Pearl City ProgressNewsletter for the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Volume 21 Number 11 November 2012

GMCCI works to improve the business climate and community quality of life by taking a leadership role in the areas of business growth, recruitment, information, advocacy, community marketing, improvement initiatives, leadership

development, and visitor services.

Muscatine Among Twelve Large Iowa Communities Named as Finalist For Selection in Blue Zones Project™

In a release from Iowa’s Blue Zones Project™ the week of October 15, Muscatine was named as a finalist in the running for a demonstration site status. There are twelve larger cities with populations of more than 10,000: Altoona, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Marion, Muscatine, Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, and Sioux City. The nine smaller communities are: Algona, Audubon, Decorah, Fairfield, Harlan, Osage, Red Oak, Spirit Lake, and Woodbine. Blue Zones Project™ by Healthways and sponsored by Wellmark in Iowa will select six of the larger communities in January of 2013, for a total of ten demonstration sites in communities of 10,000 or citizens.

On August 27th, Muscatine’s Blue Zones Project submitted an addendum to their original January 2012 application. The addendum included nine hours of local television programming- Belong Group Wellness, produced by Chad Bishop and co-hosted by Jane Daufeldt.

The production showcased the Power 9 principles and wellness “blue points”. Additional letters of commitment and support for the Blue Zones Project-Muscatine were included from a broader base of industries,

retailers, restaurants, community leaders, and school board members. The final addendum addressed progress in garnering steady growth in community support as well as documentation specifying why Muscatine is special and why we will be successful as a demonstration site.

The Blue Zones Project - Muscatine has an active board of directors, committees, and staff that have been working toward being named a demonstration site since fall of 2011. The selected communities will receive assistance from experts to develop and implement a blueprint for making permanent environmental, social, and policy changes that transition people into healthier behaviors that can lead to longer, happier lives.

Between now and January 2013, Blue Zones Project ™ by Healthways, sponsored by Wellmark will be making site visits to the newly named communities. Muscatine received an

extensive visit on March 7, 2012 and expects to have a contact soon with members of the Healthways and Wellmark teams. In the interim, Blue Zones Project Muscatine will continue focusing on Healthiest State Initiatives like Talk the Walk and events where we can endorse activities like the Watermelon Stampede, HNI 5K, Community Y’s Block Party, PatriART Week, community gardens, United Way’s Day of Caring, and others. If the community has an event or activity that they feel contributes to the wellbeing of the community, please contact Jane Daufeldt at the Blue Zones Project –Muscatine office, 208 West Second Street, Muscatine or call the office at 563.260.3154.

About Blue Zones®Blue Zones employs evidence-based ways to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives. The work is rooted in the New York Times best selling books The Blue Zones and Thrive- both published by National Geographic books. In 2009, Blue Zones applied the tenets of the books to Albert Lea, MN and successfully raised the life expectancy and lowered health care cost for city workers by 40%. Blue Zones take a systematic, environmental approach to well-being which focuses on optimizing policy, building design, social networks, and built environment (i.e. trails, sidewalks, playgrounds, bike lanes, etc.).

Renewed Members

2

CompanyMailboxes & Parcel DepotIowa Network ServicesGood Earth RestaurantUS CellularDocument Destruction & Recycling ServicesThrivent Financial for LutheransNew Beginnings Professional Weight Management ClinicMillennium Waste IncorporatedShoe Sensation IncSendOutCards

Years2113127432221

November 8Business After Hours

Geneva Golf & Country ClubHosted by: Integrated Technology Partners

3100 Bidwell Road, Muscatine5 to 7 PM

November 13Techno TuesdaysGMCCI Office

“The First Steps to e-Commerce”Presented by: Ethan Anderson,

Big Imprint Design11:30 to 1 PM {lunch provided}

$10 GMCCI Members; $25 Non-Members

November 13

Muscatine Employer’s Council“Skilled Iowa: Proven Worker

Benefits, Proven Business Benefits, Proven Community Benefits”

