Business & Industry Roundtable – March

March 29, 2012
7:00 am	to	8:30 am

DATE:  Thursday, March 29th

PROGRAM: STEM: A Critical Education Initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).  Read more about STEM and why it’s relevant to the manufacturing industry.

TIME:  Networking & Coffee begins at 7:00 a.m.; Program starts at 7:30

LOCATION:  YV-Tech, 1120 South 18th Avenue  Yakima, WA 98901.

 

The New Vision Business & Industry Roundtable is based on similar groups that have organized in other communities to support local manufacturers and key industries.  Starting in January we will organize meetings every other month to focus on issues of importance to local industry.  There will be a half hour at the start of these meeting devoted to networking so we can learn from one another and share our business experience.

Roundtable meetings will be complemented by plant tours.  We plan to visit a number of interesting facilities to see and learn more about local companies.  New Vision plans to invite local education leaders on these tours so that we can all work together to develop (or maintain) training programs that meet local business needs.

Check out the full 2012 calendar of events. We hope you can join us for this roundtable meeting or join us at other events scheduled next year.  If you have any questions about New Vision’s business and industry roundtable, please contact Tammy Everts or Dave McFadden at 509-575-1140 (or tammy@ycda.com).

New Vision Launches Industry Roundtable to Support Local Business

We are excited to announce the formation of a Business & Industry Roundtable for the owners and managers of Yakima County’s major industries.  The New Vision Business & Industry Roundtable is based on similar groups that have organized in other communities to coalesce local manufacturers and key industry leaders.    Brad McDowell, President of AB Foods/Washington Beef, is one of the biggest promoters of this initiative.   “I was involved in a similar group in another community and it was such a good opportunity to meet my peers and learn about similar workplace issues and solutions”, McDowell notes.  He adds, “One of the added benefits of the previous network was that we were able to develop some successful business to business relationships, and I see a huge potential for that here.”

Owners and CEO’s of some of Yakima County’s largest employers are supportive of the new layout and like the year-long calendar.  A letter went out this week from the leaders of Tree Top, Shields, Amtech, GE Aviation, AB Foods and Magic Metals inviting their peers to attend the kickoff event and participate in the roundtable on a regular basis. Local industry outreach is an essential component to New Vision and this enhances efforts to connect with all our manufacturers every couple of years.

The first meeting kicks off in January with a report and discussion on the results of the 2011 statewide manufacturer’s survey. Coffee & networking begins at 7:00 a.m., and the program starts at 7:30; the meeting will be held at New Vision offices, 10 North 9th Street, Yakima.

We will organize meetings every other month to focus on issues of importance to local industry, such as regulatory affairs, conserving resources and workforce training needs .  There will be a half hour at the start of these meeting devoted to networking so company leaders can learn from one another and share their business experience.

Roundtable meetings will be complemented by plant tours.  We plan to visit a number of interesting facilities to see and learn more about local companies.  New Vision plans to invite local education leaders on these tours so that we can continue to work together to develop (or maintain) training programs that meet local business needs.  New Vision will also offer periodic training seminars to accompany roundtable activities. Whether it’s training for supervisors, an introduction to exporting, or a lean manufacturing seminar, we are committed to organizing professional education opportunities for manufacturers and their employees.

Check out the full 2012 calendar of events.  If you have any questions or would like more information about New Vision’s business and industry roundtable, please contact us at 509-575-1140 (or tammy@ycda.com).

 

Washington Vision Therapy Center Wins Enterprise Challenge

We are pleased to announce that three emerging businesses were selected as winners of our second annual business plan contest.  These entrepreneurs were selected by seven judges that met with business plan contestants yesterday.

Washington Vision Therapy Center won New Vision’s Enterprise Challenge and received a check for $10,000.  The specialized eye clinic is located in Yakima.  Dr. Ben Winters is a developmental optometrist who specializes in providing vision therapy to clients with a particular focus on helping kids.  Winters and his staff help patients correct vision problems that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lens alone.  As the business grows, Winters plans to open more local clinics and eventually expand to other areas as well.

Hop Central Brewing Company placed second in the contest and received a check for $5,000.  Hop Central will be a new microbrewery in downtown Yakima.  The company plans to handcraft uniquely hop centered beers which choice hops for the Yakima Valley.

 

 

Milt’s Original Gourmet BBQ Pellets took third place in the contest and won $2500.  The Grandview-based company manufacturers flavor enhanced barbeque pellets made from tree fruit wood and food processing wastes.  The company sells one and twenty pound bags of pellets through farm stores, barbeque dealers and other outlets.

The other five final contestants received consolation prizes that can be redeemed for legal or accounting support from local businesses.  “We are thrilled with the results of our business plan contest”, said New Vision’s Tammy Everts.  “All our contestants have enormous potential in terms of launching or running successful local businesses.  If these emerging companies get off the ground according to their plans we should see them add opening or expanding facility and adding a significant number of jobs.”

Dr. Ben Winters, owner of Washington Vision Therapy, was excited to win the contest:  “We benefited tremendously from participating in the business plan contest.  Having over 40 business leaders review our plan and evaluate our business was invaluable.  We learned a lot and the contest gave us very favorable exposure within our community.  The funds we won will be plowed into our business and support our growth over the next year.”

New Vision’s Enterprise Challenge started in September and featured several educational events where contestants could learn more about managing a business.  There was also a coaching round for final contestants where they could get advice from local experts.  The development association is planning to run the contest again next year.  The contest helps anchor our initiative to support local entrepreneurs and we are confident our 2012 contest will be even better.

Posted by David McFadden, YCDA.com