The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce is Seeking Candidates for the Position of Executive Director; Two Years In: Greater Louisville Inc (GLI) President Kent Oyler Reflects On His Tenure; Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!; Indy Chamber Grant to Boost Training, Loan Programs; Coalition of Northern Virginia Chambers along with other regional leaders facilitates the creation of a Steering Committee to develop the GO Virginia Regional Council for Northern Virginia; Outdoor Wisconsin episode to feature Waterford waterway; Chamber Delight: New hotel exemplifies booming commercial growth in Hattiesburg; Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber delight: Mercy Health breaks ground on new $271 Million hospital; 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!

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce is Seeking Candidates for the Position of Executive Director

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry is an active business-based organization with over 600 members from Des Plaines and the surrounding Chicagoland area. The Chamber’s membership ranges from local, family-owned businesses to large-scale corporations with a global reach.

As a high profile, not-for-profit organization, the Chamber is seeking an energetic, self-starter to manage the general business functions of the organization, act as a spokesperson for the organization, and serve as Chamber liaison to regional non-for-profit organizations and governmental entities.

The City of Des Plaines is located approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago near O’Hare International Airport. It is a vibrant, diverse collection of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses, encompassing roughly 15 square miles of land area. Our neighboring communities include Park Ridge, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Rosemont, and Chicago.

No one is a stranger for long in Des Plaines. Relative newcomers work right alongside people who have lived here their entire lives to keep this community growing and progressing . . . and all opinions are valued.

Our perseverance and convictions also keep us moving forward, through good times and bad. We are connected to this town, and to each other, and that connection is evident everywhere you go.

In fact our breadth of accessible, affordable and connected neighborhoods is one of our greatest assets. In Des Plaines, downtown high-rise condos take the stress out of living and commuting. When cities are no longer a good fit for growing families, our single-family neighborhoods are welcoming and friendly. And when it’s important that the cost of moving up doesn’t require you to live beyond your means, we invite you to enjoy our first class amenities and affordable way of life.

About the Position...

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated his/her skill in overseeing day-to-day operations, the ability to build and maintain professional relationships with stakeholders, effectively implement plans to achieve strategic goals, and recruit and retain members of the organization.

The ideal candidate will also possess a Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent experience and education, along with 7 to 10 years of professional experience in senior level project management.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate proficiency in time management, verbal communications, organizational leadership, and partnership development skills.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director is responsible for, but not limited to, the following activities:

                Administer daily operations of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce.

                Plan and coordinate regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors, Chamber committees, and the Executive Board.

                Oversee the activities of the following Chamber-based committees: Legislative, Scholarship, Special Events, Membership, and Football Raffle.

                Plan and coordinate regularly scheduled networking events such as ribbon cuttings, fundraisers, and golf outings.

                Serve as Corporate Secretary unless assigned to a staff member.

                Serve as the official contact for all inquiries and communications related to the Chamber of Commerce.

                Develop and participate in orientation sessions for new members.

                Oversee financial activities including, but not limited to budget development, payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.

                Manage full-time office staff, work schedules, and employee duties/responsibilities.

  

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

                Strong time management and multi-tasking skills.

                Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

                4-Year College Degree or equivalent experience.

                Seven to ten years business or other professional experience demonstrating progressive success and skill development in areas such as: organization, attention to details, project management, management of staff, leadership of staff and/or volunteers, collaboration with community organizations, and fundraising.

                Prior volunteer experience for organizations and events a plus.

                Experience with Microsoft Office and social media tools (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). ChamberMaster, or similar software a plus.

 Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary range: $50,000 – 70,000 +/- DOQ. Benefits include paid vacation days, employer paid health insurance, and employer-sponsored 401(k) Plan.

How To Apply

Interested parties are asked to email a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements along with (5) professional references to info@dpchamber. com. Deadline for receiving applications is September 30, 2016, by 5:00 P.M.