Presented by: Deputy Director, Ed Wallace, IWDThe Clarion Hotel

2915 N. Hwy 61, MuscatineNoon to 1 PM

November 15YPN’s Third ThursdayMuscatine Art Center

1314 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine5:30 to 7:30 PM

November 16GMCCI Executive Board Meeting

GMCCI OfficeNoon to 1:30 PM

November 28Ribbon Cutting

Hy-Vee’s New Wine & Spirits Addition

2400 2nd Avenue, MuscatineNoon

Save - The - DateUpcoming GMCCI

Events

Shelter InsuranceAgent - Joel Kraushaar1613 Plaza PlaceMuscatine, IA 52761(563) 264-0030jkraushaar@shelterinsurance.comhttps://www.shelterinsurance.com/CA/agent/JKRAUSHAAR

As a local business owner, Joel is proud to serve his community. Shelter Insurance offers great rates, excellent coverage, and professional service. Let them help you plan for life changes and unexpected events. Whether it be auto, life or renters insurance, Shelter Insurance will help to find the right coverage at the right price.

New Members

3

6 majors available at MCC Muscatine campus

online and at night!

Bachelor Degrees that fit your schedule!

800.582.2383

See us at www.iwc.edu/exl

No appointmentnecessary!

5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Illness is never convenient.But is.

uihealthcare.org/quickcare

UI QuickCare – Muscatine3465 Mulberry Ave.Muscatine, IA 52761

563-263-0590

A Taste of Thanksgiving at Business After HoursThe Clarion Hotel in Muscatine hosted and served up a Thanksgiving feast on Thursday, October 25, for all Chamber members to enjoy at October’s Business After Hours.

The Clarion Hotel, 2915 N. Hwy 61, in Muscatine is a full service hotel were guests can enjoy the indoor heated pool, 24-hour fitness center, free wireless high-speed internet, continental breakfast, along with easy access to all of Muscatine’s amenities.

Their Business After Hours menu was just a preview of what will be served at their annual Thanksgiving Buffet on Thursday, Novem-ber 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests this evening feasted on pork loin, fried catfish, cheddar mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, an assortment of appetizers, desserts and a full bar.

Norma Lewis was the lucky recipient of the Clarion’s door prize, a brand new Nook Color. This month’s chosen Member Spotlight is Soggy Bottom Diaper Services, where you can read more about on page 5.

This month’s Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, November 8 at the Geneva Golf & Country Club, hosted by Integrated Technology Partners, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Remember if you work for a Chamber member, then you ARE a Chamber member. We encourage all to attend this FREE event to socialize and network with peers within the business community.

R

serving muscatine since 1913

stanley consultants provides engineering, environmental, and construction services worldwide.

800.553.9694www.stanleyconsultants.com

4

Ken Rogers - Owner A.S.H.I. Associatekrogers@homeinspectionplus.biz

Dustin Rogers - Inspector A.S.H.I. Associatedrogers@homeinspectionplus.bizwww.homeinspectionplus.biz

004 MUS-IA-MO-11 ad.qxp:004 MUS-IA-M

In a previous article, I mentioned I was going to visit Austin, Texas. While in Austin, I dropped by the Capital Factory.

What is the Capital Factory, you ask? The Capital Factory is an entrepreneurial incubator. Sarah, the Office Manager, went out of her way to give this Iowan a tour when the regular tours were scheduled for later that day.

The set up reminded me of very open office environments, with many cubicles to choose from. Local individuals who want to start businesses rent cubical space at this facility.

There were several lessons learned through my visit:

1. Go above and beyond. It would have been very easy for Sarah to have me come back later in the day despite the email request I had sent the previous week for a tour. Sarah recognized that I was a long way from Iowa and made the tour happen. Actions speak very loud here.

2. Collaborate. The Capital Factory has a number of different social events for participants, investors, researchers like myself, and potential entrepreneurs. The message here for me was that no one person has all the answers and it is very important to leverage the resources to gather answers that one might not have.

3. When explained a problem, another viewpoint is always welcome. I came away most impressed with the many and varied approaches the Capital Factory had to encouraging collaboration.

Keep in mind that SCORE volunteers are willing and available to collaborate and help anyone in business, or who is thinking about going into business.

Please call GMCCI at 263-8895 for an appointment. - Doctor JohnPopular SCORE Online Workshops When Social Goes Local Listen anytime! Using Social Media to Grow Your Business with SCORE and HP Listen anytime! Savvy Social Media with Jeanne Rossomme Listen anytime!

