Chamber interest: Indiana move would save employers $327 million; Chamber awards: Kenosha Area Business Excellence Awards Cocktail Reception; Chamber interest: Make a difference in Wheaton with food collection, park cleanup; Four Flags Area Chamber: Exposing Greatness; Oxford - LaFayette County Artist To Give Away Signed Copies Of Jake Gibbs Poster; George Mason president speaks to Fauquier Chamber; November Power in Partnership to feature A Salute to Education and KCTCS President Dr. Jay Box; Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps;

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

      

Chamber interest: Indiana move would save employers $327 million

Indiana is expected to pay off a federal unemployment loan to relieve businesses from shouldering another year of penalties that are projected to reach $327 million next year.

A committee staffed with state lawmakers and a budget leader authorized a plan Friday for the state to pay off the $250 million loan with an advance from the state’s general fund.

The state must pay off the loan by early November so that businesses can avoid paying penalties in 2016 because of the debt. Those penalties are projected at $126 per employee, an increase from $105 this year.

The loan dates to 2008, when the state had to begin borrowing from the federal government to meet unemployment demands as the recession took hold.

Several lawmakers, including the Indiana House’s top Republican, lauded the committee’s action Friday. But the decision ultimately lies with Gov. Mike Pence, who has said his administration is exploring paying off the loan to provide “tax relief for job creators.”

When asked for comment Friday, the governor's office would only say "stay tuned" for more information.

House Speaker Brian Bosma, an Indianapolis Republican, said the state’s ability to pay off the federal loan will save money for Hoosier employers.

"This move is the right decision as we look to maintain Indiana's favorable business climate and keep our historic jobs numbers growing,” Bosma said in a statement.

Material presented to the committee by the state Department of Workforce Development stated that Pence would make a decision by the end of the month. Statements sent by several lawmakers Friday indicated the state would move forward to pay off the loan.

The head of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce said the organization is looking forward to final approval by Pence. Read more: Indy Star

Chamber awards: Kenosha Area Business Excellence Awards Cocktail Reception

Kenosha area professionals toasted the success of the 2015 Kenosha County Business Excellence Awards winners during a cocktail reception on Wednesday. The awards, presented by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance and the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, recognize top-performing companies and business leaders in Kenosha County. Winners will be honored during an awards program on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Read more: BizTimes.com

Chamber interest: Make a difference in Wheaton with food collection, park cleanup

Saturday marks Make a Difference Day in Wheaton, but organizers are hoping it will inspire residents to volunteer in the city year-round.

"It's getting the word out, not just for one day of doing something good, but to get people involved in volunteering," said Bill Gilbertson, a member of the city's community relations commission.

Kerry O'Brien, executive director of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, said the city started celebrating the nationwide Make a Difference Day seven years ago. The biggest communitywide effort to make a difference each year has been the Stuff-A-Truck event, an attempt to fill trucks with 40,000 pounds of food to be delivered to the People's Resource Center.

"We emphasize that it be nutritious food, stuff you want to feed your own family," O'Brien said.

Schools, churches and about 40 chamber businesses have been collecting nonperishable food donations for about six weeks. Volunteers will be going to all the collection locations this weekend to pick up the boxes and place them in a truck that will be stationed outside the Wheaton Public Library.

Anyone who still wants to make a donation is welcome to stop by the east parking lot at the library between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday to drop off items. Read more: Daily Herald

Four Flags Area Chamber: Exposing Greatness

The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce is about Building A Better Community for Business. Every year we collaborate with The Leader Publication, Lake Michigan College, The Bucahanan Area Chamber of Commerce, and United Federal Credit Union to present EXPOsing Greatness business expo.  The EXPO showcases Michiana's best and brightest businesses.  Come network and find info on local products and services.  Sample delicious food provided by local schools cullinary programs.  Meet local business professionals, make new connections and reunite with old friends. Come one, come all.

READ MORE

Chamber connection: Oxford - LaFayette County Artist To Give Away Signed Copies Of Jake Gibbs Poster

Rosie Vassallo, a local graphic designer and artist, will be giving away 250 Jake Gibbs posters at the Allen Samuels Tent in the Grove this Saturday before the Texas A&M game.

