Advertising Federation to host Lunch and Learn Thursday

Travis Powell

Travis Powell, sales manager of AlphaGraphics in Idaho Falls and Rexburg, will be the speaker Thursday at the Idaho Falls Advertising Federation's monthly "Lunch and Learn."

In an industry hit hard by the recession, online competition and increasing reliance on digital communications, AlphaGraphics has enjoyed consistent yearly double-digit growth since opening in April 2010, increasing its workforce 300 percent in that time.

There is research to show that consumers will spend up to 15 percent more to do business with someone they trust. With simple small steps, a business can make itself the vendor of choice for its clients. Powell will talk about techniques that can be used to add value to the customer experience, eliminating the all-too-easy crutch of being the lowest price in town.

Powell serves on the Board of Directors of Help Inc. and the Idaho Falls Advertising Federation, and was a recent winner of a Distinguished Under 40 Award from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce.

The luncheon will be Dixie's Diner, 2150 Channing Way. Sign-in is at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Lisa Fischbach at lisa@mightymcs.com.

Montana company buys Exit 116 Sleep Inn

The Sleep Inn at Idaho Falls Exit 116 has been bought by Town Pump, a company in Butte, Mont., that has been in business since 1953.

This is one of Town Pump's first ventures outside Montana, where it owns hotels, franchise restaurants and casinos.

The company was founded by Tom Kenneally Sr. According to the company's Web site, www.townpump.com, Kenneally was known for handing customers his wristwatch to time his oil change. If it took him more than three minutes, the oil change was free.

In the '60s, the company brought self-service to Montana, viewing it as an opportunity to sell more gas at a lower price to make up for lower margins. It was a controversial decision, the history on the Web site says: "Many were convinced that there would be explosions due to untrained individuals handling this combustible product."

Business diversification came in the '90s, including truck stops, car washes, laundromats, motels, quick serves, delis and gaming establishments.

The company started a charitable foundation in 1999, with a goal of supporting or helping education and 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Some of the organizations the foundation has assisted include the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, CASA of Montana, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Montana Food Banks, the American Red Cross, Montana Special Olympics and Newspapers in Education programs.

Artcore Visual Studio announces CEO appointment

Artcore Visual Studio, a full-service marketing and graphic design firm,, announced today the appointment of Michelle Ziel-Dingman as chief executive officer.

Currently the Executive Director of Eastern Idaho Technical College Foundation, Ziel-Dingman previously held marketing management positions with Snake River Landing and Grand Teton Mall (General Growth Properties).

She currently serves as the vice chair of programs and events on the executive eommittee of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Idaho Falls Chamber Ambassadors. She founded the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event Dancing with the Idaho Falls Stars.

Other past service includes board appointments by the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho and EITC Foundation. Ziel-Dingman has received several accolades in her career, including the Idaho Aspen Award from the Small Business Development Center, the “Accomplished Under 40” award from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and has been nominated twice for the Idaho Business Review’s ‘Women of the Year’ award.

Ziel-Dingman will be responsible for the organization’s management along with social media, corporate fund-raising and marketing strategy.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to partner with our clients to create a focused plan for their business or non-profit organization,” she said. “Nothing makes me happier than seeing a company harness the power of dynamic graphic design and photography within a purposeful marketing plan.”

Cardon's files site plan for car wash at North Holmes and Yellowstone

The land at Yellowstone and Holmes that Matt Cardon is eyeing for a new car wash.

Matt Cardon, owner of Cardon's Car Wash and Lube on First Street, has filed a site plan with the city of Idaho Falls to develop on the corner of Holmes Avenue and North Yellowstone, where the Bank of Commerce used to have its offices.

After going before the city board of adjustments, Cardon received variances on July 25 that reduced the width of landscaping strips and setbacks on the Northgate and Holmes sides of the lot (which is also bordered by Poulson and Payne Streets).

Ordinarily, the city requires 20 feet of landscaping and 30-foot setbacks on all sides, but the size of the lot -- .82 acres -- and its uneven shape would have made development difficult if not impossible, said Assistant City Planner Brad Cramer.

Cardon filed a site development plan in late June for a 3,380-square-foot building. No zoning change is required (the lot is zone Highway/Commercial-1), so now that he has received the variance he can proceed with a formal site plan, building plans and a permit, Cramer said.

Finalists selected for Idaho Innovation Awards

Finalists have been selected in the eighth annual Idaho Innovation Awards and will be recognized at a special awards presentation during the Idaho Technology Council's fourth annual Hall of Fame Celebration Oct. 23 at the Boise Centre. Registration is available online at www.idahotechcouncil.org/.

As the state's only innovation awards program, the Idaho Innovation Awards recognizes innovative accomplishments in four categories. The categories and 2013 finalists are listed below (finalists are listed in alphabetical order):

Commercialized Innovation of the Year
• Automated Recall Process Management System by Recall InfoLink
• CradlePoint Enterprise Cloud Manager by CradlePoint
• KLIM Stealth Series by KLIM

Early-Stage Innovation of the Year
• ReadyLight Pistol Light by William Squires
• Switchable Polarity Solvents Forward Osmosis by Idaho National Laboratory
• Syphon Soundwrap by Syphon Sound

Innovative Company of the Year
• CradlePoint
• Kount
• MetaGeek, LLC

Innovator of the Year
• Nancy Caspersen, President and CEO, Quit and Live Global, Inc.
• David Cohen, CEO, FieldSync Mobile Solutions LLC
• Patrick Lawless, Executive Director, StartupBoise

The nominations were judged by a selection committee consisting of leaders from Idaho's business, technology and academic communities. Votes were tallied by accountants at Deloitte.

As for the ITC Hall of Fame Celebration, it recognizes innovative technology leaders who have made a significant contribution to Idaho's technology community. The 2013 inductees are prolific inventor Tim Barber and entrepreneur-philanthropist Greg Carr.

Before the Hall of Fame and Innovation Awards presentations, members of Idaho's business and technology communities will display their innovative products and technologies during an Innovation Showcase from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Click here to register to exhibit at the Innovation Showcase. The evening's schedule is as follows:
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Networking Reception and Innovation Showcase
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Dinner, Networking, Awards Presentation

Hall of Fame registration is available online. Individual seats are $85 for ITC and Kickstand members, and $125 for non-members. A table of ten is $750 for members and $900 for non-members. The Hall of Fame is sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, Micron and Zions Bank.