Chambers of commerce evolve with times
After 123 years of service to the community, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce remains a viable organization, though it has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of businesses and the community.
Executive Director Bill Fleming said the chamber formed in 1893. Over the years, the name has changed.
The Pekin Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest chambers in this area and in 1916, the chamber hired its first paid employee.
"As I recall, their purpose was to promote the commercial growth of Pekin," said Fleming. "Our mission statement has changed a little, but that's still the basic purpose - to promote the commercial growth and help strengthen the local economy.
"I'm sure there have been times where they struggled financially. I think in the '80s, there were some struggles financially at the chamber when I first moved to town, but we've really been on really strong, solid financial footing for the last 25 years. We have added staff and hours at times to meet the needs of the organization as its has changed and evolved. Right now, a lot of our events rely on more staff support than they used to. It used to be a more volunteer supported and volunteer driven organization."
The chamber board in 1971 was predominately male, older and primarily were upper management or the owner. Today, the board is male and female, has younger members and less than half are considered decision makers in the organization. Many live outside of Pekin.
Chambers have changed over the years to meet new demands and stay viable. Fleming said time sets the tone.
"As individuals we're much busier than we've ever been," he said. "Full-time employees generally are working more hours that they used to, in general.
"The work force has changed. You go back a couple of generations into the '60s and back then maybe a one-forth of the women with children at home worked outside the home. Today, it's probably closer to three-fourths of families with children have both of their parents working. It's just created this big time crunch that Americans work a lot of hours and there's a lot of things competing for their time. So, it shouldn't be a surprise to us when we ask people to serve on our board or serve on committees that their first response is 'I don't have the time.'"
As a result, the number of chamber committees have been reduced. There is a smaller board of directors, there are less meetings and there are on-going evaluations of programs and events.
For example, the Marigold Festival is an event that could not happen without the help of a significant number of volunteers, but with time constraints of volunteers and the fact that the festival has grown so much over the years, the paid staff of the chamber are required to do more. Read more: Pekin Times
Sidebar: Local business on the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce.
BodyWealth Massage Owner and chamber volunteer Becky Saban:
- "I joined the (Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce) several years ago when I was a new business in town. I feel like it has given me the exposure that I need. It's given me the ability to network and market in the community. I am the current chamber vice president, so I'm very involved with it. I'm also on the ambassador committee, so I am a huge ambassador for the chamber anyway. I really believe in what it does for businesses and I'm continually encouraging people to join the chamber. I think it's great for business. We provide the community with resources. As far as knowing a business is a good quality business, it's not exactly the same as a Better Business Bureau, but the community can look at a chamber business and know that they are reputable, that they're involved in the community and are a serious business. It absolutely has (increased my business). We have a lot of networking opportunities. ... If you take advantage of those, it's a really good opportunity."
Busey Bank Vice President and Branch Manager Cathy Lusch:
- "What (chamber membership) brings to the bank is a great opportunity to network with fellow businesses in the town of Pekin and get to know more about their business and just to contribute to our community. We want to see it grow and prosper and be the best place to work and live. If everybody joins and works hard for our community the chamber can just be everything that this town needs to help it grow and have a good business network." Read more: Pekin Times
The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2016-2017 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber today! Thanks to Pam Swain, Rosie Vassalo 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.
Chambers can wrap up holiday shopping quickly
Four area chambers of commerce offer gift certificate programs that can take the anxiety out of gift giving by offering one-stop shopping.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce sells chamber check gift certificates in $5, $10 and $25 increments that can be used at over 150 different businesses.
Executive director Anna Ibold reports, “All the money stays right here in our local economy and supports our local businesses.”
The certificates can be purchased weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the chamber office, 2 W. Pearl St., Batesville. Extended hours are also available this year; the office will remain open until 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. “They do make great gifts,” she adds.
The Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce has chamber gift certificates that can be purchased in any denomination, notes office coordinator Melissa Bruns. She encourages people to purchase them so they “shop local and promote our chamber members.”
They can be purchased weekdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed daily from noon-1 p.m.) at the chamber office, 314 W. Washington St., Greensburg (Greensburg City Hall building). Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. According to Bruns, those purchasing gift certificates will receive a list of participating businesses; the list can also be found on the chamber's website.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center has Chamber Checks in $5, $10 and $25 increments available at its office at 18 W. 10th St., Brookville. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays for the chamber and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Welcome Center. Cash and local checks are accepted for payment.
"It is important to shop with local area businesses, which in turn support and donate to local events, schools, charities, community groups and non-profits," the chamber's website states.
Like regular checks,Chamber Checks can be used at any Franklin County chamber member business. No credit is given back on the checks.
For its program, the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce has gift certificates in $5, $10, $15, $20 and $25 increments. “We want to keep our money local and support our chamber members,” says executive director Amy Thomas.
