Springtime is upon us; in fact many of the students in the area have just ended their spring breaks, initiating the countdown to the end of the school year. Spring is an exciting time for many and signifies a time for renewal as we watch the grass begin to green, the flowers bloom and the foliage return to the trees. With our days becoming longer and the temperatures warming it becomes obvious why Senator Gaylord Nelson selected this time of year for a nation to acknowledge its appreciation for the Earth. Earth Day is just around the corner being celebrated in the U.S. on April 22 and internationally celebrated tomorrow, March 22.

The imminent Earth Day has led me to reflect upon the exciting green developments happening in the Northern Colorado region. Northern Colorado has become a hub for what many refer to as the modern energy movement. The research and work done by many at Colorado State University (CSU) has become a catalyst for an array of emerging technologies and businesses like Abound Solar and Envirofit.

The research that led to the creation of Abound Solar was started in the 1980’s. However, it wasn’t until 2004 that the company was established as AVA Solar, producing the next generation of thin-film photovoltaic solar modules for large commercial installations. In 2007, AVA Solar changed its name to Abound Solar to better reflect the company’s belief in providing abundant energy. Today, Abound Solar (headquartered in Loveland, Colo.) has become a global leader in CdTe solar technology; the technology many experts believe is improving the efficiency and stability of solar energy. Abound Solar photovoltaic modules are designed for large-scale, grid-connected utilities. The company’s particular design has Abound Solar leading the way to the delivery of low-cost electricity.

Envirofit was developed from research conducted on two-stroke snowmobile engines at Colorado State University’s Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory (EECL). This research led to the development of a two-stroke engine that is now being retrofitted on the 100 million motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers in Southeast Asia. Each of the older, carbureted two-stroke engines on these vehicles produces pollution equivalent to 50 modern automobiles. Envirofit’s work in Southeast Asia also led to the development of an economical, clean cook stove that is replacing the hundreds of millions of primitive stoves used today in Southeast Asia and in turn is significantly reducing emissions.

The incredible developments by companies like Abound Solar and Envirofit led to CSU creating a Clean Energy Supercluster program that has become a magnet for attracting larger businesses like Vestas the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world. These exciting developments in Northern Colorado point to a future with a renewed economy; an economy that is built upon manufacturing and creating products that can be sold globally. As this new cluster continues to develop with help of partners like CSU and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation, I foresee the grass greening, the flowers blooming and foliage returning to the trees of our economy!

Best wishes,

Brian

Posted on March 21st, 2010

by Brian Willms

A few weeks ago I shared a valuable statement from one of my college professors, “In business, it’s important to know the unique selling proposition of your product or service.” I went on to explain that one of Loveland’s greatest assets is in its name. I strongly asserted that as a community we should embrace the moniker established years ago, “The Sweetheart City,” as one of our unique selling propositions when we market ourselves to others. I also recognize that Loveland has another unique selling proposition – our nationally-ranked arts community.

Few communities can boast about the sculpture, the galleries, the foundries and art-based public school curriculum like Loveland can. Mix in the fabulous theaters, performing arts groups, musicians, graphic artists, literary artists, painters and so many others into Loveland’s unique recipe and you begin to understand why Loveland has been recognized as one of the “The 100 Best Art Towns in America” by John Villani.

As the driving force for business in Loveland, the Loveland Chamber has the responsibility to help stimulate our economy and work to maintain a positive business environment. To do that we need to capitalize on our community’s strengths. One of those strengths is our arts and the industry that has been built around it.

As much pride as Loveland residents take in our fabulous sculpture parks and the nation’s largest outdoor sculpture shows, few people outside of Loveland recognize the city for the creative and cultural gifts we have offer. Unfortunately, Loveland is still often mistaken for the ski resort that is more than a hundred miles and two hours away. In fact, last year when U.S. News and World Report named Loveland as one of the 10 best places to live, they featured a picture of Loveland Pass. Why didn’t they show a picture of the Benson or Chapungu Sculpture Parks?

Our reputation as an arts community has gained national, mainstream attention, but we are still working to gain awareness among those already in the arts community. It is time for us as a community to work together to promote our arts and the wonderful gifts we have to share. We also have an opportunity to use our strength for economic development. In this issue of Aware, you’ll have the chance to learn more about a progressive and successful real estate development group called Artspace (artspace.org).

After reading Maryjo Morgan’s blog titled “Artspace Eyes Loveland,” I encourage you to complete the survey Artspace is conducting (you can do so by clicking here) and ask others to do the same. And while you are at it, tell them about Loveland and all the wonderful art we have to share!

Wishing you the best,

Brian

Posted on February 10th, 2010

by Brian Willms

One of my college professors once told me, “In business, it’s important to know the unique selling proposition of your product or service.” He supported this statement by explaining the value of differentiating yourself from your competition so that your prospective customer understands what is different and special about what you have to offer. Applying the principle of a “unique selling proposition” over the years in my professional career has served me well. No matter what the product or service I was promoting and/or selling, I’ve always worked hard to identify its unique selling proposition and highlighted those benefits to my customers and clients to help them understand its value.

As the CEO for the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, one my key responsibilities is to help promote and sell Loveland. Like many others, I’ve found one of Loveland’s greatest assets to be in its in name. We reside, work and play in the “Land of Love.” There are very few other cities or communities that can tout such a special name, thus Loveland’s name naturally becomes its unique selling proposition. We are “The Sweetheart City”! We should embrace this moniker and capitalize on it. Our name gives us an opportunity that few others have, but like all tools it is only useful when utilized to its full potential.