Prior to finalizing a job offer, a candidate will be required to submit and successfully complete a background check. More Information: Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry


Two Years In: Greater Louisville Inc (GLI) President Kent Oyler Reflects On His Tenure

I’ve always told folks that you won’t know how far you’ve come until you take a moment to gaze back to where you started. For me, it has been a little over two years since I leapt blindly into the chamber world and a blur of activity that I’ve found thoroughly invigorating.  Indulge me in a quick look back.

GLI is an organization that has and must always innovate and evolve, and that’s exactly what we’ve been up to. With my chairs, board, and staff, we have worked tirelessly to reinvent GLI and focus it squarely on the most important issues we can impact: regionalism, talent, entrepreneurship, education, policy, connections.  And it seems to be working.  Since June of 2014 GLI has:   

• Added 436 new members, including 43 new $3000+ top investors
• Reigned in costs, rationalized events, streamlined operations, and returned our private sector investments to 10-year highs.
• Built a strong and experienced staff that buys into our mission 100%.  We’ve had zero staff turnover in the past six months and the team's morale is high, as measured by our employee surveys.
• Executed true regionalism with 16 county and city partners in two states signed on to the Advance Greater Louisville regional business attraction partnership.
• Secured 3 new non-stop flights with OneJet and just launched a major effort to attract LAX and BOS non-stop service through the Regional Air Coalition.
• Put on 183 major events and recorded back-to-back record-setting Annual Meetings featuring GE/Electrolux and Humana/Aetna.  Annual Meeting remains the largest business networking event of the year.
• Executed phenomenal GLIDE trips to Charlotte and Portland.  Our next stop, Austin, is sold-out.  Did I say ‘sold-out’?  First time ever for GLIDE trip.
• Renovated our governance with new expectations, more board committees, higher engagement, and a 'waiting list' serve on our boards.
• Reestablished GLI with the media as the ‘go-to’ source for all things business and built a strong presence in social media which we use to help promote our investors.
• Entirely reconstructed our public policy apparatus that now wields serious clout on the local, state, and federal levels. Here's what we accomplished this year. With this business-backed strength we've helped push the JCPS school board onto a line of progress, affected dozens of KY legislative wins, and returned to DC with our annual fly-in.
• Reinvigorated the entrepreneurially-focused EnterpriseCorp and created an innovative new strategy for advancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem by refocusing start-ups on customer generation.
• Developed a comprehensive talent attraction and retention strategy aimed at altering the trajectory of our region's skilled workforce, including our Global Louisville partnership with Metro.

This list isn't a complete list by any means, but it does reflect what I believe to be some notable wins for GLI, and importantly for our 1500+ investors, 94 board members, and 32 staffers.  We don’t claim 'mission accomplished' (hey, we are just getting started) however, real and tangible progress has been made at GLI over the past two years. I'm proud of what we have collectively accomplished.

In my humble opinion, all GLI members, and the community as a whole should cheer the resurgence of the region's most influential and vital business organization. We are voice of the business community on critical issues and initiatives.  We recognize that GLI isn’t simply our region’s chamber of commerce, as important as that is, GLI is Greater Louisville's catalyst for transformational change.  And when we partner for change with our friends in the public sector, we are able to affect positive change not only for our member businesses but for the entire region.

When I approach a prospective investor in GLI, I don't lead with the many benefits and perks that easily justify membership; I lead with our mission of accelerating regional economic growth, job creation and business competitiveness.  Raising the tide, making the pie bigger --  pick your metaphor -- GLI exists to help our investors and our entire region GROW FASTER. 

Yes, it’s been a busy two years and I’ve relished this brief look backwards.  But now I choose to look forward, where I see a bright future for GLI and Greater Louisville.

- See more at: Greater Louisville Inc.


Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has worked with Town Square Publications on several publications. Chamber maps and community profiles are well done and we are especially pleased with the quality of the printing and the paper.

Production schedules were provided when we began the projects and the schedule did not waiver from our agreement. Most importantly we had editorial control over the copy and we were able to select the photos and the subjects that are featured. We were able to proof before going to print but we rarely found errors or concerns. Communications throughout the production period were excellent.

