Monday, January 30, 2017

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber honors two businesses for top awards, Coldwell Banker Elite and Parrish Snead, Franklin, Simpson, PLC; Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017; #BestChamber Practices: Skokie Chamber: New Member Orientation Wednesday, February 8; Greater Owensboro Chamber names 6 businesses as Members of the Year at 2017 Chamber Celebration; #BestChamber practices: Rochester Regional Chamber: Chamber Chat with Jill Sorensen; Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce votes to support proposed casino; Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce holds changing of guard; Chamber heart: Leadership group helping Love's Kitchen acquire washers, dryers; 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!

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber honors two businesses for top awards, Coldwell Banker Elite and Parrish Snead, Franklin, Simpson, PLC



Also, lauds Jud Honaker, Adrian Silversmith, Fredericksburg Regional SPCA


FREDERICKSBURG – The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce awarded businesses for their successes, entrepreneurial spirit, and community commitment at the Jan. 27 annual awards banquet and gala held at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center.


Businesses of the Year Award

This award is given to a company that balances business success with a dedication to improving the community’s quality of life.

Coldwell Banker Elite received the Large Business of the Year Award. The real estate brokerage company has--for decades--bragging rights for being the best Coldwell Banker affiliate in Virginia. They solidified it by acquiring Coldwell Banker Carriage House Realty recently, strengthening the international brand under one brokerage in Fredericksburg. The company delivers exceptional service to their customers from their highly-skilled associates and cutting-edge technology designed to enhance their ability to provide clients with the best representation. Founder Kevin Breen started the real estate business in 1977. In 1982 they began the first franchise of their brand in Virginia.

Coldwell Banker Elite shows dedication to the community. They raise $20,000 annually for the Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity. The office sponsors the UMW Great Lives Series, Leadership Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg Area SPCA, among others.

Parrish, Snead, Franklin, Simpson, PLC received the Small Business of the Year Award. The law office handled $200 million commercial real estate sales and leases; and 300 client litigations in 2016. This firm is respected in the industry and recognized for its outstanding business morals and fights for positive results for their clients. Members of their team serve on numerous boards such as Central Va. Housing Coalition, The Community Foundation, Stafford Rotary, Thurman Brisben Center, and many others.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Adrian Silversmith won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which recognizes a person who successfully plans and executes a business proposal to fill a regional economic niche. Silversmith is the founder and owner of Sprelly; a gourmet peanut butter spread eatery in downtown Fredericksburg. He won the “People’s Choice” award in 2013 at the first Made in FredVa competition. Since incorporating, Silversmith has donated and supported various non-profits and schools and collaborates with other local start-up businesses to strengthen and market events and services.

Community Impact Award

Fredericksburg Regional SPCA won the Community Impact Award, which honors a business or organization that benefits the Fredericksburg Region on a daily basis. Executive director Caitlyn Day leads the SPCA staff and volunteers. Together they achieved surprising statistics in 2016.

By the numbers: The SPCA handled 1,341 adoptions last year. In 2015 the average time a cat stayed at the facility was 206 days. In 2016, the average stay was 35 days. The average duration for a dog in 2015 was 88 days. In 2016 it was 14 days.

Also, merely six animals were euthanized for severe health issues.

The SPCA has forged new partnerships with civic and business leaders and continues to provide our community with outstanding care and compassion for the creatures who enter their doors.

Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award

Jud Honaker won the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award, which salutes an individual who has provided a lifetime of service and commitment to the Fredericksburg Region. It’s named for the former MWC president whose vision, integrity and dedication to serving others made him a pillar of the community.

Honaker is the president of Silver Companies Commercial Division. He has pioneered the economic development of the Fredericksburg region for decades. His leadership developed the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, the Quantico Corporate Center, and numerous extensive hotels and shopping centers.

As a young man, he started working for Carl D. Silver who took Honaker under his wing and taught him the business. For decades he balances profit and the community. Honaker has supported the Silver Foundation, served on the UMW Board of Visitors, is a benefactor of the Rappahannock United Way, the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, among others.

