Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce: Businesses Working Together Do Big Things For Northern Michigan; #BestChamber Practices: Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program Handbook --- Part 3 of 14 sections; MEC concern: More demands, fewer dollars driving legislative agenda in Mississippi; #Bestchamber practices: Member promotion: The Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce; Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Registration Form Community Business Expo 2015; Chamber Partnership: Discover Wisconsin episode featuring Hudson is re-airing; Kelsie J. Holt Named Director Of Talent, Education & Workforce For Greater Bloomington Chamber Of Commerce; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps;

Good morning Chamber world! 2016 is going to be a GREAT year!

Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce: Businesses Working Together Do Big Things For Northern Michigan

In Commentary, Issue 2016 January  By Laura Oblinger

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

A biblical verse is a fitting source of inspiration for a business organization like the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, considering it used to start its board meetings with a prayer. The truism of strength in numbers drives home a powerful message of what makes membership organizations like the Chamber both relevant and impactful, and why it’s important to have as many local businesses as possible be part of the team.

For a northern Michigan community to boast a 2,000-member Chamber is an incredible achievement. It puts our region on par with some of the most influential business organizations in Michigan, including the Detroit Regional Chamber and the West Michigan Policy Forum. In fact, the Traverse City Area Chamber partners with both those organization on state and national legislative and policy matters.

It also matters because when it comes to impacting outcomes or influencing important decisions that affect the business sector and the community, an organization with 2,000 members wields significantly more clout than a group with a few hundred. While our businesses vary widely in size and scope, the Chamber is able to bring that collective influence to all its members, from the one-person shop or office to some of our region’s largest employers.

That strength is drawn from all corners of the organization. Most of our larger members have their own business development resources and don’t really need the Chamber’s help to succeed. They invest significant time and dollars in the Chamber to support ALL of Northern Michigan’s business family – including the single-owner operations, small partnerships and family-run businesses that make up the lion’s share of the organization. Those investments underwrite numerous programs and services that specifically target our small business members, from networking events to professional development services, and recognition programs like the annual Small Business Celebration that kicks off this month.

What’s most important is that the Chamber is so much more than a building on the parkway, an event or program or the staff that works here. The Chamber is built on people – from our newest members to our volunteers that helped recruit them, to the handful of local businesses that have been of the organization throughout its 100-year history and everyone in between. It’s a chord of more than 2,000 strands that binds this great community together, has pulled it through some challenging economic times and will continue serve as a lifeline for prosperity going forward. More: Traverse City Business News

#BestChamber Practices: Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program Handbook --- Part 3 of 14 sections

Mission & Purpose, Objectives, Responsibilities, the Agreement, Benefits

The Mission & Purpose:

Committed to a positive business environment in Jessamine County through enhanced goodwill, communication, and public relations. Membership should be considered a privilege and for the purpose of promoting the Chamber’s image and relationships among its members.

Objectives:

1. To promote fellowship within the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce and interact and educate members of the Chamber.

2. To act as representatives of the Chamber at all official Chamber functions--to assist, meet, and greet existing and prospective members at Chamber events, such as Chamber Luncheons, Ribbon Cuttings and the Annual Dinner.

3. To create working relationships with the new members of the Chamber and encourage them to participate in Chamber events throughout the year.

4. To reach out to non-members through visitation and phone calls. To visit at least 10 members each year on behalf of the Chamber. These visits should be documented on the Ambassador Points sheet.

Responsibilities:

The primary responsibility of an Ambassador is to create rapport among the membership through positive, personal contact. Your role as an Ambassador can be defined as:

1. A Chamber member interested in other Chamber members

2. A source of information about the Chamber, it’s products, services, and benefits

3. A sounding board for member concerns

4. A friendly face at Chamber events

Requirements:

Members of the Ambassadors Program will meet the first Wednesday of each month unless noti-fied otherwise.

Since the Ambassadors are the welcoming arm of the Chamber and the most visible, an Ambassa-dor is expected to be more active and available than other Chamber members. Ambassadors that miss more than 3 meetings per year should re-evaluate their commitment to the program and the constraints of their workplace.

Each Ambassador must sign an agreement that states the following:

1. The Chamber will require +/- 3 hours of your time per month on average. Even though this is a voluntary position, it’s important that you realize the time needed in order to fulfill your respon-sibilities as a Chamber Ambassador. If you feel you cannot commit to the time required and it may cause you problems, you might want to reconsider the appointment.

2. The Ambassador’s employee or company must be an active member of the Chamber and should fully understand and agree to your participation in the Chamber Ambassador Program.

3. Ambassadors must turn in member contact sheets on a monthly basis to be awarded points for each month.

Benefits:

The rewards that an Ambassador receives are limitless! Many of the benefits cannot be measured in dollars and cents, such as forming new friendships, interaction with numerous businesses and community leaders, etc.

However, the following benefits can have a dollar and cents impact on your business:

1. The opportunity to advertise personally for your business through member calls and/or visits.

2. The chance to earn points through the Chamber reward system.

3. Contacts, leads, and clients for your business.

4. The chance to earn “Ambassador of the Year” and be recognized at the Annual Dinner.

Learn more: Contact Amy Cloud, Jessamine Chamber, (859) 887-4351

MEC concern: More demands, fewer dollars driving legislative agenda in Mississippi

Lawmakers will return to Jackson this week with fewer dollars to spend and the usual ever-growing list of things to spend them on.

