www.thechambernv.org NOVEMBER 2014 ONNECTION IN THIS ISSUE: Upcoming Events Welcome New Members/Ribbon Cuttings Adopt a Child from Sun Valley Boys and Girls Club for Christmas Top 10 Reasons to Vote NO on 3 Directions 2015 - February 5 Thank You from Ambassador Chair, Mark Tulman Annual Chamber Holiday Lunch - December 5 THIS IS YOUR CHAMBER! Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship. Question 1 creates an appellate court in Nevada: YES Question 3 imposes a gross margin tax on small businesses: NO Candidates: U.S. House of Representatives, District 2: Mark Amodei (R) Governor: Brian Sandoval (R) Lieutenant Governor: Mark Hutchison (R) State Treasurer: Kim Wallin (D) State Controller: Andrew Martin (D) State Senate District 13: Debbie Smith (D) State Senate District 14: Don Gustavson (R) State Senate District 16: Ben Kieckhefer (R) State Assembly District 24: David Bobzien (D) State Assembly District 25: Pat Hickey (R) State Assembly District 26: Randy Kirner (R) State Assembly District 27: Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D) State Assembly District 30: Lauren Scott (R) State Assembly District 32: Ira Hansen (R) State Assembly District 40: Philip “PK” O’Neill (R) Washoe County Commission, District 2: Bob Lucey (R) Washoe County Commission, District 3: Kitty Jung (D) Washoe County Commission, District 5: John Gavin (D) Washoe County School Board Trustee, District C: Nick Smith Washoe County School Board Trustee, District F: Veronica Frenkel Washoe County Sheriff: Tim Kuzanek Reno City Council, Ward 2: Elisa Cafferata Reno City Council, Ward 4: Bonnie Weber Reno City Attorney: Brett Kandt City of Sparks Mayor: Geno Martini Sparks City Council, Ward 2: Ed Lawson Sparks City Council, Ward 4: Kristopher Dahir On October 16th The Chamber hosted the Employer Healthcare Forum at the Grand Sierra Resort. The topic for the forum was Workplace Culture Change. The speakers included Jeff Lungren, Chief Health Care and Immigration Lobbyist Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Scott Kipper, Commissioner, Nevada Division of Insurance; Stacy Woodbury, Executive Director, Nevada State Medical Association; Sunny Grosso, Coaching and Culture Chief, Delivering Happiness; Ralph Hartmann, Owner, Hartmann and Associates. Over 200 business professionals were in attendance. All of them received a SAWG bag filled with goodies from the many sponsors who helped make this event possible. One highlight of the day was the announcement of the Healthiest Places to Work awards, sponsored by Humana. Small business winner was Immunize Nevada. Medium business was Miller Heiman. And the large business winner was Caesars Northern Nevada. Congratulations on your healthy workplace! Thank you to the Grand Sierra Resort, vendors, attendees, committee members and above sponsors for a wonderful event! REMEMBER TO VOTE TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 4TH vote for these chamber-endorsed candidates employer healthcare forum recap
Transcript
www.thechambernv.orgNOVEMBER 2014
O N N E C T I O N
Reno Mayoral Candidate Meet & Greet
Monday, October 13
5:30 – 7:30pm The Chamber
449 S Virginia Suite 100, Reno
Mayoral candidates Hillary Schieve and Ray Pezonella will be at The Chamber to meet our members and answer your questions!
Please RSVP to (775) 636-9550 TheChamberNV.org
IN THIS ISSUE:Upcoming Events
Welcome New Members/Ribbon Cuttings
Adopt a Child from Sun Valley
Boys and Girls Club for Christmas
Top 10 Reasons to Vote NO on 3
Directions 2015 - February 5
Thank You from Ambassador Chair, Mark Tulman
Annual Chamber Holiday Lunch - December 5
THIS IS YOUR CHAMBER!Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your
investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of
connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship.