Robbin Block has been evangelizing the benefits of marketing strategy for over 25 years. Part geek, part creative, she’s brought her in-depth knowledge of the Web and its strategic application to business to companies of all sizes and to thousands of readers via her book, Social Persuasion: Making Sense of Social Media for Small Business. This month, Robbin discusses some of social media’s many implications on the crafting and execution of winning small business marketing plans.

What’s the biggest misperception about social media’s role in marketing, and what should entrepreneurs really be doing as they map out a new small business?

Social media can’t solve all your marketing problems. For a business, it needs to be thought of like any other communication tool. You need to understand the fundamentals of marketing — who’s your target audience, where do they get their information, what do they care about, etc.— to find the right media mix that makes sense for you.

What is the most underutilized non-social media marketing method today?

By far, it’s public relations. Many people are afraid of it, or don’t know what it is. Instead they’ll spend money on poorly placed ads that will almost always fail.

What are two or three go-to resources for finding data about your market?

The U.S. Census. A lot of valuable information from the latest census is now being released. Industry associations. Industry trade publications and consumer magazines. Their media kits have great

information about their readers’ demographics and interests.

And many more resources are available at my website, www.blockbeta.com.

Coupons are gaining popularity as a means for luring potential customers. If this option appears right for a small business, what is needed to help turn coupon users into regular customers?

Understand what attracted them in the first place. People who just want a deal are tough to convert. But many customers use coupons to “sample the goods.” To get them to come back and pay full price, use strategic messaging at each touchpoint to help push them down the purchase path. This messaging can be done verbally, through printed materials, online, and even reinforced with “gifts”.

Can you provide an example of how this works?

A Pilates studio I work with has used social coupons to bring in new customers, offering a 7-week program at a discounted rate. Each week, the studio reinforces the benefits of membership and the results the customer would get if they continue taking their classes. Communications include a comprehensive orientation, an introductory gift of a branded water bottle, follow-on emails, etc. It’s a planned program designed to positively reinforce the customer experience. This in combination with excellent service may be enough to convince the customer to continue at full price.

Expert Tips: Beyond Social Media

with Robbin Block: Owner, Blockbeta Marketing

Robbin Block Seattle, WA www.blockbeta.com robbin@blockbeta.com

Why should entrepreneurs work with a SCORE small business mentor to develop and monitor their marketing plans?

Marketing needs to be flexible, because the environment within which a business operates is always changing. And the business itself is evolving as new opportunities or threats come to light. A SCORE mentor can help filter the information and focus the entrepreneur on what’s important.

A Visit to the Capital Factory – A Lesson

YPN’s Featured Discounts & Member SpotlightIn the month of November, YPN’s first featured discounts for paid members, is from the HallTree Boutique, located

at 208 West 2nd Street. HallTree provides all paid YPN members with 15% off any regularly priced merchandise. The second featured discount provider is Francesca Vitale’s Ristorante Italiano, located at 128 East 2nd Street. All YPN members receive 10% off any order. The final featured discount is from Community Bank, located at 615 Cedar Street. Show your YPN card to get $250 off closing costs at the closing of any real estate loan. For a complete list of all the discounts available, please email Christi Saunders at membership@ypn.org.

YPN Member SpotlightGretchen Greenberg, a Minnesota native, graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She has since worked in that field as well as working as a 911 dispatcher for a year in Wisconsin. Gretchen moved to Muscatine a few months ago and is currently working as a Whole Goods Coordinator for Precision Equipment. Gretchen loves to travel and enjoys all outdoor activities especially running. She had a great time running the Bix this past summer and ran Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth 3 years ago. In 2010 Gretchen joined her brother and friends in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funding for Huntington’s Disease research. She became a YPN member shortly after moving to town. We have enjoyed her dedication to our organization.

