After 15 years at the helm and a 5 Star Rating, Greater La Porte Chamber President Michael Seitz to Retire; Rochester Regional Chamber: #BestChamber Practices: Recognizing your Prospects: Chamber "Wednesday Workshop" Beyond the DiSC; Wisconsin sees a big boom is tourism growth; Nearly 100 Northern Virginia Nonprofits Registered for Do More 24™ Giving Day; Small Business Leadership Award at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual Business and Community Showcase; Logitech CEO to Address Greater Oensboro Rooster Booster This Thursday; Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Luncheon Thursday, May 12 - Registration Ends this Thursday, May 5th!

Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!

After 15 years at the helm and a 5 Star Rating, Greater La Porte Chamber President Michael Seitz to Retire

Mike Seitz

On December 31, 2016, I will be completing my fifteenth year as President of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce. During those fifteen years, with the assistance of many fine Chamber and LEAF Board members and an excellent staff, we have accomplished so much in developing the Chamber into an exceptional organization, representing the interest of our members and our community. We have been through three accreditation processes through the US Chamber of Commerce, receiving two 4-star ratings and one five-star rating most recently. Because of these ratings, our Chamber is in an elite class of Chambers. Our program of work has gone through an evolution process over these fifteen years and contributed to our success in the accreditation process because of its strengths in providing programs and services for our members.

I have decided that I would retire from the position of President of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce effective December 31, 2016. It has been an honor for me and I want to express my appreciation to the Board for allowing me to serve as President of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce. A special thank you is also deserved to the community for their kindness shown to me and my family that made living in La Porte one of the greatest experiences of my life.


Respectfully,

Michael B. Seitz, IOM




Rochester Regional Chamber: #BestChamber Practices: Recognizing your Prospects: Chamber "Wednesday Workshop" Beyond the DiSC


The event a Wednesday Workshop,will help attendees identify the four DiSC personalities, recognize their own personal DiSC personality, evaluate the behaviors of the four DiSC personalities to better respond to customer/client needs, and devise a plan to utilize the tools gained for their next client encounter. Knowing the four DiSC indicators is a helpful tool for anyone selling their products and services. Beyond understanding the differences within each category, it is important to listen for the clues to identify your clients/customers. By the questions asked and by the attitudes of your prospects through interaction you will know how to best approach each personality type. The Workshop will help develop skills to pinpoint the best practices for each personality type.

Featured speaker and Chamber member Deneen Troupe-Buitrago, M.Ed will be leading and facilitating the discussion. Deneen is the owner of GFYO Business & Educational Center in Auburn Hills.

Beyond the DiSC - Using Personality Profiles for Better Business Success will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 from 9 - 11 am in the Chamber's conference room. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. Attendees must register at www.rrc-mi.com or by calling 248-651-6700.


The "Wednesday Workshop" is an event series offered by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and will be held bi-monthly in the Chamber conference room and will feature a variety of Chamber members presenting on a range of topics. Contact the RRCC for more information.


New Arrival: Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Directory

The Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Directory is available at the Plainfield Area Chamber today! Thanks to Tasha Kitson, Mari Edmondson, Vitella Barnes, Kellie Wujek 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 profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Wisconsin sees a big boom is tourism growth

Governor Scott Walker, made a stop in Eau Claire on Friday to highlight the State's growth in the tourism economy.

This last year, the new numbers show we are up to $19.3 billion in terms of the economic impact tourism has on the state.

One county in Northwest Wisconsin made it among the top ten counties in the state for percentage growth.

"The best part is when you look at Bayfield county specifically. we actually beat the state averages in all but one of that categories, so you know, the tourism industry in Bayfield County is alive and well," James Bolen, Executive Director of Cable Chamber of Commerce.

Bayfield County saw a 6.7% increase in its tourism economy.

James Bolen, Executive Director of the Cable Chamber of Commerce, says part of what fueled the boost is due in part to lower gas prices and an over-all uptick in the economy.

He also gives credit to the Ice Caves, which had an impact on the whole region.

"So many people came up and Bayfield County couldn't house them all and so they were staying in Ashland and Superior. and so we need to take a regional approach," said Bolen.

Governor Walker says marketing the state's tourism economy was one of his priorities when he took office and he says the marking strategies has paid off. Read more: Northlands News Center

Nearly 100 Northern Virginia Nonprofits Registered for Do More 24™ Giving Day 



Tysons, Va. – With less than one month to go before the start of Do More 24™, the region’s largest 24-hour, online giving day, nearly 100 area nonprofit organizations have already registered to participate in this year’s event hosted by United Way of the National Capital Area. This year the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce is partnering with United Way NCA to give an even bigger boost to the effort. In 2015, the annual, 24-hour online fundraiser brought in over $1.4 million in donations for more than 600 National Capital Community nonprofit organizations.

This year’s event will take place starting at midnight on Thursday, June 2nd, 2016 and will last for a full 24-hours. Nonprofits can continue to register for the event until May 23rd, 2016. Participating nonprofits include organizations ranging from those with a focus on animal welfare to arts and culture, health and human services, and workforce readiness.

"We are thrilled to partner with Northern Virginia Chamber member United Way NCA for Do More 24™," said Jim Corcoran, President & CEO, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

“Powered by United Way of the National Capital Area, Do More 24™ is the area’s largest 24-hour giving day, helping to fuel our local nonprofit organizations,” said Kelly V. Brinkley, Chief Operating Officer of United Way NCA. “Do More 24™ will provide area nonprofits desperately needed funding to help fill holes in their budgets, buy needed new equipment and serve people throughout the community.”

