Columbus Chamber Blog: Information about economic development, economic and business trends, Columbus workforce, programs, events and the Chamber of Commerce in and around Columbus, OH

Member Spotlight: Chute Gerdeman

Chute Gerdeman is an award-winning strategic brand and design firm. Founded in 1989 by visionary leaders Elle Chute and Denny Gerdeman, Chute Gerdeman has grown into a multi-disciplinary brand experience company with a global presence. Known for creating unforgettable environments, compelling communications and innovative business strategies, Chute Gerdeman connects client, customer and brand.

The firm’s core capabilities include intelligence, brand, design and implementation with expertise across a wide range of retail, restaurant, service provider and CPG brands. The firm’s client list includes Bob Evans Farms, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Express, Nationwide Arena, Huntington Bank, HER Real Living, Jimmy John’s, Kohl’s, Levi Strauss, Mattel (Barbie Shanghai), M&M’S/Mars, RadioShack and Target.

Why We’re Chamber Members:
We’re members of the Chamber to stay connected with the Columbus community and maintain a strong presence in our hometown. Our associates are deeply embedded in the Columbus scene, from our involvement with Columbus College of Art and Design and The Ohio State University, to local professional associations. As a hot bed of retail activity, Columbus has served our company well as a home base and we’re proud to call Columbus home. 

Fun Facts About my Company:
- Chute Gerdeman’s headquarters was built in 1885 and originally housed state-of-the-art ice making machines that could produce 220 tons of ice a day.

- We are a group of people with one very important common bond: we are passionate about inspiring and energizing our clients’ customers. Plus, we know how to have a heck of a lot of fun. Look for Chute Gerdeman in local bowling and kickball leagues, on bike rides through the city’s parks, at charity events and fundraisers.

Featured Product/Service:
Creating authentic brand experiences, via our four core capabilities of intelligence, brand, design and implementation. Look for our work—retail, restaurants, consumer goods and service providers—wherever consumers interact with a brand. We look at brand in every dimension.

Chute Gerdeman offers a truly collaborative approach focused on your business, your customer and your specific objectives. We have developed a unique and scalable offering that allows us to focus on holistic solutions with the widest focus or the narrowest view.

For more information on our services, visit our website, company blog or read our company newsletter.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. View our archive of past spotlights.

Young Professionals Spotlight: Columbus Board of REALTORS Young Professionals Network (CBR YPN)

Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of April, the Columbus Board of REALTORS Young Professionals Network (CBR YPN) is featured.

When and why was Columbus Board of REALTORS Young Professionals Network (CBR YPN) started?
The group was formed in 2009 as a response to the National Association of Realtors creation of the nationwide initiative to develop the next generation of leadership.

Why become a member?
CBR members who join the Young Professionals Network elevate themselves to learn about and be involved with their local and national association, become influential in policy discussions and advocacy issues, network with and be mentored by successful industry professionals and volunteer their time with charitable activities.

What are some success or cool facts about YPN?
Columbus YPN was part of the first wave of YPNs formed nationwide. With over 80 members locally, they join over 143 networks in nearly all 50 states. YPs can register on the national website as a young professional and join online networking webinars and chats for referral business.

How do I become a member?
Prospective members should contact the CBR staff liaison Marque Bressler to be added to the membership list. The next YPN event is an April bus trip and scavenger hunt exploring the flavors of generous local businesses near the Newark town square.

Where can I go to learn more about CBR YPN?
Click here to view the mission statement, committee leadership team and contact information to join. Click here to check out the national YPN lounge and blogs. Join the CBR YPN on Facebook, too!

To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.

Green Member Spotlight: Consider Biking

Consider Biking is Columbus’s member-supported bicycle advocacy organization which hosts fun events like the BikeColumbus Festival, July 15-16, offering a range of free tools to knock down barriers to bicycling and working in the trenches so you can focus on riding. Its staff and volunteers are working to improve the bicycling environment throughout central Ohio.

Why We’re Chamber Members:
Bicycling is good for your health, the environment and businesses’ bottom lines. When bicycling programs are integrated into company wellness plans, there’s an ROI of at least 3:1 in health care cost containment, decreased parking costs, decreased absenteeism and increased productivity. Board members representing Hahn, Loeser & Parks LLP, Nationwide Insurance, M/I Homes and other companies see this value and support Consider Biking.

Fun Facts About My Company:
The sbBicycle Card:
Consider Biking has a new, unique bicycling incentive program, the sbBicycle Card, in partnership with the Small Business Beanstalk. With the sbBicycle Card, employers can reach out to the affluent bicycle demographic and provide a free benefit to employees.

RideNet Online Bike Community
Consider Biking encourages riders to register with and record rides on its RideNet social networking website. The more rides logged, the more chances to win great prizes.To get started with RideNet, create a rider bio. Then, keep a ride log, find or build a team/company/school page, locate and promote cycling events and rides and connect with other riders. Individuals can also log their rides by joining Consider Biking’s team.

