Barrington Area Chamber Announces 2017 Business Building Blueprint Workshop Series
(Barrington, IL - 11/30/16) -- The Barrington Area Chamber
of Commerce (BACC) will present a new Business Building Blueprint series of
workshops in 2017 to provide local businesses develop strategies to grow their
business. The six-part workshop series will be hosted at the Solana Deer Park,
21840 W. Lake Cook Rd., Deer Park on February 9, 14, 21, 28 and March 7 and 14.
Each program features expert speakers who are noted for
their accomplishments in their fields. Topics and speakers include; “Developing
a Plan to Build More Business” by John Delany (Giraffe LLC), “What’s Your Curb
Appeal? Creating a Story that Sells ”presented by Leah Hoppes and Sean Matthew
Whitfield (Vision Force Marketing), “Sparking More Business: How to Develop
Leads” with insights from Barry Schimmel (Microshare Intl, LLC),”Cleaning
House: Develop a Customer Experience that Keeps Them Coming Back” featuring
David Wiliams (The Solana Deer Park), “Work the Network: Best Networking
Strategies for Business Growth” presented by Victoria Cook (The Center for
Guilt-Free Success), and “Landing the Business: How to Turn Prospects into
Customers” with speaker Mark Repkin, (Big Swift Kick).
The workshop series has been developed by an elite Advisory
Council; Stephen Brainerd (Durham Group, Inc.), Victoria Cook (The Center
for Guilt-Free Success); Andrea Herran (Focus HR Consulting); Norman May
(Full Services Office Solutions, Inc.), Barry Schimmel (Microshare Int’l),
Jon Delany (Giraffe, LLC), David Williams (The Solana Deer Park). For more information, contact BACC President Suzanne Corr, 847-381-2525 or Suzanne@barringtonchamber.com
Farmville Chamber: The Colonial Inn named Merchant of the Month
One of two businesses that kept Farmville on the map when the tobacco industry shut down is the Farmville Chamber of Commerce’s November Merchant of the Month.
“These two iconic businesses in Farmville brought people to town and saved Farmville, and they are The Colonial Inn and Farmville Furniture Co.,” Judy Gidley, director of the Farmville Chamber of Commerce, said as she presented the award to David Whitley, owner of The Colonial Inn. “Without a doubt, that is why Farmville is known. They put Farmville on the map.”
Whitley, a native of Rocky Mount, opened his restaurant on Nov. 1, 1977, at 3776 W. Wilson St., a block from downtown.
He worked at A.C. Monk Tobacco Co. after completing college, then went from an accountant to a chef.
“I have always had a passion for cooking,” he said.
Whitley’s grandmother was a dietician and introduced him to the career field.
“I love what I do, and I truly appreciate the support throughout the years,” Whitley said.
Whitley semi-retired in 2014. He closed the restaurant side of The Colonial Inn, but continues to cater events throughout the community and at the inn.
He said he has no plan to completely retire any time soon.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Farmville community. I have always loved this town,” he said. Read more: Reflector.com
City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 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.
#BestChamber practices: Jeff Rea, President & CEO, St. Joseph County (IN) Chamber of Commerce - CEO Blog
Welcome to my blog! I know you are busy and have information coming at you from all angles. Thanks for taking some time to see what I have to share.
In this blog, I'll work to keep you up to date with key business issues, with a large focus on what is happening in North Central Indiana and Southwest Lower Michigan.
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November 16, 2016
|Jeff Rea (jeff.l.rea@gmail.com)
Yesterday we celebrated one of those “holidays” that doesn’t get a lot of attention, Entrepreneurship Day. The day went along without much fanfare, most of us didn’t even know about the special day. But none of us went through the day without interacting with a good… Read More
Go to Jeff’s Blog: http://www.jeffrea.biz/
Coastians bag deals on Black Friday, prepare to shop local Saturday
Coast residents and visitors were in the mood to shop Thursday and Friday, and small business owners in South Mississippi hope that continues into Small Business Saturday.
This will be the seventh year for Small Business Saturday that encourages residents to shop local and dine local, and the streets of downtown Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis will be bustling.
The holiday shopping season is already off to a great start.
Edgewater Mall in Biloxi was as busy Friday as manager Terry Powell has seen it since Gayfers department store was in business before it became Dillard’s in 1998.
Gulfport Premium Outlets had lines Thursday night and Friday.
Edgewater Mall was closed on Thanksgiving, with only the large stores open for Thursday night sales.
Powell said he’ll likely forgo opening on Thanksgiving again next year.
“I think it’s the right thing for the employees,” he said.
Thursday was a “great night” at Gulfport Premium Outlets, with a lot of people waiting in lines for the stores to open, said Rhonda Roberts, director of marketing and business development. Hours are extended through the weekend at the outlets and many of the national chain stores on the Coast.
“The stores have had some really great sales this year,” Roberts said, and with savings of up to 60 percent off at the outlets, people aren’t just browsing but carrying lots of bags.
She said many Louisiana residents who are recovering from the flooding are out shopping. And gift cards that typically are more of a last-minute gift are already popular, she said.
After a night of bargain shopping Thursday, shoppers were back in line Friday morning looking for more deals. Home Depot opened at 6 a.m. and employees served coffee, hot chocolate and donuts to those waiting in line. With temperatures around 60 degrees, it was a more comfortable wait for the doors to open than some years.
Tools, Christmas trees and trains were on shopping lists, but the 99 cent poinsettias were what drew many people out before dawn and filled lots of shopping carts at Home Depot.
