VOL. 31 ISSUE 03 A MONTHLY MEMBER PUBLICATION OF THE HASTINGS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE March 2016 Inside... 2 From the President’s Desk March 18-19-20 3 Chamber News 4 Ribbon Cuttings/Salutes/Events 5 Annual Banquet Sponsors 9 Chamber News/Area Events & News 10 Membership Recognition 2016 11 Banquet Award Winners 12 Chamber Staff/Calendar It’s Whoopers and Hoopers time! We already have 59 teams registered and are still going strong. What we YOUR CHAMBER IS... need now are 95 more volunteers to • A Not for profit 501 C6, private, business organization. help at the ticket tables. Shifts are only • Supported by more than 700 businesses, professional, and industrial firms, community members, organiza- two hours long and when you volunteer you will receive a FREE admission to any tions, and utilities. of the Whoopers & Hoopers Tournament • An investment is based on classification and number games! If you are interested in helping of employees. Investments are 80% tax deductible as an ordinary business expense. support a wonderful event that brings • Working for the business community, and it can work several thousands of dollars to Hastings then for you – it is the business connection! please contact the Hastings Area Chamber of • Always seeking to develop programs that will establish Commerce to see what times and locations the Hastings area as an attractive place to live and do business. are available. Thanks for your support! • A volunteer organization, supported by a professional staff. Chamber Staff For more info on any events Be in the KNOW about the Hastings Chamber please call the Chamber at 461-8400 • Business Before Hours • Business After Hours • Special Events • Discounts & Promotions • And More... Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce 2 From the President’s Desk Tom Hastings ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS BANQUET will be at Kitty’s Roadhouse starting at 9:00 a.m. It is your opportunity 2016! “BOOTS, HATS, SPURS & BLING” To make to come and listen to the Senator’s comments and to ask questions it the success that it was, we first have to give a regarding any issues before the legislature at this time. big thank you to all of our sponsors. Their help We also provide Legislative Conference calls. The remaining scheduled and support is what makes our Annual Meeting dates are March 10th and 24th, and April 7th. They begin at 2:10 p.m. and Awards Banquet such a success each year. and last approximately twenty minutes and are here at the Chamber Also, I would like to give a great big thank you to Development Center. During these conference calls we discuss issues the Annual Banquet Committee and Chamber staff for all of their work affecting the business community that have been introduced this and effort and changes they made this year to make the 112th Annual legislative session. By scheduling these different events we hope to give Meeting so successful. Thank you to Paul Hamelink for his excellent all segments of our membership an opportunity to ask questions and job as Master of Ceremonies and congratulations to our very deserving voice concerns regarding issues this legislative session. award winners, Thermo King for the Pioneer Spirit Award, Mike Walenz for the Outstanding Community Service Award, Cimarron Plaza/Johnson WHOOPERS AND HOOPERS 2016 — THE 35TH YEAR! This basketball Imperial, Cimarron Plaza/Bosselman group – Fred, Andy and Krisha tournament is the premier and largest 5-on-5 adult basketball Bosselman for the Max Award, Hastings Ford Lincoln – for the Business tournament in the mid-west if not one of the largest in the United of the Year Award - twenty-six or more employees, Big Dally’s Deli for States. This year’s dates are March 18th, 19st and 20th. Again, we are the Business of the Year Award – up to twenty-five employees, and anticipating over one hundred and twenty teams, which means with Hastings Public Library & Hastings Library Foundation for the Non-Profit just players alone, this event will bring in over 1000 competitors to of the year award. All of those recognized have been very instrumental Hastings and the surrounding area. With family and friends the number in helping shape our community and surrounding areas. Thank you is much higher. The committee is working very hard at making this everyone for attending and for all of the positive comments we have tournament a success, but there are two things we still need. First, we received regarding this year’s program. Thank you!!!! need more sponsors. Without sponsors this tournament could not take place. One of the comments heard most is that – the tournament will GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS — LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEONS & MORE! not have an impact on my business. Whenever you have $500.000.00 With the Nebraska Legislature in full swing, our Governmental Affairs to $1,000,000.00 of actual dollars spent in any Committee has been busy