We work hard to provide quality and outstanding service to our members. We identify programs that will be good for the business community with an additional benefit – some non-dues income for the Chamber.

We appreciate our partnership with Town Square and will call on them again for the next project.

Jean Gaines
President 
Geneva Chamber of Commerce

Indy Chamber Grant to Boost Training, Loan Programs

The Indy Chamber says a $100,000 grant will help spark development in a key neighborhood. The organization says the funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation will support business coaching and microlending programs in the River West neighborhood near the 16 Tech innovation district.

The grant will help fund the chamber's Business Ownership Initiative. The programs will be offered through the new Source River West Entrepreneurship Center on West Michigan Street on the city's near west side.

In addition to one-on-one coaching for entrepreneurs and business owners, the Business Ownership Initiative provides loans of up to $50,000 designed to provide capital for businesses that may not meet traditional lending standards. The initiative also receives funding from the city of Indianapolis.

BOI President Carrie Henderson says the JPMorgan Chase Foundation has supported its programs from the start, saying, with its continued support, "we'll be able to make a real impact on up-and-coming small businesses in an up-and-coming area."

The Indy Chamber says, in 2015, its Entrepreneur Services team provided nearly 5,000 hours of free business coaching, and more than that in combined hours of workshops and classes for small businesses. The Business Ownership Initiative also provided around $280,000 in microloans last year, helping spark 85 new business startups. Read more: Inside Indiana Business


Coalition of Northern Virginia Chambers along with other regional leaders facilitates the creation of a Steering Committee to develop the GO Virginia Regional Council for Northern Virginia

13-member committee will identify members and establish structure for Regional Council responsible for proposing projects to compete for GO Virginia's economic development funds

 A steering committee, comprised of top Northern Virginia business, education and economic development leaders, has been formed to develop the Regional Council. This Council will identify, review and propose local projects that will compete with other regions of the state for funds from the GO Virginia economic development program.

An initiative of the Coalition of Northern Virginia Chambers, the Steering Committee has the task of identifying candidates to serve on the GO Virginia Regional Council for Northern Virginia and to initiate the development of a regional economic development strategy.

GO Virginia is a bipartisan initiative adopted by the Virginia General Assembly and Governor McAuliffe to encourage greater collaboration amongst the Commonwealth's localities, higher education and private sector partners on projects that create jobs and spur economic growth.

At their first meeting, Steering Committee members named Matt McQueen, of Northrop Grumman, and Kerry Donley, of John Marshall Bank, the committee's Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.

"Alongside Kerry, I am proud to help lead this important effort to develop the strongest possible GO Virginia Regional Council for Northern Virginia. By encouraging greater collaboration and less parochialism, this groundbreaking initiative will change the paradigm for economic development in Virginia. Along with my fellow Steering Committee members, I am excited to be a part of that change," said McQueen.

"On behalf of the Coalition of Northern Virginia Chambers, I want to thank these business leaders for investing their time and expertise in this Steering Committee. The Governor and General Assembly have demonstrated tremendous confidence in the ability of Virginia's region's to create the partnerships and spirit of collaboration needed to drive our economy forward. Northern Virginia's chambers of commerce are fully committed to that goal and to GO Virginia's success," said Mark Ingrao, President & CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Contact: Mark Ingrao, Greater Reston Chamber - 703.930.6518 or Tony Howard, Loudoun County Chamber - 571.209.9020




Outdoor Wisconsin episode to feature Waterford waterway

The newly-christened Fox River Trail, a 220-mile waterway that winds from Waukesha County through Waterford and to northern Illinois, will bask in the television spotlight next spring.

“Outdoor Wisconsin,” the long-running Milwaukee Public Television show, recently filmed an episode in Waterford featuring the trail and the village’s recently-opened canoe and kayak launches.

Yorkville native and Union Grove High School graduate Emmy Fink hosted the segment, which will be aired sometime next spring.

Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald and administrative analyst Barbara Messick joined Fink in the episode. The segment also featured the Tichigan Kayaker Club, Ewald said.