5

Staff

Bill PhelanPresident & CEObphelan@muscatine.com

Jane DaufeldtDirector of Initiatives, Blue Zone Projectbzporganizer@machlink.com

Greg JenkinsVice President, Economic Developmentgjenkins@muscatine.com

Jodi HansenEvent Coordinatorjhansen@muscatine.com

Ally BillhornMarketing & Communications Coordinatorabillhorn@muscatine.com

Shea EitmanOffice Coordinatorseitman@muscatine.com

Formerly Muscatine Foods Corporation

High quality, research tested, food ingredients, ethyl alcohol, packaged goods, pet products and animal feed.

www.kentww.com

Member Spotlight: Soggy Bottom Diaper ServicesWho: Soggy Bottom Diaper ServicesWhat: A full cloth diaper delivery service in Muscatine, Quad Cities, Iowa City, Coralville and surrounding communitiesWhere: 715 West 3rd Street, MuscatineWebsite: www.soggybottomdiapers.comMember Since: August 17, 2012

After making a move back to her hometown of Muscatine, Wendy Brendel and her husband Trent, saw this community as a place that held opportunity. With a diaper service where they lived previously and their youngest child starting kindergarten, they felt it was the perfect time to bring that service to this area, just adding more value to her hometown. Why choose cloth diapering? There are numerous benefits including health, environmental and financial. It saves time. Soggy Bottom picks up your dirty diapers and delivers clean ones to your door, saving time by having them do the laundry. It saves money. The cost of using cloth diapers versus disposable diapers is dependent on the consumer, but is often considerably less. It makes for a clean, healthy baby. Keeping 100% cotton on your baby’s skin for comfort and breathability is a great choice. It’s environmentally safe. It’s estimated that 20 billion disposable diapers end up in a landfill every year and usually takes 250-500 years to decompose.

Being a small business owner, the Brendels have received great advice from other diaper service owners around the country and in return it has helped them to avoid costly mistakes of their own.

“We have listened to others advice and that has given us a better idea of what expectations and goals to set for ourself,” says Brendel.

How does it work? Soggy Bottom will deliver fresh clean diapers to your door on a weekly basis, in return picking up your soiled diapers to launder. It’s that simple. The fear is what gets most people, but it can be easier than you think. Long are the days of pins and plastic diapers, diapers today use wraps with cotton inserts, with Velcro tabs holding the diaper in place.

GMCCI wishes to thank Soggy Bottom Diaper Service for their dedicated membership to the Chamber. Want your chance in the spotlight? Be sure to attend our next Business After Hours, where you’ll have the chance to be spotlighted.

LynnAllison@remax.net

Buying or Selling Real Estate? Call Me Today!

LLYNNYNN AALLISONLLISON 563.260.4520563.260.4520

6

Stanley Consultants Local Scholarship Winners Each year Stanley Consultants awards Merit Scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are dependents of employees at all office locations throughout the country, as well as two open scholarships to seniors graduating from Muscatine High School.

The selection is based on scholarship, character, financial need, leadership qualities, meaningful extracurricular activities and academics. The $2,000 scholarships may be used for tuition and books at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university and are renewable for a second year based upon satisfactory academic standing.

The company is proud to announce that the dependent scholarships were awarded: Alexandria Mundy (Letts, Iowa), Chase Anderson (Letts, Iowa), Robbie Dillabough (Parker, Colorado), Brianna Fabiano (Mesa, Arizona), Miranda Fullerton (Grimes, Iowa), Michaela Good (Castle Rock, Colorado), and Kathleen Kennedy (Mount Prospect, Illinois). The open scholarships were awarded to Devin Truman and Kari Clark both from Muscatine.

Alexandria Munday, daughter of Stephanie Munday, is a graduate of Louisa-Muscatine High School in Letts, Iowa. She is pursuing a double major in business and marketing from Iowa State University. Stephanie is a senior accountant with Stanley Consultants and has been with the company since 2003.

Chase Anderson, son of Ginette and Perry Anderson, is a graduate of Louisa-Muscatine High School in Letts, Iowa. Chase is pursuing a degree in computer engineering from Iowa State University. Ginette is an office associate at Stanley Consultants and has been with the company since 2008.

The two open scholarships were awarded to Muscatine High School graduates Kari Clark and Devin Truman (not pictured). Clark, the daughter of Mark and Janet Clark, is pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Iowa. Devin is attending Newmont University.

