Teresa Beale named president of the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives; Conway and Bevin to Speak at Kentucky Chamber’s 10th Business Summit and Annual Meeting; Guide. Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce Members-Only Legislative Update Webinar; Guide. Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce Members-Only Legislative Update Webinar; Indiana Chamber Scores State Legislators on 2015 Voting Records; Greater Springfield Chamber 2015 small business award recipients announced; Michigan Governor Signs Chamber-Championed Bill Preempting Local Wage and Benefit Laws; Two Mississippi area chambers appoint new directors

Teresa Beale named president of the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

Teresa Beale, executive director of the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, was recently installed as president of the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive at its June 26 meeting. Administered by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the VACCE is an alliance of chamber executives representing large and small chambers of commerce from localities throughout the state.
“It is truly an honor to serve as president of the VACCE,” Beale said. “Our chamber staff has benefited from their programs for many years, and the interaction with chamber professionals from different regions helps to enhance our communities. I look forward to highlighting the Franklin-Southampton Area throughout my term.”
As president, Beale will preside over board meetings and will represent the chamber on the board of directors. She has been with the FSACC for 28 years, and has served as executive director for the last 11 years. Prior to her appointment, she served as office manager for 16 years.
In 2010, Beale was selected as the “Chamber Executive of the Year” by the VACCE, which recognizes outstanding performance in the field of chamber of commerce management. It is presented to an individual who has exhibited being a leader in the chamber and community. Read more: Tidewaternews.com

Conway and Bevin to Speak at Kentucky Chamber’s 10th Business Summit and Annual Meeting

The 2015 governor’s race is set to take center stage at the Kentucky Chamber’s Business Summit as Republican Matt Bevin and Democrat Jack Conway are scheduled to speak at the event.
Bevin and Conway have both been invited and are expected to attend the Kentucky Chamber’s 2015 Business Summit and Annual Meeting, presented by Bingham Greenebaum Doll, on July 27. The two candidates will participate in a discussion moderated by Ryan Alessi, the former host of cn|2’s Pure Politics who is now working as a freelance journalist and adjunct professor.
Now in its tenth year, the Business Summit and Annual Meeting, scheduled for July 27 and 28 at the Downtown Marriott Louisville, provides an opportunity for business leaders throughout the Commonwealth to discuss the issues related to the local, national and international economies. The Kentucky Chamber’s signature event has consistently brought renowned journalists, political analysts and speakers to the Business Summit with the intent to enhance the conversations had during the two-day think tank.
Make sure to register for the Kentucky Chamber’s 2015 Business Summit and Annual Meeting. See the full agenda for this year’s event here.
Conway and Bevin will speak on many issues important to the Kentucky Chamber. To see stances taken by the candidates in the primary election, check out the Kentucky Chamber’s Primary Voter’s Guide.

Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce Members-Only Legislative Update Webinar

July 10 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Things can change quickly at the State Capitol during the legislative session. WMC’s involvement is integral through every step of the legislative process – from conception to passage of bills that affect Wisconsin’ business community. We aim to keep members up-to-date with the current status of pending regulation as it moves through Wisconsin’s legislative process. One of the most effective way we can do that is through bi-weekly webinars during each legislative session.
These regular members-only combination conference call/webinars provide busy business leaders and their leadership team with detailed information on the current legislation as it comes down the pike. These sessions provide members the opportunity to talk one-on-one with WMC’s government relations experts and ask questions about how proposed legislation will directly affect your business. Read more & register: WMC

