The Wow! Feel” - See it on Your Customer’s Face Day After Day

Thursday May 14, 2009  • 6 - 9 p.m. • Dinner Included

In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, effectively managing the customer relationship and experience is essential to both short-term success and long-term growth.  Here you will learn how to:

• Define your customer’s overall experience
• Build superior loyalty by obsessing over every step of the customer experience
• Turn customers into advocates
• Create a real-time experience to drive competitive advantage
• Create a culture of service excellence
• Inspire great performances from your service workforce
• Get your customers to say “WOW!”

Fort Thomas Community Center
100 Cochran Street
Ft. Thomas, KY  41075

Cost: $15 for Newport Business Association Members, others $20.

To register send check payable to Renaissance Covington at:

Renaissance Covington
638 Madison Ave
Covington, KY  41011

Sponsored in part by a donation from the Newport Business Association

Meeting Notice!

Who: Newport Business Association Members

What: April Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Time: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Where: Newport City Building

Multi-Purpose Room

998 Monmouth Street

Newport, KY 41071

Topic: Healthy Employees = Healthy Business
Wellness Panel of Experts

Wellness tips, strategies for physical, environmental, emotional and financial fitness

Featured Panel of Wellness Experts:
Amber DePrez - Dutchgirl Enterprises
Kevin G. Gilles - 25th Hour Associates
Dan Guidugli - Monavie
Jamie Hoffpauir - Fusion Studio
Patricia LaRosa - Studio P Pilates
Heather Rahn - be! innovative wellness solutions
Larry T. Weber - KeyBank

-Panelists will share their top strategies for being productive with your health
-Identify ways to cut employer health care costs
-Learn about local resources for keeping their employees healthy and productive
-Ask the panelists specific questions about their area of expertise
-Receive information, samples and coupons

Who:              Newport Business Association Members

What:             March Monthly Meeting

When:            Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Time:             7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Where:           Newport City Building
Fire Department Conference Room*
998 Monmouth Street
Newport, KY  41071

Topic:                        “Adopt A Class”
Bill Burwinkel

*Please note the room change for this meeting.  The Fire Department Conference Room is located on the lower level of the City Building.  There will be people available to help direct you to the room.
**During the March Board Meeting, the Board discussed the idea of sending out a survey to all of the businesses in Newport.  All NBA members are invited to attend the survey discussion on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, from 8 – 10 a.m.  The discussion will be held in our regular meeting room (Multi-Purpose Room at the City Building).  Please come prepared to discuss possible questions you would like to see on the survey.  If you are unable to attend the discussion, but would like for your questions to be considered, please email your questions to Larry Weber at larry_weber@keybank.com by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31st.

Present: Mark Yelton, Emily Jones, Marvin Polinsky, Ryan Wyrick, Bev Holiday, Larry Weber, David Stevens, Gary Mitchell and Bob Klein

I. Meeting Called to Order
Mark Yelton called the December 3, 2008, NBA Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.

II. Approval of September 3, 2008, Meeting Minutes
A motion was made and seconded to approve the September 3, 2008, NBA Board of Directors meeting minutes. (Polinsky, Weber) Unanimously approved.

III. Treasurer’s Report
Jaimie was absent, so there was no Treasurer’s report.

IV. Committee Reports
As Mark recalls, the Event Committee consists of Bev Holiday, Barbara Bonney, and Bob Yoder. Bev asked Ryan if the Carnegie Event Center has been reserved for Wednesday, February 18th. Ryan will check on booking the space. Bev said Nancy James from ICN6 has the date marked on her calendar.

Mark said the Awards Committee will consist of the Executive Committee. Bev said she asked Agape Design about getting awards again this year for the Annual Awards. Mark suggested we send out a survey again for nominations.

V. Nominations for Board Membership
Ryan started talking to current board members to see if they were still interested in serving on the board again. Everyone has agreed to serve except Gary Mitchell and David Stevens. Officers have been approached - Larry Weber, President; Heather Rahn, Vice President; Emily Jones, Secretary; Michael Bach, Treasurer. Bev suggested Ryan ask Brad Bach if Michael wasn’t interested. A motion was made and seconded to approve the nominations for the board and officers, which will include Mark Yelton, Barbara Bonney, Jennifer Pugh, Bev Holiday, Larry Weber, Bob Klein, Marvin Polinsky, Emily Jones, Jaimie Niemczura, Heather Rahn, Michael Bach, Ryan Wyrick and Rodger Roeser. (Polinsky, Klein) Unanimously approved.

