Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!
Iron Chef Meets Taste of Williamsburg -
Greater Williamsburg Chamber &Tourism
Alliance event
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance is joining
with the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association to bring Iron Chef Meets
Taste of Williamsburg on April 29th at Colonial Heritage Club. The
two organizations wanted to bring this combined event to the community to help
promote area restaurants to not only locals, but the many tourists that visit
the destination. “We are thrilled to work in partnership with WARA to bring an
amazing culinary experience to our residents and visiting guests,” said Karen
Riordan, CEO of the Alliance. Noreen Graziano, President of the Williamsburg
Area Restaurant Association, said, “I look forward to working together with the
Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance and feel it is going to be a
great event!”
This will be the
22nd year for Taste of Williamsburg, the 6th year for the
Iron Chef Wine and Food Expo, and the first year the two are blending together
to form one big culinary extravaganza! The Taste of Williamsburg event offers
member food and beverage establishments of the Alliance the opportunity to
showcase their talents to the community. The highlight of the evening features
the presentation of several prestigious awards to four winning participants
judged by a respected panel of judges and the attendees. The Iron Chef event
offers a chance for spectators to watch 3 teams of celebrated area chefs battle
it out in the arena to prepare mouthwatering dishes that are judged by an
esteemed panel of judges. Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks. More information:
Patrick Quinn - 757.476.6820 - Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance
Wal-Mart wage move mirrors state attitudes
Arkansas-based retailer Wal-Mart's
announcement Thursday of its plans to raise its entry level wages to $10 per
hour by next February mirrors movements both at the federal and state level to
increase the minimum wage; and, the ripple-effects locally are expected to
remain uncertain for some time.
Two key local business observers
agree that there will be some upward pressure on entry and minimum wage level
positions in Hope as a result of the move.
“I haven't heard anything about it
today from any local merchants,” Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director Mark Keith said Thursday.
What that tells Keith is there is no
surge of concern locally.
“I can understand how that would be
if you had to go from minimum wage to $10 per hour for many people; that would
be challenging,” he said. - See more at: Hope
Star
Chamber interest: Heard on the Street: Viking cruise ships coming to Mississippi River
Will Viking cruise ships be seen in Winona and Red Wing soon?
The Swiss-based Viking River Cruises has announced it will build six cruise ships, each capable of holding up to 300 passengers, to cruise American rivers, including the Mississippi River as far north as St. Paul.
Chamber heart: Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Initiative Connects Volunteers
The holidays have passed, but
the spirit of giving—or more precisely, giving back—remains in Jackson,
thanks in part to a new initiative of the Greater Jackson Chamber
Partnership.
Chamber interest: Heard on the Street: Viking cruise ships coming to Mississippi River
Will Viking cruise ships be seen in Winona and Red Wing soon?
The Swiss-based Viking River Cruises has announced it will build six cruise ships, each capable of holding up to 300 passengers, to cruise American rivers, including the Mississippi River as far north as St. Paul.
It announced it will make New Orleans its home port for cruises expected to begin by late 2017, The Associated Press reports.
Marion Fitschen of visitor/member services of the Red Wing Chamber of Commerce, said she has been told a Viking ship will stop at the historic city. "I'm sure they are planning to stop here," she said.
It will be great for Red Wing
because when cruise ships, such as the replica paddlewheelers, stop now,
people come to the levee to see them. And passengers get off the ships
to tour the town or shop in the downtown, she said. Read more: PostBulletin.com
Chamber news: Lansing Michigan named 4th-best affordable place to live on national list
Lansing came in as the fourth-best affordable city in the United States.. The cost of living in Lansing is 8 percent below the national average, according to The Council of Community and Economic Research. Housing prices are also lower than average.
According to data from Zillow.com, Lansing's median home sale price is $88,000. Surrounding places are more expensive -- East Lansing has a median sale price of $172,169, Okemos is at $173,675 and DeWitt Township is $167,080.Read more: M Live
Chamber news: Lansing Michigan named 4th-best affordable place to live on national list
Michigan's capital city is home to considerable amenities and affordable living, which landed it on Livability.com's Best Affordable Places to Live 2015 list.
