2700 Vine Hays, KS 67601
discoverhays.com
[email protected]
Phone: (785) 628.8201
Celebrate Good Times, C’mon!
Just like the Kool & the Gang song states, “There’s a party goin’ on right here …
gonna celebrate your party with you,” we here at the Chamber want to celebrate
with you! What better way to celebrate than at the Annual Chamber Awards Banquet
honoring the people who have inspired and changed our lives. Honoring the future
of our community with the Rising Star Award and respecting the foundation of our
community with the Hall of Fame award, are just two ways we will be celebrating on
Jan. 31.
If you know someone who has encouraged you and has impacted your life,
either personally or professionally, there is no better way to thank them than by
nominating them for one of these
prestigious awards. There are five
awards given at the Annual Awards
Annual Chamber Awards Banquet
Banquet, and the evening is meant
Tuesday, Jan. 31, FHSU Memorial Union
to celebrate the winners of the
Social hour, 5:30 p.m.
awards.
Dinner and program, 7 p.m.
Call the Chamber for more information: (785) 628-8201
The evening begins with the
Special thanks to our premier sponsors: APAC, Diamond
Rising Star Award. This award
R Jewelry, EnerSys, Hays Regional Airport, Insurance
is fitting for a 21- to 40-year-old
Planning, ITC, LDI, Midwest Energy, Nex-Tech Wireless,
who has demonstrated excellence
Sunflower Bank and Walmart SuperCenter.
in leadership in their business
or community. The Business
Achievement Award is designed for a small chamber business who has demonstrated
entrepreneurial success. The Business Woman of the Year Award is for a woman with
a history of community service and business accomplishments, along with assisting
others to reach their potential. The Citizen of the Year Award is for someone who has
given generously to the community this past year. The last award of the night is the
Hall of Fame Award. This award is given for excellence in the business profession
and someone who has historic civic involvement in the community. This person
also gives generously to their community through service and projects. If you know
anyone who fits the mold for these awards, nominate them by Jan. 6. The nomination
form is enclosed in this newsletter.
So, bring your good times and your laughter too, and let’s celebrate the wonderful
people of our community!
Spotlight January 2017
Connecting Business. Creating Commerce. Offering Opportunities.
Proudly printed in color by Northwestern Printers Inc.
(785) 625-1110
northwesternprinters.com
Tammy
I
Chamber Cheques
As we have shared many times, Chamber
Cheques keep money circulating locally and are
redeemable at all Chamber member businesses.
While all of us benefit from this program, there are a
few businesses who choose to advertise directly on
the cheques, which help us offset costs associated
with this program.
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce wishes
to thank these sponsoring businesses for their
support: Ashley Furniture Home Store; Carpet One
of Hays/Vitztum Decorating Center; Diamond R
Jewelry; Elements of Massage & Spa; Freddy’s
Frozen Custard; Gella’s Diner & LB Brewing; Gone
Logo; Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant; JD’s Country
Style Chicken; Nex-Tech; Nex-Tech Wireless; Papa
Murphy’s; Pizza Hut; Simply Charmed; Thirsty’s
Brew Pub and Grill; Vanderbilt’s; and Whiskey
Creek.
talk
n our September newsletter,
we included a letter, signed by
the Hays Area Chamber, City of Hays, Convention
& Visitors Bureau and Ellis County Coalition of
Economic Development. This letter explained how
Hays Regional Airport needed the community’s
support to ensure sustainability, as well as to
encourage SkyWest to consider bringing back the early
morning flight. Impressed by the community feedback
and actions, SkyWest has brought back the early flight
beginning Jan. 4.
Thanks to the help of two Hays High School DECA
students, Griffin Lowry and Daniel Lopez, the
Hays community is invited to the “Fill the Plane”
celebration. While I hope the early flight Jan. 4 is
already sold out by the time you read this column, be
sure to join me for a “bon voyage send-off.” Beginning
at 6 a.m., refreshments will be provided for attendees,
and SkyWest is donating two airline vouchers for a
drawing, to be used another time. An insert detailing
the event is included within this newsletter. Special
thanks to the sponsors listed.
A celebration is certainly in order because your
support has made a huge impact. The boardings these
past several months have increased, with more people
flying in November since 2014. Whenever you do fly, we
hope you consider Fly Hays as an option. You can get
more information at www.flyhays.com.
