September 2012 Business Connections

Business ConnectionK e l s o L o n g v i e w C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

Volume 4, No. 9 September 2012

Family returns to its roots with Pie@Trio’s Pizzeria

Calendar

ThursdaySeptember 13 - 11:45 a.m. to

1:30 p.m.

Red Lion Hotel

Quarterly Membership

Luncheon

State of Our Cities

TuesdaySeptember 18 - 5 to 7 p.m.

Business After Hours

Monticello Hotel

1405 17th Avenue, Longview

WednesdaysWeekly – 3 to 4 p.m.

Chamber Connections

Check out the website to see

who’s talking about their

business

To get on the schedule and

talk about your business,

what’s new, what’s cool and

what’s hot. Call Brooke,

360-423-8400, ext. 16.

By Brenda Sexton For The Chamber

In 1957, the Longview husband and wife team of Norm and Tiny Kolln created a recipe for pizza and an atmosphere for good times and turned it into Pietro’s Pizza.

The couple expanded the business into Oregon in the early 1960s with Pietro’s Gold Coast, a destination restaurant offering pizza and pizzazz. The business grew to include nearly a dozen restaurants in Oregon and Washington before they sold them in the 1970s to the Campbell Soup Company.

Fast-forward to four years ago, when the latest generation tossed its first pie in decades at Pie@Trio’s Pizzeria, in the same location – 614 Commerce Ave., Longview.

“It’s the three grandsons, hence the Trio’s,” said Sam Miller, who serves as general manager and minority owner partner of the business with his parents Mitch and Jennifer Kolln. Brothers Tim and Mark, who live in Seattle and Portland, are the other corners of the triangle. “It was supposed to be Trio’s for three brothers, but mom kept saying, ‘Pie at Trio’s,’ and it just stuck.”

Through the years, the building stayed in the family, leasing it to other businesses with the intent, Miller said, to return to the busi-ness one day.

“The timing was right for me,” said Miller, who was working as a commercial photog-rapher when he decided tossing pizza was a better way to weather the economy in 2008. “The idea was always to get back into it.”

The gamble paid off from the start.“We were slammed the first year or two,”

Miller said. “It was just like the old days with standing room only and with lines out the door.”

Opening the pizzeria has also has worked for the local economy. Although not a large employer, Pie@Trio’s keeps about 20 on its payroll.

The location isn’t the only familiar offering. Pie@Trio’s website touts its dough and

sauce are made in-house with grandpa’s original recipe.

Please see Pie@Trio’s, page 12

Sam Miller and crew have brought back the family tradition of pizza to Pie@Trio’s in Longview.

Kelso Longview Chamber of CommerceQuarterly Membership Meeting

Red Lion Hotel510 Kelso Drive, Kelso

September 13, 2012 • 11:45 am – 1:30 pm$25.00 Advance Purchase • $35.00 At the Door

“State Of Our Cities”

You are invited to attend the Kelso Longview Chamber’s Third Quarter Membership Luncheon.

Please join us as we learn from our city officials how the cities are faring during the recovery of the economy. What changes we can expect in the coming months, years and how the city is

dealing with less revenues and continued pressure to provide more services.

Steve TaylorNew Kelso

City Manager

David Futcher Kelso Mayor

Dennis Weber Longview Mayor

Bob GregoryLongview

City Manager

Register Today!www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

NOW ONLINEAll Credit Cards Accepted

Advance Purchase: $25.00 • At the Door: $35.00(Fee is non-refundable)

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Kelso Longview Business Connection September 2012

Benches and trash cans spruce up downtown Kelso

The Kelso Downtown Revitalization Association has teamed up with two local organizations to place benches and trash recep-tacles throughout downtown Kelso.

Because of the generosity of the Kelso Rotary Club and Kelso Lions Club, three benches and trash cans were installed in July. The benches sport the club logos and City of Kelso logo, all in Kelso blue.

The project has been a partnership with the City of Kelso and local clubs to enhance the urban streetscape of downtown. If you haven’t had a chance to head to Kelso to check out the benches, we encourage you to do so. KDRA is looking forward to next year’s project.

For more information contact: Carol Zonich 360-636-3300 or Rick Roberson 360-423-7181.

Iron Horse rally pulls into Kelso

The Kelso Highlander Iron Horse Motorcycle Rally will take place Saturday, September 1, at the Kelso Commons with a poker run leaving

at 9 a.m.; a band, vendors and games opening at 10 a.m.; a free bike

show at 1 p.m. and contests throughout the afternoon.

