Ed Sharpe of Glendale Daily Planet
 Named  One of the Glendale
 Chamber of Commerce

"KEYS TO GLENDALE'S SUCCESS"

In the Category of:

"COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT"

Friday evening, September 26,  the Chamber of Commerce held their  15th Annual Auction at the Glendale Renaissance Hotel.  This event  has become the Chamber’s biggest annual fund raising endeavor.  

This evening was also to serve as the inaugural evening of a new business awards program at the  Glendale Chamber of Commerce   entitled  “Keys to Glendale’s Success”.

This awards event  honored three Glendale businesses for their innovative and enterprising approaches in contributing to the success of our business community.

Nominated by their business peers, the Chamber canvassed our membership earlier this summer, searching for candidates that were worthy of recognition in the following categories :

- Category 1) Response to Adversity – someone who had overcome significant challenges within their business.
The award for this category wet to  Karen Watts  President of Advantage Urgent Care. Advantage Urgent Care provides a service to Glendale residents when they are in the greatest need and the most vulnerable. 

- Category 2) Going “Green” – an environmentally conscious businessperson who believes in, promotes, invests in and practices “green” policies. The award went to Julia Wright, owner of Wright Choice Promotions for her tireless a tireless promotion of environmentally sound business practices. 

and

- Category 3) Community Involvement – a business who is constantly getting involved in promoting  Glendale and the area business community.

Ed Sharpe of CouryGraph Productions and Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT- IPTV was selected as the winner in category 3, Community Involvement, June Nelson, Chamber President, stated  in her speech at the awards event: 

"Ed spends countless hours documenting news and events in Glendale, and without compensation.  The “Daily Planet” provides an online news website with text, still photos, archived and live streaming video of Glendale events.

Ed shares this information freely with the Glendale Star  // Glendale Chamber of Commerce “Pulse” newspapers, // the Panorama Hills Monthly, //  Banner Health’s employee newspaper // and other media outlets.

Ed can be found covering almost every Glendale public event and helps our community shine in the areas of economic development, diversity, sports, special events, citizen and government involvement.

He and the Daily Planet have won a number of electronic media awards, but has not really been recognized locally for his time and efforts in tirelessly promoting Glendale.  Tonight it’s your turn… Ed Sharpe!  Congratulations!"

Sharpe, an Online Media and IPTV Pioneer, commented:

 "I am proud to accept this award!  I record what exists around me and package and distribute it." He added "There is credit due though to those around me for the richness of  the content which can be attributed to the interesting people and activities in our city. As Glendale grows we get more people from all over moving here with new businesses, activities and festivals. Pan you camera (or your eyes) around ... it's a fascinating section of the world here!"

He continued" I would also like to take this time to thank all of those out there in the  publishing/media world and those in the government and private sector that have offered me words of encouragement and guidance... I owe much to them and they should not be forgotten. It was you belief in what I was doing that made this a 'reality' ."

Ed Sharpe Category 3) Community Involvement winner and  Don Rinehart Chamber President 
 look on as Chairperson June Nelson tells the audience about Ed and Glendale Daily Planet
Photo by Bette Sharpe

Ed Sharpe of Glendale Daily Planet and  Mayor Elaine Scruggs of Glendale Arizona 
show off Ed's New Key he was awarded at the Chamber of Commerce "Keys to Success" 
Awards ceremony September 26 at the Renaissance Hotel. Mayor Scruggs is a big supporter 
of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and  their many programs. Photo by Bette Sharpe

Extreme Key Close-up

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! 

I would like to welcome you and thank you for supporting this event tonight. 

As most of you know, this is the Chamber’s 15th Annual Auction and it has become the Chamber’s biggest annual fund raising endeavor. 

As you can see, we have a fantastic array of auction items, and we hope each and every one of you will find something you just can't live without and that you will absolutely HAVE to bid on!!!!

A new component to this event is the “Keys to Glendale’s Success” theme.

And tonight we are honoring three Glendale businesses for their innovative and enterprising approaches in contributing to the success of our business community.

Nominated by their business peers, the Chamber canvassed our membership earlier this summer, searching for candidates that were worthy of recognition in the following categories :

category 1) Response to Adversity – someone who had overcome significant challenges within their business.

category 2) Going “Green” – an environmentally conscious businessperson who believes in, promotes, invests in and practices “green” policies.

and

category 3) Community Involvement – a business who is constantly getting involved in promoting Glendale and the area business community.

Our “Keys to Glendale’s Success” 2008  winner for “response to adversity” is

– Karen Watts  President of Advantage Urgent Care 

This company has seen a number of serious setbacks in management over the past several years that might have put other businesses under.  Karen has had to make life changing decisions to save the company and has done it successfully, with style and grace.  She has shown courage that inspires other to achieve more than they thought possible.