attending meetings, lunches and calls, talking community, over a weekend, it will have an with Senators on issues that are and will be affecting our community. impact on the majority of the businesses in We have one more Legislative luncheon scheduled for March 8th. The a community, if not directly then indirectly luncheon will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the State Capitol room through secondary sales of goods and 1126. We will carpool and leave from the chamber at 9:45 a.m. and services. Second, we need a significant should be back around 3:00 p.m. It is a great opportunity to talk to the number of volunteers. It takes over 250 Senators about any issues you may have a concern with. Please contact volunteers for the weekend so if you could the chamber at 402-461-8400 if you are able to attend so we can have an help for just two hours any time from Friday night accurate count for meals. to Sunday afternoon it would be greatly appreciated. You would also Other Governmental Affairs events: We have had one Coffee with have an opportunity to watch some very good basketball that includes a Senator Seiler and have one more scheduled. It will be March 12th. It number of past college and current professional basketball players. Whoopers & Hoopers Basketball Tournament! If you or anyone you know would be willing to help out for two hours on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, March 18th, 19th, or 20th please contact Mikki Shafer at 402-461-8402. This tournament brings A LOT of money into Hastings. In order for the Chamber to continue to host this event we need your help. www.hastingschamber.com 3 Chamber News The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce staff, committees and the Board of Directors would like to thank Cara Kimberly for od bye her dedication and work for the chamber and the community of o Hastings. She has truly made a difference. But she is not going too G Hello far as she is taking on the position as Community Coordinator with ra South Central United Way beginning in March where her new office ong tulations! is located here in the Chamber Development Center. We wish her C much success in her new endeavor. Cara Kimberly th The Hastings Area 112 Annual Meeting Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet This year’s event was attended by over 450 people. The meal& was catered by Bullseye’s Sports Bar & Grille, liquor license accommodated by Midtowne Mart & Spirits and the host for the event was Paul Hamelink. 281 Studios prepared a video of each of the award winners and KT Photography Plus was on hand to take pictures. During the evening awards were presented to seven businesses and one individual for their contributions to the Hastings community. The Outstanding Community Service Award was given to Mike Walenz. The Chamber has been presenting its “Outstanding Community Service Award” since 1984. Our award winners have helped write the modern history of Hastings with outstanding credentials in business, education and community service. The Pioneer Spirit Award was given to Ingersoll Rand–Thermo King. This award was established to honor companies who have made significant contributions to the community in the areas of leadership and philanthropy for at least the last 20 years. The Max Award was given to Cimarron Plaza / Johnson Imperial and Cimarron Plaza / Fred, Andy & Krisha Bosselman. This award is to recognize businesses in our community who have made significant contributions to the Chamber or community in recent years. The Business of the Year Award honors businesses that have made a significant impact on the local community and/or economy in one of three categories: Up to 25 Employees , 26 or more employees, and Non-profit. Photo by KT Photography Plus 26 or more Employees - Hastings Ford Lincoln Up to 25 Employees - Big Dally’s Deli Nonprofit of the Year Award - Hastings Public Library and Hastings Library Foundation The Four Star Wellness Excellence Award (WellE) was given to Centennial Plastics and the Hastings Utilities. The Three Star WellE recipient, YWCA of Adams County Nebraska, was also recognized. The WellE Award recognize chamber members who are taking active measures to impact the health and wellbeing of their employees at the organizational level. Award Winner Pictures on page 11 Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Ribbon Cuttings, Anniversary Salutes, and Events 10 Year Anniversary Salute Business After Hours Business After Hours The Heritage at College View Edgewood Vista Memory Care Asst. Living Glenwood Business Center 1100 North 6th Avenue 2400 West 12th Street 314 North Burlington Avenue Ste B Legislative Luncheon Lunch & Learn Non–profit Roundtable at the State Capitol Mike Henke, Inc Give Hastings Day 2016–Info for Non-profits Lincoln, NE Managing Workplace Change Chamber WellE www Star Award Winner WellE wwww Star Award Winner WellE wwww Star Award Winner YWCA of Adams County Centennial Plastics Hastings Utilities 604 North St.