Sunday, September 2, there will be a Swap Meet with

live music and food from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Call today to see how we can help you.

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Once is Not EnoughBy Chuck Nau

Did you buy an ad, a commercial, or a single (direct mail) mailing for your retail business or service today?

If you did, you may be wasting some of your own time, your business’ time and profit, and your media salesperson’s time. More importantly, you may be impacting positive results for your advertising expenditure.

In essence, your ‘one at a time’, single ad strategy may be impacting the success of your advertising in your community and the GROWTH of your business.

A strategy of buying only a single ad just does not work in building your business, developing a strong (and loyal) clien-tele, or helping you reach and achieve your marketing goals. It does not work for your business or YOU!

Let’s explore a much better advertising strategy for you and your business...namely, an advertising campaign strategy. An advertising campaign selling strategy affords you and your business a number of benefits. Two major benefits are saving time and creating, if not enhancing, results.

But first, let’s step back and clarify what we mean by an advertising campaign strategy. An advertising campaign strategy consists of five components and affords your busi-ness and YOU five key benefits.

The elements of an advertising campaign include a series of advertisements, within a time frame, with an allocated or set aside budget, to meet an IDENTIFIED need, problem or op-portunity with an anticipated goal or OUTCOME. If one of these elements is NOT present at the onset of your advertis-ing schedule, in all likelihood, you will find yourself wasting valuable time, business resources and dollars on a start – stop – start again advertising program.

As you may know, one of the major elements in any suc-cessful advertising campaign is CONSISTENCY, not neces-sarily repetition of the same message, but rather a consistent planned advertising program. It is consistent inasmuch as your business’ name and overall message are before your potential target customers on a regular basis. Developing that consistency takes both time and patience.

First and foremost, step back and do some REFLECTIVE thinking. Ask yourself (and your employees) to clarify your business goals, strategies and, quite frankly, your hopes and dreams for your business endeavor. Ask questions (‘Who are our best customers?’, ‘What is our competitive advantage?’, Who are our competitors?’, ‘How do we plan to grow our

business?’) and once you have developed some answers and identified some problems, needs, and opportunities, plan to meet with your local media (newspa-per, radio, cable) sales staff.

Share, on a confidential basis, your business strategies with your media contacts. Solicit their input and ideas. Look for ways to match their media benefits and strengths to your goals, needs, or problems. CHALLENGE them to offer a business solution, an idea, a campaign that will be here not only today, but tomorrow, too!

Be sure to share with them how you will SUPPORT the campaign (e.g. prominently displaying the merchandise, signage, sufficient inventory on hand) and what your expec-tations are (e.g. increased store traffic, selling the advertised merchandise, reaching new customers).

Double check that your media contacts understand and benefit from the need to plan, plan, plan your advertising strategy to produce the desired results. Demonstrate to them that sporadic and infrequent advertising does not work, rather that consistent advertising, in good times and slow times, delivers the ongoing results and business growth your business and YOU desire!

Selling an idea, a campaign, rather than a single ad or two has NUMEROUS BENEFITS for your business and you. Let’s explore some selected benefits.

The potential benefits to YOU include time savings (less time conceiving, developing and handling various ad ele-ments), dollar savings through better ad costs control, planned sales events and elimination of last minute poorly executed promotions, and improved utilization (both in planning and payment) of available co-op funds. Most im-portantly, better response will be achieved in terms of sales, and improved name recognition (... top of mind awareness!) on individual ads and related marketing efforts.

The potential benefits to your media partners, much like your own, include time savings through less ad handling, reduced ad ERRORS (and impacts to your business), dollar savings through improved time management which trans-lates into enhanced planning and selling time and stronger media relationships. This will lead to better campaigns, more ad SUCCESS, and the resulting available ad dollars being

Please see Nau, page 12

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Ambassador Q & AJason MeunierTwin City Bank

Family: Mother, Tara; Father, Al; Brother, Marc; Sister, Lisa; all live in eastern Washington and Oregon.

How Long Have You Been an Ambassador? Almost four years here, previously in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and Hood River, Ore., areas as well.

What Prompted You to be an Ambassador? I have enjoyed my previous experiences as Ambassador and it’s always a good way to begin meeting the right people when you are new to an area.

What Do You Like Most About Volunteering with the Ambassadors? I enjoy seeing the other Ambassa-dors, meeting local business people and seeing their busi-ness locations.

