Commerce Lexington Inc. Recognized Among Top Chambers of Commerce for Third Consecutive Year; #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: Honoring Volunteers; #BestChamber practices: Grand Rapids Area Chamber: Why Video & Why Now; Presence Healing Arts Pavilion receives Plainfield Chamber business award; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Chamber news: Agape House wins Visit Lake Geneva Restaurant Week charity check; Keep Virginia Beautiful Awards $500 Grant to the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance; Lawrence County Chamber award: Charles Bufkin to be honored with reception at Civic Center; #BestChamber Practices: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber Testimonial; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps;

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






Commerce Lexington Inc. Recognized Among Top Chambers of Commerce for Third Consecutive Year

Bob Quick

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – For the third consecutive year, Commerce Lexington Inc. has been recognized among top chambers of commerce internationally as a finalist for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) 2016 Chamber of the Year Award. Since 2007, ACCE has annually recognized chambers of commerce in various size categories for their work leading businesses and communities with the Chamber of the Year Award, which recognizes excellence in operations, member services, and community leadership.

Commerce Lexington Inc. President and CEO Bob Quick, CCE, said, “We are humbled to be recognized once again among the top chambers of commerce within a category that contains some of the largest chambers in the country.  The comprehensive nature of this honor means a lot to our board, staff, volunteers, and members, who contribute daily to our efforts to enhance our community, but it also affirms that we are doing quality work in events, programs and services across our organization.”

ACCE President and Chief Executive Officer Mick Fleming said, “Applicants have already proven themselves worthy of emulation and praise by the time they reach finalist status. Only chambers meeting certain benchmarks are even invited to apply, so becoming a finalist is a big deal.  In each case, the chamber’s numbers are good, their highlighted programs are strong and their impact on businesses and communities is evident.”

The Chamber of the Year process begins with the Annual Operations Survey. Applicants qualified to compete by completing the survey and meeting thresholds in at least four of six key performance areas including: net revenue, net assets, reserve funds, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention.

ACCE staff and the Chamber of the Year volunteer judging committee determine the competition category for each applicant based on established criteria, including: annual revenue, member accounts, service area population, number of businesses in the service area, and restricted revenue as a percentage of total revenue. In the final phase of award process, the judging committee conducts in-person interviews with leaders from each finalist chamber. Read more: Commerce Lexington


#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: Honoring Volunteers


“Volunteering is so pervasive it’s invisible. We take for granted all the things that have been pioneered by concerned, active volunteers.” – Susan J. Ellis


https://www.energizeinc.com/  looks to be a great resource about volunteers.


#BestChamber practices: Grand Rapids Area Chamber: Why Video & Why Now

Everyone is talking about it … video is the next big thing in marketing. With all the articles out there, how do you know where to start? We put in the work for you and compiled what we think you’ll need to know to improve your video marketing strategies.

Taking Video to the Next Level

Pinterest & cinematic pins
Cinematic pins uses a new motioned based format that enables enhanced storytelling for brands
while giving users control. Pins move as the user scrolls, stops when the user stops.
360% View Video
Take your marketing into virtual reality. Great for tours, featuring an event, and so much more! Post it to Facebook or YouTube and track how it does.
LiveStream
Looking to give a “live” look to your audience? Livestream video is the way to go! Be as instantaneous as you can, but always remember – you are LIVE!
Interactive Videos
The next “big thing” for marketing, interactive videos give the users more choice than ever before, allowing the customer to take part in the video and affect its outcome.
Tips to be Successful
1. Keep your video under 1 minute! Most viewers will close the video anywhere past 1 minute, resulting in lost messaging. Instagram figured this out – allowing videos to last 3-60 seconds.
2. Don’t forget to post your video to multiple platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, your website, and your emails! Implix found that including a video during the beginning of their email increased their click-through rate by 96%.
3. Track and analyze. Don’t forget to optimize your video for search engines—use relevant tags, include additional links, and at least one keyword in the title. Track your results on each platform; find what worked best and what needs to change. You can always do better! Source : Grand Rapids Area Chamber



Presence Healing Arts Pavilion receives Plainfield Chamber business award

Presence Healing Arts Pavilion was recently named Professional Service Business of The Year by the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to recognizing the convenient and quality healthcare options that the Healing Arts Pavilion provides for the community, the award also acknowledges Presence Health’s continual community support through event sponsorships and other partnerships.

The 25,000 square foot custom-designed Healing Arts Pavilion, 16615 South Route 59 in Plainfield, opened last October and delivers outpatient services including primary care, specialty care, laboratory, imaging, and physical therapy in a modern healthcare setting. The facility also hosts educational programs and community events. Read more: Herald-News

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide  is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson 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.

Chamber news: Agape House wins Visit Lake Geneva Restaurant Week charity check

Restaurant Week, June 3 to 12, was a big event for 25 Lake Geneva restaurants.

And it turned out to be an exceptionally good week for Agape House in Walworth.

