Pearl City ProgressNewsletter for the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Volume 22 Number 1 January 2013

GMCCI works to improve the business climate and community quality of life by taking a leadership role in the areas of business growth, recruitment, information, advocacy, community marketing, improvement initiatives, leadership

development, and visitor services.

Iowa’s Women Bowlers Rolling into Town

Plamor Lanes, Muscatine’s premiere bowling center, will be the site hosting the Iowa State Women’s Championship Bowling Tournament over 12 weekends beginning in early 2013. The competition begins on February 16 and will wrap up on May 19. (There will not be any bowling related activity Easter weekend.) The Muscatine Chapter of the USBC has been meeting regularly to prepare for the arrival of several hundred bowlers, and their guests, from around the state, each tournament weekend. With over 500 teams registered, that will be over 2500 bowlers competing in this year’s Championship tournament.

Plamor Lanes’ owners, Larry and Leanna Richardson, are also making plans to welcome bowlers to their full-service bowling center. In the lounge, Nitelife 48, there will be Karaoke every Friday night as well as DJ & live bands every Saturday night to add to the fun. Plamor Lanes’ Snack Bar will be ready to serve bowlers breakfast, in addition to a variety of appetizers, sandwiches and pizzas. Plamor Lanes is providing the use of their 36 synthetic lanes for the tournament, ensuring each bowler a better bowling experience. Bowlers looking to purchase

new balls, shoes and bags will find a great selection of merchandise at Excel Pro Shop, located in Plamor Lanes.

The Iowa State USBC WBA will host their Annual Meeting in Muscatine on Saturday, March 16. Delegates from all State associations will be attending along with guest and organizations representing Women’s Bowling in the state of Iowa. Meeting organizers are inviting members for “... new information, to have some fun, and to ‘Be a Queen in Muscatine’...”, all according to the most recent edition of their association newsletter. Be sure to mark all these important dates on your calendar, so you can keep your business “rolling” right along with Iowa’s women bowlers! Bowlers love entertainment, dining and shopping. The local Board of Directors is trying to include crafts and vendors at Plamor Lanes as well as the Muscatine Mall and the Clarion Hotel.

Local business owners, with marquees, are being asked to use them to “Welcome Bowlers” to Muscatine. Don’t have

a marquee? Hang a banner above the door, or place special signs in the business’ windows - just be sure to make Muscatine’s visitors feel welcome! GMCCI will promote the tournament to local businesses, and area residents, through “Member to Member” and “What’s Up Muscatine”. In addition, the Muscatine Journal will be working with local business owners to get more involved in supporting this event by becoming a sponsor. Each sponsor will be given a bowling pin to decorate and display as a symbol of support, just contact Jamie Bryant at 563-262-0543 on how to become a sponsor.

As in 2005, when Plamor Lanes last hosted the Women’s State Bowling Tournament, the Clarion Hotel will serve as tournament headquarters.

For more information on how your business can support the tournament efforts, contact GMCCI at 563-263-8895, or the Muscatine Convention and Visitors Bureau at 563-343-8587.

The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & IndustryAnnual Meeting & Recognition NightTuesday, March 26, 2013Clarion Hotel

Stay tuned for another exciting, fun-filled night where GMCCI awards its members and celebrates another great year. The evening will start off with a cocktail reception and then move into awards, dinner and finally end with an internationally acclaimed speaker who will literally blow your mind. With over 10,000 performances under his belt and his spellbinding humor you will leave talking about his performance for a long time. Ticket and sponsorship information will be coming soon.