Do You Volunteer with any Other Organization? Current Chairperson of Lower Columbia Professionals, do a number of volunteer opportunities with other organiza-tions, but not a regular member of anything else.

Carrie MedackPrimeLending

Family: Married to Dave for 32 years; two grown sons, Brandon and Andrew.

How Long Have You Been an Ambassador? Since the committee was formed.

What Prompted You to be an Ambassador? The op-portunity to meet more people.

What Do You Like Most About Volunteering with the Ambassadors? I enjoy getting to meet people new to the area as well as people that have been longtime resi-dents and new to the Chamber. The Ambassadors have al-ways been a fun group and there is never a dull moment.

Your Favorite Ambassador Story? When we went to Walt Naze’s place of employment to initiate him as an Ambassador with a mock ribbon cutting. I found the ugliest pink jacket I could at the Goodwill and made him recite a pledge that Walt still has a copy of. Knowing Walt, he still has the jacket as well.

Do You Volunteer With Any Other Organiza-tions? I enjoy helping out at the Kelso-Longview Elks with the various fundraisers and enjoy helping out as a server at the various dinners.

What Are You Most Proud Of? I am proud to be the only ‘original’ Ambassador that is still on the committee. I am proud of that fact the I have managed to stay in the same field of work for 30-plus years and have been suc-cessful through the tough economy.

What Do You Like to do for Fun? Heading out with our fifth wheel, traveling with friends, entertaining and cooking.

Join the Ambassadors Today!Call 360-423-8400

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Committee formed to support infrastructure work and be advocate for region’s progress

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

Bill Marcum, President/CEOAmy Hallock, Bookkeeper

Brooke Fisher, Project Manager

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way • Longview, WA 98632 • 360-423-8400

To advertise, call Brooke Fisher, 360-423-8400 ext. 16 or email [email protected] Deadline: 20th of each month.

By Ted SpraguePresident - Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Recently a small committee made up of Cowlitz Economic Development Council Board members was formed to help support the important work being done in the area of infra-structure (mainly road, rail and river) improvements along the Route 432 corridor. The committee, entitled “Transportation Committee for Family Wage Jobs” is investigating other areas of the county where they can be advocates for progress. Such potential projects are: supporting changes at the Scott Avenue interchange, continued dredging of the Columbia River and enhancements to the entrances of our communities.

In April, the CEDC Board of Directors heard a presentation from Rosemary Siipola of the Council of Governments, updat-ing us on the progress of the SR 432 intermodal corridor. The project will require significant time and attention of the leaders of our public and private sector communities. The purpose of the project is to improve rail and highway safety, mobility and capacity and to provide congestion relief. The industrial wa-terfront along the SR 432 Corridor needs to be upgraded from the 1940s era of manufacturing to a modern 21st century bulk commodity trading center.

Let me put to rest any idea that these improvements are be-

ing driven by coal export. The first study of modernizing this corridor was completed in the 1980s. This resulted in the road-way being designated as a state highway. The second study, completed in 2001, resulted in a series of short- and long-term network improvements. The major long-term project com-pleted was the modernization of Exit 36. The latest study was completed in 2008 and calls for grade separation, improvements to key intersections, modern-ization of local rail switching and increased rail capacity over the Cowlitz River. The 2008 study did not consider coal export as part of its study. These improvements have been necessary for decades due to the increased worldwide reach of our export markets and improved channel capacity in the Columbia River system.

The continuing development of our community and indus-trial properties along this corridor require us to upgrade the system. The committee will be creating a website where you will find links for more information and will be an advocate for the overall project. More information will be made avail-able as we progress – stay tuned!

For more information or to get in touch with staff, please go to our website – www.cowlitzedc.com.

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Bianca LemmonsVice President/Manager

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Cross promoting drives traffic

President’s Message

By Bill Marcum President and CEO

As most of you know I have spent the past 31 years in the newspaper business, most specifically the advertising business. I always felt my job was to help businesses be more successful. If you asked my employers my job they would probably say to generate revenue for the newspaper. But, I always believed that if I could help your business by driving more customers to your door it would not matter to you if I was selling advertis-ing, window signage, chamber memberships or computers. That is how a business relationship begins.

Here are a couple ideas that developed out of those relation-ships that had nothing to do with selling advertising, but everything to do with helping businesses be more successful – cross promoting and inviting your customer back. Sounds simple but you would be surprised how many businesses do not do either of these two traffic drivers.

