Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg; Kentucky expanding program to create highly-skilled workers; Visit Lake County (Illinois) chamber open house Friday, Jan.23; Marshall (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce plans to merge with MAEDA; Virginia Chamber - Chamber Day at the Capitol; Chamber news: Making LeClaire, Iowa a 'destination'; Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize–winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Distilling vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives that take us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to sidelines of the NFL to the front lines of the civil rights movement, Duhigg presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

 

Kentucky expanding program to create highly-skilled workers

Kentucky Chamber Board Chair Wil James joined Gov. Steve Beshear Wednesday to announce the expansion of the Kentucky Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME) to additional areas of the state.

The program, which offers students an apprentice-style education and training to help create a more highly-skilled workforce, is adding three new chapters in Louisville, northern Kentucky and Elizabethtown in addition to its central Kentucky chapter.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. President and current Kentucky Chamber Board Chair Wil James said Wednesday the KY FAME program is the pipeline of skilled workers that the manufacturing industry needs.

“With the Kentucky FAME’s guiding hand, I advanced manufacturing in our state can and I believe will reach its full potential,” James said. “At Toyota, this is the type of innovative collaboration that we are proud to be a part of. But like the dozens of companies that have joined KY FAME, we also realize that this is an initiative that we simply must get behind and support because our future truly does depend on it.” Read more: Kentucky Chamber

Visit Lake County (Illinois) chamber open house Friday, Jan.23

Lake County Chamber of Commerce is rolling out the welcome mat for everyone. The chamber will host a free open house at its permanent office at 1313 N. Delany Road in Gurnee. It'll run from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23. Chamber officials will provide a tour of the facilities. In addition, visitors can meet the staff and board members. Refreshments will be provided by First American Title Insurance Company. Daily Herald

Marshall (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce plans to merge with MAEDA

The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce plans to dissolve this year, transferring its assets to the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance and ending its partnership role with the organization.
The arrangement, described in MAEDA documents as a "merger," would go into effect by the end of June and would end the Chamber's role in handling Marshall's portion of the hotel accommodations tax. MAEDA would then "cooperate with the Chamber to determine how MAEDA can provide services to people who formerly relied on the Chamber for services," according to a draft of the contract.
The deal must first receive approval from the Chamber's members. There are 276 of them, according to a list included in minutes from a November meeting of the MAEDA board. Read more: Battle Creek Examiner

Virginia Chamber

Chamber Day at the Capitol

Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Morning Agenda – Omni Richmond Hotel, James River Ballroom

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Registration

9:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks, Barry DuVal, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce

9:40 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. House Speaker William J. Howell

10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment

10:20 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. Coffee Break, Sponsored by LEAD VIRGINIA

10:35 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw

10:55 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Lt. Governor Ralph Northam

11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Attorney General Mark Herring

11:35 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Remarks—Barry DuVal

12:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Lunch

Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
The Growth Imperative—How to Transform America’s Future
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John “Jock” McKernan, President, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Governor of Maine (1987–1995)
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J.D. Foster, Deputy Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

1:45 p.m. Adjournment 

Chamber news: Making LeClaire, Iowa a 'destination'

Construction crews at Mississippi River Distilling Company are currently working to complete a 1,500-square-foot expansion to its current location on North Cody Road.
Green Tree Brewing Company also hopes to open a 1,600-square-foot microbrewery right next door to the distillery this spring.
Laura Ernster, LeClaire resident and secretary for the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce, called the recent growth of the small town "unique."
“People want to be part of it,” she said. “It’s fun to live here and fun to be proud of a community instead of worrying if it’s going down hill.” Quad City Times

Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory

Get a free estimate for your chamber of commerce on a professional gloss community profile or membership directory. Call John Dussman of Town Square publications at 847-427-4633 or email jdussman@tspubs.com  with the subject line "Free Chamber publication estimate".