Regional business partnership grows

A regional business alliance that hopes to foster better communication and speak with a common voice on business issues has added another member.
The Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce agreed earlier this month to become the latest group to join the Pikes Peak Regional Business Partnership, which was formed a year ago, said Dave Csintyan, chief executive officer of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Other members include the Springs Chamber, the Hispanic and black chambers, Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the Tri-Lakes Chamber, the Fountain Valley Chamber, the Southern Colorado Women's Chamber and the Eastern Plains Chamber.

Mayor Rivera to deliver state-of-the-city address to chamber

Want to know what's good about living in Colorado Springs? Ask Mayor Lionel Rivera (right); he loves to talk about the city. Rivera will deliver his annual state of the city address at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon, to be held at the downtown Antlers Hilton Hotel, 2 S. Cascade Ave. Rivera is expected to discuss the city's progress and problems, successes and challenges. The event is typically attended by several hundred business people and community leaders. Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-members. More information or to purchase tickets: 635-1551, or go to http://www.coloradospringschamber.org/ and click on "calendar of events."

Springs Business Expo set for Thursday

One-stop shopping can be as important to business people as it is to consumers.
So, when more than 200 Pikes Peak region businesses gather Thursday for the 24th annual Springs Business Expo, they’ll have the opportunity to meet one another, sample new products and exchange ideas — all under one roof.
Hey, it’s better than a couple hundred power lunches, and nobody has to wrangle over who will pick up the check.
The Springs Business Expo, presented by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, will feature about 250 booths manned by Spring-area businesses.
About 2,000 attendees are expected throughout the day, she said. The expo isn’t limited to the business community; members of the public are invited to attend, as well.

WHAT: Springs Business Expo
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday May 22, 2008.
WHERE: Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop, near Chapel Hills Mall and Wal-Mart in northern Colorado Springs
COST: Free to online registrants who sign up before noon Wednesday; $10 afterwardand at the door
MORE INFORMATION: 635-1551 or visit www.coloradospringschamber.org and click on “calendar of events.”

Springs Business Expo coming May 22

The annual Colorado Springs Business Expo, sponsored by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, will take place10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22 at the Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop on the city's north side. The event, which allows businesses to gain leads and network with new and existing clients, is billed by the chamber as one of the largest area business expos. More information or to participate : 635-1551 or awhittaker@cscc.org

Women in Business Conference & Athena Award luncheon scheduled in April

The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce's annual Women in Business Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17 at The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs. The conference will feature topics such as time management, business etiquette and personal stories of success. The annual Athena Award -- presented to an individual for business accomplishments, community service and helping women reach their full leadership potential -- will be given out during a luncheon that day. The luncheon cost is $65, while the cost for the luncheon and conference is $125. To nominate someone for the Athena Award, contact Jenifer at jenifer@cscc.org or 575-4313. RSVP at http://www.coloradospringschamber.org/.

Chamber conducts military job fair

The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce will conduct a Military Family Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly the Sheraton), 2886 S Circle Dr. on Colorado Springs' south side. The event attempts to match employer needs with the training and skills of military, reserves and guard personnel and their families. For more information, contact Brian Binn at 575-4325 or brian@cscc.org.

Eastern Plains Chamber launches Web site

The new Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce, formerly the Falcon Business League, has launched what it calls a preliminary Web site at www.easternchamber.org. Some information, such as a business directory, is still to come, but there is contact information, details on meetings and leadership, and links to other chambers.

Revisiting the chamber-EDC split

For those with long roots in the Springs business community, talk of a possible merger between the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corp. stirs memories of the split between the two 16 years ago.

Ronald Lehmann helped spearhead the split of the EDC — then the Economic Development Council — from the chamber. The chamber’s board of directors ousted him as chairman of the chamber’s EDC division in August 1991 after he proposed the group become a separate organization. At the time, the split was portrayed as coming after years of often-bitter infighting over how much control the chamber should have over the EDC. But Lehmann says that wasn’t really the issue.

The issue, he said, was whether being part of the chamber made sense for the EDC. Did it enhance or detract from its mission? For Lehmann, the answer was clear.

“The chamber at that time was and I think still is a very process-oriented organization,” he said. The EDC, he said, is more goal-oriented, with a need to be nimble and responsive to a changing business environment.

“It isn’t really correct to think we had a real schism. We had a different mission and purpose and business plan than the chamber, and I think frankly the EDC still does.”