Kari Clark Alexandria Munday Chase Anderson

Lynn Allison Joins RE/MAX ProfessionalsRE/MAX Professionals, 702 Park Ave., Muscatine, is proud to announce their association with Lynn Allison as part of the RE/MAX team. Lynn is an experienced Realtor, now in her 4th year of helping clients with their real estate needs. Lynn is active in the community as a member of the GMCCI board of directors, the Leadership Council of the local unit of the American Red Cross and President-elect of the Muscatine Board of Realtors.

7

563.262.8844 | 116 Harrison St. | Muscatine www.teamssi.com

Flexible Employment Solutions for Your Business!

Administrative ⎜ Manufacturing ⎜ Professional ⎟ Technical

Fabricators Plus Adds Millwright ServicesWhen you can’t bring the work to them, Fabricators Plus offers a full range of safety certified on-site millwright services. They will come to you to install, repair, replace, maintain and dismantle all types of machinery and equipment.

• 180 ft. Crane Services• Fully Tooled Trucks, Portable

Welding• On-Call Service• Day or Night

No job is too high, too large or too small for this crew, especially with the newly added 180 foot cranes and on-site full service that includes welding. This crew is able to get the get the job done safely and fast.

Need a replacement part designed and fabricated quickly? Fabricators Plus is uniquely positioned to pair custom millwright services with its engineering design services, state of the art custom fabrication, welding and finishing (powder coat and anodizing) facilities. Fabricators Plus certified welders are skilled in a variety of attachment methods including adhesives and metal bonding. Welding services include stick, MIG, TIG, spot, gas, and certified ASTM0412 plastic/rubberized welding.

For customers this means Fabricators Plus can assist with any custom metal replacement or repair project all the way from print design to a finished protective coating or any of the stages in between. Fabricators Plus is now able to reach a broader range of customers, from heavy industrial to individual homeowners with

their custom fabrication and finishing services.

The experienced millwright team at Fabricators Plus has successfully completed projects in the agriculture/co-op, manufacturing, mining, construction, government, school, municipality, and heavy industrial industries. Projects range from handrails and stairs to routine machinery maintenance to spout/auger repair and tank fabrication and setting.

The Fabricators Plus millwright team is U.S. Department of Labor MSHA safety certified and trained and prides itself on quality workmanship and safety practices. Fabricators Plus is ISO 9001:2008 certified, certified to ASTM0412 for plastic/rubberized welding and an American Welding Society supporting member.

Fabricators Plus has been serving customers for nearly ten years and continues to invest in itsMuscatine, Iowa based business. Today, more than ever, Fabricators Plus is a complete, one-stopshop for all metal fabrication and contract manufacturing needs.

ABOUT FABRICATORS PLUSFabricators Plus is ISO9001:2008 certified and provides metal fabrication and contract manufacturingsolutions to a variety of industries including lighting, furniture, construction, mining, agriculture andappliances. Fabricators Plus assists customers to procure, engineer, and produce components necessary for daily

manufacturing operations. The company serves customers in Iowa and the Midwest and specializes in the development of customized delivery solutions. For more information, visit www.fabplus.com.

8

Chamber Chat

Have recent company photos to share? Submit to abillhorn@muscatine.com, with the headline Chamber Chat.

Stanley Consultants Promotes and Hires Graphic Artists

Frieden Promoted to Senior Graphic Artist at Stanley Consultants and Sycamore Printing

Kandice Frieden has been promoted to Senior Graphic Artist at Stanley Consultants and Sycamore Printing. Frieden joined the company in 2006. She has a Bachelor of Art degree in Graphic Design from Western Illinois University. Kandice uses her creative talent to layout and design corporate print material, signage and displays.

Welp Joins Stanley Consultants and Sycamore Printing as Graphic Artist

Adam Welp has joined Stanley Consultants and Sycamore Printing as a Graphic Artist. Welp has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Communications from the University of Northern Iowa. Adam is providing design support for all design and print production needs.

GMCCI, along with other community members take charge and join the Healthiest State Walk on October 3rd, along the riverfront.

Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, addresses

the crowd at a recent STEM Community

Conversation, held at the Muscatine Community

Schools Administration Building.

9

We’ve expanded! Place your advertisement here. Reach hundreds of Muscatine business professionals

for as low as $50 per month. Call GMCCI, 263-8895, to reserve your spot.