Ted Thompson (onetime Loveland Chamber President) and Elmer Ivers (onetime Loveland Postmaster) certainly understood the opportunity Loveland has to distinguish itself as ‘The Sweetheart City’. In 1946, they began the infamous Valentine Re-mailing Program and today the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Post Office together receive and stamp more than 220,000 pieces of mail each year during the first two weeks in February. Valentines come from all around the world, including from a number of celebrities and dignitaries, just to have their message of love stamped so that it indicates it traveled to their respective sweethearts via the Land of Love.

Here at the Chamber, we see the Valentine Re-mailing Program as more than just one small opportunity for our community to be recognized on Valentine’s Day; we see it as an opportunity to help develop and grow business. Valentine’s Day is a holiday synonymous with love and romance. What if, as a business community, we build upon Loveland’s unique value proposition – its name – and took Thompson and Ivers’ re-mailing program to the next level? Valentine’s Day is certainly the pinnacle of it all, but love, romance and weddings happen each and every day. We need to develop and grow an industry built around love, romance and weddings!

People from all around the world come to Loveland to get married, celebrate their anniversaries, to renew their vows or simply spend a romantic weekend together. Businesses such as hotels, event centers, restaurants, florists, photographers, jewelers, caterers, retailers and many more could benefit from these special visitors to our community.

I do realize not every business would benefit directly, but many could and the residual effects could lead to many more opportunities yet to be seen. Ultimately, a thriving business creates more business and that is a good thing!

It will take the community to develop this Sweetheart City brand and utilize it to its fullest potential (especially considering the competition such as Loveland, Ohio and Valentine, Texas to name a few). As “The Driving Force for Business,” the developer of the Valentine Re-mailing program and the managing operator of Loveland’s only Visitors Center, the Chamber will help lead the way in promoting Loveland as a destination for love, romance and weddings. I invite you join us in letting the world know why they should come to “The Sweetheart City” and celebrate their love in Loveland!

It is an industry just waiting to blossom!

Warm wishes,

Brian

Posted on January 17th, 2010

by Brian Willms, President & CEO

Do you know what American’s top New Year’s resolution is? You guessed it, losing weight. While slimming down and getting fit is certainly important for a healthy lifestyle, we at the Loveland Chamber believe that for optimum business health, plumping up is the key to success!

This New Year, instead of trimming our services, the Loveland Chamber is committed to providing even more opportunities to grow your business. As the Chamber continues to move forward with its mission to be Loveland’s “Driving Force for Business,” our goal for 2010 is to continue increasing (or plumping up) our value proposition to you.

In 2009, the Chamber grew by leaps and bounds. In addition to adding new Legislative Affairs and Marketing Resource committees; new CyberChat sessions to help businesses embrace the latest and greatest changes in technology; and a brand new Web site complete with links, online registration and opportunities for our business investors (members) to blog about their products, services and industries, we also represented the business community at more City Council meetings and statewide meetings than ever before. Of course, we did all of this while working to deliver a successful Corn Roast Festival, Valentine’s Re-mailing Program and keeping regular Chamber programs intact.

Speaking of the Chamber’s Valentine’s Program, this is just one of many things that the Loveland Chamber is looking forward to growing this year and in the years to come. The traditional Valentine Press Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, January 13 will kick-off the 2010 Valentine’s program. At this time, we will unveil Loveland’s Official Valentine for 2010 as well as a brand new line of merchandise for the Loveland Visitors Center that will surely capture the heart of Loveland visitors and residents alike!

Excitement for the New Year will continue on Friday, January 22, at the McKee Conference and Wellness Center where the Chamber will host its Annual Investors Meeting. Instead of playing off America’s top reality hit “The Biggest Loser” – because losing is never fun when it comes to business – we want to honor the businesses that have not only sustained business in the economic downturn, but have thrived. This year, we are planning our Annual Investor’s Meeting around the theme “Survivor” and will honor our outstanding investors, Board and committee members, in addition to providing outstanding opportunities to network while competing in riveting “Survivor” challenges. We have added a silent auction and a card bidding game for investors to showcase and purchase some great packages while supporting the Chamber’s growth.

When losing weight, some find it inspiring to post a picture of themselves in their not-so-greatest moments as either a deterrent or a motivational tool. Since our goal here at the Chamber is to gain added value and services, we’re looking back at our past programs as inspiration to grow even more!

As we move along in 2010, the Loveland Chamber will start by re-launching a monthly Business Before Hours in March. We’ve heard from many how much value our Business After Hours presents; however, some are not always available for evening events. Your feedback also told us how valuable it is to make connections for your business, especially when those connections provide leads for new business. That is why the Chamber will be introducing a speed-networking event we are fittingly calling “Quick Net Leads.” This exciting new event will also begin in March.

Of course, these are just a few examples of the many new things the Loveland Chamber will be implementing in 2010. As the year progresses, we will be expanding and growing with our committees, events and programs. We’ll also continue raising our level of participation in local policy issues impacting business while monitoring the policies we have already had a positive influence on.

So, come on, join us in our resolution this New Year to plump up your business! Join and/or renew your commitment to the Loveland Chamber to gain added contacts and skills that will help you have a successful business for life!

Happy New Year,
Brian