Connecting with Waupaca, Iola, Scandinavia, Weyauwega, Fremont, Manawa, Amherst and Surrounding Communities.

Nearly two hundred member investors gathered at the Waupaca Ale House on January 24th to acknowledge the growth and success of area businesses. The Awards Ceremony is held each year during January to recognize and reward exceptional contributions to community and the economy of the Waupaca area. The theme for the evening was, ‘Making Connections.’

“The Awards Ceremony is more than just awards,” explained chamber president, Terri Schulz. “It’s a very social evening. We have silent auction tables with lots of great packages. We eat and drink and enjoy connecting with other chamber member investors. It’s not a meeting – it’s more like a party to celebrate our area’s successes.”

The event began at 5:00 PM with a social hour and heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by the Ale House. The awards presentation began at seven o’clock. Retiring board chair, Jim Trzinski presented plaques to former board members to show the Chamber’s appreciation for their contributions. Among those recognized for service to the Chamber were Jean Grenlie, Deb Johnson, and Steve Johnson. Trzinski was also recognized for his contributions by incoming board chair, Craig Kantos.

Ceremonies continued with Facelift Awards which are given to businesses who have moved, expanded or improved the appearance of their business. Facelift Award winners were the new Waupaca Kwik Trip, the Chain O’Lakes Bar & Grill, the Waupaca Wellness Center, Dairy Queen and the Waupaca Mobil Travel Center/ Three Squares Restaurant.

The Grand Facelift Award was presented to the Waupaca Mobil Travel Center /Three Squares Restaurant for numerous

updates and improvements to the store and restaurant, the grounds, signage and the addition of a new, state-of-the-art car wash.

The Service Award is bestowed on an individual who has given greatly of time and resources to the betterment of the chamber, its programs and the community. The 2011 Service Award was presented to Joey Leonard, Vice President of

February 2012 Newsletter

Staff President: Terri Schulz Operations Director: Kathy LeClair Tourism Director: Jeff Anderson Information Services: Lynn Tolle Sales Director:

Officers Chair, Craig Kantos, Riverside Medical Center Chair-Elect, Paul Shrode, Fox Valley Technical College Vice Chair / Secretary / Treasurer, Kirk Kallio, ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc. Past Chair

Directors

Chris Enslin, Recover Health Trey Foerster, Journal Community Publishing Group Allyce Lees, The Paint Store William Lipschultz, Alter Metal Recycling Mark Staniak, Cellcom Jerry Tiffany, Tiffany Complete Estate Planning Julie Thompson, Community First Credit Union Angie Wanty, First National Bank Bill Zimmerman, Office Outfitters

W a u p a c aW a u p a c aW a u p a c a A r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c eA r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c eA r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

Contact The Chamber if your business is

interested in becoming a President’s Club

Sponsor. 715-258-7343

PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S CLUB CLUB CLUB SPONSORSSPONSORSSPONSORS

ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc.

Making

Connections

Awards Ceremony

Waupaca Mobil Travel Center/Three Squares Restaurant

Cont. Page 2

Joey Leonard

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Human Resources for ThyssenKrupp Waupaca. Responding to the award, Leonard urged chamber members to take advantage of chamber opportunities saying that all of us are better for the effort.

The Rising Star Award is given to a business in operation for five years or less that has shown exceptional growth. The Rising Star for 2011 went to the Waupaca Ale House for their innovative White House Tent to facilitate outdoor weddings and parties. The White House is a 4,000 sq. ft. climate controlled tent with dance floor,

ceremony area, pond, fountain, food-service and gazebo. The addition of the tent helped them host sixty-eight weddings in 2011 and hire over 25 new employees. According to general manager, Justin Leick, more growth is expected in 2012.

Receiving the Small Business of the Year Award was Chain O’Lakes Bar & Grill. The popular restaurant and entertainment venue has undergone numerous changes inside and out. A deck, volleyball courts, the enormous, solid concrete bar, kitchen expansion and indoor remodeling are only a partial list. More changes are in the offing according to father and son owners, Don and Trent Handrich who toughed out a slow start to build the business into a

debt-free, heads-on growth industry. Handrich’s and bar manager Chris Rasmussen all seem to have their sights set on a future “Large Business of the Year Award.”

