On Wednesday, May 7, 2014 the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the first GCHS Student Job fair. The Chamber event served as an opportunity for students to learn more about the variety of summer employment opportunities available to them throughout Finney County.

“The Chamber was happy to work together with Garden City High School and host this important event,” said Steve Dyer, Cham-ber President. “With the unem-ployment rate below 4%, it is the Chamber’s mission to help our members find part and full time employees to meet the growing workforce demands.”

The event was held during the four students lunch periods inside the Common’s Area at Garden City High School. All student were given the opportunity to meet and discuss employment opportunities with the 19 businesses on hand.

Prior to the event the Chamber partnered with several business professionals from the area to host a “Resume Day” where students were provided packets with sample resumes tailored to fit a GCHS student with little to no previous work history. Students where offered the opportunity to send their resumes to members of the resume day panel for suggestions and comments prior to sending it to potential employers.

Richard Taylor, owner of Office Solutions, Inc. in Garden City said he felt the event was a great oppor-tunity for the students. “This was a great event to let our students know of employment opportunities available to them. The Chamber and the school counselors did an outstanding job working the with students on their resumes prior to the job fair.”

Several of the business on hand asked the Chamber to host addi-tional job fair throughout the year and even to look into the possibili-ty of hosting an event at the college level.

“We are already working with the High School and the College and have tentative dates for two job fairs to be held at the high school and at Garden City Community College,” Dyer said.

“This was a great thing to do,” stated GCHS Principal James Mireles, “We are excited about hosting future career fairs and making them bigger and better.”

The Chamber is currently working with both the High School and the Community College to host student job fairs in the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015. For informa-tion regarding event dates, time and booth information, please contact the Chamber at (620) 276-3264.

Contact Us

Steve DyerPresidentsdyer@gardencitychamber.net

Myca BunchVice Presidentmbunch@gardencitychamber.net

Sylvia LiraOffice Managerchamber@gardencitychamber.net

Mary WilsonAccounts Payablemwilson@gardencitychamber.net

Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce1511 E. Fulton TerraceGarden City, KS 67846

Office: 620.276.3264Fax: 620.276.3290www.gardencitychamber.net

&NEWS OMMERCE

GARDEN CITY AREA

June 2014

Our Mission

Improve the quality of life, aid in economic growth and development, represent the business community on legislative issues and promote cooperation between the public and private sectors.

OMMERCE

GARDEN CITY AREA

VIEWS

Accepting the ChallengeAt their November 2014 annual meeting, the 24 current Chamber Ambassadors discussed their goals and priorities for 2014.

One of the items on their list was to create a point system to monitor Ambassador attendance at designated Chamber and community events. Those events include the monthly Chamber Breakfast, Chamber Busi-ness After Hours and community Ribbon Cuttings. Each event was assigned to a point system to enable the Ambassador Chairperson and Chamber staff monitor involvement.

The Ambassadors, comprised of business professionals from Finney County, discussed the qualifica-tions for the new “Ambassador of

the Quarter” program. Under the criteria set forth during the meeting, one person would be named the Ambassador of the Quarter based on attendance, Chamber involvement and their overall ability to promote the Chamber and the business com-munity.

The Ambassador of the Quarter Award for Jan - March 2014, was awarded to Ms. Cecilia Runnion of Western Kansas Broadcast Center.

Runnion joined the Ambassadors in the fall of 2013 and has since gone on to serve on the Chamber’s Busi-ness Visitation Committee and the Chamber Wine Tasting Committee.

The Ambassadors are currently look-ing for additional business profes-sionals to join their group.If you would like additional informa-tion on becoming a member, contact the Chamber at (620) 276-3264.

Above - Cecilia Runnion accepts the Ambassador of the Quarter award from Committee Chairman Scott Bauer.

Your Social Media Marketing is Not Working - Somebody Help!by Peter KaczmarykSocial Media ManagerList Engage, Inc.

Marketing is the most exciting and rewarding type of marketing available to small business owners right now. Many people however, confuse the word “exciting” with “easy”. For this type of marketing to be “rewarding”, meaning to produce results, a lot of smart planning and hard work has to be put in. You disagree? Tell me your sales or commissions for the last three months, OK… I thought so.

It would seem obvious, but how many people publish on their personal profiles, both business and personal posts? How many have their business profiles or pages optimized? Did you just say, “What’s that?” Do you know how to properly optimize your page/profile and why?

Do you even have a business profile/page? Are you present in the major Social Media channels? Do you post on the subject relevant to your compa-ny? Do you know where your custom-ers are? Do you post on regular basis, whole day long, but not too much and not too little? Do you keep their atten-tion and be at the top of their minds? Do you understand the difference between brand building posts? Call to action posts, boosted, promoted or sponsored posts?