The poster is a watercolor wash with graphics added to it. Vassallo will be signing these and they will be free to fans. The Allen Samuels tent will be by the Walk of Champions in the Grove, closer to University Drive than the union.

Jake Gibbs played Ole Miss Football and Baseball, and Ole Miss Athletics is honoring his legacy by adding his name to the new Letterwinner Walk. According to Ole Miss Athletics, the new Jake Gibbs Letterwinner Walk will honor every Ole Miss athlete who ever earned a letter competing for Ole Miss and will also be a part of the Walk of Champions, which will connect to the new entrance to Vaught Hemingway Stadium’s north end zone.

Gibbs lead Ole Miss to a pair of national titles and was the Rebels’ quarterback from 1958-60. He played baseball professionally and later coached Ole Miss baseball. The new Letterwinner walk will be unveiled October 2016.

Vassallo is originally a native of San Antonio, Texas. She has a B.A. in Advertising Design from Texas Christian University. She is married to Steve Vassallo, and currently is an administrative assistant for the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and director of the Oxford-Lafayette Retiree Attraction program. Read more: Hotty Toddy

George Mason president speaks to Fauquier Chamber

President of George Mason University, Ángel Cabrera, spoke about the college’s commitment to growing the Virginia economy at a Fauquier Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.

Cabrera outlined the ways that GMU impacts the region. The university is the largest in the commonwealth with 34,000 students and produces the most career-ready graduates in the state. It also employs 16,000 people, pumps $1.5 billion into the economy and creates enterprise opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“George Mason University is committed to working with business communities,” said Miles Friedman, director of the Fauquier County Economic Development Department, before Cabrera’s speech. 

Friedman cited the Mason Enterprise Center in Warrenton as an example of the school’s involvement with the local economy. Read more: Fauquier.com

November Power in Partnership to feature A Salute to Education and KCTCS President Dr. Jay Box

October 26, 2015 --- The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce monthly Power in Partnership breakfast will feature the annual “Salute to Education” on Thursday, November 5.  The featured speaker is Dr. Jay Box, President of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).  The doors open at 6:45 a.m. for viewing of the school displays and the breakfast program begins at 7:30 a.m. The event is held at the Julian Carroll Convention Center and Baptist Health Paducah is the sponsor.

Local schools participating include Paducah Public Schools, McCracken County Public Schools, St. Mary School System, Community Christian Academy, Paducah Area Technical School and PATCH representing home school students.  The schools will have displays about their accomplishments with students representing each school in attendance.

In January of this year, Dr. Box became President of KCTCS, a state wide system of 16 colleges, including West Kentucky Community and Technical College.  The KCTCS system is nationally recognized as the premier community college system in the nation.  A Texas native, President Box came to Kentucky in 2002 when he was named President of Hazard Community and Technical College. He worked there until 2007, when he became vice president for administrative systems for KCTCS, and in 2009, he became chancellor. 

Here are the details:

·         When: Thursday, November 5, doors open early for viewing of displays, program begins at 7:30 a.m. 

·         Where: Julian Carroll Convention Center

·         Speaker: Dr. Jay Box, President of Kentucky Community and Technical College System   

·         Displays:  Local schools and students will have displays with students participating

·         Cost: $15

·         Sponsor:  Baptist Health Paducah

For more information contact; Sandra Wilson at (270) 443-1746.

Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps 

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

To request your publication proposal, Click here

              

Michigan Jobless Rate Dips Below U.S. Rate, First Time Since 2000; Milwaukee and Madison should be economic partners, panelists say; Todd Maisch: Why Illinois Needs the Ex-Im Bank; Gov. Beshear awards Work Ready Community designations to Kentucky counties; Richlands Area Multi-Chamber Event: 29th Annual Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast and Forum; SCORE Opening New Chapter in Jackson; LaPorte Chamber Event: Embracing Trends and Challenges of Entrepreneurship Panel; Famous Chamber Of Commerce Quotations: Teamwork; Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps

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

Chamber good news: Michigan Jobless Rate Dips Below U.S. Rate, First Time Since 2000

The state's unemployment rate for September ticked down a tenth of a percentage point to 5 percent, putting it below the national rate for the first time since 2000.