In addition to networking with 1,000-plus other bicyclists, logging rides provides Consider Biking with valuable information to advocate for enhanced and expanded bicycling infrastructure. To join or create a RideNet team, visit http://www.ridenet.net/.

Featured Product/Service:
2 BY 2012
2 BY 2012’s goal is for everyone in central Ohio to ride—instead of drive—to work, school or for errands twice a month by Columbus’ 2012 Bicentennial. To date 80+ local employers are 2 BY 2012 partners, including the Columbus Chamber. The Columbus Foundation sees the value of bicycling to the region’s economy and is a funder of 2 BY 2012. May is Bike Month and a great time to start riding.

For more information about bicycling in central Ohio and Consider Biking, visit our website. To learn more about 2 BY 2012, visit http://www.2by2012.com/, or email Bryan Saums at bryan@considerbiking.org to join.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. View our archive of past spotlights.

Member Spotlight: Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort

Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort offers a 60,000-square-foot indoor waterpark with 12 thrilling slides,  a relaxing lazy river, 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, 277 guest rooms and 60 villa suites to entertain and accommodate visitors. Fort Rapids also hosts tons of birthday parties for kids.

Beyond leisure travel, Fort Rapids offers a concierge level, first class business center for our business travelers. With over 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, The Conference Center at Fort Rapids is the perfect place for seminars, training sessions, banquets and more.

Why We’re Chamber Members:
Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort is a part of the Chamber because we believe that community involvement is very important. Making connections with other local businesses will help our Columbus community grow.

Fun Facts About my Company: 
    - All of the Villa Suite styles are named after areas north of the Grand Canyon.

    - The waterpark and villas were added in 2006. The original building was built in the 1970s as a  
      Hilton hotel.

    - Jamal Lewis, former Cleveland Browns running back, recently purchased Fort Rapids along with 
      hotelier, Brownlee Reagan. 

Featured Product/Service:
Customer Service. We strive to treat everyone who comes for the hotel, waterpark, conference center, restaurant and other amenities with the utmost respect and care.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. View our archive of past spotlights.

For more information on our services or to make reservations, visit our website, call 877-33-SPLASH or find us on Facebook.

Member Spotlight: Delta Energy LLC

Producers and industrial consumers of natural gas have partnered with Delta to help them make complex  energy decisions since 1997. Through organic growth and acquisitions, Delta is now a comprehensive partner that provides industrial natural gas and electricity consulting services as well as non-residential natural gas supply.

We’re a team of some of the most experienced and dedicated experts in the energy business. Our team is passionate about creating customized energy programs for our growing roster of industrial, utility and commercial customers and energy producers.

Why We’re Chamber Members:
Because Delta is dedicated to the energy needs of the non-residential market, our Columbus Chamber membership makes us an accessible resource for central Ohio businesspeople with questions about ongoing changes in natural gas deregulation and how it might affect their business. Our involvement with the Columbus Chamber is also helping us make it known that Delta is now serving commercial businesses in central Ohio, with the same personal approach that we have used with our large industrial clients for more than a decade.

Fast Facts about Delta Energy:

• Delta Energy has been the No. 1 woman-owned business and one of the ‘Best Places To Work’ in central Ohio (as published by Columbus Business First) since 2007.
• Since 2005, Delta Energy and its employees have donated more than $216,000 to non-profit organizations such as The American Red Cross, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Make-A-Wish Foundation.  In our last fiscal year alone, our company and 58 employees donated $69,000.
• Delta Energy’s commitment to customer and employee satisfaction has resulted in employee and customer retention rates of more than 90 percent since 1997.

Featured Product/Service:
Delta has introduced a new hybrid offer for Columbia Gas of Ohio “Choice” business customers. When you sign up before April 18, you can select a rate that’s variable through November 2011 and then converts to a fixed rate through March 2012. Customers who take advantage of this offer will be guaranteed a $0.10 per Mcf savings (when compared to the utility’s rate) through November 2011. This variable rate will then convert to a fixed rate through March 2012 when market prices are most unpredictable.

For more information on our services, visit our website.

Green Member Spotlight: KLH Engineers

KLH Engineers, an MEP design firm, with offices in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, and Ft. Thomas, Ky., is licensed to practice in 50 states and the D.C. We have a workforce of more than 90 engineers and support staff including electrical and mechanical engineers and designers, plumbing and fire protection designers, energy  specialists, communication and information technology designers, commissioning authorities and field services. The firm’s core values are twofold; uncompromising value for our clients and dignity and respect for our employees.

Why We are Chamber and Green Council Members:

KLH Engineers is highly dedicated to sustainable design features that benefit the environment and satisfy the client. Although ‘going green’ and sustainable design has become more popular in recent years, KLH Engineers has practiced this valuable concept for more than 30 years. We are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as an Energy Star Provider. KLH Engineers is also a registered national member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Fun Facts About My Company:

• Serving clients for more than 55 years
• The obvious choice for engineering services
• Columbus office has tripled the size of its staff since opening in September of 2008
• Autodesk BIM Experience International Award, 2010
• Won recognition in publications:
    - BD+C’s Giants 300 Report
    - South Central 2010 Top Design Firm
    - Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2010 MEP Giants
    - Commercial Construction Magazine - 44 engineering companies you should know

Featured Product/Service:

Our firm has been in business for more than 55 years. The services we provide include those that are traditional as well as progressive.