Both returning nonprofits, as well as those interested in participating for the first time, can visit www.DoMore24.org to register for this year’s event. Regional, national and local nonprofit organizations classified by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3), with a presence in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (including Northern Virginia) are eligible to participate.

See the below list for Northern Virginia nonprofits currently registered to participate in this year’s event.

Both returning nonprofits, as well as those interested in participating for the first time, can visit www.DoMore24.org to register for this year’s event. Regional, national and local nonprofit organizations classified by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3), with a presence in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (including Northern Virginia) are eligible to participate.

In addition to registration information, the site also provides a comprehensive list of FAQ’s providing nonprofit partners with in-depth information about how they can take part in this local movement. Last year, 11,000 Do More 24™ donors contributed more than $1.4 million to participating nonprofits, which helped them to launch new programs, buy equipment, expand their services, hire staff and fill budget gaps.

Individual donors looking to take part in this year’s effort, can go to the website at www.DoMore24.org and sign up today to receive an email reminder for the 24 hour fundraising event on June 2nd. You can also stay up-to-date with all things Do More 24™ via Facebook and Twitter.


Small Business Leadership Award at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual Business and Community Showcase

 A local couple were recognized for their contributions to the business community by being named winners of the Small Business Leadership award at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual Business and Community Showcase Wednesday.

    Cary and Faith Vaughn, of Vaughn's Inc., were named 2016 winners of the award. Married for 32 years, the Vaughns have been in business for 23 of those years. They moved here from Madison because Meridian was an undeveloped market for Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. Now, they own two local locations of the popular restaurant.

    "We work together 24/7 — our office is at the home," Faith Vaughn said.

    Faith Vaughn credited Great Southern Bank for underwriting their Small Business Administration loan package when the family came to Meridian. She also thanked their parents for helping with the children when building the business took a great deal of time and attention.

    The management teams and employees at the two stores were also credited for the success of the business.  

    "They are the visible people in the stores," Faith Vaughn said.             "Meridian has been a wonderful community," Cary Vaughn said. "We've had a great 23 years and hope to be here 23 more," Cary Vaughn said.  Read more: Meridian Star

Logitech CEO to Address Greater Owensboro Rooster Booster This Thursday

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster Breakfast is this Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. Central Standard Time. Goreman Recruiting is sponsoring the event.

The speaker is Bracken P. Darrell, president and chief executive officer of Fortune 500 company, Logitech.  As CEO, Darrell is responsible for Logitech’s strategy for growth and profitability, for the vision for the brand as well as for the company’s operations. Mr. Darrell joined Logitech as president in April 2012, and assumed the role of chief executive officer in January 2013. 

Mr. Darrell brings to Logitech more than twenty years of experience in business management and brand management in successful global consumer companies, including Whirlpool, Procter & Gamble and General Electric. His broad executive management experience has spanned manufacturing, supply chain, product innovation, consumer services and marketing – targeting customers in mature and emerging markets. He has led growth and reinvention for iconic brands such as Old Spice, Gillette, Braun, KitchenAid and Whirlpool.

Prior to joining Logitech, Mr. Darrell was executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool EMEA, where he guided the company through the economic downturn of 2008. Previously, Mr. Darrell was with Procter & Gamble, most recently as the president of Braun, the home appliance business. In addition to a total of twelve years with Procter & Gamble – in executive management positions as well as earlier years in brand management – Mr. Darrell served with General Electric Company for five years, most recently as the general manager of Consumer Home Service. Mr. Darrell began his career with Arthur Anderson and then PepsiCo.

Bracken Darrell holds an M.B.A. degree from Harvard Business School and a B.A. degree in English from Hendrix College in Arkansas.

Rooster Booster is the monthly breakfast meeting and premier event for our 102 year old organization. Held at the Owensboro Convention Center on the banks of the Ohio River, “Rooster Booster” is considered the largest and most notable monthly chamber meetings in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Reservations are required by Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.  Reservations may be made by visiting chamber.owensboro.com and clicking on events calendar, May Rooster Booster; or by calling 270.926.1860.  Cost is $12 per Chamber Member/$20 for non-Chamber members.  The event is open to the public. Contact : Candance Castlen Brake, President and CEO, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce - 270.691.0570  cbrake@owensboro.com 

Mega Connect Multi-Chamber Networking Luncheon Thursday, May 12 - Registration Ends this Thursday, May 5th!

Howard Meyer

Multiply your networking potential! Members looking for a productive networking experience will enjoy the structured format of this program, which gives each participant an opportunity to speak to a receptive audience about his/her company's products and services. 

This is a multi-chamber event including the DBR, Des Plaines, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie, and Wilmette/Kenilworth Chambers of Commerce.

The event will begin with informal networking over a buffet lunch.  Attendees will then be divided into small groups at assigned tables where everyone will give 2-minute presentations on their companies. Following will be an additional presentation to a second and third group of participants. In addition, everyone will receive a contact list of pre-registered participants. Don't miss this unique opportunity to expand your reach and resources!

Please note that table assignments will begin promptly at 12:00 Noon. If you are not there by 11:50 a.m., your space will be given away to another participant and you will need to check-in at the "Late Registration Table."  Please arrive on time to get the most out of your networking experience!

Thursday, May 12, 2016

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Chateau Ritz

9100 N. Milwaukee, Niles

Lunch included in all fees
RSVP & Payment Due by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016

Members paying by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5: $30

Prospective Members, Members paying after May 5, and Walk-ins: $40

Literature Table Participant: $35, Your company name and materials will be featured prominently on a table in the entry to the room for all attendees to view. Please note: Only those who have paid the $35 literature table participant fee can place their company literature on the assigned table.

No cancellations or refunds after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5.

Walk-ins are strongly discouraged and may not be accommodated.

Click Here for More Information & To Register

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