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: Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle^®,Inc. is one of the nation's largest food retailers and food distributors with approximately $9.3 billion in annual sales. Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle^®, Inc. has grown to be the number one supermarket retailer in the region with 170 corporate and 58 independently owned and operated supermarkets in addition to 166 fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia and Maryland.

Why we are Chamber members

As a large employer in the Columbus metropolitan area, we recognize and value the benefits the Columbus Chamber brings to our company.

Fun fact about Giant Eagle

Number of unique items carried in each supermarket: 20,000-60,000, including more than 11,000 products under our family of brands, including Giant Eagle, Market District, Nature’s Basket and Valu Time offerings.

 Featured product or service

New this holiday season, Giant Eagle is introducing gourmet and gift baskets, fruit baskets, bakery treats, poinsettias, floral gifts and Market District® chocolates specifically for businesses to make gift-giving simple for clients, partners and employees.

Visit GiantEagle.com/business for a full product list and to find a store near you.  Orders can be placed and picked up at your local store.  Delivery is available at select locations.

Young Professionals Spotlight: Young Survival Coalition

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 October, the Young Survival Coalition is featured. 

When and why Young Survival Coalition founded?

Three young women, all diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 35, saw the need for better information, support and research for young women facing the disease. The Young Survival Coalition is the premier international organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women and breast cancer. We believe no woman diagnosed under 40 should be left to face breast cancer alone. The YSC offers resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful.

Why become a member?

We have many opportunities for people to become involved with the YSC through volunteering from our annual fundraiser, In Living Pink, to speaking on behalf of the YSC to local organizations to increase awareness about our organization and mission.

What are some successes or cool facts about Young Survival Coalition?

Young women can and do get breast cancer! There are over a quarter million women living in the U.S. today who were diagnosed with breast cancer before their 41^st birthday.

Young women are often diagnosed at later stages in their cancer because both women and the medical community are not always aware that young women can and do get breast cancer.

Tell me about your upcoming events.

The In Living Pink Casino-Themed Gala will be on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. The evening will feature emcee Gail Hogan, honorees, heavy hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, a champagne toast, a cash bar along with two drink vouchers per ticket holder, music and a live auction. For tickets, visit www.youngsurvival.org/centralohio.

How do I become a member?

You can visit http://www.youngsurvival.org/centralohio.

Where can I go to learn more about the Young Survival Coalition?

Feel free to contact Affiliate Manager Jennifer Whaley at jwhaley@youngsurvival.org to get involved. You can also visit www.youngsurvival.org/centralohio for more information.

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

Member Spotlight: ABS Business Products

ABS Business Products is one of the largest independent office technology and document solution providers in the tri-state area of Southwest Ohio, Central Ohio, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana. We provide solutions to all your office printing, copying, document storage and managed print service’s needs. We have a full line of Sharp and Toshiba digital imagers including many security features to ensure your company’s documents are safe and secure. At ABS we understand the value of your business and its needs. That’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environmentally conscious company with sincerity and creativity.

 Why We’re Columbus Chamber Members:

ABS has partnered with the Columbus Chamber to strengthen our commitment of excellence to our clients.

Fun Facts:

ABS is now on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. ABS is also involved in several charitable events such as the Marvin Lewis Foundation, Anthony Munoz Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association (Grant C. Alexander). We have also established an ABS Cares Group for our employees, in which we’re involved in blood drives, cancer walks and more.

http://absproducts.com/

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Find out What Makes Columbus Cool at the 2011 State of the Young Professional

By Robbie Banks, Manager, Young Professionals

Young Professionals are the future of the Columbus Region’s workforce. What do they think of Columbus? Find out at the Columbus Chamber’s 2011 State of the Young Professional (YP) on Wednesday, October 26 at Embassy Suites Columbus - Airport.

As the Chamber’s young professionals manager, I invite you to join us for an epic evening that will include career and professional development sessions, as well as a program in which we’ll reveal the results of the “What Makes Columbus 'Cool' for the Young and Talented” 2011 survey.

Here are my top three reasons you won’t want to miss the Career and Professional Development event from 4 - 5:45 p.m. You can:

1. Share a room with high-level senior executives and hear their YP experiences and lessons learned.
2. Learn the knowledge, insights and perspectives you’ll need to succeed while on the job search.
3. Get to where you want to go. The sessions available at the State of the YP are meant to provide you with the resources and knowledge you need to advance your career and propel you ahead of the curve.

