Volume 2012, Issue 12

The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber December 2012

Volume 2012, Issue #12

“We Mean Business”

Chamber’s Annual Meeting to be held January 24th

If you’ve been wondering how the

Chamber has put your money to

work this past year, then the An-

nual Membership Meeting is the

place to find out.

Save the date now and plan to

attend this important event on

Thursday, January 24.

Once again, the meeting will take

place at the Windemere Hotel

from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is the event where both the

Board of Directors chair, Dee Dee

Hoeft of Wells Fargo Home Mort-

gage, and Executive Director

Amanda Baillie will give annual

reports on how the Chamber

worked on behalf of the business

community in 2012.

It is important to the Chamber

that its members stay informed.

And while we send out details of

what we are doing on a regular

basis via our weekly email blasts,

monthly newsletter and social

media outlets, this event really

spells out how effective this or-

ganization has been over a 12

month period.

From helping the economy to

advocacy efforts, there is much

to report on.

We will also tell you about events

and programs we have planned

for the upcoming months in

2013.

This event, sponsored by SSVEC

and Rosemont Copper, also pro-

vides a great networking opportu-

nity as it is typically attended by

around 180 to 200 people.

The cost to attend will be $25 per

person, which includes lunch and

a copy of the annual report.

Look out for mailed invitations in

the coming weeks and more de-

t a i l s o n o u r w e b s i t e

www.sierravistachamber.org

An Update From

Executive

Director Amanda

Baillie

2

Member Spotlight

on Big Bird’s

Carpet Cleaning

3

A New Commu-

nications Director

3

Calendar of

Events

4

Events at a

Glance

5

General Word of

Mouth

SV Travel Survey

6

Member Page 7

Board of

Directors/

Chamber Staff

8

Sierra Suites to Host Fabulous Business at Twilight

“Hosting the Business at Twilight is a lot of work,

but we are having fun with it!” said Glen Cobb,

General Manager of Sierra Suites when asked

about this month’s Business at Twilight. Her enthu-

siasm was evident over the phone.

The event, themed “Christmas Around the World,”

is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Decem-

ber 13, and Glen and her staff, with help from Pam

Anderson at The Landmark Café, will serve selec-

tions of foods from the United States, Germany,

Italy, Australia and South America. There will be

three food selections and beverages that are rep-

resentative of each country. “We have terrific door

prizes, too!” said Glen, but when prompted for

more details, she said she wanted “an element of

surprise.”

This is your opportunity to mix and mingle with

other business people in the community in a re-

laxed and fun environment. Bring your best smile,

a pocket full of business cards and your appetite

to the Chamber’s Business at Twilight at Sierra

Suites,.

Here at the Chamber we be-

lieve communications are a key

component of running a suc-

cessful organization.

We also pride ourselves on

being informed on what is hap-

pening in our community. It

helps us to do the best job we

can, especially in dealing with

the calls we take daily on a

wide range of subjects.

The Chamber uses various

forms of communication to

reach our members and tell

them about upcoming events

and programs, as well as infor-

mation submitted to us by area

businesses and organizations.

We are conscious of the fact

that, in today’s modern world,

we are all overwhelmed with

information on a daily basis,

from telephone calls and texts

to emails and Facebook posts.

That is why we typically keep

member email correspondence

to once a week via our Wednes-

day morning blasts.

Occasionally we send out addi-

tional emails when we think the

event or information warrants indi-

vidual attention.

Once a month, we send you our

newsletter via mail and email, so

you can choose to read it in paper

form (my personal preference) or

on your electronic device.

The Chamber also advertises spe-

cial events in the Sierra Vista Her-

ald, as well as through local radio

stations Cherry Creek Radio and

KKYZ, and via television through

Cox.

Budget allowing, we try our best to

get the word out.

We know our members are busy

running their businesses, but we

do encourage you to take some

time to stay informed. You never

know how a new piece of informa-

tion could help you professionally

or personally.

Is there a workshop you could be

attending to help your company?

Is there a Chamber or community

event that offers an opportunity to

promote your business? Is a dead-

line approaching to sign up for a spe-

cial event or program? Is there a

chance to network with other busi-

ness people?

These are all topics that any busi-

ness owner or manager should stay

on top of to make the most of the

opportunities out there.

If you have not read our email blast

or newsletter lately, or checked out

our website, then take just a few

minutes to do so. You may be sur-

prised at the wealth of information

you will find.

And speaking of communications, I’d

like to welcome our new Communi-

cations Director, Margaret Dillard, to

the Chamber team.

Margaret has replaced David Elkins,

who did a great job improving this

department before moving on to a

new position in our community, and

brings a wealth of experience with

her.

Welcome Margaret!

Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie

“You never know

how a new piece of

information could

help you

professionally or

personally.”

