I just noted that the last blog date was April 5 and immediatley wondered "How can that be?" as it seems I just submitted it - but the month of April has certainly been one of great activity around Noblesville.   Spring break is a big event for many area families who disappear from Noblesville forSouthern locations, seeking a sunny climate after a long winter.  However as we had such a record-breaking March for warm weather those of us who stayed home did not feel quite as deprived as usual!

May is also quite busy around the Noblesville Chamber - Women's Luncheon, Networking breakfast, Cash Mob, Business After Hours, Monthly Luncheon, and of course the Annual Golf Outing!   Many opportunities to grow your business, make new friends, and support YOUR Chamber of Commerce!   Check out our website, gather a foursome for golf, patronize your local merchants, and enjoy the sunshine!

Sharon

I don't know about you but for me Spring is more of a "make those resolutions" time then January 1 !   There is something about the increased sunshine that actually makes me want to clear any clutter, streamline those scribbled notes from home and work, purge my emails...you get it!  

Have you noticed the books, magazine articles, TV shows, etc. devoted to "stuff" - enough to make our heads spin!  Granted, most of us can relate on some level, however it is interesting (maybe scary?) that our "stuff" has spawned an entire new industry!   How many of you reading this recall your childhood when primarily your parents purchased what was needed, on a much less frequent basis than most of do currently?   Oh well, guess I am dating myself on that one!

The focus here at the Chamber is quite similar - in fact we always look forward to "Spring break" here because we get an opportunity to come for air, attack those projects which we have set aside for awhile, and prepare for one of our most important fundraisers, the annual Chamber Golf Outing.   As we are self-sufficient here in our budgeting process, relying only on our Chamber membership dues, our sponsors, and our events to sustain our 77-year old organization, we are working hard to make sure this upcoming May 22 event is all it should be - and more!   Stay tuned in coming weeks for more information!

Sharon

Where can Chamber members best utlize their Chamber membership to market to both the public and other Chamber exhibitors?

The Chamber's annual "Taste of Business" of course!   A lively and informative venue is planned each year at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds exhibition hall in Noblesville.   A capacity of 80 Chamber member exhibitors fills the hall with their multi-faceted exhibits and enjoys the opportunity to share with the public and other vendors.  

A dozen food vendors offer their most delicious and tempting treats for those attending - yum!   Most exhibitors also provide giveaways and prizes to the attendees.   DJ Sunny Moon keeps the energy going with his diverse and fun tunes, and exhibitors vie for several awards - the Bistro, the Most Creative, People's Choice and the coveted "Best of Show."

Stop by on Tuesday, March 27, 4:30-7 p.m.  - a great way to learn more about what business in Noblesville has to offer!

Noblesville Chamber Members and Citizens -

You may wonder what is new with an organization that is nearing its 77th birthday...you may think we are resting on our laurels of being the first Chamber in Hamilton County, of staying consistently organized through the remnants of the Great Depression of the early 1930's, through a World War, conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, political ups and downs, not to mention the sometimes rollercoaster economy!  

We have been here for our community through all of those national and world events, not to mention the birth of Rock n Roll, communal hippies, disco, and...let's see, what was after disco??

Anyway, my point is that the staff, the committees, and the board of directors are all here working for you, the businesses of Noblesville - without you the Chamber would not have thrived through all of the above and much more.  Without you, we cannot design new programs and services which we hope will meet the ever-changing business needs of our member.   Technology is changing almost faster than we can all keep up - but we are working on it!  AND we want to hear from you - please let us know what you would like to see "new" at the Noblesville Chamber; stop by and see us at 601 E. Conner Street or contact us by email at info@noblesvillechamber.com or call the office Monday - Friday at 317-773-0086.  

Think Spring,   Sharon

Chamber Members -

Just realizing today that it has been over a month since I last posted a blog - time has passed quickly in the month of January!   I can't help but wonder if this will be the case throughout 2012!   

Perhaps since we have all been caught up in the Super Bowl festivities it has caused time to appear to speed up this last month - so much activity and focus has been directed to central Indiana and I believe we have all been SUPER busy trying to keep up with the festivities!   Now that we are post-game perhaps things will slow down just a bit - after all we know that our Midwesterners don't move quite as quickly as our East coast friends from New York and Boston!

Seriously, we have truly been blessed with our local weather and what we believe is an economic upturn; it is a great time to be a Hoosier and I hope you all continue to support your local businesses and think about where and how you spend your dollars.    The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce will continue to support, promote, and to be the "Cheerleaders of Local Business" because our local businesses are truly our winning team!  

Sharon 

Many people - both Noblesville Chamber members and non-members alike - do not know that the Chamber is not supported in any way by government, grants, or other organizations.   All of the funds which support the Chamber operations are directly from membership dues and special event sponsorships.   The past several years, some of our Chamber members have made a significant difference in the growth and outreach of the Noblesville Chamber by their Corporate Partnerships with the Chamber.