Saturday will be more of a holiday celebration. Local stores are beautifully decorated and their staff are willing to help find gifts and sometimes gift wrap for free.
Pav & Broom Fine Jewelry in Gulfport is advertising deals on diamonds for those who plan to get engaged for Christmas. Powell said Edgewater Mall has a lot of locally owned stores.
“Small Business Saturday is extremely important to us as small business owners,” said Lisa Quirch.
She and her sister, Lucianne Damiens, have “The Birds Nest” booth at Vintage Flamingo in Gulfport.
Typically, the antique and décor market on 14th Avenue is open only on the second weekend of the month, but Christmas shoppers will find the booths open Saturday and purchases will be 10 percent off storewide. The store also will be open the weekend before Christmas.
Vintage Flamingo has more than 30 vendors, said Quirch, “and we all have uniquely different stuff,” both vintage and new.
“When you shop local you will find those unique gifts no large retailer can offer,” said Tish Williams, executive director of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce. “Every dollar spent with local merchants revitalizes our community and promotes continued employment,” she said.
“Small businesses make up a large portion of our market in Ocean Springs,” said Cynthia Sutton, executive director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Main Street Tourism Bureau. “With hundreds of locally owned shops, restaurants, and galleries small businesses generate a large portion of the sales base in Ocean Springs.” Read more: Sun Herald
Job Providers Fight Cities' Attempts To Make Them Tax Collectors
Job providers from across the state today joined together to speak out against legislation that would mandate suburban employers become the tax collectors for Michigan cities that impose an income tax on their residents. Legislation in both the Michigan Senate (Senate Bill 1127) and House (House Bill 4829) would penalize employers who hire residents of cities that impose a local income tax.
"If cities are unwilling or unable to carry out the responsibilities that come with imposing an income tax on their residents, then maybe they should repeal the tax outright," said Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "Or, cities should work to improve their own enforcement mechanisms."
"The legislation should not be viewed as 'just another withholding' that employers can easily do," noted Jeff Wiggins, State Director for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan. "These bills would expose employers to unknown liabilities and never-ending audits."
Twenty-two Michigan cities impose a local city income tax. Under current law, employers located in a city with a tax have an obligation to withhold and remit the tax on behalf of their employees. It is legally sound since the employer has a connection to the city and receives services. However, requiring employers who have no connection to a city to be the tax collector is legally suspect and creates a tremendous amount of complexity for payroll withholding.
"Senate Bill 1127 and House Bill 4829 are government-imposed mandates on job providers in response to cities that complain they are losing revenue because they are ineffective at collections or due to taxpayer fraud," said Amy Drumm, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Michigan Retailers Association. "Shifting their governmental responsibilities onto employers who otherwise have nothing to do with the city in question is simply unfair." Read more: Michigan Chamber
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce CEO on 2017 Legislative Priorities
The president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce says last week’s elections make it much more likely the group’s top legislative priorities will pass next year.
Dave Adkisson says the Republican takeover of the Kentucky House is expected to lead to the passage of bills that have previously been blocked by Democrats.
Some of the items on the Chamber’s wish list include making Kentucky a “right to work” state and creating a charter school pilot project in Jefferson and Fayette counties.
Adkisson says taking another shot at shoring up the state’s ailing pension systems is also a major priority—but he doesn’t think such a huge task can happen during the regular legislative session. “So on the one hand, I would say that is the overriding issue in Kentucky right now, but it will probably have to wait for a special session in 2017.”
Adkisson says the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will also once again lobby lawmakers to pass a bill making all workplaces smoke-free. The former Owensboro mayor says that’s one way lawmakers can positively impact the state’s health without spending any money. “I think 27 or 28 other states have already done this. Kentucky ranks number one in certain cancers, including lung cancer, and youth smoking. This is one way that wouldn’t cost Frankfort a penny to start to address that issue.”
Efforts to pass a statewide smoking ban including all enclosed workplaces have failed in past legislative sessions. At least 35 Kentucky cities and counties have local smoking bans in place. Some of those bans cover all workplaces—including bars and restaurants—while others don’t. Read more: WKMS.org
Beaver Dam Chamber announces annual awards
Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce announced the non-profit, citizen and business of the year Monday.
The non-profit of the year is Green Valley Enterprises, the citizen of the year is Bev Beal-Loeck and the business of the year is Northwoods Paper Converting.
Green Valley Enterprises helps individuals with special needs and their families. It has been performing this function for more than 40 years in Beaver Dam, but has served a clientele from far beyond the city. The staff has touched hundreds of lives directly and thousands more who are family of clients.
Beal-Loeck has been an active volunteer in Beaver Dam for decades. She currently serves on the Beaver Dam Unified School District Board of Education and has served on the boards and as a volunteer for organizations including the YMCA of Dodge County, Beaver Dam Scholarship Board, Downtown Beaver Dam Inc., American Cancer Society Relay for Life—Beaver Dam, Kiwanis Club, Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce and Church Health Services, the organization that also is her employer. She has also served on the Beaver Dam Planning Commission. In addition to giving of her talent, she also has supported many causes financially.
Northwood Paper Converting is a homegrown success story. It is the largest 100 percent contract converter in North America with two locations (Wisconsin and Pennsylvania), with more than 180 employees. The company has been in business since 1999, providing sheeting and slitting/rewinding services for paper mills, merchants and printers.
The company has been recognized for excellence in its industry and as a Wisconsin company, including receiving the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award in 2009. NPC has been a generous benefactor to many causes in the community. Read more: Daily Citizen
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