Chamber excitement: Elkhart RV Open House to draw thousands of dealers
Recreational vehicle companies across Elkhart County will open their doors next week to thousands of dealers.
The ninth annual Elkhart RV Open House, from Sept. 19 through 22, is expected to draw more than 4,000 dealer personnel from the U.S. and Canada who will check out the latest RV offerings and make purchases for the 2017 selling season.
The week will feature more than 60 RV manufacturers and suppliers countywide, and companies will hold their own shows for dealers. The private shows are open only to dealers.
Most RV companies, such as Forest River, will hold open houses at their own venues. Thor Industries, meanwhile, will showcase RVs at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart.
Darryl Searer, president of the Hall of Fame, said Thor’s open house is the “single largest event” held at the complex during the year. The open house continues to attract more dealers each year. “The fact that each year it continues to grow shows that it’s something necessary for the industry,” Searer said.
The open house’s popularity comes as the industry is booming. The wholesale shipment of RVs to retailers has climbed for six straight years, and growth has continued this year. More than 80 percent of the nation’s RVs are made in Elkhart County, and they’re sold in bulk quantities to dealers nationwide.
During last year’s open house week, dealers made more than $4 billion in wholesale RV orders with manufacturers, said Mark Dobson, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County. “This year is projected to beat that, and you also get the positive impacts of guests in the community at restaurants and hotels,” he said.
Kyle Hannon, president and CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, said the open house is the county’s largest business event of the year. “It’s like a Notre Dame football weekend but much longer, and hotel rooms and restaurant tables will be at a premium,” he said. “And the amount of money from orders written by dealers is bigger than anything else we get.” Read more: South Bend Tribune
Elgin Chamber celebrates Chamber of Commerce Week
The week of Sept. 12-16 has been designated as Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week and to mark the occasion the Elgin Area Chamber will be bringing its members valuable and engaging activities all week long.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the Elgin Area Chamber welcomes Jane Blain Gilbertson, CEO of Blain's Farm & Fleet which celebrates their grand opening in Elgin that same morning. Guests will enjoy a lunch buffet followed by a moderated Q&A with Gilbertson beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave. in Elgin.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, the chamber invites members for a marathon morning of "Speed Networking" from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Rub-io's Cafe, 1568 Larkin Ave. in Elgin. Much like speed dating events, each member will get a few minutes one-on-one to share their elevator pitches, make connections and then rotate to the next person.
Then on Friday, Sept. 16, the chamber invites members, past and present, to join them for a special Member Mixer and Open House from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Elgin Area Chamber, 31 S. Grove Ave.
Members are welcome to drop in at their leisure to mingle with other members, enjoy a delicious lunch, shoot their "EAC Elevator Pitch" video, take an Instagram selfie with the chamber photo frame, sign-up to be part of the upcoming 2017 chamber directory, meet chamber staff and board members and learn more about valuable member benefits available thru the Elgin Area Chamber.
As an added bonus, all new chamber members who join before Sept. 26 will receive a free listing in our 2017 Community Guide & Business Directory and two free tickets ($40 value) to the popular CEO Unplugged series. Source: Daily Herald
The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization committed to a mission of business and community development. Together with the help of our members, we work to make Dubuque the best place to live, work, play, and do business. Representing nearly 1,400 members from throughout the area, we are the advocates for a strong and prosperous business climate.
The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Legislative Agenda is a comprehensive overview of our pro-growth policy. We are committed to advancing legislation that enhances our business climate, creates jobs, protects free enterprise, and grows our economy. As a Chamber we will speak to our local, state and federal lawmakers with a resounding and united voice of leadership and influence.
We encourage you to look around our site for information on local and state issues and to learn how you can get involved. For more information, please fill out the form below.
Each year, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce creates a legislative agenda based on member feedback. The first step in the process is to survey our members and conduct legislative roundtables on the issues facing their business. Based on that feedback, we create an agenda that highlights the needs of the local business community.
The agenda is refined through various Governmental Affair committee meetings and the Chamber's Executive Committee before being submitted to the Board of Directors. Through this process, the Chamber receives additional feedback on various issues facing our community.