The U.S. jobless rate for September held steady at 5.1 percent, making last month the first since August 2000 that the state's rate was below the U.S. one.

The news set off celebrations for Gov. Rick Snyder SNYDER and the Michigan Republican Party (MRP).

"We need to stay focused on our goal, but it also is important to look back to see how far we've come," Snyder said in a statement. "Michigan's unemployment rate was once the worst in the United States. Today we are below the national average for the first time since August 2000. This means more people in Michigan are able to use their skills and are finding fulfilling jobs to support themselves and their families, making our cities and our communities stronger in a variety of ways."

MRP Chair Ronna Romney McDANIEL credited Snyder and "Republican leadership in the Legislature" for the state's "amazing economic recovery."

"It appears the Lost Decade is lost for good in Michigan because of strong Republican leadership," she said in a statement.

The state reported that total employment increased in September by 10,000, as the number of unemployed decreased by 7,000 and the state's workforce rose by 3,000 over the month. Read more: Michigan Chamber

Milwaukee and Madison should be economic partners, panelists say

Madison, now in an upswing of entrepreneurship and developing startups, can learn a lot from Milwaukee about getting companies to scale up and stay, Zach Brandon, president of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, said Tuesday. 

“Milwaukee has a 100 years-plus of proving how to grow and maintain and succeed,” he said, noting he wants to be a partner with the state’s largest city. “So there are a lot of lessons we can learn.” 

Brandon was joined by Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce at WMC's "State of Wisconsin Business" event, which was held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Gov. Scott Walker and WMC president Kurt Bauer also addressed the gathering, which attracted several hundred attendees. 

Sheehy lauded Milwaukee’s manufacturing prowess, but also said it is a major financial and education center that has gained an international reputation for its expertise in freshwater engineering. 

Brandon said the roughly 80 miles between Madison and Milwaukee have become a healthcare technology and software corridor that rival any other region in the nation. 

“Starting at the Milwaukee’s Medical College of Wisconsin, go the Wauwatosa Research Park and then hit GE Health in Waukesha,” he said. “Come through Jefferson County and then come into Dane County to GE Health in Madison and come downtown to Capitol Square with all the startups there, out to University Research Park and Fitchburg Technology Campus to Promega and EPIC. That’s 78 miles of health care, health science and health tech companies. That would be a big deal in California, but we need to do a better job of telling that story. Read more: WisBusiness.com


Todd Maisch: Why Illinois Needs the Ex-Im Bank

Message from the President -  The Illinois Chamber of Commerce

In 1926, a Chicago entrepreneur named William Stuart Darley met with Henry Ford to discuss methods of producing fire trucks. Ford agreed to sell Model T chassis to Darley, transforming the 1908 family-owned firefighting and police equipment company into America’s first manufacturer of commercial fire trucks.
Today, nearly a 100 years later, W.S. Darley & Co. is still a family-owned company now run by the founders’ grandsons. It is manufacturing and selling firefighting, military, homeland security, law enforcement and water purification equipment, including its own fire trucks’ pumps and compressed air foam systems (CAFS) to municipalities and defense departments all over the world.
Darley, a member company of the Illinois Chamber’s International Business Council (IBC), has remained strong and productive through innovation, quality excellence, and the financial backing of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), which unleashed the company’s opportunities to expand internationally. That was something no local bank could do.
For a small family-owned business to go global is not easy: market uncertainty, uneven competition, and limited to non-existent financing to support sales is the reality most SMEs face. When Darley received a request for 32 firetrucks vehicles and training from the City of Lagos, Nigeria, private financing to cover the transaction was impossible to obtain. The company turned then to Ex-Im. This single transaction supported 100 U.S. manufacturing jobs that otherwise would have been lost to Darley’s direct competitors in China and Austria. To date, 85% of Darley’s exports are financed by Ex-Im.
Unfortunately, the Ex-Im Bank’s charter expired on June 30. While the U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved Ex-Im on numerous accounts, the House has refused to consider, leaving Darley and hundreds of other Illinois companies high and dry. Read more: Illinois Chamber

Richlands Area Multi-Chamber Event: 29th Annual Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast and Forum

The Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the other Chamber of Commerce in Southwest Virginia will host the 29th Annual Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast and Forum on Nov. 16, at Holiday Inn, 3005 Linden Drive, Bristol, Va.

