Employers speak of why they value Greater Burlington
View testimonials from local business owners about why the Greater Burlington area is the perfect place to expand your business and grow professionally.
Membership Grantee
"Thank you for suggesting I apply for the grant. I truly appreciate the sponsors and the Chamber recognizing my 2020 struggles."
Brian J. - BCSD
""Burlington High school seniors and juniors came together at the Manufacturer's Luncheon, forging a bridge between experience and ambition, as they sought insights from industry leaders to pave their unique career pathways"
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Craig Smith & Gary Schmeiser - Sterzing Food Company
"If you have ever doubted the impact the Partnership provides, I can attest to the tangible results that your influence has provided. Please continue to promote and advance the business culture that we have here in Southeast Iowa and beyond."
Chris M. - Burlington By The Book - Cash Mob
"I really loved the visit and I even participated in a few of the other store visits”. We did great for that day. 60% better than the same day last year. The day itself was 33% of the week. It was very reassuring to see so much support. I thank you so much. I also enjoyed myself by being part of the cash mobs for fellow merchants. 😊
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Pam Taylor – Milestones
"Milestones needed help finding volunteers to help with meal delivery. The Partnership connected Ann March, who was looking to volunteer where there was a need, to Milestones."
A Response to the Tool Kit Webinar
"Please express our gratitude and appreciation! Thanks for your help! Thanks for the great webinar today! Very helpful. And thank you so much for doing this!!!!!!!!! So excited for a tool kit!! Thank you for all you do!!!"
Amanda Johnson & Gina Drebenstedt – Salon West
"Thank you for choosing Salon West as one business that received the Fareway gift cards. That was so shocking but very appreciated too!" “As an employee of Amanda's, I was blown away that I was a recipient, too! Makes me proud to work in the Burlington Community. Thank you again for thinking of us!"
Bryan Bross – Klinger and Associates, P.C.
"We always love to attend the Annual Meeting and Golf Classic because we get to interact with our clients and potential clients on neutral ground in a non-working context. We always come away with a better relationship and new business."
Eric Benne – Two Rivers Bank & Trust
"The Chamber of Commerce is an invaluable resource for the Burlington area. We are fortunate to have a partner a phone call away who directly supports local business through any number of functions, provides networking opportunities, attracts new investment in our communities and serves as a voice on governmental issues impacting our well-being. There’s always a willingness to help."
Deb G. - Big River Resources
""The Manufacturers Luncheon provides an opportunity to connect with fellow businesses who contribute to the well-being of the community while creating exceptional products. Big River Resources was honored to be recognized as the distinguished 2023 Manufacturer of the Year, a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry.""
Robert Scott, Superintendent BCSD
"“Thanks again for hosting the coffee with the chamber. Every time I come to a meeting I find more connections for our schools. It is great that you are always looking for new ways to make connections with the community. We are excited to learn more about the infohub program and how it can help the school district.”"
Amanda Johnson - Salon West
"They have given so much information that I feel like they are doing an amazing job!; ABSOLUTELY!!!!! I’ve received several emails about what’s available and numbers who to call if I have more questions. The webinar was amazing and I enjoyed it very much!"
Membership Grantee
"I do want to say that the Chamber has provided us with a number of resources to assist during the pandemic. The support that has been offered, along with reaching out just to see if we need anything, has been amazing and we appreciate all of it more than you can imagine!"
Heather Lange - Brent Slocum Foundation
"Our partnership with Greater Burlington Partnership is invaluable to the work that the Brent Slocum Foundation does, and we are grateful for the relationship we have with our local Chamber of Commerce."
Scott F. - WBISD
"The Manufacturer's Luncheon exceeded my expectations and the expectations of my students. The opportunity to sit with a group of professionals from an area business provided the students who attended from West Burlington High School with a fantastic opportunity to develop networking skills and to learn about the business in a way that just can't be done in the classroom.
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Craig Smith - Sterzing Food Company
"Regarding messaging sent to stakeholders about shopping local & supporting local business: Thank you for this reminder. We need to be setting and encouraging excellent examples in our community. The Greater Burlington Partnership should be the ones leading the charge. Reminders to shop local and keep supporting our friends and businesses in our community is vital towards seeing this unusual circumstance through. Dollars sent out of town and businesses not having some steady traffic will only create more consequences for our town in the future. Keep this info in front of our entire community."
Cecile H.