Editors looked at three main economic factors: cost of living, median household income and median home value. But they also factored in their own "LivScore," which considered things like cultural amenities and entertainment options.Lansing came in as the fourth-best affordable city in the United States.. The cost of living in Lansing is 8 percent below the national average, according to The Council of Community and Economic Research. Housing prices are also lower than average.
According to data from Zillow.com, Lansing's median home sale price is $88,000. Surrounding places are more expensive -- East Lansing has a median sale price of $172,169, Okemos is at $173,675 and DeWitt Township is $167,080.Read more: M Live
Chamber heart: Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Initiative Connects Volunteers
#On
Feb. 17, the GJCP unveiled Volunteer Greater Jackson Center with an
event at Millsaps College. The volunteer center is one of a series of
projects in Greater Jackson Vision 2022, a 10-year long-range plan for
the Jackson metropolitan area.
#"We
are not just Jackson. We are Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties,"
Volunteer Greater Jackson board President Crisler Boone told the
audience.
#When
it opens, chamber officials say the center will provide a space where
people looking for opportunities to volunteer can get hooked up with
area nonprofits. Boone explained how the center will work:
#"Say
I'm a volunteer, and I'm looking for, say, something in education or
health care, I can go to (the center's) website, log into the database,
and I can say, 'I'm available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 2 to 5
and I'm interested in health care and education.' Then the nonprofits
in one of those areas will get on there and match me up with a
healthcare opportunity."
#The
chamber received a grant from Volunteer Mississippi totaling $46,700 to
seed the project. In addition to establishing the website, some of the
funds will go toward setting up an office for in-person volunteer
consultations. Kristian Beatty will serve as director of the center,
which will be housed in Millsaps' Murrah Hall. Read more: Jackson Free Press
Sturgis Chamber prep: Campgrounds, visitor inquiries expand to match Rally crowd expectations
With the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally just months away... preparation is in full swing day and night to make sure everything is ready for what is expected to be a record setting year.
Campgrounds are expanding, performers' names are being released, and hotels
are filling up.
The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce says they are still trying to wrap their head around just how big this year's rally is expected to be, and the visitor inquiries are up to match that expected increase in attendance.
Executive Director Heidi Kruse says, "We have a number of calls, many of them are first timers who are saying, 'We got a group together, we've never been to the rally before, we're excited to join you.' They just want to see it this year because it's going to be an anniversary year. Read more: KEVN Black Hills FOX
The new president of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce board already has experience heading this group and the annual Business Expo.
Ed Dowd, manager of the Staples store in Mattoon, served as board president in 2006 and has been in charge of the Business Expo at the Cross County Mall for the last 15 years.
"He will do great. You just can't ask for a better leader in that regard," said Donna Kastl, who recently completed her one-year as board president. She said Dowd is very logical about how he goes about his work, but also has a kind heart for working with others.
Dowd is set to take part in the Mattoon Chamber's annual dinner tonight at the Days Inn and is already looking forward to the 2015 Business Expo, scheduled for Oct. 1 at the mall.
The Business Expo has been drawing an average of 60 vendors each year in the recent past, Dowd said. Event organizers hope to get participation back up to 75 vendors this year, he said. Read more: Journal Gazette & Times-Courier
Midwest U.S. Chamber Advocacy Resources Available For Your Chamber
As you plan your Chamber programming this year, the U.S. Chamber Great Lakes Regional Office is here to help local chambers across Indiana. Here are a few ways their team can assist as you fill your 2015 calendars:
Legislative Updates - Their staff members are always available to address your chamber’s governmental affairs committee and/or monthly membership breakfasts or luncheons to update your members on issues before Congress and how they could impact the business community in your region.