Page 2 The Chamber Vista

Congratulation to the 54th Annual Christmas Light Parade Winners!

54th Annual Parade Winners! Cox Award-Best Overall: Clark Information Systems. Lawley Award-Excellence in presenting lights:

CerendipiTees. Chamber Award-Best Commercial: Lowes. Chairman's Award-Best Non-commercial: Gethsemane Church of

God. Judges' Award-Outstanding design: Buena High School Student Council. Honorable Mention: MV35 Concrete, LLC. and

Naco Border Patrol-Explorer Post.

Page 3 Volume 2012, Issue 12

Member Spotlight on Big Bird’s Carpet Cleaning

By Amanda Baillie

Executive Director

Michael Cecil is living proof that per-

severance can be a winner

when it comes to business.

Eighteen months ago the 32-

year-old launched himself into

the world of entrepreneurship

and started Big Bird’s Carpet

Cleaning and More.

Looking back, he admits his

biggest pitfall was starting a

business without being fully

prepared – a typical scenario

for many failing companies.

Michael, however, maintained

a ‘try again’ attitude and has

seen his enterprise flourish as a re-

sult. He now cleans for a loyal base

of clients, including area property

management companies and the

theatre at The Mall at Sierra Vista.

“If I had to give some advice to some-

one starting a business, I would tell

them to be prepared,” he said. “Be

prepared for the setbacks, because

not everything is going to go the way

you want it to. You also have to be

well rounded. You have to know mar-

keting, public relations and how to

network.”

Michael picked the cleaning business

because he figured it was a

“universal market” – his logic being

that everyone has flooring and uphol-

stery that needs to be cleaned.

While some may call his approach

naive, it’s one that has so far paid

off. He is now in the process of refur-

bishing a new cleaning unit to allow

him to bring on an employee and

spread the workload.

His ultimate goal is to expand his

company to include total home

maintenance, from carpet

cleaning and household chores

to landscaping and handyman

jobs.

He has already added house-

hold cleaning to the list, in ad-

dition to the carpet, tile and

furniture upholstery he began

with last year.

Michael is also proud to have

reached his 2012 sales goals

before the end of the year.

He credits his success to his

faith, but also believes his Chamber

membership has had a major influ-

ence.

“It’s been my biggest return on in-

vestment,” he said. “The Chamber

accounts for a huge chunk of my

business, thanks to the many refer-

rals I get. My membership is working

when I’m not.”

SVAC Staff Spotlight: Get to know SVAC’s new Communications Director

An independent busi-

nessperson in

Cochise County for

more than 20 years,

Margaret Dillard has

participated in the

evolution of commu-

nications technology. Starting out

as an advertising broker for print

and radio, she soon entered the ca-

ble television market and leased

and ran channels in three rural Ari-

zona communities. With that came

the production of both live televi-

sion programming and corporate

videos.

As the communications world

evolved to take advantage of the

internet, she began building and

managing websites and social me-

dia and email campaigns.

She also taught these various sub-

jects to other businesspeople

around the county in a variety of

classroom and office settings.

Many will remember a series of

social media classes that she and

her husband taught for Cochise

County Small Business Develop-

ment Center in 2010.

Born in Minnesota and raised in the

Midwest, Margaret has lived in

Arizona for more than 30 years.

She is married to Gary Dillard, a

local historian and mining industry

expert and has four grown children

and a nine-year-old grandson

named Zachary. She is currently

taking college classes to remain

state-of-the-art in the communica-

tions and marketing fields.

CLICK HERE! “Like” our Facebook page

Advertise to 600+ local businesses

for about 20 cents each! Business at Twilight

Hosted by:

Sierra Suites

“Christmas Around the World”

5:00 to 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 13, 2012

391 East Fry Boulevard

Food, Beverage and Decor from 5

Countries! Bring your business cards.

Mingle with other business people in

our community!

Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair

Sponsorship opportunities open to

Chamber members.

Booth space available for members

and non-members.

March 2nd, 2013

at the

Mall at Sierra Vista

More details coming soon!

Schedule of Events

13 Dec. - Sierra Suites Business at Twi-

light, 391 East Fry Boulevard, 5:00 p.m.

Save the Date

24 Jan. - SVAC Annual Membership

Meeting., Windemere Hotel

2 Mar.—Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair,

Mall at Sierra Vista

Don’t miss a networking or promo-

tional opportunity for your busi-

ness. Keep up to date on upcoming

events and programs by visiting the

Chamber’s website

www.sierravistachamber.org

Page 4 Newsletter Title

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5

MAC 6 7 8

9 10 11

LAC

12 13

BAT

14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21

22

23/30 24/31 25 26 27 28 29

December 2012

Reach over 600 businesses in Sierra

Vista and surrounding communities

Take advantage of this member-only

benefit!

