The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is looking for an outstanding woman in business and is asking for nominations to name a business woman of the year at the second annual Business Woman of the Year Award Luncheon, sponsored by SanTan Learning Center.

Nominations should highlight a business woman who is actively involved in the Gilbert Chamber and the community, has achieved excellence in her chosen field, and who has demonstrated leadership, resourcefulness and creativity in her career. Nominations will be reviewed and an honoree will be selected by the Chamber’s What Women Want…In Business event committee with final review by the Board of Directors.

The second annual Business Woman of the Year Award Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, January 24th at the Elegante Conference Center in Gilbert, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The special event will honor all nominees and award this year’s winner. In addition to title sponsor SanTan Learning Center, the event is supported by National Bank of Arizona and SRP.

The Business Woman of the Year nomination form can be found on the Chamber’s website, www.gilbertaz.com, or can be requested by e-mail to marty@gilbertchamber.com. For additional information, contact Marty at (480) 926-6003. All nominations must be received by Monday, November 28th.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 51,700 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

The community will come together next week at a special networking fundraiser organized by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce to benefit youth needing assistance with tuition for programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Gilbert.

Last year, the event raised more than $2,000 for the community club. San Tan Ford will sponsor the event again this year and hopes to raise even more money.

“This organization holds a special place in my heart as much of my youth was spent in my hometown Boys & Girls Club,” said Tim Hovik, General Manager and Owner at San Tan Ford.

Hovik said he still shares many lasting friendships with members of his championship-winning Boys & Girls Club basketball team.

The luncheon will be held on Tuesday, November 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Gilbert, 44 N. Oak Street, in Gilbert. General admission is $35; chamber member admission is $25 at the door or $20 with pre-registration. Lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A of San Tan Village.

Raffle tickets are on sale now at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce for the prize drawing of a 42-inch flat screen, high-definition television. Each entry is $20 and the winner will be drawn and announced at the luncheon, although ticket holders need not be present to win. All proceeds of the raffle with directly benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Gilbert.

To register for the event or for more information, contact the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce at (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com. Raffle tickets may be purchased in-person at 119 N. Gilbert Road, Ste. 101, in Gilbert.

Additional event sponsors include International Minute Press of Gilbert and Newman Realty.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 51,700 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

“It is a privilege to serve as this year’s EVCCA chair,” said JW Rayhons, owner of Rayhons Financial Solutions with ING Financial Partners. “The EVCCA is a unique partnership between eight chambers that serves as a model for regional partnerships nation-wide. The benefit of this alliance is the ability to serve as an agent of change through consensus and trust.”

Rayhons also serves as Chairman of the Board to the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. CHW – East Valley Foundation Board member, Town of Gilbert Industrial Development Authority committee member, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Finance Council member.

While the EVCCA is only 12 years in existence, it has earned the reputation of taking tough stands on protecting the business community’s interests and is sought out to participate in many high level meetings. It is not unusual to be called upon for the EVCCA’s position prior to legislation being introduced or amended on the floor thanks to the excellent representation provided by our lobbying group, Dorn Policy Group.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 540 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 51,700 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

General admission is $20 and Chamber member admission-$10.

Guest speaker Anthony Kirlew of AKA Internet Marketing will share his expertise on LinkedIn, including, setting up a personal profile, setting up a company profile, leveraging LinkedIn groups, developing expert status and getting referral, and connecting your social media tools to LinkedIn. Reservation required; space limited.

Gilbert Leadership is a nine-month development program that brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to develop their leadership potential. The Gilbert Leadership program influences the community by building leadership capacity, increasing knowledge and awareness of community concerns, and by nurturing future leaders.

“As a graduate of Class 16 I am convinced that Gilbert Leadership is vital to strengthening our community by developing leaders who are knowledgeable about local organizations and issues,” said Bobbi Smith, President of Gilbert Leadership. “An informed community, acting together, can wisely allocate resources for the betterment of Gilbert. Find a purpose for your passion, join us and make a difference!”

