Who gets hurt if Kings leave town? Annual cost could top $100 million

by Kelly Johnson, Staff writer  |  March 4, 2011

Metro Edge, a young-professionals program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, conducted an online survey of the group’s 380 members that had received 146 responses as of Wednesday morning. “What we found was if the Kings relocate, this would have a huge impact on local business,” Metro Edge chairwoman Alexis Fitzpatrick wrote in an e-mail. Preliminary results indicate that two-thirds of those surveyed patronize other businesses each time they go to a Kings game.
“The prospect of losing the Kings is a pressing issue and as the next generation of Sacramento’s business leaders, we are standing up and asking others to take notice,” Fitzpatrick said… More
( Sacramento Business Journal)

Here’s your third sneak peak into the background of one of the four local entrepreneurs we have lined up for you at next Thursday’s EDGE Insight event. First us was Mark Otero, KlickNation – Founder & CEO, click here to read his profile. Then came Dave Kovar, Kovar’s Satori Academy of Martial Arts – Founder & Chief Training Officer, click here to read his profile. Third came John Argo, Bloo Solar – Founding CE, click here to read his profile. The event will be held at Spataro on October 21st at 5:30pm. This intimate venue will give you a unique opportunity to ask questions and network with  speakers as well as attendees.

Robb Moore
ioSafe
Founder & CEO

Robb Moore is the Chief Executive Officer of ioSafe, Inc., and is responsible for setting the company’s strategic course. Mr. Moore founded ioSafe – the market leader of the emerging disaster proof computer hardware. ioSafe is a high tech startup in Auburn, CA and manufactures fireproof waterproof hard drives – like an aircraft black box but for consumer and business data protection.

With limited marketing and PR resources, Mr. Moore has used guerrilla-marketing techniques to garner top press from print, internet and television media outlets. ABC, BBC, PC World, Wall Street Journal, Engadget, CNET and many others have covered ioSafe’s unique product line. On track to grow 300% for 2010, ioSafe customers range from the Pentagon, Army/Navy, Fortune 500 to small businesses and home consumers. Products are sold through Costco, Wal-Mart, Amazon, BestBuy and Dell.

Mr. Moore has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and he is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California.  He has developed hundreds of designs for hi-tech, medical, consumer, aerospace markets. In addition, he serves as CEO of Kollabra – a product development company and also serves on the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) Board of Directors. He is also a general aviation pilot, published author and primary inventor for multiple US patents.

Website: http://www.iosafe.com/

Come out to the event!

Ever wish you could peek into the minds of local entrepreneurs? Now’s your chance!

Join EDGE for a night of mixing with local entrepreneurs. Enjoy appetizers and drinks from Sacramento hot spot Spataro as you learn about the experiences of several local entrepreneurs.

Bring your questions! You will also have a chance to ask the entrepreneurs what’s on your mind.

Who’s in the lineup?

Featured Entrepreneurs

• Mark Otero, KlickNation – Founder & CEO
• Dave Kovar, Kovar’s Satori Academy of Martial Arts – Founder & Chief Training Officer
• John Argo, Bloo Solar – Founding CEO
• Robb Moore, ioSafe – Founder & CEO

Moderator

• Meg Arnold, SARTA, CEO

Register Now!

tickets are only $20 for EDGE members

The beautiful trees. The booming downtown scene. The short drives to Tahoe, Napa and San Francisco. There are so many great reasons to love Sacramento. Over the next few weeks, our “Why we love Sacramento” series will highlight local Sacramentans and why they love living, working and playing in the capital region. To kick off the series, we’ve created a short video that includes interviews from a few of our local celebrities.

After watching, comment below on why you love Sacramento and be entered to win a FREE year of Metro EDGE membership and a profile in an upcoming Metro EDGE e-newsletter. Deadline to enter is 9/16 at 2pm.

Why do you love Sacramento? Comment below and be entered to win!

Don’t forget to check back in for the rest of our series!

UP NEXT: Check out our video series from the Sacramento Kings and Tyreke Evans.

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My, how time flies.

Just one year ago, an eager group of young professionals looked to the future and decided that when it comes to making a difference in Sacramento, there’s really no time like the present. Tireless, driven and dedicated to the development of Sacramento as a nationally competitive region, this fledgling group representing the area’s next generation of civic and business leaders–stepped up to the edge.

Fast forward to today, and Metro EDGE, a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, now counts over 450 members in a thriving and diverse network of 40-and-under YPs, proving once again that the future of our region is now.

And the secret to our amazing success? You.

That’s right, your annual membership and participation in Metro EDGE is the cornerstone to everything we’ve been able to achieve together this past year.

As your membership approaches renewal, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from our first year of Engaging, Developing, Giving and Empowering throughout the region.

Feedback from members just like you helped us identify four areas of interest on which to focus in 2009-10. Areas like regional growth and development, education, entrepreneurship and green business practices. Here’s just a sampling of what we’ve achieved in this short time:

Over 600 hours of community service donated by EDGErs to projects like MLK Day of Service, Run to Feed the Hungry, Hope Production’s Walk-n-Rock and Soil Born Farms.

Professional development through our EDGEucational Forum and EDGEinsight events, on timely issues like Flood in Sacramento; Renewable Energy; Effective networking practices, and a Consensus Reform Plan discussion with Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Fun and engaging networking opportunities via In the Mix trivia nights, a tour of Sudwerk, a private performance by the Sacramento Opera, Green Crawls, Second Saturday reception and the membership appreciation Spring Soiree at the Hyatt Regency.

A Day on the EDGE Summer Festival and dodge ball tournament fundraiser benefiting the Sacramento State Educational Opportunity Program.

