RoosteR BoosteRAugust 2, 2012

Owensboro Christian Church, 7:30 a.m.

sPeAKeR:Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr.

Register online at owensboro.com/chamber or by calling (270) 926-1860

Downtown Owensboro is “kicking up” plenty of dust as construction rolls forward with the myriad of projects in the city’s urban center. As the community nears the opening of Smothers Park, a major catalyst project for the downtown is beginning to form out of the dirt at the west end of the new park.

The Owensboro Convention Center and privately financed, attached hotel are beginning to take shape where Frederica Street meets the scenic Ohio River.

Designed to replace the famed Executive Inn which hosted many state and regional functions, the convention center will be a multi-purpose venue with ability to host a variety of local and regional events.

“Owensboro never had a convention center before the Executive Inn,” said City of Owensboro Operations Manager, Tony Cecil. “Then it closed and there was a big hole to plug. With less activity, the vision was to replace all the business we lost and embrace it.”

Trahan Architects of Baton Rouge, La. are designing the facility and Knoxville, Tn. based construction company, Denark will be building the venue for the City and Daviess County.

“I am very pleased with the progress that we are making towards our goal of using a significant amount of local labor and local contractors in the construction of the convention center,” stated City Manager Bill Parrish. “While negotiations in sev-eral construction disciplines are still open as we approach finalizing the guaranteed

maximum price for the building, I am happy with the progress to date, including the commitment of at least 6 local companies, comprised of union and non-union labor who will employ close to 200 workers. As we continue with negotiations, we remain committed to using local labor and home-town businesses.”

Global Spectrum, the private management company hired to operate the facility, have been on the ground since January selling the facility to the region and preparing for events for the December 2013 opening.

The sleek, modern design will provide just over 90,000 square feet of meeting and pre-function space, including 44,096 sq. ft. in three exhibition halls plus more than 16,000 sq. ft. of pre-function on the first floor, and more than 30,000 sq. ft. of ballroom and meeting space on the mezzanine and second floors.

See downtown/page 5

Convention Center coming to revitalized downtown

2 Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012

www.owensboro.com/chamberwww.owensboro.com/chamber

2 rooster booster breakfast 2818NewHartfordRoad 7:30a.m.

9 ribbon cutting - Xbs of owensboro 3221FredericaStreet 12:15p.m.

15 ribbon cutting - community alternatives, caKY 3120WarehouseRoad 12:15p.m.

16 make a business connection am TumbleweedRestaurant 7:30a.m.

16 small business task force meeting CommerceCenter 11:30a.m.

16 cYP - third thursday networking GambrinusLibationEmporium 5:30a.m.

17 ribbon cutting - higher Ground consulting 1010AllenStreet 12:15p.m.

20 retention task force meeting CommerceCenter 12:00p.m.

21 advocacy task force meeting CommerceCenter 11:30a.m.

23 chamber ambassador Lunch 200East3rdStreet 11:45a.m.

25 chamber Young Professionals “Lady in red” RiverParkCenter 8:00p.m.

29 business fraud Prevention seminar featuring frank w. abagnale RiverParkCenter 8:30p.m.

august calendar

John D. Minton Jr. was elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2006. His fellow justices elected him to serve a four-year term as chief justice in 2008 and re-elected him for a second term in 2012. Two of his priorities are investing in the dedicated people who operate the court system and in the latest technology to help Kentucky courts reduce costs and deliver better service.

Chief Justice Minton formed the Tech-nology Governance Committee to create a strategic technology plan for the courts and guide efforts to replace the outdated case management system with one that

will allow e-filing and innovative elec-tronic services. He created a Compen-sation Commission to determine how to make the Judicial Branch’s salary structure more fair and competitive.

Under his guidance, the Supreme Court has adopted the first family law rules that are uniform statewide. As a member of the Task Force on the Penal Code and Controlled Sub-stances Act, he joined forces with the Executive and Legislative branches to curb prison costs and improve pub-lic safety. He formed the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission to

improve access to civil legal aid to the poor.

Chief Justice Minton was in private practice for 15 years before serving as a circuit judge from 1992 to 2003 and a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge from 2003 to 2006. The Kentucky Bar Asso-ciation honored him with its Outstand-ing Judge Award in 2003. He holds degrees from Western Kentucky Uni-versity and the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Chief Justice Minton will address the underfunding of the court systems, and the effects of regulations on business.

