Happy Monday, Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
#BestChamber Practices: Dearborn Area Chamber Teacher of the Year Awards Nominations Due
Nominations for the 2016 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Awards, presented by LaFontaine Automotive Group, are being accepted from Dearborn Public Schools students for the 2015-2016 school year. Students are encouraged to recognize outstanding teachers who have made significant contributions in their educational experiences. Nominations can be mailed or faxed to the Dearborn Area Chamber offices and can also be downloaded online at www.DearbornAreaChamber.org. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 5:00 pm. Four winning teachers will be recognized, one each from Pre-K through 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th grade, middle and high school at a unique awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 beginning at 4:15 pm at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.
“We are very excited to once again have the opportunity to recognize some tremendous educators in the Dearborn Public Schools district,” commented Dearborn Area Chamber Education Committee Chair Phil Emma of Global “E” Group. “Teachers make such a positive impact in the lives of our children, and as a result we expect to receive nearly 1,000 nominations again this year.”
The Teacher of the Year Awards began in 1997, under the leadership of Chamber Member Alberta Muirhead. In its first year, 65 nominations were received for 57 teachers in 19 schools. The Dearborn Area Chamber received nearly 1,000 nominations in 2015.
Teachers selected for this prestigious award will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a glass award commemorating their achievement, and will become part of a select group of Dearborn teachers who have been recognized by the community for their dedication and passion for teaching.
“The Chamber is thrilled to have the opportunity to honor those who have such a significant impact on our youth in the Dearborn area,” said Dearborn Area Chamber President Jackie Lovejoy. “The future success of our community depends on the efforts and commitment of our educators and we have some of the best in the Dearborn Public Schools district.” Read more: Dearborn Area Chamber
Illinois Chamber's Todd Maisch: Study proves state can grow
It is not enough to be the fifth-largest state in the union, the center of the third-largest metropolitan market in the country and the 20th-largest economy in the world. Compare that with the study's ranking of Illinois at 39th in economic competitiveness. While that's up from 46th, Illinois should be higher. Much higher.
This report documents past experience, establishes a baseline from which to compare future progress or regression during the Bruce Rauner years, and offers insight and guidance for promoting economic growth and an improved standard of living for Illinois. We've needed a "Turnaround Agenda" but more striking is that it's taken this long to get one.
We rank 47th in state job growth (down from 46th at the height of the recession) while our state and local tax burdens are more than the national average, the average for the Great Lakes states, the average burden for right to work states and the average burden for non-right to work states. That must change.
From 1998 to 2013, Illinois' growth in Gross State Product grew by 68 percent compared to the U.S. average of 91 percent.
From 2000 to 2012, Illinois ranked 46th in non-farm payroll employment growth at 2.7 percent while the national average was 10.3 percent.
From 1984 to 2014, Illinois fell from 17th to 25th in average median income. Read more: News-Gazette
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce: Northern Virginia Restaurant Week: 56 Restaurants in Northern Virginia Restaurant Week
From March 7 to 14, the third Northern Virginia Restaurant Week (NOVA Restaurant Week) will showcase many local eating establishments. Some 56 restaurants are expected to participate.
#“Created four years ago by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce as an initiative of its Restaurant and Hospitality committee, Northern Virginia Restaurant Week was originally intended to support its Restaurant and Hospitality members by providing a venue for them to showcase their cuisine,” said Reston Chambers CEO, Mark Ingrao. “This also satisfies one of the Chamber’s four cornerstones, which is to promote business development and to offer our members and community marketing opportunities to promote their business. Northern Virginia Restaurant Week is one of the major events available to our Restaurant and Hospitality Fairfax community that celebrates eating out and building community,” Ingrao said.
“In 2015, it was a very successful public relations campaign,” said Lisa Nicholls, board member and president of Tira! Strategies, “which helped us to get a number of restaurants to participate again. It was such a success that Ingrao started to partner with other chambers.”
#Part of the challenge of this event, said Nicholls, has been connecting with local restaurants. “I reach out and call restaurants and let them know what is happening,” she said. “Our Restaurant and Hospitality committee has been a big driver of this event. A number of members of the Chamber have restaurants or do business with restaurants. We organized a phone campaign and they talked about their experience with NOVA Restaurant Week. The phone conversations help to encourage new restaurants to join Northern Virginia Restaurant Week.”
#“As it has happened, both restaurant owners and chefs are eager to participate, because the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce serves as a go to place for our Restaurant and Hospitality businesses to engage with the community” said Ingrao. Read more: The Connection
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Finds the 2016 Marriage Mill Couple
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| Michael Martin and Amy Pohlman |
After a long search for the perfect 2016 Marriage Mill Couple, they have been found!
