Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce

Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s (GFW) Transition Board and members of its staff continue to work diligently to ensure this is an organization that truly represents “a new day” for economic development in the community. Today, GFW is pleased to offer updates and announcements on a number of developments.

The Transition Board’s Nominating Committee is making progress as it works to propose a new, permanent governing board. This board will include at least 35 members who represent the diverse mix of business leadership in Greater Fort Wayne. The board will be seated by the end of the year.

The Executive Search Committee has recently received a narrowed slate of candidates for the Chief Executive Officer position from its search firm. The initial slate of candidates that were interviewed included individuals from within Allen County, and across the country.

The Office Location Committee has spent months researching, touring and negotiating space options throughout downtown Fort Wayne. They continue to evaluate a short-list of options for work-ready space solutions and have not made a final decision on a location at this time. The intention remains to be co-located by the end of the year.

Supporting these efforts and decisions, the Transition Board has appointed interim positions to help ensure a smooth consolidation of staff, programs and services:

• Mick McCollum will assume the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer for Greater Fort Wayne Inc., while continuing to perform his duties as Interim President at the Alliance. McCollum will be responsible for developing and managing the transition of operations, including financial management, office space, administration, and human resources.
• Mike Landram will continue heading the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce with his concentrated focus being on Chamber functions, including member relations and recruitment, government affairs, and graduate retention. Landram will work to ensure coordination of all membership communications through Marla Schneider.
• Marla Schneider will lead the departments of marketing, communications, and technology during the transition phase. Schneider will be responsible for all GFW public relations and consolidation of marketing materials. She will also be responsible for technology planning during the transition.
• Deb Boyd will be responsible for consolidating financial systems of GFW. She will also provide support for the transition of HR policies and technology.

The Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Transition Board and staff are committed to advancing the organization’s mission to “grow a more prosperous, vibrant community in Greater Fort Wayne.” Through the transition, the committees and staff will help to set the stage for the future of the organization and ensure a smooth introduction to the new CEO.

About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is the new organization that unifies The Fort Wayne – Allen County Economic Development Alliance and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, serving as a single point-of-contact for economic growth in Greater Fort Wayne. The website for Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is www.GreaterFortWayneInc.com.

Celebrate the opening of fireworks season! Chamber member Phantom Fireworks is hosting a ribbon cutting at its location at 1630 Northland Blvd., Fort Wayne, on Friday, June 21, at 3:30 p.m.

Phantom Fireworks is America's premier consumer fireworks. Founded over 30 years ago, Phantom Fireworks is growing faster than ever with over 1,200 locations throughout the country and continued expansion at its corporate office in Youngstown, Ohio. The company also supplies 4th of July products to several national retail chains.

As a pioneer in the sales of consumer fireworks, Phantom has built a reputation for quality, value and selection that has set the standard in the consumer fireworks industry. Phantom®, Wolf Pack and Grucci Brand products are known and appreciated by fireworks enthusiasts from coast to coast. Phantom's bag, box and tray fireworks assortments are filled with top performing items in each fireworks category.

Phantom Fireworks efforts to ensure the sale and manufacture of safe and compliant fireworks is unparalleled. Phantom maintains an extensive in-house product testing program that ensures our merchandise meets or exceeds all Consumer Product Safety Commission Requirements.

Legislative and safety concerns are reflected in the company's membership and participation in the American Pyrotechnic Association, Pyrotechnics Guild International and a host of state and local organizations.

For more information, go to www.fireworks.com/locations/phantom-ft-wayne.

Local entrepreneurs will get tips on how to build credit, connect with potential customers, build a solid business plan and much more at an information booth set up at One Summit Square Wednesday and Thursday, June 19 and 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Wednesday, the small business information booth will be part of the Fort Wayne Farmer's Market and on Thursday it will be part of Lunch on the Square. Free samples from local small businesses will be offered to individuals who visit the booth.

"Small businesses are a driving force of our local economy," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "I applaud all the entrepreneurs who are taking risks and making sacrifices to build their businesses, support their families and employ area residents."

The outreach is part of National Small Business Week, which runs June 16 -- 21. Locally, the week is being celebrated by several organizations that serve small businesses: the Urban Enterprise Association, the Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana, the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center, the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Fort Wayne Black Chamber of Commerce, and CANI's Center for Community and Economic Development.

Local entrepreneurs will get tips on how to build credit, connect with potential customers, build a solid business plan and much more at an information booth set up at One Summit Square Wednesday and Thursday, June 19 and 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Wednesday, the small business information booth will be part of the Fort Wayne Farmer’s Market and on Thursday it will be part of Lunch on the Square. Free samples from local small businesses will be offered to individuals who visit the booth.

The outreach is part of National Small Business Week, which runs June 16-21. Locally, the week is being celebrated by several organizations that serve small businesses: the Urban Enterprise Association, the Community Development Corporation of Northeast Indiana, the Northeast Indiana Small Business Development Center, the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Fort Wayne Black Chamber of Commerce, and CANI’s Center for Community and Economic Development.