Diners during Restaurant Week were given ballots to vote for one of five area charities and nonprofits to receive a $5,000 donation from Lake Geneva Country Meats.

Agape House, a ministry that works with girls, young women and families to overcome the effects of abuse, addiction and the pains of their past, took the most votes. The check presentation by Nick Vorpagel of Country Meats was made June 23 during the Restaurant Week Wrap Up at The Ridge Hotel, W4249 State Highway 50, town of Geneva.

"The coolest thing I did this year was visit each of (the) charities," Vorpagel said. And he said the experience was humbling.

Agape House cares for young women, he recounted. Open Arms provides free health care, The Time Is Now helps people get through financial crises, SMILES uses horses to help people with special needs and the Geneva Lake Museum preserves history.

"I just give people bratwurst," said Vorpagel.

Vorpagel said the top three vote-getters were SMILES with 511 votes; Open Arms came in second with 634 votes. Agape House won with 691 votes.

Pam Patterson, Agape House founder and executive director, could not be at the event. Her daughter, Sophia Erzumiah was there to accept the donation.

Erzumiah said later that the money will go to pay the salaries of the six or seven staff members at the house. This time of year, donations are at a low point, she said.

"This donation will certainly help," she said.

The wrap up party was sponsored by VISIT Lake Geneva, which is also the Geneva Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. Read more: LakeGenvaNews.net




Keep Virginia Beautiful Awards $500 Grant to the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance

Karen Riordan

  Williamsburg, VA – The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance (GWCTA) has been awarded a grant of $500 from Keep Virginia Beautiful during its annual “30 Grants in Thirty Days.” Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 telling how they are addressing these pressing issues: Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, and Community Beautification.

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance has started a “Chamber Clean Coalition” project to promote litter clean-up efforts in the roadways to further enhance businesses and visitors experiences. GWCTA plans to maintain a clean welcome area to visitors and residents on route 60 through the Adopt-A-Highway program in order to advocate, collaborate, and help new businesses emerge and existing business grow, while giving everyone the experience they deserve.

“We are very thankful to Keep Virginia Beautiful for the generous grant! Our Earth Day Clean Up Day was a great success. Our job at GWCTA is to promote this beautiful destination we live in and keeping it clean is very important. We take any opportunity we can to get out in the community and help out!” said Karen Riordan, President and CEO of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance. More information: Patrick Quinn 757.476.6820 Patrick@williamsburgcc.com

Lawrence County Chamber award: Charles Bufkin to be honored with reception at Civic Center

Every so often in a generation, an exceptional person comes along. This person has a strong work ethic, a dedication to community and family, and the ability to make a friend in anyone they meet.
Mr. Charles Bufkin, a native of Lawrence County, is this person. After a 40-year absence from his childhood hometown, he returned to the area in 1991 with his wife, Merle. The couple reside on the outskirts of Monticello, the perfect place to lead an active retirement life. 
Bufkin has been instrumental in many of the community efforts of the town through his hard work and community involvement for 25 years. Now, the town is coming together to honor him for his dedication to Monticello. On Friday, July 1, from 4-6 p.m., a come and go reception will be held at the Lawrence County Civic Center. The reception is sponsored by the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Service Club, with the assistance and attendance of many of the other clubs and organizations of which Bufkin has been a part. Many of Bufkin’s family members will be present, and those who attend will have the opportunity to visit the Military Museum and the Regional Museum located at the Center. Mr. Charles has been deeply involved in museum projects and in the upkeep and establishment of the Civic Center as a museum and event destination.
Bufkin began school at Monticello Grammar School in 1939. He has great pride in the fact that he played football, basketball and baseball and ran track for the Monticello Red Devils. When he was a senior in high school in 1951, he chose the GI Bill to receive further education for free, and enlisted with the local guard unit. He served in the Korean War in the Co. D 106th Engineer, 31st Infantry “Dixie” Divison. 
Bufkin worked with a diversified chemical company out of Wayne, New Jersey for 34 years. He was awarded as the top salesman for 6 of those years. After 40 years away from his hometown, he and Mrs. Merle decided to relocate to Monticello, and they immediately jumped into community work. The awards and volunteer efforts that Bufkin has received or been involved in are numerous. In 1997, he received the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Civic Award, and in 2001, he was awarded the Lawrence County Exchange Club’s “Book of Golden Deeds” award. Though he has many awards and accolades on his bookshelves, he cites the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce E.M. Graham Award of Excellence as his highest honor. The award, which Mr. Charles received in 2008, is the Chamber’s top award, given to those who selflessly serve Lawrence County, its clubs and organizations and its people. Read more: Lawrence County Press


#BestChamber Practices: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber Testimonial on website

"The impact of wisdom and acuity of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber in such a difficult economic time has kept the Mursix Companies completely aware of the opportunities necessary to survive and grow in Delaware County".  Todd Murray, President Mursix Corporation

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