34th annual Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy conference: Detroit's economy, entrepreneurship on agenda at 'Davos of Michigan'; Doug Whitley's 13 years at the helm of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce; Lyerla to lead Neosho Area Missouri chamber; New Small Business Guide To Twitter; Who is the National Ombudsman? Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

Some 1600 people are expected to travel to picturesque Mackinac Island in northern Michigan this week to begin the 34th annual Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy conference. The three-day event features workshops with Michigan’s top business, government and academic leaders, who will discuss ideas for entrepreneurship, STEM education and the economic transformation of Detroit and the region. Get more information: PBS NEWSHOUR

Doug Whitley's 13 years at the helm of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce
From weeding bean fields, to seriously exploring a run for governor, to becoming one of the most influential business leaders nationwide, Doug Whitley of Batavia is spending his final month as president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce after 13 years at the post. But retirement doesn’t mean he’ll quit altogether. Read more: Daily Herald Business Ledger


Lyerla to lead Neosho Area Missouri chamber

Lauri Lyerla, who began duties as the interim executive director of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce April 1, succeeding former chamber director Shana Griffin who resigned effective March 31, was tabbed by the board of directors Thursday to be the new leader of the association of Neosho area businesses, industries, agencies and organizations.

Eric Norris, chamber president, said the board of directors conducted a nationwide search for Griffin’s successor. Read more: Neosho Daily News


New Small Business Guide To Twitter 
Whether you want to build your Twitter strategy or expand your marketing skills, this interactive guide will let you navigate to the topics that are most relevant to your business.
View the guide. 

Who is the National Ombudsman? 

The Office of the National Ombudsman assists small businesses facing unfair or excessive federal regulatory compliance or enforcement issues such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation.

As an impartial liaison, the Office of the National Ombudsman directs reported regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for high-level fairness review and works across government to address those concerns, reduce regulatory burdens, and help small businesses succeed. Read more: SBA.gov

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower  

Trey Grayson returning to Northern Kentucky, named president of area's Chamber of Commerce; Michigan Outstanding Chamber of the Year Deadline is: July 31; Greater Greenwood Chamber Elects Board Chair and New Directors; Congressman Brett Guthrie visits downtown Danville small businesses; Danville/Boyle County Chamber tour; Tornado Recovery Options Discussed at Baxter Springs Chamber Meeting; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Leadership)

Trey Grayson, former Secretary of State, resigned recently as director of the Harvard Institute of Politics, saying he and his family wanted to return home to Kentucky. On July 1, he will become the new president of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the key and influential business organization in the region.

The Chamber’s long-time president Steve Stevens left in January to take another Chamber position in Spokane. Local businessman Brent Cooper, president of C-Forward, has been serving as interim president while a search for a new permanent president took place.

Read more: KyForward

Michigan Outstanding Chamber of the Year Deadline is: July 31 

There is a new online form and streamlined application for Outstanding Chamber of the Year! Join an elite group of chambers in being recognized as an Outstanding Chamber in Michigan when you apply. Aligned with the US Chamber's accreditation process, the Outstanding Chamber of the Year award provides chambers opportunities to show extraordinary accomplishments in the past year, as well as best practices in governance, finance, membership and program development. Find the full application and guidelines by clicking here.


Greater Greenwood Chamber Elects Board Chair and New Directors

Gayle Sweitzer

Gayle Sweitzer has been elected the new Board Chair of the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce (2014-15).

In her professional life, Sweitzer is the Executive Director of Marketing for Community Physician Network, the 600 provider physician group of Community Health Network. She began her 25-year healthcare career in 1989 as a physical therapist at University Heights Hospital/Community Hospital South. Sweitzer served in clinical operations management roles for Community Health Network until 2000 when she moved onto Community’s marketing team. Read more: Greenwood Chamber

Congressman Brett Guthrie visits downtown Danville small businesses; Danville/Boyle County Chamber tour

U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie spent an informal Tuesday morning visiting downtown Danville shops, shaking hands with constituents, and discussing issues that concern Boyle County residents.
National Small Business Week began Monday, and Guthrie — whose background is in small business and manufacturing — chose to spend several hours in Danville to connect with small town business owners.