Join other business leaders and community officials
and show your support to celebrate the return of the
early morning flight Jan. 4.
“If you want to live a
happy life, tie it to a goal,
not to people or things.”
Albert Einstein
Chamber Chats
NCK-Tech Culinary Arts, 207 E. Seventh (Hadley Center)
www.ncktc.edu/programs/culinary-arts
Mission: The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce works for the business prosperity of Hays and its neighbors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR: Tammy McClellan, KS Wheat Comm. Res. Foundation
CHAIR-ELECT: Brian Ruder, American Family Insurance
PAST CHAIR: Brad Haynes, FHSU Athletic Assoc.
TREASURER: Tom Meis, Midwest Energy
Connie Bollig, Emprise Bank
Ross Harms, Lewis Automotive Group
Elizabeth Jaeger, Eagle Communications
2
Karen Gutierrez, Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant
Tami Norris, Advanced Real Estate
Leland Olive, Couture for Men & Women
Mark St. Peter, Nex-Tech
Shane Smith, Commerce Bank
Brian Weimer, IPI Financial Services
Shae Veach, Hays Medical Center
STAFF
Tammy Wellbrock
Executive Director
Celeste Sander
Membership Coordinator
Kathy Heinrich
Administrative Assistant
Brooke Forinash
Part-time Assistant
Chamber News
New Members
The businesses listed below
recently made an important
investment by joining the Chamber.
Please consider them for your needs,
and let them know you learned about
their business through the Chamber.
Greetings to:
Cricket Wireless
2009 Vine
(785) 621-7720
www.crickettwireless.com
We Appreciate You
As the new year begins, the Chamber and its Board of Directors
would like to wish you a wonderful, safe and healthy New
Year. Thank you so much for your generosity and support of
our organization in 2016. Your participation, contributions and
expertise makes our Chamber thrive. Our growth and success is
because you invest in us and we appreciate you. Thank you again,
and Happy New Year!
Legislative Coffee
Member Referral
Join us for Legislative Coffee, tentatively scheduled for 8:30
a.m. Feb. 11 in the basement of the Ellis County Administrative
Center, 718 Main. These forums are a series of meetings with state
legislators that provide area residents the opportunity to learn more
about the legislative process and state issues. Sen. Rick Billinger
and Reps. Ken Rajes and Eber Phelps will be there to meet you and
answer questions as they begin their new terms in Topeka.
Save the Date
• March 30 to April 7 — Tulip & Windmills River Cruise to Holland
and Belgium.
• May 5 — 8th Annual Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Golf
Tournament, presented by Eagle Comm., Smoky Hill Country Club.
Leadership Hays
If not you, who? If not now, when? Leadership is an activity, not a
position. If you want to be an effective leader and grow personally and
professionally, then Leadership Hays is the program for you.
Leadership Hays is a program made possible by the Chamber through
its affiliation with the Kansas Leadership Center. The goal of the
program is to train individuals and teach them skills to become leaders
of the 21st century. Leadership Hays begins in February and wraps up in
May. So within a few months, participants will have the leadership skills
to last a lifetime. The application form and information are included in
this newsletter, or you can call the Chamber office (785) 628-8201.
You can earn a $10 Chamber Cheque
by simply encouraging a business you
know to become a Chamber member.
Business After Hours
United Way of Ellis County is
sponsoring Business After Hours on Jan.
12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hays Academy of
Hair Design, 1214 E. 27th. Come find out
whether United Way Executive Director
Sherry Dryden gets a new hair color or
not!
Announcements
•Jan. 6 — Annual Banquet Award
nominations deadline.
• Jan. 6 — Leadership Hays program
application deadline. See the enclosed
flyer for more information.
• Jan. 27 — Commerce Bank is
sponsoring the Monthly Membership
Lunch at Smoky Hill Country Club,
noon. Our guest presentation will be
from Student Government Association,
so be sure to join us.
Medical and Dental Care
The region’’s premiere medical home,
dedicated to providing access to
compassionate, quality care for all.