Once the Board of Directors approves the agenda, the Chamber advocates for these positions at the legislature through the use of member engagement, member advocacy using various techniques, and direct staff lobbying. Your Chamber staff is registered as a lobbyist to ensure compliance with the recent Ethics law.
As a member, you will often receive legislative "Action Alerts." These alerts will provide you with an opportunity to share your input directly with your legislators on issues facing the local business community. By engaging your legislators, you will assist the Chamber in making our state more business-friendly.
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Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Batavia Chamber today! Thanks to Holly Deitchman 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.
Manassas, VA– In Greater Prince William, 15.8% of kindergarteners begin school already behind; more than the state average of 12.7%. Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce have partnered to present Smart Beginnings: Job One, a luncheon and briefing for business leaders that provides information on the role of quality early learning as the foundation for workforce success. The luncheon is scheduled for Friday, September 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in the Gregory Family Theatre, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20109.
Dr. Dietra Trent, Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia, will be the featured speaker at the luncheon. Secretary Trent will share insights regarding the impact of school readiness on the state’s workforce development and economic prosperity. Job One is a program of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) that sheds light on the direct link between a strong start in the early years and a vibrant and productive workforce.
Also speaking at the event will be Paul D. Koonce, Executive Vice President of Dominion Resources, parent company of Dominion Virginia Power, and CEO of Dominion Generation. Koonce chaired the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Blueprint Virginia process, which identified quality early childhood education as a key driver for workforce success.
Education and economic development are key areas of vision for both the Prince William Chamber and Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William.
“No matter their industry sector, every one of our members is seeking skilled employees who are well-qualified for 21st century jobs,” said Debbie Jones, President and CEO of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. “Virginia’s business community has long recognized that the talent pool for the future workforce begins with young children who start school healthy and ready to learn. We are pleased to partner with Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William to bring this message home to Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park with the objective of awakening our membership to possibilities for building into their future employees from birth.”
Sponsors for the Job One Luncheon include:Apple Federal Credit Union and ImagiNation Learning Center. The Education Vision Partner for the Prince William Chamber of Commerce is Dominion Virginia Power. Additional sponsorships are available. If interested, please call Suzanne Lewis at 571-765-7753. Tickets for the Job One Luncheon are $35 per person. To purchase tickets, visit PWChamber.org or call 703-368-6600.
Paducah Chamber D.C. Fly-In September 14-15
Local community leaders and elected officials are headed to Washington, D.C, this week for the annual D.C. Fly In coordinated by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce with presenting sponsor Swift & Staley. The two-day trip, September 14 and 15, offers attendees the opportunity to meet with members of Kentucky’s Congressional delegation, agency officials, Congressional staffs and legislative experts to discuss critical federal issues facing the community, state and nation.
On this year’s trip, the 39 participants will also meet with representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy regarding the recent Request for Proposal issued by the department for work at the Paducah DOE site. The current contract for Paducah expires in July 2017 and the group will urge DOE to award the potential 10-year contract prior to the expiration date. The group will also urge members of Congress to continue with the funding level of the contract issued in 2014.
United States Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will address the group at a Congressional reception held in the U.S. Capitol Building in the Mike Mansfield Room.
Other featured speakers include Congressman John Shimkus from the 15th District of Illinois who serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee; KY Senator Rand Paul and Congressmen Brett Guthrie, John Yarmuth, Hal Rogers and Andy Barr; Leeann Veatch, Washington DC Representative for Governor Matt Bevin; representatives from the International Trade Administration, Maritime Administration, State Department, Department of Transportation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts.