The Breakfast will run from 8:30 to 9 a.m. followed by the Forum at 9:15 a.m. The cost is $20 per person and deadline to register is November 5.

To make a reservations for the breakfast and the forum call: The Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce at 276-963-3385 or email your reservation to richlandschamber@roadrunner.com. Read more: Herald Courier

SCORE Opening New Chapter in Jackson

SCORE, the U.S.'s largest network of small-business mentors, is starting a new chapter in the Jackson metro area on Tuesday, Oct. 27. SCORE Metro Jackson will provide confidential and free mentoring to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the community.

#Andrew Beamon, national SCORE director of field operations, and Earl Heath, the Alabama-Mississippi SCORE district director, will instate the new chapter during a ceremony at the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership (201 South President St.) from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

#SCORE is volunteer-operated and is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the local Small Business Resource Center. SCORE also partners with local businesses and organizations to increase community presence and resources. SCORE helped clients start 56,079 new businesses and created 47,187 new jobs nationwide in 2014.

#For more information about SCORE Metro Jackson, call Mary Harris at 769-208-3593, visit SCORE Metro Jackson's website at https://jackson.score.org/chapters/metro-jackson-score or email scoremississippi@gmail.com. Read more: Jackson Free Press

La Porte Chamber Event: Embracing Trends and Challenges of Entrepreneurship Panel 

The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce will team up with the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center to host a panel on Embracing Trends and Challenges of Entrepreneurship. The event will take place on Friday, November 13 at the Ivy Tech Community College- La Porte Site, 1900 Whirlpool Drive in La Porte.

The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. The event is expected to last until approximately 11:30 a.m. Registration is encouraged and may be done at business.lpchamber.com/events or by calling the Chamber (219) 362-3178. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-Chamber members.

This event will focus on: Financial Discipline by Tom Rowland of Tree House Financial; Business Succession by Doug Mogck of Northwestern Mutual; Securing Your Information by Ron Bush of Ron Bush Consulting; Tomorrow's Trends, Today's Reality by Leanne Hoagland-Smith of Advanced Systems; Business Planning & Recessions-Surviving in the Real Estate/Construction Industry by Nick Georgiou of G & K Development Inc.; and hear about the Top 5 Trends of Branding & Marketing for small businesses from Rick Gosser of Gosser Corporate Sales, Inc.

To learn more about the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, visit www.isbdc.org/locations/northwest-isbdc.




Famous Chamber Of Commerce Quotations: Teamwork

Much can be accomplished by teamwork when no one is concerned about who gets credit. 

— John Wooden


Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps 

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, with over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest, allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your publication proposal, Click here

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber celebrates the military this week; Greater Scott County (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce seeking Executive Director; Williamsburg Harvest Celebration to feature the Greater Williamsburg region’s finest Dining Options; Chamber event: Roddy Harrison: Tourism key to Williamsburg's (Kentucky) economic growth; Chamber interest: WI Startups Try to Grab Silicon Valley’s Gaze in 2nd Annual Trip; Best Chamber practices: Aurora Regional Chamber Veterans Recognition Program; Keweenaw Peninsula App wins award from Connect Michigan

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

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber celebrates the military this week

The 37th annual Salute to the Military highlights this week, but South Mississippi is also gearing up for plenty of Halloween events, including Biloxi's Halloween around the Town Green, cemetery tours and haunted houses.

Salute to the Military begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, U.S. 90, Biloxi. A ceremonial program, dinner and entertainment will follow the reception, and Maj. Gen. Mark Brown, commander of 2nd Air Force, will be the featured speaker.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting this annual tradition of bringing the nation's top military leaders to South Mississippi to join in tribute of our military members.