105W.13th
785.621.4990
www.rstcareclinic.com
Visit us online at discoverhays.com
3
Member News
The Center for Civic Leadership
at FHSU announces guest speaker
Coach Herman Boone will present
at 6 p.m. March 7 at Beach/
Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Coach Boone is the former head
football coach at T.C. Williams
High School, Alexandria, Va. In
1971, racial tensions ran high at
T.C. Williams High School, as
three schools merged to form a
newly integrated one. Out of this
experience, the story of “Remember
the Titans” emerged, and an
undefeated football team was born;
they won the state championship
that year. While there have been
approximately 30 more Virginia
state championship games since
then, that 1971 season, coached by
Boone, always will be special. Boone
will motivate and inspire with his
presentation on respect, teamwork
and community involvement. The
event is free. For more information,
contact the Center for Civic
Leadership (785) 628-5592.
Nex-Tech Wireless will help refill
local food pantry shelves in January
with a canned food drive. The drive
will take place at all Nex-Tech
Wireless retail locations. Bring three
canned goods during the month of
January to any Nex-Tech Wireless
retail location and receive $10 off
any accessory at Nex-Tech Wireless.
Donations made at the Hays NexTech Wireless stores (Tebo Village
and Big Creek Crossing) will be
given to Hays Community Assistance
Center. For a complete list of NexTech Wireless retail locations that
are accepting canned food donations,
visit www.nex-techwireless.com or
call (877) 621-2600.
The United Way of Ellis County
2016 “Heroes for Change” Campaign
is coming to an end. The current
campaign is at 74 percent of
its $450,000 goal. To help boost
donations, Sherry Dryden, executive
director, has offered to wear a hair
color chosen by donors for one week.
From now until Jan. 8, every donor
will be given the opportunity to
vote for Dryden’s hair color. Once a
donation is made, vote for the hair
color on the United Way of Ellis
County Facebook page. Her hair
will be colored at the Business After
Hours on Jan 12. Donations can be
made in the following ways:
• www.liveunited.us and select the
“Donate” button.
• Through Paypal select “Donate to
Your Cause” then “Find Your Cause.”
• Through Facebook page United
Way of Ellis County and select
“donate.”
• Mail to the offices at 205 E.
Seventh, Ste. 106.
Call (785) 628-8281 for more
information.
The Center for Health
Improvement has several events
happening for the new year. This
year, the Center will be celebrating
its 15th anniversary. In celebration,
join the Center for Health
Improvement anytime during 2017
and the health enrollment fee will
be $15 with no agreement required
(monthly dues still apply). There
will be an eight-week PROGRESSive
Bootcamp starting Jan. 2 for
beginners (or any fitness level)
limited to 40 participants. Several
other things are happening in
January: free Community Workshop;
Kid’s Boot Camp; I Can Cook Series;
and more. Contact the front desk at
(785) 623-5900 or visit website www.
haysmed.com/the-center.
First Call for Help is excited
to announce its second annual
fundraiser, the Amazing Race: First
Call Community Challenge. Inspired
by the CBS hit “The Amazing Race,”
teams of four will race through Hays
solving clues to various locations
to complete a challenge. This year,
children 12 and older can join the
team, which makes for a fun family
event. All proceeds will benefit
Ellis County families in crisis. This
Amazing Race: First Call Community
Challenge takes place March 4, so
form your team and register online
today. A fee of $75 will reserve a spot
for your team; the rest is due on or
before Feb. 22. For more information
about the upcoming event, go to
firstcallelliscounty.com/amazingrace
or call (785) 623-2800.
Zach Meyer, Hays, joined the Eagle
Communications Inc. team as the
web development and strategies
coordinator. Meyer grew up in
Antonino and graduated from Hays
High School in 2005. While attending
HHS, he worked as an assistant for
Hays USD 489, teaching computer
classes. After graduation, he began
working in the IT department for
USD 489. More recently, Meyer was
employed as the IT Manager for
Lang Diesel Inc.
Hit your mark with Nex-Tech
Advertising Solutions
Graphic Design
Video Production
Corporate Branding
Strategic Consulting
Social Media Consulting
• Convenient e-Billing and
bank payment options
• Affordable Leased Security Lighting
1-800-222-3121
www.mwenergy.com
To submit member news or sign up for Chamber event alerts, email [email protected].