Are you listening, monitoring to what your audience is saying? Are you en-gaging in any way, replying to ques-tions, concerns problems, etc.?

Did you know that according to the latest study, your potential client/cus-tomer has to see your message 11.5 times on average, before they “bite”? There is a whole lot of competition out there. Have you ever wondered, why some do a lot, lot … better than you? Are they smarter then you? Hardly, the dirty secret is, they give the dirty work, the meat and potatoes of Social Media marketing to a good professional like me and this is why, you don’t stand a chance!

It’s like saying, I don’t need a real estate agent to find my dream house or I don’t need a mortgage broker to get me the best deal or I can do all my le-gal paperwork in a real estate transac-tion, myself! Some try and fail in more ways than one. Nothing is more appar-ent than in a Social media marketing arena, where your breakfast, lunch and dinner are being taken away from you, day in and day out!Hire a Social Media Professional – Why?

I think you are getting the idea by now that do-it-yourself Social Me-dia marketing is a full time job, best performed by a knowledgeable Social Media professional. It is not a sideline activity to do if your time allows, be-cause your survival depends on it!Say to yourself, No More! I want my business to be highly visible and in front of my potential clients and no more Social Media costly mistakes! Give this crucial aspect of doing busi-ness the respect and the attention it deserves!

Upcoming Chamber Events

Targeting the Future WorkforceChambers hosts GCHS Student Job Fair

Annual Wine Tasting EventSaturday, September 20, 2014Clarion Inn BallroomCome experience a trip “Around The World” as the Chamber hosts it’s 9th An-nual Wine Tasting Event. Sample over 30 unique wines carefully paired with delectable food and desserts. Present-ing Sponsor Western Beverage will host a beer garden with various craft beers. Tickets are $55 per person. Special $10 off couples pricing available until Sep-tember 1, 2014. Sponsorship opportu-nities available, contact the Chamber for details.

Crystal Apple AwardsThursday, November 20, 2014Clarion Inn BallroomThis marks the 19th year the Chamber has hosted the Crystal Apple Recogni-tion in Education Awards (CARE) aimed at recognizing Finney County educators for the amazing work they do in shap-ing the future of area youth. Presenting sponsor Bors Law, PA will award the three Crystal Apple finalist over $1500 in prizes during the event. Tickets go on sale beginning November 1, 2014. Recruitment team members from the local JC Pen-

ney Store visit with students regarding employment opportunities.

Employees from the Garden City Recreation Commission speak with students regarding summer positions available.

Local and regional Kansas Army Nation Guard members attended the GCHS Job Fair providing information to the students regarding the career opportunities with the Army National Guard.

TOURNAMENT

2014 CHAMBERFRIDAY,

JUNE 20TH

The Golf Club

at Southwind

Sign up online atwww.gardencitychamber.net

Presented by

HPPR began broadcasting in 1980 with a single station, KANZ-FM, serving southwest Kansas and studios in the

former Pierceville, KS grade school. Since then, HPPR has incrementally expanded its service area through local initia-tives and capital campaigns. In 1989, HPPR relocated its main studio and office to 210 N 7th St in Garden City. In 2005, HPPR opened a second studio and office in downtown Amarillo,

TX. Between the two locations, there are 13 full and part-time staff members and over 20 volunteers. Currently, HPPR

operates 21 FM stations and translators serving 78 counties across a five state region of the High Plains.

HPPR will be giving away two Business Underwriting Sales packages, one to an existing underwriter and one to a new business. Each business will receive 3 months, run of sched-ule, on-air spots on KANZ in Garden City. The other give-away will be an overnight stay in Amarillo, Texas.

Join us on June 19th for the Chamber’s Business After Hours event at High Plains Public Radio!

Around the block

Garden City Public Schools Food Service ProgramGarden City Public Schools is continu-ing a program to provide summertime meals to children and youth. The meals are free for anyone age 18 and under. The 2014 summer lunch program begins June 2nd and runs through July 24th. Lunch times are from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and are available at both Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center, 401 Jennie Barker Road and Horace Good Middle School, 1412 N. Main St. For more information, contact Roy Cessna, USD 457 Public Information Coordinator, at (620) 805-7190

GCCC Summer WorkshopsGarden City Community College has Employee Development and Retention Workshops available. The Workshops, coordinated through GCCC’s Continu-ing Education Department, run during the months of June and July and regis-tration is now open. Contact Jean Warta, Director of Continuing Education at (620) 276-9521 for more information.

GC Arts Opens New ExhibitGarden City Arts recently opened the new “Western Art Show” featuring numerous local and well-known artists. The show’s display is timed to coin-cide with the annual Beef Empire Days events and runs through June 21st. Contact the Gallery at (620) 260-9700 for details.