Renewed Members

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CompanyMuscatine JournalAlliant EnergyDaufeldt Transport, IncFamily Eye & Contact Lens CenterMonsanto CompanyMuscatine County Abstract CoCity of MuscatineLutheran HomesGerdauSulzberger Excavating IncWester Drug IncHy-Vee DrugstoreMuscatine Community CollegeMuscatine MallDallas Group of AmericaMuscatine Community SchoolsNeal’s Vacuum & Sewing CenterCommunity BankCurtis Financial ServicesEdward Jones Investments-Bob SheetsMusco Sports Lighting LLCState Farm Insurance - Bob KeigCarriage House Carpet OneRiver’s Edge GalleryLofgren InvestmentsPrecision Equipment, LLC.CDS GlobalMuscatine Used Parts, IncBurke CleanersInvestment Center of MuscatineCharles J. LewisNepple Law, PLCEnvironmental Services, IncThe Flower GalleryRaymond-Muscatine, Inc.Muscatine Community YRiverside Animal HospitalTeam Staffing Solutions, Inc.Tru Art Color GraphicsFast Ave One Stop #9Lucas Communication Inc

Years6968555251464442383737363636353535333332312928252424232320201919181817171717171616

January 10YPN’s Professional Development Event

“Generational Collisions”Muscatine Power and Water

AO AuditoriumSession 1: 7:45 to 9:45 AMSession 2: 10:00 to Noon

Business After Hours

Life’s Detail & Professional Safety Solutions

1608 Grandview Avenue, Muscatine5 to 7 PM

January 17YPN’s Third Thursday

The Rendezvous5:30 to 7:30 PM

January 18GMCCI Executive Board Meeting

GMCCI Conference RoomNoon to 1:30 PM

January 23Muscatine’s Day on the HillState Capitol, Des Moines

Save - The - DateUpcoming GMCCI

EventsConpanySt. Ambrose UniversityAmeriprise FinancialBiotek Associates InternationaldciPrint.comQuest Liner IncHolmes Collision RepairKellor & Kellor Landscape IncLouisa-Muscatine Community School Dist.Missipi BrewMuscatine Family RestaurantNelson Electric, Inc.Noble Construction IncReynolds Engineering & Equipment, Inc.TanTara Transportation CorpVan Meter Industrial IncWhite Distribution & Supply, Inc.Direct MaytagRochelle ConwayAbsorbent Technologies IncTallgrassSycamore PrintingVillage Profile.comYellow Book USAState Farm Insurance - Garcia-VanAukenJerry CoffmanThe RendezvousMuscatine Urgent CareSenior ResourcesGrapeTree Medical Staffing, Inc.Voluntary Benefit Services, Inc.Quizno’s SubFitzgerald ConstructionWomen’s Connection, IncMuscatine Connected Education FoundationLife’s Detail Inc.Bent River Community Credit UnionRainbow International Restoration & Cleaning

Years1615151515151515151515151515151414141313101099

9766442222111

3.26.13

Rock Valley Physical Therapy hosted Business After Hours on Thursday, December 13 at their Muscatine location located at 3605 University Drive, Ste. 2.

GMCCI members were greeted by Rock Valley employees and introduced via a networking exercise hosted by GMCCI’s President and CEO, Bill Phelan.

Founded in 1984, Rock Valley Physical Therapy continues to be owned and operated by therapists who are all involved in patient care. They have a proud culture that thrives on establishing and maintaining high standards. They offer a relaxed environment where learning and teamwork are emphasized. Services provided include: orthopedic physical therapy, specialized hand therapy, sports physical therapy and performance, neurological rehabilitation, women’s health and aquatic therapy.

Guests feasted on food catered from Salvatore’s Ristorante, including: tomato and seafood bruschetta, meatballs in cream sauce, stuffed beef rolls in a brie cheese sauce, monogrammed holiday sugar cookies, beer, wine and much more.

Door prizes were awarded at the end of the night to the following: Karen Diercks, Flower Gallery, bottle of wine, Cindy Rusch, Central State Bank, a hot chocolate gift set and Mike Schroe a cooler gift basket with bottles of wine, cheese, crackers and small exercise equipment.

This month’s Business After Hours will be dual-hosted by Life’s Detail and Professional Safety Solutions, held on Thursday, January 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1608 Grandview Avenue, Muscatine.

