2023_Fall_ValpoMagazine

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FROM PAST TO PRESENT | VALPO CHAMBER'S ROLE IN BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY From Past to Present: VALPO CHAMBER'S ROLE IN BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY By Katie Bieber Nestled in the heart of Valparaiso, the history of the Chamber of Commerce is a testament to resilience and community growth. This article explores the roots, milestones, and ongoing impact of this pivotal organization. Valparaiso, “The ideal home city: schools, churches, recreation. Clean, wholesome, delightful.” This description of the growing Northwest Indiana town was posted in the January 23, 1928, issue of the Valparaiso Vidette Messenger. It was published alongside an advertisement encouraging residents to join the Chamber of Commerce, which described itself at the time as the “general agent for the upbuilding of Valparaiso. The true function of the Chamber of Commerce is to sell the city, its splendid possibilities, and its great opportunities to all.” Over the course of the 111 years the Valpo Chamber has existed, the local community has endured world wars, economic depressions, and two global pandemics. Conversely, it has also experienced the benefits of globalization, technological advancements, and medical breakthroughs. Despite these global ups and downs, the founding vision of the Valpo Chamber of Commerce has remained the same. No matter the decade or world events, the chamber has remained committed to serving the needs of the local business community, while continuing to preserve, enhance, and promote the unique character of greater Valparaiso. Early Roots Originally organized under the name of the Valparaiso Commercial Club in 1909, the group was “made up of the city's business and professional men who early realized that for the community to move ahead organization of some kind was necessary," recounted John Sievers, the first President of the Valpo Chamber, in the March 18, 1937, issue of the Vidette Messenger honoring the chamber’s 25th anniversary. The chamber obtained its official charter in 1912. Sievers was a merchant in Valparaiso for more than 60 years. He goes on to describe what those early years were like in the chamber, including how his business, Heineman & Sievers, The People’s Drug Store donated wallpaper and paint to the chamber’s first headquarters location. It is obvious in his recollection how much pride he and other chamber members had for their local community. These foundational years would set up the success of the chamber for years to come. Navigating Historic Milestones Paving New Roads Forward One of the most significant milestones during Sievers’ tenure as chamber president was establishing a new bus line between Valparaiso, Hebron, and Kouts. It became so successful that they eventually sold it to the company Jahn’s Bus Line in 1921. For its entire history, Valparaiso has been a transportation hub for the region. As Valparaiso continued to grow, there was a need for a north-south highway bypass. In 1964, the Chamber of Commerce president George E. Neely and Mayor Don Will made a petition to state highway commissioners. In an unprecedented act, the Chamber of Commerce produced a 30-minute film to illustrate this need as part of their petition. This would eventually result in the construction of the Van Ness Highway, commonly known as State Road 49. Receiving National Recognition In 1975, a committee was created to pursue accreditation with the United States Chamber of Commerce. Undergoing this accreditation is a rigorous, months long, comprehensive evaluation. “On September 19th, 1975, we started the accreditation process by the U.S. Chamber. We spent over a thousand hours reviewing the chamber, and its role in the community. We had several subcommittees and we eventually received accreditation in November of 1976,” reflected Jack Shaffer, former Executive Vice President from 1973-1978. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, accredited chambers are 1909 The Valpo Chamber was originally organized under the name of the Valparaiso Commercial Club John Sievers served as the first President of the Valpo Chamber 18 FALL 2023 | 1912 The Valpo Chamber obtained its official charter 1920 FUN FACT 65 businessmen signed an agreement to operate on daylight savings at a Chamber meeting. 1921 The bus line that was established by The Chamber between Valparaiso, Hebron, and Kouts was sold to the company Jahn’s Bus Line. 1928 NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE An advertisement encouraging residents to join the Chamber of Commerce published in the Valparaiso Vidette Messenger on Jan. 23. 1937 Valpo Chamber celebrates its 25th anniversary 1964 Chamber President George E. Neely and Mayor Don Will petitioned state highway commissioners to construct the Van Ness Highway, commonly known as State Road 49
