Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Events Newswire

2023 LFS Alumni Dues 1/1/2023 - 6/30/2023

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:39:15 GMT

MEMBERSHIP DUES

You have three choices to select from:

1 Year Membership: $50
3 Year Membership: $125
Lifetime Membership: $500

Your continued support of the Leadership for Five Seasons Program allows all three of the LFS programs to grow and expand.

Your membership dues will go towards:

Exclusive invite to the LFS Alumni Spring Event - details to come, only for dues paying Alumni
Provides continued networking opportunities - socially, professionally and personally
Provides high school juniors in the area access to LFS Youth at no charge
Continuing to keep reasonable tuition costs for all LFS programs
Reduced admission cost to LFS Annual Golf Outing
Community impact

ImpactCR: Volunteer Project 5/3/2023 1:00 PM - 5/3/2023 4:00 PM

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 16:16:34 GMT

Join ImpactCR for our May event focused on giving back to our community. We will roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty volunteering with Feed Iowa First.

Feed Iowa First is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing food security by growing and distributing free, fresh produce and supporting emerging farmers. In 2022, they served 26,000+ individuals, gave out 46,000 pounds of produce and connected 36 emerging farmers and gardeners to land.

We will be helping with a variety of projects that could include: prepping garden plots, planting cool weather crops, or taking down hoop houses. It will be manual labor that is dirty, so please wear clothes appropriate for that type of activity. After our hard work, we plan to treat ourselves to some food at Lion Bridge Brewery.

Please RSVP with the button below. If weather is an issue, we will communicate that to those who have signed up. Let's get our hands dirty and give back to our community!

With ImpactCR, young professionals don’t just come to exchange business cards; they come to create opportunities for learning and development, support civic engagement and to cultivate the future business and community leaders of Cedar Rapids. For over 15 years, ImpactCR has aimed to empower young professionals to discover their “why” and provide them the tools to act on it and create a lasting, positive impact on their community.

Our vision is a dynamic, inclusive and diverse community where young professionals want to live, work and play. All events and programming are free of charge, and made possible by the generous sponsorships of our presenting sponsor Collins Aerospace and supporting sponsor Principal Financial.

Sway Wild 5/4/2023 7:00 PM - 5/4/2023

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:38:55 GMT

Sway Wild at CSPS Hall on Thursday, May 4, 2023 @ 7PM. San Juan Island, WA-based indie folk-rock duo Mandy Fer and Dave McGraw are back at it with a new sound and a new name: Sway Wild. Their exceptional vocal harmonies, coupled with Fer's pioneering electric guitar work, have become a vehicle to carry them around the world, sharing stages with the likes of Iron & Wine, Lake Street Drive, and Watchhouse. Sway Wild's infectious sound explores the corners of rock, pop, funk, prog, worldbeat, and folk, but at its nucleus it is undeniably a music full of joy. It can squeeze the heart in your chest, it can draw tears from your eyes, and it can force you to get up and move your body; over and over, it somehow manages to do all three at once. Mandy Fer also tours as the lead guitarist for Grammy nominated Allison Russell and recently performed with Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell. This is a General Admission seated show held in the theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime. $18 advance, $22 door

Mexican History Through Dance 5/5/2023 6:00 PM - 5/5/2023

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:39:23 GMT

Mexican History Through Dance at CSPS Hall on Friday, May 5, 2023 @ 6PM. Come join Fuerzas Culturales of Cedar Rapids as they perform ballet folkloric (traditional Mexican dancing) in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The event will have dance performances as well as discussions on the history and origins of Cinco de Mayo, a holiday often celebrated in the US but widely misunderstood. There will be an intermission where delicious, authentic Mexican food and drinks will be available for purchase. Formed in 2022, Fuerzas Culturales is the first ballet folkloric group in Cedar Rapids. The children all come from Cedar Rapids, but their family's roots and heritage hail from Mexico and Central America. The children of the group chose the name Fuerzas Culturales to capture the strength of their diverse heritage. This is a General Admission seated show held in the theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime. $13 advance, $15 door

