Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President Michael Seward announces retirement
After nearly 13 years as president and CEO, the man who put the "your" in "Your Bay Area Chamber of Commerce" is stepping down.Michael Seward, who took the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce to new levels through vibrant membership drives, legislative advocacy in Lansing and the establishment of new awards and business partnerships, announced his retirement Tuesday, Jan. 13.
"I've been here now about 12 1/2 years," Seward said. "I've actually been a chamber of commerce executive, believe it or not, for about 44 years."
Prior to joining the Bay Area Chamber, Seward, who was born and raised in Illinois, worked for chambers of commerce across the state and across the country, including in Lansing; Sacramento, California; and Chicago. Read more: M Live
Judge Orders Little Rock, North Little Rock to Discontinue Chamber Payments
A Pulaski County Circuit Judge has ordered the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock to stop making payments to chambers of commerce and other private corporations during a summary judgment hearing on Monday.
"He agreed it wasn't a
contract for services," attorney Bruce McMath said of a hearing with
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mackie Pierce on Monday. McMath successfully argued that point to the judge on behalf of one of the plaintiff's in the suit -- Jim Lynch of Little Rock.
"It's a donation. It's a contribution. And then the chamber is able to use it as they see fit," McMath said. McMath,
referring to the payments the City of Little Rock has made to the
Little Rock Chamber of Commerce over several years for economic
development services.
The Arkansas
Constitution bars local governments from appropriating money to private
groups or individuals, but the city of Little Rock had argued the
chamber provides promotion and economic development benefits.
"The
City of Little Rock has contracted with the Little Rock Chamber of
Commerce for many years in an effort to attract businesses to our
capital city. Their work recruited companies such as Welspun, Sage V
Foods, Bass Pro Shop, the Outlets at Little Rock and the Dassault Falcon
Jet expansion, among others," said Mayor Mark Stodola in a written
statement to KARK.
Stodola added in the
statement, "The City's contract with the Chamber has helped create more
than 5,275 new jobs, $200 million in annual payroll and $1 billion in
new capital investment in Little Rock since 2005." Read more: ArkansasMatters.com
Kentucky Chamber outlines top priorities for General Assembly
The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently released its 2015 legislative agenda as the Kentucky General Assembly kicks off its short legislative session in Frankfort.
The full agenda is extensive by nature, but I asked Bryan Sunderland, senior vice president of public affairs for the state chamber, to boiled the document down to the major issues the chamber will be pushing hard this year — and in the future, if they fail to gain traction with legislators during this session.
For this article, Business First has narrowed the list to 10 major issues. It should be noted that this is list not a ranking, so the order the issues are arranged does not necessarily reflect the importance of the issues. Read more: Louisville Business First
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indy Chamber
Indy Chamber
Launching in April 2015, #zWORKS will be @ZionsvilleIN's #entrepreneurial and #coworking center. http://ow.ly/HnBQ1
Chamber interest: New elk herd to be introduced in northwest Wisconsin
Beginning this month, elk will be imported into the Clam Lake area from Kentucky onto public lands. One of the reasons for importing elk is to provide genetic diversity to the existing herd and aid herd growth.
Another reason for the partnership between the Wisconsin DNR and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is to increase the local economy through recreation and tourism.
The elk herd currently generates over $200,000 of revenue per year, according to the Cable Chamber of Commerce. Read more: nncnow.com
Three to go into Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame
Three men will be honored at the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11:30 a.m. at the Oakley Lindsay Center.
The Class of 2015 will include Delmer R. Mitchell, partner with Schmiedeskamp, Robertson Neu and Mitchell LLP; Sam Rinella Jr., co-founder of The Rinella Company; and Ron Vecchie, vice president of Refreshment Services Pepsi.
Delmer R. Mitchell
Mitchell began his practice in Belleville, IL in 1966 before moving to Quincy in 1969 when Carl Schmiedeskamp and John Robertson’s firm needed a trial lawyer. Mitchell was then the firm’s sixth attorney.
Mitchell became a partner in the firm in 1971, and when Schmiedeskamp passed away in 1987, Mitchell became the leader of the organization. Today, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell LLP is the largest law firm within a 100 miles of Quincy with 17 lawyers and 20 additional staff members. The firm has grown from a local Illinois firm representing regional clients to one representing national clients, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. Read more: Quincy Journal
Quad Cities Chamber to host Gov. Branstad for Condition of the State Address
The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce will host Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds for the Condition of the State Address at a luncheon on Tuesday, January 20 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf.
“The Quad Cities is among a short list of communities where the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will present the Condition of the State, and we are honored to welcome them once again to our community,” says Tara Barney, President & CEO, Quad Cities Chamber. “This is a great opportunity to hear first-hand the Governor’s vision for the future of the state and align our regional vision wherever possible with state priorities.”
Branstad and Reynolds will present their vision for the state including initiatives to bolster the business climate and support workforce development. Register here: Quad Cities Chamber
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce To Present Web Development Seminar Feb. 3
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (VPCC) is pleased to announce it will host Tim Jones of Eternal Works Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as he presents “Building a Site to Generate Leads & Convert.”
The session, part of the VPCC’s 2015 series of educational seminars hosted at its Hampton office location, will walk attendees through creating a web site budget and the myths, legends and misconceptions of the web, including how to understand emerging technologies, like responsive web design.
Jones will also highlight the web site elements needed to generate leads and how to use a content marketing strategy to ensure maximum digital success.
At the end of the session, Jones will open the floor for any questions or comments about web development.
Charge your cellphone in advance, Jones said, because he’ll use it to walk attendees through part of the program.Read more: PR Web
Improve Your Chamber’s Performance With ACCE
"Don’t tell anyone, but you guys are losing money on me. I get WAY more out of you than I’ve ever paid for. You never cease to amaze. And I’m grateful."
—Doug Peters, CEO, Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, N.C.
More information: Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
"Don’t tell anyone, but you guys are losing money on me. I get WAY more out of you than I’ve ever paid for. You never cease to amaze. And I’m grateful."
—Doug Peters, CEO, Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, N.C.
More information: Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
RULE
#43 The seat of power is furthest
from the door.
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