Cross promoting with another business can drive traffic to your business and to your cross promoters business. Exam-ple: You own a furniture store and across the street is a wine store. The two of you work out an agreement that your fur-niture is inside the wine store with pricing and business cards located on the furniture. In your store the furniture has wine bottles, wine decorations and other products from the wine store. Cross promoting. It really cost you nothing, but can more than double the visibility of your products or services.

Another part of this is a coupon with both businesses, one each side. This coupon is given to each customer upon a sale. One, inviting them back to your business to use the offer stated and also inviting them to use the other offer at your

cross promoter’s business. Customers always like to

receive something from you after the sale. It could be a pen, a candy cane or better for you, a reason to come back to your business and purchase something else. Every business should be doing this, it’s easy, it says thank you and again, invites your customer to come back.

The tendency is to do things extra special during the Christ-mas holiday season. The more successful businesses do the extra specials throughout the year and reap the benefits of that extra work during the holiday.

Extraordinary: The difference between ordinary and extraor-dinary is that little EXTRA effort.

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Revitalizing downtown at the Partnership’s coreBy Janice Forbes President, Longview Downtown Partnership Owner, Highlander Cycling Imports

The Longview Down-town Partnership (LDP), formerly The Downtown-er’s Association, updated its name and reorganized the Board of Directors to better support the revi-talization of Longview’s Downtown District. The change to the organiza-tion happened as a result of a recommendation from the Hyatt-Palma Study conducted in the Spring of 2011. The newly expanded Board was voted in in May 2012 and currently consists of 23 commu-nity leaders in key areas of activity. The Board, along with an engaged membership, are positioned to carry out the Mission of the organization and fulfill the three Core Strategies determined in the annual Strategic Planning Session. (See insert)

This new structure has also proven to be effective in oversight manage-ment of Business Improvement Dis-tricts, which are a separate entity. A

great example of a successful down-town partnership is the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP). To learn more about Spokane’s achievements, and to glimpse the possibilities of our future downtown, please go

to: http://www.down-townspokane.org/about.php.

The Downtown Longview Business Im-provement District peti-tion is in its final month of circulation. If you are a downtown business or property owner I again

encourage you to sign on. The BID is a critical piece of the larger plan to bring Longview’s downtown back to life.

The LDP Board meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at the Olde Creekside Cafe and is open to LDP members. The General Membership Meeting takes place on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the Olde Creekside Cafe. If you are not a member, I invite you to attend one of our meetings. They are a great way to network, share ideas and learn about what is happening downtown!

Longview Downtown Partnership Mission Statement

To work together to revitalize and re-energize Historic Downtown Longview for the purpose of fostering community and supporting business.

Core Strategies

MembershipWe engage members in worthy projects and events. We support our members in all that we do; We actively recruit new members by offering value and delivering measurable results. Our members are the foundation of our success.

CommunityWe serve our community with a variety of well-organized events, excellent customer service and a unique environment. We work as a team to accomplish our goals.

MarketingWe develop a professional, consistent brand that speaks to the unique history of the area and sparks the interest of many. We utilize new and innovative guerilla marketing tactics to achieve an inviting and successful image.

Longview Downtown Partnership Board of Directors

• Janice Forbes, President and Owner of Highlander Cycling

• Dick Van Sickle, Vice President and Consultant

• Gitta McKinster, 2nd Vice President and LCC Bookstore Manager

• Wendy Kosloski, Secretary and Owner of Teague’s Interiors

• Marcel Goulet, Treasurer and Executive Director of the Kalama Housing Authority

• Doug Harvey, Past President and President/CEO of Colsec Security

• Tim Cusick, Board Member and President of Longview Stageworks

• Lee Starr, Board Member and Owner of Red Rooster Bakery

• Alice Dietz, Board Member and Director of Programs, CEDC

• Bill Marcum, Board Member and President/CEO of the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

• Nolan Wheeler, Board Member and Vice President of Administrative Services - LCC

• Retha Porter, Board Member and Communication & Public Relation Specialist - Peace Health St. John Medical Center

• Norma Davey, Board Member and Media

• John Brickey, Board Member and Community Development Director - City of Longview

• Ken Botero, Board Member and Longview City Council

• Kathy Bates, Board Member and Director of Operations - Lower Columbia CAP

• Bob Davis, Board Member and Property Owner

• Ann Goff, Board Member and Owner of DIY Party Supplies

• Bob Metke, Board Member and Community Member

• Dan Oullette, Board Member and Owner of Zojo’s Coffee

• Rick Winsman, Board Member and Consultant

• Ron Kosloski, Board Trustee and Property Owner

• Tom Bert, Board Trustee and Property Owner

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Kelso Longview

Keep It All in PerspectiveBy Mayor David Futcher

My family and I just complet-ed a cross country road trip of about 6,500 miles, checking to make sure the Grand Canyon was still there before heading to Tennessee and back.