More than 300 individuals have graduated from the program since its commencement, including Vice Mayor Linda Abbott, Former Mayor Cynthia Dunham, CEO of Banner Gateway Medical Center Pam Nenaber, Police Chief Tim Dorn, Gilbert Public Schools CFO Clyde Dangerfield, and many other community leaders.

Interested candidates should submit a completed application by May 30th. Program applications can be found online at gilbertleadership.com. Applicants will be interviewed by a selection committee in July and the program will begin in September. Enrollment is limited to 25 class participants.

For more information regarding the Gilbert Leadership program, contact Adrianne at (480) 570-0600 or adrianne@gilbertchamber.com or visit www.gilbertleadership.com.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 51,700 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

For more ways to support Gilbert and drive your business, visit www.nearbynews.com and read the North Gilbert Breeze.

The community is invited to attend the Fifth Annual Health Summit, sponsored by Banner Gateway Medical Center – an event featuring health-related booths and interactive screenings with attention to body, mind and spirit.

Organized by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, the Health Summit will be held on Saturday, March 26th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the parking lot at Sam’s Club at 1225 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert. There is no cost to attend this community event.

“Banner Gateway is proud to again sponsor the Gilbert Chamber Health Summit,” said Susan Gordon, Director of Public Relations at Banner Gateway Medical Center. “It is the perfect opportunity for our community to learn about their health through health screenings and lifestyle tips.”

According to Gordon, the hospital will provide free screenings for blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. These tests are for screening purposes only so fasting is not required. Pink 365 will also be giving away 40 free mammograms to those who qualify. The event will also host more than 20 health-related businesses, many of whom will offer give-a-ways and prizes.

Among the many booths at the Health Summit, there will be a self defense booth, chiropractors, dentists, and many more. The Gilbert Fire Department along with the Gilbert Crime Prevention will be there supporting the event as well as a Shop Gilbert booth which will distribute free sustainable shopping bags and temporary tattoos for kids.

For more information regarding the Fifth Annual Health Summit, contact the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce at (480) 892-0056 or online at www.gilbertaz.com.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing over 47,000 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

“What we found is a fine slate of candidates running for Council this year,” said JW Rayhons, Chairman of the Board. “Each candidate brings their own unique strengths that would benefit our community; which makes it extremely difficult to endorse one over another. We are confident though that we could work with any of the candidates to strengthen the business community in Gilbert.”

After considerable evaluation and discussion, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce endorses the following candidates (in alphabetical order) for Town Council: Linda Abbott, Ben Cooper, Dave Crozier, and Les Presmyk.

In determining candidates for endorsement, the Chamber requested responses to a questionnaire from each candidate, participation in a formal candidate forum, and individual personal interviews. More than 100 members actively participated in the Chamber’s process which included an electronic survey regarding each of the candidates. All information was compiled by the public policy committee and Board of Directors to determine which candidates would bring the expertise in understanding business issues, provide long-term strategic visioning and implementation policies, as well as, support the growth and attraction of successful businesses in our community.

The Chamber’s website at www.gilbertaz.com (under business advocacy) provides all of the candidate’s questionnaires as well as video from the candidate forum.

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

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The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce will again feature business referral strategist Victoria Trafton as she presents Referral Institute, a series to help businesses significantly increase their referrals and change their networking model.

“Chamber members have found a real value in Victoria’s teachings,” said Kathy Tilque, president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. “It is becoming increasingly obvious which of our members are putting her strategies into practice as their networking tactics have really transformed.”

According to Tilque, the last two workshops have drawn more than 100 attendees.

This workshop will build on concepts to Strengthening a Referral Network and is sponsored by Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Gilbert Insurance Group, Maddy’s Pool Supply & Service, MAX Solutions, PLLC, Rayhons Financial Solutions, and The I.T. Workshop.