Advantage Urgent Care provides a service to Glendale residents when they are in the greatest need and the most vulnerable.  Karen and her staff provide care that relieves the anxiety and treat the afflictions for people who are so sick or injured that they cannot wait for treatment.  Congratulations to Karen Watts!!!!!
Our “Keys to Glendale’s Success” 2008  winner for

“Going Green”  is Julia Wright, owner of Wright Choice Promotions

Julia has always been concerned about the environment, but until recently, there were not many manufacturers producing eco-friendly promotional items that she could market through her business.  In 2007, Wright Choice launched a comprehensive collection of eco-friendly promotional products including clothing, drinkware, bags, alternative power, automotive, key tags, office products, kids items, household items, and printed products.

Julia is a tireless promoter of environmentally sound business practices and is currently working with area chambers of commerce and other organizations to develop eco-friendly business networks in the Valley.

Wright Choice Promotions knows that everyone would like to save the earth, but not everyone can afford organic cotton.  And, as much as we would like to run our home on solar panels and leave no footprints on the earth, it is not yet practical… but we can reduce, reuse and recycle.  Congratulations to Julia Wright!
Our “Keys to Glendale’s Success” 2008  winner for

“Community Involvement”  is  Ed Sharpe,  from Glendale Daily Planet.

Ed spends countless hours documenting news and events in Glendale, and without compensation.  The “Daily Planet” provides an online news website with text, still photos, archived and live streaming video of Glendale events.

Ed shares this information freely with the Glendale Star  // Glendale Chamber of Commerce “Pulse” newspapers, // the Panorama Hills Monthly, //  Banner Health’s employee newspaper // and other media outlets.

Ed can be found covering almost every Glendale public event and helps our community shine in the areas of economic development, diversity, sports, special events, citizen and government involvement.

He and the Daily Planet have won a number of electronic media awards, but has not really been recognized locally for his time and efforts in tirelessly promoting Glendale.  Tonight it’s your turn… Ed Sharpe!  Congratulations!

Congratulations to Julia, Karen and Ed for being our inaugural “Keys to Glendale’s Success” Award Winners!

Now, I would like to take a few moments to recognize a number of individuals in our audience who have held the position of Chairman of the Board of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. 

Each one of you  have certainly been “Keys to Glendale’s Success” during your business careers, tonight we honor you as well for your dedication and service to the success of our business community.  Please stand as I call your name and remain standing until all have been recognized.  And, audience please hold your applause until all are standing.

Deborah Campbell – Fast Signs on Bell – 2007
Bill Toops – The Glendale Star/Pueblo Publishers – 2006
Yvonne Knaack – State Farm Insurance – 2004
Bill Nelson – Kickapoo Computers – 2002
Steve Hopkins – Wells Fargo Bank – 2001
Gail Meyers – Credit Union West – 2000
Mary Pritchard – Pritchard Insurance – 1995
Bill Kelleher – Chapel of the Chimes – 1993
Darlene Toops – Pueblo Publishers – 1990 – 1991
William Toops – Pueblo Publishers – 1983
Phil Lieberman – City Suzuki – 1978

And our most senior Chairman ……
Tom Eggleston – Eggleston’s – 1967

I thank each and everyone of you for being our “Keys to Glendale’s Success” and thank you once again to our sponsors and to you the audience, for your support of this event… and now I will turn the program over to our Emcee for the evening Harry Shapiro, to introduce our auctioneer and get the party started!!!!!!!!!!
 

 2008 Chamber Auction Gala

Building on the success of our 2007 event, the Renaissance Hotel at Westgate will host the Chamber’s 15th Annual Auction Gala on September 26.  In addition to our traditional silent and live auctions, this year’s theme is the “Keys to Glendale’s Success” and will again recognize former Glendale Chamber Chairmen of the Board. The Chamber will also present three awards to Chamber member businesses who have : a) overcome significant adversity to become successful, b) demonstrated environmental consciousness by implementing “green” business practices, and c) demonstrated outstanding community involvement.

This year’s event will also feature a different twist in that attendees will be treated to a buffet dinner, instead of the traditional hors d’oeurves.  Tens of thousands of dollars worth of items will go on the auction block to raise need dollars for Chamber programs, events and building improvements.  Monies raised from our 2007 event were used to upgrade the building heating and air conditioning units as well as interior office and lobby improvements.

Auction items will ranges from specialty gift baskets, to sporting and event tickets, Jobing.com and University of Phoenix Stadium packages, vacation vouchers, Las Vegas and Laughlin hotel packages, jewelry, professional services, collectibles and memorabilia.  There’s something for everyone!

You can also promote your business at this event by donating an item or service from your business to be auctioned.  For more information concerning the auction contact the chamber at 623-937-4754 or online at www.glendaleazchamber.org .

Glendale Chamber of Commerce Premier Event!

Thousands of dollars’ worth in vacation packages and merchandise will be auctioned.