Chamber Celebrates Idaho Department of Labor’s New Location

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome the Idaho Department of Labor to their new location at 613 Ridley Village Rd, Suite C in Sandpoint.

“We love the fact we are all on the ground floor, it makes it so much easier and accessible for everyone,” said Bridgette Bradshaw-Fleer, Sandpoint Manager. “Our new offices have an open and inviting atmosphere with plenty of space.”

They would like to welcome the public for an Open House on May 9^th from 2-4pm. Ken Edmunds, Director of the Department of Labor, and Kelly Sharp, Area Manager for Dept of Labor, will be in attendance to show support for the new location. Light refreshments will be served.

“Visit us for help finding jobs, interview skills, resume writing and retraining help. There are available funds.”

Please join the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce in welcoming the Idaho Department of Labor to their new location and thanking them for their continued support of our labor force. For more information, visit their offices at 613 Ridley Village Rd in Sandpoint or call 263-7544. 

In photo: left to right Clem Hackworthy, Corrie Greene, Kate McAlister, Jim Lovell, Alice Wallace, Landon Fuller, Richard Hunter, George Eskridge, Leslie Apple, Bridgette Bradshaw-Fleer, Lisa McLeod, Diana Cartwright, Don Sturm, Steve Case and Carol Warren.  

Simplifying Social Media for Business

Using social media is one way you can take control of your businesses online presence and connect with current and future customers. The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is ready to help business owners and managers tackle social media with their Social Media Workshop Series sponsored by Holiday Inn Express & Suites. They plan to cover how to use Facebook and LinkedIn for you business, as well as talk about where people are finding your business online, like Yelp, TripAdvisor and Angie’s List.

Social media is extremely helpful for business because it makes it easier for consumers to find your business, increases brand recognition, reaches out to an audience that already ‘Likes’ your brand, creates brand ambassadors, shows you care about your business by being there and being ready to have meaningful conversations with consumers about your brand and their needs and expectations. Peer reviews and recommendations are trusted far more than advertising by consumers. Conversations are happening all over the internet so you should be involved and ready to respond to every positive and negative comment.

The Chamber’s workshops were created to help your social media strategy on every level. These workshops will be 100% interactive where participants will be asked to bring their laptop with various materials ready go on it so specific tasks can be accomplished during the workshops. Also, to help the participants get the most out of the workshops they will be kept to a 12 person maximum so personalized help will be achieved.

Scheduled classes are as followed: Introduction to Facebook For Your Business, Intermediate: Facebook For your Business and LinkedIn for Business Professionals and Your Business. The Intro Facebook classes are going held to be Wednesday, Feb 27, and Thursday, Feb 28, from 8:30AM-11:30AM. The Intermediate Facebook class is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, from 8:30AM-11:30AM. The LinkedIn class is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, from 8:30AM-11:30AM. Managing Your Online Reputation is a new class which will take place on Wednesday, May 15, from 8:30AM-11:30AM.

Cost of each workshop is $35 for Chamber Members and $40 for Non-Chamber Members. If one class fills up and you are not able to register, please contact the Chamber and more classes will be held until the community’s needs are satisfied. If you are interested in others like YouTube, Twitter, Foursquare and Pinterest, please contact the Chamber so they know what they should plan for the future. For more information or to register for these workshops, please call the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at 263-2161 or visit them online at www.sandpointchamber.com.

Idaho’s 5-1-1 Service Provides Current Road Conditions for Travelers

Changes to 5-1-1 system allow drivers to customize information, receive alerts

BOISE, Idaho—December 21, 2012—Idaho’s 5-1-1 Program, a public service of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Idaho Department of Commerce Division of Tourism, is designed to help travelers access information about travel conditions and road closures, weather, and tourism information via the phone (dial 5-1-1 or 1-888-432-7623), the web (511.idaho.gov), and mobile web applications.  Information is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at no cost to users.