4
Member News
Craig Seibel, Ellis, is now employed
by Eagle Communications Inc.
as a Level 2 technician for Eagle
Technology Solutions, formerly
known as Sicoir. Seibel graduated
from Fort Hays State University
in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree
in information networking and
telecommunications. He has been
employed by Rural Telephone, NexTech, and Golden Belt Telephone
Communications. Seibel is married
and has three children.
For the second time this year,
Heartland Community Foundation is
announcing grant awards in all three
Please note: The Chamber reserves
the right to cut and edit any submitted
copy for Member News.
counties it serves — Ellis, Trego
and Rooks — resulting from grant
applications received through Oct.
15. The cycle produced a total of 42
grant applications totaling more than
$386,000. The current grant cycle
brings the total awarded in 2016 to
more than $450,000. Through the
generosity of the Dane G. Hansen
Foundation, Heartland Community
Foundation can continue its efforts
to meet charitable community needs
through leadership, grants and donor
services. Ellis County applications
totaled 18 for $155,343.84. Thirteen
applications were received from
Trego County organizations totaling
$155,343.84. And lastly, Rooks
County organizations submitted
a total of 11 applications totaling
$83,148.
Visit Hays Public Library at 6:30
p.m. Jan. 20 for a Family Fun Night.
The whole family will enjoy a variety
of life-size games including Jenga,
Twister and Hungry, Hungry Hippos.
Each family that attends will receive
a raffle ticket to be eligible for a
variety of prizes.
Business After Hours
DSNWK Employment Connections,
660 Commerce Pkwy
(785) 625-2018
Emprise Bank, 1011 E. 27th
(785) 625-6595
Switch now with the
phone and tablet
BuyBack Program!
Nex-Tech Wireless
4310 N Vine, Hays
785-621-3670
Nex-Tech Wireless • The Mall
2918 Vine St, Hays
785-639-1461
To submit member news or sign up for Chamber event alerts, email [email protected].
5
Chamber Programs
Ambassadors
5
Take
Cortney Dale,
Bob Schwarz
Financial
1. Tell us about your current position. My current
position is partner and employee to Bob Schwarz of Bob
Schwarz Financial. My role is the insurance specialist for
the company. I am an associate for our sister company,
Schwarz Insurance Group, and the president of our
other sister company, Sunflower Senior Solutions. I am
also in charge of marketing and promotions for all three
companies.
2. Why do you feel it is important to be involved in
the Chamber Ambassador Program? There are so many
reasons why I feel it is important to be a Chamber
Ambassador, but if I had to narrow it down to just
one, that would be the value that it brings to business
networking. I have met potential clients and prospects
through the Chamber, gained clients through my contacts
at the Chamber and also made new friends that have
given me client referrals. All of us at Bob Schwarz
Financial want to help as many Kansans as possible; the
Chamber is just another layer of the process that allows
us to meet more people that could potentially use our
help.
3. What is your favorite Ambassador memory? My
favorite memory as an Ambassador changes annually
after the Annual Banquet. It is hands down my favorite
event of the entire year. It is an awesome showcase of
the true entrepreneurship of all that Hays has to offer. It
makes me so proud to be a part of it.
4. How long have you been serving as an Ambassador?
Since October 2014.
5. What do you enjoy most about living or working in
the Hays community and surrounding area? I tell all
of my family and friends that do not live in Hays what
a great place this is. There is always something to do.
We have great restaurants and, in my opinion, it is the
perfect size — not too big, not too small. My husband and
I are both originally from Plainville, so we appreciate
what smaller communities can offer.
Hays Area Young Professionals
ne
2 watch
Troy Herrman,
Koerner
Chiropractic and
Physical Therapy
1. Tell us about your current position. I am a
physical therapist at Koerner Chiropractic and
Physical Therapy. My objective is
to get people out of pain or help
them with their rehabilitation
after a major surgery or injury.
It is one of those jobs that can be
very rewarding when someone
is able to return to normal
living without pain. I have
been working with Dr. Koerner
and Dr. Melton for almost six years now, and
we continue to grow with offices in Hays,
Plainville and Ellis.
2. Why is it important for you to be involved
in HAYP? I’ve always felt it important to
connect with other businesses, and that’s why
I try to stay abreast of what’s happening with
the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce. You get
to meet a lot of the great professional people
of Hays who are trying to make a difference in
the community. I know many of the individuals
who are involved with HAYP, and they are
people I respect and can associate with.