Humbird 5/7/2023 7:00 PM - 5/7/2023

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:39:48 GMT

Humbird at CSPS Hall on Sunday, May 7, 2023 @ 7PM. Inspired by the crystalline chill of the north country she calls home in Minnesota, Humbird combines a wintry longing with the warmth of a familiar folktalk. Humbird's music moves between experimental folk and environmental Americana to embrace the unexpected. The music invited a refreshing dissonance into the house. It leaves bread crumbs along the path and reflects light back at the stars. Siri Undlin witnessed the power of storytelling in her childhood home and began writing music and performing in church choirs and in Irish ensembles from a young age. Her voice, which contains the unwavering fortitude of hymnal melodies, reveals her traditional background. This is a General Admission seated show held in the theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime. $15 advance, $18 door

Business Breakfast 5/9/2023 7:30 AM - 5/9/2023 9:00 AM

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:57:33 GMT

The Gazette, Presenting Sponsor Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Community Partners NewBoCo & Better Business Bureau are excited to invite the business community for the second Business Breakfast of the year. This event will be hosted by The Gazette’s Executive Editor, Zack Kucharski, and feature several experts from the community for an in-depth discussion on a brand-new topic. This session will feature the following: Regional collaboration strategies: Born out of necessity during the pandemic, Johnson County entities have leveraged their collaboration to address quality-of-life issues and work on economic development through regional cooperation. But they're not alone, and those on the north end of the corridor have some evolving collaboration too. How are we poised to work as a region toward economic growth, while still addressing individual needs? Visit www.thegazette.com/businessbreakfast for more details and to register!

1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids Making Web Accessible 5/10/2023 8:45 AM - 5/10/2023 10:00 AM

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:58:05 GMT

In the U.S. alone, 61 million adults (1 in 4) have some type of disability. Yet, it is estimated that 70% of websites, ranging from top ecommerce sites to presidential campaign sites, have critical accessibility gaps. Join us this week to hear from NewBoCo’s Stacey Milder on the benefits and approaches to website accessibility. Her presentation will aim to help close that accessibility gap, centering around what web accessibility is, why it’s necessary and profitable even for the smallest of startups, and insight into how we all can take steps to improve it. Stacey MilderStacey Milder is a sign language interpreter, software developer, and deaf community advocate. With NewBoCo, she has worked extensively with the team on a project with a nationally-recognized client in order to create a more web accessible web experience for their users. She is passionate about creating a web experience that is accommodating and equitable for all people, regardless of their ability type.

Advocates & Allies Virtual Speaker Series 5/11/2023 9:00 AM - 5/11/2023 10:00 AM

Tue, 02 May 2023 15:50:24 GMT

Advocates & Allies is a virtual series that provides thought provoking professional development. When disruption happened, how did you pivot? And how are you planning to build your work community moving forward to be a culturally-healthy organization with innovative leadership? Let’s take advantage of this disruption to thrive in this new world of work. First 100 registrations will receive a copy of Rising Together and Experiential Intelligence. Register by May 10, 2023 to receive books by mail. May 11, 9-10 a.m. CST Dr. Steve Robbins May 18, Noon-1 p.m. CST Soren Kaplan, Experiential Intelligence May 25, 1-2 p.m. CST Sally Helgesen, Rising Together This program is valid for 4 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® (Activity 23-T5EZ4).

Let's Get Down to Business: The Future of Work with Courtney Smock 5/11/2023 12:00 Noon - 5/11/2023 1:00 PM

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:47:20 GMT

Join us for a free lunch and hear from Courtney Smock from Slingshot25 about "The Future of Work". Courtney’s at her best when she is designing, facilitating and coaching. She is the lead facilitator for The Change Course, a Slingshot25 learning experience designed to help change leads, leaders, and HR professionals improve their ability to influence, take care of people, and take action during change.

