Monday, August 31, 2009

Tomorrow, September 1, the Inlander will release the sixth edition of its Annual Manual magazine, the largest publication ever produced by Inland Publications. With 220 pages dedicated to food, shopping, nightlife, recreation, arts and family, it’s the Insider’s Guide to the Inland Northwest. Like the Inlander, this glossy magazine is free, and distributed at the more than 900 locations in the Inlander’s distribution network. So look for the Annual Manual tomorrow where you pick up your Inlander. For an exclusive preview of the 2009-2010 Annual Manual, go to inlander.com/annualmanual.

Brian Toone’s hard work for the past 7 years has paid off for Jewelry Design Center. Through his persistent efforts, the full service jewelry store just became the newest Official Rolex Jeweler in the country and the only independent dealer in the Inland northwest. Jewelry Design Center was started by Brian’s dad, Doug Toone in 1977. From a one-man repair and custom shop to employing 34 people locally, Jewelry Design Center has grown to be one of the largest diamond, jewelry and watch dealers in the Pacific Northwest. Although still involved in the business, Doug has turned over the reigns to his son Brian as CEO and President. Brian has been with the company 14 years. They are located at 821 N Division Street, the phone number is 509-487-5905 and the web site is www.jewelrydesigncenter.com.

Sunday, September 13th, the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course gives back. The CDA Resort Golf Course is offering a "Junior Achievement Day" of Golf at the award winning course. You can play at the world renown Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course for only $100 with $25 going back to JA! The event begins with a shot gun start at 1:30pm and includes 18 holes of golf, use of a custom luxury golf cart, unlimited range balls at the over-the-water practice facility, a complimentary warm up sports massage, a personalized, engraved souvenir bag tag, and service of a forecaddie (gratuity additional). You can sign up by calling the Junior Achievement office at 509-624-7114 or email janetb@jaspokane.org. Payment of $100 needs to be made prior to the event, which is limited to 72 players!

The JOBS Coalition kicks off its fall campaign next Wednesday urging people to vote No on PROP 4, the proposed Spokane City Charter Amendments being promoted by the group called Envision Spokane. The event is Wednesday, September 9, from 5:30-7pm at Riverwalk, 1003 E. Trent, and is sponsored by the Washington Restaurant Association -Spokane Chapter, Jayme Cozzetto, owner of Bangkok Thai and The JOBS Coalition. A light dinner will be served by various restaurant association members. The suggested donation is $35. The group is also looking for event captains; the purpose of an event captain is to bring a minimum of 9 other individuals to the event. For more information on serving as a table captain and to RSVP (by Sept. 4th) call 509-994-1406 or email rsvp@spokanejobs2009.com.

Mediapost has reported on the results of a study conducted by market research firm BrandIndex. And the good news coming from the data is that people’s perceptions of Quick Service burger restaurants have improved in the past 12 months. BrandIndex conducts daily measurement of public perception of more than 1,100 consumer brands across 32 sectors, on a multi-point profile. The data showed that Wendy’s continues to significantly beat its main competitors: Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Burger King, and McDonald’s across all of the measures tracked; quality, values, satisfaction, reputation. Wendy’s also leads in overall brand health score, which is derived from the same four measures. The other brands, however, all saw improvements from a year earlier as well. McDonald’s in particular showed notable gains from last year, according to the latest set of data.

Humanix Staffing and Recruiting has been named a winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Award for a second year. This Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility distinguishes companies as leading practitioners of workplace flexibility in the Spokane region and across the nation.

Vintners Cody George and Brian Murray invite you to be their guest, September 10th, from 5-7pm, and indulge in the newest red wine releases at Vintage Hill Cellars, 319 West 2nd Avenue. They will be releasing a Cabernet Franc from the Columbia Valley and a Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2006 vintage and invite you to join them. For more information call 509-994-0878 or 509-994-1406. Vintage Hill Cellars website is www.vintagehillcellars.com.

DataPro Solutions is celebrating 50 years of workforce efficiency and innovation with an open house on Thursday, September 10 from 3 to 6pm. The business enhances worker productivity through mobility, information, infrastructure and labor tracking. The business was founded in September of 1959 as Data Processing Services, Inc. by Roger Stilson, Al Decker, Charlie Henton, Phil Stanton and Roy Homlund. Doug and Ann Johnston bought the company in 1991 and changed the name to DataPro Solutions. It is now employee-owned. DataPro won an AGORA Award in 1998 and was a finalist again in 2009. According to management, the company had decent years in 2007, and 2008 and is thriving this year, with a 20% increase in business due to regional growth. The address is 6336 East Utah Street in Spokane Valley, the phone number is 888-658-6881 and the website is www.datapronw.com.

