| This year, the Chamber decided they would like to add a Chamber Scholarship as a way to give back to the community and support our youth. The first recipient is Claire Whitesel who has spent countless hours helping the Chamber with event set up and attending meetings through the years. We are grateful for all that she has done for the Chamber and our community! We wish her the best of luck as she attends UNL in the Fall! |  |
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After the help of many volunteers to clean up Rainbow Fountain Garden, Neligh-Oakdale Public School Ag. Classes came down to help replant the Garden. With their help, the whole garden was able to be planted in one day! "Shovels in hand, dirt under our nails, and plants in the ground. It all makes for a good day," said NOPS FFA Advisor Ms. Burnside.
On May 4, some of the Chamber Board Members were able to go and brighten a few Neligh Mothers' days by bringing them a flower and a cookie after they were nominated as Mother of the Year. Two mother's were selected at the recipients of this award from both the Kids and Big Kids categories. The winner of the kids section was Megan Jacob, and the recipient of the Big Kids award was Dodi Jessen.
The annual banquet was able to held on March 6 where many Chamber Members were able to celebrate together, enjoy the great community, and have a delicious meal! At this event, the 2020 Chamber Awards were announced. ~ Chamber Member of the Year: Thriftway Market for their hard work during covid and constant support of the Chamber. ~ Community Member of the Year: Brian Christensen for all that he does for our community, the museums, and his hard work to clean up rainbow fountain. ~ Lifetime Achievement Award: Dodi Jessen for her many years of service to the Chamber and for all that she has done to help our organization grow. She is a valuable asset to our community. After a long wait due to Covid 19 postponing the banquet last year, the recipients were finally able to be announced! The 2019 recipients were: |
| This month, the Chamber was able to spread a little more Christmas Cheer with the start of the annual Pick Your Present Promotion. This promotion helps encourage and remind people to shop and support local businesses this Holiday Season. 14 Chamber Businesses donated to the program to help create 17 presents, all with a value of $50 or more, that local shoppers would have a chance to win! Pictured is one of the Pick Your Present Winners receiving their gift. |  |
 | The Parade of Lights was a great start to the Holiday Season. This event happened on Sunday, Nov. 29. Following the parade, there was a Drive-Thru Santa visit at the firehall that had over 100 children in attendance! We are grateful to have had the chance to fuel the flame of Christmas Spirit that is already burning here in Neligh. |
 | Dan Donaldson joined the City Team in early October after Dean Bly retired from his 18 years of service. The City Staff & community are thrilled to have him and are grateful for his dedication and hard work. We look forward to seeing all of the great things he will do! |
State Farm Business After Hours
With this being only the second Business After Hours since Covid-19 stopped people from gathering, we were thrilled with the turn out! Many chamber members came out to support their local member!
The annual Teachers Breakfast took place on August 17th. With the gracious help of the volunteers, it was a successful start to the school year!
The Neligh Chamber of Commerce was awarded a BRAN Scholarship to present on behalf of the BRAN riders. This was given to the community as a thank you for our generous hospitality in their time visiting.
Hunter Charf of Neligh, NE was chosen as the recipient because of his continuous dedication in volunteering to help the community. Hunter will be attending UNL for Bio-Engineering in the fall.
Hunter Charf of Neligh, NE was chosen as the recipient because of his continuous dedication in volunteering to help the community. Hunter will be attending UNL for Bio-Engineering in the fall.
FORE!! The second Putt-A-Round Neligh is days away!
The Neligh Chamber, Neligh-Oakdale FBLA, 30 chamber members and the Neligh American Legion have partnered to bring a business miniature golf tournament to Neligh for one night only!
Join us at the American Legion 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. for a soup and sandwich supper. The folks at the Legion are known for great food!
Putting beings at 6:00 p.m. Grab your scorecard and map at the Legion and start putting! Multiple businesses are set up in the Legion with other "holes" throughout town. At 8:00 p.m. we'll announce the winners! We're giving away a couple hundred in cold hard Neligh Chamber BIG BUCKS!
Participating businesses are competing for the "Best Hole 2018" trophy, BIG BUCKS and, of course, BRAGGIN' RIGHTS!
Be sure to meet us out at the Neligh American Legion, Monday, October 15th! We're going to have a blast!
The Neligh Chamber, Neligh-Oakdale FBLA, 30 chamber members and the Neligh American Legion have partnered to bring a business miniature golf tournament to Neligh for one night only!
Join us at the American Legion 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. for a soup and sandwich supper. The folks at the Legion are known for great food!
Putting beings at 6:00 p.m. Grab your scorecard and map at the Legion and start putting! Multiple businesses are set up in the Legion with other "holes" throughout town. At 8:00 p.m. we'll announce the winners! We're giving away a couple hundred in cold hard Neligh Chamber BIG BUCKS!
Participating businesses are competing for the "Best Hole 2018" trophy, BIG BUCKS and, of course, BRAGGIN' RIGHTS!
Be sure to meet us out at the Neligh American Legion, Monday, October 15th! We're going to have a blast!
Neligh Chamber Mother of the Year Contest
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.
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.
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.
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.
 | Are you needing to get rid of your old documents and don't want to just throw them away? Bring your items to the Neligh Legion on October 8th from 11-1 to have professional shred! Sponsored by the Neligh Chamber |
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
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
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