By Martin Sansom, on May 2nd, 2013  It’s almost time for that most special of occasions, the BPN Monthly Social! Mere moments away, at The Roost Bar & Grill on West Sunshine. Sadly, I won’t be able to make it this month, so someone (or everyone) raise a pint for me!
The address: 2025 W. Sunshine, Springfield MO 65807
The time: 4:30pm (though you may start early by… oh, heck, if you were going to be there early then you’re already there)
The website: www.roostbarandgrill.com
Or you can skip the marketing b.s. and go straight to the menu here and “shut the cluck up”!
Questions? Call Gary Gauger, our Social Hour Coodinator, at (417) 848-0984.
By Martin Sansom, on April 4th, 2013  Yes, it is once again that time of the month for supporting our local economy via the intake of food and beverage. Tonight’s venue is the Big Whiskey’s on West Republic Road (across from the old Remington’s), so come on out and join us for some fun and networking! Show up when you can, leave when you have to, and maybe win a free dinner while you’re there!
A quick refresher for those who may be new or not know — we hold these Social Hours each month as a convenient way for each of us to get to know a large number of our fellow members at one time, in one location, on a more personal level. Spend a couple hours at the Social each month and you can get in a whole bunch o’ face time, get to know each other, and help us to get to know you, all while enjoying some good food and a drink of your choice, whether that be water, a Coke, or whatever. We don’t care, just show up!
The address: 1440 W. Republic Rd. (across from Remington’s)
The time: 4:30pm (though you may start early by attending the Business Support Power Team meeting at 3:30pm)
The menu: Big Whiskey’s
Questions? Call our Doctor of Social Hour Coordinatorology, Gary Gauger, at (417) 848-0984.
By Martin Sansom, on April 4th, 2013 Scenes from the 1st Annual BNI All-Star Mega Event, held at 425 Downtown yesterday. Area chapter All-Stars were honored (including our own Chris Jarratt of Revel Advertising) and chapter awards were handed out for the 2012 calendar year (of which we took home TWO). All in all it was a good event and networking opportunity, and I look forward to attending it again next year.
Business Power Network probably had the biggest representive contingent at the meeting, so thank you for taking time out of your schedules to the following members: Cary Prater, Chris Jarratt, David Martin, Debra Dickinson, Gary Gauger, Hope Faller, Jeff Widmeyer, Josh Jones, Martin Sansom, and Zack Casady. Thanks also to Mike Tobin and his Ambassador team for organizing and directing the event.
Enjoy the slideshow, and hope to see you all there next year!
By Martin Sansom, on March 22nd, 2013 Here is the link to register for the BNI 1st Annual “All Springfield Mega Meeting & All Star Celebration”, to be held on April 3 2013 at 425 Downtown from 8:00 to 10:00am. A great opportunity for intra-city BNI networking, and we’ll be honoring our own chapter All-Star, Chris Jarratt, at this event as well. (Too bad it’s not a roast!)
http://4032013megaeventspringfield.eventbrite.com/
No word yet on whether or not we will have our regular weekly meeting on April 2nd — we’ll post updates here as they are available. Either way, please make time in your schedule for this event so we can have outstanding chapter representation on this day! Remember, it’s unofficially official that we, Business Power Network, will be receiving the BNI Founder’s Award, so… you might want to be present for that!
By Martin Sansom, on March 7th, 2013  It’s the best time of the month once again — the BPN Social Hour is tonight! Meet us downtown at Harbell’s Grill and Sports Bar; this will be our third visit to this fine establishment. Remember, you can show up early for the Business Support Power Team meeting. Anyone and everyone is invited, so come out and have a good time!
The address: 315 Park Central West, Springfield MO 65806
The time: 4:30pm (though you may start early by attending the Business Support Power Team meeting at 3:30pm)
The website: www.facebook.com/Harbells (Yes, it’s true, still no actual website.)
Here’s the link to the menu at Harbell’s… oh, wait, there isn’t one because they don’t have a website.
Questions? Call Gary Gauger, our Social Hour Coordinator, 417.848-0984.
By Martin Sansom, on February 7th, 2013  It’s that time of the month! The BPN Social Hour is here, for all you east-siders in particular, as tonight we’ll be gathering in the lounge at Parlor 88 East at 4:30pm (immediately following the Business Support Power Team meeting). So come out and have a good time, and remember, everyone is welcome!
Also, don’t forget that one lucky attendee will win a free meal at the NEXT social hour, courtesy of the only practicing Doctor of Tonerology east (or west) of Waco, Texas. Cheers!
The address: 3653 E. Sunshine, Springfield MO 65809
The time: 4:30pm (though you may start early by attending the Business Support Power Team meeting at 3:30pm)
The website: new.parlor88.com, or on Facebook here.
Questions? Call Gary Gauger, our Social Hour Coordinator, at 417.848-0984.