Member of Congress Meet and Greets - Consider hosting informal meet and greets for your new and returning Members of Congress to provide them opportunities to interact with your members and give an overview of their priorities for the 114th Congress. These events could be at your chamber or at a member business you’d like to showcase. The U.S. Chamber's staff can help you schedule one of these in the next few months.
Government Affairs Training - Is your chamber ready to get more involved in advocacy? The U.S. Chamber's Governmental Affairs Chamber Training (GoACT) presentation is designed to educate your board/committee on best practices and ways to be better advocates for issues of concern. This short presentation is a great way to introduce or reiterate the importance advocacy plays as a program of work for a local chamber.
For more information, call the U.S. Chamber's Great Lakes Regional Office at 312-386-7796 and ask to speak with Ben, Cholly or Maggie. Source: Indiana Chamber Executives Association
Hardin County (Kentucky) Chamber 2015 Legislative Priorities
KY Chamber Issue Description
LIFT – Local Option Sales Tax: Support local option flexibility
The Chamber supports an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that would allow cities and counties the choice, with voter approval, to enact a local sales tax with a sunset provision, dedicated for the funding of transformational local projects.
Enact right-to-work legislation
The Chamber strongly supports legislation to prohibit requiring any worker to join a union as a condition of employment. We believe union membership should be a matter of personal choice, and the freedom not to affiliate with a labor union is no less deserving of protection than the freedom to affiliate. States with right-to-work laws report faster per capita
Income growth, faster growth in manufacturing and non-agricultural jobs, greater capital expenditures, lower unemployment and fewer work stoppages. As Kentucky struggles to recruit new businesses and to retain existing and expanding businesses, Kentucky’s failure to enact right-to-work legislation has allowed the Commonwealth to cede competitive ground to other states.
In fact, Kentucky is the only southern state not to have enacted right-to-work legislation, and, with Indiana and Michigan’s new right-to-work laws, stands as a conspicuous outlier in this much needed area of reform. Read more: Hardin County Chamber of Commerce
Chamber event: Marshfield Agri-Business Committee Selling Banquet Tickets
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Agri Business Committee will be sponsoring its 9th Annual Agri-Business Banquet on March 9 at the Marshfield Eagles Club.
A social hour will begin at 6:30, followed by the meal and program at 7:30.
This event will honor and recognize several people that impact the agriculture industry in the area. Awards will be presented... Read more: WisconsinAgConnection
Elk Rapids Michigan Names New Chamber Head
The Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Tom Kern of Traverse City as its new executive director. He replaces Misty Youngson, who left the organization last fall.
Kern recently returned to Traverse City from Steamboat Springs, Colo., where he was CEO of the Chamber Resort Association there. He also previously held CEO and COO positions at the chambers in Lawrence, Kansas; Fairfax County, Virginia; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Read more: Traverse Ticker
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership):
Sturgis Chamber prep: Campgrounds, visitor inquiries expand to match Rally crowd expectations
With the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally just months away... preparation is in full swing day and night to make sure everything is ready for what is expected to be a record setting year.
Campgrounds are expanding, performers' names are being released, and hotels
are filling up.The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce says they are still trying to wrap their head around just how big this year's rally is expected to be, and the visitor
inquiries are up to match that expected increase in attendance.Executive Director Heidi Kruse says, "We have a number of calls, many of them are first timers who are saying, 'We got a group together, we've never been to the rally before, we're excited to join you.' They just want to see it
this year because it's going to be an anniversary year. Read more: KEVN Black Hills FOXEd Dowd returns to Mattoon Illinois Chamber board president position
The new president of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce board already has experience heading this group and the annual Business Expo.
Ed Dowd, manager of the Staples store in Mattoon, served as board president in 2006 and has been in charge of the Business Expo at the Cross County Mall for the last 15 years.
"He will do great. You just can't ask for a better leader in that regard," said Donna Kastl, who recently completed her one-year as board president. She said Dowd is very logical about how he goes about his work, but also has a kind heart for working with others.