And that’s just a taste of all the amazing impact we’re making here in Sacramento. What’s more, we hear from members across an array of industries about how just being a part of Metro EDGE forms a sense of community and cohesion with dedicated, like-minded young leaders in the area—a crucial professional and personal boon in tough economic times like these.

We thank you so much for your continued support. Because of you, Metro EDGE has become the leading young professional’s program in the Sacramento region.

Please take the time to renew your membership with us today. It will only take a few moments. Your continued support and commitment only increases our ability to further impact the change we strive for.

And while we’re talking about membership, don’t forget to save the date for Sept. 9, 2010 to help us celebrate out first birthday. This milestone in Metro EDGE history will be a celebration saluting you and hundreds of other EDGErs who have risen to the occasion to help bring Sacramento into the national spotlight.

It has been an honor to serve as the Chairwoman for such an exceptional program like Metro EDGE in its inaugural year. Please join me in renewing your membership and keep an eye out for more information on this exclusive member celebration in September.

Remember EDGErs, it’s your time to step up and make a difference in the Sacramento region.

Sincerely,
Autumn Heacox
2009-2010 Chair
Metro EDGE

MetroEdge’s EDGEucational Forum housed professionals seeking more information about the growing solar power industry with California’s premier solar company, Solar Power Inc. (SPI).  Mike Anderson, Vice President of Marketing at SPI, began the discussion by illustrating the company’s history and providing the audience an overview of large scale projects it has worked on across the state.

An example of SPI’s work includes installation of solar panels on the Staples Center in Los Angeles and a recent project with Aerojet.  SPI installed a 6 megawatt system at a local Aerojet facility over environmentally blighted land.  This project demonstrates how solar panels can be located on land that may not be suitable for other purposes.  Mr. Anderson also mentioned that the United State Environmental Protection Agency has been working with solar power companies such as SPI to research better ways to use blighted land.

With the increasing demand for renewable energy options, discussion of the oil spill crisis in the Gulf triggered questions among the curious forum.  Mr. Anderson stated that contamination risks posed by fossil fuels and solar power stand in stark contrast.  If a solar panel breaks, there is no threat of an environmental disaster – it  simply stops generating renewable energy.

Those walking away from the EDGEucational forum gained a better understanding of the solar power industry and SPI’s role as a local leader.  They also learned how companies like SPI leverage technology and the demand to develop projects that create energy-friendly solutions for its residential, business, government and utility customers worldwide.

Mike Anderson, of Solar Power, Inc., (middle) chats with a few attendees after the Forum.

SACRAMENTO METRO CHAMBER EMERGING LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP FOR METRO EDGE MEMBERS

The Sacramento Metro Chamber will be awarding up to two $10,000 “Emerging Leaders Scholarships” for Metro EDGE members that can be applied toward tuition to any of the masters degree programs offered at the Drexel University Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, California. A minimum of five qualified applicants must be received by the Metro Chamber during each scholarship cycle before scholarships will be awarded. Frequently Asked Questions are answered at  www.drexel.edu/sacramento/leadershipscholarship.

SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

Applications will be accepted up to and including July 30, 2010 for those programs beginning in August or September (details will be posted later for the programs beginning spring 2011).  Finalists will be notified of a date and time on which they will be interviewed by the award committee, which will be comprised of volunteer leaders of the Sacramento Metro Chamber and the Metro EDGE program.  The recipient will be notified promptly following decision, and the public announcement made at a meeting of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Board of Directors.

The schedule for the 2010 scholarship process is as follows for all masters degree programs except Drexel’s Executive Master of Public Health which begins on August 27 (send direct inquiry to  HYPERLINK “mailto:ssmith@metrochamber.org” ssmith@metrochamber.org if interested in MPH):

July 30, 2010

Deadline for scholarship application and for submission of application to Drexel

August 2010

Interview of finalists and notification of scholarship recipients

Sept. 15, 2010

Drexel Convocation and New Student Orientation

Note:  Candidates are responsible for noting when specific degree programs are offered and for satisfying all admission requirements established by Drexel University.

AWARD CRITERIA

Drexel University has provided these scholarships to help develop the next generation of business, non-profit and civic leaders whose skills will be of great importance to our region as we continue our emergence as a destination location for industry and families.  Candidates for the award should demonstrate how they have been involved in the civic life of their community.  In addition, candidates must satisfy these minimum requirements:

Eligibility Requirements

Be an active volunteer of the Sacramento Metro Chamber and/or a member of Metro EDGE if awarded the grant
Live and/or work in one of these counties: El Dorado, Placer,  Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba
Commit to serving at least 50 volunteer hours in the Sacramento regional community over the period of time that they are enrolled in the Drexel degree program
Agree to help recruit and qualify future candidates for this scholarship

Candidates must also have submitted an application to Drexel University (the application is free and on-line) and have completed the application by July 30, 2010.

For the full details and to apply download this form:

Sac Metro Chamber Emerging Leaders Scholarship Form 2010

Mark your calendars now for OUR FIRST CHAIRTY EVENT!! That’s right – it is our first opportunity to show Sacramento what a Philanthropic force EDGE is….

On July 10th, we will be hosting, A Day on The Edge. ALL PROCEEDS go to The Sacramento State Educational Opportunity program. (Our 2010 Beneficiary) EDGE has been working on this since January at its gonna be a great event – everything from a dodgeball tournament (hurry and sign up your teams now!) to live music from Wild Wild West to a tasty beer garden.

What better way to help the youth of Sacramento then buying a TEN DOLLAR ticket and having a cold one! Can’t make the event? I understand -  it is summer after all – however I beg you to help our first event be a success and buy a ten dollar ticket! Give up two of your choco-non fat–lattes and help the kids. Please email me with any questions.

Go to the event page. Go straight to the registration page.

My Best,

SOB Philanthropy Chair.