National Memory Screening Day, November 29

In acknowledgement of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Senior Resources will be offering free, confidential memory screenings to the public on Thursday, November 29 from 8:00 to 4:00 p.m.

National Memory Screening is an annual initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) that emphasizes the importance of proper detection and treatment of memory problems, as well as educates the public about successful aging and resources. Sites nationwide will offer screenings in November.

We would appreciate your support in helping us spread the word to your clients, friends, family and other community members about the screenings in our area. Briefly:

• AFA’s National Memory Screening Day provides free, confidential memory screenings to individuals concerned about memory problems

or who want to check their memory now and for future comparisons. We will be holding the screenings on November 29 at Senior Resources, 1808 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Qualified healthcare professionals administer the face-to-face memory screening, which takes five to ten minutes and consists of questions and/or tasks designed to test memory, language skills and other intellectual functions.

• A memory screening is not used to diagnose any particular illness and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. However, it is an important first step toward finding out the cause of memory problems. Individuals with a below-normal score or those with normal scores but who still have concerns should follow up with a qualified healthcare professional.

• Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems

might result from causes that are not currently reversible, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

• Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease enables individuals to obtain medical treatment and social services and make legal and financial decisions that can improve quality of life.

• We will offer attendees information about memory screenings, Alzheimer’s disease, successful aging and resources.

For more information, please visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.org or call Senior Resources at 563-263-7292.

10

New Holiday Exhibition at Muscatine Art CenterThe Muscatine Art Center is pleased to announce the return of artist Steve Gerberich with a new exhibit entitled “Holiday Springs & Sprockets”. Visitors may remember Gerberich’s 2010 exhibit at the Muscatine Art Center, “Springs Sprockets & Pulleys” that broke attendance records with his masterful transformation of ordinary objects into inventive and witty mechanical sculpture.

Featuring five large-scale holiday-themed sculptures and installations, Holiday Springs & Sprockets explores scientific principles using everything from teapots to tin cans to fashion a world of blinking lights, moving parts and quirky scenarios.

“This industrial strength exhibit will unite the youngest at heart with fond memories of old Americana - kitchen appliances associated with holiday traditions,” says Gerberich.

With a touch of a button, visitors bring to life the whirling motions of assembly line automation. The Cookie Workshop shuttles cookies in and out of the oven while keeping two automatons busy

washing loads of dirty dishes. An early 20th century vertical drill press is put to good use creating candy canes in the Candy Cane Assembly Plant, while Santa and his Exercycle Reindeer are propelled across the gallery by exercise bikes.

This holiday-themed installation made its debut at New York’s Bloomingdale’s

and has been featured on The Today Show and NBC Nightly News. Holiday Springs & Sprockets is on view now through January 6, 2013. The Muscatine Art Center is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE.

McGinnis joins MP&W Board of TrusteesTracy McGinnis is the newest member of Muscatine Power and Water Board of Trustees.

Tracy is Vice President Retail Banking at Central State Bank (CSB) in Muscatine and was appointed to the Board by Mayor Hopkins for a six year term beginning July 1, 2012.

Tracy has been a citizen of Muscatine since 1995 and has held many trainee and management roles at CSB. She has a BA in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa and an MBA with distinction from the University Of Iowa Henry B. Tippie School Of Management.

Tracy is very active in the Muscatine community, serving 14 years as a board member of Louisa-Muscatine Junior Achievement, as well as 6 years on the Muscatine Community Y board. Tracy is also a member of the United Way Investment Committee and the Young Professionals Network (YPN).

*Article submitted on behalf of Muscatine Power and Water.

11

Advertise Here!

Call GMCCItoday at

263-8895!

We’ve expanded! Place your advertisement here. Reach

hundreds of Muscatine business professionals for as

low as $50 per month. Call GMCCI, 263-8895, to reserve your spot.

Secure Your ID Day Shreds Over 3,000 Pounds of Documents On Tuesday, October 9, the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, along with the Better Business Bureau and Cintas, held their 2nd Annual Secure Your ID Day at the Calvary Church parking lot in Muscatine.

