The market features over 100 high quality vendors with antique and vintage décor, repurposed, reimagined, or upcycled items, handcrafted goods, architectural salvage, primitive and farmhouse accents, as well as local eats. Presented by Titan Broadcasting Entertainment Sponsor: Pinned It Creations page 6 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 BURLINGTON RAGBRAI OVERNIGHT / FRIDAY, JULY 26 Flash back to 2009 Burlington RAGBRAI Volunteer Jen Hawes helps a rider at the information center. RALLY TO THE ALLEY T-SHIRTS VOLUNTEERS On Sale Now! Volunteers are needed to welcome riders to Greater Burlington. Various opportunities will begin at 6 AM on ® Commemorate the 2019 RAGBRAI with a Rally to Friday, July 26 and last throughout the day. Additional the Alley Shirt. The shirt is soft to the touch, made of a help for cleanup will be needed on Saturday, July 27 blend of materials. Perfect for wearing on a bike ride or from 9 AM – 12 PM.