Eugene Chamber Events

The A Champion in Education (ACE) Awards program is a collaborative effort between the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce and the Eugene, Bethel, and Springfield School Districts with support from local businesses. The purpose of the ACE Awards is to recognize excellence in education among local teachers, administrators, classified staff and volunteers while reinforcing the important connection between education, business and a healthy local economy.

Twelve awards are presented each year with winners receiving a $1,000 monetary award for a project or program in their school. Winners are also honored at an elegant event at the Hult Center in Eugene on Thursday, May 6th. Over the past four years local schools have received over $45,000 through this program.

How can you support this program?

·         Nominate a deserving local educator

·         Participate as a Supporting Sponsor

·         Attend the event

Call Kim Clark, Events Manager at (541) 242-2354 or e-mail kimc@eugenechamber.com for more information.

The ACE Awards wouldn’t be possible without the support of local businesses including our 5th annual presenting sponsor Oregon Community Credit Union, reception sponsor Pacific Source Health Plans, nomination software sponsor All Academic, and supporting sponsors SELCO Community Credit Union, brass/Media Inc., Horace Mann Insurance, and Hamilton Construction.
 

Join FireMed, Mac’s Catering and Parties to Go for a memorable networking experience at one of Eugene’s best kept secrets – the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Attend the Business After Hours on March 18th and learn about FireMed, check out the event facilities at the Vet’s Club, enjoy a smorgasbord of mouth-watering cuisine by Mac’s Catering and ambiance created by Parties to Go.

Register online at the Chamber’s website.

Learn how to measure and improve your business’ customer service. Join the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Holdings for this informative seminar on Tuesday, March 2 from 1-4 PM at the Lane Community College Center for Meeting and Learning. Discover how to:

·         Create a customer service culture

·         Make a big impact in a small window of time

·         Manage what you measure

Then join us for a Q&A session with some of this area’s top leaders in customer service including: George Rogers of Valley River Inn and Steve Smith of Les Schwab Tire Center. There are a limited number of seats available, so don’t miss out! Register early at the Eugene Chamber website.


            
 

EUGENE – Geffan Pearlson, a senior at South Eugene High School, was named Eugene’s Future First Citizen for 2009 by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year the chamber honors six area high school students who have made outstanding contribution to the community and their respective schools.

As a National Honor Society member and team leader, one of Geffen Pearlson’s roles is to encourage community service among her peers. Students at South Eugene High School get plenty of real-life encouragement, as Geffen is a student who models the saying: “Lead by example!” At Centro Latino Americano, Geffen uses her Spanish-speaking skills to do translation for Latino families seeking jobs and birth and marriage certificates. She also volunteers for the Eugene Middle East Peace Group, organizing events, providing childcare, and giving speeches at programs promoting peace in the Middle East.

As involved as Geffen has been on issues of community and international importance she also has worked on peer education, which she says has taught her “the value of respecting people from all different backgrounds.” Geffen’s volunteerism and her gifts for language have meant she has, as a high school student, given mightily back to her local community. But as Geffen speaks English, Hebrew, Arabic, and Spanish, her college plans include the study of international relations and conflict resolution in the hopes that she may continue that contribution on a larger level, working as a diplomat to engage world leaders and international communities in peaceful resolutions to international strife.

The other candidates for Future First Citizen were Moira Cary, Marist; Lindsey Swensen, Willamette; Amber Lengele, Churchill; Oresta Tolmach, Sheldon; and Lisa Hiura, North Eugene. All candidates received scholarships whose funds were given by past Eugene First Citizens and KeyBank, sponsor of the chamber’s Celebration of Business 2010. The awards were presented at the chamber’s annual Celebration of Business on Wednesday, January 20.
 

Geffen Pearlson, a senior at South Eugene High School, has been named Eugene’s Future First Citizen for 2009 by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year the Chamber honors six area high school students who have made outstanding contributions to the community and their respective schools.

As involved as Geffen has been on issues of community and international importance she also has worked on peer education, which she says has taught her “the value of respecting people from all different backgrounds.” Geffen’s volunteerism, and her gifts for language, have meant she has, as a high school student, given mightily back to her local community. Her college plans include study of international relations and conflict resolution in the hopes that she may continue that contribution on a larger level, working as a diplomat to engage world leaders and international communities in peaceful resolutions to international strife.

The other candidates for Future First Citizen were Moira Cary, Marist; Lindsey Swensen, Willamette; Amber Lengele, Churchill; Oresta Tolmach, Sheldon; and Lisa Hiura, North Eugene. All candidates will receive scholarships whose funds are given by past Eugene First Citizens and by KeyBank, sponsor of the chamber’s Celebration of Business 2010. The awards were presented at the chamber’s annual Celebration of Business on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
 

Over the past ten years the Eugene Chamber Economic Forecast event has become the region’s most comprehensive economic outlook conference each year featuring a panel of leading economists along with local experts presenting insights and predictions on the economic future for the region for the year ahead. This year’s event is set for Wednesday, Feb. 3rd at the Eugene Hilton and Conference Center. Set for 2:30-5pm, this year’s event will feature three components:

• Joe Cortright, President and principal economist for Impresa, a Portland consulting firm specializing in regional economic analysis, innovation and industry clusters will offer insights into community and university collaboration in economic development.
• Timothy A. Duy, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Director, Oregon Economic Forum, Department of Economics, University of Oregon and author of the University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators will offer his insights into the economic future of the region.
• The event will conclude with the well-known economist panel of experts offering predictions on what’s to come in 2010 including: Bill Conerly, economist and financial consultant; Tom Potiowsky, former state economist; Brian Rooney, local economist for Oregon Employment Department; Timothy A. Duy, Adjunct Assistant Professor and Director, Oregon Economic Forum, Department of Economics, University of Oregon Ed Whitelaw, president of ECONorthwest; and John Mitchell, M&H Economic Consultants of Portland,

Chamber member costs include $450 Table for 10 - Preferred Seating; $40 Individual seat at table (non-reserved); $30 Individual seat - theater style. Non member costs $50 Individual seat at table or $40 Individual seat - theater style.