Attendees on the trip represent various sectors of the local economy including government, maritime, riverport, economic development, banking, health care, arts, education, professional services, DOE contractors at the Paducah site, and local media. Members of the delegation act as “ambassadors” for the area to continue to strengthen the community’s relationships with federal elected officials and agencies and national organizations. Representatives are from McCracken, Ballard, Graves, and Marshall counties. Kate Shanks with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Maggie Sheely from the U.S. Chamber are also accompanying the group. Read more: Paducah Chamber
Michigan Chamber Of Commerce Urges State House To Reject Beer Tax Hike
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- House Bill 5873, which contains a roughly 250 percent increase in Michigan's beer tax, would put businesses at a huge competitive disadvantage with neighboring states and would take a wrecking ball to an industry that is currently thriving, says the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
"Raising the beer tax is a bad idea from a lame duck lawmaker," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "A nearly 250 percent beer tax hike would have a chilling effect on Michigan's craft brewers, distributors and retailers and would bring this growth industry to a grinding halt."
"As a whole, Michigan's beer industry contributes $6.6 billion to the state's economy, employs thousands of people and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue," noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "This ill-advised tax increase will hurt each and every retailer, distributor, brewery, and brewpub in Michigan."
"So-called sin taxes do not work; they simply drive people to buy legal products from lower-cost states," said Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform for the Michigan Chamber, who noted that Michigan's beer tax is already the highest in the Great Lakes region (Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin) and is 28 percent higher than the next state on the list.
"In many cases, these so-called sin taxes backfire because people turn to illegal purchasing methods," noted Kinley. "Coupled with the fact that Michigan has a 10-cent bottle deposit add on, border county beer drinkers will likely just buy beer in Indiana and Ohio, making a bad idea worse!"
"We strongly oppose this ill-advised effort to raise the beer tax," said Studley. "This legislation is bad public policy and will only serve to harm a thriving industry."
"We urge House lawmakers to reject this tax hike and work on more worthwhile bills," Studley concluded. Read more: Yahoo! News
Annual 'Feast of Flavors' set for Saturday in Ocean Springs
The 10th annual "Feast of Flavors" festival is set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the L&N Depot parking lot in downtown Ocean Springs.
The festival features vendors from the Ocean Springs Fresh Market and other local growers along the Gulf Coast. It's purpose is to promote local and regional foods, plant products from small producers in the area and local restaurants.
The theme of this year's event is "Let It Grown," with emphasis on the plants the feed us and beautify our world.
Three mini-workshops will be offered in conjunction with the festival:
- At 10:30 a.m., Karin Wilson of Jackson County Master Gardeners will discuss growing and cooking with your own vegetables
- At 11:30 a.m., Dick Miller of Gautier Gold Honey will give a class on Beekeeping 101
- At 12:30 p.m., Tracy Galloway of Rockwood Creations will be teaching how to let your garden feed you
In addition, the Ocean Springs Public Library will offer information on how to access recipes, gardening tips and more through a local library. The Jackson County Master Gardeners will also be on hand to answer gardening and growing questions.
Also, at 2:30 p.m. an Afternoon Tea will be held, with Jim DelPrince, assistant professor and horticulture specialist from Mississippi State University's Coastal Research and Extension Center, will conduct a floral design demonstration using items from the fresh market. Tickets for the tea and demonstration are $10 and available from the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.
There is no charge to attend the remainder of Feast of Flavors.
For more information, contact Diane Claughton at 228-257-2496 or Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce at 228-875-4424. Read more: GulfLive
Beaver Dam Chamber breakfast - Fitzgerald: Transportation will be legislative priority
Wisconsin Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) said fixing roads and finding ways to pay for the work will be among the top legislative priorities.
He spoke Tuesday morning during the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce September Breakfast Network at Beaver Dam Country Club.
The Republican Party of Dodge County served as the event host, and Dorothy Ebert said, “I want to encourage all of you to vote in November.”
Fitzgerald said transportation is an issue that is jumping out in the Wisconsin Senate. He said one area of contention is the view some have that the Department of Transportation is not as frugal as it should be.
“Roads seem to be crumbling,” Fitzgerald said.
He said with the drop in gas prices, discussions have included increasing the gas tax or vehicle registration fees.
Other issues Fitzgerald discussed included education, income tax and the budget. He said the governor wants to freeze tuition and spoke about the amount of money the state spends on education. Read more: Daily Citizen
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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
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