Chamber delight: Forbes ranking - Madison, Mississippi makes new Top 25 list; Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Voted the Region’s Best!; Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Business After Business: Speed Networking; Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards scholarship; Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce to host grant-writing seminar; Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event; Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber Lodi Pride Concerts: Crooning in June; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Happy Friday, Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Chamber delight: Forbes ranking - Madison, Mississippi makes new Top 25 list

The city recently ranked among Forbes magazine's 25 best suburbs for retirement in 2015. Described as a growing city of 25,000 located just north of the state capitol, Madison was selected for its low crime rate and access to various amenities.

"Forbes compared hundreds of suburbs and selected 25 top locales, with the farthest out 22 miles from the downtown of a city," said the magazine. "We took into account housing cost and the overall cost of living, taxes on retirees, mass transit to the big city, the serious crime rate, air quality, proximity of hospitals and higher education opportunities, as well as the strength of the local economy for those who may want to work in retirement."

Madison was chosen because the suburb offers a median home price of $230,000, a cost of living just above national average, a good tax climate, a local extension of Tulane University, a nearby hospital, a high Milken aging rate, and an extremely low serious crime rate.

For these reasons and more, Retirement Coordinator Tona Becker feels that Madison was an obvious choice.

"It's a safe, beautiful place, and we have a lot to offer senior citizens," said Becker, who has worked closely with the local Chamber of Commerce to create a program designed to mold Madison into the ideal retirement community.

"We're so close to shopping, medical facilities, and entertainment," Becker explained. "There are lots of volunteer opportunities and recreational activities if they like to boat, fish, and hike. There are lots of activities, too, at the majority of our churches here in Madison." Read more: Madison County Journal

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Voted the Region’s Best!

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce was recently voted the best Chamber of Commerce by the readers of the Northwest Indiana Quarterly!  Readers voted for their favorite businesses in dozens of different categories.  The business with the most votes in each category won the designation “Best”. 

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Sue Reed, President and CEO of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “Our chamber is dedicated to creating a healthy business community in our Region. We all work together to make it a great place to live and work.”

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce has a mission to continuing business growth, providing a voice for businesses, dedication to members and civic pride.  Thank you for your continued support of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.  To see a PDF of the magazine, please visit www.nwibq.com and view the spring 2015 issue.

Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference

While Southeast Michigan leaders at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference acknowledge that their region’s economy still has room for improvement, they’ve started to pivot from a focus on fixing immediate problems to tackling long-term solutions instead.

When it comes to pervasive issues like roads and talent, they might find some examples of public-private collaboration from West Michigan that could help point a way forward.

“I think we in West Michigan row in the same boat together,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development organization.

While the Detroit Regional Chamber sponsors the late May event and gears the discussions toward Southeast Michigan, business leaders from West Michigan — Kitchens included — said they also wanted to have their say and seize opportunities for bridge-building and collaboration with their colleagues across the state.

“I think we collaborate better than most areas of (a similar) size in the nation,” Kitchens told MiBiz at the conference. “I think we work with Southeast Michigan a lot because the economic development there is driven by governmental institutions, where West Michigan is much more private sector-driven.

In particular, Kitchens said he believes leaders from the east side of the state are increasingly looking at proven models around West Michigan to solve the talent crisis. One such example is Grand Rapids-based Talent 2025, a private sector-led initiative with higher educational representatives that’s addressing long-term talent concerns in the region. - See more at: MiBiz.com

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Business After Business: Speed Networking
REGISTER NOW

June 18, 2015 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Pinstripes
435 East Illinois Street

Member Ticket: $30 | Non-Member Ticket: $50

Connect with like-minded business professionals
more effectively than ever before

Build build new business relationships, learn new ideas, share information, discuss challenges, and make meaningful professional connections at this fun, well-structured networking event.

Participants have the luxury of pre-qualifying the type of people they want to meet by filling out a brief online profile about themselves and who they want to meet. When you attend this event you will be provided a customized schedule (based on your networking selections) of meetings in which you will meet up to 10 new people for five minutes each.

