July
2008 Newsletter
From
the Chair
1. More to be done
2. PPI
Officer Saves a Life
3. New Board Officers and members appointed
for 2008-09
Public
Policy
4. Support builds for Columbia River Crossing
5. Portland Ambassadors meet with key leaders
in Denmark and Sweden
Member
Services
6. Portland Beavers discount
7. Member wins Jet Blue tickets at Members
Only site
8. Leadership Portland graduation and class
of 2009
9. First-ever Women's Golf Scramble
Downtown
10. Rose Festival recap
11. Downtown Retail Advocate Represents
Portland at Conference in Las Vegas
12. Portland City Budget includes dollars
for Downtown Marketing Initiative
Alliance
Events
13. Cold Calling Clinic - Sandler Sales
14. Business After Hours: Glowing Greens
15. Summer events in Portland
Member
News
16. SMART Seeks Literacy Advocates
17. Hasson Company Green Team hosts Computer
Recycle Day
18. Hotel Modera hosts After Hours and
offers discounted room rate
19. Banner Bank ribbon-cutting
20. Upcoming
meetings
FROM
THE CHAIR
1. More
to be done
 By
Steve Holwerda, Chair,
Alliance Board of Directors
Since
1998 when I first began serving on the chamber board of directors,
I have seen first-hand our organization's positive and influential
work on behalf of regional businesses, large and small. Highlights
include distinctive growth in our membership and the development
of business leaders with the help of the Alliance's networking
and leadership programs. We have diligently advocated on behalf
of businesses to seek market-based solutions where possible.
We have also successfully worked with our city and county
elected officials to lighten the burden of the business license
fee and the business income tax. And, with 2007-2008 Chair
Sam Brooks' guidance, we have reached out to other community
business organizations to listen to their goals and needs.
Even as
our sense of pride in this organization has increased over
the years, we realize there is more to be done. As the chair
for the 2008-2009 year, one of my top goals is to maintain
the quality and business diversity of our board. We have an
impressive group of decision makers and leaders guiding the
Alliance, and they represent a broad range and size of industries
and businesses. It is our duty as the voice of business in
the Portland region to gather unique perspectives, and to
keep our dialogue open, informed and balanced. Our membership
should not only know our board, but also what issues we are
discussing and in what direction our thoughts are leading
us.
The second
goal of the year is to promote the importance of private sector
jobs. Business is the engine that funds city budgets. Successful
employers create jobs, which generate tax dollars, which pay
for city, county and state services and programs. Too often,
the importance and value of adding jobs is missing from the
discussion. After all, it is easy to take for granted the
economic vitality that the Portland region enjoys. As the
voice of business we can do a better job of raising the profile
of how critical private-sector jobs are to funding transportation,
paying for services that keep us safe, educating our children
to be the workforce of tomorrow, and to developing programs
to assist with basic needs. At the end of the day, it all
begins with a job.
Finally,
the Portland Business Alliance is our area's Chamber of Commerce,
and we should be the cheerleader for the many positive attributes
that attract businesses to locate and thrive in Portland.
Our multimodal transportation system is the envy of cities
around the country, and it is a tremendous asset as we watch
gas prices stretch toward five dollars a gallon. Downtown
Portland is alive and well at all hours of the day and night,
thanks to our Clean & Safe program. The sustainability movement
that is capturing the excitement of the country finds its
epicenter in Portland. We will continue with our partners
in the community to promote our unique and dynamic region.
I look
forward to working with you in the coming year, and to doing
more for the Portland community.
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2.
PPI Officer Saves a Life
 As
Rose Festival visitors celebrated in downtown Portland and
prepared for the Starlight Parade on May 31, PPI Patrol
Officer Ronald Cash gave one lucky man another reason to
celebrate - his life had been saved. "I didn't want him
to die," Cash said.
"I
thought I could help, and that's what I wanted to stay focused
on."