Read more: The Advocate Messenger



Tornado Recovery Options Discussed at Baxter Springs Chamber Meeting 

...the advice was good at Tuesday night's tornado recovery meeting co-sponsored by the Baxter Springs Economic Development Committee, Cherokee County Economic Development Committee and the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce. Read More: Cherokee County News-Advocate


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Leadership)


“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~ John Quincy Adams

Forbes 14/50
 

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea - Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration By Ed Catmull, co-founder (with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter) of Pixar Animation Studios; Kansas City Silicon Prairie: Startup Homes on the Range; Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Hosts 110th-Annual Awards Gala; Newport seniors named Arkansas Scholars; IRS Penalty Relief Pilot Program for Small Retirement Plans Begins in June

From Ed Catmull, co-founder (with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter) of Pixar Animation Studios, comes an incisive book about creativity in business—sure to appeal to readers of Daniel Pink, Tom Peters, and Chip and Dan Heath.
Creativity, Inc. is a book for managers who want to lead their employees to new heights, a manual for anyone who strives for originality, and the first-ever, all-access trip into the nerve center of Pixar Animation—into the meetings, postmortems, and “Braintrust” sessions where some of the most successful films in history are made. It is, at heart, a book about how to build a creative culture—but it is also, as Pixar co-founder and president Ed Catmull writes, “an expression of the ideas that I believe make the best in us possible.”
For nearly twenty years, Pixar has dominated the world of animation, producing such beloved films as the Toy Story trilogy, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Up, and WALL-E, which have gone on to set box-office records and garner thirty Academy Awards. The joyousness of the storytelling, the inventive plots, the emotional authenticity: In some ways, Pixar movies are an object lesson in what creativity really is. Here, in this book, Catmull reveals the ideals and techniques that have made Pixar so widely admired—and so profitable.
As a young man, Ed Catmull had a dream: to make the first computer-animated movie. He nurtured that dream as a Ph.D. student at the University of Utah, where many computer science pioneers got their start, and then forged a partnership with George Lucas that led, indirectly, to his founding Pixar with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter in 1986. Nine years later, Toy Story was released, changing animation forever. The essential ingredient in that movie’s success—and in the thirteen movies that followed—was the unique environment that Catmull and his colleagues built at Pixar, based on philosophies that protect the creative process and defy convention, such as:

• Give a good idea to a mediocre team, and they will screw it up. But give a mediocre idea to a great team, and they will either fix it or come up with something better.
• If you don’t strive to uncover what is unseen and understand its nature, you will be ill prepared to lead.
• It’s not the manager’s job to prevent risks. It’s the manager’s job to make it safe for others to take them.
• The cost of preventing errors is often far greater than the cost of fixing them.
• A company’s communication structure should not mirror its organizational structure. Everybody
  should be able to talk to anybody.
• Do not assume that general agreement will lead to change—it takes substantial energy to move a group, even when all are on board.

Source: Creativity, Inc

Kansas City Silicon Prairie: Startup Homes on the Range

Enriched by Google Fiber, an Internet connection that’s as much as 100 times faster than the speed most Americans experience online, the Kansas City Startup Village is home to numerous budding ventures. 