Chief Justice John Minton will speak at August Rooster Booster

Chamber2

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Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012 3

www.owensboro.com/chamberwww.owensboro.com/chamber

AMy JACKson, PResiDent & Ceoajackson@owensboro.com

Missy GAnt, MeMBeRshiP MAnAGeRmgant@owensboro.com

syDney WARRen, MeMBeRshiP seRviCes MAnAGeR

swarren@owensboro.com

susAn hiGh, ACCountinG MAnAGeRshigh@owensboro.com

JAMie RoBy, ADMinistRAtive AssistAntjroby@owensboro.com

Chamber Matters is published monthly in the Messenger-inquirer for the Greater owensboro Chamber of Commerce, P.o. Box 825, owensboro,

Ky 42302-0825 • (270) 926-1860 • www.owensboro.comFollow us on twitter @Gochamber

Michael F. Beckwith, Board Chair

Chamber Anniversaries45 Years as a Member

Daramic, LLC

25 Years as a MemberElizabeth Munday Senior Center

15 Years as a MemberBarret-Fischer Company, Inc.

Sun Windows, Inc.

Towne Square MallVocational Rehabilitation

10 Years as a MemberRamada Inn

5 Years as a MemberPatti’s Resale, Inc.

Shane Cox Insurance

“Catch him while you can!” Learn how to protect your business from fraud from Frank W. Abagnale, subject of the movie and Broadway play “Catch Me If You Can.” Abagnale is one of the world’s most respected authorities on the subject of forgery, embezzlement and secure documents, and he will be in Owensboro for a free seminar.

The event is sponsored by US Bank in partnership with the Greater Owens-boro Chamber of Commerce and the Owensboro Police Department, and will be held at the Riverpark Center, Cannon Hall at 8:30 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012.

Please RSVP for the event by August 22, 2012 by calling the Chamber at 926-1860 or registering on the Cham-

ber events calendar at owensboro.com/chamber.

Free Business Fraud Prevention Seminar – August 29

Chamber3

LET US TAKE YOU THERE

IN STYLE,

Frank Abagbale — author, lecturer, consultant

4 Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012

www.owensboro.com/chamberwww.owensboro.com/chamberwww.owensboro.com/chamber

Ribbon Cutting

owensboro wildcats(270) 240-4879

This month, Missy Gant is celebrating her 5-year anniversary with the Chamber. She was hired in 2007 to grow the Cham-ber’s membership. She has been critical to the Chamber’s growth in member-ship growth, retention and services, now nearly 1,000 members strong. You can reach Missy at 926-1860 or at mgant@owensboro.com for more information about membership at the Chamber.

tell us what your goals are for Chamber membership. It’s my mis-sion to increase membership through customer-focused recruitment and reten-tion programs. I strive to communicate effectively with members to heighten awareness and appreciation of the many programs our Chamber has to offer, and

help them find their individual value from membership. We aren’t a one-size-fits-all Chamber.

What is your favorite part about your role at the Chamber? My favorite part is being involved in the community, meeting new people and giving them ways to grow and profit with their busi-ness.

What is something that most people don’t know about the Chamber? The New Member Referral Program! The Chamber’s Member Referral program is a great opportunity to help your business grow with business to business contacts. If you refer a company that becomes a member of the Chamber, we will extend our gratitude by giving you $100 off your

membership dues for the next year. The business that joins, and the current mem-ber who served as the referral source, will both receive the opportunity to show-case their products and services at our exclusive business expo. This expo, The Members Choice Awards, will take place November 8th at the Hines Center.

Why do you choose to live and work in the greater owensboro area? I was born and raised in Owensboro. My fam-ily and friends are here and I love this community. The excitement that both public and private investment are bring-ing to downtown Owensboro are second to none in the country. I love traveling to other places but I am always ready to come back home to Owensboro.

Get to Know Your Chamber team… Missy Gant, Membership Manager

Congressman Brett Guthrie, who represents Kentucky’s Second Con-gressional District in the U.S. House of Representa-tives, will be addressing the Chamber’s Leadership Circle today, July 30 at 1 pm on the Western Kentucky Univer-sity – Owensboro campus.