A
concerned citizen alerted Cash that a man was lying unconscious
in the middle of W. Burnside Street. Cash, on mountain bike
patrol, rushed to the scene where he used his bicycle as
a barrier to close the lane of traffic. He then began CPR
on the man, who was not breathing, and continued until an
ambulance arrived.
A
retired police officer and soldier, Cash served his country
for more than 37 years before joining the PPI patrol and
is no stranger to saving lives. However, before the Saturday
incident, he hadn't performed CPR in years. He credits a
woman with a medical background and a supportive Portland
police officer for assisting him during the crisis.
"I'm
a Vietnam vet and know that's what Americans do - we help
each other," he said.
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3.
New Board Officers and members appointed for 2008-09
At
the last board meeting of fiscal year 2007-08, the Portland
Business Alliance Board of Directors approved the election
of Officers for the coming year, as well as new Board members
and retirements.
The
Alliance Board Officers for 2008-09 include: Chair: Steve
Holwerda, Ferguson Wellman Capital Management; Chair-elect:
Charles Wilhoite, Willamette Management Associates; Chair-emeritus,
Sam Brooks, Brooks Staffing; Treasurer: Cal Collins, ESCO
Corporation; and Secretary: Brad Hutton, Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Executive Committee members are: Vice Chair, Government
Relations/Manufacturing Representative: Jill Eiland, Intel
Corporation; Vice Chair, Economic Development: Julia Brim-Edwards,
Nike, Inc.; Vice Chair, Marketing: Gregg Kantor, NW Natural;
Vice Chair, Membership: Marty Stewart, The ODS Companies;
Vice Chair, Central City: Phil Kalberer, Kalberer Company;
Small Business Representative: Debbie Kitchin, Interworks,
LLC; PDSI Representative: Ron Beltz, Commonwealth Properties;
and At Large Representatives: J. Isaac, Portland Trail Blazers;
Steve Clark, Portland Tribune/Community Newspapers, Inc.;
Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America - Oregon & SW Washington;
and Dennis Rawlinson, Miller Nash LLP.
New
Alliance Board members are: Baruti Artharee, Coast Industries;
Vanessa Sturgeon, TMT Development; and Eileen Drake, PCC
Structurals.
Retiring
Board members include: Jackie Babicky-Peterson, Babicky
Perfomance Partners, LLC; Chuck Jones, Chuck Jones & Associates,
Inc.; Patrick Stickel, The Oregonian; and Mike Winslow,
The Standard. Thank you to our retiring Board Members for
their commitment to the Alliance and their invaluable service.
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PUBLIC
POLICY
4.
Support builds for Columbia River Crossing
Designated
the Alliance's top transportation priority, the Columbia
River Crossing project was narrowed down to five potential
design alternatives for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The public comment stage ended July 1. Sponsor agencies
will endorse a locally preferred alternative by the end
of the month, and the project will then move into the Final
Environmental Impact Statement phase.
At
a Metro Council meeting June 5 and previously at a Portland
Planning Commission meeting May 20, the Alliance advocated
for the replacement bridge with light rail alternative,
stressing that the option's combination of elements - a
new crossing, new mass transit, tolls and improved bicycle
and pedestrian facilities - ensure the best results in terms
of the economy, quality of life, safety and the environment.
Did
you know?
-
When
first constructed, the original I-5 bridge had a posted
speed limit of 15 miles per hour and was designed to accommodate
some cars, in addition to horses and buggies.
-
The
second bridge was designed to match the first.
-
The
close proximity of interchanges, the bridge lift and the
lack of safety lanes on the I-5 bridge all contribute
to its current unsafe conditions.
-
More
accidents happen within this five-mile stretch than any
other section of I-5.
-
Crash
rates on the I-5 bridge are two to four times higher than
on similar facilities.
-
If
nothing is done, congestion will increase from 4-6 hours
a day to as many as 16 hours a day, significantly impacting
the movement of freight and people.
