Reserve Your Table Now for the InnovateAlbuquerque Awards Breakfast
The winners have been chosen, the curtain is about to rise, and seats are filling fast for the first annual InnovateAlbuquerque Awards Breakfast.
On Monday, April 11, twelve winners will be announced who demonstrate entrepreneurial values and commitment to innovation. The keynote speaker is Garrey Carruthers, former Governor of New Mexico and current Dean of NMSU College of Business Administration.
Ten business-owners will receive the InnovateAlbuquerque Award, one will receive the Home-Based Business award, and one will receive the prestigious Maxie Anderson Award.
The Maxie Anderson Award is given out to a business owner who has demonstrated excellence in business success; reputation; community involvement and leadership; and humanity and humor.
The Home-Based Business Award is given to a business owner who has pioneered and championed their trade through working in their home environment.
Don't miss this opportunity to witness the best of Albuquerque's evolving entrepreneurial community. The event will be held at the Marriott Uptown from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. Make your reservations today by calling 764-3743.
Special thanks to the following sponsors for this event:
Senator Domenici: Nation Needs Energy Blueprint
Senator Convinced U.S. Energy Future Lies in Nuclear Power
Long-time U.S. Senator Pete Domenici focused on the nation’s energy future speaking to a packed ballroom of more than 300 business people at the University of New Mexico’s Student Union last Thursday.
After a brief sortie scolding Democrats for not accepting private investment accounts as a way to mend America's ailing social security system, Domenici turned toward the nation’s energy future.
According to Domenici, the U.S. consumes more than 20 million barrels of oil per day, 58% of which is imported. By comparison, China consumes just 2.4 million barrels per day; but Asian nations, with their rapidly expanding economies, are projected to consume a much greater share of the world's oil supply by the year 2025. (more)
"Albuquerque Reads" Program Produces Dramatic Results
In August of 2004 at Bel Air Elementary school, 98% of students were reading below grade level. Five months later, 92% were reading at grade level and 2% were actually reading above grade level. Similar successes occurred at Atrisco and Wherry elementary schools. What made the difference?
An all-volunteer program called “Albuquerque Reads,” created through a partnership between the Albuquerque Public Schools System and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
The program began in 2003 and was designed to provide additional support and guidance to kindergarteners who are in their first phase of literary acquisition.
Children enter kindergarten at varying levels of written and oral language skills as well as with varying experiences and learning styles. Studies have found that early intervention can be very successful in preventing reading difficulties in young children. (more)
Albuquerque 7th "Hottest" City for Business
Expansion Magazine recently rated Albuquerque the 7th Hottest city for business in the nation. This is the 7th year the magazine has published its list of America's 50 Hottest Cities.
Expansion Management surveyed more than 80 of the industry’s most prominent site location consultants in order to find out which cities their clients find most attractive when it comes to actually selecting an expansion or relocation sites.
Many expansions in America’s Hottest Cities during the past year were in the high-tech and life sciences sectors. (more)
Akal Security Fourth Largest Contract Security Company
There's nothing ordinary about the founders of Akal Security. They wear turbans and beards--and their company is the fourth largest contract security company in the U.S. with 15,000 employees and half-a-billion dollars in revenue.
How do they do it? "We provide exceptional service and we love what we do," explains Gurutej Khalsa, who along with his brother Daya and three associates founded Akal in 1980 in their living room in Espanola.
Akal was listed on Inc. magazine’s 500 fastest-growing companies in the United States for two consecutive years. Today the company is the fourth largest contract security company in the U.S., and the largest judicial security contractor.
Gurutej and his brother follow the Sikh religion, which was founded in the Punjab area of what is now Pakistan by Guru Nanak. It is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs believe that humans relate to God through meditation. They believe the human soul is in essence divine, and inherently good.
"It was definitely a problem in the beginning," said the clear-spoken Gurutej Khalsa. "We had some prejudices to overcome. But once our clients saw our commitment and honesty, the company grew exponentially."
Find out more at www.akalsecurity.com.
The Search is on for 2005-2006 Youth Leadership Applicants
Do you know a current high school sophomore who has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5?
If so, they are eligible to apply for the GACCs youth Leadership Program.