Honaker influences the unfortunate by financial ways, jobs, homes to live in, and pays for medical needs. He isn’t one to share the spotlight and doesn’t want a payback.

An employee nominated Honaker for this award. She described Honaker’s giving spirit when two employees were battling cancer. “Jud did whatever he could to support us. He contacted hospitals, doctors, provided transportation, allowed us weeks off at a time,” she wrote. “Most of all he offered friendship and demonstrated how much he cares about others.”





Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017





The Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017 is available at the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Niki Foster and Pam Riffle 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.




#BestChamber Practices: Skokie Chamber: New Member Orientation Wednesday, February 8




Are you a new member that wants to use your membership benefits more effectively? This dynamic program showcases the many different areas where you can maximize your Skokie Chamber of Commerce & Industry membership. Being a member is so much more than attending our amazing program offerings - learn about our social networking power, web presence, and the marketing exposure we offer your business as well as the community connections that are essential to your business growth.

Learn from our staff and Board Members how to be effective at using the many tools and resources which are benefits of your membership while networking with new and experienced members at this program who can share their strategies that have made them successful in their respective fields.


Wednesday, February 8
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Skokie Public Library, Business Center
5215 Oakton St., Skokie

$15 for pre-registered members, $20 for walk-ins and prospective members. Includes lunch.

Click to Register




Greater Owensboro Chamber names 6 businesses as Members of the Year at 2017 Chamber Celebration


Owensboro, KY – At the 2017 Chamber Celebration last night with more than 600 business members, leaders, and guests, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce recognized six local businesses as the 2017 Businesses of the Year.


The winning businesses were among 47 nominees vying for the honors. Those earning the honors include:

· Emerging Business of the Year – Dalishas Desserts
· Business of the Year 1-10 Employees – Blossomas Apparel & Gifts
· Business of the Year 11-50 Employees – Keller Williams – Kelly Anne Harris Team
  Business of the Year Over 50 Employees – Independence Bank
· Non-Profit of the Year – Boulware Mission
· Education and Workforce Development Program of the Year – Owensboro Community & Technical College GO FAME and GO CAREERS

Other award winners of the night included:


· 2016 Chamber Director of the Year – Adam Hancock, Riney Hancock CPAs PSC
· 2016 Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Kevin Gibson, South Central Bank
· 2016 Chamber Young Professional of the Year – Dave Kirk, Owensboro Public Schools
· 2016 Leadership Owensboro Class Member of the Year – Chris Arnold, Shelby’s Wheel and Tire
· 2016 Chamber Member of the Year – Natasha Stanley, Bella Ragazza Boutique
The Business Celebration also included addresses from the presenting sponsor, Owensboro Health, as well as the chamber’s outgoing Board Chair Adam Hancock and 2017 Board Chair Wade Jenkins of Old National Bank.

“Our awards program is an opportunity to celebrate our members who make the best of the Owensboro business community. The level of excellence displayed throughout the lists of nominees is remarkable. It is yet another example of how Owensboro truly is a shining community. Our Chamber staff is honored to be able to serve our members and to be a small part of their journeys,” said Candance Castlen Brake, Chamber President and CEO.

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is a nearly 1000-membership organization founded in 1913 with the purpose of connecting businesses and fostering economic growth in Owensboro and Daviess County. For more information, contact Candance Brake, CEO at 270-926-1860








#BestChamber practices: Rochester Regional Chamber: Chamber Chat with Jill Sorensen


It's a new year and a great time to get more involved with our Chamber. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Grab your calendar and check out our events page and register for all of the upcoming events that you'd like to attend. Our events tend to fill up quickly, and regularly attending events is a great way to connect other members and build relationships.

2. Join a PCN group. PCN stands for Preferred Client Network and the goal of the groups are to build solid referral relationships with other members. Visit our website for a full list of groups.

