At the beginning of your annual planning session, ask participating board members this question:
Why do you belong to your industry association?
The answers tell us what we already know.
For the last year I have been experimenting with the introduction process of the board planning sessions I facilitate. During the board introductions, I first like to ask "Why did you say "Yes" to serving on this board?" These answers remind them of their importance to the organization and the importance of our organization before we begin planning.
The next question I now ask is, "Why do you (or why does your company) belong to your industry association?" The vast majority say the same thing...
"Lobbying and/or Advocacy."
If you are not an issue oriented chamber of commerce, try asking this question at the beginning of your next planning session and don't be surprised to start seeing more critical issues pop up in your new plan.
Issue management; the promotion or opposition of issues that impact business will always be the first step toward relevance. Equating the financial impact to every member from every issue will turn that relevance into retention. Read more: America's Chamber Mentor -www.chambermentor.com
"Lobbying and/or Advocacy."
If you are not an issue oriented chamber of commerce, try asking this question at the beginning of your next planning session and don't be surprised to start seeing more critical issues pop up in your new plan.
Issue management; the promotion or opposition of issues that impact business will always be the first step toward relevance. Equating the financial impact to every member from every issue will turn that relevance into retention. Read more: America's Chamber Mentor -www.chambermentor.com
Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to Dale Perrin and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman jdussman@tspubs.com or call 847-427-4633.
Palatine Chamber of Commerce holds business expo
The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Business Expo and Community Showcase Saturday at the Falcon Park Recreation Center.
More than 50 business vendors participated in the new community event, which was free and open to the public.
The event included live demonstrations, a kids area and live entertainment. Read more: Daily Herald
Indy Chamber and OneZone to Join Forces For Startups
The economic development organizations in two of Indiana's most populous counties are set Wednesday to detail a new partnership. The collaboration between the Indy Chamber and OneZone in Hamilton County will focus on supporting entrepreneurship throughout central Indiana. Particulars will be released Wednesday at OneZone’s 2017 Economy luncheon in Fishers. Inside INdiana Business Television Host Gerry Dick will deliver the keynote address.
It involves extending the Indy Chamber's Entrepreneur Services division into Hamilton County. Entrepreneur Services provided more than 10,000 hours of businesses support, coaching and workshops last year for the small business community in Marion County.
The organizations say 1,000 new businesses have sprouted up in Hamilton County over the last five years.
While this program will support new businesses, the Indy Chamber in September launched its Acceleration Indy regional economic development strategy targeting existing businesses. Read more: Inside Indiana Business
Michigan West Coast Chamber Small Business Person of the Year
The Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce has named their 2016 Small Business Person of the Year.
The award goes to Jon Lanning of INONTIME, Inc.and was presented to Lanning at the Early Bird Breakfast at Hop College's Haworth Inn and Conference Center on November 8.
lNONTIME, Inc. is a trucking and warehousing company, started in 1998 by Jon Lanning’s father, Jack Lanning, with one employee. Fast forward to 2016, and lNONTIME currently has over 300 employees with sales in excess of 25 million, a growth of 240% in the last 5 years. INONTIME operates mainly in a 250- mile radius of both Zeeland, Ml and Greer, SC.
Lanning attended Calvin College, earning his BA in Business and then went into the workforce, attending Grand Valley State University at night to earn his MBA. He joined INONTIME in 2004.
Jon is also Past Elder and Deacon at Messiah CRC where his family attends, and is on the foundation board and past board member of Hudsonville Christian School.
lNONTIME considers stewardship of the community and of the earth’s resources to be one of its core principles, contributing 20% of their pretax profits to organizations as part of their stewardship effort. Read more: WHTC.com
Right-to-work, charter schools on Kentucky chamber's 2017 legislative priorities
Kentucky Republicans and the state and local Chambers of Commerce expect positive changes in the state's business community in the coming year.