Question 1 creates an appellate court in Nevada: YESQuestion 3 imposes a gross margin tax on small businesses: NO
Candidates: U.S. House of Representatives, District 2: Mark Amodei (R)Governor: Brian Sandoval (R) Lieutenant Governor: Mark Hutchison (R)State Treasurer: Kim Wallin (D) State Controller: Andrew Martin (D)State Senate District 13: Debbie Smith (D)State Senate District 14: Don Gustavson (R)State Senate District 16: Ben Kieckhefer (R)State Assembly District 24: David Bobzien (D)State Assembly District 25: Pat Hickey (R)State Assembly District 26: Randy Kirner (R)State Assembly District 27: Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D)State Assembly District 30: Lauren Scott (R)State Assembly District 32: Ira Hansen (R)State Assembly District 40: Philip “PK” O’Neill (R)Washoe County Commission, District 2: Bob Lucey (R)Washoe County Commission, District 3: Kitty Jung (D)Washoe County Commission, District 5: John Gavin (D)Washoe County School Board Trustee, District C: Nick SmithWashoe County School Board Trustee, District F: Veronica FrenkelWashoe County Sheriff: Tim KuzanekReno City Council, Ward 2: Elisa CafferataReno City Council, Ward 4: Bonnie WeberReno City Attorney: Brett KandtCity of Sparks Mayor: Geno MartiniSparks City Council, Ward 2: Ed LawsonSparks City Council, Ward 4: Kristopher Dahir
On October 16th The Chamber hosted the Employer Healthcare Forum at the Grand Sierra Resort. The topic for the forum was Workplace Culture Change. The speakers included Jeff Lungren, Chief Health Care and Immigration Lobbyist Director, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Scott Kipper, Commissioner, Nevada Division of Insurance; Stacy Woodbury, Executive Director, Nevada State Medical Association; Sunny Grosso, Coaching and Culture Chief, Delivering Happiness; Ralph Hartmann, Owner, Hartmann and Associates. Over 200 business professionals were in attendance. All of them received a SAWG bag filled with goodies from the many sponsors who helped make this event possible. One highlight of the day was the announcement of the Healthiest Places to Work awards, sponsored by Humana. Small business winner was Immunize Nevada. Medium business was Miller Heiman. And the large business winner was Caesars Northern Nevada. Congratulations on your healthy workplace! Thank you to the Grand Sierra Resort, vendors, attendees, committee members and above sponsors for a wonderful event!
REMEMBER TO VOTE TOMORROW,
NOVEMBER 4TH
vote for these chamber-endorsed
candidates
employer healthcare
forum recap
CHAMBER BOARD
OFFICERS:
Jim McClenahan -Chairman of the Board
UNR College of Business
Tim Ruffin - Past ChairColliers International
Sarah Sommers - Chair ElectSolutions At Work
Danny DeLaRosa - TreasurerUnited Federal Credit Union
Dennis McGovern- Business Advocacy
Legends at Sparks Marina
Todd Wilson - LeadershipBenefit Resource Group
Stephen Ascuaga
Len Stevens - Executive Director
The Chamber
BOARD MEMBERS:
Mike HixFirst Independent Bank
Alan OliveNorthern Nevada Medical
Center
Josh BartellaMicrosoft
Bill HughesPeppermill
Lisa Speth-JonesWells Fargo
Chris BosseRenown
Cheri HillSage International Inc.
Pete CopelandGreat Reno Balloon Race
Brad WoodringNV Energy
Larry HuntBayer Properties, LLC
Kris WellsAT&T
Gina BrooksThe Glenn Group
Doug KnuthUNR Athletics
Abbi WhitakerThe Abbi Agency
Tammy Cantrelle-SmithMountain America Credit Union
Kimberly KuntzNoble Studios
Tim CrowleyNevada Mining Association
John MaherReno-Gazette Journal
Audrey DamonteAltus Insurance
Pedro MartinezWashoe County School District
Estella GutierrezTruckee Meadows
Community College
Helen LidholmSaint Mary’s
Regional Medical Center
LIAISONS:
Joe Bozsik - Young Professionals NetworkUNR College of Engineering
Mark Tulman - AmbassadorsNevada Association
of Employers
Tina Iftiger - Reno Tahoe Airport Authority
Steve Anderson- EDAWNRBC Wealth Management
Linda Meissen - Realtors Association
PrudentialSierra Nevada Properties
Ziad Rashdan - ASUN UNR
Darrell Plummer - WINSierra Nevada Properties
CHAMBER STAFF:
Len Stevens -Executive Director
Tray Abney - Director of
Government Relations
Joy Heuer -Community & Member Information Manager
Jennifer Jones -Finance Manager,
Administration
Susan Robinson -Events Coordinator
Leslie Masterpool -Programs Coordinator
Sandy Ammerman -Membership Relations
Varney Padgett - Membership Sales
Laurie Pettyjohn -Membership Sales
message from the executive director775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org
Thank you to our 2014 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 | GET OUT AND VOTE!
