Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Wins Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award; Daviess County Chamber teamwork: Parade Power; Birmingham Bloomfield 2016-2017 Community Guide & Directory; Greater Reston Chamber: Tinsel 'n Tinis Annual Holiday Celebration; December Power in Partnership to Feature Dippin' Dots President; Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber teamwork: Brookhaven landmark becomes greeter; It’s time for a Baileys ‘Harbor Holiday’: Michigan Chamber of Commerce: CertifyMichigan Certificate of Origin; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Wins Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award

Presented at the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) 
Annual Celebration & Awards Dinner Thursday, November 3, 2016, this award honors an outstanding Illinois Chamber of Commerce and its leadership team.

"Under the leadership of President & CEO Jeff Griffin the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce has thrived, showing that commitment to membership, and strong leadership can grow an organization and positively impact its community,” said Desirée Bennyhoff, 2016 IACCE Chair and President & CEO of the Edwardsville|Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. “Through a collaborative approach, the organization has implemented notable programs, established new partnerships and developed best practices that can be replicated around the state.”
 
The Chairman of the Chamber’s Board Animesh Arora stated, “We are all very proud of what the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce has been able to achieve under Jeff’s leadership in the last three years and the value we have been able to provide to our members and the greater Peoria community at large.  The Chamber has taken a lead role in creating a collaborative culture across the different organizations serving the Peoria community and we can all see the results of that.  Team work always works!”  Chamber President Jeff Griffin added, “This award affirms the great work of our team, volunteers and Board. We are especially honored since it is recognition from peer Chambers. I am very proud of my team.”
 
The IACCE Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award recognizes organization excellence in chambers of commerce and provides a unique benchmarking opportunity to assess a chamber’s strengths. The award is based on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s accreditation process for local chambers and highlights accomplishments in the areas of leadership, governance, finance, advocacy and membership development.
 
For more information about the award and IACCE contact Lisa Weitzel at 217-585-2995 or lisa@iacce.org. For more information about the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce contact Sherneka Cagle at 309-495-5970 or scagle@peoriachamber.org





Daviess County Chamber teamwork: Parade Power

Spectacular lighted event draws hundreds



The City of Washington and the Daviess County Chamber and Visitors Bureau had a vision to grow the annual Christmas parade and make it a spectacular lighted event which would draw a huge crowd to the greater downtown area.
If Saturday’s well-attended parade is any indication, their vision of success is coming to fruition.
The parade, which featured more than 40 entries, saw hundreds of friends and family line the streets of N.E. Seventh and Main streets, as lighted floats and entries made their way south, west, and then back to Eastside Park for judging.
Judged best float overall was the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department and Dispatch for their rendition of the Grinch and Whoville. Coordinator Jennifer McWilliams said she and her friends from dispatch were inspired two years ago after they saw the Christmas parade in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Last year was their first time to enter, but started in October building this year’s float.
“We brainstormed and came up with an idea. None of the money used for the float came from the county, it came out of our personal pockets, and Jerry’s too. We loved it, we had fun; it was a great time,” McWilliams said.
The sheriff’s department crew worked “hard core” for the last three weeks, including six hours of paper mache on the Grinch’s sleigh. Deputy Troy Fuhs played the “Grinch,” while the employees’ children and grandchildren played the kids from Whoville.
The department donated its prize money of $300 back to the Cops and Kids program.
More than 500 ventured to the park after the parade where they enjoyed cookies, doughnuts and hot chocolate. A total of 200 craft activity kits for the children were gone in no time, according to Jenny Lantaff, office assistant for the Visitors Bureau.
Other winning float entries included Gregory’s Heating and Cooling (Business) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Non-Profit), which won $200 each.
Also, Edward Jones (Eric Bassler’s office), 421 E. Main St., won $100 for having the best lighted window display on Main Street.
“I felt the parade and events at the park were another great success, along with all the things the community has done for our bicentennial, ever since we started last November,” Washington Mayor Joe Wellman said. “I heard more than one person Saturday night comment that this is what makes Washington a great place to live.”
At the park event, bicentennial co-chairs Don Spillman and Terri Kelso helped the mayor light the city’s bicentennial tree.
Samantha Bobbitt, executive director of the Visitors Bureau, said she was very pleased to see how the community came out in full force and supported the parade and Christmas in the Park event.
“I hope we have the same turnout or more in years to come,” she said. Read more: Washington Times Herald




Birmingham Bloomfield 2016-2017 Community Guide & Directory  

The Birmingham-Bloomfield is available at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Joe Bauman and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! 