Companies are struggling with decisions about the future of work, post-Covid. Courtney shares considerations around relationships and trust in the decision-making process and the three primary factors that must be explored. The future of work is very hard to grasp and that might be because the future is already here.

In this talk, you'll explore:

The impact of technology

The changing workforce

The opportunities and challenges with mobility

Join us to get some tips and ideas for helping your teams because they are successful today and as we move toward the future.

This event is for members of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. Refer to our Membership Directory for a full list of members: http://web.cedarrapids.org/search. If you're interested in becoming a member, reach out to Membership Growth Specialist Anne Laugen at alaugen@cedarrapids.org.

Somatic Awareness in the Workplace 5/11/2023 12:00 PM - 5/11/2023 1:00 PM

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:42:18 GMT

Somatic awareness is critical to high performance and emotional well-being in the workplace. This live virtual event is a primer for building psychological safety at home and work by exercising the three pillars of somatic awareness: Notice, Name, and Neutralize. Join other business leaders and uncover what you already have within you to manage your natural fight-flight-freeze response and lead the way to a better future.

Kepros Physical Therapy & Performance Ribbon Cutting & Open House 5/11/2023 4:45 PM - 5/11/2023 7:00 PM

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:57:29 GMT

Please join us for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony and an Open House at our new Cedar Rapids clinic. Refreshments will be provided.

Pints & Politics 5/11/2023 6:00 PM - 5/11/2023 7:30 PM

Thu, 04 May 2023 13:59:56 GMT

Spring is officially here and that means it’s time for another edition of Pints & Politics. At CSPS Hall on Thursday, May 11th, come enjoy a drink and have your political appetite sated by the Gazette's political reporters. Donna Hoffman, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Iowa, will feature as special guest. Date/Time: Thursday, May 11th 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

David Huckfelt 5/12/2023 8:00 PM - 5/12/2023

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:40:07 GMT

David Huckfelt at CSPS Hall on Friday, May 12, 2023 @ 8PM. David Huckfelt is a singer/lyricist/activist and founding frontman of Minneapolis indie-folk cult favorites The Pines. An Iowa native and former theology, Huckfelt attended the Iowa Writers Workshop before turning his attention to songwriting and performing. With an improvisational mastery, Huckfelt's shows and songs of no-spiritual-surrender have earned him a devoted following from small-town opera houses and theaters to national festival stages. An early encounter and collaboration with radical Native American poet John Trudell introduced Huckfelt as friend and partner to an array of Indigenous artists and activists working for climate justice and tribal sovereignty under the banner of music and resistance. With roots in the same fertile Midwestern soil that produced legendary folk singers like John Prine and Greg Brown, David's solo work preserves a rugged optimism that blasts through layers of dark in real time with songs that speak volumes, soft and clear. This is a General Admission seated show held in the theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime. $18 advance, $20 door

The Claudettes 5/13/2023 8:00 PM - 5/13/2023

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:40:19 GMT

The Claudettes at CSPS Hall on Saturday, May 13, 2023 @ 8PM. Wielding a one-of-a-kind, piano-powered roots-pop sound, the Claudettes merge earthy blues and soul with pop hooks and punk spirit, writing an intriguing new chapter in American roots music. "Chicago's original recipe band...The Claudettes' sonic playing field is the blues and everything after, all tastefully and artfully blended together...Perhaps the band's greatest super power: songwriting." - NPR Music "A skewed cabaret band of blues, jazz, and rockabilly...a sensibility that feels equal parts James Dean and David Lynch." - Minneapolis Star-Tribune This is a General Admission seated show held in the theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime. $20 advance, $25 door