We insert and mail for you!

Super low advertising rates! Members

pay only $99. Executive Club Members

pay just $49.

SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on

8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight

(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)

paper.

JANUARY NEWSLERTTER DEADLINE:

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

NOTE: Insert space is limited and is pro-

vided on a first come, first serve basis.

For information, call the Chamber at 458-6940 or email:

mdillard@sierravistachamber.org

Page 5 Volume 2012, Issue 12

Events at A Glance

For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events

Top row (l-r): Boys & Girls Club of Si-

erra Vista celebrates its new kitchen

installation, Sierra Vista Economic

Development Foundation’s new loca-

tion celebration, Delio’s Restaurant

grand re-opening.

2nd Row (l-r): Legacy Home Health-

care, Indochine Restaurant and Jer-

sey Girl Sunless Tanning all celebrate

their grand openings.

3rd Row: Business at Twilight, hosted

by Southwest Gas, and Horizon

Health Care Institute’s new location

ribbon cutting.

4th Row: Buena High School’s DECA

Club & Marketing Class celebrated

the grand opening of their Colts Cor-

ner store. And Santa & Mrs. Claus

stopped by Buffalo Corral BBQ after

flying in to the Sierra Vista ACE Hard-

ware parking lot.

Page 6 The Chamber Vista

Catholic Community Services is look-

ing for volunteers who would like to

help low income families in Sierra

Vista. The VITA program provides free

income tax preparation for low and

moderate income families and is

great need of volunteers tax prepar-

ers and site greeters to help carry out

this important work. No previous ex-

perience is needed, as free training

is provided to become IRS certified.

The training for the Cochise County

area will be held at Cochise College

in January. Classes will run from 9

AM until roughly 4 PM. Additional

training options are available online

for those who cannot attend, but who

still wish to volunteer. Please come

help us serve the working families of

Sierra Vista in this vital effort. For

more information or to register for

the training course, please call Eryka

at 520-458-2770.

1. Target the talkers. It is word of mouth,

after all, so you need to aim your efforts

at the people who like to talk about the

great products, services and businesses

they use.

2. Develop a pitch line that’s interesting

and easy for people to share. Ask your-

self, honestly, why a customer would

want to talk about you? Try not to think

like a marketing person. Boil it down to

one sentence. Maybe two.

3. Be amazing. If you want people to

spread the word about you, you have to

deliver something exceptional. Your

products and packaging — including your

store, office and website — should look

great. If you and your employees are ex-

cited and energized about what you do, it

will spread to your customers.

4. Put it in motion. You already have lots

of ways to do this. For example, your

business profile, website, newsletter,

brochure, emails and social media pages

should include “tell-a-friend” forms or

functions. Consider using postcard mail-

ings, coupons, stickers, buttons and QR

codes. When you make it easy for people

to share, they are much more likely to do

so.

5. Create continuous reasons to talk.

You can create word of mouth opportuni-

ties with special sales, great new fea-

tures or something fun, such as a con-

test or event. Do something others

aren’t.

6. Connect to the conversation. Having a

presence online – specifically in social

media such as Facebook, Twitter and

Google+ — is a great way to join and fa-

cilitate conversations about your busi-

ness. Ask some questions about your

business and its Send lots of thank you

notes. Reply to emails, Facebook mes-

sages and blog comments as quickly as

possible.

CLICK HERE to read the full article from

SCORE. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedi-

cated to helping small businesses get off the

ground, grow and achieve their goals through edu-

cation and mentorship. We have been doing this

for nearly fifty years.

On-line survey launched to gather information on Sierra Vista travel

The City of Sierra Vista and the Ari-zona Department of Transportation are seeking public input for an on-going study to identify options to improve traffic flow by reducing the number of motorists who drive alone to work or school.

The Sierra Vista Transportation Effi-ciency Study has completed a survey of workers at the city’s largest work-places to better understand how peo-ple commute and what types of pro-grams would encourage them to make fewer single-occupancy vehicle trips. The study found that more than 90 per-cent of workers in Sierra Vista currently drive to and from work and school alone.

Today, the ADOT-administered study is launching an on-line survey to learn about the travel habits of the general

population of Sierra Vista and to under-stand what alternative options would reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.

Click here to send us your input today. The survey will be open to responses through Dec. 21.

The study team, which includes both Sierra Vista and ADOT transportation planners, is seeking to assess:

Travel behavior

Knowledge of and satisfaction with

local transportation and transit options

Willingness of employers to em-

brace programs to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by workers

Willingness of workers and stu-

dents to use alternate modes of trans-portation for commuting

Findings from the study will be used to develop a Travel Reduction Plan that will include strategies that decrease the number of single-occupant vehicles on Sierra Vista roads.