Your $30 registration fee includes your choice of two 45-minute sessions and a book written by a local author.

And the top three reasons to attend the State of the YP Program from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.:

1. Connect with other members of Columbus' young and talented community during the networking and refreshments portion from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
2. Be informed. You took the survey, didn’t you? See the results and the progress our community has made since 2007.
3. Hear from leaders. Michael Dalby, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber and Mayor Michael B. Coleman will address the importance of YPs. A few of your peers, including me, will also speak.

And bonus... the networking and State of the YP program portions are FREE to attend!

Facebook Contest: Free Tickets for Career and Professional Development Program

Comment on the 2011 State of the YP note on the Columbus Chamber Facebook page and tell us why you want to attend the Career and Professional Development Event. A random company/organization/individual will be selected to receive two complimentary registrations (each valued at $30). The deadline is Sunday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be notified on October 24. Remember, attending the networking and program portions of the event are free to attend and all are welcome!

Register Now

Learn more and register at columbus.org/yp. The 2011 State of the Young Professional is presented by Embassy Suites Columbus - Airport, in partnership with Battelle, State Farm and Columbus Underground and with support from Shutterbooth, CYP CLUB, Columbus Rotaract and Young Professionals of Columbus. 

Member Spotlight: COIT Services Columbus

COIT Services Columbus is the nation's largest and most experienced carpet cleaning, drapery and upholstery cleaners. COIT is your number one source for carpet cleaning services. In addition, we are one of the largest providers of upholstery cleaning and drapery cleaning. We also provide tile and grout cleaning, air duct cleaning and 24-hour restoration services.        

Why we’re Chamber Members

We joined the Columbus Chamber to take advantage of the opportunities to network with other local businesses and community leaders.

Fun Facts about COIT Services

COIT began offering cleaning services in 1950 as a small dry cleaner located near COIT Tower in San Francisco. Shortly after opening, founder Lou Kearn offered something new - drapery cleaning backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarentee.

Today, COIT is one of the largest specialty cleaning and restoration companies in the world with multiple franchises. With more than 60 years of experience in the industry, we have remained a family-owned business with a close-knit corporate culture.

Featured Product/Service

COIT has become a leader in the carpet cleaning industry by implementing the best techniques, educating our technicians and using a high-tech carpet cleaning system that is guaranteed to remove the worst stains and ground-in grime. Our guarantee of satisfaction and service, professionalism and quality has become our trademark. COIT Carpet Cleaning is committed to maintaining our reputation by delivering quality carpet cleaning and restoration services you can trust.

For more information visit COIT Services Columbus.

Member Spotlight: Pinnacle Data Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1989, PDSi is a leading provider of embedded computing products, application specific hardware and global support solutions for some of the world’s largest companies. Building on our initial expertise with Oracle® SPARC™ and UNIX-based systems, the development of AMD® and Intel®-based solutions is a key partof PDSi’s modern product portfolio. With this extensive technology background, PDSi has become a world-class product design, integration and services company. Our focus is on creating leading-edge technology solutions that cater to individual customer requirements. 

Facts about PDSi:

• PDSi began as a depot repair business for Sun Microsystems workstations, and currently repairs more than half of all Sun part numbers directly for the company. Today we perform repairs for numerous other OEMs and manufacturers worldwide.
• In 1996, PDSi became a publicly traded company, trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol PNS.

Featured Product and Services

Engineering Service Capabilities

• Design Engineering – Boards, Platforms, Integrated Systems
• End-of-life Extension
• Product Customization

Manufacturing and Deployment Capabilities

• Platform/Product Assembly
• Multi-vendor Solution Integration, including Telco frames
• Client-specific Packaging and Fulfillment
• Client-owned Inventory Management

Program and Information Management Capabilities

• Dedicated Program Managers
• Customizable Order Management and Reporting
• Information Portals for Order Tracking and Business Dashboards

For more information visit pinnacle.com

 

 

 

 

Member Spotlight: Royal Document Destruction

Royal Document Destruction provides the highest level of material destruction security in the industry. We pioneer, innovate and lead the industry in safety, professionalism and security.

We serve companies who need bonded, secure destruction of their confidential documents and materials. Industries using our services include banking, business headquarters, medical and hospital, financial and legal among others. More and more businesses such as these turn to professional shredding to help maintain compliance with ever-changing laws and regulations.

