The-News-Leader.com - Chamber Chatter: Chamber thanks those who made expo a success

by Laura Sparano, Chamber executive director
My policy is that it's never too late to thank people and we have so many people to thank for the success of the Sprint/Nextel Business-to-Business Expo that took place on Nov. 1. Firstly, thank you to the Expo Committee: Chair Julie D'Aloiso (Tornado/D-Webjazz), Glenn Ottman (Cartridge World Brecksville), Phyllis Damico (Cleveland Coca Cola Bottling Co.), Stella Latsko (Director of Bedford Heights Chamber of Commerce) and our own Stephanie Schmid (NHCOC administrative assistant).

Secondly, thank you to Joe Gambitta of Gambitta's Party Center & Catering (formerly Anthony's Event Center) for accommodating us and going to great lengths to make us pleased with his facility.

Thirdly, thank you to our volunteers the night of the event: Dorothy Pirrung (Olympic Steel), Gina Smigel (GMS Signs), Nancy Mann (Howard Hannah Smythe Cramer), Les Beck (Wachovia Securities), Sandy Schuller (NV Corp.), Irene Muro-Scott (IMIA Inc.) and Dianne Basile (Creative Leads Marketing). Background music was supplied by acoustical guitarist Rick Iacoboni, which added a great deal of pleasure to the evening. Please feel free to call him at 440-740-1208 for your next event.

Mike Sims (Fast Signs Bedford Heights) donated the exhibitor table signs. Sign-A-Rama Macedonia donated the lettering for the Chamber table display. GMS Signs and Stan Kaminsky donated the street signs. Jessica Gramley and Ebony Brown from Elmcroft at Sagamore Hills brought their popcorn popper and donated all the supplies. Bella Renee Pizza added to our catering order for the Meet, Greet & Learn, sponsored by Tornado/D-Webjazz. Diane McGhee (Record Publishing) did a wonderful job of publicizing this event for us. And Balloon Sculptures.com gave us more than we asked for. It was a super event, proven by the over 80 qualified leads that were given and received that night. Thank you to all the exhibitors, attendees and volunteers for making our B2B Expo the greatest.

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If you think new Chamber members are always new businesses, think again. This week our new member profiles are of new members who have been in business for quite a while:

* Michael Osborne is the new owner of Better Letters and Graphics, Inc. This 30 year old company wants to be "the one source for all your graphic needs." It's located at 51 Meadow Lane, Suite F in Northfield Village. For your signage and graphic needs, call Michael at 330-467-0176.

* New NHCOC member Hannah's Black Belt Academy has been in business for 31 years. Owner Bill Hannah offers lessons in the martial arts of tae kwon do, hapkido and judo. For more information, contact Bill at 216-496-3330.

* Welcome back to Herchick's Tire Service, Inc. Located at 854 East Aurora Road in Macedonia since 1975, this "mom and pop" station excels in good customer service. Mike and Charlene Herchick are proud to say that they have Nordonia graduates in all key positions. If you are looking for car, truck or motorcycle tires or auto repair and maintenance, Herchick's is the place to go. Please call them at 330-468-0521 to set your appointment for a winter brake checkup today.

* New member Specialty Lubricants Corp. has been marketing and custom packaging lubricants since 1979. Their specialty lubricants are engineered to handle the toughest lubrication applications, such as high load, high and low temperatures and chemical attack. For more information, go to www.speclubes.com.

* Lorrie Stratis, CFP, CDFP, has been offering mutual funds, securities, life insurance and annuities for 28 years. Stratis Financial Services offers financial planning on an individual level, college, retirement, estate and tax planning and divorce financial planning. Also, Lorrie specializes in financial planning for women and the disabled. To contact Stratis Financial service, call Lorrie at 440-527-0414.

* Insurance Systems Agency in Brecksville has been offering insurance for 72 years. According to Nick Kormos, they represent a very large number of top-rated insurance carriers so they can shop for your insurance from among the best carriers. For more information, go to www.insurancesystemsagency.com or call Nick at 440-526-7733.

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Please join us for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Crystal Dean's new State Farm Office at 1893 East Aurora Road in Twinsburg, across from the Chrysler Plant. The grand opening begins with lunch for fellow Chamber members from noon to 3 p.m., with the ribbon cutting at 1 p.m., and the open house for the community from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come and help us wish Crystal and her associate Eric Wilson good luck in their new venture.