Chamber collaboration: Lobbying effort adds 22 nonstop flights to Indy; Chamber leaders vote not to oppose Naperville sales tax idea; Dave Adkisson, Lee Lingo among Kentucky Chamber Reps on Canadian Visit; Chamber support: Lansing would get flights to D.C., Chicago under American Airlines plan; Virginia Peninsula Chamber event: Hampton State of the City: Busy year at Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber; Small businesses, non-profit honored at Jackson County chamber's annual Anchor Awards; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Positive Attitude)

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

Chamber collaboration: Lobbying effort adds 22 nonstop flights to Indy

 Indianapolis International Airport has gained 22 nonstop flights in the past year, nearly doubling its previous offerings, thanks to a coalition lobbying airlines to add more of those flights to important business destinations around the country. The airport now offers 41 nonstop flights, more than it has had since Indianapolis-based ATA Airlines folded and other airlines started a wave of consolidation six years ago, Indianapolis Business Journal (http://bit.ly/1geAS5t ) reported.

After learning the lack of nonstop flights was hurting the city’s goal of attracting corporate meeting and convention business, a coalition formed to lobby airlines for additional nonstop flights. It’s comprised of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the Indy Chamber and the city’s tourism agency, Visit Indy. Read more: Washington Times-Herald

Chamber leaders vote not to oppose Naperville sales tax idea

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors decided through a voice vote Monday not to formally oppose a plan by Naperville to add a 1 percent municipal sales tax, but that doesn't mean members are happy about the idea.

"We're pro-business," the chamber's President and CEO Nicki Anderson said, "and this is not particularly pro-business."

The vote came during the group's monthly legislative committee lunch on Monday. The Naperville City Council is expected to discuss the issue at a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Anderson indicated that the chamber's board would meet later Monday afternoon in hopes of arriving at a position to present to the public.

Because Naperville is a home rule municipality it is allowed to create a 1 percent sales tax without voter approval. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Dave Adkisson, Lee Lingo among Kentucky Chamber Reps on Canadian Visit

Eighteen Chamber of Commerce Executives from across Kentucky are in Montreal this week for professional development, networking, and best practices discussions at the 2015 Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Convention.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for our members," said Ali Crain, Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives, the professional development society for local chambers of commerce in the Commonwealth. "It is a real benefit to exchange ideas and train alongside the best executives from across the globe. KCCE is honored to provide a number of scholarships for our executives to attend."

In addition, Commerce Lexington, Inc., is one of 13 finalists for ACCE Chamber of the Year, to be announced Wednesday. This marks the second consecutive year that Commerce Lexington, Inc. has been recognized as a finalist for the honor. Chamber of the Year is the only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in leading businesses and communities. Chambers honored with this designation have not only demonstrated organizational strength, but also have made an impact on key community priorities such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.

The Kentucky delegation is:

Ali Crain, Kentucky Chamber Executive Commerce of Executives

Dave Adkisson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Lee Lingo, Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber

Amy Cloud, Jessamine County Chamber

Brad Richardson, Hardin County Chamber

Jacob Colley, Southeast Kentucky Chamber

Bob Quick, Commerce Lexington

Dana Zinger, Commerce Lexington

Lynda Bebrowsky, Commerce Lexington

Mark Turner, Commerce Lexington

Andi Johnson, Commerce Lexington

Tyrone Tyra, Commerce Lexington

Betsy Dexter, Commerce Lexington

Carlos Phillips, Greater Louisville, Inc.

Trey Grayson, Northern Kentucky Chamber

Julie Rottman, Northern Kentucky Chamber

Tonya Matthews, Bowling Green Area Chamber

Meredith Robinson, Bowling Green Area Chamber

Read more: SurfKY.com

Chamber support: Lansing would get flights to D.C., Chicago under American Airlines plan

American Airlines is eyeing the Capital Region International Airport for flights to Chicago and Washington, D.C., the airport announced Tuesday.

Sun Country currently flies routes to Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. However it announced in June that it would pull out of Lansing completely effective Oct. 1. Now American Airlines has applied with the Federal Aviation Administration to be able to fly the route beginning Nov. 5.

To help manage congestion, the Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. typically only accepts flights from closer than 1,250 miles. But the FAA allows for a number of what they call "slot exemptions." These amount to special permission for airlines serving smaller communities to land at Reagan International Airport. Sun Country has one, and American Airlines would need to take over that exemption in order to fly from Lansing to Washington, D.C.