ITD introduced new options to the 511 Traveler Services program this year that allow drivers to tailor reports to their needs.  At 511.idaho.gov (click New Account in upper right corner), drivers may register for a free account and will have the option of receiving direct reports for preferred routes through email, text messages or Twitter.  They also can choose a statewide option that delivers information about road blockages or closures and active Amber Alerts.

“Improvements to the system allow direct delivery of information, based on what drivers need, when they need it, and how they need it,” explains Tony Ernest with ITD and manager of the system. “At the same time, we remind drivers that Idaho has enacted a new texting law. It is unsafe, and now illegal, to check mobile devices while driving in the state of Idaho.”

Travel is meant to be fun and the 5-1-1 system is designed to improve safety.  As a result, motorists are encouraged to check conditions before operating a vehicle or to entrust a passenger with the task. When calling 5-1-1, users that select the Tourism Information option (option 5 in main menu) will be routed to the Idaho Tourism office and will be assisted by staff during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
ITD joins only Minnesota and Iowa on the CARS (Condition Acquisition Reporting System) coalition that offer automated Twitter feeds. Idaho’s system is continually evolving and improving, Ernest says.  It remains one of the most robust, feature-laden systems in the country.

Visitors to the Web site will find two bandwidth options: The low-bandwidth site that may be best for users who access the Web through dial-up connections, or a high-bandwidth version for high-speed Internet users. Both sites offer maps and a list of available features, as well as images from more than 130 roadside cameras so travelers can learn about the highway conditions on Idaho’s mountain passes.

A mobile website is available for customers using “Smartphone” mobile devices. Type 511.idaho.gov in the address bar and the Web site automatically redirects all phones to the mobile website.  When clicking on Tourism Information, visitors are directed to the state’s tourism Web site, www.visitidaho.org, for information on attractions, events and lodging.

For more information on the ITD’s 5-1-1 Program visit 511.idaho.gov.  For Idaho visitor information and travel ideas, please go to www.visitidaho.org or call 1-800-Visit-ID to request an Idaho Travel Guide.

Idaho Business Opportunity Conference Provides Forum for Idaho Companies to Connect with Government Procurement Experts, Explore Opportunities for Expansion

NEWS RELEASE:  For Immediate Release

Contact: Megan Ronk

Idaho Department of Commerce 

(208) 334-2470

megan.ronk@commerce.idaho.gov

Idaho Business Opportunity Conference Provides Forum for Idaho Companies to Connect with Government Procurement Experts, Explore Opportunities for Expansion 

BOISE, Idaho—October 2, 2012—The Idaho Business Opportunity Conference will take place on Wednesday, October 25, 2012, at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls (780 Lindsay Blvd.).

This represents the 24th annual opportunity for manufacturers, contractors, distributors and service providers to meet with procurement officials from government agencies to discuss purchasing needs and ways businesses can improve their selling techniques.

The all-day event begins at 7:30 a.m. and will go to 3:30 p.m.  The program includes government panels and speakers who will offer insight into the entire process of doing business with the federal government and the state.  Topics include Getting on the GSA Schedule, Certification and Loan Programs, Subcontracting with Large Prime Contractors, and Doing Business with the Idaho National Laboratory.

“The Idaho Business Opportunity Conference attracts a diverse group of small businesses who are either actively engaged or have the capability to provide the government with goods and services,” said Jeffery Sayer, director of Idaho Commerce. “This is an excellent opportunity for Idaho companies to receive personalized assistance to connect with government procurement experts and enhance opportunities to expand their business contracts.”

Registration is $55 and covers all seminars, access to all buyers and purchasing agents, continental breakfast and lunch.  Idaho businesses interested in attending can register here.

The Idaho Business Opportunity Conference is presented by the Idaho Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).   Idaho PTAC services are free to any company in Idaho, regardless of size, and can help attract new customers and opportunities that match a business’ particular products and services.

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