Joe McNally of McNally Law will be the guest speaker for the Neligh Chamber of Commerce's next Lunch n' Learn.

Join Joe on Thursday, June 16, at the Neligh Senior Center at noon. Joe will be answering many questions business owners and managers have.

We request your questions in advance to have available for Joe. There is no charge for Neligh Chamber members and $10 charge to non members to cover the cost of lunch. RSVP required by June 14.

Please email or deliver your questions to Lauren by June 14 lauren@neligh.org.

​The first Annual Banquet was held Saturday, March 5th at the Neligh American Legion.  This year it was decided that the meeting and banquet would be separated, and members welcomed the change!  Over 55 members attended the banquet.  Awards were given to Ed and Marlene Schindler for their 18 years of dedication managing the legion.  Nate Metschke received an award for Outstanding Citizen 2015 for his “We support Neligh” campaign, and Dr. James Zielinski was awarded Member of the Year 2015 for his efforts in organizing the BBQ last August.  Congratulations!
 

The Neligh Chamber of Commerce hosted it’s first annual Antelope County Ag & Home Expo at the Antelope County Fairgrounds on March 2nd - 3rd.  Organizers Craig and Melissa Smith and Wade Pitzer worked with Greg and Lauren to make this event a great success on its inaugural year.  It  is estimated that about 600 people attended the event.  The expo was sponsored by the Antelope County News and US92.  Neligh-Oakdale FBLA provided food throughout the two-day event.  There were over 54 vendors at the expo, with a waiting list. 

​Tammy Howell of Neligh was the lucky winner of the four wheeler raffle during the expo in March.  Big Red Motor Sports sold the four-wheeler to the chamber, at a reduced price, to create a new fundraising opportunity by providing something that most people in our area have a need for.  There were only 200 chances to purchase a raffle ticket for the 2016 Artic Cat 500 cc 4x4 4-Wheeler valued at approximately $6,500.  The drawing took place at the Antelope County Ag & Home Expo on March 3rd at 6:00 p.m.  Although Tammy was not there when her name was drawn, we called her and she came right down!  Tammy asked “Was it me or Carey who won?”  It was definitely Tammy!  Sorry Carey!  “I’m super excited about winning the four-wheeler. Thank you to Neligh Chamber of Commerce," Howell said.  We know that Tammy will have years on fun with this.  The raffle created approximately $4,000  for the Chamber and will help fund several community programs throughout the year.   

It'll be a "Not So Manic" Merry Monday on Nov. 23rd with the day filled with great specials throughout Neligh.

Fourteen Neligh Chamber of Commerce businesses are planning HUGE sales to help you kick off your holiday shopping . . . and support your community! 

Neligh Flower Shop: Open 9-7, 20% OFF storewide, some exclusions apply. Serving refreshments.

Hilltop Drugs Etc: 10% OFF Team Jack merchandise

Moyers: Earlier you shop the more you save! 9-10 a.m. 40% OFF, 10-Noon 30% OFF, Noon to 5 p.m. 20% OFF. Storewide sales. Refreshments and a drawing for a $25 gift certificate.

Carhart Lumber: Buy 1 gallon of paint at regular price & get the second gallon of paint for $5. Limit 2.

Big Red Motorsports: Green Mountain Grill with rebates up to $100, including wi-fi models. Buy 3 bags of pellets, get the 4th FREE!

Pitzer Digital: Call 402-887-4000 for 15% OFF holiday cards & business cards. Everything customized for business or family!

Wanek Pharmacy: 25% OFF all gift items, excludes perfume.

Thriftway Market: 10 a.m.—7 p.m. Shurfine powdered or brown sugar 2 lb. bag $.99 with store purchase, limit 1.

Lucy’s Flower Corner: Stop in for the Special of the Day!

Bangle Boulevard (Clip ‘N Curl): 20% OFF clothing.

719 Fitness Center: $25 OFF initial Personal Training Package 
and a free t-shirt.

Massage by Cassie: Buy 1 massage gift certificate and 
get the second half off.

Antelope County Chiropractic: FREE initial consultation and 
FREE 5 minute chair massage

Kayton International: 15% OFF toy tractors.

​7 Ways You’re Missing Getting Retail Customers In the Door (Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doc)
 
1. You’re not delivering an exceptional customer experience. It’s the old saw but it’s true... brick and mortar retail is all about the experience customers have at your store. It’s not about the products; just trust me on that. Creating that takes more than saying you provide customer service, it takes retail sales training, a relentless focus on going out of your way, and having an open heart as you engage each shopper. Engage shoppers in-store, and they’ll come back... and send their friends.
 
2. You’re not getting their contact information. A customer who buys something and leaves without any way for you to contact them leaves as a ghost.  You need a system of collecting information that isn’t intrusive, robotic, or dependent on deals – are you listening Walgreens? You could use a kiosk in your store, a QR code to scan, or even an old-school form. Your best marketing should be aimed at people who know you already.
 