Don’t Hide Your Mistakes Workshop 5/17/2023 8:30 AM - 5/17/2023 10:30 AM

Tue, 02 May 2023 15:55:25 GMT

Building your personal brand for your career can make you feel like you have to hide your mistakes and have the appearance of perfection to succeed. Contrary to popular myths, presenting a perfectly curated appearance could be the very thing holding you back from the next step in your career. In this immersive and thought-provoking workshop, Tiffany shares three reasons why being unafraid to share your mistakes and dive into the messy parts of your story will help you create a brand that positions you to achieve your career goals. Topics we’ll dive into in this workshop, include: Owning Your Identity, Amplifying Your Voice, and Personal Brand Storytelling. Key Takeaways: After this talk, you will walk away confident and energized to create a brand that propels you to reach the next level in your career by exploring: 1. Why your brand doesn’t have to be perfect to land your dream role 2. How incorporating your mistakes into your story can help you stand out in a good way 3. How sharing your struggles can be the secret to unlocking an authentic and captivating personal brand? Tiffany Atkinson is the Founder and CEO of Tiffany Atkinson Consulting, a woman, BIPOC, and veteran-owned business consulting firm on a mission to empower women to create the business of their dreams. A multi-faceted entrepreneur, Tiffany’s diverse career includes three years as a US Army paralegal, a bachelor’s in Graphic & Web Design, founding a youth-focused nonprofit, and running a branding and marketing agency. After Tiffany’s vision for her dream business evolved, she pivoted to launch her current company. Since that decision, Tiffany’s committed to helping as many women as she can fall back in love with their business and life.

Cyber Threats Awareness 5/17/2023 9:00 AM - 5/17/2023 10:00 AM

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:53:21 GMT

Managing Cannabis and Other Drugs in the Workplace Webinar 5/18/2023 12:00 PM - 5/18/2023 1:00 PM

Wed, 03 May 2023 13:35:07 GMT

Join Terri Davis as she discusses current developments in cannabis and CBD laws and how they impact employees in the workplace. We will talk about drug testing policy options, as well as ways to identify and deal with impaired employees in the workplace.

Managing Cannabis and Other Drugs in the Workplace Webinar 5/18/2023 12:00 PM - 5/18/2023 1:00 PM

Wed, 03 May 2023 13:35:25 GMT

ICR Regional BizMix Hosted by King's Material 5/18/2023 4:00 PM - 5/18/2023 6:00 PM

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 09:19:24 GMT

Get ready for a true corridor collaboration! We are co-presenting our annual regional BizMix with the Iowa City Area Business Partnership and the Marion Chamber of Commerce. This month’s event will be hosted by King's Material in Cedar Rapids.

Join us from 4:00 to 6:00 to meet your business peers and connect with new members of our communities.

BizMix brings together area professionals and is hosted by a different member business each month. This event provides EA members with increased opportunity for participation and connections.

If you'd like to save the event to your calendar, a calendar invite will be sent in the post-registration email. Registration is not required.

This event is for members of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Refer to our Membership Directory for a full list of members: http://web.cedarrapids.org/search. If you're interested in becoming a member, reach out to our Membership Growth Specialist Anne Laugen at alaugen@cedarrapids.org.

Baby Animal Days 5/19/2023 11:00 AM - 5/21/2023 5:00 PM

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:08:54 GMT

Visit the sweetest baby animals at Bloomsbury Farm during our Baby Animal Days event! Event Dates and Hours: Fridays-Sundays + Memorial Day Monday, May 19-June 4 11am-5pm Baby goats, baby lambs, chicks, bunnies, ducklings, a calf, baby potbelly pigs, and more!

Blues Night in the Park 5/19/2023 6:00 PM - 5/19/2023 10:00 PM

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:17:02 GMT

The inaugural Blues Night in the Park, brought to you by the Downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), kicks off the Downtown Cedar Rapids event season with headliners, Kevin B.F Burt and the Keeshea Pratt Band, + Mathias Lattin and Ken Valdez as opening acts ! The event starts at 6PM in Greene Square and costs $5 to enter. Bring your own chairs for comfortable enjoyment of classic blues in the beautiful park.

