ChamberLink

Featuring top news from the Columbus region and the Chamber, ChamberLink is published quarterly in Columbus Business First. Read our current issue below, or download previous issues from the ChamberLink archives provided to the right.

July 2010

Region Achieves Awareness as Top Spot for Medical Device Industry

Did you know that the reusable insulin delivery device was developed here in Columbus? Or that the world’s first bionic fingers for partial hand amputees are manufactured in Hilliard?

The Columbus region has emerged as a top spot for biotechnology—and the medical device industry in particular.

In June, a contingent of editors from leading medical device industry publications participated in a press tour conducted by the Columbus Chamber and its partners at TechColumbus and BioOhio. Promoting awareness of the region as a business destination via journalist outreach has been part of the Columbus Chamber’s regional marketing strategy since 2006.

The medical device tour featured meetings with Cardiox, Hyper Tech Research, Joint Vue, Minimally Invasive Devices, OhioHealth Research Institute, Refractive Center of Ohio, and SyberMed Enterprises made stops at Battelle, EXCMR, TechColumbus, Touch Bionics, and the Wright Center of Innovation in Medical Imaging.

During the tour, Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., vice president of economic analysis for the Columbus Chamber, explained to the editors that medical device manufacturing had especially strong growth in the region over the last decade, more than doubling between 2002 and 2007.

With leadership from renowned organizations like Battelle, The Ohio State University Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, support from the State in the form of Third Frontier funding, and a strong workforce, the medical device industry is poised for continued success and growth in the Columbus region.

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2010 Small Business Leader Awards Applications Now Open

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Small Business Leader Awards. Presented by the Columbus Chamber and its Small Business Council, the awards honor professionals whose companies demonstrate outstanding success in growth, sales and innovation.

Finalists and award recipients will be recognized at the Small Business Forum & Leader Awards, Tuesday, November 9 at The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel. Applications close Thursday, September 9 at 5 p.m. Learn more at www.columbus.org/sbfla.

The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are presented in partnership with Commerce National Bank, Columbus Business First, and Rosati Windows. Additional support is provided by Columbus Chamber Partners Anthem, the Columbus Crew, and CompManagement, Inc.

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Chamber Leader Steps Down

Ty Marsh

In June, Ty D. Marsh announced his resignation as president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber. Marsh has held the position since December 2003.

“For more than six years I have enjoyed the honor and privilege of leading the Columbus Chamber toward its economic development mission,” said Marsh. “The professional challenges of leading this dynamic organization and preparing it to launch new initiatives through Columbus2020! have been fulfilling and rewarding. I have accomplished the goals I established when accepting this position and it is a good time to pursue new professional opportunities and challenges.”

During his tenure with the Chamber, Marsh passionately advocated for and successfully pursued regional collaboration as the driver for economic development. The Chamber now holds a contract with 22 local cities and counties, through the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, which provides unprecedented marketing and business attraction and retention collaboration. This regional partnership has resulted in numerous successes for the region including the retention of thousands of jobs at DSCC and expansions at NetJets and JPMorgan Chase. In addition, the Chamber and Marsh received numerous awards and recognitions including Chamber of the Year (CEO Magazine), Regional Leader of the Year (MORPC) and the highest rankings among polls of regional CEOs, elected officials and civic leaders.

Jack Partridge, chair of the Columbus Chamber Board of Directors and president, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., credits Marsh with positioning the Chamber to lead the new existing business strategy. “Ty’s leadership, credibility and trusted relationships resulted in successes for the Chamber and our region. On behalf of the board of directors, we appreciate his tireless efforts to advance the region’s growth and prosperity,” said Partridge. “His work will benefit the Columbus regional economy for years to come.”

Marsh will conclude his work at the Chamber in July. He plans to volunteer time in a leadership capacity with the Columbus Bicentennial Commission.

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Thousands Network, Grow Business at EXPO

From accounting services to website developers, more than 300 Columbus businesses were in the spotlight at the Business2Business Network EXPO on June 9. The EXPO drew an estimated 4,600 business leaders and decision makers to the Columbus Convention Center.

The Business2Business Network EXPO is one of the Columbus region’s premier events—providing a venue for connecting with top businesses, seeing their products and services, and learning how to do business with them.

Planning for the 2011 Business to Business Network EXPO is already underway. Watch ChamberLink and Columbus.org for exhibitor registration details later this year.

The Small Business Forum & Leader Awards are presented in partnership with Commerce National Bank, Columbus Business First, and Rosati Windows. Additional support is provided by Columbus Chamber Partners Anthem, the Columbus Crew, and CompManagement, Inc.

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Save Money with New Chamber Programs

Columbus Chamber members can reduce the costs of doing business with two new saving programs. Launched in June, the programs leverage partnerships with established providers in the natural gas and merchant services industries:

Natural gas with Integrys Energy: Member businesses and their employees will receive a $.10/mcf discount off the Integrys rates found on the PUCO “apples to apples comparison chart.” In addition, this special offer is for a fixed price winter/variable summer plan providing a summer adder discounted below the current utility adder. Later this year, the short-term winter fixed rate will be set to stabilize the effects winter can have on natural gas pricing.

Merchant Services from Heartland Payment Systems: Chamber members will receive exclusive pricing on all of Heartland Payment Systems merchant services. Heartland Payment Systems processes all payments — including credit/debit/prepaid cards to online transactions, checks, and payroll — efficiently and cost-effectively so that business owners have the freedom to focus on the business and their customers.

“Our members’ success is our top priority at the Columbus Chamber,” said Joe Sciulli, director of member services. “We’re always at work on initiatives that help them save money and do more with less—leveraging the clout of 2,500 member businesses to negotiate the best prices on products and services businesses use every day.”

Other Chamber savings programs include health insurance, human resources, managed cared, office supplies, and workers’ compensation. For more information on all the programs, visit www.columbus.org/member-center/savings.

Preview Chamber Trip to China at Information Night July 27

Attend a free informational session on July 27 to learn how you can join the Columbus Chamber on a journey of a lifetime.

Representatives from tour provider Premier World Discovery will share details about the Chamber's new Go>Explore China program at a special information night on Tuesday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Easton Community Room, 391 Gramercy Street.

The Go > Explore China program will embark Nov. 10-18, 2010 with a guided tour featuring Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai. An exceptional value, the tour is offered for $2,399 per person including air fare from Port Columbus (based on double occupancy).

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

Welcome New Members!

Advanced Engineering Consultants, Ltd.
Bank of America Practice Solutions
Blakeway & Associates - Merrill Lynch
Capitol Waste & Recycling Services
Coalescence, LLC
Collaborative Communications, LLC.
Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG)
Corvel Corporation
Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Crown Services, Inc.
Del-Jen Inc.
Dematic Corp.
Dinsmore Fries Public Sector Advisors
Ecommerce Incorporated
Examiner.com
Greif
Hospitality Risk Controls, Inc.
iAction HR
Infintech
Information Builders
Kraft Foods Inc.
Live The Source/Knight Innovative Wellness
Marion Industrial Center
McLean Performance
Medical Mutual of Ohio
PC Connections
Preferred Staffing of Ohio, LLC
Right Management
Ryan Partnership
Scott Schiff and Associates
The Dental Care Plus Group
Tipping Point Renewable Energy
Weltman Weinberg & Reis Co. LPA
Xerox Corporation
Yamada & Nemecek
ZirMed University

You can see all our members on the Chamber's online directory.

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Events

July

August

September

November

December

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit our events page.

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