The 2011 Large Business of the Year Award presentation was a family affair. Jim Klismet, his wife, Dianna, and sons Steve and Todd were all on hand to accept the award on behalf of the Waupaca Mobil Travel Center/Three Squares Restaurant. The Klismet’s have five sons, four of whom play a part in the success of the family business. Todd, Steve, Jamie and Scott are in management and/or ownership positions. The fifth son, Father Mark, is a Catholic Priest in Baltimore, MD

What began as a typical American truck stop with a dozen employees in the ‘70’s has evolved into a modern convenience store, full-service 144-seat restaurant, package goods store, tire and auto repair shop, trailer rental and high-tech car wash. Recent upgrades have been the talk of the community.

To be successful in business – large or small - Jim recommends that you do your homework. “I’m always doing research. Sometimes for months I’ll read and talk to people.” he explains, “You have to get out of town once in awhile to learn what’s out there – what’s new.”

Klismet has earned his stripes in the business world: over the years he started seven Hardee’s Restaurants, three Bonanza Restaurants, the Best Western Grand Seasons Hotel and Water Park in Waupaca (which he recently sold), and with several partners, another Best Western Hotel In Marshfield, WI. The family also started a trucking firm, a car wash and an automotive parts business and recently acquired the Waupaca East Side Mobil Express. He has over 70 employees, fifty of whom work at the Waupaca Mobil Travel Center

If a business is to really succeed, Klismet says, it will be because of the employees. He is quick to point out that his success would not have been possible with the tireless efforts of the people who work for him.

See the Chamber Website for complete stories on the award recipients. http://www.waupacaareachamber.com/wp‐content/uploads/2012/01/Waupaca_Chamber_2011_Report.pdf

Awards Ceremony, continued from page 1

Waupaca Ale House

Chain O’Lakes Bar & Grill

Waupaca Mobil Travel Center/Three Squares Restaurant

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Awards Ceremony, continued from page 2

Facelift Awards

Chain O’Lakes Bar & Grill

Kwik Trip

Dairy Queen

Waupaca Wellness Center

Welcome New Investors 4

Charter Business Gary Tanner and Jamie Verhelst 165 Knights Way Suite 100 Fond du Lac WI 54935 920-886-3200 www.charter.com Committed to you and the growth of your business, we offer cost-effective products and solutions catered to your needs, backed by the reliability that only Charter Business can deliver — working around the clock to keep your business moving.

Nelson’s Shell Sonya Nelson 1104 Churchill Street Waupaca WI 54981 715-256-9260 Friendly service, open seven days a week, M-F 5a-11p, S-S 6a-10p, a complete line of convienence store items including Subway.

The Post Roger Rupnow 490 Tanacrest Drive Atlanta GA 30328 715-258-8479 Providing a 3 bedroom, 2 bath vacation rental on Long Lake.

Kwik Trip Brenda Swan 106 Hwy QQ Waupaca WI 54981 715-258-7245 Providing top-quality gasoline plus you'll find bakery goods, milk, snacks, hot sandwiches, fresh coffee and top-notch service.

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Name Change: Hayes & Byers has changed their name to Community Eyecare Center. Doctors Jeff & Mary Jo Byers, location, and phone still remain the same.

CAP Service will hold their 7th Annual Golf Inside Outing (GIO) Fundraiser, Feb. 20th at the Paper Valley Grand Ballroom, Appleton, from 5:30-8:30 pm.

Tickets are $40 ea. Or $150 for a foursome. It is a fun night of mini golf, raffles, auctions., live music and food and drinks. Proceeds benefit the Skills Enhancement Program in the Fox Cities and Waupaca County. Goodwill is in need of clothing and shoes. Tell your friends and family. They can accept donations at the Waupaca store. Monday through Saturday 9-9, Sunday 10-6.

C&D Professional Insurance Services-Rural Mutual Insurance has moved to 109 E. Badger Street. Their location has changed but not their other contact information.

Waupaca Community Arts Board: Invites you to the first WCAB fundraiser, Sunday, February 19 at TW Martin's Public House. Tickets $40 (purchase in advance at Brooks' Family Chiropractic, 717 Churchill Street) and includes a wonderful dinner. There will be a silent auction featuring art from local artists, a raffle, a 50/50 drawing and more.

Thank you to the fifty business-es who donated items for the Awards Ceremony Silent Auc-tion. With all of the items we were able to create twenty packages for attendees to bid on. It was terrific. And the best part was the $1967 raised from it. This money will be used to-ward promotion of ‘Shop Waupaca Area First’ campaign.

