Greater Elkhart Chamber: Young Professional Feedback; Illinois Chamber of Commerce hires Melissa Hahn as director of communications; The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will present its list of eight priorities to area legislators next week; Montgomery County (Virginia) Chamber of CommerceTop 10 Reasons to Join; Chamber interest: Columbia, Missouri to make airport announcement; Chamber Chuckle - Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests; Chamber issue - Report: Wisconsin taxes too high, complicated; Chamber news: Animal Advocates To Hold Discussion On New Norman, Oklahoma Shelter; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

Greater Elkhart Chamber: Young Professional Feedback

 Two and a half years ago I joined Fidelity National Title as an Escrow Officer. I was then promoted in March 2012 to Account Manager. I knew I needed to get involved and learn more about Elkhart, since I grew up in St. Joe County. My very first thought was to get involved with The Chamber.

     I attended a Young Professionals lunch and instantly wanted to get more involved. The following month I attended the council meeting and was soon part of the executive council. I am now the Co-Chair of the YP’s along with Stacey Anderson of CAPS.  

     YP’s motto is Develop, Network, Serve and we do just that. 

     YP has helped me develop many relationships not only professionally but personally as well. I am happy to say that many of my “clients” have now become my friends. I have built many of these relationships by attending our many networking events.  Read more: Greater Elkhart Chamber

Illinois Chamber of Commerce hires Melissa Hahn as director of communications

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce, based in Springfield, has hired Melissa Hahn, formerly of Hennepin, as its new director of communications.
Hahn lived in Toluca in Marshall County the first five years of her life before moving to Hennepin with her mother, where they lived until 1986. She attended Hennepin Attendance Center, Hennepin Junior High School and Putnam County High School and received an associate’s degree from Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby. She worked on the student newspaper, served as a member of the student senate, joined the American Chemical Society’s Club at IVCC and participated in theater. Read more: BCRNews.com

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will present its list of eight priorities to area legislators next week.

Given that Kentucky just went through a contentious election cycle that included a fight for control of the state legislature, has a lame-duck governor and another contentious gubernatorial campaign coming next year, local business leaders aren’t too confident the General Assembly is going to get much done in its 30-day session set to begin in January.
That won’t stop them from trying. To that end, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is planning to release next week its list of eight priorities for the upcoming session. Those include more work on the regional and statewide heroin epidemic, allowing public-private partnerships on major infrastructure projects such as the Brent Spence Bridge and even updating the state’s telecommunications laws and regulations. The chamber will present this list to the area’s legislative caucus at an event Wednesday night. Read more: Cincinatti.com

Montgomery County (Virginia) Chamber of CommerceTop 10 Reasons to Join 

1.   New Business Contacts – Networking and new business contacts to help your business grow. With 600+ members representing thousands of area employees, the Chamber speaks with a strong and credible voice for business. Volunteers and staff members monitor government meetings and pending legislation to keep members informed on issues that affect them.

2.   Credibility – Credibility to make a statement that you are committed to the future of Montgomery County

3.   Member-to-Member Discounts – Discounts and benefits (Member-to-Member Discount Program) to help you save some money

4.   Leadership Development – Learning opportunities / professional development to help you run a smarter, more profitable business

5.  Community Commitment – Promote the community to help Montgomery County residents enjoy greater opportunities

6.   Referrals – Referrals and sales opportunities to deliver return on your investment

7.   Publicity and Exposure – Publicity and heightened name recognition so customers know who you are

8.   Marketing and Advertising – Targeted, effective and affordable advertising (Chamber Media) to help you advertise effectively on a small budget

9.    A Healthy Local Economy – Create a strong local economy to keep our business momentum moving forward

10. Gain a Voice in the Government – The Chamber is your representative on the local, regional, state and national level. Your voice is heard on important regulatory, legislative and educational issues that directly affect your business.

The Chamber helps to build a more vibrant, prosperous, and connected Montgomery County!

Source: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce


Chamber interest: Columbia, Missouri to make airport announcement

Columbia officials plan an announcement Monday about service at Columbia Regional Airport that might include news of a third destination or that American Airlines, the city’s air service provider, will use larger jets on its flights from Columbia to Chicago and Dallas.
Officials have been tight-lipped about what the announcement entails, but they have been in talks with American about a new destination city and using larger planes on its routes. American provides service from Columbia Regional Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport on 44-seat and 50-seat jets. A market analysis names several cities it considers viable new destinations. Read more: Columbia Tribune

Chamber Chuckle -  Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests

"Where do I buy goldfish?"

Chamber issue - Report: Wisconsin taxes too high, complicated

A report submitted to Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday that came out of nearly two dozen meetings around the state concludes that Wisconsin taxes are too high and too complicated, but makes no specific recommendations about what to do about it.

With an eye on future tax policy changes, Walker had asked Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler to gathered input. They met with business and manufacturing leaders, farmers, elected officials, private citizens and others at 23 meetings this year. Read more: WISN.com 

Chamber news: Animal Advocates To Hold Discussion On New Norman, Oklahoma Shelter

A group in Norman planned a town hall meeting to discuss the animal shelter for Monday. Norman Animal Welfare Now (NAWN) volunteers said there will be experts in animal rescue and shelter management at the event to talk about best practices and renew the focus on saving the lives of homeless animals.

In 2011, Norman's Chamber of Commerce unanimously passed a resolution to fund a new shelter. Read more: News9.com


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte