March 2019 Greater Burlington Partnership Newsletter Vol
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The MARCH 2019 GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER VOL. 99 NO. 3 PARTNERSHIP Kay Sackville Breuer PRESIDENT & CEO’S LETTER Vice President 319-208-0041 [email protected] Belinda Colwell Office Manager 319-208-0042 [email protected] PARTING THOUGHTS Steve Frevert Downtown Partners, Inc. Exec. Dir. 319-208-0056 by Jason Hutcheson [email protected] Barb Gerst Director of Finance This marks my final column inThe Partnership newsletter as well as my 319-208-0044 [email protected] last opportunity to provide commentary as your lead staff person. Cindy Henry Let me first say that working on your behalf has been an incredible journey. My career with the Customer Relations Specialist organization began at the naive age of 26 and, fortunately, I was blessed with a terrific mentor in Dennis 319-208-0052 [email protected] Hinkle, co-workers that were both talented and inspiring, and a business community that has long provided tremendous support to the cause of community improvement. Jeremy Hess Dir. of Economic Development There are too many individuals to thank for the wisdom and encouragement received over the years, so 319-208-0050 instead, I wish to leave you with some lessons I have learned along the way. [email protected] 1. Success is about culture. Greater Burlington can choose to be a community fueled by negativity, Jason Hutcheson President & CEO plagued by unfinished projects, and full of mistrust for its leadership. Or, it can thrive by dreaming big, 319-208-0043 working hard, collaborating together, and accepting nothing short of success. I have seen both scenarios jhutcheson@greaterburlingtoncom at work in this community over the years, and they each lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Chelsea Lerud Let’s consistently choose a culture of success. We will get what we expect. Convention & Visitors Bureau Exec. Dir. 319-208-0045 2. The hard work is never done, but it is worth it. Community initiatives do not magically happen. [email protected] It is important to take time to celebrate our victories and recognize those individuals sacrificing time and treasure to support the community. Although many great things have and will continue to occur in Brenda Levitt Graphic Designer Greater Burlington, we can never become complacent. 319-208-0047 [email protected] Families need to be strengthened, neighborhoods crave investment, infrastructure lacks maintenance, employers seek talent, community projects need leaders, and our business community depends on a Rachel Lindeen Event Coordinator healthy consumer. There is much to do, and the good work is never done. The tasks at hand can seem 319-208-0046 overwhelming at times, but each of us has much to contribute. Keep up the good work. [email protected] 3. Don’t rush to judgment. Over the last 12 years, I have seen businesses thrive yet have also witnessed Emily Pattee bankruptcy. Community projects have succeeded, and some have failed. Promotions have been Welcome Center Manager & Young Professionals received, and careers have been terminated. Our personal circumstances often cloud our judgement, and 319-752-8731 sometimes we rush to conclusion. We all do it. [email protected] More than anything else, I have learned there is often more to a story than a 280-character tweet, a 15 Dustin Roth Marketing & Communications Dir. second radio clip, or a few sentences in the newspaper. We function best when we give each other grace, 319-208-0048 support one another during challenging times, and invite respectful critique. By living and working in [email protected] this community, we share a common bond. People come and go, but this organization and its mission will outlive all of us. Your executive committee has contracted with Ploeger Recruiting Services to lead the search for a new CEO. Although this process will probably take a couple of months, I have little doubt the position will attract quality talent from SUBSCRIPTIONS: across the Midwest. 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: It has been my pleasure to serve you. May our paths continue to cross in the future. 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 3 Jason Hutcheson President & CEO ON THE COVER c 319-208-0043 4 jhutcheson@greaterburlingtoncom Annual Dinner Award Winners 2 1 Annually, the Greater Burlington Partnership has the privilege of honoring numerous individuals, organizations, and businesses at the Annual Dinner. The awards are a tradition of the Chamber of Commerce that began in 1965 with the top honor of the Emmy Award. 7 5 1. It was with great pleasure that the 2018 Emmy Award was given to Jerry Smith for his continued years of community service. Jerry can be seen 6 throughout the community volunteering, attending events and meetings, or helping others. He is active with Hope Haven Area Development Center, especially Hopefully Yours, and also Southeastern Community College. 5. Business Person of the Year was awarded to Justin Myers, Owner, Myers Construction, Inc. and Myers Design Studio. 2. The Chairman’s Award was awarded to Charlie L. Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust, for his work with 6. Project of the Year was awarded to Great River Entertainment for their the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. renovations and new addition of the Hampton Inn. Jerry Baum, COO, Catfish Bend Casinos, L.C., pictured. Additional award winners are selected through nominations in a variety of categories. 7. Young Professional of the Year was awarded to Hillaurie Fritz-Bonar, Director of Communication, Art Center of Burlington. 3. Best Renovation was awarded to the Burlington Police Department. Dennis Kramer, Chief of Police, pictured. Congratulations again to all award winners. Thank you for helping make this community an amazing place to live, work and play. 4. Community Impact was awarded to Carl A. Nelson Company for their charitable foundation. Tim Seibert, President, pictured. #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 3 Greater Burlington Leadership GET YOUR LUCKY DUCK NOW! Members of the 2018 - 2019 Greater Burlington Leadership Class are selling raffle tickets that will get your duck in the race! Funds raised will help to finance improvements at Camp McBride, which is operated by the Burlington Area YMCA. Additionally, CNH Industrial will provide manpower and heavy equipment for their annual Day of Impact, where employees give back by working on needed projects. The Lucky Duck Dash will include family activities and be held on May 4, 11 am - 1 pm at Lake Starker in Crapo Park. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, contact [email protected] page 4 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 BURLINGTON SELECTED AS OVERNIGHT STOP FOR RAGBRAI 2019 Burlington has been selected as an overnight stop for The Greater Burlington Partnership will be the lead RAGBRAI 2019 on Friday, July 26. Chosen from more than planning organization for Burlington RAGBRAI 2019. 200 interested cities, Burlington will be the seventh stop Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help make this event along the route. Riders will continue from Burlington to a success while playing host to over 20,000 visitors in the finish in Keokuk on Saturday, July 27. community. To find the most up-to-date information or to volunteer for Burlington RAGBRAI 2019, please visit 2019 will mark the sixth time Burlington has hosted BurlingtonRagbrai.com, follow “Burlington Ragbrai” on RAGBRAI, but the first time as an overnight stop. Previous Facebook or call the Greater Burlington Partnership stops took place in 2009, 2000, 1990, 1984, and 1979. at 319-752-6365. BurlingtonRagbrai.com GET YOUR 2019 COMMUNITY GUIDE Call 319-752-6365 or order online #GreaterBurlingtonPartnership • GreaterBurlington.com page 5 ADVOCATING FOR TOURISM & QUALITY OF LIFE AMENITIES In February, the Convention & Visitors Bureau and Economic Development divisions of The Partnership traveled to Des Moines to speak with State of Iowa elected officials at the Travel Federation of Iowa Legislative Showcase. Key issues discussed with legislators included strengthening the lodging tax and supporting the current school start date. Both initiatives will help Iowa’s tax base to grow. The tourism industry educates the public about the area’s quality of life amenities, which could encourage the next employee or business to move to our community. It is important to have continued conversations with our elected officials to remind them that tourism is an important part of the State’s economy. page 6 RiverPark Place • 610 North 4th Street, Suite 200 • Burlington, Iowa 52601 • 319-752-6365 Lunch & Learn CAPITOL THEATER March 8, Noon The Snake Alley Festival of Film showcases the best short films from around the world. Here’s your chance to get to see some of YP SPOTLIGHT these wonderful films! RSVP by March 1. (YP membership inclues lunch; cancellations after March 1 will result in a meal charge.) Emily Ludolph Employer: Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Hometown: Nauvoo Biz Tour YP Member: 5 years THE TURF Why did you join YP? I had recently moved to Burlington and was looking for a way to meet new people, get involved March 28, 5:15 PM and learn more about my community.