The
Alliance continues to work in partnership with the ports
of Portland and Vancouver, Identity Clark County, the Vancouver
Chamber of Commerce and others on both sides of the river
to put together a Columbia River Crossing Coalition. The
list of more than 100 CRC supporters is growing rapidly
and includes local businesses Norris, Beggs and Simpson;
PGE; Providence Hospital; Columbia Sportswear and more.
To get involved, visit www.crossingcoalition.com.
5.
Portland Ambassadors meet with key leaders in Denmark and
Sweden
Portland
Business Alliance representatives and local officials gleaned
ideas for Portland's future from key Danish and Swedish leaders
during the Portland Ambassadors' first European Best Practices
visit to Denmark and Sweden June 14-21.
Mayor-elect
Sam Adams, Alliance President and CEO Sandra McDonough, Metro
President David Bragdon, Former Alliance Board Chair Randy
Miller, CH2M Hill Vice President John Willis, and others participated
in a boat tour of Vestas wind turbines in the Copenhagen harbor,
and met with the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark. They also toured
the city by bike and by driverless metro, and met with representatives
of Gehl Architects, internationally renowned urban space planners
working all over the world to help cities become more pedestrian-oriented.
In Stockholm,
the group was given a guided walking tour through the Western
Harbor area, or Vestern Harmmen. This beautiful new waterfront
district, built on former contaminated shipyard land, runs
on 100 percent renewable energy, has a beautiful and functional
open storm water system, green roofs, passive solar housing
that requires no mechanical heating (even in cold Sweden),
and many other innovations.
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MEMBER
SERVICES
6.
Portland Beavers discount
 The
Portland Beavers are pleased to offer all Portland Business
Alliance members discounted tickets to select Beavers home
games. Go to www.portlandbeavers.com/grouptickets
to purchase your seats. The Username and Password are both
"Alliance".
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7.
Member wins Jet Blue tickets at Members Only site
 Just
in time for summer vacation, member Chris Gear of MacForce
won two round-trip tickets on Jet Blue airlines to anywhere
the airline flies. MacForce provides service, sales and support
to Mac users in the Portland area including classes and free
seminars covering a wide variety of topics and software solutions.
Part of a contest on the Alliance's Members Only Web site,
the airline tickets were offered courtesy of Jet Blue.
Members
Only is a feature of the Alliance Web site that allows members
to update their information, find special offers from other
member businesses, pay dues online and participate in a monthly
poll. Visit www.portlandalliance.com/membersonly
today for access to great discounts for Alliance members only!
.
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8.
Leadership Portland graduation and class of 2009
The
35-member Leadership Portland class of 2008 graduated June
5 at a commencement ceremony and luncheon hosted by NW Natural.
The commencement address was provided by former Alliance Board
Chair Sam Brooks.
Graduates
gave presentations on team community service projects completed
during the year. In September 2007, class members were put
into teams of six and instructed to identify a community need,
find a community partner and make a difference.
Their
efforts benefited six local non-profit organizations, including:
- Morrison
Child and Family Services: Students developed the Morrison
Ambassador Training Program, a crash course for the employees
and volunteers of Morrison Child and Family Services to
help spread the organization's message, raise their profile
and improve their fundraising efforts;
- Project
Network: Students conducted interviews with community
leaders gauging public awareness and support of Project
Network, and providing useful insights as the organization,
which provides residential treatment and services primarily
to African American, pregnant or postpartum women and their
children, evaluates an expansion of its services;
- SOLV:
A partnership with SOLV was established in order to host
the first annual Portland Butt Hunt in downtown Portland
on Saturday, April 19, where volunteers gathered around
25,000 cigarette butts from sidewalks in downtown Portland;
- Friends
of Zenger Farm: To help support the efforts of this
organization that fosters education, works with children
and youth and has a sustainable food model, students organized
a kick-off of the Friends of Zenger Farm "help us GROW!"
