Workshop to Help Businesses Leverage the Internet

On Friday, Nov. 20, businesses have the opportunity to learn how to leverage the Internet to grow their business from Chris Bessler, founder of Keokee Company. Recent estimates reveal at least 70 percent of small companies now use the Internet to help operate their business, yet with more than 1 billion websites, the small business website is often virtually invisible and even difficult for customers to find. Bessler will discuss how businesses can define their website goals, take steps to achieve those goals, unravel some of the mysteries of search engine optimization and search marketing, and share other ideas for improving results from the business website.

Bessler founded Keokee Co. Publishing in 1990, and expanded his company services to website development in 1995. Currently, Keokee hosts more than 150 websites for local and regional businesses, and provides website services including search optimization and marketing. Keokee produces the community portal website SandpointOnline.com which now logs over 1 million hits from 20,000-plus unique visitors per month, and also publishes the bi-annual Sandpoint Magazine.

Among other experiences, Bessler was vice president of content for iCARumba.com, a Seattle-based automotive services portal he helped found in 2000 during the dot-com boom, which in 2001 became the sole provider of the CarPoint auto services channel on MSN.com.

The workshop is part of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Committee’s 2009 TGIF Workshop series presented by the Bonner Business Center and sponsored by MetLife Home Loans. The cost is $12 for members and $15 for non-members and includes a lunch provided by a local restaurant. Advanced reservations required and can be made at the Chamber at 263-2161 or online at www.SandpointChamber.com.

Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine Honored as Business of the Month

The Chamber is proud to announce Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine as business of the month.

Owned by John and Valerie Albi, Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine has served the Greater Sandpoint area for over 10 years. They began as a small business making handmade pasta and pasta sauces. They had a few tables to serve customers at that time. Now, located in Ponderay, the gourmet grocery store includes one of North Idaho’s most extensive wine selections with a large assortment of domestic and imported wines and quality selection of handmade pastas and sauces, cheeses, and artisan breads. Their high quality, specialty foods combined with excellent wines make excellent gift baskets that they can personalize to fit a budget. Additionally, they offer reasonably priced catering for all occasions and have continued a long-standing service catering dinners for Lake Pend Oreille Cruises.

John and Valerie love good, fresh foods and enjoy preparing these foods for their customers. “They sell good, affordable wines and are very helpful when you are looking for the perfect wine for the perfect dinner,” says Carol Warren.

Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine has been a long-standing supporter of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. They’ve provided catering services and have been involved with the annual Taste of Sandpoint and Summer Sampler. The Chamber thanks them for their continued involvement and impeccable service to the Greater Sandpoint area.

For more information, call 263-1352 or visit www.PendOreillePasta.com.

Photo Caption: Pictured are owners John and Valerie Albi (on right) accepting the Business of the Month award by Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Ambassador chairman Carol Warren.

Lee Hoge Announced Volunteer of the Month

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce selected Lee Hoge from Sandpoint Realty as volunteer of the month.

"He is always thinking about what someone needs before he considers his own,” said Chamber board member Marcia Phillips from First American Title Company.

Hoge’s volunteer activities are greatly impressive and demonstrate his commitment to the Greater Sandpoint community. He serves as chairman of the flag committee and chairman and organizer for the 2009 4th of July parade for the Sandpoint Lions Club, an organization which sponsors the Toys for Tots Drive, raises the American flag to honor our country and veterans in surrounding cities, plans the annual Easter egg hunt, and raises money for scholarships. He also wears the hat of President for the local Shriners and co-chairs an annual golf tournament to raise funds for children with medical needs. He is also an active member of the Sandpoint Chapter of the Wishing Star, Chamber Ambassadors, the Elks Club, and serves on the Chamber’s Nonprofit Development Council.

The Chamber is pleased to extend the honor of Volunteer of the Month to Lee Hoge who has made a positive impact on our community and our youth.

Photo Caption: Pictured is Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce board member Marcia Phillips from First American Title Company giving the volunteer of the month award to Lee Hoge from Sandpoint Realty who has demonstrated his commitment to the community through many volunteer efforts.