"Always reach for your dreams. That's my favorite quote. Youth Leadership has helped me reach for my dreams and it has been an AWESOME experience!"--Lina Brinker
All applications must be submitted to the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce no later than 5:00 p.m., April 30.
Please visit our website to download an application. Download Application.
School Kids Exchange Letters With Crew of USS Albuquerque
Imagine being nine years old and writing a letter to a real sailor stationed on a nuclear submarine--and receiving a letter back.
That's the experience of a dozen students of Albuquerque Grade School, guided by their principal Blair Blank, who have embarked on a pen-pal program with the crew of the USS Abuquerque.
Save The Date:
Upcoming Chamber Event to Honor Heather Wilson
What: General Membership Luncheon featuring the Honorable Congresswoman Heather Wilson
Where: Sheraton Oldtown
When: May 31, 11:30 a.m.
May 2 Sports Luncheon Promises to Be a Grand Slam
Are you constantly wishing to improve your golf handicap? Have you dreamed of stepping up to the plate at Isotopes Park or slamming a slapshot past a goalie at Tingley?
If you're feeling you've been to a few too many business lunches this year, catch a bit of Spring Fever and join the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate our city's great sports teams and businesses at a luncheon at the Sheraton Oldtown on Monday, May 2.
Featured speakers will be announced in the near future.
Join us as we celebrate the business side of sports. To reserve your table, please contact Hilary Real at 764-3700.
Chamber Honors Our Men and Women in Uniform
On Saturday, May 14, the Chamber will hold its annual Armed Forces Banquet at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. This is an event not to miss!
Click on the image below to view a Flash movie of the event and to reserve your table. Please be patient, as it may take a few seconds to load.
Coming June 9:
Kudos for Kirtland
Join the men and women from Kirtland AFB for an evening of food and fun at Isotopes Park.
Chairman's Message
Hindsight is a great gift. I wish I could claim it more often. I’m happy to be able to report that I was right when I predicted in last month’s column that with your support this could be a great year for the business community at the legislature.
In fact, there were a lot of winners; business, especially small business, families, taxpayers and our children to name a few.
The Chamber’s Small Business Regulatory Relief Act passed as did a small business tax pyramiding reduction bill. Tax credits for aviation service and repair industries, an R&D small business tax credit, business incubator development and permanent extension of the rural jobs tax credit are on there way to the Governor as are a back-to-school tax holiday, a $2500 income tax exemption for low-and middle-income families, a tax break for single parents filing as head of household and a low-income housing tax credit. (more)
Business a Winner in Santa Fe Legislative Session
Click here to view a report card for the final results of Chamber-supported bills
If you're a small business owner and you followed the legislative session in Santa Fe that ended March 19, you're probably beaming by now.
The 47th legislative session scored big for business.The highlights of the session included passing the Chamber-authored small business regulatory relief bill, a tax pyramiding bill to help small business, healthcare benefits legislation to help small business employers, unemployment insurance legislation to hold down costs, workforce reorganization, Pre-K and higher education bills and general tax cuts.
We at the Chamber are particularly proud of the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act, sponsored by Speaker of the House Ben Lujan.
The bill creates a Small Business Regulatory Advisory Commission to review agency-proposed rules that may have an adverse impact on small businesses. (more)
Free Tom Hopkins Sales Training Seminars for Members
Could you improve your sales?
Then you should make plans to attend one of the two identical Tom Hopkins sales workshops. Join us on either Wednesday, April 6, 2005 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am or on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 from 11:00 am – 12:00 Noon at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Willard Board Room at 115 Gold St. N.W.
In these 45-minute interactive training sessions, you will be presented with strategies and proven techniques – you can expect results that your sales team will be able to utilize immediately.
The philosophies that will be presented will be beneficial in assisting you now and in the future by going back to basics. The sessions are FREE to members.
The s eminar is limited to 50 people per session due to space limitations, so make your reservations today by calling Andrea Nash at (505) 764-3725 or via email at anash@abqchamber.com.
2005 Leadership Conference
If you are searching for an opportunity to enhance the skills needed to advance your career or need a place to network with individuals who will help polish both your personal and professional skills, then allow Leadership Albuquerque to extend an invitation to you to do just that!