3. You don’t have regular communication. A simple set of emails for new customers or a monthly newsletter keeps your name front and center.  Whether they need what you feature in that email, newsletter, or publication is irrelevant; they regularly see your brand which keeps you top-of-mind. Without using the information you collect, you are now a ghost, forgotten by those shoppers.
 
4. You haven’t created great window displays. If you have display windows, and you’re not using them correctly, you are not taking advantage of one of the most powerful marketing pieces at your disposal. You can either capture the attention of passersby with a thoughtful, focused display, or you can load it up with lots of junk and watch those passersby ignore you.  Take the time to discover the scrumptious outfit, the tricked out electronics package, then add a great sign and voila.  Note a best practice is to change them twice a month.
 
5. You haven’t used Facebook sponsored posts. The numbers on Facebook are still staggering which is why their sponsored ads and posts are so popular. Did you know you can actually select a competitor’s followers as a group to aim your ads at? I didn’t think so. Yes, they cost money. You have to use money to make money.  And the more keywords or emails you use to form custom audiences, the better. Like any marketing, you can't just post an ad and do nothing else. You have to monitor, track, and A/B test the heck out of it.  That said,  I know of nowhere else you can drive your message to shoppers within your own trading area so easily.
 
6. You avoid the reality of online pricing competition. There is a perception that a smaller store will, by nature, be overpriced.  Do you want to get buzz and attack online competitors head-on? Come up with a policy you’re comfortable with that offers your in-store customers an opportunity to stay, buy and return. Hear me out.  We all know that Best Buy has about eight online retailers they will price-match...including Amazon. Your margins won’t allow you to go there. But when price matching becomes an issue and your customer is about to walk out, offer them the difference in a gift certificate for future purchase, an upgrade, or something of equal value. Wouldn’t it be better to save that sale by making those offers than letting them leave and buy from someone else? And won’t that buyer leave happy and most likely return?  Of course, but it takes a very forward-thinking leader to make it happen.
 
7. You have limited store hours. If your hours are for your convenience and not your customers’, say closing at 5 pm on weekdays and staying closed on Sundays, you are actively telling a group of customers who work – we don’t need your business.  The three highest traffic times in retail stores in order: Saturday 11-1, Saturday 2-4, Sunday 1-3. Retail is not a hobby business; you have to be open when shoppers want you to be.

Looking for something special this Valentine's season? Look no further than Neligh!

These great businesses are all planning specials from now until Valentine's Day.

Big Red Motorsports With purchase of ATV or UTV receive $100 in Neligh Chamber Big Bucks

Thriftway Market USDA Choice Angus Boneless New York Strip, cut & wrapped for $7.99/lb. Red ripe strawberries 1 lb just $1.99 

Wanek Pharmacy 20% off all gift items

Moyer’s 20% off Storewide & Black Hills Gold 40% Off. Check out our new spring items!

Hilltop Drugs Etc. Generic 81mg Asprin $1.00/bottle

Carhart Lumber Men’s gift boxes for your sweetheart

Neligh Flower Shop Check out in-store specials for your sweetheart. Don’t forget roses!

Urbanec’s Funiture and Floor Covering 5% off storewide 

Flower Corner (Lucy’s) Remember your sweetheart with fresh flowers, plants or beautiful orchids

Mama’s & Nana’s All day Special Feb. 14th, Open until 10 p.m., Shrimp & 1 side $9.95, Chicken Strips & 1 side $9.95, both include drink, dessert & salad bar

Teachers often look for patterns, and Zandra Catherine Jacob continued the sequence as being the third straight New Year's baby born to a teacher.

Zandra and her parents Scott and Megan Jacob of Neligh were presented with gifts Wednesday morning by members of the Neligh Chamber of Commerce, celebrating her birth as the first baby of 2015 born at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh.

Megan Jacob is a high school math teacher at Neligh-Oakdale and is the third teacher in as many years to have the New Year's baby. Jacob Sladky of Neligh, a teacher at Pope John Central Catholic, was the father of last year's baby while Shanna Lammers of Elgin, a teacher at Neligh-Oakdale, had the 2013 baby.  

Zandra was born Monday at 8:33 a.m., weighing 8 pounds, 3 1/2 ounces. She was 19 3/4 inches long.

She will be welcomed home by sister Addyson, 5, and twin brothers, Walker and Cooper, 2. Her grandparents are Eli & Carla Jacob of Clearwater and Dwaine and Carol Green of Ewing. Her great-grandparents are Marjorie Green of Chambers and Mary Jareske of Neligh.

Chamber of Commerce members making the presentation were Economic Development Director Greg Ptacek, along with board members Koryn Koinzan, Jon Schilling and Carrie Pitzer and members Krista Schindler and Deb Carden.

The Jacobs were given flowers and $50 in Neligh Big Bucks.

More than a dozen Neligh Chamber of Commerce members attended the ribbon cutting for Pitzer Digital and the Antelope County News on Friday afternoon.

