Business Notes for Dec. 11, 2022

The Gazette’s Business Notes is a compendium of the week’s promotions, new hires, certifications, added business lines and business events, among other items, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the rest of the Corridor.

Information and photos can be submitted to Business Notes by email to businessnotes@thegazette.com, or on our site at thegazette.com/businessnotes.

Kudos

Cedar Rapids Tourism has been named a 2022 Platinum Choice Award winner by Smart Meetings. The award, which Cedar Rapids has received for the first time, recognizes hospitality partners, venues and locations who help meeting professionals educate, motivate and connect communities.

Two Iowa State Fair Board members, Gary McConnell of Bloomfield, and Gary Van Aernam, of Exira, received the IAFE Heritage Award. The awards were given in recognition of their long-time commitment and dedication to the Iowa State Fair, as well as volunteerism and involvement in their respective communities.

Promotions

Skywalk Group promoted Ali Bliss to associate H.R. client consultant.

New location

Des Moines-based law firm BrownWinick has announced a new office in Coralville at 1101 Fifth St.

Applications

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is taking applications from member restaurants to participate in the 11th Annual Restaurant Week, Feb. 17 through 26, at https://bit.ly/3udvRSu. Non-member restaurants can take part but will need to become a member before Jan. 20.

Insights and sessions

The Gazette Business Breakfast panel’s third-quarter discussion, “A Small Business’ Tool Kit for 2023: Lessons we’ve learned and challenges — and opportunities — for which we can be prepared,” now is online at https://bit.ly/3eD04Wv. Panelists are Paul Andreasen, founder and owner, Saucy Focaccia; Sydney Rieckhoff, CEO, Almost Famous Popcorn; and Kymberly Stevenson, Targeted Small Business Development Program manager, Iowa Economic Development Authority. The discussion series was sponsored by BerganKDV.

The final 2022 installment of the “Gazette Spotlight on …” series of recorded interviews also is available to view at business.thegazette.com. This group recognizes businesses and organizations for their focus on growth. Interviewed are Luke Bishop of BAE Systems; Matt Swift of Big Grove; Sarah Nelson of Comm-Unity Crisis Service; and Drew Martel of Foundation 2. Also, the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office joined The Gazette in speaking with Marc Meyer of Inteconnex. The series was sponsored by TrueNorth Cos.