3. Submit a Spotlight on Business article to be featured in our E-newsletter.

4. Attend Ribbon Cutting ceremonies. It's a great way to meet and welcome new business owners into our community and network with Chamber members.

5. Reach out to us with any questions you have. We are here to help you!

Don't forget to register for our Entrepreneurship Seminar Series which will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 at the Rochester Hills Museum Calf Barn.

Please visit our website for more of our upcoming events and to register www.rrc-mi.com

Have a great week!

Jill Sorensen
Communications and Membership Relations Manager





Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce votes to support proposed casino



The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce released Tuesday morning that they have voted in favor of support for the proposed casino.

The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted during their monthly session to support the current legislation proposed by Sen. Jon Ford to bring a gaming facility to the Terre Haute area.

“During our meeting this morning we had the chance to gather more information thanks to a presentation by representatives of Full House Resorts, along with an open forum for our board members to ask the important questions that will affect the business community,” explains Chamber President David Haynes. “I think the board conducted a healthy discussion and ultimately came to the decision to support this proposed endeavor.”

If the proposed bill should pass it would allow Full House Resorts, Inc. to relocate 750 of its unused gaming positions that are currently allocated to its Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana to a new gaming/entertainment facility in Terre Haute. Read more: WTHITV.com






Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce holds changing of guard



The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce held its changing of the guard Wednesday as members gathered for the organization’s 118th annual dinner.

The event took place at the Fireside Dinner Theatre.

Officers installed for 2017 are President David Witte of Spacesaver Corp., Vice President Luke Smith of LSM Chiropractic, Treasurer Eric Frey of Business & Tax Systems, President-Elect Tom Dehnert of Badger Bank and Executive Director and Secretary Carrie Chisholm.

“When I enlisted in the Marine Corps, I had an uncle that told me to keep my head down and not to volunteer for anything,” Witte said following his installation as chamber president. “As you can see, that lesson didn’t stick!

“It is an honor and privilege to be asked by my peers to lead the chamber as its president,” he added. “I am looking forward to serving with the dedicated members of the board of directors and the chamber staff.”

Witte said he first was exposed to the chamber in 2012 when he joined the 25th Project LEAD leadership class. Over nine months, the group transformed into a cohesive team that planned, raised funds and executed the veteran’s memorial project at McCoy Park.


It was through this experience that I was able to get a sneak peek into the inner workings of the chamber, the city council and some of the great manufacturers that call Fort Atkinson home,” said Witte. “This experience opened my eyes to what a special community Fort Atkinson was and still is today.” Read more: Daily Union




Chamber heart: Leadership group helping Love's Kitchen acquire washers, dryers


Assisting the homeless getting back on their feet is a priority for several community non-profit agencies. Leadership Lauderdale is no exception.

Leadership Lauderdale, a program of the East Mississippi Business Development Corp., is partnering with Love's Kitchen to expand services to people in need at Love's Kitchen, which is known for serving hot meals under director Fannie Johnson. The partnership will help Love's Kitchen acquire two sets of industrial grade washers and dryers to be housed adjacent to the Love's Kitchen building.

"The purpose is to allow Fannie to improve upon what she is already doing," Leadership Lauderdale team member Sara Smith said. "Fannie is helping homeless people find jobs and meet their personal needs. She doesn't have the financial resources to provide washers and dryers on site."

The project will include electrical and plumbing work, the appliances themselves, and a detergent supply to meet the initial needs of the community.

Leadership Lauderdale is requesting donations for the project to be submitted by Feb. 10, 2017. Donations will qualify as a tax-deductible charitable contribution for a 501 (c) (3) organization. Checks can be made out to East Mississippi Business Development Foundation (EMBDF) referencing Love's Kitchen, and mailed to P.O. Box 790, Meridian, MS 39302. Call Leadership Lauderdale at 601-693-1306 or email Smith at outreachpr@bellsouth.net for more information. Read more: Meridian Star


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 Chamber Proposal

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