Throughout the year, Leadership Circle meets with key political leaders to discuss policies and projects

and advocate on behalf of the Greater Owensboro business community. In addition to meeting with elected offi-cials, membership includes a subscrip-tion to the Kentucky Gazette political newspaper and other exclusive events.

“This is a way for our members to be directly involved in providing our elect-

ed officials feedback and ideas regarding Owensboro and our surrounding areas,” explains Chamber President Amy Jack-son. “Creating conversation with those in government is a goal of The Leadership Circle.”

To learn more or to join The Leadership Circle, contact Jack-son at the Chamber at 926-1860 or ajackson@owensboro.com.

Guthrie to address Leadership Circle today

Chamber4

Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012 5

www.owensboro.com/chamber

The Chamber Young Professionals group is excited to announce the 4th Annual Lady in Red event. This year, the event is scheduled for August 25, 2012 at the RiverPark Center’s newly renovated Wood-land’s Plaza. The night of dancing, drinks, and good music will com-mence at 8:00pm and conclude at midnight. Tickets will be available July 1, 2012 at a cost of $20 per individual and $30 per couple. The event is open to any on 21 years of age or older.

The annual Lady in Red event is the CYP’s largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds from the event allow CYP to fund philanthropic events and community projects that give back to the Owensboro and Daviess County communities. Please contact Sydney Warren at (270) 926-1860 with questions or to reserve your ticket.

New MembersAnthem Blue Cross

Blue Shield 13550 Triton Park Boulevard

Louisville, KY 40223 • 1-502-889-2370

Community Alternatives, CAKY‑Owensboro

3120 Warehouse Road Owensboro, KY 42301 • (270) 688-9168

Designs For You 1555 Graves Lane

Maceo, KY 42355 • (270) 313-4091

Four Seasons Window Co, LLC1200 Woodmere Lane

Owensboro, KY 42303 •(270) 926-3217

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 633

3128 Alvey Park Dr. West Owensboro, KY 42303 •(270) 683-1587

Simply Chic Home Accents 101 A West 3rd Street Owensboro, KY 42303 •(270) 683-6333

XBS of Owensboro 3221 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301

From the Front page

The West and East Concourse areas and lobbies can be used for pre-function gathering. Great views and natu-ral light - important factors to most any event planner - are a steady feature of the steel and aluminum building.

Though the Owensboro Convention Center is the main attraction, it isn’t the only one.

The second floor, or mezzanine level, features a skywalk to the 151 room Hampton Inn & Suites. The seven-story hotel, developed by the Malcolm Bryant Corp., is equipped with state-of-the-art energy effi-ciency features like solar generators. It is scheduled to open simultaneously. An additional hotel, a Holi-day Inn, is also set for construction with completion scheduled for early 2014.

What Cecil, who has been involved with the proj-ect since its inception, is most thrilled about is the team effort put forth by the City of Owensboro, and the design, construction and management partners.

“Trahan’s building us a boat. Denark is going to ensure that we can afford it, and Global Spectrum is going to ensure that we can sell it,” Mayor Ron Payne said in an interview with WFIE.

Dean Dennis, General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center, said he and the facility’s team are excited about working together to make the center another point of pride for not only Downtown Owens-boro, but also the greater Daviess County community. “It’s a wonderful asset for this community and one that both our visitors and our local residents will enjoy for many years to come.”

Laura Alexander, the Sales Manager of the Con-vention Center, has already begun booking events and planning programs. The building can accommodate most any event type of a certain size. “With the way the building is designed, it’s extremely flexible,” Alexander said. “As far as what we and the people who use it can do with it — we’re limited only by our imagination.”