Advantages of Speed Networking:

• Take the guess work out of finding the "right" contacts
• Avoid the awkward feelings of meeting new people
• Identify new business alliances, synergies, and career opportunities
• Meet more people in your target market in just two hours 

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards scholarship

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will be awarding the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship to Ania Austin, senior student representative from the Student Advisory Council to the chamber.
Ania has remained involved with a wide variety of activities throughout high school, including sports, academic clubs, community organizations and volunteer service. She is currently the president of the African American History Club, Senior Chair of the Pulaski County Student Advisory Committee and member of National Honor Society. Ania’s extensive community involvement includes over 400 volunteer hours, something chamber executive director Peggy White says “is a true representation of someone who has a passion for the community and wants to see it succeed.” The chamber continues to sponsor this scholarship for local students in an effort to help mold a successful future workforce and positively impact Pulaski and surrounding communities. Read more: The Roanoke Times

Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce to host grant-writing seminar

The Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Tourism Bureau will host the grant-writing seminar, “Researching and Writing Winning Grants” geared toward nonprofits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the MidAmerican Credit Union, 1610 N. Summit St., in Arkansas City.

Grant-writing skills are useful not only to those employed by schools and libraries, but also to those who work for nonprofit agencies, municipalities and faith-based organizations.

The seminar will be taught by Lu Kindblade, of Lu Kindblade and Associates, LLC, a planning firm that assists communities, schools, nonprofit organizations and businesses in developing and funding sustainable programs.

The seminar will highlight the basics of planning a project, writing a grant proposal and researching and accessing funding sources. A funding-resource list detailing the latest available funders and invitations for proposals will be provided, according to Kindblade.

“I am excited to be returning to Ark City because this is a community that understands that business and community needs go hand in hand,” Kindblade said. “I am thrilled at the opportunity to help this community and neighboring organizations find the funding to strengthen their services and projects, especially in this challenging economic climate.” Read more: Winfield Daily Courier

West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory

The West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory is available today! Thanks to Diane Brandt and her chamber team for their work in putting this together!

For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or glossy publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event

More than fifty local artists will come together to celebrate the art and community of Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, on June 18, 2015 from 4-8 PM in the Historic Coca-Cola Plant.

The public is invited to “Meet the Artists” and hear the artists' stories and see their art. Participating artists include individual artists and art groups like Paducah Art Alliance, the Art Guild, Yeiser Art center, Bricolage Art Collective, Wastelanders and PAPA Gallery.

Paducah has discovered that Art is one of its greatest resources for education, engagement and community spirit. The diverse artists and crafts persons who are part of its creative cultural community have enriched our city, enhanced our personal lives, changed perspectives, and broaden our international horizons.

The event is being held in the Historic Coca Cola Plant, one of Paducah's recently rehabilitated historic treasures, located at 3141 Broadway. Light Hors d'oeuvres will be provided and the Dry Ground Brewery and Piper's Tea and Coffee will be open for drinks.

Event sponsors and partners are Paducah Main Street, the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paducah Economic Development and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: KFVS12.com

Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber Lodi Pride Concerts: Crooning in June

Kicking off the summer concert season will be two hours of Lodi alumni and friends held at 6:30 p.m.m on Sunday, June 14 at the Lodi High School Performing Arts Center, 1100 Sauk St. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
The Lodi Alumni Concert will feature a variety of music from six decades of performers. Emcee Jerry Nelson (class of 1969) will be joined by classmate Susan Goeres.
From the ‘80s are Don “Hoppy” Hopkins, Susie Frankland, Leslie Nevens, Tracy Foster and Stacey Hoon.
Representing the ‘90s are Heather Halverson, Jason McGrath, Shana Dunn and Brooke Nault.
Next are the beginning of the graduates from the “new” high school: Regina Hurley, Patty Rea and Nicole Pare.
The millennials will have the most participants featuring Bryce Baker, Ryan Senger, Ricky Thaden, Hannah Weber, Kiley Roller and, newest graduates, Faith Hatch, Abby Mason and Andy Nevens. All three alumni received scholarships from music sponsors at Class Night. LHS Senior Skye Baron will also perform.
From the youngest to the, let’s say most experienced, Ivalo Senese represents everyone more than 90 years old. Accompanists are Susan Goeres, Shelly Pare, Sharon Hatch and Senger.
Nelson will also be the lead entertainer at the season’s first Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce sponsored Lodi Pride Concert on Wednesday, June 17 at Habermann Park. The night’s event will be sponsored by the Lodi Canning Company. Read more: Lodi Enterprise


Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

RULE #98      Never ask for money that isn’t there.