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Ken Rogers - Owner A.S.H.I. Associatekrogers@homeinspectionplus.biz

Dustin Rogers - Inspector A.S.H.I. Associatedrogers@homeinspectionplus.bizwww.homeinspectionplus.biz

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Greetings to everyone who has been reading this column, I hope everyone had a joyous and restful holiday season. Those from SCORE want to wish everyone a most prosperous 2013.

In continuing the final segment of my trip to Austin, I think about the technology associated with and in the Capital Factory. There were subtle and very direct signs of technology in the incubator. The folks who were starting businesses were there using technology. But a word to all involved, that technology is the tool to help complete one’s mission and/or business.

Have you sat down to think about your own personal mission and vision? If not, January is a perfect time sit down, reflect on your own personal mission and vision.

The nature of each does not need to be elaborate. What there should be is a true reflection of who and what you are. In your own business, SCORE volunteers are there to help and support you as you develop your own business complete with your own mission and vision.

Organizations set aside time late in the calendar year to review strategic plans. The SCORE website can also help you with your own strategic approach to your own business, in addition to the volunteers who would meet personally with you.

Ralph See, another SCORE volunteer and I, recently had the good fortune to counsel two sisters who want to start their own business. They already had an idea and but needed confirmation about their thoughts. They shared that they were nervous about meeting with us. These two went away comfortable with the work they had completed and with a fresh set of strategic objectives for the New Year. I even went out and found them on Facebook.

Have a great 2013. Doctor John

Popular SCORE Online Workshops When Social Goes Local Listen anytime! Using Social Media to Grow Your Business with SCORE and HP Listen anytime! Savvy Social Media with Jeanne Rossomme Listen anytime!

Robbin Block has been evangelizing the benefits of marketing strategy for over 25 years. Part geek, part creative, she’s brought her in-depth knowledge of the Web and its strategic application to business to companies of all sizes and to thousands of readers via her book, Social Persuasion: Making Sense of Social Media for Small Business. This month, Robbin discusses some of social media’s many implications on the crafting and execution of winning small business marketing plans.

What’s the biggest misperception about social media’s role in marketing, and what should entrepreneurs really be doing as they map out a new small business?

Social media can’t solve all your marketing problems. For a business, it needs to be thought of like any other communication tool. You need to understand the fundamentals of marketing — who’s your target audience, where do they get their information, what do they care about, etc.— to find the right media mix that makes sense for you.

What is the most underutilized non-social media marketing method today?

By far, it’s public relations. Many people are afraid of it, or don’t know what it is. Instead they’ll spend money on poorly placed ads that will almost always fail.

What are two or three go-to resources for finding data about your market?

The U.S. Census. A lot of valuable information from the latest census is now being released. Industry associations. Industry trade publications and consumer magazines. Their media kits have great

information about their readers’ demographics and interests.

And many more resources are available at my website, www.blockbeta.com.

Coupons are gaining popularity as a means for luring potential customers. If this option appears right for a small business, what is needed to help turn coupon users into regular customers?

Understand what attracted them in the first place. People who just want a deal are tough to convert. But many customers use coupons to “sample the goods.” To get them to come back and pay full price, use strategic messaging at each touchpoint to help push them down the purchase path. This messaging can be done verbally, through printed materials, online, and even reinforced with “gifts”.

Can you provide an example of how this works?

A Pilates studio I work with has used social coupons to bring in new customers, offering a 7-week program at a discounted rate. Each week, the studio reinforces the benefits of membership and the results the customer would get if they continue taking their classes. Communications include a comprehensive orientation, an introductory gift of a branded water bottle, follow-on emails, etc. It’s a planned program designed to positively reinforce the customer experience. This in combination with excellent service may be enough to convince the customer to continue at full price.

Expert Tips: Beyond Social Media

with Robbin Block: Owner, Blockbeta Marketing

Robbin Block Seattle, WA www.blockbeta.com robbin@blockbeta.com

Why should entrepreneurs work with a SCORE small business mentor to develop and monitor their marketing plans?