The Salute includes entertainment by the 41st Army Band and the presentation of the annual Thomas V. Fredian Community Service Award, presented by the Chamber to one outstanding enlisted honoree. Guests are also treated to a unique collection of military exhibits in the convention center and on the grounds of the Coliseum. Read more: Sun Herald

Greater Scott County (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce seeking Executive Director 



Seeking an energetic individual to advance the organization to its next level of community leadership focusing on ways to make our community a better place to live, work, invest, shop and visit.
Scott County is located just 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky, on highway 65 has the potential to experience significant growth in the next few years.
(Click here for the job description)
Interested individuals are asked to send a cover letter and resume by or before November 15, 2015 to:
David Church Board Chairman
email. dchurch@maspark.org
812-752-9521 x1235

Source Shelli Williams, ICEA

Williamsburg Harvest Celebration to feature the Greater Williamsburg region’s finest Dining Options

The five founding members of the inaugural Williamsburg Harvest Celebration are proud to announce more details about the celebration. The celebration, happening November 11-15, 2015, will feature culinary inspired events throughout Williamsburg, Yorktown, and James City County with a focus on Virginia grown and Virginia made food including local oysters and items from Virginia artisans as well as music to enjoy.

The Williamsburg Harvest Celebration kicks off with a Reception at the Yorktown Victory Center on November 11^th. Sample Virginia fare prepared by eight local establishments and sip Craft VA Beer and Cider, as well as VA Wine from The Colonial Wine Trail in the beautiful new Victory Center overlooking the York River. Participating at this reception are: the Williamsburg Winery, Colonial Williamsburg, Extraordinary Cupcakes, Silt, James River Cellars, New Kent Winery, Saude Creek Vineyards and Riverwalk Restaurant.

Thursday, November 12^th holds many tasty treats for all food-lovers! Some of the events of the day include: Argentina Asado at Williamsburg Winery, DOG Tapas Crawl, Yorktown Tapas Crawl, and Field & Stream: A Taste of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Dinner at Silt.

The Williamsburg Winery will be celebrating Argentina with an afternoon of asado, which is Spanish for a range of BBQ techniques. Enjoy a wonderful afternoon full of Argentine food, cocktails, and music at the Winery and meet winemaker, Matthew Meyer.

Not one, but TWO tapas crawls are happening on Thursday as well! The DOG Tapas Crawl is taking place on Duke of Gloucester Street in Merchants Square. This Crawl will feature a dining tour of three of Williamsburg’s finest: The Cheese Shop, Berret’s Seafood Restaurant & Taphouse Grill, and Hair of the DoG Bottle Shop. Each location will feature a small plate selection and drink offering and are all within walking distance of each other in Merchant’s Square.  The second tapas crawl of the night is in Yorktown right on the waterfront. This dining tour features three of Yorktown’s finest: Water Street Grille, Riverwalk Restaurant, and Carrot Tree. Each of these restaurants will also feature a small plate selection and drink offering and are all within walking distance of each other along the Yorktown waterfront.

If you are looking for a truly Virginian meal, check out Field & Stream: A Taste of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Dinner at Silt. Chef Nelson Miller and the culinary team of Silt will prepare a five course tasting menu that reflects the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, focusing on Tidewater, Virginia. Each course will be paired with a locally made spirit, wine or beer. Silt is recognized as one of Williamsburg’s best farm-to-fork eateries.

This is just a TASTE of what’s to come at the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration. Find out more at WilliamsburgHarvestCelebration.com or on our website at  Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce

Chamber event: Roddy Harrison: Tourism key to Williamsburg's (Kentucky) economic growth

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison at the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon Tuesday.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison would love to see a new factory move to Williamsburg. He would break out into cheerleading moves if it did although he concedes they wouldn't be very pretty to watch.

Harrison told the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce during its monthly membership luncheon Tuesday he sees tourism as the key to his city's economic growth.

"Tourism is here. We need just to build on it," Harrison noted. "When folks ask me what we need in Williamsburg, I am still going to say a medical facility.