Amy Pohlman and Michael Martin will be married on Friday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. Amy and Michael will be part of Crown Point history as they embark on a one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony! The casual ceremony will be held at the bottom of the stairs in front of the Old Crown Point Courthouse. The guests stand lining the walkway during the fabulous Food & Arts Festival. After the ceremony, the couple will be celebrating their nuptials in the Historic Maki Ballroom of the Old Crown Point Courthouse. Amy and Michael will enjoy sound and music during the ceremony donated by Five Star DJ and Karaoke, a one night stay at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza and delicious wedding cake from Strack & VanTil of Crown Point.
A little about the couple:
The bride is Amy Pohlman born in Tinley Park, IL who has purchased a home with her fiancé Michael, in Crown Point where her family lives.
Amy is a senior at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She will be graduating this year with a major in criminal justice and major in sociology. Amy aspires to be a police officer and is currently employed with Levy Restaurants & Sportservice where she has been able to work with the Chicago White Sox, Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks.
The groom Michael Martin is employed at Fire Services in St. John as a collision and refurbish technician. His parents own an automotive repair facility in Hammond which is where he found his interest in automotive repair. In a previous job, Michael met Robert Pohlman, Amy’s father. They became the best of friends while traveling due to a common interest in racing. Michael knew Robert had a daughter, but she was away at college and they never met. Robert showed Michael a photo of Amy. Michael thought she was absolutely gorgeous. Now he feels he is the luckiest man in the world to be able to call Amy his fiancé and soon his wife!
Did you know in 1915 to1940, Crown Point was well-known across the country as the place to tie the knot? Nearly 175,000 couples traveled to the city to say “I do”! As many as six Justices of the Peace performed marriages at all hours seven days a week. Wedding parties arrived by the busload and local jewelers kept a very large stock of wedding rings on hand. The Marriage Mill is an annual event to commemorate this historic event!
Contact: Lee Hartsell - Office Manager, Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce
9101 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410 - 219.769.8180 Fax 219.736.6223 Crossroads Regional Chamber
New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map
The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map is available at the New Castle-Henry County Chamber today! Thanks to Missy Modesitt, Mary Campbell and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber Celebrates 28 Years of Leadership, Announces 2016 Class
Oxford, Miss. ‑‑ The Oxford‑Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2016 class of the Leadership Lafayette program in January and will run through September. The program began in 1988 and celebrates 28 years of leadership with this year's class.
“I am very excited about this year’s program,” said Torie White, Leadership Lafayette chair. “They are a remarkable group, and we anticipate the work they will do through their projects will enrich our community. We are also eager to see them use their skills to get involved in different facets of the community beyond the program.”
The 2016 class includes: Cade Clanton, Hayden Fiduciary Management Firm; Reggie Clayton, Titanium Services, LLC; Lisa Coleman, The Salvation Army; Seth Gaines, City of Oxford Park Commission; Allison Garner, FNC, Inc.; Chris Glaze, KNS Medical, Inc.; Mike Gooch, Baptist Memorial Hospital NM; Amy Goodin, Boys and Girls Club of North MS; Alison Green, Oxford School District; Amy Hartley, BancorpSouth Mortgage; Campbell Helveston, FNB Oxford Bank; Caitlin Hopper, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council; Laura Martin, McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement; Jason McCormick, University of Mississippi; Hardie Meeks, Oxford Police Department; Andy Miller, Trustmark National Bank; Emery Newsom, Baptist Memorial Hospital NM; Nikki Paine, The Oxford Eagle; Rebecca Phillips, The University of MS Museum; Meredith Pittman, The Second Line; Cassidy Shoemake, TeleSouth Communications; Nathan Smith, Visit Oxford; Lee Ann Stubbs, Visit Oxford; Cory Swain, Dex Media; Ward Toler, CSpire; Corey Ussery, Lee Family Dental; Deetra Wiley, University of Mississippi.
This nine-month course is designed to ensure the continuity of leadership in the Lafayette‑Oxford‑University community. The class training builds community leaders through shared knowledge, skills and experience. The program emphasizes developing leadership skills through activities promoting community awareness, team building and project development.
Objectives of the Leadership Lafayette Program are to: (1) Identify potential community leaders; (2) Develop individual leadership potential; (3) Acquire knowledge about community and current issues in Lafayette County; (4) Create dialogue and rapport among participants and current community leaders; (5) Provide opportunities to network with alumni of prior Leadership Lafayette programs; and (6) Promote a sense of “community” through shared efforts benefiting the local community.