""I can share with enthusiasm my positive feedback with regular successful visits from very engaged and interested guests from Viking boat dockings, discovering my studio and artwork. It was overall beneficial both financially and networking."
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Brenda W. - F&M
"It was nice having a high school student join us at our table during Manufacturers Appreciation Luncheon. I learned a lot about them as well as the employees that I work with. We hope this great idea continues!
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Joel S. Afinitas
"“I am grateful for the opportunity to share my perspective with our local 8th graders. They are our future workforce, whether we like it or not, so I think the GBP is undertaking a very important effort to proactively reach out to them, as they will shape our community in the future.”
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Tracy D.
"The annual dinner is a night of elegance, fun, community, and joy. This event is a time for the community to come together and recognise all of the hard work and wonderful contributions that businesses have made over the past year. You truly see how much the community cares about each other at this event with the commordiary that is shown.
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Eric B. - Two Rivers Bank & Trust
"From Western Smokehouse to Toba Foods to the IAAAP modernization, projects and investments abound. This past year saw 76 million in capital investments and over 250 new jobs created as a result. The community has not yet even begun to realize the full potential of these investments.
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David Kroll - Burlington Riverfront Entertainment
"Hosting Business After Hours was very beneficial to our organization. It gave us the opportunity to showcase what we do and shake the hands of the people who support us by either attending our events and/or partnering with us as sponsors. We were also able to build new relationships for future partnerships with people we may not have met otherwise. Plus, we had a great time doing it!"
Kyle G. - Standard of Beaverdale
""The Chamber podcasts are fantastic! I have made a point to listen to a lot of them as many features have been of our clients and prospective clients. It's been a great source of intel for building our business."
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Mike H. - Carl A. Nelson
"Finding qualified workers for the trades has become more and more difficult over the years. Our future is finding kids interested in building and showing them what a rewarding career choice this can be. There are countless opportunities in all aspects of our business and we love to have the ability to share this with the younger generation through programs like the Partnership's 5th & 8th Grade Career Fair.
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Tim L.
"“You may be right. Being a member of the Chamber of Commerce may never directly bring clients to your door. But I submit that may not be the right reason to become a member in the first place.
Supporting your Chamber is the right thing to do. Not for yourself, but for the good of your community. There is no other entity that works so tirelessly to bring good to our community. That works to champion those who live here, who work here, and who visit here. Without our support, the Chamber cannot continue this work. So, I ask: Isn’t being a member of something that is bigger than any one of us and that works to help us all just plain the right thing to do?”
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Monica K. ServiceMaster
" We had a great time at the Chamber Golf Classic and were able to make new connections as well as catching up with some of our customers! Mark us down for next year!
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Ryan Nagrocki - Midwest Realty
"I am very happy with your responsiveness to everything; The guides posted on the website or direction have been helpful to find all necessary content in the one place."
Jessi Mynatt - 34 Raceway/ Mission Medical Spa
"Thank you to the GBP for the opportunity to be on a call with Congressman Loebsack, Senator Grassley & Senator Ernst today. We got to interact, ask questions and actually hear a response to the direct questions! I know they're busy so I am greatly, greatly appreciative of their time and the opportunity."
Nick and Rhonda Weigert - Weigert’s Handyman Service LLC
"I want to give a shout out to the Greater Burlington Partnership and the way they treat Small Business. We are so thankful that we became a member 3 years ago. They have been so supportive to Small Businesses in our Community, especially during the pandemic. They are so willing to help Small Business if they can. They are just great people with big hearts and I just want them to know that we at Weigert's Handyman Service LLC appreciate them. Thank you!"
Membership Grantee
"We appreciate you and what you do for our business. Thank you for always reaching out to help."
Elizabeth P. - Art Center of Burlington
"The 2023 Viking season proved to be an overwhelming success! We were honored to welcome over 175 guests during the Art Around Burlington excursion. These seasoned globetrotters had the chance to experience the vibrant art community that Burlington takes great pride in. Our Artists Market offered them a delightful shopping experience, resulting in numerous purchases from our local artists.
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Stephani Smith - Stephani + Co. Consulting, The Local Reserve
"Our team at Stephani + Co. Consulting and The Local Reserve is thankful for The Greater Burlington Partnership Chamber of Commerce and all the opportunities that have come with being a member. We have been involved in multiple events, presentations, and other activities that have helped both our business and other businesses develop and grow. We have made valuable connections and have had many positive experiences engaging as an active member of the community."