With identity theft quickly becoming one of the most organized and costly crimes of our time, GMCCI felt this was an important event to endorse. A person can greatly reduce their chances of personal ID theft simply by using a paper shredder to destroy all their documents and files before discarding them. And with bigger jobs, by bringing their items to organized shredding days, like this one.

Within the first hour, Cintas shredded 1,000 pounds of paper. By the end of the 3-hour shredding event over 3,000 pounds of paper were destroyed, three thousand less pounds sitting out there for criminals to find.

By shredding all documents that contains your personal identification, you are taking one of the most important steps towards protecting your personal information and credit.

With its increased popularity, this shredding event will come back again next year in the Fall of 2013. Until then, protect yourself, your family and your home by properly destroying all documents containing personal information.

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

102 Walnut Street

Muscatine, Iowa 52761-4027

563-263-8895 Fax: 563-263-7662

Address Service Requested

The Pearl City Progress (USPS391-430) is published monthly by the:

Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry102 Walnut StreetMuscatine, Iowa 52761-4027Email: chamber@muscatine.com

Periodical Postage Paid at Muscatine, IA.

POSTMASTER: Send address change to Pearl City Progress 102 Walnut Street Muscatine, IA 52761-4027

USPS 391-430PERIODICALS

POSTAGE PAID AT MUSCATINE, IOWA

November

Lynn Allison, RE/MAX ProfessionalsBob Allbee, Muscatine Community College

Doug Buster, Fabricators PlusGary Carlson, HNI Corporation

Pam Collins, Musser Public LibraryBill Decker, Muscatine Community School District

Nick Gow, Young Professionals NetworkTom Green, H.J. Heinz, L.P.

Kevin Harle, SSABJames Hayes, Trinity Muscatine

Tom Hendricks, Taco John’s of MuscatineStan Howe, Member Emeritus

Scott Ingstad, First National BankSteve Jameson, Muscatine Journal

Greg Kistler, Central State BankPaul Kraushaar, Muscatine Physical Therapy

GMCCI Board of Directors 2012-2013

Doug Krieger, Krieger Motor CompanyJohn Kuhl, Muscatine Foods CorporationSal LoBianco, Muscatine Power & WaterGregg Mandsager, City of MuscatineJay McKee, McKee Button Company

Ann Meeker, Pearl PlazaDave Mohr, Eastern Iowa Light & Power

Brett Nelson, Musco Lighting, LLCKasey O’Kelly, Hy-Vee Dan Paca, Kent FeedsDavid Penn, Monsanto

Jim Reynolds, Reynolds EngineeringGary Slight, Community Bank

Rick Smith, Stanley ConsultantsNancy Snaadt, Alliant EnergyKas Kelly, Muscatine County

OfficersChair of the Board

David Penn, MonsantoChair Elect

Sal LoBianco, Muscatine Power & WaterTreasurer & Chair-Finance

Rick Smith, Stanley ConsultantsChair – Membership

Bob Allbee, Muscatine Community CollegeChair – Community Development

Vacant – Officer NeededChair - Economic Development

Doug Krieger, Krieger Motor CompanyChair – Public Policy

Lynn Allison, RE/MAX Professionals

Directors

8 NovSCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

Business After HoursGeneva Golf & Country ClubHosted by: Integrated Technology Partners5 to 7 PM

13 NovTechno TuesdaysThe First Steps to e-CommercePresented by: Ethan Anderson, Big Imprint Design11:30 to 1 PM

Muscatine Employer’s CouncilSkilled Iowa: Proven Worker Benefits, Proven Business Benefits, Proven Community BenefitsPresented by: Ed Wallace, Deputy Director, Iowa Workforce DevelopmentNoon to 1 PM

15 NovSCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

YPN’s Third ThursdayMuscatine Art Center5:30 to 7:30 PM

16 NovGMCCI Executive Board MeetingGMCCI OfficeNoon to 1:30 PM

22 NovSCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

28 NovRibbon Cutting: Hy-Vee’s New Wine & Spirits AdditionNoon2400 2nd Avenue, Muscatine

29 NovSCORE1:30 to 3:30 PM

Don’t

miss

out o

n a st

erlin

g tim

e.You’r

e in

vit

ed t

o r

ela

x a

nd u

nw

ind a

t a B

usi

ness

Aft

er

Hours

Wh

er

e:

Gen

eva

Go

lf &

Co

un

try

Clu

b

3100

Bid

wel

l Ro

ad

Mu

scat

ine

Wh

en

: T

hu

rsd

ay, N

ov.