"Our citizens need it and deserve it and more industry would be nice, but I see our area as a destination site now. We have so much to offer."

Harrison said his city is focusing on what it has that other towns and cities don't, and two of the biggest things are the Kentucky Splash Waterpark and the Cumberland River, which runs through town.

"If you take what you have and build on that what you have is tourism. I think tourism is going to be our future for job creation and for development around our area," Harrison said. "When people come to our events in Williamsburg, they enjoy it and they usually tell us they will be back. We need to build on that."

He said a focus on tourism is especially important with a Keeneland racetrack coming to Corbin and bringing in more visitors to the region. Read more: News-Journal

Chamber interest: WI Startups Try to Grab Silicon Valley’s Gaze in 2nd Annual Trip

The startup scene in Madison, WI, is barely a blip on the radar for most Silicon Valley venture capitalists, but local business advocates are once again trying to attract investors’ attention by bringing a cohort of Badger State startups to the West Coast.

Five Madison startups will fly to the San Francisco Bay Area Oct. 20 to meet with investors and potential business partners, says Kevin Little, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s managing director of economic development.

Wisconsin and Madison-area economic development officials will join founders of the companies on the two-day trip, Little says, along with representatives from the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, Madison-based healthtech investment fund HealthX Ventures, and others.

Three of the startups took part in a “Shark Tank”-like pitch competition the chamber put on in August: Fetch Rewards, Redox, and BluDiagnostics, which won the contest.

The other two companies heading to Silicon Valley are HealthMyne and PerBlue.

After arriving, the delegation will head to Mountain View to tour the headquarters of Google (NASDAQ: GOOG). That will be followed by an invitation-only dinner in nearby Palo Alto to facilitate “investor interaction and private discussion with business partners,” according to a press release announcing the trip. Read more: X Economy

Best Chamber practices: Aurora Regional Chamber Veterans Recognition Program

The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, has launched a program to recognize employers and organizations in the region that provide tremendous contributions of those who have gone above and beyond to help our nation’s heroes. Awards are presented to employers and organizations that have developed and applied best practices for addressing the employment challenges faced by America’s veterans and transitioning service members. Winners will be announced at the Annual Celebration of Membership on Friday, Nov. 13.

CRITERIA FOR AWARDS

·         Nominees must be Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce members in good standing for at least one year by Nov. 13, 2015.

·         Nominees should be businesses, community organizations that support the local community, stand out and are innovative, and have worked with other businesses as mentors or collaborators.

·         Nominees for first three awards (Employer Awards) must currently employ at least one veteran or must be veteran owned.

·         Nominees must have been in business for at least five years.

·         Nominees cannot restrict employment to veterans only.

·         Nominees must meet the additional criteria for the specific award for which the business is being nominated (see following pages)

AWARDS GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES

·         Small Employer (fewer than 50 employees)

·         Large Employer (more than 50 employees)

·         Veteran-Owned Business

·         Service or Community Organization Supporting Veterans

A form for nominations may be found on the Chamber’s website at http://www.aurorachamber.com/AuroraChamberVeteransAwards.docx. If you have any questions, please let me know. I hope you can help us support and celebrate those that support our veterans.

Keweenaw Peninsula App wins award from Connect Michigan

A project from the Keweenaw was recognized as the 2015 Connected Project Award winner at the Michigan Broadband Conference in Lansing.The Keweenaw Convention Visitor's Bureau and Chamber of Commerce won for their Keweenaw Peninsula App. The app provides tourism information for everything from hiking trails to restaurants and lodging in the Keweenaw. Users can also get turn-by-turn directions to locations and can share event listings on their favorite social network.