While things like standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and visiting the extended family were fun, one thing that struck me was the difference in the standard of living be-tween our area and some other parts of the country.

It’s easy to take things for granted when you live in a nice place. You think your street has potholes? You should see some of the state highways in the southwest. There are cer-tainly problems with roads in our area, but they are generally not on the major thoroughfares. The state highways are in good shape, and major streets in Kelso like Grade and Allen are also well-kept.

You think we’re having a tough economy? Some of the towns we saw had no discernible means of supporting a population, and were filled with shuttered gas stations and shops. They made even our smallest burgs look like bustling economic engines.

A close friend of mine said that a trip to Africa showed him how lucky he was to be living in this country. My trip to another part of our country made me appreciate our area, too. It’s easy to lose perspective when we’re stuck inside our bubble, and forget to appreciate what we have right in front of us.

Partnership brings change to airport

By Mayor Dennis Weber

The Southwest Washington Regional Airport is known locally as the Kelso Airport. But it is transitioning into a truly regional institution run

by a joint operating board made up of representatives of the cities of Kelso and Longview, Cowlitz County and the Port of Longview. For years the Kelso Airport was a department of Kelso city government, but recently the four local govern-ments agreed to a new partnership under which the airport will be independently operated beginning next year.

Why the change? The local governments all agree the airport has great potential for being a jobs incubator, an economic engine, and an employment center. But key to that growth is a longer runway enabling small jets to land and take off fully fueled. Construction money from the federal government is available – and a master plan has been com-pleted – but the local match is possible only through the new partnership.

During this transition year the new operations board meets at the same time as Kelso’s Airport Advisory Board (3 p.m. the second Thursday of each month). Mayor Futcher joins me as the two cities’ representatives, Commissioner George Raiter represents the County and serves as chair, and Darold Dietz represents the Port. A fifth member representing citizens at-large is Norm Kreihbel, who also serves on the Public Facilities District Board and works for the Port.

Expect great things at our Regional Airport!

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Business Toolbox

Make This Holiday Season Better Than You Expect - Hire Early, Hire Smart!By Jerry D. Petrick

The last quarter of the year for some businesses is filled with an-ticipation, hope, and more than a little nervousness. If you are in a retail business the October through year-end period can rep-resent THE opportunity to show a profit for the year. No pressure! Right!

If you have been in business for more than two years you know how you have handled your peak season in the past. My challenge to you is to potentially rethink your approach to this holiday season. For starters, what do your sales projections look like for the quarter and year to date? How well have your projections compared to your actual results thus far this year?

Naturally, if the true answer is…“I don’t know” you will prob-ably have some challenges achieving your goals if you aren’t clear what they are or what strategies you need to execute to make them reality. If this is your situation – all is not lost – we just need to do some preliminary work to develop a workable plan to succeed this season.

Before you start to think about staffing or other investments for a seasonal increase in business take a moment to decide:

• What season(s) are you planning for? (Halloween, Christmas, New Year)

• Why are you making this investment? (Restocking, on the floor sales, cashiering, social media marketing/sales)

• How will this investment affect cash flow?

• How will you know if the investment is working?

• What did you or your competitors do last year that you want to avoid or make sure you do again?

OK, let’s get down to some specific best practice suggestions.

Seasonal Hiring Best Practices1. Hire a specialist. Unless someone is a former employee or

at the very least has worked in a competitor’s store, the chance of a seasonal employee stepping in and doing the job as well as your regular employees is rare. And if they do, either you’ve hired an amazing seasonal employee or your standards for your staff are way too low.

The most valuable seasonal specialists are cashiers. They don’t require much product knowledge, the good ones already have the right skills and just need to learn your system, and a great one can make a huge difference when it counts the most.

2. Recruit your customers. Who better to work in your store this holiday than someone who already knows the products and people? Send out a special message to your email/mailing list on the benefits of joining your holiday team.

3. Don’t compromise your standards. Most of your custom-ers won’t know or care if an employee is a seasonal employee or not, but they will know if they want to return based on the quality of the help they received. A sub-standard employee will not only cost you sales, but customers, too. It is usually better being short staffed than compromise on this.