According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses represent 97.4 percent of all Indiana employers and employ 48.2 percent of the state’s private sector labor force.

“Small businesses are a driving force of our local economy,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “I applaud all the entrepreneurs who are taking risks and making sacrifices to build their businesses, support their families and employ area residents.”

Also on Wednesday, Deputy Mayor Mark Becker will read a proclamation issued by Mayor Henry declaring June 16-21 Small Business Week in Fort Wayne. He will read the proclamation at 11:30 a.m. at One Summit Square.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry in his remarks emphasized the overall contribution to the local economy that the growth of Brunswick means to Fort Wayne and Allen County. 

“You made a commitment to the city of Fort Wayne years ago and you stayed," Mayor Henry said. "And when you ran out of space on State Boulevard, you could have gone anywhere. You didn’t have to stay in Fort Wayne, but you chose to. That’s a stroke of genius. Growing your business speaks volumes.” 

Brunswick Fort Wayne Operations, which currently employs 261 full-time workers, anticipates hiring an additional 200 employees by 2016, which will include all types of positions from salaried to part-time. 

Brunswick’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dusty McCoy, commented on the importance of remaining in Fort Wayne because of the skilled and talented workforce the operations already have in place. 

“The pontoon boat market has seen double-digit percentage growth in recent years and the two brands produced here are growing faster than the market,” McCoy said. “It’s a credit to our hard-working employees, dedicated dealers, and the strong supplier base that we have in place here.”

Brunswick Fort Wayne Operations has been manufacturing award-winning recreational boats for more than 50 years in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Currently, Fort Wayne Operations produces two pontoon boat brands, Harris FloteBote and Cypress Cay.

As part of the Brunswick Corporation, a worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of recreation products, including marine engines, boats, fitness equipment and bowling and billiards equipment, Brunswick’s strength and expertise give Brunswick Fort Wayne Operations the resources to employ the industry’s best people and allows them to fund the ideas, innovations, and investments required to continue to be an industry leader, employing the highest caliber people and utilizing only the best suppliers of materials and components. 

Thanks to all those to took part in our Links 4 Leaders golf event on Monday! Here are the results of the golf scramble:

First place with 62: Don Schenkel, Adam Turney, Phil Vaughan, and Aaron Rothgeb.

Second place with 63: Dent Johnson, Michael Hayes, Tony Mitson, and Pone Vongphachanh.

Third place: Mike Christman, Trey Blanks, Kelly Kessens, and Julie Light-Rogers.

Closest to the pin on Hole 6: Rich Robinson

Closest to the pin on Hole 13: Dent Johnson

Longest putt on Hole 8: Mike Marhenke

Best student of the golf school: Brian Cote

Favorite Hole Sponsor: French Lick Resort

Chamber member CVC Communications helped three clients win the prestigious Telly Award in this year’s international competition. This elite award was earned for:  

• The Ivy Tech Corporate College Environmental Health and Safety Online Training Series
• Armstrong University Online Employee Training for client Armstrong International
• The Online Dealer Training series for client Elkhart Brass.       

The 34th Annual Telly Awards attracted nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries. A judging panel of more than 500 accomplished industry professionals honor the very best in broadcast, non-broadcast and web programming. 

CVC Communications is a strategic training and communications firm dedicated to Business Storytelling. Since its founding in 1981, CVC has pioneered electronic communication and online training. 

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority is pleased to announce the grand opening of a new terminal building at Smith Field Airport (SMD), which features significant enhancements aimed at improving the customer experience at the general aviation airport. The new terminal is located at 902 W. Ludwig Road. A ribbon-cutting and open house will be held at the facility on June 17 at about 3:30 p.m., following the Airport Authority Board Meeting.

The new terminal features a convenient customer service counter just inside the airfield entrance, a multipurpose room for meetings and trainings seminars, new office space, and 24-hour restrooms. Outside amenities include a patio area with front row seats to the airfield and a new aircraft fueling area. The fueling area is equipped with new pumps and digital LED displays, making the equipment easier to use for pilots and other airport customers. The fuel tanks are also now above ground, making it easier for staff to perform inspections and maintenance.

“The old terminal building was 35 years old and lacked the space needed to sufficiently serve our customers and business partners,” said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “Now, we have plenty of space for our staff and pilots, and also room to grow, which is exactly what we see general aviation doing in Fort Wayne.”

The terminal gives Sweet Aviation, SMD’s flight instruction and aircraft rental operator, significant hangar and office space for ground school classes and aircraft maintenance services. For more information about Sweet Aviation, visit www.sweetaviation.com or call 260-267-5505.

The new terminal is the former Ivy Tech Community College building, which was home to the college’s Airframe and Powerplant Certification Program. The A&P program quickly outgrew the facility and is now housed on Cook Road at SMD. Classes began there last fall.  

Visit the SMD website at www.fwairport.com/smith-field for pilot information, additional services and amenities, information on airport groups, ground transportation, and more.