Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce awarded 5-Star Accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Hampton Roads Regional Chamber Alliance Holds Inaugural Meeting; FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation (Courage); Grand Rapids Chamber: Looking to learn more about your state government? West Michigan Business Day at the Capitol; Former Reading Chamber of Commerce CEO takes new job in Indiana; Aimee Thurner Picked to Head Greater Beloit Chamber; Chamber Interest: Toyota donates lab to NKY schools; Up and Coming: ADP's Kelsey Barrett; 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!


The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce awarded 5-Star Accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation for its community leadership, proven impact, sound policies, and effective organizational procedures.

This marks the second consecutive time that The Greater Springfield Chamber has received this designation. This prestigious honor puts The Chamber among the top 1 percent of chambers nationwide.

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective community leadership and organizational efficiencies. To receive Accreditation, every five years a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive review process can take 6-9 months to complete.

"I am proud of our team who has worked tirelessly to earn this not only for The Chamber, but for every single one of our members," said Tom Gihl, 2017 Chamber Board Chair. "It is an achievement only possible by the efforts and support of our Board leadership, volunteers and Chamber members."

Special recognition was given to our Chamber in the following areas:
Economic development leadership through the Quantum Growth Partnership (Q5)
Success of several events, including the Annual Gala, Economic Outlook Breakfast, Job & Career Fairs, Small Business Awards, and the State of the City Luncheon
Comprehensive Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Business Continuation Plan
Achievement of a perfect score in the Governance, Technology, Communications, and Facilities sections

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members and chamber executives from across the country. Contact: Wayne Utterback, Communications Manager, Phone: 217-525-1173, Email address: wutterback@gscc.org




Hampton Roads Regional Chamber Alliance Holds Inaugural Meeting






(Pictured here from left to right: David McCaleb, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce; George Bryan, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce; Steve Mallette, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce; Bryan Stephens, Hampton Roads Chamber; Teresa Beale, Franklin -Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce; Tiffany Phillips, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance; Andrew Cripps, Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce; Mike Kuhns, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)

Norfolk, VA –The Hampton Roads Chamber was proud to host the first meeting of the Hampton Roads Regional Chamber Alliance today. Representatives from various local chambers including Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance, Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce were in attendance to begin the process of collaboration and organization.

Robert Crum, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization gave a brief presentation to the group on regional transportation projects and upcoming transportation priorities in the region.

The Hampton Roads Regional Chamber Alliance will serve the greater Hampton Roads business community by providing a united voice behind regional issues like economic development, workforce development, infrastructure development and quality of life in order to shape public policy and private perceptions on business and economic issues. This first meeting focused on finalizing the Hampton Roads Regional Chamber Alliance memorandum of understanding and outlined the operational procedures, organizational structure, and administrative and logistical requirements of the alliance. Additionally, topics impacting the business community were discussed and prioritized for future consideration and actions. The next meeting of the Hampton Roads Regional Chamber Alliance is currently scheduled to take place in June.


FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation (Courage)

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. - Muhammad Ali







Grand Rapids Chamber: Looking to learn more about your state government? West Michigan Business Day at the Capitol



Join us as we meet with legislators to discuss issues that are important to the business community. You’ll have the chance to attend committees, House and Senate sessions, meet with the Governor’s office. This event will give you the opportunity to build your awareness of state government, legislative processes, and issues impacting your community.

This free event will connect you with peers and policy makers in Lansing.

Find Out More

Thursday, April 20
7:00 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.
Michigan State Capitol Building – 110 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, Mich.
Free, registration required. Transportation, lunch, and snacks included.


Former Reading Chamber of Commerce CEO takes new job in Indiana

Ellen T. Horan, former president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is the new president of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville in Evansville, Ind., according to a release.

Horan will lead the Alliance's objectives to retain, expand, incubate and attract businesses in Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Ind.

"Ellen's history of leadership, collaboration and outstanding skillsets will support and strengthen the economic growth and momentum taking place in Evansville and Vanderburgh County," said Rick Schulz, president of the Growth Alliance board, in a statement. "We're thrilled to introduce her to the community and have her on the team."

Horan brings more than 20 years of experience in the civic, business and nonprofit arenas. She spent a decade with the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry before stepping down as CEO of the organization last year. Read more: Reading Eagle




Aimee Thurner Picked to Head Greater Beloit Chamber


After 15 years of service to the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce (GBCC), including two stints as interim executive director, Aimee Thurner has been promoted to executive director.


Former executive director Tim Dutter submitted his resignation in late September, and Thurner was appointed as interim executive director in October. Thurner said she had her second interview Thursday and her hire was confirmed Monday following a national search.

“I was very excited and very thankful,” Thurner said. “It’s been fun to be part of it for so long and to work my way up.”

“It is with great pleasure to hire Aimee Thurner as our new executive director,” said Mary Marino, chair of the Board of Directors. “Aimee has shown over the years that the only way to do great work is to love what you do. We are excited to take Aimee’s vision of the chamber to the next level.”

Thurner said her experience and relationships in the community are her greatest strengths, adding she looks forward to working with the Chamber’s board, volunteers, community partners and staff to grow the organization and promote membership and Greater Beloit.

Thurner said she was first hired by former executive director Nancy Forbeck in 2002 to be an office manager. Thurner worked her way up to office and finance coordinator, later to special events coordinator and then to director of operations. She also served as interim executive director after Randall Upton left in June of 2013 and before Dutter was hired. - Beloit Daily News



Chamber Interest: Toyota donates lab to NKY schools


Northern Kentucky took a hit when Toyota announced it would close its Erlanger facility.

The region is losing a major business partner and about 1,600 jobs, but there is a silver lining: Toyota is donating an engineering lab to create a new STEAM-based school.

The Ignite Institute at Roebling Innovation Center is expected to open in the 2019-20 school year. Boone County Schools, which will own and run the building, got a $6.8 million grant to redevelop the lab into a school that will focus on STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.

“This school will include the best aspects of innovative schools around the country,” said Boone County Schools Superintendent Randy Poe, in a news release. “The entire school will be based on a project-based learning, real industry-case methodology. We want students to be empowered, so that when they graduate they have the opportunities of a lifetime.”

The Ignite school will start with about 1,000 seats for grades nine through 12. It will feature open classroom spaces with art and video production areas, a robotics lab and a black-box theater, to name a few.

“It’s a great thing that Toyota has done,” said Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Trey Grayson, in the release. “It will be transformative – not only for students and educators, but for business and industry – and will have a tremendous impact on the workforce pipeline in our region.” Read more: Cincinatti.com



Up and Coming: ADP's Kelsey Barrett

Meet Kelsey Barrett, 22, of Hattiesburg, investor relations coordinator for the Area Development Partnership. She is responsible for membership retention activities and membership development endeavors. She also initiates efforts to increase membership value and maintain engagement among ADP members and the Pine Belt business community.

She attended Forrest County Agricultural High School and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management. While at Southern Miss, she was involved in many student activities and organizations including Pi Beta Phi sorority and Eagle Ambassadors. She also earned the College of Business' 2016 Spirit of Hospitality Award.

Her parents are Timmy and Jenny Story of Hattiesburg and William and Sandra Barrett of Purvis.

What advice would you give people who want to get into the same line of work as you?

I would advise people to be a friend to everyone. Building relationships within a community can play such an important role, no matter what field of work you’re in. The relationships I have made since I began working at the ADP have made such an impression in my life. I have not only learned more about the community that I grew up in, but have learned from the people who are making Hattiesburg a great place for everyone. Read more: Hattiesburg American


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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