Downtown

Chamber Young Professionals hosting Lady in Red Fundraiser

Chamber5

6 Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012

www.owensboro.com/chamber

Member Renewals90 Degrees93.9 WKTG RadioAll-Star Waste Services, Inc.American Heart AssociationBarret-Fisher Company, Inc.Beckman Tire & Auto CenterBeltline Electric Co., Inc.Better Business Bureau Inc.Blossoms Apparel & GiftsCMDKThe Children’s Advocacy Center of Green RiverChristian Family RadioColby’s Fine Food and SpiritsCommunity Home Health CareCornerstone Information SystemsCraig O’Bryan GraphicsCulver’s RestaurantDanco ConstructionDaviess County Teachers Federal Credit UnionDaymar CollegeDental Designs of OwensboroDNJ Auto PartsDon Moore Toyota-Mitsubishi-Nissan-HondaDonald R. Neel, MDDr. Bradley StearsmanDr. Carol J. Braun, DDSDr. Richard Good, OB/GYNEdward Jones Investments - Tracy Thacker, AAMSEnclave Family Healthcare, PLCFelts Lock & Alarm CompanyFirst Class Services, Inc.Frantz Building Services, Inc.Frito LayHafer AssociatesHayden and Co.Huck’sImpact Marketing ConsultantsInternational Bar-B-Q FestivalJones Insurance AgencyJunior League of OwensboroKentucky Cardiovascular

ConsultantsKort - Physical TherapyLanham Brothers General Contractors, Inc.Lee’s Famous Recipe Fried ChickenMarch of Dimes/Birth Defects FoundationMarco Tax ServiceMiracle EarMurphy Appliance Co., Inc.Musick StudiosNation’s Medicines - Highway 54O’Bryan Contracting & Leasing Inc.Ohio Valley 2-Way Radio, Inc.Owensboro Financial ServicesOwensboro Symphony OrchestraOwensboro Winnelson, CoOwensboro-Daviess County Regional AirportPackages PlusPublic Life FoundationReal Hacienda Mexican RestaurantRepublic BankRolling Pin Pastry Shop, Inc.Shoe StopSouthern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.Southern States River TerminalState Farm Insurance, Alan Powers, AgentState Farm Insurance, Bobby WoodwardSuper 8 MotelTom Blue FurnitureTrophy House, Inc.Trunnell’s Farm MarketU-Bounce Party HouseWal-Mart - Highway 54Western Kentucky MineralsWilcox Environmental Engineering Inc.Wilson, Wilson & Plain

The more people you know, the more successful your busi-ness is likely to be. Make a Business Connection AM is a focused networking event that allows you to “talk up” your business with other local busi-ness leaders. It’s a great way to network with other businesses and exchange business cards. You might consider bringing discount coupons or other pro-motional items to encourage other participants to use your service or product.

“I am a firm believer in the Make a Business Connection

program,” said Gary Dennis, Manager of the Ramada Inn, “We have found a significant increase in local room rent-als since we became active in the Chamber of Commerce and Make a Business Connection.”

Make a Business Connection is on August 16 from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. It will be at Tumble-weed restaurant, located at 5257 Frederica Street. Tumbleweed will also provide free breakfast!

Make a Business Connection AM is free to attend and every-one is invited. No reservations are necessary!

Utilize Make a Business Connection AM

to make new contacts

The Chamber is working for youThe Chamber is working for its members 24/7. The Chamber’s www.

owensboro.com/chamber website provides ongoing marketing and

promotion. Listed below are the Chamber website statistics from June 2012

16,132 Page views • 11,482 Directory searches3,367 Locations Mapped

top Member Mapped in June 2012: hometown iGA – 17 timestop Member Displayed in Business Directory in June 2012:

Greater owensboro Realtor Association – 587 times

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Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012 7

www.owensboro.com/chamberwww.owensboro.com

Chamber7

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8 Greater owensboro chamber of commerce, Monday, July 30, 2012

www.owensboro.com/chamberwww.owensboro.com/chamber

SUMMIT GOLF

COURSEFriday, September 28

Registration: 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m.

Contact information:Sydney Warren,

Membership Services ManagerGreater Owensboro

Chamber of Commerce270-926-1860 Fax: 270-926-3364

The Annual Golf Classic is one of the area’s premier outings. At-tended by hundreds, the event is always a sellout.

There are several ways you can participate - we have different lev-els of sponsorship opportunities, you can play, volunteer to assist with the event, or donate a raffle prize.

To register for the Chamber Golf Classic or sign up for a sponsor-ship, please visit www.owensboro.com/chamber.

Red, White & Blue PicnicMonday, september 10, 2012

Reid’s orchard4818 state Route 144

4:30 p.m.

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