“It was great to talk about the Chamber of Commerce, Absolutely Waterford, Real Racine and the Waterford Library collaborating to spread the news of our work here regarding the canoe and kayak launches,” Ewald said.

“The village is truly grateful for the financial support provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Racine Community Foundation,” Ewald added. “The support helps Racine County and the village identify their place in southeastern Wisconsin.” Read more: Journal Times

Chamber Delight: New hotel exemplifies booming commercial growth in Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg is now home to a first its kind hotel, and Hub City economic development leaders said it is the latest example of the city's booming commercial growth.

Hilton has opened a dual-branded Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites in Hattiesburg with 144 rooms for both short trip and extended stay guests.

"It's the best of both worlds," said Kammie Smith, general manager of the hotels. "You have the Hampton hotel, which is a great transient hotel, usually one to two nighters. Then Home2, which is an extended stay facility."

Area Development Partnership President Chad Newell said Hattiesburg sees both types of travelers in two of its major economic areas: the military and education.

“I think it is a great concept that Hilton has rolled out around the country, and we’re glad to have it here in Hattiesburg," Newell said. "Hampton Inn’s a very nice property, and the extended stay is great. That ties in nicely with our economic sectors. Sometimes there are visiting professors in at either Southern Miss or William Carey. We have folks coming into Camp Shelby, so we have those needs for the extended stay. Then, we’ve also recruited a lot of companies in from around the world, and they have executives coming in for shorter stays.”

Smith said, “It’s a great combination in that you have a lot of military who come here. You have a lot of training groups who are in the area, lots of economic development in the area, and we’re really excited about that. We did a lot of research to come to Hattiesburg, and there’s a reason why we chose this location.”

Another reason Smith said Hilton was interested in building in a college town is athletic travelers, especially for football.

“There’s a method to our madness," Smith said. "We wanted to open when football season is up and running, home football games and homecoming. We’re already sold out, so (it’s) exciting.”

Newell said the same kind of reasoning and Hattiesburg's population growth are helping to boost retail and commercial development across the city.

“There’s such a large demand for area hotels, and the newer hotels in the market have a very high occupancy rate," Newell said. "That drives the growth for others who want to come in and get a piece of the market share.”Read more: WDAM TV

Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber delight: Mercy Health breaks ground on new $271 Million hospital

Mercy Health began a major and transformative construction project Tuesday in Muskegon. It's one that's not expected to finish until June 2019.

When all the work is done, not only will there be a new hospital, but also the centralization of Mercy Health's inpatient services will be at one campus in Muskegon.

At $271 million, it's believed to be the single largest construction project ever in the county.

Monday, Sept. 19, workers were busy setting up a large tent just outside the hospital at 1500 East Sherman Blvd. in Muskegon."Beyond excited, this is a day everybody had been waiting for for a really long time," said Erin Patrick, regional manager of communications and public relations for Mercy Health

Tuesday, hospital leaders and invited guests gathered inside the tent, then just in front of the hospital break ground on the new medical center.

"This is something that is going to be revolutionary for Muskegon," said Patrick. "Nothing of this magnitude has ever happened construction wise for Muskegon County."

Hospital leaders say the facility will have a major economic impact on the region. The new center will be be an energy-efficient, green facility. The nine-story hospital will bring all Mercy Health Muskegon-area inpatient services to one campus.

"That is good, love to see Muskegon grow and more jobs come in, more opportunity," said Jessie Olson, owner of Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant.

For two-and a half years, 100 or more construction workers will be just down the road from Jessie and Ana Olson's restaurant.

"You can hear people talking about it, talking about the opportunities and jobs, and just the growth," said Ana Olson.

"The economic gain for out community starts tomorrow but it is going to keep going years and years," said Cindy Larsen, President of Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.

Larsen says the hospital project is among $550 million in current projects in Muskegon County under construction and another $800 million more is development under consideration. Read more: WZZM 13

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 chamber publication or map proposal, Contact Town Square Here