Corporate Partnerships are a way of "bundling" many Chamber benefits into an annual package - for instance providing many additional benefits to a Chamber member over what those benefits and services would cost if utilized separately.   The Chamber has secured several levels of Partnership and wish to thank those members for their support and participation in the upcoming year:

Legacy Partners -  Community Bank and Riverview Hospital

Executive Partners - Comcast Business Class,  Community Health Network, and St. Vincent Health

Presenting Partners - First Merchants Bank, Katz, Sapper & Miller, Krieg DeVault, LLP, M&I Bank, Noblesville Times, Star Media, Taylored Systems, The Farmers Bank

Happy New Year to all - see you in 2012!     Sharon

Dear Chamber Friends,

I was first introduced to how giving our community is when, as a small child, I observed my Dad's efforts through a local Lodge to help provide food and toys to families during the Holiday season.   Noblesville was a small community of just over 5,000 at that time, and most people either knew or knew of every other person in the area.   We knew who the "poor" people were, and where they lived.   Reaching out and helping was a more personal endeavor during those times.

Today the number of people challenged by the economy, health issues, job loss, etc. has grown considerably, along with our "small town" of Noblesville.  However, so has the number of people willing to give, to help those less fortunate, and to share the Christmas spirit.

Thank you, Noblesville, for your generosity, your compassion, and your sense of community - God bless you all and warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyous Christmas season.

Sharon 

What does "shop local" mean to you?   A five-minute drive?   Placing an internet order that arrives "locally" to your front door? :) 

To me there are varying definitions - but some of those include purchasing items and services from local artisans, the mom-and-pop retail on the Square, or yes, absolutely any business that employs local personnel who live here, support our schools and services, and also shop here!  

Those of us who love Noblesville know that a healthy community has a mix of independently-owned businesses, restaurants, professional services and larger retail establishments for some of those big-ticket items we all need from time to time.   Some businesses sell brands to which I am loyal, some offer my very favorite dishes, yum, and some have those unique, one-of-a-kind items that are just so special for gift-giving.   There is room for all in Noblesville!

So, yes - shop local, enjoy the ambience of a growing City with a small-town atmosphere, and don't forget a smile for your fellow shopper as we remember why we are celebrating during this wonderful season - to give Thanks for our bounty and to remember and recognize the birth of One so long ago.

Blessings and Peace to you all,   Sharon

Change is a tricky word...the concept of change can bring excitement, fear, dread, energy - so many adjectives!   Change, however, as most of us relate to that word, is a good thing.   Without change we do not grow, flourish, and improve.   Just think - what if most of your objectives, opinions, and life experiences never changed - although many of us would not mind if some things (thinning hair, wrinkles, etc.!) changed a little more slowly!

Here at the Noblesville Chamber we would like to announce a staffing change.  Our long-time administrative assistant, Lennie Jacobs, has retired after 20 years of employment with the Chamber.  We truly appreciate her services and accomplishments and wish her the very best - not to mention some fun; she deserves it!

Our new administrative assistant is Cathy Berghoff.  Cathy comes to us with several years of experience in coordinating events, working with groups, and organizing people like me!   Cathy is a wife and mother and and active member of the Noblesville community.   We are looking forward to welcoming her to our team.

Without change which includes new programs, services, technical and marketing opportunities, the Noblesville Chamber would not continue to attract new business members, as we currently do I am pleased to say.   We are 75+ years young and keeping our youthful perspective as we work diligently to serve our Noblesville area businesses.  

Sharon

Are we really in the last quarter of 2011 - how did that happen??   Fall is one of the Chamber's busiest times as we reflect on and review the many programs, activities and functions of the year and prepare our 2012 budget and Program of Work.   We have a couple more luncheons ahead, on October 26 and then our Holiday Luncheon on December 7th at Purgatory Golf Club.   Both events are already posted on the Chamber website so feel free to make your reservations!

Earlier this year the Chamber's economic development committee hosted a "Financial Resources Forum" and due to popular demand we are repeating that forum on November 9 at 8 a.m.   See the website at www.noblesvillechamber.com for more information.   Our Enterprise Awards dinner is always highly anticipated as we announce the winners in several business categories.   That dinner will take place at Purgatory Golf Club on November 17, 6:30 p.m.

Yes, the Fall season is a time of reflection and a time of planning for the future.  The Chamber's 76th Anniversary is this November - one year ago we were hard at work planning our 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala!  Wow - what a party that was!  

We are here at 601 East Conner Street to serve you - stop by and see us, check out our website, join us at an event, and be a part of our legacy of serving the business community in Noblesville!

Sharon