Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: The Magicians of Main Street - by Chris Mead, ACCE
A new book, the first-ever full-length history of
chambers of commerce in the United States, describes how voluntary
groups of business people, even before the American Revolution, changed
not only their local economies but often their society. The Magicians of Main Street indicates,
in considerable detail, how chambers of commerce affected the nation’s
finance and currency, public health, transportation, public works, local
government, education, and even cultural life. The traces of these
organizations’ activities remain with us in countless ways, from
Washington’s Cherry Blossom Festival to New York City’s subway to
Chicago’s Board of Trade to the gaming industry of Las Vegas and the
stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The author, Chris Mead, argues that these chambers have
grown out of the natural tendency of Americans to form associations. As
the political commentator Michael Barone has pointed out:“Alexis de Tocqueville in his classic Democracy in America expressed wonderment at the proliferation of voluntary associations in the United States. Among them were chambers of commerce, the first of which was founded in New York in 1768, before the American Revolution. In The Magicians of Main Street, Chris Mead tells how chambers of commerce across the nation shaped America from colonial times to the end of World War II. This is a story, previously untold, essential to understanding how America became what it is.”
Why has there been no such book up to now? Mead thinks people have overlooked chambers of commerce in favor primarily of individuals with specific legal powers or well-known talents or obvious achievements. The idea that a group of people can change the world or a community is one that our individualistic society sometimes passes over. He devotes a full appendix to 13 reasons
that the chamber of commerce story has been missed by most historians, journalists, and the
general public.
In 2012, when the book was far from finished, a Wall Street Journal reporter learned about the project and put Mead and the book on the cover of the newspaper, with an article entitled, “Don’t Yawn: Chambers of Commerce are Really Quite a Kick.” And in fact, they are. Historian Kevin Starr describes the book:
“Long before the enfranchisement of municipal governments, chambers of commerce or their equivalents ran the show. In many ways, they still do. In this never-a-dull-moment contribution to the re-emergent field of American business history, Chris Mead presents an action-packed narrative of high-mindedness, enlightened self-interest, and, now and then, chicanery.”
Among the most colorful business organizations in the nation’s history were those of Chicago: the Chicago Board of Trade (originally an ordinary chamber of commerce that invented modern agricultural product trading and morphed into the world’s leading commodities exchange), the Commercial Club, and the Capone-hunting Chicago Association of Commerce. Yet there were other interesting chamber activities across the land. Mead traces their examples – good and bad -- across the 50 states and weaves them into a narrative that becomes, almost imperceptibly at first for the reader, an alternative history of the United States. To a far greater extent than anyone realized before the publication of this book, our country has been shaped by pickup teams of business people who paid their dues and built up their communities.
The book is available from John Cruger Press via Amazon at the hard-copy price of $29.95. It is 517 pages long including footnotes and bibliography. More information: Magicians of Main Street
One Southern Indiana launches committee to explore regional plan
One Southern Indiana, the chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd Counties, has developed a Regional Cities Initiative Steering Committee to develop an eight-year regional plan.That plan will be used to pursue a potential state grant that could lead to investments of as much as $1 billion in Clark and Floyd Counties during the next eight years, according to a news release.
One Southern Indiana in (its) release said the steering committee was created after the state started pushing public and private leaders to pursue enhancements by designing "dynamic public places" that would bring more businesses, families and residents to Indiana. One Southern Indiana said such improvements would make the region more competitive within the state. Read more: Louisville Business First
Sauk Valley Area Chamber (Illinois) names new executive director
The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce didn't have to look far for a new executive director.
Kris Noble, who was hired in September to be a project manager at the chamber, will take over the position in January.
She will succeed Kim Ewoldsen, who will go to work for the Morrison Area Development Corp., but will continue as a consultant for the Sauk Valley Chamber.
Before being hired by the chamber in September, Noble was a counselor for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
Noble said having Ewoldsen around as a consultant would help with a smooth transition. Read More: SaukValley.com
Chamber Best Practice: Greater Richmond Chamber and
Community College Workforce Alliance connect former HDL employees with
potential new employers
The Greater Richmond Chamber and the
Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) held a Career Opportunity Reception
on December 17th designed to connect former employees of Health Diagnostic
Laboratory (HDL) with Richmond Region businesses that are looking to hire
employees with similar skills.