Marketing needs to be flexible, because the environment within which a business operates is always changing. And the business itself is evolving as new opportunities or threats come to light. A SCORE mentor can help filter the information and focus the entrepreneur on what’s important.

SCORE Sends Holiday Greetings and Looks Forward to 2013

Kicking Off the New Year in Style with YPNYPN is kicking the New Year off in style with their Annual Meeting and Third Thursday event. Come join them in your (optional) cocktail attire at The Rendezvous, 3127 Lucas Street, on January 17 at 5:30 p.m.

They will be serving a full spread of hot hor d’oevres and will have a cash bar. We will also be featuring DJ Earquake (their own Seth Munier) so come in your dancing shoes! This night they will also be giving away THREE HUGE prizes for all 2013 renewing members. You won’t want to miss it!

Please join us in thanking the Leadership Council for YPN. These members do a great deal to keep YPN moving forward in the right direction. Every event attended, these

people have planned and dedicated their time to the efforts. Please help us in thanking these members for their hard work and dedication to YPN Muscatine!

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Staff

Bill PhelanPresident & CEObphelan@muscatine.com

Greg JenkinsVice President, Economic Developmentgjenkins@muscatine.com

Jodi HansenEvent Coordinatorjhansen@muscatine.com

Ally BillhornMarketing & Communications Coordinatorabillhorn@muscatine.com

Member Spotlight: The Flower GalleryWho: The Flower GalleryWhat: A full service florist with an inventory of fresh flowers that arrive daily. Deliveries are made locally and nationwide daily. Where: 131 E. 2nd Street, MuscatineWebsite: www.flowergalleryia.comMember Since: January 1, 1995

The Flower Gallery opened in December of 1994, and then quickly moved to their current location at 131 E 2nd Street in downtown Muscatine a year later. Business owner, Karen Diercks, started the business as her post-retirement plan, after having worked at Stanley Consultants for many years.

With six employees ranging from on-call to full-time status, the shop fulfills orders both locally and nationwide with a delivery area of Muscatine, Fruitland, Illinois City and Wilton.

Locally their staff offers floral creations for life’s events (birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, births, etc.) as well as custom designs for the home. They carry a wide selection of gift items for all ages, including collectibles like Isabel Blooms; while also supporting other Iowa businesses including native wines and artist consignments.

New this year, the Flower Gallery is venturing into tuxedo rentals. This will complement their current wedding consulting services, allowing their creative designers to tailor the look of the florals to each bride’s personal tastes.

The Flower Gallery has been a proud supporter of GMCCI since their inception and recognizes how important it is to be a community, and to have an organization like the Chamber that focuses on economic development for local businesses.

GMCCI wishes to thank The Flower Gallery for their dedicated membership to the Chamber. Want your chance in the stoplight? Be sure to attend our next Business After Hours, where you’ll have the chance to be spotlighted.

LynnAllison@remax.net

Buying or Selling Real Estate? Call Me Today!

LLYNNYNN AALLISONLLISON 563.260.4520563.260.4520

High quality, research tested, food ingredients, ethyl alcohol, packaged goods, pet products and animal feed.

www.kentww.com

Jane DaufeldtDirector of Initiatives, Blue Zone Projectbzporganizer@machlink.com

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Live Healthy Iowa’s 10-Week Healthy ChallengeAs you may be aware, the Healthiest State Initiative kicked off last year working toward Iowa becoming the healthiest state in the nation within the next 5 years. The first prong of the initiative is Blue Zones Communities, of which Muscatine is a finalist for a January 30 announcement.

The second prong of the Healthiest State Initiative is the Live Healthy Iowa 10 Week Wellness Challenge. Muscatine County has been selected by Live Healthy Iowa as one of twenty communities to receive extra outreach attention for this year to encourage more participation in the effort.

A tipping point for a community is when 10% of the community participates. Our numbers have been fairly low in the past, but while we won’t know until January 30 if we’ve been selected to be one of the final six Blue Zones communities, we’d like to show how serious the Muscatine community is about becoming a healthier community.