New city manager to address business leaders

Penelope Culbreth-Graft (right), Colorado Springs' new city manager, will discuss her impressions of the city when she speaks before a business breakfast at 7 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Doubletree Hotel Colorado Springs-World Arena, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., on Colorado Springs' south side and near the Colorado Springs World Arena. Culbreth-Graft, the former city administrator in Huntington Beach, Calif., was hired by the City Council in November to succeed retiring City Manger Lorne Kramer. Culbreth-Graft's talk is being sponsored by the Quality Community Group, which is composed of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp., the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors. Registration for the breakfast begins at 7 a.m., and the breakfast and program start at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. To register, go to www.coloradospringschamber.org/ or call 575-4313.

A growing partnership

The Greater Colorado Springs Partnership is growing — and getting a new name in the process. The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the black and Hispanic chambers announced the partnership in June and were quickly joined by Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak Convention and Visitors Bureau. All retained their individual identities, but embraced the alliance as a way to share resources and speak with a single, stronger voice on key issues. The partnership is becoming the Pikes Peak Regional Business Partnership as two new chambers join: the Fountain Valley Chamber and the Eastern Plains Chamber, formerly the Falcon Business League. They’ll officially sign on at the Colorado Springs Chamber’s “Breakfast With the Chamber” on Tuesday morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Re/Max founder to speak at chamber's annual dinner

Dave Liniger, founder of Denver-based real estate giant Re/Max, will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at The Broadmoor hotel's International Center. Liniger is recognized as an expert in time management, sales training, recruiting and motivation and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Success and other leading publications. He's also appeared on television and radio throughout North America. He is a recipient of The Warren Bennis Award for Leadership Excellence from the Global Institute for Leadership Development and has been inducted into the International Franchise Hall of Fame. A commercial pilot, golfer and Arabian horse breeder, Liniger also has been a NASCAR driver and owned Team Re/Max Racing. He's also co-owner of the Sanctuary Golf Course near Sedalia; co-founder of the Wildlife Experience, a Denver-area conservation center; and sponsors Sentinels Of Freedom, a group that provides four-year “life scholarships” to help veterans become self-sufficient. To RSVP for the dinner or for more information, contact the chamber's Jen Furda at 575-4313 or email her at jenifer@cscc.org.

Chamber supports USOC retention

Not surprisingly, one of the Pikes Peak region's principal business groups says it supports retaining the U.S. Olympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs -- which is a little like skiers expressing their support for snow. A resolution approved recently by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce board expresses the group's "deep commitment" to the USOC and its presence in the city. The resolution notes the USOC's contribution to local tourism, its estimated $316 million annual economic impact and its enhancement of the state's reputation. The resolution also "encourages the sustained aggressive support of elected officials, community leaders, the media and other Colorado citizens to rally around the effort and solidify the mission to keep the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs." USOC officials have said they're evaluating proposals to move the organization's headquarters elsewhere; the group has been in the Springs since 1978. City officials have said they're working with the USOC to gauge and meets its desire to upgrade its offices, which are part of a 34-acre site near Boulder Street and Union Boulevard that includes an Olympic Training Center.

Chamber weighs in on Pinon Canyon debate

The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce is working to make its voice heard in the debate over expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

The Army’s intention to buy more than 400,000 acres of land in southeast Colorado has met with fierce opposition from ranchers who live near the training area. The House voted last month to stop the Army from spending money on the project.

In letters this week to senators Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard, the chamber urged passage of the Senate version of the 2008 Defense Military Construction Appropriations bill. The letters encourage Salazar and Allard to reject the amendment that the House added to its bill blocking funding for the study and assessment of the maneuver site expansion.

“The state’s military installations are critical to the vibrancy and well-being of our state’s economy, contributing approximately $2.8 billion annually,” the letters state. “Colorado’s military installations not only provide a tremendous number of jobs and revenue to our state, but also create an atmosphere that entices other companies to relocate to Colorado, including many small start-up businesses.”

International team busy in Washington

About 70 local business and community leaders are in the nation’s capital for the annual Washington Legislative Action Mission, organized by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Wednesday was the last full day of activities. The mission is divided into five teams: business, defense, homeland security, international affairs and education/health care. George Boutin, executive director of the Colorado Springs Office of International Affairs, e-mailed this report on the activities this week of the international affairs team:

Our group visited the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we were greeted by Tarik Al Lagany, the embassy's information officer. We were surprised to hear him speaking perfect English with a very New York — almost Brooklyn — accent. Tarik was born in Saudi Arabia and is still a Saudi citizen, but he grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side. We questioned him about everything from energy policy to role of women in Saudi society. Saudi Arabia has plenty of oil, but very little water, so the country has been forced to develop water conservation techniques, some of which might be useful in Colorado. And even though it won't run out of oil any time soon, it is investing heavily in alternative energy technology, especially solar energy.

