The Partnership Podcast

Erik had a chance to take his mic on the road for another "plodcast" and couldn't be happier to visit the fabled Alliance Moving Systems warehouse.  Owner/Operator Andy Clark takes Erik on a tour of the facility that includes residential moving, document storage and shredding, what you might expect from this type of business.
Then things get a little different. T
There's also a professional recording studio, a weight room, a bbq deck and "The Attic" which you have to see to believe.  Erik gets a chance to talk with Andy about small business strategy in this valley, employee retention and somehow ends the podcast sitting on Gerald and Betty Ford's favorite couch!
Like Andy Clark himself, this was an eclectic conversation that you won't soon forget.
Learn more about Alliance and what they do HERE

Erik is joined by Vail Valley Partnership President and CEO Chris Romer to discuss Senate Bill 24-033 that has recently been introduced in the Colorado Senate. 

Vail Valley Partnership’s board has expressed opposition to this legislation due to the negative impacts on our economy. We believe it will essentially destroy spring, summer, and fall tourism and lead to a sizable decrease in our transient visitor bed base with no benefit to the creation of long-term rental inventory.

This issue has implications for our entire state, thank you for listening and should you want to get involved you can reach out to your State Senators and State Representatives to express opposition.

Read Chris' article HERE

In this episode Erik gets a chance to sit with Barb Waters, owner and founder of Peak Business Management, to talk about the world of project management.  There is a good chance you are actively involved in project management right now (even if it may be called something else!) and Barb talks about ways to not only maximize your results but perform in an agile way.
Peak Business Management guides and inspires individuals, leaders, and organizations with quality learning experiences through an engaging and supportive customer journey. They are a one-stop shop that provides all the resources a student needs to complete their project management exam prep and obtain their PMI certification. Peak instructors take students’ training personally and measure their own success by the success of our students.
Learn more about Peak Business Management HERE
Learn about Disciplined Agile Scrum Master Training course HERE
Find the Project Management software mentioned in the podcast HERE

Erik gets a chance to sit down with SpotSurfer Founder and President James Hohenlohe and Marketing Director Marissa Selvy to talk about this incredible idea and how it came to fruition.  Not only are travelers taking aware of this new option but both businesses and homeowners are finding a simple passive income stream.
The location-based app provides ski drivers a hassle-free way to locate and secure advance parking reservations, while property owners can utilize unused parking spaces.
Through AI-enabled marketing programs, Spotsurfer drives parking demand and delivers skier-driver data to simplify skier parking experiences, ease traffic congestion, and reduce the number of cars on the road.
Spotsurfer is doing its part to reduce carbon emissions and aid in the economic development of local ski area communities.
For more information click HERE

Erik has a chance to sit with Cam and Marcus from Mountain Youth to talk about the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and why it's important to our students, families and businesses.

The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey is an important tool for educators, nonprofit leaders, policymakers and community program providers to truly know what issues young people are facing and how we can work together to help them learn and thrive.
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2024 Administration
Mountain Youth is working with local schools to prepare for our next administration in January of 2024.
•    Learn more about the project through our Frequently Asked Questions HERE
•    Explore the Middle School survey instrument HERE
     Puedes encontrar el instrumento de encuesta para intermedia en español aquí.
•    Explore the High School survey instrument HERE
      Puedes encontrar el instrumento de encuesta para secundaria en español aquí.
•    Sign up to volunteer as a classroom proctor HERE

Please contact your specific school for a current copy of the survey instrument they plan to use in 2024.

Erik is happy to be joined by Sue Nikolai, the Program Director for the Land and Rivers Fund to talk about an important way to give back for businesses and consumers.
Protecting healthy rivers and open spaces in our community is simply good business. It is an investment in the future of our economy and community. We are fortunate to live in an area where the natural beauty attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Eagle Valley Land Trust (EVLT) and Eagle River Watershed Council (ERWC) together are Eagle County’s only non-profits exclusively focused on conserving and protecting rivers and open spaces for the benefit of the community. Together, we have launched the Land & Rivers Fund.  EVLT and ERWC help local businesses to establish and promote the program to their customers & clients who voluntarily participate by making a 1% donation with their purchase. Customers and clients have the opportunity to opt-out of the program. The 1% donation is clearly outlined on the sales receipts.

Funds collected help promote and restore healthy rivers, clean water, conscientious development, preservation of open space, wildlife and fish habitat, agriculture, water rights and economic diversity throughout the Valley.

Learn more about how your business can sign up HERE

One of Erik's favorite guests is back!  Author, speaker, coach athlete and more Holly Johnson returns with a new message and a new book!

If you’re a chief executive officer (CEO) or business owner struggling to attract and keep the employees that matter, Holly understands your frustration. Prompted by three decades of her own experiences managing two public relations (PR) and marketing firms and working with businesses—from small hotels and restaurants to a large national health insurance company—Holly has personally witnessed how having a great team makes a great company.

In Break Through Hiring and Retention Barriers, Holly shares the key strategies used by successful leaders to attract and keep the right employees. Learn how to effectively address these hiring and retention challenges and build your team, and your business, so that they want to work with your company—and stay.

Learn more about Holly and her work HERE

Erik is joined by VVP's Anna Robinson to talk about the One Valley Healthcare Program, in partnership with the Small Association Leadership Alliance (SALA) Healthcare Program, is a comprehensive and cost-effective alternative to traditional plans. While not a replacement for traditional health insurance, this new program offers affordable, accessible, and effective healthcare options for Vail Valley Partnership members – both businesses and individuals alike. The One Valley Healthcare Program provides a high-quality, affordable healthcare solution for employers, employees and sole-proprietors. While not health insurance, the program provides preventative care, options for co-payment features for additional services, and addresses unforeseen medical expenses, such as illness and injury.

A live webinar was held on November 21, 2023 – click here to view the recording.

Learn more at www.onevalleyhealthcareprogram.com 

It's time to talk about how we can serve others!  Brooke Skjonsby, Executive Director of Vail Valley Charitable Fund and Eagle County Gives expert talks to Erik about this important day in our community.

Founded in 2010, Eagle County Gives is a coalition of over 50 Vail Valley nonprofits dedicated to strengthening the collaboration, fundraising capacity and awareness of the non-profit sector that enhances the quality of life in Eagle County. Together, we strive to increase the awareness of our collective impact and have banded together to increase total local donations on Colorado Gives Day and year-round. Support for Eagle County Gives provides local organizations the means to provide basic human needs, protect the mountains you explore, and develop and protect the next generation.

​Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 5, 2023, and features a $1.4 million Incentive Fund. Every nonprofit receiving a donation on Colorado Gives Day will receive a portion of the fund, increasing the value of every dollar donated. Colorado Gives Day has grown to be the state’s largest one-day online giving event, raising more than $500 million since it began nearly two decades ago.

Schedule your donations and learn more HERE

Join the Vail Valley Partnership staff and trusted guests for Community Conversations, where we’re able to share thoughts, challenges and ideas around a specific topic in a relaxed and welcoming setting. VVP will invite subject matter experts on the topic and let the conversation go from there. As business leaders, we are stronger when we’re able to collaborate with like-minded professionals and look forward to robust and spirited discussions on how to improve our community – together.

Community Conversations: Employee Retention and Satisfaction November 7th at Color Coffee, Eagle CO. 9-10:30AM.
No registration needed, just show up!

Learn more about Community Conversations HERE