Why We’re Chamber Members:

As a locally owned Columbus business, we understand the impact the Columbus Chamber can have on our business. The networking opportunities, community involvement and ability to educate Columbus on green business are just a few of the Chamber benefits we utilize.

Fun Facts About Royal Document Destruction:

• Royal Document Destruction is a proud recipient of the Business First “Fast Fifty” award. Recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in Central Ohio for 2007, 2008, 2009 2010 and 2011.
• Royal Document Destruction is a certified AAA National Association of Information Destruction (NAID^®) provider for both in-plant and mobile shredding services.
• Royal Document Destruction was the first shredding company in Ohio to become certified by NAID in 2002, long before it was required, and long before most of our competition entered the market.
• According to the EPA, to make one ton of paper using recycled fiber saves the following: 17 trees, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 360 gallons of water, 100 gallons of gasoline, 60 pounds of air pollutants and10,401 kilowatts of electricity.

Featured Product or Services:

Our experienced professionals will evaluate your business needs and make recommendations for types of bins, consoles, type of service, frequency and cost. We provide two shredding options for your convenience. Confidential documents can be picked up at your location and shredded off-site at our secure facilities or shredding can be performed on-site by one of our mobile shred trucks for your immediate inspection.

Royal Document Destruction is hosting a FREE Community Shred Day on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Columbus business and residents may bring up to 25 boxes and have them shred for free at Royal Document Destruction at 861 B Taylor Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. Call 614.751.9731 if you have any questions on the FREE Community Shred Day.

For more information on our services or to request a free quote, visit www.rddshred.com

Green Member Spotlight: gridSMART from AEP Ohio

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers in Ohio and in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. A subsidiary of American Electric Power, and the largest of its regional utility divisions, AEP Ohio is comprised of Columbus Southern Power Company, Ohio Power Company and Wheeling Power.

American Electric Power (AEP) is one of the largest generators of electricity in the country, suppyling power to more than five million customers in 11 states including: Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Why We’re Chamber Members
A membership in the Chamber enables AEP Ohio to share information about its programs and services with businesses throughout its service territory. Our business customers are Chamber members in Columbus and throughout the region and it is important to reach them in an effective way with the most current information.

Fun Facts about AEP Ohio
AEP Ohio has paid more than 2,500 non-residential customers over $11 million dollars in energy efficiency incentives since June 2009.

Featured Product/Service
gridSMART^® from AEP Ohio is an initiative that offers customers new ways to think about electricity. Within this initiative is the Business Incentives Program which rewards non-residential customers for implementing energy efficiency measures. Whether you have a large or small business, are investing in new facilities or renovating an existing one, the Business Incentives program from AEP Ohio provides funding to reduce the payback period and improve your bottom line.

gridSMARTohio.com

Chamber Members Make Best Places to Work List

By Andrea Applegate, Director, Workforce

At the Columbus Chamber, we’ve always said that Columbus is a great place to live and work. We applaud all the businesses in our community who “walk the walk” by providing a workplace that is productive, supportive and fun.

In 2011, 20 members of our Chamber have been named finalists in Columbus Business First’s list of Best Places to Work. They include:

Accenture
Axia Consulting LLC
Cardinal Solutions Group Inc.
Delta Energy LLC
Dynamit Technologies LLC
Fifth Third Bank
GBQ Partners LLC
Glimcher Realty Trust
Navigator Management Partners LLC
OCLC Inc.
Parallel Technologies
Plante & Moran PLLC
Portfolio Creative LLC
Quantum Health Inc.
Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates Inc.
Safelite AutoGlass
Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co. LPA
Sogeti USA LLC
Total Quality Logistics
Zipline Logistics LLC

See the full list on the Business First website. Honorees will be announced at an awards program Nov. 9.

Member Spotlight: FASTSIGNS Downtown

FASTSIGNS located in downtown Columbus and Hilliard, combines sign knowledge with state-of-the-art technology to create sign and graphic solutions to help you solve your communication challenges in your business, organization or event. We can create a simple nametag or produce a complete sign makeover for your business.

Why We’re Columbus Chamber Members

We are Columbus Chamber members in order to show our presence in the community, and as a way to  increase our business with other Chamber members.

Fun Facts about FASTSIGNS

We have been located in downtown Columbus for 16 years, and our second location, in Hilliard, has been there for eight years.

Featured Product/Service

Where to start? We are very diverse with our offerings. We offer interior architectural signage to include ADA requirements, if needed, in addition to complete design, production and installation.

fastsigns.com