VI. Adopt-A-Family
Mark stated the Executive Committee has asked to adopt a family from the Brighton Center for the holidays. A motion was made and seconded to approve the adoption. (Weber, Klein) Unanimously approved. Emily provided information about the family. Jennifer Pugh said they are doing their holiday drive a bit different this year. They are using families already in the program. Emily has volunteered to get the gifts for the family. Larry has volunteered to get the food for the family.

VII. Other Business
Marvin thinks our finances shouldn’t drop below a certain level. Marvin thinks the new board should think about a threshold for the new year.

Mark thinks we need to have fundraising activities so we have a pool of money and we can contribute to different things.

Mark thanked everyone for all of their help this year. He is very pleased on the turnout, and he appreciates the board’s support.

Larry asked if we have a strategic plan or a vision for the future.

Bob Klein said there are already a lot of festivals and events planned by the City of Newport, and we need to start taking advantage of those fundraising opportunities.

Jennifer said if we have the events planned out, we won’t overwhelm people with asking them to help out - know the events in advance.

Ryan suggested having a board strategy session after the first of the year. Bev asked Ryan to bring a calendar of events the City has planned to the meeting.

Larry asked about revisiting the survey idea to get feedback from businesses. We talked about different ways of distributing the survey - those who have email vs. those who don’t have email. Bob asked about including the survey link in the Go2Newport e-newsletter. Ryan has mailing information for businesses but not email addresses for all businesses. Jennifer suggested doing an incentive with the survey - giving away gift certificates to those completing the survey.

Bev updated us on the next membership meeting. Michael Bach will be the guest speaker for January and will be talking about taxes. The March membership meeting will be about the Adopt-A-School program. Bev doesn’t remember the contact name.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. (Stevens, Polinsky)

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Jones
Secretary

Present: Mark Yelton, Emily Owsley, Jaimie Niemczura, Marvin Polinksy, Ryan Wyrick, Bev Holiday, Jennifer Pugh, Larry Weber and Bob Klein

I. Meeting Called to Order
Mark Yelton called the September 3, 2008, NBA Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

II. Approval of June 4, 2008, Meeting Minutes
A motion was made and seconded to approve the June 4, 2008, NBA Board of Directors meeting minutes. (Wyrick, Klein) Unanimously approved.

III. Treasurer’s Report
Jaimie distributed and reviewed the Treasurer’s report. Jaimie provided revisions for the June 4, 2008, report. Bob Klein asked about reporting information from 2000 and if it was necessary to report the information every meeting. Mark said it’s something to look at for next year. Jaimie forgot to print the last page of the report - page that lists the members and payments coming in for the entire year. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s report. (Klein, Polinsky) Unanimously approved.

Iv. Committee Reports
The Membership Committee (Ryan, Larry, Mark, Bob Klein, Bob Yoder, Marissa) talked about giving gift certificates to new members to help increase membership. IF a member pays the $50 membership fee, they receive a $25 gift certificate to a business of their choice. The member has to come to a membership meeting to receive their gift certificate. There was discussion about how many Newport businesses are members vs. total number of businesses in Newport. Mark and Ryan guessed it is somewhere between 8% and 10%. Bev asked how many businesses are members. Emily said she would have to look at the membership list. Ryan asked each committee member to call and invite at least five people to a membership meeting. Jennifer suggested sending out a survey to all businesses in Newport. Emily suggested using a free internet service, SurveyMonkey. Ryan volunteered to help with the survey.

Ryan brought up the email in regards to a business association in Newport, England wanting to partner with our business association as a sister organization. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Newport, England business association as a sister organization. (wyrick, Polinsky) Unanimously approved.

V. Nominations for Board Membership
Mark brought up a discussion on whether or not we should count officers as board members and the remaining will be the board members. Mark said past presidents should have an honorary board membership, as long as they meet membership requirements. Jennifer is going to check the bylaws for the Brighton Center. Jennifer said the past president remains on the board for one year to make sure there is continuity. Mark has asked for nominations for the board. Both Rodger Roeser and Scott Ledyard have approached Ryan and want to serve on the board.