Referral Institute will be held on Wednesday, January 19th at Val Vista Lakes Meeting & Banquet Facility, 1600 E. Lakeside Dr in Gilbert. Registration and networking will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the program will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Chamber member admission is $10 and includes breakfast. Non members must pre-register by calling (480) 926-6003.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 47,000 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

Local businesses and members of the community will come together this month for A Chance To Give, a unique networking event organized by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce to benefit youth needing assistance with tuition for programs at the Gilbert Boys & Girls Club.

Sponsored by San Tan Ford, this special networking event will give attendees an opportunity to make monetary donations and learn more about how the Boys & Girls Club services our community.

“The children, teens, and ultimately the young adults that find joy, friendship, challenges, and opportunity for growth through their activities at the Boys and Girls Club of Gilbert will be the very same adults to give back to their community in the future,” said Jeff Mundt, fleet director at San Tan Ford. “Their fond memories of the gifts and benefits they receive from membership in the club will motivate them to care for and help the community of Gilbert grow will into its future.”

A Chance to Give will be held on Wednesday, December 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Gilbert Boys & Girls Club, 44 N. Oak Street, in Gilbert. General admission is $25; chamber member admission is $5. Register online at www.gilbertaz.com or by calling (480) 892-0056.

In addition to the event, San Tan Ford and the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce are selling raffle tickets to benefit the Boys & Girls Club and will raffle off a Vizio 47” LCD television.

“We want to sell as many raffle tickets as possible so we can make a very significant contribution to the operating fund of the club,” Mundt said. “Our proceeds will provide needed income to cover the expenses of membership for underprivileged children.”

Raffle tickets are available for purchase at San Tan Ford, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and through Chamber Leads Clubs. Each ticket is $20 and the winning ticket will be announced at the event, although ticket holders need not be present to win. Cash or check only, no credit cards.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

Five tourism kiosks have been installed in locations including the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, the Gilbert Historical Museum, Hampton Inn, the SanTan Legado Hotel and the food court at SanTan Village. The touch-screen, paperless kiosks feature categories such as Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Do and Community Resources and can be updated by paid advertisers in real-time to promote current pricing and specials.

“With the installment of these kiosks, we are taking the visitors’ center into the community,” said Kathy Tilque, president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. “We are hoping that the locations at which these are installed and the content that is available will serve as a convenient tool to communicate all the great things that Gilbert has to offer.”

This past year, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce formed the town’s first official Tourism Committee. The group, which includes representation from three of Gilbert’s hotels, Big League Dreams, Higley Center for the Performing Arts, Banner Gateway and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers, San Tan Village, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and others, meets each month to identify a five-year strategic plan and set priorities for immediate action. The Committee also has included the town of Queen Creek in their efforts.

“Many members of the committee come from larger markets and can offer the experience we need to guide the direction we hope to go in and what we hope to avoid,” said Kristy Vargas, Director of Sales at Hyatt Place Phoenix/Gilbert. “We realize we won’t get there tomorrow but we’ve made a lot of progress in a short time with a limited budget.”

In addition to the installation of tourism kiosks, the Chamber has published and distributed its first tourism map highlighting different areas of interest and recently launched visitgilbertaz.com, Gilbert’s first tourism website. The Chamber also partnered with the Mesa Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Town of Queen Creek to launch visitgateway.com, a landing site that is marketed to different regions throughout the country.

“Just a few years ago, tourism was not much of a consideration,” said Tilque. “We offered a small visitors’ center but didn’t have much to offer in the way of lodging or shopping. That has changed and we are shifting our efforts from relocation to tourism rather quickly.”

The Chamber hired a part-time intern to support the committee’s efforts, manage the kiosk program and visitors’ center and conduct research to support the strategic plan.

“Gilbert has a lot of potential as a tourism destination, from tourists visiting family to professional conferences,” Tilque said. “We want to lay the ground work now for our future. We want to work closely with the town to shape Gilbert’s tourism industry.”

To learn more about the Chamber’s tourism efforts, including the tourism kiosks and website, contact the Chamber at (480) 892-0056.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.