It won't be easy to pry that money from the Republican leadership, and it will be all but impossible if a request involves a tax increase.

"Once again, your elected leaders have recommended a balanced budget that does not spend one-time money on recurring expenses," said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, after it finished work on the next fiscal year's budget. "Today's proposal is a starting point. As we see revenues come in over the next few months, we will be better able to see how the final budget will shape up."

The committee expects the state to take in $38 million less than this fiscal year and it recommended cuts of up to 3 percent to most major agencies.

However, the Mississippi Economic Council, the state's chamber of commerce, wants the state to dramatically increase the amount of money spent on roads and bridges. An MEC report that came out in December suggests several tax increases that could pay for better roads. It argues that, in the long run, those tax increases would give taxpayers a good return on investment. It says an increase that would cost each Mississippian about 37 cents a day eventually would return about $1.45 a day in reduced driving costs. Read more: Sun Herald

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#Bestchamber practices: Member promotion: The Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce 


CHAMBER INSERTS - One 8 1/5 x 11 sheet ONLY $125 per issue, double sided print encouraged.  Supply us with 400 copies of your insert and it will be mailed with the newsletter to all Chamber members! Contact the chamber at <wwbchamber@wytheville.org>



Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Registration Form Community Business Expo 2015 

Saturday, March 19th 2016 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

***Early Registration Deadline – February 26th, 2016
Final Registration Deadline March 11th, 2016***

Plainfield High School Field House – 24120 W. Fort Beggs Dr.
(One Block West of Rt. 59, Behind Plainfield Plaza)

Early registration prices must be postmarked by February 26th, 2016
Single Booth________ Member $175_______ Non-Member $325______
Double Booth_______ Member $325_______ Non-Member $625______
Non-Profit Business $150 _____

Please check appropriate booth size and price.

Registration prices after February 26th, 2016
Single Booth_________Member $225_______Non-Member $425_______
Double Booth________ Member $425_______Non-Member $825_______
Non-Profit Business $175______

YES! Count me in as a sponsor.
“Your Potential business is our Passion”
(Check the appropriate level and return to the Chamber office)
__________PLATINUM - $1000 SPONSOR
 Company/Organization included in all radio advertising
promoting the Community Business Expo
 Booth space at EXPO (booth space may be donated to a
Plainfield Service Organization)
 Banner (Provided by Sponsoring Company) displayed in field house
 Company name included in all advertising materials
 Company logo/booth number on punch card
__________GOLD - $500 SPONSOR
 Company/Organization included in ½ of all radio advertising
promoting the Community Business Expo
 Company/Organization included in all newspaper advertising
 Company name on signage at entrance to EXPO
__________SILVER - $250 SPONSOR
 Company/Organization included in ¼ of all radio advertising
promoting the Community Business Expo
 Company name on signage at entrance to EXPO
__________BRONZE - $100 SPONSOR
 Company name on signage at entrance to EXPO


More information: Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Partnership: Discover Wisconsin episode featuring Hudson is re-airing

The Discover Wisconsin episode featuring Hudson is re-airing Jan. 9-10 across the Midwest. This is the second of three total airings.

The program was produced in partnership with the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau and Discover Wisconsin and airs on Fox Sports North Saturday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. and WQOW TV 18 (ABC) Sunday, Jan. 10, at 5 p.m. The show may also be streamed online at discoverwisconsin.com.

The program, which premiered last March, marks the first time Discover Wisconsin has dedicated an entire episode to the Hudson area.

This episode of Discover Wisconsin is hosted by former Hudson resident Collin Geraghty and Mariah Haberman. The show kicks off with an overview of Hudson’s restaurants with The Nova, Pier 500, Winzer Stube and San Pedro Café making appearances.

From there, the Discover Wisconsin crew tours Hudson’s numerous outdoor recreational destinations such as Willow River State Park, Troy Burne Golf Club and the Hudson Hot Air Affair. Geraghty and Haberman explore the area’s many bike trails and Jon Morris of St. Croix Sailing School makes a cameo to discuss the benefits of teaching youth how to sail on the St. Croix River. Read more: Rivertowns.net


Kelsie J. Holt Named Director Of Talent, Education & Workforce For Greater Bloomington Chamber Of Commerce

Kelsie J. Holt has been named Director of Talent, Education & Workforce for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

With The Chamber since 2012, Holt previously served as the membership services & hYPe (helping Young Professionals excel) coordinator for the organization.

In her new role, she will be responsible for continuing to build and maintain established relationships with community partners in both the education and business sectors of Monroe County.

Along with broadening the programs of the hYPe program, Holt will also lead The Chamber's Franklin Initiative (FI) and its related workforce development activities and programming. The overall goal for both the Chamber's hYPe program and Franklin Initiative program is to develop strong relationships with students, educators, young professionals and employers to positively impact the emerging talent and future workforce of the community.

"As The Chamber continues to identify ways to better prepare tomorrow's workforce, the blending of these two strategic areas was a natural merger. Kelsie's proven skills and focused energy will allow her to effectively work with our community partners and stakeholders to determine creative solutions that are in line with the mission of both programs," said Jeb Conrad, president & C.E.O. of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Read more: WBIW.com

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

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience 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