Lured by the Internet speed, village camaraderie and free housing, Mike Demarais and Nick Budidharma took the leap to join the budding tech community and launch their own businesses. Read More: Free Enterprise

Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Hosts 110th-Annual Awards Gala

The Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce presented seven prestigious awards, hosted the graduation of Leadership Bartlesville class XXIII, and passed the baton of leadership to a new board chairman Tuesday night. Following the graduation ceremony, Class President, Dave Anderson of Rogers State University presented the class’s gift to the community. - See more at: Bartlesville Radio

Newport seniors named Arkansas Scholars

Seven Newport High School seniors have been named 2014 Arkansas Scholars. The Arkansas Scholars program is sponsored by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce and is used to motivate high school students. Read more: The Newport Independent

IRS Penalty Relief Pilot Program for Small Retirement Plans Begins in June

The Internal Revenue Service will begin a one-year pilot program in June to help small businesses with retirement plans that owe penalties for not filing reporting documents. By filing current and prior year forms during this pilot program, they can avoid penalties.
The IRS is reaching out to certain small businesses that maintain retirement plans and may have been unaware that they had a filing requirement. The IRS projects that this program will bring a significant number of small business owners into compliance with the reporting requirements. Read more: One-year pilot program

Chamber Best Practices: Grand Rapids, Michigan House Party - Welcoming Homes & Stunning Spaces June 5, 2014; Eric Stafford Named Vice President of Government Affairs at the Kansas Chamber of Commerce; Oklahoma Chamber: Quality Jobs Bill to Help Oklahoma Military Installations; Conway Seniors Recognized for Academic Achievement; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Communication) Mike Kaput

Discover the splendor of living in or near downtown Grand Rapids. Highlights include Heritage Hill’s historic charms, the modern beauty of Riverhouse Condos and loft spaces throughout the city that feature new and sustainable design technology..Whether you’re new in town or a long-time resident, join us for an evening dedicated to the people, places, and spirit of West Michigan. June 5, 2014

Gather your friends and meet new ones. From neighbors to newcomers, the Grand Rapids House Party gets you tapped into the community:

• Enjoy great conversation and new connections in both a small setting and a large venue.

• Delight in the hospitality of our House Party hosts at one of our private cocktail parties.

• Ramp up the night with a lively celebration at our large House Party Afterglow with food, fun, music, and more!

• Explore common interests as you mingle with a wide range of House Party guests and community members. More information: Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

Eric Stafford Named Vice President of Government Affairs at the Kansas Chamber of Commerce

Mike O’Neal, President and CEO of the Kansas Chamber, announced recently that Eric Stafford has been named the organization's Vice President of Government Affairs. Stafford has served as the Senior Director of Government Affairs at the Kansas Chamber since December 2010. Prior to joining the Chamber, Stafford served as the Director of Government Affairs at the Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Inc. in Topeka. Read more: The Kansas Chamber

Oklahoma Chamber: Quality Jobs Bill to Help Oklahoma Military Installations

A change to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program will help military installations in the state by making sure dollars stay in state rather than going to the U.S. Treasury. House Bill 1416 allows the reimbursement of state income tax payments to go to a local entity to help offset the cost of expansion.
“Tinker Air Force Base plans to expand and add 1,300 civilian jobs for an important new air refueling tanker program and this bill will ensure it happens,” said State Chamber President & CEO Fred Morgan. “It makes sense to allow Quality Jobs payments to stay local to offset the cost of expansion to bring high-paying jobs to our state.” Read more: Oklahoma State Chamber

Conway Seniors Recognized for Academic Achievement

Each year, Academic Signing Day recognizes high school seniors in Conway who have received significant academic awards and substantial scholarships. The event is organized by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and is presented by Acxiom Corporation. Other sponsors for this year’s program include Central Baptist College, Conway Corporation, Crafton Tull, Crain Buick GMC, Log Cabin Democrat, First Security Bank, Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, Regions Bank, Smith Ford and Southwestern Energy Company. Read More: The Log Cabin Democrat

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation:(Communication)

"In a world of nearly infinite content, consumers are looking to one-stop shop."    Mike Kaput

Illinois State's Tax Incentive Overhaul Advances amid Chamber Criticism; Arkansas Venture Center Launches With $500K Grant From State; Compromise Would Keep Missouri In Common Core; Kansas has Low Cost of Living Overall, Salina Lowest; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Leadership): Winston Churchill

House Speaker Michael Madigan advanced a proposed overhaul of one of the state's special tax incentive programs Wednesday with an eye toward helping areas of high unemployment and poverty.
But Doug Whitley, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, contended the proposed changes are too complicated to work, although he said the state needs to focus on employment.