The federally funded study stems from the City of Sierra Vista Strategic Lead-ership Plan, which identified five trans-portation goals to meet quality of life needs in the community. Two of the five goals identified in the plan include reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicle trips.

For more information about the study, visit http://www.azdot.gov/SierraV, or contact ADOT Project Manager Mark Hoffman at mhoffman@azdot.gov or by phone at (602) 712-7454,

Catholic Community Services

looking for volunteers How to Generate Great Word of Mouth By Daniel Kehrer,founder, BizBest.com

Page 7 Volume 2012, Issue 12

Thank You to These Members for Renewing Their Commitment to The Business Community:

A Special Welcome to Our New Members! B & D Lumber—432-3622

Bare Aesthetics—803-7640

Different Strokes Motorcycle Sales and Service—458-3804

Echoing Hope Ranch—508-2087

Golden Rule Jewelry, Antiques and More—249-1277

HanLing Acupuncture Healing Center, Inc.— 878-8116

Mighty Organized Life—335-6977

Quintero's Authentic Mexican Restaurant—459-0714

Rapha Medical Center— 458-4648

Sierra Vista Dream Center—266-2934

Specialists in Dermatology-458-5539

The Mahoney Group -- Kenneth Stickler—784-6672

The Project DJ— 678-8248

Tyler's Yard Tree & Landscaping Services— 234-5369

Valor HospiceCare & PalliativeCare—458-9450

Executive Club Members

A+ Texture

American Family Insurance American Systems Arizona Water Company BrightStar

CACI, Inc. Campstone Transfer, Inc. Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc. Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CGI CerendipiTees Cherry Creek Radio City of Sierra Vista

Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. Cox Communications Data Systems & Technology, Inc.

Dental Village Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot Farmers Insurance - Ginny Francis Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home

General Dynamics Information Technology

Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.

Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency

KKYZ Radio

Landmark Café Lawley Automotive Center Lawler's Team Ford Life Care Center

Long Realty Co. Longhorn Restaurant Mall at Sierra Vista ManTech Telecommunications &

Information Systems Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC National Bank of Arizona Navy Federal Credit Union

Netmedix IT Solutions New Frontier Animal Medical Center Northrop Grumman Corporation

Patio Pools & Spas Pioneer Title Agency Pueblo del Sol Country Club Restless Wings Photography

Rosemont Copper Company Sentrillion Sierra Vista Ace Hardware Sierra Vista Herald Bisbee Daily Re-

view

Sierra Vista Regional Health Center

Southeastern Arizona Contractors Association

Southwest Gas Corporation Southwestern Eye Center

Stachel & Associates, P.C. STG Inc. Stilwell’s Learning Center, LLC Suburban Extended Stay Hotels

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop. Sun Canyon Inn The Boeing Company TDY Housing

TMS - Ty Media Services TownePlace Suites by Marriott University of Phoenix -

Sierra Vista Campus Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wayland Baptist University Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center

3D Game Box

ABRIO Family Services

Air Force Association Cochise Chapter 107

Beehive Homes of Sierra Vista

Bill's Evaporative Cooler

Center for Academic Success

Cochise Cowboy Poetry and

Music Gathering

Columbian Association aka

Knights of Columbus

Comfort Keepers

D&M Promotional Accessories

Daystar Payroll, LLC

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

EXIT Realty Southwest Spirit

Fairfield Inn Tucson Airport

Falcon Court Apartments

Galeria de Coronado

Signature Rental Homes

Garden Plaza Apartments

High Desert Clinic

Lundtvedt, Gayle Y., D.M.D., P.C.

ManTech Telecommunications

& Info Systems

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Petit's Auto Care

PuroClean Water, Mold, Fire

& Trauma Spec

R. L. Workman Homes

RSC Equipmental Rental

Sierra Vista Rotary Club (Noon)

Southwestern Eye Center

Strain, Bob

Summit Fitness

The Local Pages of Arizona

Western Motel

Wilson Electric

Windemere Hotel

& Conference Center

21 E. Wilcox Dr.

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878

www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2012-13 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Past Chairman - Frank Gonzalez, Lawley Automotive Chair Elect - Jean Giuffrida, Long Realty Treasurer - Michael Benson, TDY Housing Secretary - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista Board Members Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Pamela Anderson - Landmark Café Jack Blair - Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Anita Farrow - National Bank of Arizona Joe Stroud - Edwards Financial, Inc. Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office

Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

HEREFORD, AZ

PERMIT NO. 29

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Chamber Staff Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, abaillie@sierravistachamber.org Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, jhargraves@sierravistachamber.org Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, mdillard@sierravistachamber.org Office Manager - Toni Rogers, officem@sierravistachamber.org Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, derwin@sierravistachamber.org