MORNING SPARK — Get Your Business Questions Answered by Experts
7:30-9am @ 449 S. Virginia St., First Floor
Members: $5; Nonmembers: $25
PLEASE RSVP — Register online at the chambernv.org
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 | Ribbon Cutting — Home Design 23
5-7pm @ 3400 Lakeside Drive, Reno
FREE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | Post-Election Breakfast
7:30-9am @ Harrah’s Reno
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $45
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 | BizTalk Blender
5-7pm @ Northern Nevada Medical Center
2375 Prater Way, Sparks
Members: $15; Nonmembers: $35
The BizTalk Blenderr takes business networking to a whole new level by
attracting the decision making management of a diverse work force and
trade within the state of Nevada.
PLEASE RSVP — Register online at the chambernv.org
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Chamber Office will be closed — we are THANKFUL for our
business community and members!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 | Small Business Saturday
Join the movement and plan to visit independently owned shops, restaurants
and businesses in Northern Nevada on Small Business Saturday — where
shopping small is BIG! For more information, visit smallbusinesssaturday.com
Before any event, please check the events calendar at www.thechambernv.org
for any possible additions or last minute changes.
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NOTE
upcoming events
2 CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER 2014
Hello!
Election Day is TOMORROW! I hope all business owners are doing everything in your power to encourage your employees to vote. By voting NO on question 3, you will vote against the margin tax. It is imperative that this tax is NOT passed because the effect on our community would be devastating. On page one of this newsletter, you will find the list of Chamber-Endorsed candidates. The Chamber Political Action Committee (P.A.C.) has invested many hours interviewing candidates to identify those who are business-friendly. There are races where the P.A.C. could not come to a consensus on who to endorse so in these cases they chose to not endorse a candidate. Endorsing candidates is a big responsibility and the P.A.C. takes this job very seriously. The Chamber hopes you see the importance of exercising your civic responsibility to vote on Election Day. Voting affords us the ultimate opportunity to be heard. Please take advantage of this right. Happy Voting!
Len Stevens,Executive Director, The Chamber
you don’t want to miss
NOVEMBERDATES TO SAVE
Holiday Lunch and Adopt a Child from the Boys and Girls Club Sun Valley site December 5th from 11:30am-1:30pm Atlantis Casino
(See page 3 for details)
DIRECTIONS 2015 February 5th, 2015 from 7am-1pm Grand Sierra Resort
(See page 4 for details)
For more information on any of these events, please contact Leslie Masterpool: [email protected]
The Chamber has been working to improve its billing and payments process. As part of this new process, members now have the option of making monthly, quarterly and yearly payments by an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This change will allow us to
offer lower monthly dues payments with the ease of automatic payments.
To get started with the Electronic Funds Transfer, simply request an authorization form and return to our office via email, fax or U.S. Mail at your earliest convenience.
The Chamber will not begin debiting your account until your membership is up for renewal. For more information regarding EFT payments, please contact Jennifer Jones at
The largest Alive After 5 crowd of 2014 enjoyed treats, samples and
drinks from local vendors at the October Alive After 5: Healthy Bite Mixer October 2nd. The Chamber
partnered with Edible Reno-Tahoe for this unique tasting and
networking event.
Give a gift… AND MAKE A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS!
Join The Chamber and help make Christmas brighter for a child from The Boys and Girls Club Sun Valley site by adopting a boy or girl this holiday season! There are 120 children that have shared what they would like for Christmas as well as provided a list of basic needs. Ages are from 4 to 16 years old.
Please help to insure that these children have a Christmas to remember!
How YOU can help! Contact The Chamber to adopt a child
(call Susan @ 775.636.9552) Go SHOPPING! Wrap and label the gifts with the
child’s name Deliver gifts to The Chamber no later
than December 4 (or arrange for gifts to be picked up)
SMILE because you just made a child’s Christmas special!
4 CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER 2014
top ten reasons
the margin tax will hurt Reno-Sparks’ economy
1. Jobs Will Be Lost as Corporate Tax Rate Jumps: Jobs would be lost in the Truckee Meadows as businesses attempted to keep their doors open. Other jobs would be lost when businesses closed up shop altogether. Economic development efforts would be hurt and some companies would find it more advantageous to stay put or locate to other states. That’s because Question 3’s tax rate would be an average of 14-15%, nearly double California’s corporate income tax rate.