“I can't think of a more complicated way to engage in economic development,” he said, saying he was “beside myself” when he reviewed the bill. He doubted businesses would apply because the legislation appeared to be a “barrier” to business. Read More: Chicago Tribune

Arkansas Venture Center Launches With $500K Grant From State

The Arkansas Venture Center officially launched Tuesday morning in downtown Little Rock with a $500,000 matching grant from Gov. Mike Beebe.
The Venture Center is a membership-driven, nonprofit organization co-founded by local entrepreneurs Mike Steely and Lee Watson. It offers entrepreneurial services related to startup acceleration, corporate innovation and technical training. Memberships are $150 per year with student and veteran discounts available.
Since November, the AVC has been operating out of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, host of Tuesday's announcement and one of the center's founding sponsors. More than 750 people have attended AVC's 42 weekly and monthly programs and events -- more than 60 hours worth of programming -- since November. Read more: Arkansas Business

Compromise Would Keep Missouri In Common Core 

State lawmakers are close to a deal that would keep the Common Core education standards in Missouri schools until a panel of teachers can review the nationally-crafted expectations.
Missouri is one of 44 states that signed on to use the Common Core in 2010. But as schools have aligned their teaching and materials to the new expectations, parents have pushed back. They're concerned the standards, which have been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, will mean a loss of local control for Missouri schools.
Earlier legislation would have repealed the Common Core and barred schools from continuing to implement the standards. A compromise would let Missouri schools keep the Common Core for now, but give the state an out if a panel of educators tasked with standards setting could recommend a better alternative.
Jay Atkins, a lobbyist for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, calls it "transparency" legislation. Read more: WCUR 89.3

Kansas has low cost of living overall, Salina lowest

Shawnee County has a cost of living about 8 percent lower than the country as a whole, according to a group that compiles economic data. The Council for Community and Economic Research estimated in the first quarter the Topeka metropolitan statistical area has a cost of living of about 92.4 on their scale, where 100 is the nationwide average of 288 urban areas.
The Topeka MSA includes Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, Osage and Wabaunsee counties, but the prices for the area all were collected in Shawnee County, said Marsha Sheahan, spokeswoman for the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Read More: The Topeka Capital-Journal

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Leadership):


“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” ~ Winston Churchill


 Forbes 13/50

#BestChamber Practices - Websites Highlighting Economic Development with Key Information (Demographics, Buildings, Sites, Incentives) Attracts Site Selectors; Positive Words Lead to Positive Results; Exporting: MEDICA 2014, the World's Largest and Most Prestigious Medical Technology and Equipment Show; Report: Indiana School Counseling Not Meeting Postsecondary Needs of Students; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

Jeremy Stratton , President & CEO of the EL Dorado, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce wrote the following in a recent email.  The information highlights that to be a successful chamber of commerce, you also need to have both arms in economic development.  "The best way we can market El Dorado and Union County to economic development projects in today's world is through a comprehensive website that includes all of our sites, buildings and demographic information. Right now, we have a great tourism and relocation website; we need to enhance it with key demographic, building, site and incentive information. When beginning a site selection for a new plant location, the first place a company or consultant researches is the Internet. Consultants and company officials will pre-screen among thousands of communities to see which ones have the real estate they need for their operation. If we have property that meets their needs, the company and/or site consultant will visit our community. Thus, it is paramount that we show our properties on our website in a very conspicuous and well organized manner." Here are five websites Jeremy recommends for chamber economic development (and the last three from me). Crossett, Arkansas Jonesboro, Arkansas Greenville, South Carolina Wichita Falls, Texas Danville, Virginia Ashland Alliance One Southern Indiana   Jefferson City Chamber
Editor's Note: The best place to start economic development is with the existing businesses in your chamber. Once you have met their needs and built awareness of local site development and expansion possibilities, regional and state training, exporting opportunities, and growing their businesses through financing and incentives, then expand your horizons with open arms for economic development. Positive Words Lead to Positive Results “You are what you eat.”  How many times have you heard that line? But according to a recent book “Genuine Happiness”, your health may depend more on what you say. Saying positive words like: Morning Fabulous Helpful Share Running Forward Great Interesting Lunch Discussion Seems These words had a positive effect on your health. People that said these words (as a group) in social media demonstrated a more positive attitude, and geographically correlated to areas with lower heart attack rates. Conversely, areas with constant references to negative words and attitudes mirrored area of high stroke and heart attack rates.