"American's service proposal is a big win and a boost to much-needed mid-Michigan air service," said Howard Kass, American's vice president of regulatory affairs. "With an exemption grant, American plans to inaugurate service to Lansing with four daily flights to two destinations, providing Lansing-area travelers a new choice in travel with a new carrier."

If their plan is approved, American Airlines would offer a LAN to DCA flight departing at 7:10 a.m. and arriving in Washington, D.C. at 8:55 a.m. Returning flights would depart from DCA at 5:30 p.m. and arrive at LAN at 7:20 p.m. The route would be flown with a CRJ-700 aircraft, which seats 67.

"Retaining the connection between Michigan's capital and the nation's capital is critical to the mid-Michigan economy," said airport President and CEO Bob Selig. "Mid-Michigan travelers have already demonstrated support for the service, with Washington, D.C., being the second most popular destination from LAN."

American Airlines would also add three daily flights to Chicago in 2016.

The Lansing business community is supporting the effort to secure the LAN → DCA slot exemption Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. Read more: M Live

Virginia Peninsula Chamber event: Hampton State of the City


Limited Time Offer: Must register for Series before 9/12/15
State of the Cities Series Sponsorship/Ticket Opportunities
Click Here for Series Sponsorship Opportunities
Click Here to register for Series Sponsorship/Tickets
Click Here for SOTC Hampton Sponsorship OpportunitiesSpecial opportunity for event Sponsors: 
 Organizations that sponsor the event at the Silver level or above will have the opportunity for two or more( see sponsorship level) representatives to join Mayor Wallace, other City Officials, and honored guests for an exclusive pre-event reception.  The reception will begin approximately 30 minutes before the event and will provide attendees with time to speak informally with City leaders.  Coffee and tea will be available during the reception.

Busy year at Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber

It's been a very busy year at The Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. We started out the year with our annual meeting and dinner at The Dorf Haus in Roxbury, and soon after elected our new board of directors for 2015.

Our new board is busy planning some new activities that we believe will add to our premium line up of events, and bring even more visitors to our beautiful valley, which of course means tourism dollars and tax revenue.

One such event we're hoping to debut in 2016 is our Taste and Tour event. This event would offer a bus tour of most of the area, including lake area restaurants, Lodi restaurants and even Wollersheim Winery. Besides touring the area and partaking in what our fine restaurants have to offer, every bus would include a tour guide who would highlight each point of interest along the way.

Another event that is in it's very early stages is a Lodi valley blues festival. Several southern Wisconsin communities are currently offering such an event and we believe that with our beautiful surroundings here in Columbia County, the Lodi area would be a perfect fit for such an event.

One side benefit that we sometimes overlook, is the number of people who visit our area, and end of relocating here. Many of you reading this now (myself included) were once visitors. New residents mean new construction, more tax dollars for our schools, etc. It's a win-win.

Your chamber has also taken one of the areas newest and most popular events under it's wings this year, The Lodi Pride Concert in the Park series. Read more: HNGnews.com

Small businesses, non-profit honored at Jackson County chamber's annual Anchor Awards

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual Anchor Awards today celebrated the county's extensive network of small businesses and doled out awards to three outstanding entrepreneurs.

At the breakfast event held at Moss Point's Pelican Landing, three small businesses and one non-profit organization were honored for their contributions to the local economy and community. 

This year's winners were:

• Small Business of the Year (50 or fewer employees): Turf Masters Lawn Care Inc.
• Small Business of the Year (51-200 employees): Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists LLC.
• Rookie Business of the Year (1-3 years in business): Hilton Garden Inn of Pascagoula.
• Non-profit Organization of the Year: Rotary Club of Pascagoula.

Chamber board chairman Kelly Sessoms thanked all of the winners and nominees for their dedication to their work and to Jackson County.

"Small business isn't for the faint of heart," he said, as it takes bravery and fortitude to begin and grow a small business. 

Sessoms said the Anchor Awards are meant to recognize "the anchors that ground our community" in good times and bad.  Read more: Gulf Live

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Positive Attitude)

“I don’t do anything that’s bad for me. I don’t like to be nervous or angry. Any time you get upset, it tears down your nervous system.” --- Mae West