Dowd is set to take part in the Mattoon Chamber's annual dinner tonight at the Days Inn and is already looking forward to the 2015 Business Expo, scheduled for Oct. 1 at the mall.
The Business Expo has been drawing an average of 60 vendors each year in the recent past, Dowd said. Event organizers hope to get participation back up to 75 vendors this year, he said. Read more: Journal Gazette & Times-Courier
Midwest U.S. Chamber Advocacy Resources Available For Your Chamber
As you plan your Chamber programming this year, the U.S. Chamber Great Lakes Regional Office is here to help local chambers across Indiana. Here are a few ways their team can assist as you fill your 2015 calendars:
Legislative Updates - Their staff members are always available to address your chamber’s governmental affairs committee and/or monthly membership breakfasts or luncheons to update your members on issues before Congress and how they could impact the business community in your region.
Member of Congress Meet and Greets - Consider hosting informal meet and greets for your new and returning Members of Congress to provide them opportunities to interact with your members and give an overview of their priorities for the 114th Congress. These events could be at your chamber or at a member business you’d like to showcase. The U.S. Chamber's staff can help you schedule one of these in the next few months.
Government Affairs Training - Is your chamber ready to get more involved in advocacy? The U.S. Chamber's Governmental Affairs Chamber Training (GoACT) presentation is designed to educate your board/committee on best practices and ways to be better advocates for issues of concern. This short presentation is a great way to introduce or reiterate the importance advocacy plays as a program of work for a local chamber.
For more information, call the U.S. Chamber's Great Lakes Regional Office at 312-386-7796 and ask to speak with Ben, Cholly or Maggie. Source: Indiana Chamber Executives Association
Hardin County (Kentucky) Chamber 2015 Legislative Priorities
KY Chamber Issue Description
LIFT – Local Option Sales Tax: Support local option flexibility
The Chamber supports an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that would allow cities and counties the choice, with voter approval, to enact a local sales tax with a sunset provision, dedicated for the funding of transformational local projects.
Enact right-to-work legislation
The Chamber strongly supports legislation to prohibit requiring any worker to join a union as a condition of employment. We believe union membership should be a matter of personal choice, and the freedom not to affiliate with a labor union is no less deserving of protection than the freedom to affiliate. States with right-to-work laws report faster per capita
Income growth, faster growth in manufacturing and non-agricultural jobs, greater capital expenditures, lower unemployment and fewer work stoppages. As Kentucky struggles to recruit new businesses and to retain existing and expanding businesses, Kentucky’s failure to enact right-to-work legislation has allowed the Commonwealth to cede competitive ground to other states.
In fact, Kentucky is the only southern state not to have enacted right-to-work legislation, and, with Indiana and Michigan’s new right-to-work laws, stands as a conspicuous outlier in this much needed area of reform. Read more: Hardin County Chamber of Commerce
Chamber event: Marshfield Agri-Business Committee Selling Banquet Tickets
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Agri Business Committee will be sponsoring its 9th Annual Agri-Business Banquet on March 9 at the Marshfield Eagles Club.
A social hour will begin at 6:30, followed by the meal and program at 7:30.
This event will honor and recognize several people that impact the agriculture industry in the area. Awards will be presented... Read more: WisconsinAgConnection
Elk Rapids Michigan Names New Chamber Head
The Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Tom Kern of Traverse City as its new executive director. He replaces Misty Youngson, who left the organization last fall.
Kern recently returned to Traverse City from Steamboat Springs, Colo., where he was CEO of the Chamber Resort Association there. He also previously held CEO and COO positions at the chambers in Lawrence, Kansas; Fairfax County, Virginia; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Read more: Traverse Ticker
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership):
“Contrary to popular opinion, leadership is not a
reserved position for a particular group of people who were elected or
appointed, ordained or enthroned. Leadership is self-made, self-retained,
self-inculcated and then exposed through a faithful, sincere and exemplary
life.” ~ Israelmore Avivor
*Forbes 49/50
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