The Chamber of Commerce collaborated with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau to promote the app and showcase tourism opportunities across the Keweenaw. The Connect Project Awards, sponsored by ACD, recognize community organizations and partnerships implementing projects designed to improve adoption and use of broadband and associated technologies across Michigan communities. Read more: Upper Michigan Source

Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps 

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

 To request your publication proposal, Click here

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/entertainment/local-events/article39848826.html#storylink=cpy

Chamber success: Leadership Springfield program marks 30 years; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives board elections; Chamber interest: City council approves search for construction manager for Midland Center project; Ocean Springs Chamber kicks off festival season; Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce selects Marcus Martin to Receive 2015 Chamber Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award; Beloit Chamber interest: Welty Fall Fest a load of family fun; Boone County Chamber of Commerce awards; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Community Profiles

Chamber success: Leadership Springfield program marks 30 years

In our mission to enhance our members’ success and advance our economy, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is proud to foster 30 years of continuous leadership development. More than 800 graduates have had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, engage in meaningful civic projects, network with fellow professionals and, most important, be part of a program that’s dedicated to improving our community.

What is Leadership Springfield?
The purpose of Leadership Springfield is to identify, motivate and professionally develop emerging leaders from a cross-section of the community and to help them develop their potential for community leadership by exposing them to the realities, opportunities and challenges of our community.

The current Leadership Springfield class is well underway. The participants are eager to learn more about their fellow participants and the Springfield community.

What do participants learn during the program?

Along with eight months of leadership development, participants learn about tourism, community events and the arts; health care; education; state government; homeland security and public safety; community 101 and spokesperson training; and poverty and diversity/inclusion awareness. Read more: State-Journal Register

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives board elections

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives: The following have been elected to the board: Brad Schneider, president and CEO of Kyndle, president; Brad Richardson, Hardin County Chamber, president-elect; Aaron Dial, Murray-Calloway County Chamber, treasurer;Deanna Herrmann, London-Laurel County Chamber, secretary; Amy Cloud, Jessamine County Chamber, immediate past president; Jill Cutler, Mercer County Chamber; and Jacob Colley,Southeast Kentucky Chamber. The following are remaining board members: Carmen Inman, Frankfort Area Chamber; Shawna Burton, Greater Louisville; Lee Lingo, Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber; Vicki Steigleder, Maysville-Mason County Chamber; and Dana Zinger,Commerce Lexington. Aimee Hiller and Patrick Merchak, both from the Kentucky Chamber, serve as ex-officio members. Read more: Kentucky.com

Chamber interest: City council approves search for construction manager for Midland Center project
The Midland Center building inched closer to a design plan Tuesday when the City Council passed a resolution authorizing the city manager to search for a construction manager at risk.

The primary duties of the CMAR consist of analyzing project costs and providing solid numbers to severely reduce the chance of going over budget. The manager will work “in concert with the city and the technical professionals during the design phase to ensure the project is developed in the most appropriate and fiscally responsible manner possible” as well as providing “assistance with value engineering and cost estimates,” according to a press release from city spokeswoman Sara Bustilloz.

Should a CMAR be found, the next step of the hiring process will be to enter the schematics phase of the project to determine a fee. At-large council member Scott Dufford said before the meeting that the CMAR’s fee will be a percentage of the overall project’s costs, just like the fee of the project’s architects and other involved parties.

Two versions of the new center are on the table. Councilman Jeff Sparks said that the council was presented with only one design for the new center at a briefing session on Sept. 8. That version has an estimated cost of $39 million and would occupy 70,000 square feet, including the space occupied by the Midland Chamber of Commerce, as reported in a previous Reporter-Telegram article. Read more: Midland Reporter-Telegram

Ocean Springs Chamber kicks off festival season

Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau and Blue Moon Brewing Co. will kick off "festival season" in the city with a party from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean Springs Community Center, 512 Washington Ave.

All are invited to attend and enjoy live music by Caution Swing Bridge, food from Broome's and free Blue Moon beer. A silent auction of an original piece of Blue Moon art will begin at 6 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the artists.

For the national Blue Moon Art Project, paintings depict the artists' interpretation of Blue Moon. The winner's work is featured as the marketing symbol of Blue Moon for the following year's Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, which will be Nov. 7-8 in Ocean Springs. Read more: Sun-Herald

Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce selects Marcus Martin to Receive 2015 Chamber Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award

 The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has selected Dr. Marcus L. Martin, of Charlottesville, Vice President & Chief Officer for Diversity & Equity for the University of Virginia, to receive the prestigious Chamber Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award. Dr. Martin will be presented the Award at the 102nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner to be held at the Omni Hotel Thursday, November 12th.