“HDL is very appreciative that the
Chamber and the CCWA took such an interest in our former employees,” said Scott
Blackwell, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for HDL.“
Their rapid response will hopefully
ensure that these very talented individuals find quality jobs in our region. I
was overwhelmed by their initiative and concern, particularly during this busy
time of the year.” Read more: Greater
Richmond chamber
Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch: I found Wisconsin all over China
Perhaps you've had this same experience: You're traveling far from home and you spot a Green Bay Packers hat, a Badgers sweatshirt, or an "America's Dairyland" license plate. Seeing that slice of home instantly brings a smile to your face.I had that moment half a world away in China at the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing when I met Edward Tung, a business executive for Oshkosh Corp. It happened in Chengdu, when I ran into an employee who worked for a Brookfield-based financial services company. I had it in Shanghai, meeting Angel Yang, a vice president with Kohler Corp. In fact, my meeting with Angel took place at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Shanghai, across the street from a Kohler showroom. And everywhere I went, people knew Wisconsin ginseng, grown right here in Marathon County. Read more: Wausau Daily Herald
“American Pickers” is coming to Phillips County in January says Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Friedlander.
“American Pickers” is coming to Phillips County in January says Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Friedlander.
Friedlander reported Tuesday morning that the assistant producer of the History Channel’s reality series had contacted him Monday and requested him to help spread the word. Friedlander called it a “win-win” opportunity for the community and anyone that was selected to appear on the program.
In case you don’t know, “American Pickers” is a TV series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking.” Two highly skilled “pickers” – Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz – crisscross the country searching for America’s most valuable antiques – from motorcycles, classic cars and bicycles to one-of-a-kind vintage memorabilia. Read more: Helena-Arkansas,com
Chamber partnerships: 'Big Mo' on the banks of the 'Mighty Mo': Installation underway for latest public art piece in Council Bluffs
The “Big Mo” is being installed on this side of the “Mighty Mo.
Created by internationally renowned sculptor Mark di Suvero, “Big Mo” is the latest addition to the Iowa West Foundation Public Art collection for Council Bluffs.
“It’s a big day for the Council Bluffs and the riverfront,” said Pete Tulipana, president and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation.
Installation ceremonies were held Tuesday near the southwest corner of Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park.
The event was really a
celebration for the Council Bluffs-Omaha region and the joint efforts of
both communities to keep enhancing the riverfront, various dignitaries
said.
Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh
said the city is privileged to be involved with partnerships with
organizations such as Iowa West to create a spectacular park and a home
to world-class art.
“We’re
serious about regional partnerships,” said David Brown, president and
CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Omaha.com
Chamber issue: Denny Sanford To Donate $25 Million For Scholarship Program
Philanthropist T. Denny Sanford is donating $25 million to South Dakota for a scholarship program for the state's technical schools. Sanford tells KELOLAND News the state will match that $25 million for a total of $50 million going to the program.First PREMIER Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse tells KELOLAND News that he and Miles Beacom, President and CEO of PREMIER Bankcard, approached Sanford about the workforce shortage in the state. Dykhouse says the shortage affects not only First PREMIER, but all of its business customers. Dykhouse says Sanford is enthusiastic about partnering with the state to solve the shortage, which has reached a near-crisis level. Keloland Television
Chamber sponsorship: New themes for Minnesota higher education
If
the first step to achieving positive change is widespread agreement
that change is needed, then Minnesota is on its way to making higher
education more effective, efficient and productive. But unless consensus
about promising next steps follows soon, the wait could be long — too
long, we fear, for employers already crying about a shortage of skilled
workers.
Two
high-level meetings in recent weeks made earnest attempts to achieve
consensus. One, dubbed North Star Summit, involved 360 stakeholders and
was hosted by state Senate higher education chair Terri Bonoff on Dec.
8. The smaller event on Dec. 17 was the last of three meetings of a
“work group” on higher education affordability and completion rates. The
Citizens League and the state Office of Higher Education convened the
work group; the league was also among eight summit sponsors, which also
included the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Editorial Board - Star Tribune
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Detroit Chamber
Detroit Chamber
@DetroitChamber
With the new year approaching, take a look back at 2014. Download our Year in Review here: http://ow.ly/FNtmL
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Detroit Chamber
Detroit Chamber
With the new year approaching, take a look back at 2014. Download our Year in Review here: http://ow.ly/FNtmL
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