Exporting: MEDICA 2014, the world's largest and most prestigious medical technology and equipment show

MEDICA 2014 is the largest and most prestigious medical technology show in the world, with over 5,000 exhibitors, and over 135,000 international visitors. The U.S. Commercial Service's Corporate Executive Office (CEO) Program provides a unique way for U.S. firms to optimize their participation in this show. Showcase your products and services to over 135,000 "trade only" visitors from 110 countries; meet the potential partners, agents, distributors and buyers; and close business deals without the expense of an exhibition booth. For more information, visit Export.gov or contact: Christian Koschil (Chicago) Christian.Koschil@trade.gov ;

Report: Indiana School Counseling Not Meeting Postsecondary Needs of Students

A new report commissioned by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation finds that school counselors are not able to meet the range of postsecondary needs of students, due in large part to a stagnant system and a variety of situations often out of their control.
“What we have is a counseling issue, not an issue with the counselors,” explains Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “In fact, the vast majority of counselors in the survey said they would like to spend more time providing college and career guidance.” Read more: Indiana Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)



“Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.” ~ Tom Peters

New Chamber Strategies: Little Rock Chamber Hires Director of Small Business Programming; Noblesville Chamber Board of Directors Announces New President & CEO; Business Summit: The Future of Kentucky July 21-22

Little Rock Chamber Hires Director of Small Business Programming

The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired Jordan Carlisle as Director of Small Business Programming. Jordan will work with existing programming as well as develop new entrepreneurial programming to benefit the 80% of the Chamber’s membership defined as small business. Programs include 1 Million Cups, Little Rock Startup Weekend, and other learning opportunities in a competitive digital world.
“When we as humans identify a need or a problem, it is our natural tendency to find a solution “says Carlisle. “This, at its core, is entrepreneurship. I’m here to help the Chamber provide the most current resources to those working to create these solutions.” Read more: Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce

Noblesville Chamber Board of Directors Announces New President & CEO

The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce has named Bob DuBois as its new President & CEO. The announcement was made today by board chairman Dr. John Paris, Riverview Health, in a letter to chamber members.
“Noblesville is an evolving community.  Our schools are growing, our business community is growing, and our local governments are growing.  The Chamber must grow and evolve with them.  We count on Bob to bring a different point of view, new ideas, and to lead us as we evolve with our community partners.”
 DuBois, a recent Noblesville resident, will assume the post full-time on May 5th.  He brings with him over 20 years of executive level experience with chambers of commerce in Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute at IUPUI.  DuBois is the former Chairman of the Massachusetts Association of Chambers’ of Commerce Executives. Read more: Noblesville Chamber of Commerce

Business Summit: The Future of Kentucky July 21-22

Be a part of the conversation to shape the course of our state. The Business Summit brings together
diverse ideas to answer the question: What are the decisions we have to make to move Kentucky

forward? Join your peers, business leaders, legislators and educators for a dialogue on Kentucky that

explores solutions and inspires change. Kentucky Chamber Business Summit

SBA Launches Growth Accelerator Fund

The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a $2.5 million competition for accelerators and other entrepreneurial ecosystem models to compete for monetary prizes of $50,000 each to fund operating budgets. To award the prizes, applicants will be judged by an expert panel that will consider each applicant's stated mission, founding team members and business goals among other core components. The application deadline is August 2, 2014. Read More: Small Business Administration