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership program is pleased to announce that the 2005 Leadership Conference event will be held on May 10 at the Marriott Uptown Hotel.
Take a half-day to recharge your battery through short, professional development sessions and lunch, while you reconnect with old friends and make new acquaintances.
Please visit our website at (www._________) to download the program and registration form.
Quality Continuum Hospice celebrates its 6th anniversary 
Quality Continuum has been providing hospice care to the Albuquerque community and surrounding areas for more than 6 years.
Their professional staff includes a doctor, nurses, housekeepers, chaplains, a dietician, social workers, and an inhalation therapist, all working hard to help serve the needs of terminally ill patients, both in their homes and in facilities
Staff members drive thousands of miles each week visiting patients and meeting needs.
Most employees would tell you this is their dream job. They love what they do and every client is unique and special.
The hospice staff helps with loving hands to bathe patients, clean their living areas, feed them, change dressings, prescribe medications, counsel when needed, and offer a helping hand and a prayer when desired.
(more)
Terri's Blog Placeholder
Innovation has always been the way we have solved the great challenges facing our nation.
I recently attended Sandia National laboratories “2005 State of the Labs" address. The theme for the evening was “From Nanotechnology to the Stars." The address featured a wide range of Sandia’s work designed to help keep our nation secure and technologically superior.
Paul Robinson, Laboratories Director and Joan Woodard, Deputy Director, began their address in the tiny world of nanotechnology--where new materials designed molecule by molecule can benefit humanity in ways we only dream about today.
These technologies can then be expanded to defense, energy, and finally interplanetary space, where Sandia’s contributions on space-hardened microchips help ensure the success of NASA missions. (more)
KUDOS ...
On behalf of all our members, we at the Chamber want to express our appreciation to each of the state’s 112 legislators and to their families for the sacrifices they make in order for New Mexico to have a “citizen” legislature.
Legislative hours are extremely long, the pay is non-existent and any appreciation is rarely forthcoming. Yet these committed men and women continue to work hard for all of us, make themselves available whenever asked to do so and always hang in there even when the “going” gets tough.
While we may not always agree with each of these individuals, we value them and the important service they perform not only for their constituents, but for the State as a whole. Please join us in saying thank you for a job well done!
U.S. Chamber Honors Senator Jeff Bingaman with “Spirit of Enterprise” Award
Bingaman Backed Business on Key Congressional Votes
The United States Chamber of Commerce presented Sen. Jeff Bingaman ( D) with its “Spirit of Enterprise” award for his strong support for a pro-economic growth legislative agenda in the second session of the 108 th Congress.
“It is critical to have members of Congress fighting for American business and their employees at this time of economic expansion and opportunity,” said Thomas J. Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. “ Jeff Bingaman is a leader who has voted time and again to create jobs, improve our domestic security, and promote economic expansion.”
The Chamber awards the “Spirit of Enterprise” based on rankings it gives members of Congress for key business votes explained in its annual publication, How They Voted. Sen. Bingaman earned a 71 percent score with the Chamber last year and has compiled a 42 percent cumulative ranking during his tenure in Congress. (more)
Leadership Albuquerque Accepting Applications
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Leadership Albuquerque program is now accepting applications for the 2005-2006 program year.
Leadership Albuquerque is a ten-month professional development program which assists our business community to expand its employee’s personal and professional horizons. It helps them hone valuable leadership skills, gain new perspectives on community issues and discover unique volunteer opportunities.(more)
Quote of the Month
"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.”
--Victor Kiam, President and CEO of Remington Products
Born: December 7, 1926
Died: May 27, 2001
Most famous saying: "I liked the company so much I bought it."
Tricentennial Committee Kicks Off Albuquerque’s Birthday with Three Hundred Candles Fund-Raiser
Candles are being lit for the biggest celebration ever held in the city of Albuquerque.
From April 2005-October 2006, the city will be celebrating its Tricentennial-- Albuquerque’s 300th birthday. Hundreds of volunteers have spent the last two years planning activities for this event.
Your business can be part of this celebration by purchasing a specially designed commemorative candle bearing the name of your company. Your contribution will make it possible to promote Albuquerque as the major destination in the nation during the celebration, and entitles you to be a sponsor of the event. (more)