8th

, 5:0

0 to

7:0

0 p

.m. a

nd

bey

on

d.

Wh

at:

W

ine

and

ch

eese

, bo

ttle

d b

eer,

scru

mp

tio

us

ho

rs d

’oeu

vres

, an

d y

ou

m

igh

t ju

st w

in t

he

iPad

do

or

pri

ze, o

r o

ne

of

seve

ral o

ther

pri

zes.

For

mo

re in

form

atio

n o

r to

RS

VP,

ple

ase

call:

56

3.7

32

.30

00

W

e lo

ok

fo

rwar

d t

o s

eein

g y

ou

th

ere.

Wilt

on

, IA

Exp

osur

e

Exposure

See otherside for

valuable

FREEoffer!

Your network is your lifeline – it goes down, you may never

know how many bites you lost. It’s like playing catch-and-release,

only you’re channeling potential customers straight into your

competitor’s net.

In a recent survey of Fortune 1000 network administrators, nearly 70%

said they could not suffer a network outage of 60 minutes. Many contended

they needed 99.96% optimal uptime, which equates to around 3 hours of

downtime in a 365 day, 24 hour-per-day year. In strictly monetary terms, network

attributable losses have been in the millions.

But what about smaller companies, whose networks are perhaps more typical?

These companies tend to measure network attributable losses in terms of revenue loss per

hour, profit loss per hour, direct labor loss per hour and overhead expense per hour.

Regardless of size, while the direct annual cost of downtime equates to real and

significant losses, the actual impact in terms of lost opportunities and customer

dissatisfaction is impossible to fully quantify.

The bottom line is that your network could be costing you money:

• the money you’re losing now, and,

• the money you could lose down the road… sooner or later.

If your network goes down

for one day, you could lose

the big one.

Peace of Mind

Time is MoneyTime is Money

Peace of Mind

You could be losing money now in one or

more of the following areas:

Security

Data Protection & Integrity

Asset & Document Management

Uptime Stutter (system drag and drain)

Capacity

Backup & Storage

You could also lose money later – due to a

negative network event .

Just how much money are you currently

losing, and how much do you stand to lose as

a result of network vulnerabilities?

We can help you answer this, but one

thing’s for certain:

It’s almost always more than you think.

Which is why we’d like to offer you something

of real value.

And it’s absolutely…

As your full-service business technology partner, we’d

like to offer you a Comprehensive Network Audit –

a $500 value – absolutely FREE!

The results will show you whether and where your network

is currently at risk, and the extent and severity of each

of your vulnerabilities. When we’re done, you’ll have a

complete picture of your network’s current strengths and

main areas where potential problems could occur.

Once you have all the facts you can then decide which

– if any – of those vulnerabilities you’d like us to address,

and whether a Managed Network Solutions partnership

with ITP would benefit your company.

Remember, the Comprehensive Network Audit is

absolutely FREE. Think of it as free peace of mind

that could help your company avoid a major network

disaster before it happens.

Free!

As a subsidiary of WTC Communications, Inc., ITP has

over a century of experience in telecommunications

and technology across eastern Iowa and western

Illinois.

As your full-service technology partner,

our capabilities include:

• Phone Systems/VoIP

• Premise Security Solutions

• Computer Networking/Wireless Solutions

• Structured Cabling

• Managed Network Solutions

• Overhead Paging

• Bells, Clocks and Intercom

You probably already know us.

810 W. 5th StreetWilton, IA 52778

1-800-944-0947Local: 563-732-3535

www.ITPTechs.comsales@ITPTechs.com

Our goal is to provide you with superior products and

services in a manner that exceeds your expectations.

As always, we appreciate your business.

You are Invited to Attend

Muscatine Community School District’s

Annual School Progress Report Breakfast Meeting

November 8, 2012

7:30 a.m.

Muscatine Schools Administration Center 2900 Mulberry Avenue

Please RSVP to Sue Willits at 563•263•7223 or smwillit@muscatine.k12.ia.us