Town Square Publications  (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.

Greater Reston Chamber: Tinsel 'n Tinis Annual Holiday Celebration

Thursday, December 08, 2016 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

BLVD | Reston Station
1908 Reston Metro Plaza
Reston, VA 20190
Celebrate the winter holidays at BLVD | Reston Station, Reston’s newest luxury apartments on the Silver Line!  This annual signature holiday event will feature delicious food, festive martinis, casino entertainment to benefit our INCspire 501(c)3 educational foundation and of course, lots of fun with your Chamber friends and colleagues.  Don your cocktail or business attire, gather your staff and join us at the Rooftop Lounge at the BLVD in December!
*New* Casino Entertainment to benefit our INCspire Educational Foundation
Have fun for a good cause!  Guests will receive $200 Fun Bucks to enjoy Craps, BlackJack and poker.  Additional Fun Bucks may be purchased on-site - $20 for $500 Fun Bucks or $40 for $1200 Fun Bucks.  Cash in chips for raffle tickets and try to win one of many experiential prizes.  
Want more fun?  Sponsor a seat to play in the Texas Hold'm Tournament at 7:00 pm.  Llimited to 9 players; $100 per player.  Cash Prize - up to $400.  A lot of fun to benefit our 501c3 educational foundation! 

Raffle Prizes
Guests are encouraged to cash in their chips for raffle tickets (1 per $500) for a chance to win one of many great raffle prizes - valued at $1000+ - including:
  1. Reston Retail Therapy
  2. Girls Weekend
  3. All About Sports
  4. Home Sweet Home
  5. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Would you like to contribute a raffle prize?  Contact Ashleigh Dorfman or a Steering Committee member to contribute.

Event Marketing Opportunities
Get your business in front of 125+ business leaders by securing a Tinsel 'n Tinis sponsorship!  From Premium to Purple, Gold and Sparkle opportunities and Casino Tables in between, there are many affordable marketing options for all members to promote their business while having fun at our annual holiday celebration! Please view our event flyer for list and description of marketing opportunities.



December Power in Partnership to Feature Dippin' Dots President

Scott Fischer, President of Dippin’ Dots, will be the featured speaker for the December Power in Partnership monthly breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 a.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. US Bank is the sponsor.           
Fischer is a successful financier and business owner with investing, operating and monetizing several private and public companies in which he holds a variety of roles and responsibilities. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer of Fischer Enterprises, an investment firm for which he is leading a series of acquisitions to create a “snack and treat” retail empire. In this role, he supervised the acquisition of the assets of Dippin’ Dots, Inc. in 2012. Since the acquisition, he has led the business through its expansion in 12 countries outside the United States. In 2014 he led the Dippin’ Dots acquisition of Doc Popcorn, the largest franchised retailer of popcorn in the world. In July he oversaw the acquisition of Crumbs Bake Shop, a specialty cupcake and baked confections retail chain. He has also been the COO for Ponte-Vista Development, a master planned residential community development, which was recognized as the fastest growing company in Oklahoma City. He has a BS degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA and a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix. 
            Below are the details of the breakfast:
When: Thursday, December 1, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Where: Julian M. Carroll Convention Center, Ohio Room
Speaker: Scott Fischer, President of Dippin’ Dots
Sponsor:  US Bank
Cost: $15 members, $25 non-members

If you are not a Power Card holder, please make your reservations by Tuesday, November 29, by 5 p.m. at www.paducahchamber.org, (270) 443-1746 or info@paducahchamber.org




Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber teamwork: Brookhaven landmark becomes greeter

A Brookhaven landmark has been revamped to greet those entering the city. The Brookhaven­Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce tourism council recently completed renovations to an old train car, which now serves as a extra large welcome sign to visitors.