Global Bazaar AnnouncedFriends of Lee Richardson Zoo’s second annual “Global Bazaar & Ten Thousand Villages Festival” will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday June 21 in front of the Wild Asia exhibit at Lee Richardson Zoo. The bazaar is a ven-

dor-style event featuring cultural arts, crafts, food, fair trade goods, small businesses and antiques from various vendors. Friends will host a “Ten Thousand Villages” booth, which pro-vides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North Ameri-ca. There is no admission fee for pedes-trians. Booth spaces are still available at $50 per booth. Current Friend members receive $25 off per booth space. Contact the Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo for more details at 620-276-6243 or direc-tor@folrz.com. The “Global Bazaar” is a benefit for Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo. Funds raised will go toward a new primate exhibit.

Bors Law welcomes New EmployeeBors Law, PA is excited to announce that they are expanding their legal services. Linda J. Lobmeyer has joined the firm and brings several years experience as a defense lawyer and prosecutor to the organization. Linda will be working in several different legal fields including criminal, juvenile, traffic and probate. Visit Linda at Bors Law, 118 W. Pine St or call (620) 276-2800. YMCA to offer Personal Training CertificationThe Garden City Family YMCA and the National Exercise Trainers Association, a non-profit professional association, are co-sponsoring a Personal Trainer Cer-tification Course, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, 2014. Personal trainers are fitness professionals involved in ex-ercise prescription and instruction. They motivate clients by setting goals and providing feedback and accountability to clients. This 2-day workshop includes demonstrations and practical applica-tion of one-on-one training. NETAs expert trainer will cover exercise science

review, communication skills, exercise programming, and more. Workshop registration includes the written exam and 2-year certificate. NETA’s Personal Trainer Certification is accredited by NCAA. The workshop fee is $449. To register call 1-800-237-6242 or online at www.netafit.org. The Garden City Family YMCA can be reached at (620) 275-1199.

Multicultural Summit dates announcedThe 2014 Cultural Diversity Dinner & Multicultural Summit will be held on September 18-20, 2014. Those interested in attending the annual event can con-tact Michelle Stegman at (620) 276-1172 for registration and event information.

Noon Lions Club SponsorshipThe Garden City Noon Lions awards two (2) five-hundred dollar scholar-ships per year to deserving, graduating high school seniors. Students’ academic achievements and extracurricular activ-ities in school and in the community are instrumental in students receiving these awards. Submitting this scholarship application does not guarantee a schol-arship. Submit completed application to Garden City Noon Lions, Attention: Scholarship Committee, PO Box 453, Garden City, KS 67846. Deadline is July 1, 2014. To request a scholarship appli-cation, contact Leo Hanneman via email at lhanneman@cox.net.

Have an “Around the Block” story you would like us to publish? Send your ar-ticle to mbunch@gardencitychamber.net by the 20th of each month. Publication in the “Around the Block” section is FREE for Chamber Members!

People are our Priority.

“We make it happen, you make it home.”

1135 College Drive, Suite AGarden City, KS 67846

Ph: (620) 271-9500Fax: (620) 271-9515

www.hometownrealestategc.com

ConsolidatedPrinting

for all your printing needs

www.consolidatedprinting.com

Hours

Wednesday, June 18, 2014Check -in - 7:00 a.m. / Program - 7:30 a.m.

The Golf Club at Southwind

Presenting Sponsor: Marketing

Sponsor:

Thursday, June 19, 20145:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

networking - great food - cash prizes & giveaways

Chamber breakfast

12 - Ribbon Cutting, Jameson Energy Project. 10:00 a.m.

18 - June Chamber Breakfast Presentations by Trans-portation Partners & Logistics (TP&L) and United Method-ist-Mexican American Ministries (UMMAM) Location: The Golf Club at Southwind at 7:30 a.m. Don’t miss your chance to win two tickets to the first ever “Cage Fight” at The Golf Club at South-wind!

19 - Business After Hours - hosted by High Plains Public Radio, 210 N. 7th St. Join us as we tour HPPR and meet their outstanding staff.

June Events

Big L Sales

JuneBeverage Sponsor

May Sponsors: Transportation Partners &

Logistics (TP&L)and

United Methodist Mexican American Ministries (UMMAM)

Snapsh ts

Top Left - Representatives John Doll, Don Hineman and Russ Jennings address attendees at the final Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coffee of the year at St. Catherine Hospital on Thursday, May 15, 2014. Top Right - John and Emme Miller of Miller Rentals receive recognition during the May Chamber Breakfast for their 43 years of commitment to the Chamber and the community. Bottom Left - Guests enjoy a pool-side Business After Hours event at The Garden City Inn on Thursday, May 29, 2014. Bottom Right - Guests enjoy breakfast and networking at the Chamber’s monthly membership breakfast held at the Golf Club at Southwind.

Southwind

Attend the June Chamber Breakfast for your chance to win two tickets to the first ever

at the....The Golf Club at

cage fight

AfterBusiness