Get a team or several teams together, sign up, and join us in participating in this year’s challenge!

Dutch Winter Extravaganza at Musser Public Library

FREE tickets are now available for pick-up at the front desk of the Musser Library. Please pick up one ticket for each person wishing to attend this year’s big family event, the Dutch Winter Extravaganza, Friday, January 11, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, January 12 from 1-4 p.m.

This year Hans Brinker, (aka Dave Bakke on Jan. 11 and IPTV’s Dan Wardell on Jan. 12) help us explore all things Dutch at this literary adventure featuring Dutch dancers from Pella, a new Dutch puppet show by Monica Leo, a live milk goat, gouda cheese, the Dutch Masters, a St. Nicholas cookie at the “bakery” and much more! This event is sponsored by Friends of the Musser Library and aims to entertain and educate people of all ages.

For more information call the Musser Library at 263-3065.

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563.262.8844 | 116 Harrison St. | Muscatine www.teamssi.com

Flexible Employment Solutions for Your Business!

Administrative ⎜ Manufacturing ⎜ Professional ⎟ Technical

2nd Annual Muscatine Day on the HillPlease join GMCCI for its 2nd Annual “Muscatine Day on the Hill” on Wednesday, January 23. We need the communities help to ensure the legislators of Iowa fully understand the issues affecting Muscatine’s businesses. It will include a day of traveling to the State Capitol in Des Moines to meet with legislators, attend committee meetings and receive an update from the leaders of both the Senate and the House. The day will also include lunch with the legislators and their staff.

This event is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase Muscatine to Iowa’s legislators and to speak to them about issues that can affect our community. GMCCI is planning a full day of events, but you can participate to what your schedule allows.

Please RSVP to this event by emailing your name and number of participants to chamber@muscatine.com. You will need to make your own travel arrangements, but we are happy to help organize carpools. Additional questions can be directed to GMCCI at 563-263-8895.

Looking for Exhibitors for the 3rd Annual Family Caregiver Conference

The 3rd Annual Family Caregivers Conference will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 8 a.m. to Noon at the Waterfront Convention Center, in Bettendorf. This conference is for people who care for fam-ily or friends in Iowa or Illinois.

This is a great opportunity to connect with these family caregivers, typically between the ages of 36 and 70 living in the Quad-City region, who are seeking information about products and services that will as-

sist them in caring for their relative or friend 60 years and older. The products/services you provide may be beneficial to a senior or a person with disabilities or for the caregiver themselves. Examples include: in-home care providers, senior housing, insurance, health, fitness, stress reduction, nutrition, durable medical equipment, realtors, estate planning, etc.

Last year’s exhibitors were happy with the response they received and found that people visiting their tables wanted to learn more about their offerings rather than picking up free merchandise. Many booked appointments and follow-ups.

Table charge is $35 (with electricity $60). To receive more information or a registration form, contact Peggy Dykes at Generations Area Agency on Aging 563-324-9085, ext. 212 or pdykes@genage.org.

The 3rd Annual Family Caregiver Conference is being sponsored by Generations Area Agency on Aging with community partners, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging.

Muscatine business leaders and GMCCI staff gather on the steps of the Capitol in Des Moines for last year’s Day on the Hill.

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Chamber Chat

Have recent company photos to share? Submit to abillhorn@

muscatine.com, with the headline Chamber Chat.

Young patients at Trinity Muscatine will be comforted by stuffed animals donated by pageant winners this holiday season. Judi Connor, owner of C&S Pageants, Inc. and the pageant girls presented the stuffed animals this week. Pictured from left to right: Bella Larson, Miss Hospitality Muscatine; Sky Foster, Little Miss Princess Muscatine; Morgan Hodgen, Miss Jr. Muscatine; Cloey Johnson, Miss Pre-Teen Muscatine and Bailey Othmer, Little Miss Muscatine.

The Hawkeye Hauler served as the drop-off for YPN’s Two Weeks of Love Campaign in December at Krieger Motor Company.