4. Reward your staff for recruiting seasonal help. Some of the best seasonal hires were friends and acquaintances of employees. One caution here: Don’t be shocked if people who have a relationship outside of work bring it with them into the workplace. Just be clear with your expectations in the work-place regarding things like texting, phone calls, and non-work related activities.

One very effective strategy to reward your team is to pay a two step seasonal recruiting bonus. Pay out the first bonus to the regular employee when the person they’ve recruited is hired. If the seasonal employee makes it through the holidays pay out a second bonus. This way the regular employee has a vested interest in the success of the person they recruit.

Please see Petrick, page 11

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Petrick, from page 10

5. Recruit former employees. It’s worth a phone call or email to see if a former employee, one who left in good standing, would like to make some extra money this holiday. This can be a real win for everyone.

6. Hire early and start your seasonal employees sooner rather than later. We’re all tempted to delay hiring and start-ing seasonal staff to save money but that’s shortsighted. The amount of money you save is peanuts compared to the differ-ence a more experienced employee makes during the holiday season. Hiring earlier allows you to:

• Pick the best talent available, choosing candidates who have potential for long time employment if required.

• Provide enough time to conduct a reference check, an indispensable process for any employer.

• Train the staff in operational aspects and expose them to the company culture. Many companies place seasonal hires on the job straightaway, hoping they will learn on the job. Seasonal hires placed to cater to the extra rush in the first place have neither the time nor the motivation to learn on the job, and they need a proper induction and training about the company’s products, operational procedures, and culture.

Hire for TemperamentThere is an adage in Human Resources circles: ‘We hire for

skill and fire for fit.’ Does this ring true for your business?

Most seasonal hires come into direct contact with your cus-tomers, and the biggest challenge of seasonal hiring is to find workers with a good attitude and temperament. The seasonal employees need to reflect the company’s brand image and culture, and behave as the company’s representative. Custom-ers do not forgive poor service just because it was given by a temporary employee.

• Ensuring you have accurate job descriptions and job specifications during the hiring process is half the job.

• While a previous relevant work experience is handy, attitude and temperament take preference, for much of the seasonal work will require flexibility and speed rather than requiring some elaborate skill set. A crash-training program usually takes care of the skill requirements.

Finally, many employers bypass standard HR policies and related processes for seasonal employees. Such mistakes can lead to trouble such as non-compliance with labor laws and the like. WorkSource can be a valuable partner in planning, recruiting, screening, and selecting candidates with/for you. Contact business services at 360-578-4219 or [email protected] for assistance.

For help with sales projections and other planning activi-ties please contact your Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Advisor – Jerry Petrick, 360-578-5449 or [email protected].

Have a prosperous fourth quarter!

This article was compiled by Jerry D. Petrick, Business Advisor, Longview SBDC. Jerry can be contacted at 360-578-5449 or [email protected].

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❦ New Management ❦ Newly Remodeled Rooms

❦ New MenuBook your next event now by calling 360-425-9900

1405 17th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632http://www.themonticello.net

Phone: 360-425-9900 ❦ Fax: 360-425-3424

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Anne O’Connoronthemark associates

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Frank V. McShane, Past Chair Cascade Networks, Inc.

Jerri Henry, ChairFutcher-Henry CPA Group

Michael ClaxtonWalstead Mertsching

Sara Cave PeaceHealth

Bianca LemmonsCowlitz County Title Co.

Clayton J. Bartness, DCLongview Chiropractic Clinic

George RaiterCowlitz County Commissioner

Joel Hanson, Chair Elect KLOG KUKN The Wave

Ted SpragueCowlitz Economic Development Council

Micheal JulianKelso Theater Pub

Chet Makinster Longview City Council

Diane Craft, Vice ChairKoelsch Senior Communities

Ginny WhiffenRed Lion Hotel & Conference Center

Julie RinardCommunity Home Health & Hospice

Neil Zick, TreasurerTwin City Bank

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Nau, from page 4

reinvested since campaigns are conceived, refined (e.g. flexibil-ity does exist in campaign selling), planned and executed in a more timely, efficient manner that generates results.

The potential benefits to everyone include control of planning and making choices, having time to identify those opportuni-ties and activities in your market that will be responsible for generating results and leading you to your goals. You will be spending more creative and FUN time and less production and crisis reactionary time – acting, NOT reacting. There will be the opportunity to spend more time getting to know and understand your advertising and marketing (media) resources to help you succeed, and enhance BOTH your personal and professional growth.

