Zanesville-Muskingum Co. Chamber of Commerce
Membership Matters
News from the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce
 
June 22, 2010

In this Issue:
 
  • Your Member News
  • TV Exposure for Less
  • No Final Friday...But First Friday is a GO!
  • How Do You Get New Customers?
  • A Taste of Zanesville
     
  • Free Computer Training
  • Workers Comp and Health Insurance
  • Golf Outing Set for August 20
  • Anthem Plan for Chamber Members
     

 
 
Your Member News

 

Corna Kokosing Construction Company was named The Best Contractor in Columbus CEO magazine's Best of Business.  Corna Kokosing is a full-service commercial builder with more than 200 associates and annual revenues of $150 million.  
 

The winner of the APC Battery Surge Protector, given away June 1st by Image Computer Solutions, was Connie Rine of Covenant Insurance Agency.  The APC unit was given away in a drawing for all new signups for the ICS Offsite Backup Service during the month of May.

Rankin & Rankin Insurance is proud to announce the addition of Matthew T. Joseph to their agency.  Joseph, a property and casualty agent, recently completed The Association Perpetuation Plan, an intense three week training program focusing on aggressive sales and technical training for new producers.

Thanks to Mark Mechling from OSU Extension - Muskingum County who is speaking on Wednesday June 23 to the Zanesville-Muskingum County Safety Council about the safe application of pesticides.
 

 

 

TV Exposure for Less
 

 

The Chamber of Commerce is teaming up once again with WHIZ-TV to put together a cooperative community-awareness campaign to promote the benefits of buying goods and services locally.  This promotion is a perfect opportunity for businesses to increase visibility at a relatively low cost per exposure.  
 
Five different 30-second television messages will be produced, espousing the virtues of buying locally.  Each message will feature five representatives from participating businesses.  Each representative will be on-camera voicing one segment of each message, with the representative's company logo featured prominently on screen at the same time.  Scripts will be prepared by the Chamber and WHIZ-TV and will be provided to participating businesses. 
 
Each of the five messages will air a minimum of 100 times over the course of the six-week campaign tentatively slated to run from June 28th through August 8th, and will appear in Sunrise in Southeastern Ohio, The Today Show, Live at Noon, and the WHIZ-TV Reports at 6 and 11, as well as NBC and syndicated programs.  The cost to participate in this high-profile community-awareness campaign is $495 per business.  If you would like to have a presence on multiple versions of the campaign, a second slot may be added for $425 and any additional may be added at $395 each.   

To participate contact Joy Riddle at the Chamber of Commerce by emailing jriddle@zmchamber.com or calling 455-8282 to secure your position.
 
 
No "Final Friday".....But "First Friday" is a GO!
 

The usual Final Friday Networking meetings will not be held in June and July.  But the First Friday Art Walk on July 2 is still on, and it is a great way to get out and network, enjoy the arts, and take in some entertainment.  There is no charge to attend the walk, reservations are not necessary, and you can tour the downtown galleries and studios at your own pace.

And to kick off your evening you can visit with fellow Chamber members at an "After Hours" event hosted by Huntington National Bank at their Main Street location.  Francine and her staff look forward to your visit!  Please stop in and say hello.

The Art Walk is from 6 pm to 9 pm on every first Friday of the month.  Visit this link for more information.  A map and list of open locations will be posted at this site the week of the event.
 
 
How Do You Get New Customers?

 

The results of the latest monthly business practices survey - about how you locate new customers - are available online at www.zmchamber.com.  Go here to see the results of all previous monthly business practices surveys.

 
A Taste of Zanesville
 
 
The annual A Taste of Zanesville event will be held on July 14th, 2010, from 5:30pm - 8:00pm in Downtown Zanesville.  This popular annual event celebrates Pottery Week and features a fun-filled evening in downtown Zanesville. Participating businesses invite the public to enjoy demonstrations, crafts, refreshments, contests, a pottery toss, a garden show at the library and great entertainment. Lorena rides are also available at 2:00 and 3:30. Fun and Free for the entire family.  Stop by the Welcome Center in downtown Zanesville for a brochure and you may call 455-8282 for more information.
 

 

 
Free Computer Training
 

Your business and your employees can take advantage of FREE technology training being offered by the Adult Center at the Mid East Career and Technology Centers.  But you have to act quickly before the program expires.

Mid East is distributing vouchers for training and certification testing in Microsoft Office such as Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Microsoft IT certifications, and all you have to do is sign up.  The training is all offered online by Microsoft and its retail value is typically more than $300 per class. The vouchers must be obtained and activated by August 26, 2010 and the training completed within 9 months.

For those who would like to take a Microsoft Office certification in 2003 or 2007 software, Mid-East has free certification exam vouchers available.  The exams must be taken by August 26, 2010 and there is a proctoring fee of $20 per hour for each exam taken.

This offer is part of a national Microsoft program called "Elevate America", through which the company has donated 60,000 training vouchers to the State of Ohio to help prepare the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century workplace.  The vouchers are being distributed through the state's network of adult education centers such as the one located at Mid East.  The only stipulation is that you are willing to give the required information: name, email address, employment status, length of employment or unemployment, current wage, education level attainment, age, and gender.

Time is of the essence, so area businesses must act now to obtain a training voucher.  For more information visit www.adultcentereducation.org or contact Sue Gibson at sgibson@mid-east.k12.oh.us or 740-455-3111.

 

 

Resources on Workers Comp and Health Insurance


Check out these new sections of our website that provide you with resources about two important issues:  Workers compensation and health insurance.


These sections have information on things like workers comp discounts through group rating, safety council, the drug free workplace program and more.  Also, we have an wealth of information on subjects like national health care reform, the Chamber's Anthem plan, and employee wellness.  Check back often for new additions as we update the site.
 
 

Golf Outing Set for August 20
 


The annual Chamber-Jaycees Golf Outing will be held on Friday, August 20 with a 12:30 pm shotgun start. Golf teams are of course being accepted and we are seeking hole sponsors for $50 each.  To reserve your team's spot or for more information contact Dana Matz at dmatz@zmchamber.com.

 
 
Anthem Health Plan for Members

Health insurance can be your largest financial burden. Yet, you recognize the importance of healthy employees. Chamber Plan through Anthem offers health care options for small and mid-size businesses that mirror the benefits large corporations offer. Chamber members receive a discount and have access to over 100 plan designs, including health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRA's) and traditional PPOs. Chamber Plan may not be the most affordable option for every chamber member company, but it might pay off to check and see.  For a quote on Chamber Plan contact your local health insurance broker - they can tell you how the rates compare to what you are paying now.

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