The 102nd Annual Chamber Dinner is underwritten by CenturyLink, Hantzmon Wiebel, LLC and State Farm Insurance Companies. The Keynote Address, featuring Brian O’Connor, Head Baseball Coach of the Virginia Cavaliers, is underwritten by CFA Institute.

“Dr, Marcus Martin is a dynamic, recognized leader for equality,” stated Chad Zakaib, Vice President of Operations, Legacy Hospice, who serves as 2015 Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. “Dr. Martin is a stellar citizen of our community and our Chamber is honored to recognize him.” Read more: Charlottesville Tomorrow

Beloit Chamber interest: Welty Fall Fest a load of family fun

Hay was flying through the warm fall air, pumpkin guts were slopped into buckets to make way for fun carving and homemade pie was consumed in small and large quantities.

Sunshine slipped through the colorful fall leaves onto families and friends enjoying these and many more activities at the Welty Environmental Center Fall Festival Sunday in Beckman Mill County Park.

“(I like) how excited the kids are when they come here,” said festival coordinator Kelly Washburn. “This is a really fun fundraiser for us every year.”

Kids and their families came out in packs to enjoy the many family-friendly activities, which also included scarecrow making, a bounce house, environmentally friendly veggie prints and nature art, dried flower arrangements and more. Families were able to mingle and wander between the various activities or enjoy a walk on the trails that wind through the park. The food featured a baked potato bar with about two bushels of potatoes grown right in the park and fresh apple juice from an old apple grinding machine.

At a table filled with pumpkins, knives, pumpkin guts and carving tools, Jenny Crary was with her grandson, TJ Lindsey, for his first pumpkin carving experience. They were joined by Alex Stripling who helped young TJ touch the gooey inside of the pumpkin.

“We like to be outside,” she said. “We haven’t been out here in a long time and thought this would be fun.”

At the other end of the table Keegan Cawkins was putting the finishing touches on the ghoulish grin of her pumpkin. She said she and her sister, Maddie, had been coming out for a few years while their mother, Lora, volunteered this year with the pie contest.

“It’s just one of those things we really like to do and it’s really great for parents to bring their kids,” she said.

Over in the scarecrow making section, there were stacks of hay and piles of used and donated clothing for kids to make their scarecrows.

Keri Daugherty of Beloit came out with her family to enjoy the fall weather and check out the festival for the first time.

“We wanted to get out and see what this was about,” she said as her daughter, Erin, 3, was helped by her dad, Brian, to draw a face on their scarecrow. “We’ll be back definitely.”

As the afternoon wore on, the bellies of the three judges slowly filled with pie from the eight entries into the pie contest. Former city manager Larry Arft, Library Director Nick Dimassis and Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tim Dutter deemed local representative Mark Spreitzer to have the best pie. In second place was Jim Van De Bogart, and third place was taken by Dave Konowal. Slices of a variety of pies were then cut and spread amongst the many eager eaters in the crowd, who enjoyed the pies whether they won or not. Read more: Beloit Daily News

Boone County Chamber of Commerce awards

Zionsville residents and businesses were honored during the annual Boone County Chamber of Commerce’s civic banquet. The event took place in mid-November with Hopwood Cellars taking top honors as Boone County’s Best New Business.

“I was honored to be with great people and deeply honored to receive this grand award. Our success is because of factors such as making the finest wines, great customer service, and a very strong drive to succeed. Bundle that with the support of this awesome community and it makes succeeding a little easier,” stated owner Ron Hopwood.

The Chamber accepted bids from the community before coming to its decision. The business, created by Ron and his wife, Janet, was touted as a business that “gives back, but also gets involved.” Other Zionsville award recipients include Adam Harper, who received the Richard G. Brown Memorial Law Enforcement of the year, Derek Grimm, recipient of the Teacher of the Year award and Tom Melind, who took home Philanthropist of the Year. For more on the Boone County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.boonechamber.org. Read more: Zionsville Current


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