By Martin Sansom, on January 10th, 2013  Yes, it’s Social Hour time once again, and this month we’re headed for a new location: Bair’s All-American Sports Grill on South Campbell. Although I notice that they have Mexican food on the menu, so it’s really not “all” American. But speaking of the menu, if you haven’t been to Bair’s before, then you MUST look at their selection of burgers (click the menu link below) — it’s unbelievable! Can’t wait to get there tonight and order something! The problem is going to be WHAT to order.
Remember, the BPN Social Hour is a great time to invite someone who hasn’t been able to make it (or hasn’t wanted to make it) to a regular meeting. It’s a much more relaxed environment, where we’re all more friends than business associates, so maybe now would be a great time to ask one of YOUR friends or business associates to come on out and have a drink or a burger with us! In any case, be sure you are there, ’cause Gary is taking roll. (Think I’m kidding?)
Here’s the skinny (though maybe that’s the wrong term to use with this menu):
The address: 3821 S. Campbell Ave.
The time: 4:30pm (though you may start early by attending the Business Support Power Team meeting at 3:30pm)
The website: www.bairsburgers.com
Direct link to an online menu: http://extras.ky3.com/Splash/bairs/Bairs-menu-Feb-2012.pdf
Questions? Call Gary Gauger, our Social Hour Coordinator, at 417.848-0984.
By Martin Sansom, on January 10th, 2013  Yes, it is 2013 — take that, you Mayans! — and to start the New Year off right, we have moved to our new “permanent” location at the University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q Hammons Parkway. I’ll say one thing for the new place: it’s quiet!
For those of you who did not make our first meeting, we are now holding forth in the John Q. Room, which is in the far southwest corner off the main Atrium. Lunch is provided by the Terrace Grille Buffet, and the good news is our costs have stayed the same.
You can park anywhere in the lot surrounding the Hotel, though it may be a shorter route to park on the east side of the building and come in through the main entrance. If you have been working on any potential visitors lately, please let them know about our new location.
Speaking of visitors, March Madness has begun! We’ll have more information in a separate post soon, but please be aware that we are concentrating on three categories we’d like to fill in January: carpet cleaner, pest control, photographer. And, of course, any other open categories are welcome!
By Martin Sansom, on December 7th, 2012  Only hours until the 2nd Annual ChrisGiving event! I hope that you, unlike me, are prepared for the jollity of the Business Power Network holiday event of the year!
Our host for the evening will be Mr. Cary Prater, who no doubt is at home this very minute putting up that last bit of garland ’round the ol’ tannenbaum. Cary’s address is 5446 S. Fremont; for a map link, see below.
Don’t forget that there will be a White Elephant / Dirty Santa / call-it-want-you-want gift exchange this evening. BPN members only, $10 limit is suggested, so pull out those old fruitcakes and bring ‘em on!
The address: 5446 S. Fremont (Google map link)
The time: 6:30pm until the last person not named Gary leaves
The deal: BYOB or whatever
Questions? Call Hope Faller, our ChrisGiving II Coordinator, at 417.869-0719, or Cary Prater, 417.830-4366.
By Martin Sansom, on November 28th, 2012 Af ter 16 years in the sign business, and nearly a lifetime in retail prior to that, John Swanson knows what he’s talking about. So pay attention! The owner of southwest Missouri’s Sign-A-Rama franchise, John appreciates that every day is still a challenge; putting up a sign means more to John than building and installing a piece of plastic or stone.
Why is John still excited to be going to work after all these years? Because he thoroughly enjoys helping his customers achieve the results they want from signage. Did you know that the minimum increase in business from putting up new signage — the minimum — is 15%? That’s because 85% of your customers live within 5 miles of your establishment, and pass by it 50 to 60 times a month, yet most will never notice you’re there unless they’re standing on your doorstep.
 John’s motto at Sign-A-Rama is “We turn drive-by traffic into walk-in traffic.” The first thing he will do with any new or potential customer is provide an analysis of your current situation, and what it will take to improve it, to attract those who have yet to notice you. He also makes sure that the most important part of your name or message shows up the strongest; after all, a business sign isn’t just the name of your business, but a method of selling to your potential customers.
Sign-A-Rama uses state-of-the-art technology to create your signage, and only the BEST materials — and that may be the most important thing of all. They can create any kind of sign from simple name badges all the way up to those huge roadside pylons — they truly are the “one stop sign shop.” You owe it to yourself to check out their online catalog, at the web address below.
Even though he still loves his work, John loves his time off as well, particularly when it comes to boating. John’s dream is to travel The Great Loop by boat some day. (If you’re curious as to what that is, check out this website by the coincidentally-named Capt. John.) A member of Business Power Network for several years now, John would love to have a printer, a photographer, and an office supply company to pass referrals to. Let’s get out there and help John find those referral partners, and help educate the world about signs!
Website: www.signarama-springfieldmo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SignARamaSpringfield
Google +: plus.google.com/109029226866534154374/about
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/johnrswanson
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