1973-1978 Jack Shaffer served as Executive Vice President of the Valpo Chamber 1976 Valpo Chamber received accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2003 - Present April Wolford has served as a board member, ambassador, and has been chair of Chamber Network Night for 18 years. 2006 - Present Rex Richards serves as President of the Valpo Chamber 2018 Valpo Chamber was named national finalist for the 2018 Chamber of the Year award by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 2023 Originally founded by the Valpo Chamber, Popcorn Festival celebrates 44th year 2023 Valpo Chamber Celebrates its 111 Year Anniversary recognized for their “advocacy of free enterprise, and for their commitment to serving members and their local businesses.” More recently, the Valpo Chamber was a national finalist for the 2018 Chamber of the Year award by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. “To be recognized by an independent entity was a high point for the Valpo Chamber. They recognized our efforts and our accomplishments and the services we give to the community,” said Rex Richards, current president of the chamber. The Chamber's Role in Fostering Community Civic Engagement Even during the early, foundational years of the Valpo Chamber there was an emphasis placed on community gatherings and civic engagement. “Valparaiso is a fine city, and its progress must be achieved by the men and women who live here and work here. If we can rekindle the spirit of neighborliness…of interest in civic communities of Porter County and Porter County as a whole, all things else will come,” said John Sievers, in the same Vidette Messenger article from 1937. One of the most popular current community events, the Popcorn Festival, was founded by the Valpo Chamber. It is now managed and organized by Valparaiso Events. 2023 marks its 44th year. "We've come back a few times to the festival and have enjoyed seeing how it's grown and matured," said Jack Shaffer, who was a chamber member during its conception. Civic engagement remains high on the list of priorities for the current chamber. “I’ve never had a chamber that had the civic engagement of our business community like Valparaiso. There’s tremendous belief from the citizens who live here. They love this community,” said Rex Richards. Networking for Members A key benefit of joining a chamber of commerce is the connections you can make with other members. April Wolford, Banking Center Manager at 1st Source Bank, has served as a board member, is an ambassador, and has been chair of Chamber Network Night for 18 years. “Once I came off the board, I became an ambassador. We welcome new members in and get assigned a new member to help them and be a contact for them. It’s a great way to see the new businesses coming in,” said Wolford. Wolford actively attends chamber events, from ribbon cuttings to luncheons. But her favorite event of the year is Chamber Network Night. As chair of the event, she helps plan one of the largest networking events in northwest Indiana. This fun, themed event is presented with Duneland and Portage Chambers of Commerce. Over 100 exhibitors introduce their products or services where they can network business-to-business and generate high-quality leads. “There’s rarely a booth that isn’t decorated in the theme, and people love to dress up. You can have so many really good conversations in that short period of time,” said Wolford. Lifelong Friendships A common theme among all members from every decade of service is the friendships they made along the way. John Sievers spoke highly of his comrades. “Those of us who were instrumental in organizing Valparaiso’s first Chamber of Commerce back just twenty-five years ago have many happy memories…my but we had fine times.” Jack Shaffer reminisced while looking through a scrapbook his wife had made when he accepted his position as Executive Vice President for the chamber in 1973. “As soon as it was announced that we were moving to Valparaiso I got all kinds of letters from the president of the Chamber, from some churches in town welcoming us to the community. There were great community leaders we had the opportunity to interact with. We really felt that people opened their arms to us. Not all small towns welcome an outsider,” said Shaffer. More recently April Wolford described the friendships she has made during her 20 years of service. “Through the chamber you can develop a relationship with someone who is working in a totally different industry. I've made really good friends through the Chamber. And anytime I need any kind of service, like around the house or something, I go to the Valpo Chamber directory first. I believe if they care to be a part of the community and they care to be a part of the Chamber, that's a really great business," said Wolford. Honoring a Legacy While Fostering the Future From its very beginnings, the Valpo Chamber was built from members who cared about their community, their businesses, and each other. This legacy of passion for Valparaiso and its surrounding communities has grown and continues to thrive over one hundred years later. April Wolford sums up this sentiment. “You will be surrounded by people who care about making Valparaiso better, about making their businesses better, and by default your business is better. You raise each other up.” | ValpoChamber.org 19
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Page 13 and 14: TH 8X WINNER Anniversary Celebratio
Page 15 and 16: HEART AND SOUL OF VALPARAISO | CHAM
Page 17: Now, more than than ever... experie
Page 21 and 22: CHAMBER NETWORK NIGHT 2023 >> THURS
Page 23 and 24: Taking Care of Business. Business C
Page 25 and 26: Presenting Sponsors: Aldi 2352 Mort
Page 27: CALL/TEXT: 219-462-4655 *IN-OFFICE
Page 30 and 31: MEMBER INVESTOR ANNIVERSARIES ANNIV
Page 32 and 33: 32 FALL 2023 |
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Page 40 and 41: IN STOCK CABINETS GEORGETOWN WHITE
Page 42 and 43: VALPO VIEWFINDER VIEWFINDER >> VALP
Page 44 and 45: EXCELLENT HEALTHCARE. CONVENIENT LO
Page 46 and 47: FINAL THOUGHT THOUGHT >> >> FINAL A
Page 48: Make an Appointment to face the fut

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