September “Business Advocate” Newsletter Published

Posted on | September 1, 2010 | No Comments

The September edition of The Business Advocate newsletter is live online at http://bit.ly/tccnews Top stories include:

- A new Health & Wellness Fair on Sept. 17 - free to attend
- The kickoff of a new Coffee Connection Leads Group for Tempe Chamber members
- Business Excellence Awards nomination forms
- Tempe Chamber ballot endorsements
- Tempe Links Golf Tournament offers
- Annual Luncheon photo roundup

Plus exclusive offers available only to Tempe Chamber members.

Take a look today and boost your productivity and resources.

Monti’s La Casa Vieja is Second Family to Longtime Employees

Posted on | August 31, 2010 | No Comments

Surrounded by friends, family and coworkers who might as well be family, Pio Robles, Eddie Wong and Roger Bradford were recently honored by Monti’s La Casa Vieja for rendering over a century of combined service to the restaurant, each serving over 40, 30 and 30 years respectively.

Meeting with the three men at Monti’s to talk about the celebration and their time working at the restaurant was like sitting down with a group of brothers. After chatting with them for almost an hour, it was clear that this analogy was right on the mark. The trio shared stories about how at one time Monti’s was one of the only restaurants located on Mill Avenue and reflected fondly on the restaurant’s original owner, the late Leonard F. Monti Sr.

“It’s like a family away from home,” said Wong. “It has that comradeship because of the fact that you’re working in close proximity with people, there’s constantly stuff going on, and you’re working unusual hours. It becomes your separate family.”

When Robles started as a dishwasher in 1969, he was a young newlywed, just starting his family and struggling to learn English. During his time at Monti’s, he learned how to cook and eventually switched from washing dishes to working the broiler and doing prep and other kitchen work. One of his proudest accomplishments is his remarkable sense for the “doneness” of each of the many different sizes and cuts of steak that are on the broiler at any given time.

“It is very, very hot behind that broiler, and it takes a tough guy to spend hours there and endure the heat while cooking hundreds of steaks,” said current owner Michael Monti.
Both Wong and Bradford joined the team at Monti’s in 1980. Wong, who calls himself a “renaissance man” and loves to work with his hands, began as a bar back, moved up to bartender, then manager and finally became the restaurant’s maintenance man. Read more

Senator John McCain to Speak at Tempe Chamber’s Sun Devil Football Kickoff Luncheon

Posted on | August 24, 2010 | No Comments

     

Senator John McCain has been announced as a guest speaker at the Aug. 27 ASU Sun Devil Football Kickoff Luncheon, presented by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce at the Wells Fargo Arena from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn more at http://bit.ly/tcckick

Senator McCain was elected to the United States Senate in 1986, after serving two terms in the U.S. House. He joins guest speakers Governor Jan Brewer and US Congressman Harry Mitchell in addressing an audience of more than 500 people as ASU jump starts its football season with presentations by Head Coach Dennis Erickson, ASU Athletics Director Lisa Love, ASU VP Christine Wilkinson, Sun Devil football players, coaches and other special guests.

Sparky, the Spirit Squad and the ASU band will perform at the event which features a plated luncheon, video program, live Q+A with Sun Devil football team captains and more.

The event is produced by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the ASU Sun Devil Club and ASU Alumni Association and is presented by US Airways. It will take place on Friday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way. Tickets are required and may be purchased by calling (480) 967-7891 or visiting http://bit.ly/tcckick

Tickets range from $10 to $60 and VIP seating with ASU Football coaches and players is available.

Attorney General and NAID Presentation on Business Safety - Sept. 3

Posted on | August 20, 2010 | No Comments

Only one session remains in the Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Business Safety and Security Clinic. The Attorney General’s Office and NAID will present the last session on Sept. 3 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Debra Boehlke with Attorney General Terry Goddard’s Crime, Fraud and Victim Resource Center will speak about the most dangerous current threats to business. From scams to skimming and identity protection, she shares her front line knowledge to help companies combat these threats.

Document security and safety is a vital element of any plan. With many laws in place to regulate the storage and disposal of printed and electronic documents and records, your company needs to be aware of the proper and safe methods of information security. Also presenting will be Dustin McKissen, Deputy CEO of NAID (National Association for Information Destruction). NAID is the worldwide trade association for information destruction companies.

The session will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the University of Phoenix, 4635 E. Elwood St. in Phoenix. Sessions are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVPs are also accepted at a reduced rate. Advance registration is required through www.tempechamber.org or by calling (480) 967-7891. This class is limited to 25 people.

And if you’ve taken the time to read this far, here’s a special offer. We’re giving away free passes to the event to the first 5 people to email sean@tempechamber.org and request one.

Local Shopping Provides Economic Boost

Posted on | August 11, 2010 | No Comments

 

Michelle Pence, Communications Dept. Intern

By Michelle Pence, Communications Dept. Intern 

 

It’s about that time of year when local students are preparing to say goodbye to the freedom of summer, pack up their backpacks and head back to school. With the list of school necessities ranging from new clothes to laptops, parents are faced with an important shopping decision – shop at locally-owned stores or shop at larger national retailers?

Statistics show that when someone shops at a locally-owned business, 45 cents of every dollar stays in Arizona, while national chains contribute only 13 cents.

“Every time you make a purchase, you’re exercising power of choice,” states the Local First Arizona website, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting locally-owned businesses. “The choice is yours.”

Shopping locally strengthens communities and economies by re-circulating money in the community, sustaining local jobs and generating tax revenue for the community and state, while shopping at larger national retailers or online companies drains local tax revenue and can damage the local economy.

“When you shop online with out-of-state companies, it doesn’t contribute a dime to the local economy,” says the website. Instead of shopping online, do a little research and try to find local businesses who offer the same or similar products locally. Read more

ASU Football Kickoff - Celebrate with the Sun Devils!

Posted on | August 9, 2010 | No Comments

Staying alive: Sustainable Business Practices

Posted on | August 4, 2010 | No Comments