Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Kentucky Chamber leader offers message of hope to Class of 2015; Chamber news: Top Ten U.S. BEST Places to Start A Business #10. Peoria, Illinois; Chamber partnership: A New Way to Promote Sheboygan County; Chincoteague Chamber (Virginia) awards 2015 honors; Randolph County chamber: 'American Pickers' to film in northeast Arkansas next month; Greg Word named senior vice president of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership; Dearborn Area Chamber Announces New Director of Small Business Development; Warrick County (Indiana) Celebrating Chambers of Commerce Week; #ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts


Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!  





Kentucky Chamber leader offers message of hope to Class of 2015

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson offered words of wisdom and encouragement to Georgetown College’s Class of 2015 during commencement on Saturday afternoon, while also making a plea on behalf of Kentucky’s business community for a stronger workforce.
“For the economy of Kentucky to grow in the information age, we need more college graduates to take leadership roles,” said Adkisson, who went on to outline three reasons for the college graduates to be optimistic:
  • The need for college graduates with bachelor’s degrees is up 15 percent in Kentucky.
  • The economy is rebounding after a long recession – in April alone 223,000 new jobs were announced by the U.S. Labor Department, and Kentucky’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level in eight years.
  • Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of about 10,000 per day in the country, creating many new opportunities in the workforce
Adkisson, a Georgetown College alumnus, and a member of the school’s Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee, went on to say that employers are now less worried about the economy and more worried about the skills gap in workforce. Read more: Kentucky Chamber blog


Chamber news: Top Ten U.S. BEST Places to Start A Business #10. Peoria, Illinois


This college town has a low cost of living, and it’s equidistant from Chicago and St. Louis. Bradley University and Caterpillar, the global construction equipment manufacturer, are located here, providing employment opportunities and drawing customers to local businesses, including The Chef and the Baker, a family-owned restaurant that sells box lunches and sweets. Peoria’s RiverFront District is the city’s main attraction, with festivals, live music, art, restaurants and shopping. Businesses can join the Peoria Chamber of Commerce to get listed in its directory, attend networking events and find advertising opportunities.

Read more: Nerd Wallet



Chamber partnership: A New Way to Promote Sheboygan County


A new effort is underway to help get more people to set roots in Sheboygan County.  The Sheboygan County Chamber and the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation are working together to create a relocation guide.
Chamber Marketing and Program Director Jane Brill says the guide will help with a worker shortage in the county that is expected to grow.  "Our H.R. people can sell their company, but they struggle with selling the community," says Brill.  "So we are looking to put together everything that’s wonderful about Sheboygan County."
The guide would be printed every two years with 90 to 110 pages, and be available both in a hard copy and a digital copy.  It would contain a feature for every community, city and village in the county with a focus on government, schools, businesses, companies, public and private services, and recreational opportunities. Read more: WHBL.com

Chincoteague Chamber (Virginia) awards 2015 honors


Tom Derrickson was recognized as Business Person of the Year and Sherry Tarr was recognized as Citizen of the Year at the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce 2015 Awards Luncheon, held at the Chincotague Cultural Alliance headquarters.
Chamber President Mary Alice Birch introduced Derrickson as an outstanding business owner who employs about 25 people at his business, Hampton Inn and Suites.
The inn is the most awarded in the country and Derrickson has won a distinguished award each year since it opened 13 years ago, Birch said.
"Not only does he have a beautiful and neat business located on the island, but he uses his location to donate space for many local organizations to have car washes to raise money. Several times through the year you will see small children and young adults with signs trying to raise money for their organization," she said.
Derrickson also frequently donates stays at the hotel for fundraising auctions and other events. Read more: DelmarvaNow.com

Randolph County chamber: 'American Pickers' to film in northeast Arkansas next month

Randolph County is excited to welcome Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and Antique Archeology to the area. The team will film episodes of their hit series AMERICAN PICKERS throughout Arkansas. Filming will begin next month.
AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking’ on History. This hit show follows two of the most skilled pickers in the business, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, as they embark on an epic road trip across the U.S. in search of America’s most valuable antiques from motorcycles, classic cars and bicycles to one-of-a-kind vintage memorabilia. Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle America, restore forgotten relics to their former glory, and learn a thing or two about American history along the way.
Filming is scheduled to start next month.  AMERICAN PICKERS is looking for leads and would love to explore what you may have. They are on the hunt for interesting characters with interesting and unique items.  Some of what they look for: vintage bicycles, toys, unusual radios, movie memorabilia, advertising, military items, folk art, vintage musical equipment, vintage automotive items, early firefighting equipment, vintage clothing, pre-50’s western gear. Read more: Randolph County Chamber


Greg Word named senior vice president of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Greg Word has has been named senior vice president of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. Word will lead the organization’s economic development activities, as well as facilitate the Greater Jackson Alliance, the four-county economic development arm of the parent organization.
Word has been with the Mississippi Development Authority the past two years.  Prior to his work with MDA, Word held positions with the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association and Mississippi State University.
At MDA, Word played an instrumental role in marketing with regard to recruitment, retention and expansion of national and global economic development clients. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal



Dearborn Area Chamber Announces New Director of Small Business Development


The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelli Vanden Bosch as Director of Small Business Development.

Vanden Bosch brings with her over 15 years of sales, marketing, community outreach and hospitality experience. She also holds her Travel & Tourism Certification and understands the personal touch needed to retain customers in small business. As the Director of Small Business Development, she will be working with Dearborn area businesses to help them to enhance their overall business strategies and goals through educational programs, networking events and other Chamber initiatives.
“We are excited to have such a passionate and dedicated individual join our team at the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce,” commented Chamber President Jackie Lovejoy. “Kelli brings with her significant experience that will prove to be a strong asset to our business community.”
Prior to joining the Chamber staff, Vanden Bosch served as an event coordinator at the Dearborn Hills Golf Course, owned and operated by the City of Dearborn. She is a resident of Dearborn and has a strong connection to the City. Vanden Bosch will work with Chamber President Jackie Lovejoy and staff, along with the board of directors and members, to engage Chamber members in significant membership outreach and business development programs.
“I am thrilled to begin my new position as Director of Small Business Development with the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce,” commented Vanden Bosch. “I am dedicated to small business and am eager to focus on, support and promote small business development within our community!"
For more information, please contact the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce by phone at 313-584-6100. 

Warrick County (Indiana) Celebrating Chambers of Commerce Week



May 4 through 8 has been proclaimed Chamber of Commerce Week in Indiana to recognize the state’s more than 165 chambers of commerce for the work they do to keep Indiana strong and growing.
This year celebrates the leadership that chambers demonstrate in their local communities, where they play a significant role in building links as business advocates and by encouraging policies that support business and economic development throughout Indiana.
“Chambers are the heart and soul of communities and a vital partner in the economic engine of our state,” said Shelli Williams, Indiana Chamber Executive Association President. “Chamber Week is a collaborative statewide celebration of successes from every corner of Indiana.”
Chambers have existed in the U.S. for more than two centuries, with many having been established before the jurisdictions they represent. Research indicates that the first local chamber of commerce in Indiana organized in the 1880s. Chambers exist in every region of Indiana. Read more: Tri-StateMedia.com



#ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts


These American chambers appear weak because they depend on voluntary engagement. And it is that kind of weakness that is, to a large extent, the strength of their country. -  Chris Mead, The Magicians of Main Street, America and its Chambers of Commerce from 1768-1945
 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.