To GROW your business and be successful in your commu-

nity, partner with your local media, planning and executing an advertising campaign (three months plus) that will benefit you both.

© Murray & Nau, Inc.Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a retail consultant and

sales and management trainer. He has been a speaker for and conducted advertising and marketing workshops with retailers, chambers of commerce, community marketing groups, and retail organizations throughout North America.Based in Seattle, Nau is a 25-year veteran of advertising, sales,

media and management, who knows and understands the every-day challenges of starting up, growing, and surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate.Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to

Chuck via email: [email protected]. or at 425-603-0984.

Pie@Trio’s, from page 1In addition to the traditional favorites, Miller notes there

are a host of different and fun hearth-baked oven pies like a Denver omelet and barbecue chicken, while many others are smothered in healthy ingredients not usually considered pizza toppings like broccoli and spinach.

Pie@Trio’s also features a lavish salad bar and offers three additional pizza sauces. Beyond the traditional tomato offering patrons can find garlic ranch, barbecue or refried bean sauces layered on top of their crust.

“It’s a work in progress,” Miller said, noting the addition of a patio, which will eventually include a waterfall and fire pit, and plans for the addition of an outdoor miniature golf area.

With Mark and Tim north and south of Longview, there are also dreams of expanding to those areas.

Pie@Trio’s opens daily at 11 a.m. with a daily lunch buffet un-til 3 p.m. and serves pies until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thurs-day and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

13


Howdy!

Mixing It UpThe atmosphere was light at the Chamber’s Mega Mixer August 7. omOriginals and Woodford Commercial Real Estate dig in to a barbecue meal grilled up by the Kelso Rotary. The set-up crew gets into the longhorn spirit, while the Fifty Fifty Line Dancers show Chamber members how to toe the line.

14


Spotlight

Neil Zick - TreasurerPresident/CEO Twin City Bank

President banks on local connectionsBy Brenda Sexton

For The ChamberThe past four decades have brought change to the

banking industry and Twin City Bank’s Neil Zick has been there through the ups and downs.

From what Zick remembers as the “biggest changes” in the 1970s, through some very good years to today’s more competitive environment and the industry’s consolidation.

“We’ve weathered the storm,” said Zick, who serves as Twin City Bank President and CEO.

With a world of banking giants out there, Twin City Bank was started in 1999 by Longview-Kelso business people to better serve the area.

And that’s what Zick and Twin City Bank does.“Locally owned means locally processed,” Zick said. “We are more

responsive with decisions since we are locally based. We are tuned in to the local business community and the area’s economics.”

Zick started in the banking business after college and a stint in the U.S. Air Force. In his 40 years, he has been a part of the indus-tries ups and downs.

Those twists moved him up the West Coast. He started his career in California, moved on to Oregon and in May 2007 landed at Twin City Bank, where he first served as Chief Financial Officer before filling the top spot.

“In all the different places I’ve been I’ve learned it’s important to know the community and how it functions,” Zick said. Joining and participating in the Chamber of Commerce is a good way to get to know the community.

“The Chamber, to me, it’s a way to give back to the community,” he said. “It puts you in touch with the people that are influential in the community.”

Zick recently became treasurer for the Chamber’s Board of Di-rectors and also recently joined Rotary.

“It’s the association you have with the other people in the com-munity,” he said of participating in civic groups and organizations. “I enjoy spending time giving back to the community and trying to help it grow.”

The Longview area provides the perfect backdrop for Zick, who likes to take in its outdoor recreational activities.

“It’s a close-knit community with a lot of civic pride which I find

very beneficial,” he said.

Zick also belongs to Community Bankers of Wash-

ington and is a member of Independent Community

Bankers of America, which provide him the opportu-

nity to be a voice for banking institutions like his with

regulators and Legislators.

“I found you can actually effect the outcome of how

something works through Congress,” he said.

You know you. We know health.Let’s get together!

For class information or to register, visit www.peacehealth.org/st-john or call 360-501-3701.

Join us for one of our FREE events: Kidney Health 101: The Silent Disease Wednesday, September 12, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Talk With A Doc: Prostate Health Monday, September 17, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Sleep 101: Teens and Sleep Wednesday, September 26, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Menopause 101: Hormone Replacement Therapy Wednesday, October 3, 6:00 p.m. (Social time) 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. (Presentation)

15


Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council is the COG that keeps the region running

By Steve Harvey CWCOG Director

We all know the adage, be careful what you ask for. Well, Bill asked me if I was interested in writing a column and, assuming it would be about what I do and who I work for, I agreed. So, here we go!