Special thanks for those attend-ing the event and bidding high and often!

Awards Ceremony Silent Auction

A FREE SEMINAR, Starting and Surviving in Business: Planning for Business Success, will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012. It will focus on the process of developing a business plan, including finding the optimal legal structure for your business. Location is the Waupaca High School on Highway 22 just south of Waupaca, room 1236. It will be presented by SCORE in co-operation with UWSP Small Busi-ness Development Center and the Waupaca Chamber of Com-merce.

For more information and pre-registration, please call 715-346-3861.

SCORE is a volunteer, non-profit organization that acts as coun-selors to America’s Small Businesses. It does not market any products, and all services are provided at no charge to clients. For more information go to: www.score.org.

Starting and Surviving In Business

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WMC is accepting nominations for the 23nd Annual Business Friend of the Environment Awards, honoring companies that have made significant improvements in the areas of pollution prevention, environmental innovation and environmental stewardship. On Thursday, May 10, 2012, the awards will be presented at the annual WMC Environmental Policy and Awards Conference at the Country Springs Conference Center in Pewaukee. These awards will be publicized statewide and locally. If you feel your company, or a company you may have worked with, strove for environmental excellence in 2011, recognize it by submitting a nomination. Self-nominations are encouraged. Winners will be selected by an independent panel of judges representing industry, the Department of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin, and environmental groups. For further information, please contact Scott Manley at 608/258-3400 or smanley@wmc.org. A nomination form is available at the awards section of our website at www.wmc.org/wewg or contact Karen Mahlkuch at kmahlkuch@wmc.org or 608/661-6938. Return the nomination form by Friday, March 16, 2012, to Karen by mail, fax or e-mail.

Wanted: Environmental Success Stories

The Governor’s Export Achievement Awards acknowledge Wiscon-sin companies and organizations that have achieved extraordinary results in international markets or have contributed to Wisconsin’s ability to compete in the global economy.

"Wisconsin’s exports increased more than 18 percent in 2010, and Wisconsin ranked as the 18th largest exporting state," said Paul Jadin, CEO of the WEDC. "We look forward to recognizing the achievements of Wisconsin's exporters who continue to make our state an international leader."

Any agricultural, forestry, industrial, high technology or service enter-prise successfully engaging in or assisting in exporting Wisconsin-origin products or services is eligible for nomination. Company or organization employees or those with knowledge of a deserving company can submit an award nomination for consideration. The WEDC must receive applications by 4:30 PM February 21, 2012.

A panel of international trade professionals will evaluate the nomina-tions for innovation, effectiveness, special effort in growing export sales, enhancing employment, expanding the economy and increas-ing Wisconsin’s international prestige.

The WEDC will present the awards May 8, 2012, at the 48th annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference in Milwaukee. For more information about the Awards, contact Stanley Pfrang, WEDC, at 608-267-0639, stanley.pfrang@wedc.org, or at http://wedc.org/export-achievement-awards.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) accepting nominations for the 2012 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards.

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Article taken from the Workforce Watch, WI Department of Workforce Development By Dennis Winters, Chief - Office of Economic Advisors

The latest string of economic indicators may hint at a more promising 2012 for the nation. The ISM manufacturing index that had been fluctuating between 51 and 53 for the last six months broke out to the upside in December to 53.9 (50 means expansion), with a wholesome gain in new orders. Factory orders, except transportation (to smooth out chunky aircraft orders) for November rose 0.3 percent on the strength of unfilled orders.

In the retail area, same-store sales in December were 3.4 percent above 2010 levels, although mixed among vendors with higher-end shops doing better (Walmart and Amazon.com were not included in the numbers). Even November construction spending was up month over month and year over year, 1.2 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, for only the second time in at least three years.

Housing is showing some improvement. Residential construction has started to rouse due to multi-family construction. November multi-family housing starts were up 25.3 percent to 685,000 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Single-family home building was more lackluster, with November starts up 2.3 percent SAAR. Existing home sales are warming a bit as well. Mortgage rates are running at historic lows.

Employment factors are hinting at greater gains. The national trend continues upward for jobs and downward regarding the unemployment rate. National December private sector jobs numbers were up 212,000. The average monthly national jobs increase for 2011 was 137,000, roughly double the 2010 rate. We would prefer the jobs number to be at least 250,000 per month to make the national economy more self-actuating. Unemployment insurance claims have been on a downward trend as well.