5th Annual Spring Art Show 5/20/2023 8:00 AM - 5/20/2023 3:00 PM

Thu, 11 May 2023 14:48:52 GMT

In conjunction with the Marion Arts Festival, DKW Art Gallery is holding their 5th Annual Spring Art Show on Saturday, May 20th from 8AM to 3PM. Besides their 17 in-house artists, there will be an additional 18 guests artists in tents set up showing all manner of arts and crafts from pottery to oil paintings to jewelry. Demonstrations will be done and unique arts such as gunpowder art and others will be on display also. Deb Weiser, owner of DKW Art Gallery, said, "We are proud to have a large display of talented, local artists showing on the twentieth for our show." There will also be a pastry booth and a soft serve truck for those wanting to get a bite or two.

Iowa Ideas In-Depth Week May: Creative Placemaking 5/22/2023 12:00 PM - 5/26/2023 1:00 PM

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:35:44 GMT

In-Depth Weeks continue to be an opportunity to have solutions-focused discussions on complex issues within Iowa Ideas. May’s session will feature a series on Creative Placemaking, within the Arts & Culture track. Join The Gazette for a week-long program about the state’s unique elements, partnerships and people that will benefit Iowa. Date/Time: May 22nd – 26th, 12 PM – 1 PM To get full details for teach session and to register for this free virtual conference, visit www.iowaideas.com today.

Smart Marketing Workshop 5/23/2023 9:00 AM - 5/25/2023 6:00 PM

Tue, 16 May 2023 11:59:49 GMT

Smart Marketing Workshop - We'll discuss: 7 Keys to Success in 2023/24; How to Make your Digital/Social Media explode with results; Changing Consumer Spending habits. Free to attend and you'll be done in less than 60 minutes.

Developer and Contractor Luncheon 5/23/2023 11:30 AM - 5/23/2023 1:00 PM

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:36:17 GMT

Please join us for our annual Developer and Contractor Luncheon on Tuesday, May 23 from 11:30AM-1:00 PM with Director Debi Durham from the Iowa Economic Development Authority ( IEDA) and Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell with the City of Cedar Rapids who will share their respective economic development outlooks and vision for the next 3-4 years. Ron Corbett, Vice President of Economic Development for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance will give an update on the types of business attraction and expansion projects our area is expected to see in 2023.

Lunch will be provided.

As a reminder, the Iowa Economic Development Authority has moved up the Workforce House Tax Credit (WHTC) application window for the FY24 round.

The program application will open March 1^st and applications are due June 9^th.

Please find the link to what projects qualify and how to apply below. Last year’s recording is available there, and the IEDA will be hosting a workshop on March 9^th at 10AM.

https://www.iowaeda.com/workforce-housing-tax-credit/

The application dates for the Brownfield/ Grayfield Program remain the same of opening on July 1 and are due on Sept. 1.

Our metro area and region have historically been successful at securing a good amount of the project monies in the past.

The Economic Alliance can assist with the application process. Please contact Mike Lukan at: mlukan@cedarrapids.org

Hiawatha Business Summit-The Future is Calling-A Discussion on AI Technology 5/23/2023 8:00 AM - 5/23/2023 9:00 AM

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 08:21:38 GMT

Brook Easton of Easton Design will talk about what’s happening on the macro level with AI, and new technology trends along with where they are being utilized. She will also explain how AI can be used immediately in just about any company with ChatGPT.

Addressing the apprehension around the new AI technology and sharing best practices, Brooke will help you understand how to navigate AI with your company and employees. The future is here!

With over 25 years of marketing experience and an extraordinary knack for helping others find their voice, Brook Easton uses the power of storytelling to create personal connections between businesses and their customers. As the Director of Digital Marketing for Easton Design , Brook creates community, builds relationships, and tells brand stories for small- to medium-sized businesses. Easton Design is a digital marketing agency specializing in web design, social media marketing and strategy, branding, and videography.