I serve as director of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Gov-ernments or “COG,” a regional planning agency with a board comprised of folks from local governments: two counties, five cities and towns, special districts like ports, schools, utilities and fire districts and seven other public and non-profit entities like Lower Columbia College, Kelso Longview and Wahkiakum chambers, Cowlitz Econom-ic Development Council, Longview Housing Authority, and Community Action Program. We are a public entity created according to state statute and, like a chamber, are a voluntary association.

The agency, established in 1961, has gone through many tran-sitions. The COG got its start as the Cowlitz County Regional Planning Commission serving the county and its cities with planning services. The commission was broaden in form and function as the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Governmental Confer-ence in 1971, tackling a variety of federal and state housing and planning programs. We were the regional clearinghouse, evaluating local grant applications for housing, public works, and social services to ensure coordinated planning and service provision. We produced a comprehensive housing plan that guided funds to many projects during the next 20 years.

With diminishing federal influence in the 1980s, we assisted with regional issues like solid waste and water system plan-ning, shorelines management, Mount St. Helens aftermath help and more planning services. We geared up the urban area transportation program to guide funding for road, street and bridge improvements of which there are a number of

accomplishments. Renamed the Council of Governments in 1992, we formed and staffed several regional efforts: Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Cowlitz-Lewis Economic Development District and Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition.

We, a staff of 15, carry out direction from our board and vari-ous program committees. As a region, we are continually faced with a litany of challenges to grow and enhance our physical, social and economic environments. Through future issues, I will report on what we’re doing to meet the challenges coming at us. I welcome your comments and ideas about how we can meet these. You can contact me at [email protected].

Director’s Message

Banking made easy

6281

www.fibrecu.com360-423-8750

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$1,500 minimum balance• First 20 deposit batches free• First 100 cleared checks free• Debit card with surcharge-

free access to 28,000 ATMs• Business online banking• Quicken/QuickBooks links • Multiple users• Account sweeps• Available debit & credit

card processingPlus personal service & support from a fellow local business committed to our community!

Business Checking Done Right!

16


New Members

WelcomeWilcoCanyonview CycleryAshtown Brewing Company (Opening in October)Dr. John RichardsFive Don’s Brewing Company (Opening in October)

Join the ChamberBusiness Association with opportunities to promote trade

through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation

• Annual Meeting & Banquet• Networking Events• Committee Participation• Business Contacts• Quarterly Membership Meetings• Civic Representation• Monthly Business After Hours

Business Services include marketing for your business, referrals and access to Chamber publications and research data

• Mailing Labels• Membership Window Decals• Member Referrals• Ribbon Cutting• Web Site Links• Member to Member Discounts• Membership Directory• Tax Deduction• Newsletter• Business Card Display• Use of Chamber Logo

Representation through action committees, Candidate Forums and up-to-date Action Alerts

• Legislative Representation• Issues Tracking and Information• Task Forces• Candidate Forums• Legislative Update Breakfast• Demographics Publication

PackagesBasic Membership

Package - $275 or $26

per month.

Bronze Membership

Package - $500 or

$46.66 per month.

Silver Membership Package - $1,000 or $86.33 per month.

Gold Membership Package - $2,500 or $211.33 per month.

Platinum Membership Package - $5,000 or $416.66 per

month.

Diamond Club Membership Package - $10,000 or $834 per

month.

17


Gearing Up for Good

TimesCanyonview Cyclery was the

scene of a Chamber ribbon cutting August 17.

Canyonview Cyclery’s Mark Plotkin did the

ribbon-cutting honors.

Ribbon Cutting

Perking Up EmploymentGrounds for Opportunity’s ribbon cutting took place August 21. The cafe is a part of the Lower Columbia College’s Community Activity Program.

18


Ribbon Cutting

Home Warming

Kelso Longview Chamber Ambassadors gave the folks at Evergreen Home Loans a big new member welcome August 15. The Ambassadors are excited to have Tamira Bradley and her team join the Chamber team.

Will DoRed-jacketed Chamber

Ambassadors turned out

in force to welcome

agricultural supply

coopertive Wilco to the

family August 24.

September 2012 Business Connections

Documents

Transcript of September 2012 Business Connections