Economic Forecast is sponsored by Oregon Community Credit Union and Providence Health Plan. Register now.

John Sheppard, owner of Sheppard Motors, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2009 First Citizen Award. Sheppard will receive the award at the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Celebration of Business on January 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Hilton Eugene & Conference Center.

The First Citizen Award is given annually to an individual who made notable contributions to our community through business and community service efforts. The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce has presented the award each year since 1938. Sheppard was selected by a panel of former First Citizen honorees.

John Sheppard has been owner and partner of Sheppard Motors since 1972. Sheppard has long dedicated his time to the community, including serving as Chair of the Board of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce in 1990. He’s been a major supporter and contributor to the Rotary Duck Race for the past 15 years in an effort to help fight child abuse in Lane County. Sheppard has been a large supporter of the Arts, including the Eugene Symphony, the Eugene Opera, The Shedd Institute, and the Oregon Bach Festival.

• The Celebration of Business is one of the area’s premier professional events, with over 650 business and community leaders in attendance each year.
• The event includes celebrating the Future First Citizen: local high school students at top of their class pursuing their dreams as well as the best interests of others.
• Recognition of extraordinary Chamber volunteers, our Shining Stars.

Contact the Eugene Chamber of Commerce at 541-484-1314 for reservations. Tickets are $75 each, which includes dinner and the evening program.
 

This holiday season look no further than downtown Eugene for the perfect place to enjoy the holiday spirit. Downtown Eugene Inc., the Eugene Chamber and the City of Eugene are bundling up all of the seasonal events downtown and wrapping them up in one big, festive package.
 
There will be events and seasonal goodies for all ages! Theaters, including The Actors Cabaret and The Shedd, will host live performances of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The David Minor Theater will show holiday-themed movies, including the old favorite, It’s A Wonderful Life. High school choirs will perform holiday carols before select events, and the Hult Center will feature live performances of The Nutcracker. Downtown Eugene is the season’s destination this year, with lights, music, movies, live shows and lots of shopping and dining.

To make it even more convenient, the City of Eugene is offering FREE parking downtown from now through New Year’s Day. A total of ninety-four parking spaces will be clearly marked to indicate that parking is free for ninety minutes between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The holiday free parking program expands current free parking options downtown. Free parking is always available on the weekends and for the first hour on weekdays in the City’s downtown parking garages, except during signed events. Come be a part of the fun, the hustle and bustle, and the holiday spirit this month in downtown Eugene.
 

The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce honored this year’s Emerald Award winners on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the sixth annual awards ceremony. The following winners were announced in four categories:
 

• Emerald Award for Community Caring: The Register-Guard
• Emerald Award for Environmental Values: Hamilton Construction
• Emerald Award for Growth: Cafe' Yumm!
• Emerald Award for Innovation: Avant Assessment

Palo Alto Software was previously announced as the winner of the third annual Business of the Year award.

Thank you to the Emerald Award sponsors: Isler CPA (presenting sponsor); Detlefsen Nel & Associates LLC; Jones & Roth CPAs and Business Consultants; Bank of America and Eugene Water & Electric Board. Media Sponsor: Chambers Productions.

To learn more about the Emerald Awards visit the Emerald Awards website.
 

If you've never been to the Eugene Emerald Awards you're missing the best business awards ceremony in our community.

Tomorrow night | Tuesday, October 6th At the Hult Center
Reception: 5:00 – 6:00pm; Program: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Register now Emerald Awards event or call the Chamber at 484-1314.
The cost is only $25 per person

Listen to remarkable stories about local businesses and the ways in which they contribute to the area’s quality of life in each of the award categories: Community Caring, Innovation, Growth and Environmental Values, and will culminate with a stellar presentation of this year’s Business of the Year award to Palo Alto Software.

Enjoy networking and making connections at an elegant reception featuring lively jazz music and delicious hors d’oeuvres followed by our award ceremony in the elegant Soreng Theater.
 
Be inspired by a keynote address from Richard Lariviere, President of the University of Oregon.
 

On October 6, members of the region’s business community will gather for the sixth annual Emerald Awards at the Hult Center. The awards celebrate the business of community and honor those who help make Eugene/Springfield a wonderful place to live and do business.

The Emerald Awards are important because they recognize the stars within the business community here in Lane County – the businesses that look beyond the bottom line to create a community in which our families can thrive, now and in the future.

While our community has it moments, few would argue the fact that local businesses play an essential role in the livability of our community. Providing job opportunities, competitive wages and valuable goods and services for Lane County’s citizens are all fundamental and necessary ingredients contributing to a vibrant and healthy local economy.

But it doesn’t stop there. Local businesses enhance our enviable quality of life by contributing to the health of our environment, the quality of our schools, the abundance of our parks, and the success of our treasured service organizations. And that’s what the Emerald Awards are all about.

These are businesses that recognize that our community is only as strong as the weakest among us. In lean times and lush, they understand that their success is inextricably linked to the vitality of our entire community.

For more information http://theemeraldawards.org. To register to attend the awards ceremony visit the Eugene Chamber's website.