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Priorities)

The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. - Stephen J. Covey
 

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment; by Martin Seligman; Conway Chamber Toad Suck Daze scholarships top $77K; Improving the Education Attainment Level of All Kentuckians; Manhattan, Kansas Chamber: Local Companies Create Jobs; Famous Chamber Of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment --- by Martin Seligman

A national bestseller, Authentic Happiness launched the revolutionary new science of Positive Psychology—and sparked a coast-to-coast debate on the nature of real happiness.

According to esteemed psychologist and bestselling author Martin Seligman, happiness is not the result of good genes or luck. Real, lasting happiness comes from focusing on one’s personal strengths rather than weaknesses—and working with them to improve all aspects of one’s life. Using practical exercises, brief tests, and a dynamic website program, Seligman shows readers how to identify their highest virtues and use them in ways they haven’t yet considered. Accessible and proven, Authentic Happiness is the most powerful work of popular psychology in years.

Conway Chamber Toad Suck Daze scholarships top $77K

Scholarships presented at Toad Suck Daze over the weekend totaled $77,500.
Mary Margaret Satterfield, director of events at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said the awards included $37,500 to scholarships and endowments and $40,000 to pre-Kindergarten education. Read More: Log Cabn Democrat

About Toad Suck Daze

Since 1981, the Toad Suck Daze Committee of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has held a fun, family-oriented festival the first weekend in May. The festival has raised more than $1.4 million in endowed or directly awarded scholarships. More than 220 Faulkner County students have received Toad Suck Daze Scholarships. Since 2012, Toad Suck Daze has awarded more than $100,000 to local early childhood education initiatives.

Improving the Education Attainment Level of All Kentuckians

Kentucky’s economic well-being is inextricably linked to the education and skills of its citizens. The relationship between  educational excellence and economic growth is more critical today than it has ever been. In our modern economy, competition comes from nations on the other side of the world, not just from our neighboring states.
Kentucky must be focused and relentless in its work to create a system of education that is truly world class. All Kentuckians have a role to play, none more important than the state’s business community.
It is the state’s employers who face competition every day and who understand the limitations created by an under-educated workforce.
The Kentucky General Assembly is currently not in Session. If you would like to get involved in helping us form our Legislative Agenda for the 2015 Session, please contact Beverly Standifer for more information about joining one of our policy councils.  Kentucky Chamber

Manhattan, Kansas Chamber: Local Companies Create Jobs

 A national statistic that also holds true in our region shows that 80% of all new jobs created each year come from local companies in our own community.

Does that mean we won’t support recruiting out-of-town businesses? No. We work hard to find and recruit good companies to our community and will continue to do so, but our priority will always be helping local businesses expand and to support them in obtaining local and state economic incentives.

Source: Manhattan Kansas Chamber

Famous Chamber Of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)


“Leaders aren’t born they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” ~ Vince Lombardi

Chambers' Letter Asks: "Arkansas governor candidates (for) comment on Quick Action Closing Fund"; Tom McDonnell is stepping down as Kauffman Foundation CEO; Chamber Advocacy Video Shows "It's A New Day for Michigan"; Bowling Green Area Chamber Taking Applications for 2014 Leadership South Central Kentucky; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

Economic developers across Arkansas are pushing for a position from gubernatorial prospects on the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund, at one time a $50 million discretionary fund that allowed the state’s chief executive to close job prospects...
In a letter dated last week, State Chamber of Commerce CEO Randy Zook, Arkansas Economic Developers President Lou Ann Nisbett of Pine Bluff, and Rogers-Lowell Chamber vice-president Whitney Yoder signed a letter to gubernatorial candidates. The letter said, in part:
“We shouldn’t have to explain the tactical benefit this incentive plays. Thousands of jobs and dozens of projects in every corner of our state can be traced directly back to this incentive. 