VI. Officer Candidate Update
Ryan is head of the Nomination Committee. He has asked for people to let him know if you have recommendations for officer positions. Heather Rahn has agreed to serve as Vice President. Emily has agreed to serve another year as Secretary.

VII. Ride the Ducks
Emily provided an update on the Ride the Ducks tour. The date of the event will be Wednesday, September 24 from 7 - 9 a.m. Breakfast will be provided before the tour in the Levee Community Center. We will be inviting the Ft. Thomas Business Association members again. The cost of the tour is $12 per person, but the NBA is covering the cost of the tour and the breakfast.

VIII. Year End Annual Awards Event
Bev thinks we should keep the event in February, but not the last Wednesday in February, since it is Ash Wednesday. Bev and Mark talked, and they think we need to bring Nancy James back from ICN6. Ryan will look into getting the Carnegie Events Center for free.

IX. Other Business
Larry Weber talked about the After Hours business event on September 16, from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at JerZee’s. An invitation will go out to all Newport Business Association, Ft. Thomas Business Assocation and Northern Kentucky Small Business owners. Larry will put the invitation together, and Emily will send it out to all NBA members.

Larry also said on October 16, the Northern Kentucky Small Business Owners group is having an Open House at the Boone County Extension Office in Burlington, Kentucky. He said this is a great networking opportunity. Larry asked if the NBA would want to send a representative to talk about what we do.

We received a thank you note for supporting the Newport Downtown Car Show from the City of Newport.

We talked about participating in the Brighton Center’s Adopt-A-Family program during the holidays. Jennifer said the number of families needing help has gone up from last year. This year they will be focusing on families they currently serve.

Ryan reported that Tom Fromme is back to work. Tom is excited to be back. Ryan asked NBA members to send him an email to show our support and let him know we are glad he is back to work.

Marvin thinks the parking situation will get worse when the county opens the building at the south end of Monmouth Street. We have to deal with the topic of some areas wanting parking meters and some areas not wanting parking meters. The letter still needs to be written to the City.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. (Klein, Polinsky)

Meeting adjourned at 8:43 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Jones
Secretary

Meeting Notice!

Who: Newport Business Association Members

What: March Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Time: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Where: Newport City Building

Fire Department Conference Room*

998 Monmouth Street

Newport, KY 41071

Topic: “Adopt A Class”

Bill Burwinkel

*Please note the room change for this meeting. The Fire Department Conference Room is located on the lower level of the City Building. There will be people available to help direct you to the room.
**During the March Board Meeting, the Board discussed the idea of sending out a survey to all of the businesses in Newport. All NBA members are invited to attend the survey discussion on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, from 8 – 10 a.m. The discussion will be held in our regular meeting room (Multi-Purpose Room at the City Building). Please come prepared to discuss possible questions you would like to see on the survey. If you are unable to attend the discussion, but would like for your questions to be considered, please email your questions to Larry Weber at larry_weber@keybank.com by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31^st.

Present: Mark Yelton, Barbara Bonney, Emily Owsley, Jaimie Niemczura, Marvin Polinsky, David Stevens, Ryan Wyrick, Bev Holiday, Jennifer Pugh, Gary Mitchell, Larry Weber, Mayor Tom Guidugli and Heather Rahn

I. Meeting Called to Order
Mark Yelton called the June 4, 2008 NBA Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

II. Approval of March 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes
A motion was made and seconded to approve the March 5, 2008 NBA Board of Directors meeting minutes. (Polinsky, Weber) Unanimously approved.

III. Treasurer’s Report
Jaimie distributed and reviewed the Treasurer’s report. Jaimie explained there might be a discrepancy in quarterly balance vs. monthly balance. The balance was questioned and will be explored. A suggestion was made to set a minimum balance for the checking account. There was some discussion and it was tabled for the next board meeting. Revisions will be sent for the Treasurer’s report. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report. (Holiday, Stevens) Unanimously approved.

IV. Other
Heather Rahn talked about the Amazing Chase. Heather needs commitments from businesses and teams. The information about the event will go on websites, and Heather will promote it on ICN6. Heather needs help with last minute items. Board members should network and/or call other businesses for support. Mayor Guidugli encouraged the support of businesses.

Volunteers are needed to work the City of Newport’s booth at Italianfest to help promote the Amazing Chase.