The Spokane Regional Marketing & Communications Association (MarCom) has announced its Board of Directors for 2009-10. President: Allison Benjamin, Marketing and Public Relations Officer of Cancer Care Northwest; Past President, Jeff Thomas; Vice-President/Incoming President, Programming Chair: Ashley Martin, Account Executive with Klundt Hosmer; Event Chair, 2010: Leslie White Hebert, Marketing Manager of Coffman Engineers, Inc.; SPARK Awards Judging Chair: Lori Humphrey, Proforma Good Work Marketing; Finance Chair: Denise Echelbarger, Technical Services Media Center, WSU Spokane Academic Center; Communications Chair: Joe Johnson, Marketing Associate, Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau; Membership Chair: Dawn Picken, Director of Marketing and Communications of Greater Spokane Incorporated; Internship Chair, 2009: Alyssa Ando, Marketing Coordinator for Sterling International; Fundraising Chair, 2011: Dean Davis, owner, Dean Davis Photography. Spokane MarCom is a communication organization dedicated to advancing the integrated marketing communication profession through professional development, community impact and commitment to credibility. More information is available online at http://www.spokanemarcom.com/.

University of Phoenix has announced the promotions of Barry Brooks, PhD, to Director of Academic Affairs and Kylene Lloyd to Director of Student and Financial Services for the University's Eastern Washington campus.

Epicurean Delight tickets are on sale now! Invitations have been mailed and tickets are on sale for the culinary event of the year, Epicurean Delight, benefiting the Inland Northwest Blood Center (INBC), will once again be hosted at the Spokane Convention Center, Friday, November 6. Proceeds from Epicurean Delight 2009 will be used to advance INBC’s life saving mission with a portion of the funds designated to providing superior technologies and blood center education and training. This event has been sold out for the last 3 years. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.epicureandelight.org.

Marketing Associates of Spokane will hold their monthly meeting Thursday, September 10th from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Red Lion Inn at the Park. The speakers this month will be Todd Woodard and Dan Johnson, representatives from the Spokane International Airport, Felts Field Airport and the Airport Business Park. There will be a discussion that includes learning more about the organizational structure, a review of 2009-2013 capital projects, passenger/cargo data, air service and the various ways of doing business with the organization followed by a Q&A session. RSVP per the MAS website, www.maspokane.org, by September 7th. Lunch will be provided at a cost of $20 for members and $30 for non-members. For more information contact Taryn Erickson, at Trindera Engineering, 208-676-8001 or terickson@trindera.com.

Washington State University’s Compton Union Building (CUB), designed by INTEGRUS Architecture, P.S. with Pfeiffer Partners, has been awarded LEED® Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The CUB is the first building on WSU’s campus to receive LEED® certification.

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Catalyst Awards, which recognize contributions by individuals, organizations and businesses that demonstrate the utilization of technology and innovation to bring economic development to the region. This year's awards will also include additional categories for those individuals and businesses using clean or green technologies to make a difference. Award categories are: Company of the Year; Clean/Green Company of the Year; Organization of the Year; Clean/Green Organization of the Year; Mentor of the Year; and Ken Grunzweig Innovator of the Year. The awards will be given out at The Lincoln Center on October 23, 2009, at the LaunchPad Oktoberfest Celebration and Catalyst Awards. For more information about the event go to www.launchpadinw.com.

Strine Studios is the newest graphic design firm in Spokane. Founded by 14-year design and illustration professional, Gabe Strine, the company calls itself "your art department" as it specializes in the artistic needs of small to medium-sized companies who lack their own department, but still need artwork done. Strine Studios is also available for businesses with overflow and freelance design needs. Strine Studios services include branding and logo design, marketing collateral, advertising design, website design, and illustration. For more information call 509-991-0718, or visit the website at www.strinestudios.com.

Inland Northwest Trails Coalition has been selected for the 2009 Best of Spokane Award in the Membership Organizations category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). Inland Northwest Trails Coalition is currently focused on implementing the Spokane County Regional Trails Plan, adopted in 2008 through efforts coordinated through Spokane County and City and area jurisdictions. The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. The website is www.inlandnorthwesttrails.org.

The business thought of the week, is from General George S. Patton: "If everyone’s thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."

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