The certificates can be purchased by cash or check at the Ripley County Welcome Center/RCCC office, 220 E. U.S. 50, Versailles, weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and can be used at 24 participating locations. Read more: Batesville Herald Tribune
#BestChamber practices: Kernersville Chamber - Chamber Member News Policy
The Members News newsletter is published on Thursday each week. The deadline for news articles is Wednesday by 5 PM. Please send us your information in a word document (not a PDF flyer or poster), so that we can cut and paste it into the newsletter. Please keep your articles brief. We reserve the right to shorten your article and limit inclusion in the newsletter to twice a month per Chamber member.
Send your news articles to kchamber@kerners-villenc.com.
Muskegon County Economic Forecast to take new tone in 2017
The Muskegon County annual economic forecast will have a different tone this year - different tone of voice that is.
Paul Isely, associate dean of the Grand Valley State University Seideman School of Business, will present the forecast for the first time at the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce January Business for Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 27.
The Muskegon County Economic Forecast has been a signature program for decades bringing more than 400 business leaders together to hear the area's economic outlook for the upcoming year.
The partnership with Grand Valley and Isely comes after the retirement of George Erickcek, of W.E. UpJohn Institute for Employment Research.
"Dr. Isely is very familiar with West Michigan and the Muskegon Lakeshore," Chamber President Cindy Larsen said. "We are excited to work with him and welcome him and his team to Muskegon for this important presentation."
Isley holds his Ph.D. and M.S. in economics from Purdue University and a dual B.S. in physics and economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"We're excited for the new outlook that Dr. Isely will bring to Muskegon this winter," said Ed Garner, president of Muskegon Area First. "Dr. Isely has a great understanding of the local economy and should deliver an accurate and informational presentation." Read more: M LIVE
Montgomery County Chamber holds annual meeting and awards event
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and awards dinner at the Inn at Virginia Tech on Dec. 1.
Chairman of the Board Terri Mitchell, associate vice president of the Virginia Tech Foundation, shared the year’s progress toward the chamber’s program of work and announced a cost-benefit ratio to the members of $1 to $3.33. This means every $1 in membership dues provides a $3.33 return to members and the community.
Included in the annual meeting was the recognition of businesses and individuals for their contributions to improving the county’s business climate, quality of life and local community.
The Montgomery County Chamber’s 2016 business award categories and winners are:
Business of the Year: SERVPRO of Montgomery and Pulaski Counties
Small Business of the Year: Holiday Inn Christiansburg/Blacksburg
Distinguished Business Persons of the Year: James Creekmore of Creekmore Law Firm, P.C.; and Margaret Galecki of Coldwell Banker Townside Realtors
Outstanding Community Service: Coldwell Banker Townside Realtors
Read more: Roanoke Times
#BestChamber Practices: Columbus Lowndes Chamber: Educators are Essential
August 2016
The Chamber of Commerce Education Committee will be visiting each school in Columbus and Lowndes County on the first day back for teachers to cheer on and thank our teachers. We will be giving away a one graduate level course to a teacher in our community as well as discounts, gift cards, and online professional learning courses towards CEU's at each school we visit.
Educators are Essential 2016 Schedule:
School
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Date
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Time
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Location
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CMSD
|
August 1
|
8:30 am
|
Cook Elementary
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Caledonia
|
August 1
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10:00 am
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High School Gym
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New Hope
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August 2
|
8:30 am
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High School Gym
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West Lowndes
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August 2
|
10:30 am
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WLHS
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Heritage Academy
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August 4
|
9:15 am
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High School Library
|
Columbus Christian
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August 2
|
9:30 am
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Main Office
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Annunciation Catholic
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August 3
|
10:00 am
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Breezeway between cafeteria and library
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GTECHS
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August 3
|
11:00 am
|
GTECHS Trailers on EMCC Campus
|
MSMS
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July 29
|
9:00 am
|
MSMS Auditorium
|
Teachers:
Click here to enter to win a free Graduate Level Course from Mississippi University for Women
Click here to see the MUW Professional Learning Academy and earn CEU's
More information: Columnus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce
Young Sheboygan County Professionals plan local ‘YPWeek’ in April
The Sheboygan County Chamber’s Coastal Young Professionals Network is planning to help prepare a week of activities next year geared for young workers.
The “YPWeek,” or Young Professionals Week, will run April 22-29. Other places throughout the state are slated to throw their own similar events that same week.
For details visit YP Week - Read more: Sheboygan Press
#BestChamber Practices: Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) Library is a Treasure
- GLI provides many resources to the community including:
- Business Plan Template
- Certificate of Origin
- The Foodie Report
- How to Start a Food Truck Business
- Legislative Agenda
- Louisville's Sales & Marketing Directory
- Managing Your Business Cash Flow Guide
- Member Directories
- Small Business Scorecard
- Starting a Business in Kentucky Guide
- State of Entrepreneurship Reports
- Sources of Funding Directory
- Understanding Financial Statements Guide
- Whitepapers
BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE
This business plan template was researched and created by Louisville Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultants to help you start your business off in the right direction.