“The Leadership Lafayette steering committee has been diligently working on details of the program, planning the sessions, speakers and agendas,” said Pam Swain, Leadership Lafayette program administrator and Senior Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce. “These volunteers have been through this program and similar programs and have spent countless hours ensuring that each session is of great value and interest to the class.” More information: pam@oxfordms.com • www.oxfordms.com
Carlos Phillips is leaving his position as senior vice president of operations and membership of Greater Louisville Inc.
Phillips has been named CEO of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina, according to a news release.
He was chosen for the position after a national search to replace retiring Greenville chamber CEO Ben Haskew, who has led that chamber for nearly 12 years.
Phillips starts in the new position on March 29.
Phillips returned to GLI in 2014 after a stint as senior vice president of membership and marketing at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. He was GLI's vice president of member and investor development from 2006 to 2010. Phillips also has past experience in sales leadership positions for AT&T Inc.
"GLI's loss is Greenville's gain," GLI CEO Kent Oyler said in the release. "This is a great opportunity for Carlos to advance his career as a CEO of a dynamic 2,200 member, 25 employee chamber."
GLI does not predict any disruptions in the services provided by Phillips, saying that he has built a strong management team in his department that will assist in the transition. Read more: Louisville Business
Chamber issue: Milton School District officials address resident concerns at listening session
The Milton School Board tried a new setting to educate the public about the district's facility needs Wednesday.
More than a half dozen residents gathered in Charming B's coffee shop for a chance to connect with board President Jon Cruzan and board members Tom Westrick and Betsy Lubke during an informal listening session.
Resident Luci Chwala asked about the “ancillary” benefits of a referendum district officials recently spoke about on the radio.
Superintendent Tim Schigur assured the resident the school board is looking at its facility needs with the students it already has—not the economy—as a priority. But it's impossible to not consider economic benefits new facilities might bring to Milton, Schigur said.
Local businesses benefit when people visit Milton for show choir or sporting events. If the district attracts more students and families by building a new high school, there could be a bigger economic boost to the community, he said.
“That's not why we design it. We take it into account,” Schigur said. “Nothing works in isolation.”
“We're not doing it to attract more students, though that's certainly a positive,” Westrick said.
The Milton School District covers much more than Milton, a city of about 5,000 people. Plans for the abandoned $45 million referendum included athletic upgrades some in the community thought were wants, not needs.
Resident Lance Fena asked who's going to help the dairy farmers and other outlying residents who will see property tax hikes if a referendum passes.
If more people are visiting the community and using Milton businesses, that shifts some of the financial burden to visitors. Better business could keep the tax rate down, Schigur said.
Sue Chwala brought up discussions between the YMCA and the school district regarding potential collaboration for a community pool.
YMCA CEO Tom Den Boer and Schigur have discussed the topic a few times before.
“I showed him the amount of time that we use the pool,” Schigur said. “When we had a conversation in September, Tom told me, 'Tim, a partnership would be nice, but you use the pool so much, it's not going to work.'”
Den Boer told The Gazette in February he's not aware of any scheduling conflicts that would prevent collaboration. Schigur will meet with Den Boer soon to see what's changed and if a partnership is still possible, Schigur said.
Milton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dani Stivarius brought up enrollment. Enrollment is expected to remain flat or decline over the next several years, but the district recently reported its highest enrollment yet. She asked how enrollment factors into facility needs.- See more at: GazetteExtra
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, 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
New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber Celebrates 28 Years of Leadership, Announces 2016 Class
Oxford, Miss. ‑‑ The Oxford‑Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2016 class of the Leadership Lafayette program in January and will run through September. The program began in 1988 and celebrates 28 years of leadership with this year's class.
“I am very excited about this year’s program,” said Torie White, Leadership Lafayette chair. “They are a remarkable group, and we anticipate the work they will do through their projects will enrich our community. We are also eager to see them use their skills to get involved in different facets of the community beyond the program.”