Slowly Improving Economy Makes for Promising 2012

The LEADS Network may be your ticket to success. Attend a meeting and see how the network works. It turns Referrals to Riches; It is easy to participate; It can benefit your business and others; You will make new friends who will help promote your business.

It is just that easy.

To attend a meeting contact Terri: Terri@WaupacaAreaChamber.com, 715-258-7343.

LEADS Network

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Lorman Provides You with Educational Opps all Year long See their website for a full listing of courses.

http://www.lorman.com/training/WaupacaAreaChamber

When signing up be sure to enter the priority code 16288 and discount code V7082234 to receive 20% off all courses.

Courses hit on all topics including banking, construction, payroll, public works, sales, and taxes.

Most courses and seminars are offered on line for easy access. Examples include: Conducting Successful HR Audits April 20, 2012 How to Use Facebook as an Effective Sales Tool April 13, 2012

Writing Real Estate Descriptions That Sell March 19, 2012

Plus every course you take the Chamber receives a commission which helps our bottom line.

In 2012, America will decide if we stay the course or go a new direction. Dominating the landscape will be the economy, the price of energy and the elections – the Three E’s of America’s future. Business leaders will have an opportunity to shape the debate that will forge the consensus that will chart the course for our nation. Business Day in Madison is Wisconsin’s premiere legislative event, bringing nearly 1,000 business leaders together with policymakers to discuss the most important issues facing our state. The program format provides an opportunity for the business community to have direct access to elected officials, hear from nationally acclaimed experts on current issues, and network with other business leaders. Business Day in Madison this year will provide a preview into the hottest topics confronting our state and nation. Speakers: ROBERT BRYCE, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute; Energy Expert, “Inventing the Future: Five Reasons to be Optimistic about Future Energy and Power Supplies” TODD BUCHHOLZ, Former White House Economic Policy Director, Trend Forecaster, Investor, Author, Politics, Global Economy, “The Economy in the Age of Obama” DR. FRANK LUNTZ, Pollster and Communications Professional, Luntz Global, “What’s REALLY on the Mind of America?”

Business Day In Madison—Feb. 16

Congratulations to these Member Investors on their February Anniversaries.

Bauernfeind Business Technologies, Inc. 1960

Sew N Sew 1997

Restorative Healing Touch, LLC 2011

Send your Anniversary date to Kathy@WaupacaAreaChamber.com to be recognized.

Congratulations

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board with support from Waupaca Rotary will present the finan-cial education event, ‘The Reality Store’ at the Waupaca High School on March 7 from 8 to 11:30 am for 375 junior and seniors.

They are looking for volunteers to help staff the booths. Each volunteer is stationed at one of the Re-ality Store booths where they will be true salespeople selling students a particular product, no experience is needed. There will be a booth description at each station which outlines the cost of each product. When students select their purchase you will use a calcula-tor to deduct the cost from the students checkbook register and record the new balance. Every 15 minutes a group of 45 students will rotate in/out of the Reality Store. It takes about one hour for a group of students to visit all the booths.

The goal of the event is to help students learn basic skills in financial planning, goal setting, decision mak-ing and career planning. After ‘Reality Store’ students will have developed a more realistic idea of what life will hold for them as adults.

If you are interested in helping please contact Teresa Duda at tduda@wsd.waupaca.k12.wi.us or 715-258-4131, ext. 1229.

Volunteers for WHS ‘Reality Store’ Needed

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

LEADS Network 7:30a Breakfast 8:00a Network Comfort Suites

3 Member Support Committee Meeting 7:30am, Chamber Conference Room

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14 Political Strategies Committee meeting 8:00 am Chamber Conference Room

15 16 LEADS Network 7:30a Breakfast 8:00a Network Comfort Suites

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21 Business Enhancement Committee Meeting 7:30 am Chamber Conference Room

22 23 Tourism Promotion Committee Meeting 7:30 am Chamber Conference Room

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27 Strawberry Fest Committee Meeting 4:00pm Chamber Conference Room

28 Business After 5 TBA

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Reminders: 1. The deadline for the newsletter advertisement submission is the 15th of each month. 2. The Board of Directors usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month. 3. Business After 5 usually takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Note: The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-secular organization. Holidays listed are legal holidays and are posted for business convenience only.

February 2012 Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday

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Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce 221 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981 - Phone 715-258-7343 - Fax 715-258-7868

Interested in joining a committee or network, contact the Chamber for more info and details.