Read More: The City Wire

Tom McDonnell is stepping down as Kauffman Foundation CEO

After 18 months on the job, Kansas City business leader Tom McDonnell will step down as president and chief executive officer of the $2 billion Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The announcement by the foundation Wednesday that McDonnell, 68, will give up the top position on June 30 and leave the foundation at the end of the year surprised much of the civic community.

Read more here: Kansas City Star

Chamber Advocacy Video Shows "It's A New Day for Michigan"

We are pleased to report that this week the Michigan Chamber launched a 30-second TV spot highlighting the progress Michigan has made as a state and that our future is bright. Drawing upon the data contained in the Michigan Chamber Foundation’s 2013 Michigan Economic Competitiveness Study, it is clear that our economy is on the right track.  Over the past two years, Michigan leads all of the Great Lake States and exceeds the national average in personal income growth, employment is up, and unemployment is down.
Unfortunately, despite Michigan’s progress, some politicians and unions are running negative campaigns attacking Michigan's hard-working job providers. The TV ad that we are running is an example of our determination to cut through the noise and misinformation to tell the positive story. Our economy has struggled in the past, but through strong leadership in Lansing and good public policy, new jobs are being created, and, most importantly, more of our friends, neighbors, and family members are going back to work.
There will undoubtedly be more negative ads demonizing business and entrepreneurs, but here at the Michigan Chamber, we will continue fighting for a better tomorrow by staying focused on free enterprise and economic freedom through a positive agenda for change.
Our video, titled “It’s a New Day,” has been posted to the Chamber’s YouTube channel. Please share the video with your employees, other business leaders, and family members. See it: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Bowling Green Area Chamber Taking Applications for 2014 Leadership South Central Kentucky

Leadership South Central Kentucky (Leadership SCKY) develops and educates current, promising and future leaders throughout our 10-county region.  The program facilitates communication and lifelong, peer-to-peer networking among leaders within our regional community to foster region-wide economic development and community progress by serving as a catalyst for problem solving and collaboration.
Leadership SCKY is coordinated by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce as a leadership development opportunity open to individuals in our 10-county region. Representation from all counties in the region is a priority in the mission of this program. Read More and get application here: Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce 
 
For more information, contact Abbie Siljendahl, Director of Programs and Events.  

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

1. “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” ~ Jack Welch

  Forbes 9/50

Business Recovery Center Opens in Conway; Jessamine Chamber Director, Chamber Garner Statewide Recognition; CIRCLE (Central Illinois Chamber Legislative Effort) Brings Concerns to Local State Legislators; Ready To Build On What Dearborn County Has to Offer; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Leadership): Martin Luther King, Jr.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Conway. The center is specifically designed to provide key financial services to businesses impacted by the April 27 tornado. More information: Conway Area Chamber

Jessamine County Chamber Director, Chamber Garner Statewide Recognition

Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce director Amy Cloud was named co-executive of the year at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) awards ceremony held on April 24.
Cloud shares the honor with Hardin County chamber president Brad Richardson.

“I was very surprised,” Cloud said. “I was nominated by nomination letters being sent to KCCE. I know two of my ambassadors and two of my board members sent in letters.”

Cloud went up against chamber directors of all class sizes for the individual award. Read More: The Jessamine Journal


CIRCLE (Central Illinois Chamber Legislative Effort) Brings Concerns to Local State Legislators

Three issues were up for discussion at the annual CIRCLE hearings as part of Legislative Day in Springfield. To give local input on the issues, eight attendees from the Morton Chamber of Commerce traveled down to let legislators hear their opinions.
CIRCLE, the Central Illinois Regional Chamber Legislative Effort, has hosted the hearings the past five years. Each year, Morton has had representation at the hearings. Other area chambers that are part of CIRCLE includes Washington, East Peoria, Chillicothe, Peoria and Pekin, among others. This year, the group spoke to area legislators about not raising minimum wage, reforming workers’ compensation and ending the income tax raise. Read More: Morton Times-News