The 2016 class includes: Cade Clanton, Hayden Fiduciary Management Firm; Reggie Clayton, Titanium Services, LLC; Lisa Coleman, The Salvation Army; Seth Gaines, City of Oxford Park Commission; Allison Garner, FNC, Inc.; Chris Glaze, KNS Medical, Inc.; Mike Gooch, Baptist Memorial Hospital NM; Amy Goodin, Boys and Girls Club of North MS; Alison Green, Oxford School District; Amy Hartley, BancorpSouth Mortgage; Campbell Helveston, FNB Oxford Bank; Caitlin Hopper, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council; Laura Martin, McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement; Jason McCormick, University of Mississippi; Hardie Meeks, Oxford Police Department; Andy Miller, Trustmark National Bank; Emery Newsom, Baptist Memorial Hospital NM; Nikki Paine, The Oxford Eagle; Rebecca Phillips, The University of MS Museum; Meredith Pittman, The Second Line; Cassidy Shoemake, TeleSouth Communications; Nathan Smith, Visit Oxford; Lee Ann Stubbs, Visit Oxford; Cory Swain, Dex Media; Ward Toler, CSpire; Corey Ussery, Lee Family Dental; Deetra Wiley, University of Mississippi.
This nine-month course is designed to ensure the continuity of leadership in the Lafayette‑Oxford‑University community. The class training builds community leaders through shared knowledge, skills and experience. The program emphasizes developing leadership skills through activities promoting community awareness, team building and project development.
Objectives of the Leadership Lafayette Program are to: (1) Identify potential community leaders; (2) Develop individual leadership potential; (3) Acquire knowledge about community and current issues in Lafayette County; (4) Create dialogue and rapport among participants and current community leaders; (5) Provide opportunities to network with alumni of prior Leadership Lafayette programs; and (6) Promote a sense of “community” through shared efforts benefiting the local community.
“The Leadership Lafayette steering committee has been diligently working on details of the program, planning the sessions, speakers and agendas,” said Pam Swain, Leadership Lafayette program administrator and Senior Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce. “These volunteers have been through this program and similar programs and have spent countless hours ensuring that each session is of great value and interest to the class.” More information: pam@oxfordms.com • www.oxfordms.com
GLI Executive Departing to become CEO of out-of-state chamber
Carlos Phillips is leaving his position as senior vice president of operations and membership of Greater Louisville Inc.Phillips has been named CEO of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina, according to a news release.
Phillips starts in the new position on March 29.
Phillips returned to GLI in 2014 after a stint as senior vice president of membership and marketing at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. He was GLI's vice president of member and investor development from 2006 to 2010. Phillips also has past experience in sales leadership positions for AT&T Inc.
"GLI's loss is Greenville's gain," GLI CEO Kent Oyler said in the release. "This is a great opportunity for Carlos to advance his career as a CEO of a dynamic 2,200 member, 25 employee chamber."
GLI does not predict any disruptions in the services provided by Phillips, saying that he has built a strong management team in his department that will assist in the transition. Read more: Louisville Business
Chamber issue: Milton School District officials address resident concerns at listening session
More than a half dozen residents gathered in Charming B's coffee shop for a chance to connect with board President Jon Cruzan and board members Tom Westrick and Betsy Lubke during an informal listening session.
Resident Luci Chwala asked about the “ancillary” benefits of a referendum district officials recently spoke about on the radio.
Superintendent Tim Schigur assured the resident the school board is looking at its facility needs with the students it already has—not the economy—as a priority. But it's impossible to not consider economic benefits new facilities might bring to Milton, Schigur said.
Local businesses benefit when people visit Milton for show choir or sporting events. If the district attracts more students and families by building a new high school, there could be a bigger economic boost to the community, he said.
“That's not why we design it. We take it into account,” Schigur said. “Nothing works in isolation.”
“We're not doing it to attract more students, though that's certainly a positive,” Westrick said.
The Milton School District covers much more than Milton, a city of about 5,000 people. Plans for the abandoned $45 million referendum included athletic upgrades some in the community thought were wants, not needs.
Resident Lance Fena asked who's going to help the dairy farmers and other outlying residents who will see property tax hikes if a referendum passes.
If more people are visiting the community and using Milton businesses, that shifts some of the financial burden to visitors. Better business could keep the tax rate down, Schigur said.
Sue Chwala brought up discussions between the YMCA and the school district regarding potential collaboration for a community pool.
YMCA CEO Tom Den Boer and Schigur have discussed the topic a few times before.
“I showed him the amount of time that we use the pool,” Schigur said. “When we had a conversation in September, Tom told me, 'Tim, a partnership would be nice, but you use the pool so much, it's not going to work.'”
Den Boer told The Gazette in February he's not aware of any scheduling conflicts that would prevent collaboration. Schigur will meet with Den Boer soon to see what's changed and if a partnership is still possible, Schigur said.
Milton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dani Stivarius brought up enrollment. Enrollment is expected to remain flat or decline over the next several years, but the district recently reported its highest enrollment yet. She asked how enrollment factors into facility needs.- See more at: GazetteExtra
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location 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, 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
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