Celebrate Chamber of Commerce Month in Michigan this October! Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann speaks during Vicksburg-Warren County chamber luncheon; Chamber issue: Kentucky Is New Test Case of Health Law’s Politics; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Event: Virginia’s Department of Veterans Services and partners invite you to a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) EmployerTraining Day! La Crosse Area chamber meeting: Be Bold III initiative helps Wisconsin move forward; Chamber Best Practices: Have you thought about joining the Marion (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce?; Chamber Delight: Monticello named one of top Indiana business locations; #ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts:

Celebrate Chamber of Commerce Month in Michigan this October!

October is Michigan Chamber of Commerce month in Michigan, a chance for our organizations to celebrate chambers of commerce and their contributions to Michigan's economic climate!

We invite you to participate in celebrating this exciting month with us, and have created material to get chambers prepared to spread the message in their community.

Find Chamber Month Resources Online. Let us know what your Chamber celebration plans are during the month of October and we will include them in our media launch and highlight your chamber as a participant.

Help MACP celebrate 50 years!

Like us on Facebook to follow us in celebrating and to share pictures of your local celebration at: http://facebook.com/michamberpros 

 

Call MACP at 517-371-7671 or alindsay@michamber.com with questions or for more information.


Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann speaks during Vicksburg-Warren County chamber luncheon

With his mother Patricia in the audience, Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann came home Wednesday.

The Vicksburg native and St. Aloysius alum was the guest speaker at the July Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

In the midst of a re-election campaign that will be resolved in the November general election, Hosemann spent his time Wednesday recounting stories of home that helped shape his philosophies and career.

“Early on, I had a job at Helen’s Florist. My job was to deliver the sprays and arrangements to the churches for weddings and to other events,” he said. “And on this one occasion, I popped the clutch a little too much and sent the arrangements falling in the back of the truck. I quickly went and got Mrs. Helen.

“She told me that they had to be redone. She said ‘You need to know that when we have to redo these, that takes away from any profit. There’s not a lot of profit in these as it is,’” Hosemann said. “So very early, that taught me something about hard work, how tough it is in business.”

- See more at: Vicksburg Post





Chamber issue: Kentucky Is New Test Case of Health Law’s Politics

Voters who oppose overhaul, but like state’s exchange, face a stark choice in governor’s race

For a Southern state where President Barack Obama is deeply unpopular and Republicans dominate federal elections, Kentucky stands out for having created a well-regarded health exchange and having expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. That dynamic will be put to the test in November’s gubernatorial election.

Jack Conway, the 45-year-old state attorney general, says he would continue the policies of Gov. Steve Beshear, his fellow Democrat, who has embraced the health law and made its implementation a centerpiece of his administration. Republican Matt Bevin vows to dismantle the exchange and roll back the Medicaid expansion, saying the state can’t afford them.

How the debate plays out in the campaign could hold lessons for the national parties ahead of 2016.

“It’s a bit of a test case,” said Trey Grayson, chief executive of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and a 2010 U.S. Senate candidate who lost to Rand Paul in the GOP primary. A key question, he said, is whether campaigning against the health law packs the same political punch now that millions of people have gained coverage. Read more: Wall Street Journal

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Event: Virginia’s Department of Veterans Services and partners invite you to a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) EmployerTraining Day!

Hundreds of thousands of American service members will transition from active duty into the civilian workforce in the coming years. America’s Veterans, including our serving members of the National Guard and Reserve, are highly-trained and well-educated professionals for competitive organizations like yours.

This event will serve employers who want to hire Veterans but aren’t sure how, as well as small businesses who want to improve their understanding of the talents Veterans can bring to their organization.

During this free event, employers will learn why hiring Veterans will be the best business decision their organization can make, as well as gaining access to valuable resources to connecting directly with this population. This event is tailored to all employers needs and challenges.

TRAINING DAY HIGHLIGHT

  - Learn how to become an Official V3-Certified Company

  - How your company may qualify for up to $10,000 in V3 Grants!

  - Workbook with resources and tools

Refreshments and Lunch will be provided. Networking opportunities available!

This event is being hosted by the VA Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. More information: Virginia Peninsula Chamber

La Crosse Area chamber meeting: Be Bold III initiative helps Wisconsin move forward

A new initiative hopes to help move Wisconsin forward.

It's called the Be Bold III initiative put on by the research group Competitive Wisconsin Incorporated.

The three-part strategy focuses on making the state more competitive in the 21st century.

The research group presented their findings on Monday at the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.

The first two parts of the strategy looked at jump starting the state's economy and talent development for skilled workers. The last part of the strategy pinpoints areas where the state can improve.

“We've identified three major clusters where there is serious job growth and serious wealth growth. One is the sector so business services etc., you would expect, second is food processing and manufacturing and third is healthcare and health care information,” said Be Bold III Initiative Strategic Council Member Jim Wood. Read more: NEWS8000.com

Chamber Best Practices: Have you thought about joining the Marion (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce?

The Marion Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping businesses thrive and be a solid part of our community.  Being affiliated with the Chamber means many different things to businesses, individuals and organizations.

By joining The Marion Chamber of Commerce, you are taking an active role in making the community a better place to live, work and play.  You will be part of an organization that is an advocate for businesses.  Managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, you will become connected with other people who share a desire to promote economic, commercial and civic duty within Southern Illinois.  In the political arena, the Marion Chamber of Commerce works with various levels of government offices and officials to help promote and ensure sound legislation. Also, the Chamber office is a popular stop for tourists looking for area activities, maps and information; Chamber members are always referred first.

Perhaps one of the most beneficial reasons to join the Marion Chamber of Commerce is the recognition you will receive by displaying the Chamber logo at your place of business.  Businesses that display a Chamber logo are recognized by consumers as people who practice good business, care for their customers and are trustworthy.  Consumers view Chamber members as people who are connected to the community and successful.

Also important are the many networking events the Marion Chamber has throughout the year such as Monthly Member Luncheons, Business After Hours, and Marion Community Day.  Attending a Chamber event puts you in direct contact with business and community leaders.  There are also advertising and sponsorship opportunities available which are tailored to spotlight your business.

Joining the Chamber provides to you an opportunity to have a positive impact on your business.  I would like the opportunity to discuss with you the benefits of joining the Marion Chamber of Commerce.  Please call my office number so that we can schedule a time that is convenient for you!

Dalus Ben Avi
Executive Director
Marion Chamber of Commerce



Chamber Delight: Monticello named one of top Indiana business locations

Monticello was listed as the No. 2 best place to start a business in Indiana, according to nerdwallet.com.

The list was based on an analysis of 99 places in Indiana, each with a population of at least 5,000 and at least 500 businesses. NerdWallet calculated the overall score for every location based on the city’s business climate and economic health using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The only city to be ranked above Monticello was Bluffton.

Janet Dold, Executive Director of the Greater Monticello Chamber of Commerce, said the success of Monticello’s business environment comes largely from its diversity.

“I think we’re equally as strong in commercial, industrial, tourism and agricultural endeavors,” Dold said. “That’s what makes us unique. That makes us successful.” Read more: NewsBug

#ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts:

U.S. chambers are voluntary organizations. This has led to years of misery in courting, coaxing, begging businesses to do their part and be part of the chamber. Why go through all this agony of dues collection? It’s because those collections represent a kind of vote, and a vote that can matter.

As voluntary groups, chamber benefit from the what one might call the “democracy of the elbow”. That is, influence beyond the power of a single vote can come to those who are willing to devote the elbow grease needed to effect change.

- Chris Mead, The Magicians of Main Street, America and its Chambers of Commerce from 1768-1945