Membership Program; and
- Oregon
Food Bank: Students helped to create National Youth
Service Day on April 26 for 100 youth at the Oregon Food
Bank, which resulted in a chain reaction - youth left the
event inspired make volunteering a way of life.
Nick
Viele, the former Executive Director of Schoolhouse Supplies,
will be taking on the role as program coordinator this summer,
and the 2009 class will commence in September. Congratulations
to applicants who were accepted into this year's class. They
are:
Mayra
Arreola, Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
Ann Berryman, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Jeff Borlaug, Norris, Beggs & Simpson Companies
Kacia Brockman, Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc.
Kristen Brown, NW Natural
Rebecca Brown, Comcast Corporation
Toni Carlo, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
Bill Christensen, Portland Trail Blazers/Rose Quarter
Michelle Correll, Wells Fargo
Sarah Crooks, Perkins Coie LLP
Shuki Einstein, CH2M HILL
Lisa Fajardo-Faust, Pacific Continental Bank
Caroline Harris Crowne, Tonkon Torp LLP
Dana Haynes, Portland Community College
Margie Humphreys, Portland Center for the Performing
Arts
Lisa Hylton, Willamette University MBA for Professionals
Craig Johanson, Hitachi Consulting
Leanne Johnston, Elliott Associates, Inc.
Brandon Kirkbride, Bank of America
Elizabeth Knight, Dunn Carney Allen Higgins & Tongue,
LLP
Sandra Koelle-Stewart, Self Enhancement, Inc.
David Lippoff, Edelman
Anthony Miller, Stepping Stone Solutions
Lexie Mobley, Consolidated Federal Credit Union
Stephanie Morgan, American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter
Kari Nordquist, ACME Business Consulting, LLC
Matthew Norman, Fortis Construction Inc.
Jeon Rezvani, Con-way
Veronica Rinard, Travel Portland
Ryan Robinson, Oregon State University Foundation -
Portland Metro
Gregory Saliba, Capital Pacific Bank
Jeffrey Savage, Wells Fargo
Stan Sittser, Portland General Electric
Dana Tierney, Regence
Cyrus Vafi, US Bank
Kristen Wenz, Northwest Personal Training - Portland
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9.
First-ever Women's Golf Scramble
 Executive
women from around the Portland area welcomed in the summer
golf season at the Portland Business Alliance's 1st Annual
Women's Golf Scramble June 11, where early birds got the word
on improving their game from golf pro Brad Downey. Participants
enjoyed nine holes of golf and the opportunity to network
over the game and lunch.
The
day's champions included Perkins & Company team members Pati
Schmitt, Carol Urman, Carol Pollard and Drinda Roth. Groshong
& Associates team members Gabby Groshong, Barb Bloom, Cathy
Mincberg and Pam Knowles were the runners up. The Shorenstein
Realty Services team including Karen Stromme, Shirley DeBiose,
Susan Foote and Pamela Treece won Low Net.
Misty
Smith of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt was first place in the
Women's Long Drive; the KP winner was Pati Schmitt of Perkins
& Company.
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DOWNTOWN
10. Rose
Festival recap
Alliance
members gained an exclusive view of the Grand Floral Parade
from the newly renovated UO White Stag building during the
2008 Rose Festival event June 7, as thousands more enjoyed
the view from street level. Themed "Romancing the Rose," the
parade featured creative and bright all-floral floats, school
marching bands, and equestrian units.
Back
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11. Downtown
Retail Advocate Represents Portland at Conference in Las Vegas
Downtown
Retail Advocate Allyson Reed attended the recent International
Council of Shopping Centers Real Estate Conference in Las
Vegas on behalf of the Business Improvement District. While
there she spoke with key brokers and retailers about locating
here, and distributed the newly-published Retail and Restaurant
Relocation Guide for Downtown Portland, created by Alliance
staff. Many national retailers, small and large formats, expressed
interest in Portland as an expansion location.
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12.