The train car, located on the southbound side of I­55 before exit 42, has been a landmark to many Brookhavenites for as long as they can remember. “As I understand it, several tourism board members that have served long term has said the idea of fixing up the train car has floated around the community for 15 or 20 years,” Chamber Executive Director Garrick Combs said.
The train car sits at a prime location to be seen by people traveling south, he said. “A number of different entities tried to get started on the project over the years, but it wasn’t until about a year ago, that the process really kicked off,” Combs said.

"It took approximately a year for the tourism council to get permission from the landowner and Mississippi Department of Transportation to use the train car as a sign, and come up with the funds to do it," Chamber Program Director Katie Nations said.

“The land the train car sits on is privately owned,” Nations said. “We were able to work out a deal with the land owner to lease the property for $1 a year,” Combs said. “She was very cooperative. I can’t say enough about that and her help.” Read more: Daily Leader



It’s time for a Baileys ‘Harbor Holiday’

The town of Baileys Harbor puts on its Christmas best and lights the community tree with its "Harbor Holiday" celebration throughout the community the afternoon of Dec. 3.

The festivities start with holiday cookies and hot chocolate from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Baileys Harbor Historical Society's Toft House, 8061 Wisconsin 57.

The Harbor Holiday parade, with Santa Claus leading the way aboard a fire truck, starts at 3 p.m., running from the Baileys Harbor Visitor Center to Town Hall, 2392 County F. Following the parade is a holiday party from 4 to 6 p.m. inside Town Hall, with food, refreshments, and an arts and crafts show sponsored by the historical society.

The tree lighting ceremony starts at 5:45 p.m. outside Town Hall. Visitors also can stroll through downtown before or after the parade to check out the holiday trees decorated by local businesses and families. Read more: Green Bay Press-Gazette





Michigan Chamber of Commerce: CertifyMichigan Certificate of Origin





The Michigan Chamber provides Certificate of Origin services through an online portal that is secure, simple, fast and convenient. You can trust the Michigan Chamber to serve your export documentation needs. 
What is a Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin (CO) is an important international trade document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country. In order to be valid, the certificate of origin must be signed by the exporter, and countersigned by a chamber of commerce.  
Why do I need one? 
The commodity being exported and its destination determine if the CO is required. The purpose of the CO is to authenticate the country of origin of the merchandise being shipped (where it was made). It all depends on the rules and regulations of the country where the shipment is going.
How does the Michigan Chamber CertifyMichiganTM program work?
  1. Just complete the enrollment form and letter of indemnity in Adobe Acrobat, print it, sign it and fax/email it.
  2. Once your form is processed, you will receive login information for the online portal.
  3. Log in to complete a new Certificate of Origin application whenever you need one.
  4. Your request will be processed the same day if received by 3pm, unless the Chamber is closed (weekend, holiday, emergencies).
  5. You will receive an email when your CO application has been processed at which time you can log in to print it off or resubmit it if you had missing information.
Why should I use CertifyMichiganTM?
  1. Electronic: No travel, mail or trips to the Chamber; Electronic notifications, receipts; Easily copy, edit, resubmit previous applications and rejections online
  2. Trustworthy: Ensures export compliance; processed by qualified and certified Chamber staff; system identifies errors in advance
  3. User-Friendly: System takes you step-by-step for successful application
  4. As Needed: Simply pay as you use; no upfront fees; no training needed
  5. Fast Turnaround: Documents certified by Chamber staff and returned quickly
  6. Customer Support: Available by phone or emailHow much does it cost?
$25 Michigan Chamber members per certified document.
$50 Future Michigan Chamber members per certified document.
Shipping & Handling fees apply if you don’t select the DIY printing option.

What if I need more information about CertifyMichiganTMPlease call Christine at 1-888-763-0514 (option 1) or email certify@michamber.com with questions!


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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