A big thanks to Tom Hendricks of Taco John’s for supplying the GMCCI December Full Board Meeting with an abundance of West-Mex treats.

A recent photo shows the Trinity Muscatine construction site in December. Concrete is being poured for the upper and lower levels, with the goal to be closed in by year end so the crew can work inside, protected from the weather.

Greg Jenkins, GMCCI and Rod Edwin, KWPC 860 AM/ MAC93.1 FM discuss the Two Weeks of Love Campaign and other GMCCI events during a live radio segment in early December.

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Workforce Development - Supervisory Training, “Generational Collisions”The Young Professionals Network of Muscatine is pleased to announce that MRA – The Management Association will be coming to Muscatine Power and Water on January 10 to discuss “Generational Collisions.” Throughout this informative session you will learn more about generational differences in the workplace and receive some tips and guidance on how you can interact more effectively in workplace.

Topics include:

• What’s the big deal? Why is this an issue now? Why do we care?• How generational differences impact motivation, expectations, values, feedback, and communication• How generational differences affect the way we lead and manage others• Processes to move forward

Understanding people who are different from us can be challenging at times, but the rewards we gain through managing those differences to work together productively are certainly worth the effort!

MP&W is partnering with YPN for this great event! RSVP’s are required as session numbers are limited. Please contact Cindy Dierickx at 563-262-3442 to sign up for one of the sessions below.

Please park in Visitor Parking at MP&W, 3205 Cedar St, and check in at the reception desk as you will need to get a Visitor badge. Photo ID’s are required. Please arrive early. A light breakfast will be served.

Program Date Time LocationGenerational Collisions Thursday, January 10, 2013 7:45 am – 9:45 am AO AuditoriumGenerational Collisions Thursday, January 10, 2013 10:00 am – noon AO Auditorium

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Muscatine Company to Build East Coast Seawall Contributed By: Janet Morrow, Grow Muscatine

What? How does a Muscatine company get involved with building a seawall? Afterall, the sea is how many miles/states away? It’s simple: send volunteers from your company to “go help people” suffering from the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy.

That’s what Fabricators Plus, 3206 Hershey Ave., Muscatine did. Owners Doug and Theresa Buster were on vacation when Hurricane Sandy hit, however, didn’t hesitate when team manager, Nick Chrisopulos, told them on the phone of his idea to load up a company truck with a generator and saws and send three guys from his team out to the East Coast to “just help people that need it”.

Nick has experience in hurricane relief efforts: he once used his 8 weeks of paid vacation to help the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated that city. The Chicago-area company he worked for at the time ended up sending him back down there with a crew to work on the repair of Harrah’s Casino located on the edge of the historic French Quarter.

Nick said seeing the destruction was life-changing. He will never forget seeing a barge beached on a city street near the French Quarter. He believes in random acts of kindness and recalls one day going into the nearest operating McDonald’s and buying 500 hamburgers to feed some of the devastated and starving Katrina victims. 500 hamburgers wasn’t enough, but it was something.

He was so moved by the experience that he later took his two grown daughters down there to witness the destruction and those volunteering to help repair the city and the lives of the residents. So it’s no surprise to those that know him that when he heard the news of Hurricane Sandy hitting, he felt moved once again to “do something”.

He said you cannot fathom the destruction until you see it firsthand. When the three Fabricators Plus team members selected, including Doug and Theresa’s youngest son, Jake, whom also works for Fabricators plus, were told to go to South Carolina (one of the first areas hit), look for the biggest mess and just help whomever needs it with the condition that they do not accept any money, they gave Nick quizzical looks.

Once they arrived, they reported back to Nick that they couldn’t believe the number of trees down and just pitched in and started helping residents clear away the debris. They helped an 80-year-old woman clear off 6 truckloads of leaves. And even though some people offered them money for helping, they turned it down. But they gratefully accepted food.

That was November 6. The original three came back to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with their families here. Then asked when could they go back? They went back November 26th with a fourth member. They will be out there until December 17th.