The team also met with trade officials at the Embassy of India who were particularly interested in programs available in Colorado Springs for educating students in the sciences and engineering. Tuesday evening the ambassador of India, Ronan Sen, and Mrs. Sen hosted a dinner for the entire Legislative Mission at their residence. In his welcoming remarks, the ambassador noted that the relationship between the U.S. and India has improved in recent years and bilateral trade is growing rapidly. We invited the ambassador to visit Colorado Springs and to speak to the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council.

During the conference, the international team also had the opportunity to hold meetings at the Department of Commerce, specifically the International Trade Administration, where we met with officials of the Trade Information Center. We discussed opportunities for trade with Canada, which is the largest foreign trade partner for the United States and for Colorado, not to mention our largest foreign source of energy. The Commerce officials also discussed the North American Free Trade Agreement and its effects on trade with both Canada and Mexico.

Defense team at work in Washington

About 70 local business and community leaders are in the nation’s capital this week for the annual Washington Legislative Action Mission, organized by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. The mission is divided into five teams: business, defense, homeland security, international affairs and education/health care. Here is a report e-mailed from Brian Binn, president of the chamber’s military affairs division, on the defense team’s activities Tuesday:

The defense team traveled to the Pentagon for informative briefings on the America Supports You program, the “Why We Serve” Department of Defense speakers program, and the Army’s top priority program for the future combat force - Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team.

The America Supports You program is a Department of Defense program recognizing citizens’ support for our military and communicating that support to members of our Armed Forces and their families, at home and abroad. It’s a one-stop location for our military and their families to find hundreds of support organizations eager to help our heroes when they need it most. There are over 300 home front groups, representing communities from coast to coast, which have provided over $4.5M in direct financial support, over 9,000 free airline tickets to hospitalized service members and their families, and many other types of support services.

The DoD speakers program, “Why We Serve,” helps tell the story of why our men and women in uniform have chosen to serve. These volunteers from all our services spend about six months traveling to a wide demographic of audiences.

The Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team now being developed and tested under the auspices of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command will revolutionize the Army’s combat systems and force capabilities for the future. Multiple mission vehicle systems, designed around a common chassis, with hemispherical automatic defensive capabilities, a centralized network information center, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems of varying size and capability, stand-alone sensors and other components are the basics of the FCS BCT.

In the afternoon, representatives from the Colorado Springs SCORE office, Small Business Development Center and the Chamber of Commerce Business and Military Affairs Divisions visited the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir to discuss the start-up of a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in El Paso County. Such a center, funded through a DLA grant and community matching funds, would provide a valuable resource to small and large businesses requiring assistance understanding the complexities and requirements to compete and do business with federal, state or local governments. In many cases this would relate to the growing and diverse number of companies that rely on defense contracts within our region. Our goal is to apply to establish a regional PTAC in the spring of 2008. This year’s efforts will be to prepare the proposal and seek matching funding for the grant.

Greetings from Washington

About 70 local business and community leaders are in Washington, D.C., this week for the annual Washington Legislative Action Mission, organized by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Here are two reports e-mailed from participants on Monday’s happenings:

From Steve Recca, director of the Center for Homeland Security at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs:

The chamber has arranged a terrific opportunity to meet and engage with the Colorado congressional delegation and relevant agencies in the Washington area. So far, so good – just keep the coffee comin’!

One of the afternoon presenters was Dave Sprenger from CU’s Office of Government Affairs. Dave briefed our group on CU’s federal budget agenda and legislative priorities. His office has been on the front lines of several successful efforts to fund important education and research initiatives at CU (and UCCS, in particular) that truly have had – and continue to have – national impact. In the past four years, roughly $15 million dollars of directed funding has gone to UCCS for long-term programs in homeland defense and K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

From Brian Binn, president of the chamber’s military affairs division:

Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard addressed the chamber’s contingent of community leaders, reaffirming his support for legislation proposing a National Veteran’s Cemetery in the Pikes Peak region. Although there are several hurdles that still need to be overcome at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the support of our Colorado legislators is most welcome. Sen. Allard also stated his continued support for the growth and funding of the missile defense mission and its importance to our region.

Chamber Washington D.C. trip- Update

The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce has extended the early bird reservation deadline to March 5 for the Washington Legislative Action Mission trip to Washington D.C. March 18 to 22.

Cost for early bird registration is $590.

The Washington Legislative Action Mission offers community leaders the opportunity to go to briefings by national officials, meetings with Colorado’s Congressional delegation, and a reception. Participants will be divided into teams: business, defense, homeland security, international affairs and education/health care. Some activities included in the trip are: Potomac River cruise, visit to the Embassy of India, meetings with the Colorado Congressional Delegation, briefings at the Pentagon, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NASA and the White House.

For information or registration, contact Sandy Wenger at Sandy@cscc.org or 575-4317. To register online click here.