Indiana Chamber Scores State Legislators on 2015 Voting Records 

State legislators have received their grades from the Indiana Chamber on their performance during the 2015 General Assembly. The numbers, released in the annual Legislative Vote Analysis, are based on voting records on pro-jobs, pro-economy legislation. The 2015 scores were wide-ranging, from 36% to 100%. There were a total of nine perfect marks – all in the House, which is the exact opposite of last year when 10 senators were atop the list.
“We saw a greater spread in scores this year, even among those in the same party. That’s a testament to the nature of the public policy being introduced and debated, as well as the changing demographics in the Legislature,” states Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.
New this year, the Indiana Chamber added a secondary leadership element to the scoring metrics: significant, tangible actions by committee chairs as well as bill authors and sponsors.
For more than a third of the legislators, this meant a “slight adjustment to the base voting scores and, we believe, represents a more accurate picture of their overall performance,” Brinegar says.
For 18 legislators who went the extra mile, they earned a star designation for overall leadership or their significant efforts on issues deemed of critical importance.
Read full story.

Greater Springfield Chamber 2015 small business award recipients announced

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce has announced recipients of the 2015 Small Business Person of the Year Awards.
Recipients recognized at a luncheon Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza were:
* Terry and Sandy Farmer of Terry Farmer Photography Inc.; Diamond Lifetime Award for company in business at least 25 years.
* Joseph Doone of Stanley Steemer of Central Illinois Inc.; Emerald Award for business with sales of more than $1 million a year.
* Jodi Cole of Flea Market to Fabulous; business with sales up to $1 million annually.
* Joshua Becker of Cocoa Blue Chocolates; New and Emerging Business Person for company in business one to four years.
* Tiffany Simmons of Community Childcare Connection Inc.; Not-For-Profit Business Director for innovative use of organizational and management skills. Read more: State Journal Register


Michigan Governor Signs Chamber-Championed Bill Preempting Local Wage and Benefit Laws

Good news! Governor Snyder has signed legislation championed by the Michigan Chamber prohibiting local units of government from adopting laws related to employee wages or benefits, such as local leave mandates, local wage or fringe benefit mandates, local scheduling or shift mandates and local minimum or prevailing wage ordinances.

House Bill 4052, now Public Act 105 of 2015, was developed at the Chamber's urging due to a growing movement by local units of government to pass aggressive and burdensome ordinances and laws governing private sector employers’ relations with their employees. Proponents of these laws have placed several Michigan cities on their target list, hoping to pass local laws mandating employee leave time, wages higher than the state minimum wage and the like. Read more. 

Two Mississippi area chambers appoint new directors

Two local chambers of commerce recently announced the appointment of new executive directors. Jodi Maughon and Toya Veals accepted their respective positions at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Canton Chamber of Commerce earlier this month and have since settled into their roles. Maughon, a 2011 graduate of Mississippi College, was the obvious choice for the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She joined the team as an intern before quickly earning a full-time position as Project Coordinator. In March of 2012, she moved up once again to take the title of Director of Programs and Special Events. "Jodi has been a great asset to the team for many years," said Keith Kinkade, who served as board president at the time of Maughon's election. "The board and chamber of commerce elected her Executive Director because we didn't think that there was a candidate out there that had the knowledge, experience, and know how that Jodi did. She was the best person for the position." Maughon is excited to continue working with the community in this new capacity. "The Madison County Chamber strives to promote working relationships as well as business to business strategies for the local and corporate communities in Madison County and the surrounding areas," she said. "We believe that our members are our first priority." Established in 1921, the Madison County Chamber of Commerce is the oldest in the county. It is home to various programs and events such as Leadership Madison County and the annual Dragon Boat Regatta held at Old Trace Park. This year's regatta was the largest to date. "The Chamber is gearing up for its first annual Golf Fall Classic to be held on September 29 at Lake Caroline Golf Club," Maughon said, noting that several exciting new programs will be implemented in the year to come. "We want to get more involved in what our community has to offer, and in return, offer that insight to our members." The Board of Directors for the Canton Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Association selected Toya Veals as executive director. "When we found ourselves without an executive director earlier this year, Toya immediately stepped up to the plate and has done a tremendous job in filling that role over the past four month," said President Amber Sukhbaatar. "She knows the inner workings of the chamber and has been directly and actively involved with our board and membership during that time." Read more: Madison County Journal .