Mark talked about the Pool Fund Account. A motion was made and seconded to have a separate account created at The Bank of Kentucky for those who wanted to make a donation specifically for the Pool Fund and not for the Amazing Chase event. We will now have two accounts: one account will be at The Bank of Kentucky for the Pool Fund and the other account will remain at Citizen’s Bank as the general account. (Polinsky, Holiday) Unanimously approved.

Mark talked about attendance for the board meetings. The Bylaws state that if a board member doesn’t attend two consecutive board meetings, they can be released from their duties and someone else will fill their position. Mark said we have 3 options: 1. Notify members they do not meet requirements and are off the board, 2. Ignore Bylaws or 3. Let it ride until the end of the year and don’t re-elect board members. A motion was made and seconded to abide by the Bylaws. (Holiday, Owsley) Approved. A motion was made and seconded to write a letter to absent board members. (Polinsky, Bonney) Unanimously approved.

The board discussed the idea of having another boat ride in September for all Newport and Ft. Thomas Business Association members. The Events Committee was not present at the board meeting to discuss the idea.

Marvin presented information on behalf of the Parking Committee. The largest need for parking on Monmouth Street is between 7th and 11th Streets. Marvin discussed ways to fund: raise taxes on businesses, grant, TIF (only feasible). TIF has to be approved by City Commission; fund would take time but better than nothing. Need support from businesses to start exploring this option as well as others in the central business district. A motion was made and seconded to send a letter to the City Commission expressing our support (Polinsky, Holiday) Unanimously approved.

Bev needs a program for the June membership meeting.

No motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:46 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Owsley
Secretary

Present:  Mark Yelton, Barbara Bonney, Emily Owsley, Jaimie Niemczura, Diane Gearding, Marvin Polinksy, Nancy Snodgrass, David Stevens, Ryan Wyrick, Bev Holiday, Bob Klein, Jennifer Pugh and Larry Weber

I.  Meeting Called to Order
Mark Yelton called the March 5, 2008 NBA Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to order at 7:38 a.m.

II.  Approval of December 5, 2007 Meeting Minutes
No minutes available.   A motion was made and seconded to approve the December 5, 2007 NBA Board of Directors meeting minutes.  (Yelton, Stevens) Unanimously approved.

III.  Treasurer’s Report
Jaimie distributed and reviewed the Treasurer’s report.  The total cost for the annual awards event in February was $1,100 (awards $250, speaker $200 and catering $650).  A motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  (Gearding, Polinsky) Unanimously approved.  A motion was made and seconded to make a $25 donation to the Hosea House to cover the cost of the linens.  (Snodgrass, Polinsky) Unanimously approved.

IV.  Other
The response for the annual awards event was terrific!  Bev said the providers of the awards enjoyed seeing their own awards presented.

The Board discussed having quarterly board meetings opposed to monthly board meetings.  Mark said too many meetings leads to less participation; quarterly board meetings accommodate busy schedules.  Also, committees work and/or meet as needed.  The consensus is to have quarterly board meetings.

Mark discussed having the board meetings and membership meetings at the City Building instead of the Brighton Center, since the Brighton Center does not open early.  Also, the City Building is easier to find.  The consensus is to have all meetings at the City Building.

Bev does not have a program planned yet for March.  She suggested possibly Captain Howard Niemeier of the Newport Police Department speaking about the Neighborhood and Business Watch Program.

Mark suggested the NBA participate in the Memorial Day Parade to show a presence in the community.  Ryan will find out about the application process and fill it out with Mark.  Emily will send out a notice to NBA members for participation.

The Renaissance Committee will meet at the Pepper Pod on Thursday, March 13th at 6:30 p.m.

The Cruisin’ on Monmouth is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th at the Newport Shopping Center with live music.

The NBA received a thank you note from the Brighton Center for participating in the Christmas Adopt-A-Family program.

Larry Atwell, a former fire chief, passed away.  Ryan will send condolences to the family on behalf of the NBA.

Bob mentioned the Holy Trinity Walk-A-Thon and Raffle.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting (Owsley, Wyrick) Unanimously approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Owsley
Secretary

Bev and Peggy from Kentucky Haus Artisan Galley make some Goetta at the July NBA Meeting, in honor of GoettaFest this weekend!