Since the original volunteering experience, Fabricators Plus has been contacted by the New Jersey Emergency Management Association to work on a new 1 ½ mile steel seawall in Staten Island. Fabricators Plus has been building things from steel for the past 10 years like oil and gas tanks, grain elevators, conveyors, racks, carts, and steel buildings (they’re adding on to their business now). And, it just so happens, Nick and one other team member has experience building a steel seawall. And that’s how a Muscatine, Iowa, company is now involved in building a seawall.

Once the four return for the Christmas holidays, Fabricators Plus will continue to send out teams of four-six to continue the clean-up efforts for the next five to six months. Fabricators Plus believes in the philosophy of “pay it forward”. You never know when it’s going to be you that could use a helping hand.

ABOUT FABRICATORS PLUSFabricators Plus provides metal fabrication and contract manufacturing solutions to a variety of industries including lighting, furniture, construction, mining, agriculture and appliances. Fabricators Plus assists customers to procure, engineer, and produce components necessary for daily manufacturing operations. The company serves customers in Iowa and the Midwest and specializes in the development of customized delivery solutions. For more information, visit www.fab-plus.com.

“Seeing the destruction was life-changing. You cannot fathom the

destruction until you see it first hand,” says Nick

Chrisopulos of Muscatine based Fabricators Plus.

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Advertise Here!

Call GMCCItoday at

263-8895!

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hundreds of Muscatine business professionals for as

low as $50 per month. Call GMCCI, 263-8895, to reserve your spot.

GMCCI Seeking Candidates for President & CEO PositionThe Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry is seeking candidates for President and Chief Executive Officer for our organization. Candidates may submit resumes by email to gmccisearchcmte@muscatine.com. For additional information concerning GMCCI please visit our website www.muscatine.com.

The GMCCI President and CEO, is the chief executive officer of the organization. He/she is governed by the Chamber’s Board of Directors, yet works with considerable independence.

The CEO is responsible for the general management, including finance and budgeting, coordination of all Chamber of Commerce activities, and directs all planning and implementation of Chamber by-laws, programs, policies and procedures. The CEO has direct responsibility to lead the Chamber of Commerce toward the fulfillment of its mission and strategic plan (Economic Development, Quality of Life, Members’ Success and Organization Improvement), including membership growth, partnership development and advocacy.

Requirements: Candidate must have top leadership level experience in Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, Non-Profit organization or executive level responsibility for private or public sector (P&L) organization. The candidates will possess a high level of diplomacy and tact in dealing with diverse groups, communities, businesses, volunteers and organizations. Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task and prioritize projects. Ability to be flexible in work schedule as some Chamber events are held outside of normal 8 to 5 business hours. Strong office management skills, including website and social media. Must be willing to relocate to Muscatine, Iowa. A Bachelor’s degree is required, higher level degree is a plus.

For a full job description, visit the Chamber’s website at www.muscatine.com. Resumes may be emailed to gmccisearchcmte@muscatine.com or mailed to CEO Search Committee, c/o Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 102 Walnut Street, Muscatine, IA 52761. No phone calls please.

Pearl City Progress Advertising Special for 2013With over 400 copies distributed monthly to community-minded business leaders, our GMCCI members, the Pearl City Progress newsletter, published by GMCCI, is an excellent tool for your advertising dollar.

To help ring in the New Year, we are offering two special deals for all NEW advertisers. With two great ways to promote your busi-ness, we have two fantastic deals. Sign up for one year of permanent ad placement and receive 3 months free, or sign up for 6 months of advertising inserts and receive 1 month free.

Permanent advertising allows your place of business to commit to permanent ad space running along the bottom of each page in the newsletter.

Insert advertising is similar to permanent ads, but with a little more flexibility. Your business can place monthly inserts (8 ½ x11 fully-designed page) and send them to GMCCI on a monthly basis.

This special will run until January 31, so save your spot today! Please see the insert in this newsletter issue for pricing information. If you have questions, please call Ally Billhorn, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, GMCCI at 563-263-8895.

