Virginia chamber of commerce executive in stable condition after on-air shooting; GOP presidential candidate Kasich to appear at Lansing Chamber Luncheon; 10 Questions: Katie Miller, executive director of the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce; Chamber RFP: Laundry consolidation to save millions for Jackson hospitals; Indiana Chamber: Hoosier Businesses can make impact in Washington at 2015 D.C. Fly-In; Buffalo Grove chamber sets business summit; Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber assist: Housing summer interns is a lot easier with help from Baker College of Muskegon

Good morning Chamber world! Please say a prayer for Vicki Gardner, longtime Smith Mountain Lake chamber executive. (See article below)

Virginia chamber of commerce executive in stable condition after on-air shooting

The chamber of commerce executive shot during a live news broadcast in Virginia was in stable condition Wednesday after undergoing emergency surgery, officials said.

Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, was shot in the back, said Barb Nocera, the chamber's special projects manager.

Gardner was recovering at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, hospital president Steve Arner said. Gardner is also a member of the hospital's board of directors and is "a close friend" of the institution, he said in a statement.

Gardner has been working at the chamber since 2002, according to her LinkedIn profile. Read more: CNN.com

GOP presidential candidate Kasich to appear at Lansing Chamber Luncheon 

Ohio governor and GOP presidential candidate John Kasich will appear at a Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon next month.

Kasich will speak Sept. 1 at the Eagle Eye Golf Club, located at 15500 Chandler Road in Bath Township, the chamber announced today in a press release. Kasich is expected to discuss issues in the 2016 presidential race.

The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is open to chamber members only.

Visit www.lansingchamber.org or call 487-6340 for more information.



10 Questions: Katie Miller, executive director of the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce

Maybe you've been there for the Saturday or Wednesday Farmers Markets, or for Yoga on the Green. Or perhaps you took in the standup paddle board lessons, went to the beach, or attended the recent Festival of the Arts. You may have stopped in for a bite to eat at one of its niche restaurants, or to sip a craft beer. There are so many reasons to visit Oconomowoc that we thought we'd touch base with Katie Miller, the executive director of the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, to find out more about how its business community is doing.

1 Downtown seems to be thriving. What is responsible for this revitalization?

Lots of hard work, by a lot of dedicated people over a number of years. Success doesn't just happen and it certainly doesn't happen overnight. It takes a broad vision, a long-term view and talented people who are committed to seeing that vision come to life. Oconomowoc is fortunate to have had all of these over the last 10 years. From the mayor, to city staffers, business leaders, a community dedicated to supporting the local economy and strong business organizations, like the chamber and Downtown Oconomowoc Business Association.

2 What do you feel is needed in Oconomowoc to strengthen its retail/dining profile?

As someone who lives and works in Oconomowoc, I think we're really strong in the retail and dining sectors. There are nearly 60 restaurants in Oconomowoc with everything from grab-and-go, to neighborhood bistros, pubs, casual and finer dining and we've seen a number of new eateries open this year which is exciting and adds to the variety. With few exceptions, diners and shoppers can find everything they need and want in the Oconomowoc area.

3 What kind of feedback do you get from visitors to the community?

We're fortunate at the chamber to get to interact with visitors almost every day. In fact, so far this year, we've personally assisted nearly 500 neighbors and visitors and another 30,000 via our website. Visitor feedback usually runs in three themes — "we just love it here," "It is so beautiful" and "everyone is so friendly and helpful." Oconomowoc is a particularly welcoming community. I'll never forget my first visit here nearly 20 years ago. I was shocked when cars on Wisconsin Avenue actually stopped so that we could cross the street. Those lucky enough to live here assume that happens everywhere. It does not. Read more: Lake County Now

Chamber RFP: Laundry consolidation to save millions for Jackson hospitals

Three Jackson hospitals have joined to consolidate laundry operation in a public-private partnership executives say will save each millions.

University of Mississippi Medical Center, St. Dominic Hospital and Baptist Health Systems will share laundry services using Crown Health Care Laundry Services, a national health care laundry processor that opened a location in Columbia in 2013.

The state College Board approved UMMC’s five-year agreement with Crown last week.

Crown officials expect to hire 30 to 35 additional employees at their Columbia plant as a result of the increased workload from these three contracts.

In October, Crown plans to open a laundry distribution center in the Jackson area to distribute the consolidated laundry from the three hospitals. This distribution center is expected to employ 12-15 people, with employment levels increasing as dictated by laundry volume.

Although each hospital will have a separate contract with Crown, the group issued a joint request-for-proposals through the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and jointly negotiated the terms of their contracts. Read more: Clarion-Ledger

Indiana Chamber: Hoosier Businesses can make impact in Washington at 2015 D.C. Fly-In

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is urging Hoosier business leaders to stand and be heard on the federal bills and regulations that can impact the state’s economy by attending the organization’s Washington D.C. Fly-in on September 16-17.

The event offers business and community leaders an opportunity to speak with Indiana’s congressional delegation and key staff members during a roundtable discussion/dinner on September 16. The second day features a panel of national and state issue experts, followed by numerous group visits to congressional offices.

“The Fly-in gives the Hoosier business community a unique opportunity to interact with members of the Indiana Congressional delegation. It’s a chance to discuss a range of important issues and to learn firsthand what is happening on Capitol Hill. It is a valuable experience that also happens to be a lot of fun,” says Chris Cerone, vice president of global government affairs for Zimmer Biomet of Warsaw. Read more: Indiana Chamber

Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire chamber sets business summit

The Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce will hold its Third Annual Business Connection Summit on Oct. 29 AT the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove. The summit is designed to help small to medium sized businesses improve their ability to do business with large firms, and with each other. Large firms also benefit by finding new innovative and nimble suppliers and vendors who can help them improve their bottom line profitability. Companies that have confirmed their participation in the event include Walgreens, Metra, and ComEd. To register, go towww.bglcc.org and follow the link to the registration page. Read more: Daily Herald

Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber assist: Housing summer interns is a lot easier with help from Baker College of Muskegon

 It's typically not easy for summer interns to find housing just for a few months, but Baker College in Muskegon has stepped up with a solution.

The college has  opened its student housing to visiting interns from across the country, and this year is housing 29 university students working as interns for several Muskegon area companies.

Students are living in the college's two-person, two-bedroom townhouses with full kitchens and access to Internet and laundry and exercise facilities.

"Locating housing for summer interns used to be difficult, costly and complicated," said John Workman, president of Eagle Alloy Inc., one of the program's partners. "With Baker College housing available to our interns, we all win. We offer it as a benefit to attract needed engineering and technical talent."

He said the students benefit from being housed near one another where they can share their experiences.

"Most importantly, these potential future employees are getting to know Muskegon and making local connections," Workman said.

Eagle Alloy was one of three companies that began the intern housing partnership with Baker College last summer. The others were GE Aviation and The Salvation Army. This year's participating companies are Eagle Alloy, Alcoa Power and Propulsion, L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems and Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute.

Students have come from colleges and universities in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas and Wisconsin.

A positive housing experience helps Muskegon attract the best interns, with the ultimate goal of having them return to the community as employees, said Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. Read more: M LIVE