3. What other community activities are
you involved in? I spend quite a bit of time
coaching youth sports. Sports teach us so much
about life if you approach them the right way
with discipline and creating a work ethic, but
still having fun at the same time. My family
and I are active in our parish and school as
well. My kids and I lead singing at Mass,
and I have served on the Parish Council and
Religious Education Committee.
4. What goals do you have for the upcoming
year? As a physical therapist, I am always
trying to learn more about the human body
and what new treatments are out there so my
patients get better faster. My major goal for
this next year is to become a Certified Strength
and Conditioning Specialist. So many people
are spending more time working out, and they
need to learn proper technique. This will help
me educate them for optimal results.
5. What do you enjoy most about living or
working in the Hays community? Hays is a
great community. It is the perfect size to still
have the small-town feel, but large enough
to offer many opportunities. I love that my
kids can grow up in a community where they
are safe and have a sense of belonging. Like
many of my friends here, I grew up in a small
town. That small-town feel has always been
important to me.
To submit member news or sign up for Chamber event alerts, email [email protected].
Ribbon Cuttings
Glik’s, 2918 Vine (inside Big Creek Crossing)
(618) 876-6717 www.gliks.com
The Tactical Experience, 2013 Vine
(785) 656-0938
Cornerstone Orthodontics, 2707 Vine, Ste. 5
(785) 621-2953
Snow Cone Express, 2918 Vine
(inside Big Creek Crossing)
(785) 342-3028
Operation Christmas Child,
Messiah Lutheran Church (2000 Main)
messiahlutheranhays.com/page/operation_christmas_child
Nex-Tech Wireless, (inside Tebo Village)
www.nex-techwireless.com
January Calendar of Events
Monday
Tuesday
2
RC, 10 a.m.,
The Golden Griddle,
230 W. Ninth
9
Konza Cocktails &
Concepts, 6 p.m.,
Trio Tap House (1106
E. 27th)
10
HAYP Advisory
Council Meeting,
noon, Welcome
Center
11
16
HAYP Connection
Lunch, noon, Pasta
Jay’s (4310 Vine)
Chamber Board
Meeting, 4
p.m.,Welcome Center
17
HAYP Leadership/
Professional
Development
Committee, noon,
Gella’s
24
23
30
3
Wednesday Thursday
Welcome Center
closed
Annual Banquet,
5:30 p.m. social,
7 p.m. program,
FHSU (Black and
Gold Ballroom)
Abbreviation Legend:
AMB = Ambassador
LH = Leadership Hays
BAH = Business After Hours
RC = Ribbon Cutting
CC = Chamber Chat
ML = Membership Lunch
HAYP = Hays Area Young Professionals
WC = Hays Welcome Center
GO = Grand Opening
For details, see your
weekly emails.
ENCLOSED FLYERS ARE NOT
ENDORSEMENTS OF THE HAYS AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THEY ARE
PAID ADVERTISEMENTS BY
CHAMBER MEMBERS.
Fill the Plane
Celebration, 6 a.m.,
Hays Regional
Airport
HAYP Civic
Engagement
Committee, 4:30
p.m., Moka’s
4
HAYP Social
Committee, noon,
Gella’s
5
Friday
CC, 9 a.m., ABB&B,
718 Main
AMB Team Captain
Lunch, noon, Golden
Griddle
Deadline: 5 p.m., Award
nominations, Leadership
Hays applications
6
Sat/Sun
7/8
12
CC, 9 a.m.,
Whiskey Creek (3203
Vine)
13
14/15
18
19
CC, 9 a.m., Heartland
Building Center (2510
General Hays Rd.)
AMB Lunch, noon,
Thirsty’s (2704 Vine)
20
21/22
25
26
CC, 9 a.m., Center for
Health Improvement
(2220 Canterbury,
Education Room)
ML, noon, Smoky
Hill Country Club
(3303 Hall)
27
28/29
BAH, 5 to 7 p.m.,
United Way of Ellis
County at Hays
Academy of Hair
Design (1214 E. 27th)
31
Executive Circle Chamber Members
“Thanks to these businesses for making the ultimate investment!”