Portland City Budget includes dollars for Downtown Marketing
Initiative
After
more than 65 presentations to nearly 40 stakeholder organizations,
$300,000 in funding for the Downtown Marketing Initiative
was approved by Portland City Council in June by a unanimous
vote of approval for the new City budget.
The council's
approval and provision of these additional dollars is the
first and extremely important step to support the Downtown
Stewardship Plan. The funding will allow for enhancement of
year-round downtown marketing efforts in addition to holiday
marketing, including: television, transit, print, radio, and
innovative promotional efforts; website, e-campaign and non-traditional
media applications; and public relations.
Additional
support for the Downtown Marketing Initiative and its partners
within the Downtown Stewardship Plan is anticipated in early
2009 with the proposed parking rate increase. This next and
final step will complete the downtown retail community's economic
stimulus plan and serve as a critical and necessary piece
in maintaining regional vitality.
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EVENTS
13.
Sales Training: Cold Calling Clinic
Friday,
July 11, 2008
8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Presented
by Jeff Schneider from Sandler Training
This seminar is for sellers and business owners that sometimes
suffer from Call Reluctance. And that means every seller.
You will learn:
- How
to get past the gatekeeper and how to deal with voice mail
and automated attendants;
- How
to get permission to do your cold call before you do it;
- How
to find "pain" in the first minute and get the prospect
to invite you in to their office;
- How
to make sure you never get stood up again; and
- Which
attitudes, behaviors and techniques have been tested by
top-performing sellers for more than 30 years and proven
to be effective.
Cold calling
does still work. Come learn how to make it work for you. 30
minutes of networking followed by 2.5-hour sales training
workshop. Register
Now >>
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14.
Business After Hours: Glowing Greens
July
9, 2008
5 - 7 p.m.
509 SW Taylor St.
Get ready
for an Island Adventure at the Alliance Business After Hours
hosted by Glowing Greens Blacklight Miniature Golf course
on Wednesday, July 9, from 5-7 p.m. Business After Hours offers
an opportunity to create new business relationships by networking
in a relaxed setting that offers delicious appetizers, door
prizes, and refreshments from the no-host bar.
Glowing
Greens' indoor course features vividly surreal artwork created
with Ultraviolet paints and black lights, where animated creatures
and stimulating sound effects add to the active Island Adventure
atmosphere. Appropriate for all age groups, the facility also
offers several different comprehensive activity packages to
suit specific event needs from catered parties to business
staff meetings. Register
Now >>
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15.
Summer events in Portland
Summer
is a great time for events around the Portland metro area.
Soak in the sun and have a grand time at the following happenings
around town in July.
Independence
Day Fireworks Displays:
- Downtown:
The Waterfront
Blues Festival will celebrate July 4th with a spectacular
display of fireworks, twice as large as any display in Oregon.
The show starts at 10:05 p.m., after the evening's final
performance and the National Anthem.
- Southeast
Portland: Oaks Park hosts an annual 4th
of July celebration with gates opening at 10 a.m., rides
starting at noon and a 9:55 p.m. fireworks show. The park
is open all day for rides and entertainment. Admission is
$4 for adults and $2.50 for anyone under 16.
- Vancouver:
Comcast presents the 4th
of July at the Historic Reserve, one of the largest
fireworks displays west of the Mississippi. This day-long
Independence Day celebration has something for everyone,
including live musical entertainment, a carnival, kids'
games, arts and crafts, food vendors and more.
Waterfront
Blues Festival: Join blues fans from throughout the
world at the Waterfront Blues Festival, July 3-6, 2008, on
the banks of the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront
Park. The 2008 festival will feature more than 120 performances
on five stages.
Sand
in the City: This year marks the 13th anniversary
of Sand in the City at Pioneer Courthouse Square, presented
July 18-20 by Pacific Power. Corporate teams participate in
this fundraising event, which benefits Kids on the Block by
creating sand castle sculptures.