Grow with the Google Workshop - Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing 5/24/2023 8:00 AM - 5/24/2023 10:00 AM

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 09:06:47 GMT

Join us for the next workshop in our Grow with Google series. Every business owner benefits from customer-focused marketing. When you tailor your efforts to where prospective customers are on the customer journey, you're more likely to get the results you want. Changing up your marketing strategy at different phases of the journey is better for your customers and better for your business.

During this hands on workshop you will learn:

The phases of marketing
The phases of the customer journey
How to market along the customer journey
Google tools can help you understand and connect with your audience across the customer journey

This event is for Commerce Builder level and above members of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and the Marion Chamber of Commerce. If you have any questions about your membership level, please contact our Membership Support Specialist Pam Logue at plogue@cedarrapids.org.

The Accel Group Risk Institute Event: Mental Health in the Workplace 5/24/2023 9:00 AM - 5/24/2023 10:00 AM

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:24:58 GMT

Speaker: Emily Blomme from Foundation 2 Crisis Services An essential piece to a thriving organization is a healthy workforce. With statistics showing that one in five people live with a mental illness, employee mental health is a critical topic businesses should focus on. Organizations that put programs in place to address mental health in the workplace alongside broader efforts to support employees’ mental well-being can help reduce healthcare costs, reduce turnover, and create a healthier workplace culture. In this webinar, we will provide recommendations to help you recognize those who may need mental health support, how to respond appropriately, and how to assist in getting these individuals the help they need to create a more engaged and healthier workforce for your organization.

The Sinister Side of Cybersecurity and How to Protect Yourself 5/24/2023 10:00 AM - 6/23/2023 12:00 PM

Wed, 24 May 2023 15:50:06 GMT

Learn how to identify and mitigate your cyber risk. Securian Cybersecurity Officer will cover impact of different types of scams, who these people are, how they leverage "love", and things you can do to protect yourself against scams.

The Sinister Side of Cybersecurity and How to Protect Yourself 5/24/2023 10:00 AM - 6/23/2023 12:00 PM

Wed, 24 May 2023 15:51:27 GMT

The Sinister Side of Cybersecurity and How to Protect Yourself 5/24/2023 3:00 PM - 6/22/2023 5:00 PM

Wed, 24 May 2023 15:51:19 GMT

Baby Animal Days 5/26/2023 11:00 AM - 5/29/2023 5:00 PM

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:23:46 GMT

Gizzae 5/26/2023 8:00 PM - 5/26/2023

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:40:29 GMT

Gizzae at CSPS Hall on Friday, May 26, 2023 @ 8PM. Gizzae is truly a band of the world. With musicians hailing from the four corners of the Earth, Rocket and Gizzae have been playing for crowds across the country for over 35 years. Their musical experiences have collectively earned them Grammy awards, Chicago Music Awards, and they have opened for some of the biggest names in reggae. Working and playing with such a vast array of musical styles and talents has enabled Gizzae to create a unique blend of roots reggae. Rocket and Gizzae's brand of jam-reggae is always backed with strong guitar solos, riffing-warm pads and ambient vibes from their lineup. If you like live jams and wicked solos, come dance the night away with Gizzae! This is a General Admission seated show held in the theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime. $25 advance, $30 door

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market 5/27/2023 7:30 AM - 5/27/2023 12:00 Noon

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:00:32 GMT

Join us for one of the largest and most popular open-air markets in the Midwest! Rated as "Best in Class" by the American Farmland Trust and frequently cited as a must-attend activity in the summer, the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market, presented by Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, features nearly 200 vendors selling anything from seasonal vegetables to specialty food items and more. All items sold at the market are created, produced, grown or transformed by the person making them and in the state of Iowa.

The 2023 season will feature entertainment, activities and community group presentations during each Saturday event, as well as special activities hosted by sponsors on various days throughout the season.

2023 dates:

May 27
June 3 & 17
July 1 & 15
August 5 & 19
September 16