Chamber Executives: Networking with peers creates optimism — and a bevy of ideas; KC Chamber aims to recruit younger members; Reginald King: 1954-2014 Rites held for Reginald King, longtime Greenwood (Oklahoma) Chamber of Commerce manager; Shakopee MN Chamber president appointed to IOM Midwest Board of Regents; Michigan road funding: Chamber of Commerce talking petition drive if lawmakers don't act; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indiana Chamber Re-Tweet: @IndianaChamber; Eau Claire Chamber news: Justin Vernon Launches New Eaux Claire Music And Arts Festival In Wisconsin For 2015; Chamber news: Arkansas Nominations are Open for the 2015 Small Business Week Awards; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Attitude);

Chamber Executives: Networking with peers creates optimism — and a bevy of ideas

by Tammy Wellbrock, Hays Chamber of Commerce Executive DirectorAttending conferences allows for a wealth of knowledge to be consumed.

The first of October, I attended the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas fall conference. Attending with me were approximately 50 other directors from across the state. From swapping funny stories to lending a supportive ear, I continue to be amazed at how much of an impact this experience is for me. I so enjoy the networking with my peers and the sharing of advice, encouragement and ideas with one another.

And, of course, this collaboration allows us to be more efficient so we don’t have to “re-create any wheels.”

So, what exactly, do I learn at these conferences and how can this knowledge positively affect the local business community and chamber members? Read more: Hays Post

KC Chamber aims to recruit younger members

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is placing a greater emphasis on recruiting younger members. The chamber recently elected new officers and board members, and its treasurer, Bardavon Health Innovations CEO Matt Condon, is among the younger members.

"We're not your grandfather's chamber anymore," chamber CEO Jim Heeter said. "We've made a conscious decision to add young members to our board of directors, as well as minority and women leaders, because we know that a variety of voices and perspectives can only benefit our organization and the work we do for Kansas City business and our regional community."

This year also marks the first time a GenKC member has served on the board, said Pam Whiting, vice president of communications and media relations. GenKC is a chamber program that helps people in their 20s and 30s make connections through community service projects and networking events. Read more: Kansas City Biz Journals

Reginald King: 1954-2014  

Rites held for Reginald King, longtime Greenwood (Oklahoma) Chamber of Commerce manager

From former babysitters opening child-care centers to hair stylists and auto mechanics going into business for themselves, Reginald King witnessed plenty of entrepreneurial dreams come true. And as business resource manager for the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, he liked nothing better than playing a role in it.

“My favorite part,” King once told the Tulsa World, “is seeing businesses develop — tracking them, working with them.” Taking an almost paternal pride in such work, he became well known in north Tulsa as the go-to guy for startups. Read more: Tulsa World

Shakopee MN Chamber president appointed to IOM Midwest Board of Regents

Angela Whitcomb, president of the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed to the Midwest Board of Regents of the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Source: Twincities.com

Michigan road funding: Chamber of Commerce talking petition drive if lawmakers don't act

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is discussing a potential road funding petition drive if lawmakers fail to approve a comprehensive solution by the end of the year.

“We’re urging the Legislature to do its job, and we’re hopeful they will,” said President and CEO Rich Studley. “But if they don’t, we’ll look at other options.”

The chamber is among a number of organizations that have lobbied state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to increase road funding by more than $1 billion a year. The business group argues the investment would create jobs and make the state more economically competitive. Read more: M Live

Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indiana Chamber Re-Tweet: @IndianaChamber

Indiana Chamber retweeted

wfyi ‏@wfyi 3h3 hours ago

We're live on #NoLimitsWFYI w/ guests @JohnKetz, Kevin Brinegar @IndianaChamber & Julia Vaughn Common Cause Indiana.

Eau Claire Chamber news: Justin Vernon Launches New Eaux Claire Music And Arts Festival In Wisconsin For 2015

Justin Vernon is starting his very own music festival. According to The Current, the man behind Bon Iver has teamed up with the people behind Boston Calling to launch the Eaux Claire Music and Arts Festival in Vernon's hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin next summer. A permit for the event passed through its final round of approvals and is officially slated to take place on July 17 and 18, 2015.

Crashline Productions is setting up the logistics of the two-day event, which will take place at the Foster Farm - home of the popular Country Jam festival - located about 90 minutes from Minneapolis in a vast, remote wooded area.

No lineup has been announced yet, though organizers anticipate up to 25,000 festivalgoers will attend each day. The set-up includes two main outdoor stages, one 6,000-person capacity tented stage, as well as on-site camping. Vernon will curate the lineup of music and art installations.

The event is expected to bring in eight or nine million dollars of tourism revenue to the town, according to Bob McCoy, president and CEO of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce.

Read more: MusicTimes.com

Chamber news: Arkansas Nominations are Open for the 2015 Small Business Week Awards

The U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Office is seeking amazing entrepreneurs and champions of small business to honor during the 2015 National Small Business Week Awards event in May.  Nominations are being accepted through Jan. 5, 2015 at 2:00 pm central time.

“More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and many of them have amazing stories to tell.  They help fuel our economy, drive innovation and increase America’s footprint in the global arena.” said Yolanda Garcia Olivarez, SBA South Central Region Administrator.  The region covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas with more than 3.3 million small businesses.  “Now is the time to help us single out the top entrepreneurs in your area.  These are the ones who think big, take risks and work hard to achieve the American dream, strengthen the middle class and create good paying jobs.  We want to spotlight their success.”

The Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year will be selected based on number of years in business, growth in employees, increase in sales, innovations in product or service, response to adversity, and contributions to the community.   The Arkansas award winner will go on to compete for the 2015 National Small Business Person of the Year award.  Additional awards will honor small businesses and champions at the Arkansas and South Central Region levels. Read more: SBA.gov

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Attitude)

“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”

~Carlos Castaneda