In front of their newly remodeled building at 110 E. 4th Street, the ribbon was cut and first dollar presented to owner Carrie Pitzer, along with team members Jenny Higgins and Erin Whitesel, who manage the Antelope County News - a subsidiary of Pitzer Digital, LLC.

Pitzer Digital, LLC was the first recipient of an LB 840 economic development loan from the City of Neligh and made it a priority to utilize local businesses with the project from steel and carpet to decor, office supplies and apparel

Pitzer Digital began in August of 2013 focusing on website development, marketing and graphic design and has blossomed into one of Neligh's fastest-growing businesses. The company expanded in December and launched the Antelope County News on January 1.

Do you feel lost with social media? Do you know that your business should be on Facebook but don’t feel comfortable using it as a marketing medium? 

The Neligh Chamber of Commerce & Neligh Economic Development Office have partnered to hold a lunch and learn dedicated to making you more comfortable with social media. 

Carrie Pitzer of Pitzer Digital and Greg Ptacek of the Neligh Economic Development Office will present a short 30 minute presentation on “Using Social Media as a Business.” 

It will include tips to save you time, reach more people, what to avoid, etc. It will also go over social media rules and etiquette. Presenters will be on hand to answer questions on general marketing and digital presence.

The class will be at the Neligh Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. and is available to a limited number of participants. The class and lunch are free to Chamber members and cost $8 for non-Chamber members (lunch is included). The Antelope Country Club is catering.

This class is not limited to only businesses. Individuals wanting to learn more about social media are invited to attend at the $8 fee (again, includes lunch).

"This is another way the Neligh Chamber of Commerce is helping the business community," Ptacek said. "The class will be very informative for businesses of all sizes. The cost of the class covers lunch expenses, so this truly is about providing a service to the community by helping businesses with their marketing campaigns."

All participants must RSVP to Ptacek by calling 402-887-4447 or emailing Greg@Neligh.org. Payment will be accepted that day; please make checks payable to Neligh Chamber of Commerce.

The Neligh Chamber of Commerce is having another HUGE promotion in Neligh this week with 11 businesses participating. This is a sales promotion not to miss!

On Thursday and Friday, June 12-13 nearly a dozen businesses have specials going on, including up to $750 off a new or used vehicle from Jonny Dodge!

Here's what is going on in NELIGH!!!
SchinDigs Garden Center
20% off all plants Thursday and Friday. If you spend $50 or more, you get to pick a flower for a prize!

Wanek Pharmacy
Spend $50 and get $10 off gifts, exclusions apply

Flower Corner (Lucy’s)
10% off small angel chimes and glow in the dark butterflies
20% off preserved wreaths and swags, solar angels, crosses and flags, and Christmas angels

Moyers
25% off storewide. Open until 7 p.m. on Thursday

Jonny Dodge
Get $500.00 off new or used vehicles* on the Thursday or Friday. Come in between 5-7 p.m. on Thursday and get $750 off new or used vehicles*. *Excludes sale-priced vehicles.

Cubby’s
Take a shopping break at Cubby’s on Thursday and Friday and get a 16 oz. coffee or 32 oz fountain pop  for just .59 cents.

Thriftway Market
USDA Choice Boneless Angus beef whole Ribeye or whole New York Strip cut and wrapped free just the way you like them, $7.99 per pound. 
Bush baked or grillin' beans, 22-28 oz. $1.59
Shurfine granulated Sugar, 4 lb. bag, $1.59
Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper, 10 boxes for $10.00

Carhart Lumber
Buy one gallon of paint, get one for $5. Also offering FREE in-home design consultation with Tiffany Stelling, Carhart’s interior designer. This offer is good Thursday and Friday ONLY!

Neligh Flower Shop
20% off storewide, see store for exclusions

Hilltop Drugs Etc.
Now introducing the Redi-Medi! Stop in to find out how Hilltop can put all of your medication and vitamins in easy-to -use and easy-to-take packets for you. We also have a new refill program to sync your medications.

Big Red Motorsports
Stop in for deals on a B&B sprayer for your UTVs and ATVs. Visit our Neligh & O’Neill locations

The Retail and Trade Committee is part of the Chamber's new Strategic Plan for the business community. Businesses that are not members of the Chamber, but would like more information about the benefits of joining the Chamber, are encouraged to call 402-887-4447.

Become a member! After all, we're in business together!

Do you use QuickBooks? If so, there's always something new you could learn! The Neligh Economic Development Office & the Neligh Chamber of Commerce have partnered to hold a two-day QuickBooks Training taught by Northeast Community College instructors.

The two-day session will be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 and 22, from 2-5 p.m. at the Neligh Library. Snacks will be included.

There is $75 fee to attend - it's $60 for Chamber members - plus a $35 QuickBooks instruction manual.

RSVP and payment need to the Neligh Chamber of Commerce by Monday, May 19.

The training will give credit toward the Neligh Economic Development Office's Continuing Education Enhancement interest rate discount.