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN
A Certificate of Origin is an export document certifying that the referenced goods were produced in the United States. Greater Louisville Inc. is pleased to provide Certificates of Origin to GLI members and non-members. Read the guidelines here >
THE FOODIE REPORT
The Foodie Report is a list of GLI Restaurant & Catering members. Before your next breakfast, lunch, or dinner outing or in-house meeting, be sure to first browse the report here >
HOW TO START A FOOD TRUCK BUSINESS
Food Trucks have recently become a mainstay in the restaurant industry. A food truck offers a less expensive way to get started in the hospitality business than a traditional restaurant. However, as with any business, there are more questions than answers as an entrepreneur begins his journey. In this Food Truck publication, we've gathered as much information as possible to help you get started.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
As the voice of the business community, GLI steps up and speaks out on the community's legislative priorities, all designed to keep the region vibrant through aggressive economic development strategies.
2015 Legislative Agenda
Branding, advertising strategies, and technical support like web design and SEO can mean the difference in your bottom line. KSBDC's Sales & Marketing Directory can help business owners and entrepreneurs like you continue to create jobs and drive our economy forward.
MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS CASH FLOW GUIDE
When you're running a business, money comes in (sales) and goes out (expenses) - this is your cash flow. In order to operate successfully day to day, you need to keep track of your cash flow and be sure you have enough cash on hand to cover your costs and pay your bills.
MEMBER DIRECTORIES
GLI Member Directory: Listed Alphabetically
GLI Member Directory: Listed by Category
GLI Top Investors Directory
Or search via GLI's Online Directory
To purchase the Major Employers, Manufacturers, or Membership excel databases and/or labels, click here >
SMALL BUSINESS SCORECARD
When you own and operate a business, it's easy to become so involved in what's required from day to day that you overlook the need to keep an eye on the big picture. In order to succeed today, next month and next year, you must know how to assess whether your business is performing as it should be. The best way to do that is to keep an eye on your company's scorecard: your financial statements.
STARTING A BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY
Starting a Business in Kentucky serves as a road map for entrepreneurs interested in developing a business in the Commonwealth. This guide outlines the basic considerations for small business ownership and the steps involved in moving from concept to reality.
STATE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP REPORTS
Entrepreneurship is vital to an economy by creating new jobs and new wealth. It is entrepreneurship and a strong, entrepreneurial ecosystem that attract and retain talented people, breathe life into established companies, support new innovations and allow entrepreneurially-minded business people to participate on various boards of companies. Take a look at the reports below to see how Entrepreneurship has impacted the Greater Louisville Region.
State of Entrepreneurship - 2010
State of Entrepreneurship - 2005
SOURCES OF FUNDING DIRECTORY
In today’s business environment entrepreneurs need comprehensive and up-to-date information about finance and funding, which are not always easy to find. KSBDC’s revised edition of the Sources of Funding Directory is here to assist business leaders and entrepreneurs in finding the funding sources available for both start-ups and mature businesses. It includes private equity, state and local grants, incentives as well as conventional debt financing.
UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To track your business' performance and plan effectively for future growth and opportunities, you must have a thorough understanding of how money flows through your business. You'll want to understand the important statements that reveal the company's financial position and how to measure the business' performance using accepted standards. This document offers you straightforward guidance to managing your company's financial information.
WHITE PAPERS (archives)
White papers are expert guides to particular topics that enable fuller understanding of an issue, and can aid a company and its leadership in the decision making process.
Unintended Consequences: Kentucky's Experiment with HealthCare Offers Lessons for Nation
Contributed by: America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)(Cary B. Willis, Author, New West)
Published: May, 2012
Tax Incentives for Business Location and Expansion
Contributed by: Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP
Published: December, 2011
Top 5 Energy Mistakes
Contributed by: Fellon-McCord
Published: June, 2011The Evolving Electronic Workplace
Contributed by: Fisher & Phillips LLP
Published on: June, 2011
Leadership: Strategies to Emerge Victorious from the New War for Talent
Contributed by: Kforce Inc.
Published: June, 2011
Maximizing Return on Energy Assets to Improve Earnings per Share
Contributed by: Fellon-McCord
Published: March, 2011
Office Romances: How Employers Can Avoid the Sting of Cupid’s Arrow
Contributed by: Fisher & Phillips LLP
Published: January, 2011
The Path to Sustainability in Corporate America, Developing a Lasting Sustainability Program
Contributed by: Siemens Industry, Inc.
Published: December, 2010
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
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
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