Leadership Fort Smith program moving to Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce; Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals is Turning 50! Jefferson City Chamber Business Showcase creates exposure; Tulsa Chamber Event: Return on Inclusion Summit set for Oct. 30; Chamber Board Member Shawn Wenko Named New Williston, North Dakota Economic Development Director; Chamber idea: Salina Tech works to start trucking institute; Chamber heart: Walleye Weekend check presented; Chamber Picture: Minnewaska Schools named Chamber Member of the Month; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude) - Soren Kierkegaard

Leadership Fort Smith program moving to Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce

After 27 years of affiliation with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and the university’s earlier iterations, the Leadership Fort Smith Program will operate as a program of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce beginning June 30, 2015.
The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, University of Arkansas Fort Smith, the Leadership Fort Smith Advisory Board, and the Leadership Fort Smith Alumni Association “are all in agreement that this transfer will be a positive change for the program,” according to a statement from the chamber.
The transition will begin after the 2014-2015 class graduates.
“We’re fortunate to have strong leaders in Fort Smith and many, if not all, have participated in Leadership Fort Smith at some point in their careers,” Tim Allen, Chamber President/CEO, said in the statement. “We couldn’t think of a more fitting home for the program than the Chamber. We are proud that the University, the LFS Board of Advisors, and the LFS Alumni Association Board have entrusted us with this remarkable community program. We will be ready to hit the ground running, training the future leaders of our community.” Read more: The City Wire

Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals is Turning 50!  

The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2015 and there are a lot of opportunities for our members around the state:  

• Tell us your chamber story: We want to know your chamber's history and contribution to commerce since your organization started and accomplishments you've achieved in the last 50 years.

Help us celebrate: Show your MACP pride by recording celebration messages and posting on our social media pages. More: Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals

Jefferson City Chamber Business Showcase creates exposure

Hundreds of people were at the Capitol Plaza Hotel to check out more than 150 exhibitors from across the Capital City. KRCG’s Rod Smith was the master of ceremonies at this year’s Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase. KCRG 13

Tulsa Chamber Event: Return on Inclusion Summit set for Oct. 30

The 2014 Return on Inclusion (ROI) Summit will take place Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the DoubleTree Downtown Tulsa, 616 W. Seventh St.

Touted as Oklahoma’s largest professional diversity and inclusion conference, the half-day summit will help executives, human resource professionals and community leaders explore how to develop robust workplace diversity strategies that align with their business objectives.

Full program descriptions are available at roiok.org. New this year is a lunch-only option, making the event more accessible to individuals with limited time or funds.

The Summit also features the popular executive breakfast presented by the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s diversity business council Mosaic. “Secrets Revealed: How Top Business Leaders are using Diversity and Inclusion to Accelerate Results” is an exclusive opportunity for CEOs and other high-level executives to have an intimate conversation about the challenges and benefits of inclusion. Read more: Tulsa World

Chamber Board Member Shawn Wenko Named New Williston, North Dakota Economic Development Director


Williston's Economic Development (WED) Department is under new leadership. The City of Williston named 38-year-old Shawn Wenko as the department's executive director effective on Wednesday, October 1, 2014.
Wenko, a Williston native, returned to his hometown in 2008 to join WED. As deputy director he initially focused on the Williston City Commission's "Build Williston Initiative" which was designed to enhance the three pillars of community development: housing, workforce, and quality of life. The Roundup

Chamber idea: Salina Tech works to start trucking institute

The Salina Area Technical College has been working with employers to start a professional trucking school to meet a growing demand for drivers. During a meeting last week, vice president of instruction Pedro Leite said the technical school was looking for seed money, The Salina Journal (http://bit.ly/1xZmIbf ) reports. "If I find $30,000, the program is off and running tomorrow morning," Leite said.
Many of the 30 people who attended the meeting were needy employers who were invited by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and were willing to help. Read more: Kansas City Star

Chamber heart: Walleye Weekend check presented

Tom Kuhlman, Executive Vice President of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, presented Krable Menzterof Easter Seals Iowa with a check for $16,114.82. These funds were collected during the 33rd Annual Great Walleye Weekend this past May 3-4. The 34th Annual Great Walleye Weekend will be held May 2-3, 2015.  Read more: Dickinson County News

 Chamber Picture: Minnewaska Schools named Chamber Member of the Month 

The Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Minnewaska Area Schools with the Chamber Member of the Month award last week. Students, staff and faculty gathered with chamber board members to accept the award. Representing MAS students were fifth-graders (front row, left to right): Katelyn Solis, Aliyah Bayer, Berkley Steffen, Alec Larson, Easton Kalina... Read more and see this wonderful picture: Pope County Tribune


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude)

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”

~Soren Kierkegaard