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

102 Walnut Street

Muscatine, Iowa 52761-4027

563-263-8895 Fax: 563-263-7662

Address Service Requested

The Pearl City Progress (USPS391-430) is published monthly by the:

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry102 Walnut StreetMuscatine, Iowa 52761-4027Email: chamber@muscatine.com

Periodical Postage Paid at Muscatine, IA.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to Pearl City Progress 102 Walnut Street Muscatine, IA 52761-4027

USPS 391-430PERIODICALS

POSTAGE PAID AT MUSCATINE, IOWA

January

Lynn Allison, RE/MAX ProfessionalsBob Allbee, Muscatine Community College

Doug Buster, Fabricators PlusGary Carlson, HNI Corporation

Pam Collins, Musser Public LibraryBill Decker, Muscatine Community School District

Nick Gow, Young Professionals NetworkTom Green, H.J. Heinz, L.P.

Kevin Harle, SSABJames Hayes, Trinity Muscatine

Tom Hendricks, Taco John’s of MuscatineStan Howe, Member Emeritus

Scott Ingstad, First National BankSteve Jameson, Muscatine Journal

Greg Kistler, Central State BankPaul Kraushaar, Muscatine Physical Therapy

GMCCI Board of Directors 2012-2013

Doug Krieger, Krieger Motor CompanyJohn Kuhl, Muscatine Foods CorporationSal LoBianco, Muscatine Power & WaterGregg Mandsager, City of MuscatineJay McKee, McKee Button Company

Ann Meeker, Pearl PlazaDave Mohr, Eastern Iowa Light & Power

Brett Nelson, Musco Lighting, LLCKasey O’Kelly, Hy-Vee Dan Paca, Kent FeedsDavid Penn, Monsanto

Jim Reynolds, Reynolds EngineeringGary Slight, Community Bank

Rick Smith, Stanley ConsultantsNancy Snaadt, Alliant EnergyKas Kelly, Muscatine County

OfficersChair of the Board

David Penn, MonsantoChair Elect

Sal LoBianco, Muscatine Power & WaterTreasurer & Chair-Finance

Rick Smith, Stanley ConsultantsChair – Membership

Bob Allbee, Muscatine Community CollegeChair – Community DevelopmentSteve Jameson, Muscatine JournalChair - Economic Development

Doug Krieger, Krieger Motor CompanyChair – Public Policy

Lynn Allison, RE/MAX Professionals

Directors

10 JanYPN’s Professional Development Event“Generational Collisions”Muscatine Power and Water – AO AuditoriumSession 1: 7:45 to 9:45 AMSession 2: 10:00 to Noon SCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

Business After HoursHosted by: Life’s Detail & Professional Safety Solutions1608 Grandview Avenue5 to 7 PM

17 JanSCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

YPN’s Third ThursdayThe Rendezvous5:30 to 7:30 PM

18 JanGMCCI Executive Board MeetingGMCCI Conference RoomNoon to 1:30 PM

23 JanMuscatine’s Day on the HillState Capitol, Des MoinesAll Day Event

24 JanSCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

31 JanSCORE 1:30 to 3:30 PM

&

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Business After Hours

Hosted by: Professional Safety Solutions & Life’s Detail

Thursday, January 10, 2013

5 to 7 p.m.

1608 Grandview Avenue

See our office and learn about our training and consulting services! Enjoy beverages and desserts from SweetsAvenue.

Be sure to register for door prizes!

1608 GRANDVIEW AVE.

MUSCATINE, IA 52761

563-320-9669

Professional Brad Puck

Safety President

Solutions 563-210-1641

bkp@lifesdetail.com

Your Solution for a Safer Company

PMB134 2807 University Dr. Muscatine, IA 52761

Construction Safety Training

OSHA Training

Site Inspections

Safety Contracts

TAX PLANNING 1040, 1065, 1120

PREPARATION AND CONSULTING Cindy Puck, President

1508 Isett Ave (563) 263-9875

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