Ready To Build On What Dearborn County Has to Offer
By Eric Kranz, Dearborn County Chamber President   For the past four and a half years I have been working with small to medium sized business owners all over Southeast Indiana.   In my work with the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center and now the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce, I have assisted entrepreneurs in 13 counties.  Over that period of time I helped those individuals start over 50 new ventures, invest over $85 million into new business starts and expansions, and create more than 300 jobs.  I’ve worked with hundreds of clients on thousands of issues.  The great part of working with the ISBDC is that I got to see issues facing businesses of all sizes.  We worked with businesses in any field, any industry from one person start ups to 500 person manufacturing facilities.  Read More: Dearborn County Register

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Leadership)


“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.


Forbes 8/50

#Chamber Best Practices - Positive Public Relations Creates Positive Vibe - "Good Talk" at Shawnee Chamber; Michigan Chamber Commends House Leadership for Passage of Legislation to Build Better Roads; Blevins, Denham speak at Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber meeting; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Your Choices)

From the Shawnee chamber, a list of nine terrific reasons to be proud you live in Shawnee, Kansas:

Shawnee was ranked #17 on Money Magazine's 2010 list of "Best Places to Live" in America. As America's best small cities, Shawnee was recognized for its affordable housing, air quality index and median commute time. 

Shawnee was selected as one of the “Best Affordable Suburbs in the United States” by BusinessWeek for the second time - 2009 and 2006.

Money Magazine ranked Shawnee #39 on its 2008 list of “Top 100 Places to Live.”

Shawnee is the only City in the Kansas City area to earn a Bicycle Friendly Community designation by the League of American Bicyclists. Shawnee has over 37 miles of on-street bike lanes, 47 miles of share-the-road lanes, and 30 miles of off-street recreational trails.

Shawnee was a top 20 finalist for the All-America City designation by the National Civic League. 

In 2009, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the City of Shawnee the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its annual budget. This is a significant achievement as it reflects the highest principles of government budgeting.

Shawnee Mission and DeSoto School Districts, the two public districts that serve students in Shawnee, once again received the “Gold Medal” designation, the highest award in the 2008 Education Quotient ratings by Expansion Management Magazine.

Shawnee Mission Park, located in Shawnee, is the largest park in the area with 1,250 acres of land. It is the most visited park in the State of Kansas.


Shawnee Chamber of Commerce recently received their accreditation from the U.S. Chambers of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber's Accreditation Program is the only national program that recognizes chambers for effective organizational procedures and outstanding contributions toward positive change in their communities. This makes the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce one of the top 2% of the over 6,400 Chambers of Commerce across the nation hold this honor.


Source: Source: Shawnee Chamber

Michigan Chamber Commends House Leadership for Passage of Legislation to Build Better Roads

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement by Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley in response to bipartisan action in the State House today to raise transportation investment by $450 million per year.

“Today in Lansing an overwhelming majority of Democrats and Republicans in the State House worked together to pass a package of legislation to build better roads. We especially commend the leadership of Speaker Jase Bolger (Marshall) and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (Auburn Hills); and bipartisan cooperation between House Transportation Chair Wayne Schmidt (Traverse City) and House Transportation Minority Vice Chair Marilyn Lane (Fraser). Read more: Michigan Chamber

Blevins, Denham speak at Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber meeting

An update of actions and issues that took place during the 2014 Kentucky General Assembly session was presented Thursday by State Rep. Mike Denham, (D-70th District) and State Sen.Walter "Doc" Blevins, (D-27th District). The state legislative update meeting was organized by the Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce and hosted at the Maysville Country Club. Read More: The Ledger-Independent

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Your Choices)

1. “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes… and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Forbes 7/50