Traditional Services:
• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Plumbing engineering
• Fire protection

Progressive Services:
• Architectural lighting design, through our alliance partner, Visual Energy
• Communication and information technology
• Commissioning
• Construction administration
• Energy solutions

For more information on our services, please visit our website.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. View our archive of past spotlights.

[Re]Introducing the Columbus Chamber's Workforce Team

By Andrea Applegate, Director, Workforce

Though Robbie Banks and I have been working on behalf of the Columbus Chamber--out in the community and showing up at events--for quite some time now, perhaps we have not met yet. Or, perhaps we've been introduced, but you're not quite sure what exactly we do and why we do it.  

Together, Robbie and I are the Columbus Chamber’s workforce team. The Chamber focuses on workforce development to help address talent needs of local employers by fostering meaningful connections between and among members of the business community; by providing thought-leadership and information about best practices; and by ensuring individuals and companies have access to helpful tools and resources. We represent both the Chamber and what’s best in the Columbus community.

The Workforce Leadership Council (WLC) is the Chamber’s volunteer committee overseeing workforce. The purpose of the WLC is to set the agenda for the workforce department; identify, validate and/or respond to trends impacting workforce; determine workforce issues requiring further research; set plan of action around workforce-related legislation, trends, etc.; and elevate workforce best practices.

As director, I am primarily responsible for the Attract & Retain Talent initiative, which is an on-going set of strategies and tactics to address local employers’ workforce needs. Robbie is the manager of young professionals and, as such, is the go-to person for all things “YP.” Through Attract & Retain Talent, we focus on three audiences:

1. College Students. We want educated young people to remain in the region after graduation. We built and maintain ColumbusInternships.com to connect local employers to college students seeking internships. The Chamber encourages employers to participate in internships. To ensure meaningful experiences, we offer employers workshops, webinars and one-on-one consulting: “Hosting an Effective Internship” and “Benefitting from a Flexible Workforce Alternative.” Check the Chamber's website for event details and registration.
2. Young Professionals. We want Columbus to be famous for its Young Professionals. A place where they can get involved, make a difference, and where their opinions matter. We help connect young people to each other, to young professional organizations, and to the community. We help businesses engage and develop their younger associates (whether directly or indirectly, by leveraging community-wide events and activities) to increase the likelihood that these employees will be retained by the employer and the community.
3. Employers and Recruiters. We provide resources, like LiveWorkPlayColumbus and the "wicked cool" customizable email tool, to help employers and their recruiters articulate the benefits of moving to the Columbus Region. After all, people who relocate to Central Ohio—and many people do!—are the most enthusiastic ambassadors. People love living in Columbus. We boast great quality of life, a competitive cost of living, and it’s easy to get around.

In addition to Attract & Retain Talent, I represent the point of view of the Chamber and businesses to community organizations and professional associations, and as the communication conduit to employers. I also work on behalf of Columbus2020! and implement a portion of the Chamber’s Existing Business strategy by conducting "business retention and expansion" interviews with senior HR executives and others involved in talent attraction and workforce planning.

Follow @RobbieBanks and @AndreaApplegate on Twitter to keep up with our goings-on. Robbie and I are dedicated and enthusiastic Chamber employees who love what we do on behalf of Columbus. We look forward to seeing you at the next Chamber event!

Member Spotlight: Premier Services Inc.

Premier has been in the delivery business for more than 30 years and is a consistent annual winner of the Consumer Choice Award for delivery services. In that time, we've moved millions o f packages across  town and across the country for medical, payroll processing and banking clients in addition to many other industry groups. They call us again and again because we keep our word. 

Why We’re Chamber Members:
We have been a long time member of the Columbus Chamber as we believe that it’s important to all residents of our community for business to have a strong voice in its development.

Fun Facts about my Company:
Using Premier is:

• Cost Effective - Our rates begin at less than $3.
• Productive - Your company can’t afford to have idle employees, excess inventory or dissatisfied customers. By delivering what you need, when you need it, we will help you increase employee productivity, inventory productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Convenient - We’re as near as your telephone and ready to go when you are … 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Featured Product/Service:
Our broad range of shipping solutions includes:

• Ground Service by 5 p.m. within one to six business days.
• Second Day Service by 5 p.m. on the second business day.
• Three Day Service by 5 p.m. on the third business day.
• Next Afternoon Service by 3 p.m. on the next business day.
• Express Service by noon on the next business day in our local markets.
• Priority Service by 10:30 a.m. on the next business day.
• Early Service locally by 9 a.m. on the next business day in our local markets.
• Hundred Weight Service locally by 4 p.m. on the next business day.

*These services will save you 30 percent to 80 percent compared to major carrier rates.

For more information on our service options please visit our website at www.prem1erservices.com or call 614-246-4121 ext. 509, Linda Dillard, vice president, sales.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. View our archive of past spotlights.