2. Job Attraction and Retention More Difficult: Many prospects have delayed their decision to come here until after the election and several existing companies have made clear their intent to either relocate out of the state or do their planned expansions at another location if the tax passes.
3. No Guarantee It Will Go To Education: While proponents claim that these new dollars will go to education, there is nothing in the initiative to keep the Legislature from re-allocating existing funding to other programs. The initiative in essence gives the Legislators a blank check. There is no guarantee that one “additional” dime would go to the education needs of Washoe County students.
4. No Real Accountability: There is no plan or accountability for how this almost $1 billion in new revenue would be spent. While proponents claim that these new dollars would go to education, they are never clear on the specifics. Will these dollars go to the classroom? Or to more administrators? Or to more outside lawyers hired by the School Board? No one knows, because there is no plan.
5. Will Not Support WCSD Infrastructure Needs: There is no guarantee that one cent of this massive tax increase would go toward the capital needs of the Washoe County School District. State dollars are not currently used for the maintenance needs of our older school buildings, for the technology and security upgrades that are desperately needed, nor to eliminate the need for the modular buildings that are filling up our elementary school playgrounds. Local tax dollars fund these needs and the Margin Tax would not help at all.
6. Increase Costs For Everyone: Every Washoe County resident would see increased grocery, utility, and healthcare bills. No business is immune to this devastating tax and those every day costs would be passed on to consumers.
7. Some Industries Are Hit Harder than Others: At least one industry will be eliminated by the tax, the secure trust business. Experts in this industry have stated that this change will drive the entire industry to South Dakota. The loss of these investors will have a ripple effect on our entrepreneurial community as many of those business owners are also angel investors.
8. Retail and Restaurants Also Hit Hard: Reno is in the midst of a rebirth, fueled by locally-owned retail shops, bars, and restaurants in vibrant districts such as Midtown, Fourth Street, and Wells Avenue. The retail and restaurant industry would be harmed the most by the Margin Tax, as they operate on very thin margins.
9. Destroys Entrepreneurial Momentum: Most entrepreneurs lose money in their first several years of operation, yet they will still be on the hook for thousands of dollars in taxes if their revenue exceeds $1M annually.
10. The Tax Is Confusing and Will Likely Require Costly Litigation: Instead of spending money on new goods, equipment, and salaries, our local businesses would be spending money on high-priced lawyers or CPAs to help them through the maze of confusion that is the initiative language. Those same businesses would also be paying for the state to hire lawyers to fend off the lawsuits that they filed!
Education is Important to Economic Development But Question #3 is Not The Way To Address These Needs.
To learn more, please contact Tray Abney at The Chamber (775) 636-9543 or [email protected]. For information from the coalition visit www.StopTheMarginTax.com
THE CHAMBER Cordially Invites You to Our
ANNUAL HOLIDAY
LUNCH Friday, December 5
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets: $30 Members/$45 Nonmembers
Atlantis Casino
Help make Christmas brighter for a child from The Boys and Girls Club Sun Valley location by adopting a boy or girl this holiday season! We have 120 children that have shared what they would like for Christmas as well as provided a list of basic needs. Please help to insure these children have a Christmas to remember!
It is commonly said that all good things must come to an end. Like the changing of the seasons, it is time to pass the Ambassador baton to Steve Stegmier of ActionCoach. The Chamber Ambassador
program is in good hands and you will continue to thrive under Steve’s great enthusiasm and leadership. You play a vital role in the Chamber’s overall success. In addition to supporting the Chamber’s mission, goals, and objectives, you continue to play a pivotal role in the overall economic vitality of Northern Nevada. Your collaboration with chamber members and others helps make the chamber stronger and helps strengthen our business community as a whole. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your Ambassador Chairman in 2014. I applaud your incredible dedication and support in making this year’s Ambassador program a success. I have met many extraordinary people who continue to inspire me with your energy and excitement. Your enthusiasm and effort have been appreciated by board members, Chamber staff, and fellow Chamber members. Thank you to all my fellow Ambassadors. I look forward to another incredible, fun-filled year in 2015.
Best,
Mark Tulman
Mark Tulman is a Business Development Representative for Nevada Association of Employers. He is the 2014 Chairman of The Chamber Ambassador program.