For the first time since 1921, Kentucky's governor, the state House of Representatives and state Senate will all be under Republican control come January, a direct result of Tuesday's election.
Early next year, action is expected on right-to-work, the repeal of the prevailing wage law and charter schools.
Republicans have pursued those three policy changes from current state law in the state Senate, only to see the bills die – without a hearing or in committee – in what had been a Democrat-run House.
With a new 64-36 GOP majority control in the state House, that may change come January.
Ron Bunch, president and chief executive officer of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, said a state right-to-work law would be transformational for the local economy.
The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce agreed.
"That's a bill that could pass and would not cost the state a penny," said Dave Adkisson, Kentucky chamber president and chief executive officer. "It is like putting a sign on your storefront saying that you are open for business." Read more: Bowling Green Daily News
Virginia Chamber seeking nominations for Fantastic 50 fastest-growing businesses
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Fantastic 50 program, which recognizes the state's fastest-growing businesses, is seeking nominations for 2017.
Once nominated, a company must fill out a formal application by Jan. 8, the Chamber said.
“For more than two decades, the Virginia Chamber’s Fantastic 50 program has recognized the success of the fastest-growing businesses in the Commonwealth,” Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry DuVal said. “Companies on the Fan50 list are creating the high-wage, high-growth jobs that will define Virginia’s future. We encourage local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and companies throughout Virginia to submit nominations for the 2017 Fantastic 50 program.”
To be eligible, a company must be privately held with headquarters in Virginia, show sales between $200,000 and $200 million, and demonstrate positive revenue growth and positive net income in its most recent fiscal year over the previous year, according to a news release. More information: Daily Press
Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber readies for Christmas open house
Area merchants are wishing for a green Christmas this year. Continuing a tradition of more than 30 years, the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Christmas Open House Saturday to get shoppers into the holiday spending spirit.
More than 30 merchants are participating in the event, which will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Open House will end at 5 p.m. “Everyone has finger foods and treats there,” Chamber Program Director Katie Nations said.
“It’s just a fun little Christmas atmosphere. It’s almost like a Christmas party.” For Angie Warren, owner of Expectations and Expectations Too, the Christmas Open House is a way to show her Christmas spirit. It’s one of the busiest times of year for the Brookway Boulevard clothing boutiques, and Warren’s favorite.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s the most fun ever,” Warren said. “Decorating for Christmas is probably one of my favorite things to do.” It does draw crowds every year — Warren herself is preparing for hundreds of shoppers, and suspects that some may have to park along Brookway Boulevard.
It’s a great time to get some Christmas shopping done, but it’s also an opportunity to socialize with friends. “It’s a very fun, social occasion for women,” Warren said. “They come out in groups, moms and daughters, best friends and relatives. They come out and they shop together.”
There are 33 businesses with the Chamber of Commerce participating, according to Nations. One of the main goals of the open house is to boost the local economy and keep money in Lincoln County. Read more: Daily Leader
Chamber delight: Bayfield, Wisconsin, is a true winter wonderland
Chamber delight: Bayfield, Wisconsin, is a true winter wonderland
With nearly 100 inches of snow that falls during winter, Bayfield, Wisconsin, is the perfect destination for those who love the tranquil beauty of the polar season.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking beautifully landscaped trails are just a few of the winter activities the Lake Superior town offers visitors.
One of the biggest draws, however, is a set of ice caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, located just off the shore from the small community of 487 residents.
“There is never any guarantee that they will be accessible, but they were in 2014 and 2015, and nearly 200,000 people came to visit them during those years,” said Kelley Linehan, marketing and events manager for the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau.
Cliffs along the lakeshore form crimson red borders that create an arctic landscape, while pillars of ice extend to the cliff tops, where waterfalls have hardened in place. Frozen water from Lake Superior encrusts the base of the cliffs, and inside the ice caves are needle-like icicles. Formations change from chamber to chamber and from day to day. Read more: NWI Times
Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
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