Oregon
Brewers Festival: Celebrating its 21st year in 2008,
the Oregon Brewers Festival is regarded as one of the finest
craft beer festivals in the world. Seventy-three breweries
offer handcrafted brews to more than 60,000 beer lovers during
the event July 24-27.
Second
Annual Maritime Heritage Festival: Held July 25-27,
the 2008 Maritime Heritage Festival will showcase beautiful
vintage pleasure craft, naval ships, working boats, kayaks,
eco-friendly watercraft and a stunning city skyline.
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MEMBER
NEWS
16.
SMART Seeks Literacy Advocates
Since
its inception, the nonprofit SMART (Start Making A Reader
Today) has provided one-on-one literacy support and new books
to more than 100,000 Oregon children, but current reports
suggest there are more than 50,000 children that could benefit
from SMART's services. To realize its vision of an Oregon
where every child can read, SMART recently restructured by
transitioning part-time paid coordinator positions to volunteer
positions starting this fall, among other changes. This move
helps ensure long-term sustainability, and enables SMART to
reach more children in need of support.
"This
truly is an evolutionary step," said Terry Shanley, SMART
CEO. "It will allow us to reach five times the number of kids
without significant increases in our operating budget."
The role
of the coordinator is vital to a child's continued success
through SMART. Coordinators are responsible for working with
participating schools to schedule reading sessions with adult
volunteers and students, and providing on-site program coordination
during scheduled reading sessions. The organization is seeking
an elite group of volunteers who can provide the quality and
consistency needed for these children to thrive. Become an
advocate for children's literacy in Oregon, and help Start
Making A Reader Today! Volunteer. Donate. Get Involved. Visit
SMART online at www.getsmartoregon.org
or call 877.598.4633.
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17.
Hasson Company Green Team hosts Computer Recycle Day
Teaming
up with Free Geek and Swartz Moving & Storage, The Hasson
Company's Green Team hosted its first annual recycling drive
for unwanted computer equipment Saturday, May 31, 2008. More
than 522 items collected at the event were donated to Free
Geek, a non-profit organization that has recycled 1,500 tons
of electronic scrap and refurbished more than 15,000 computer
systems since 2000.
The Hasson
Green Team is committed to helping its clientele achieve their
goals by gaining extensive knowledge and education about sustainability
and green living. Green Team agents have completed the Earth
Advantage S.T.A.R. certification program designed to explore
green building, sustainable features in existing homes, eco-friendly
terminology and how to communicate these concepts to buyers
and sellers. Visit hasson.com/green
for more information about The Hasson Green Team.
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18. Hotel
Modera hosts After Hours and offers discounted room rate
An
appearance by Mayor-elect Sam Adams highlighted the Hotel
Modera Business After Hours and ribbon-cutting ceremony June
11.
The
newest boutique hotel in downtown Portland, Hotel Modera celebrated
its opening in style with an Alliance Business After Hours
event June 11. This mid-century modern-design hotel situated
in the heart of the business district offers 174 nonsmoking
guestrooms and suites, complimentary wireless internet, membership
to 24-Hour Fitness and other amenities.
Hotel
Modera is offering Portland Business Alliance members an exclusive
discounted nightly rate of $99 (plus tax). To take advantage
of this special offer, e-mail contact@hotelmodera.com
for reservations and reference code word "GRAND."
Business
After Hours offers an opportunity to create new business relationships
by networking in a relaxed setting that offers delicious appetizers,
door prizes, and refreshments. If you are interested in hosting
an event, please contact Jason Little at 503.552.6759, or
jlittle@portlandalliance.com.
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19.
Banner Bank ribbon-cutting
Banner
Bank heralded the opening of its newest location in the Pearl
District with a June ribbon-cutting event. The bank has served
customers and communities for more than a century, and its
full-service branches are located throughout Washington, Oregon
and Idaho.
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20.
Upcoming Meetings
July
11, President's Council, noon
July 23, Small Business Council, 3 pm
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