Realtor Frank receives certification

DILLON — Sue Ann Frank, CEO of the Summit Association of Realtors, is being honored by the National Association of Realtors with the Realtor Association Certified Executive designation, which recognizes exceptional efforts.

Sue Ann Frank is one of over 337 Realtor association executives who have achieved this mark of excellence. Local and state association executives who hold the RCE designation represent more than 700,000 Realtors in 48 states.

“This is truly an honor and I am very proud to be receiving this designation. It is a high point in my career as an association executive,” Frank said.

Prior to becoming a candidate for the RCE designation, applicants must document their association management and academic experiences. Once they have completed this first step, eligible candidates must successfully complete an extensive multiple choice exam, which is based on comprehensive understanding of association operations and management practices.

Frank will receive an award plaque from representatives of the Colorado Association of Realtors during an upcoming event.

Latest Summit business survey at record low

SUMMIT COUNTY — Mirroring the severe decline in stock prices and consumer confidence, the Summit County Business Barometer registered a record low for the third quarter of 2008. The survey is distributed to Summit County business owners and professionals in an effort to gather data on local business conditions and trends. The latest reading of 2.67 reflected a substantial deterioration in economic activity, down from 3.38 in the second quarter.

The business barometer is based on a 1 (lowest activity) to 5 (highest activity) scale and is compared to similar trends at the state and national level. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index is a national survey which is published on a monthly basis. It also reached a record low reading of 38 in October, down dramatically from 61.4 in September.

At the state level, business activity indicators were more stable. The latest Business Leaders Confidence Index produced quarterly by the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business registered 44, up slightly from the prior reading of 43.6.

The local survey also asks respondents to rate their level of confidence going forward over the next 12 months. Here local business owners and professionals expressed only a marginal decline in optimism with the future outlook index standing at 3.37 versus last quarter’s reading of 3.53.

The latest estimate of the current rate of inflation in Summit County reflected in the survey was 5 percent. This compares to the national consumer price index year-to-date increase of 4.5 percent reported in September.

Two focus questions were featured in the third quarter business barometer. The first was, “Would you support a second economic stimulus package similar to the one offered by the government last spring?” Interestingly, 62 percent of the respondents said no, they would not. The second question was “Do you support the recent $700 billion bailout package that was just enacted?” Here 53.4 percent indicated they did indeed support the package.

The Summit County Business Barometer is sponsored by the Summit Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Edward Jones Investments and the Summit Daily News, with a special thanks to John Boozer of J. Boozer and Associates, who conducts the survey. John’s firm can be reached at 720-232-4554 in Denver. Comments and suggestions can be directed to the Chamber office at 970-668-2051.

The Biz of Doin’ Biz in Summit County workshop

The Summit Chamber and Qdoba Mexican Grill present “The Biz of Doin’ Biz in Summit County — How to Thrive in a Challenging Environment,” an informative six-hour day featuring a keynote luncheon presentation and a series of mini workshops that will provide you with vital, useful and relevant information to take back and put into action at your own workplace.

For a complete list of the day’s events including a description of the mini workshops, visit summitchamber.org and click on the calendar of events. Reservation forms can be downloaded off the Chamber’s home page. Reservations are $35 for Summit Chamber members and $45 for general public. Reserved tables of eight and half tables of four are also available. Prices include keynote presentation, mini workshops, opportunity to network and a fabulous hot luncheon Qdoba Mexican Grill buffet.

Join us on Friday, Dec. 5, at La Quinta Inn & Suites in Silverthorne. For more information, contact the Summit Chamber, (970) 668-2051 or events@summitchamber.org. Professional development hours are available for this event through Colorado Mountain College.

Special thanks to our event sponsors, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Our Future Summit. Event sponsorships are still available. Contact the Chamber about this great opportunity that offers your business terrific benefits and an ideal setting to market your business to more than 100 people!

D’Vine Wine opens tasting room in Breckenridge

BRECKENRIDGE — D’Vine Wine, a boutique winery specializing in custom wines, opened its fourth Colorado location today at noon in Breckenridge. D’Vine Wine is located at 211 S. Main Street, Unit F.

D’Vine Wine, a California-based franchise, makes unique handcrafted wines in its Colorado wineries. Working directly with esteemed Napa vineyards, the local vintners regularly bring in freshly crushed grapes and create customized wines, traditional varietals and creative blends.

“We are eager to introduce our wines to locals and tourists alike in one of America’s favorite ski towns,” said Ross Meriwether, owner. “Although our wines are created in our Silverthorne winery, this tasting room will be full-service for tastings, purchasing bottles of wine, customized labels, ordering specialized batches of wines and hosting events.”

The Breckenridge D’Vine Wine location is open seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Red wine lovers are encouraged to stop in for Music, Massage and Merlot on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to close.

For more information or franchising questions, visit www.dvinewineusa.com.