Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce plans lights-out lunch; Western DuPage Chamber named WorkNet One-Stop-Operator; #BestChamber practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber - Professional Edge Workshop: Cadillac Travel Group; Daviess County: Tourism growing regionally and locally; #BestChamber practices: Kernersville Chamber: Eating for Education; Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Commerce Lexington’s Kelly Bates recognized for lifetime sales award by Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives; Governor Walker Signs REINS Act into Law at Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce; Chamber Delight: Taste of the Mountains turns 25 in September; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor); Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce plans lights-out lunch

That scorching yellow orb that brightens our days will be dark for a while Monday, and the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce is planning a party to celebrate the spectacular, historic event.

A total solar eclipse will sweep across the continental United States Monday for the first time in nearly 100 years.

The path of totality — where day briefly becomes night — will pass over Oregon, continuing through the heartland all the way to Charleston, South Carolina. Those on the outskirts — well into Canada, Central America and even the top of South America — will be treated to a partial eclipse.

That’s us. We won’t get the full effect of a total eclipse — our view in Brookhaven will include a sliver of sun peeking out from behind the moon — but it will still be a momentous occasion and a pretty cool reason to celebrate.

The last time a total solar eclipse swept the whole width of the U.S. was in 1918.

“It’s rare in this area,” said Chamber Program Director Katie Nations.

Since the solar eclipse will occur at lunchtime, Chamber President Sha Walker suggested a common gathering spot for downtown merchants and customers to watch the eclipse and eat lunch.

The Chamber is hosting a “Solar Eclipse Lunch” from 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Railroad Park.

“We just wanted to do something a little different,” Nations said.

They’ll have a tent set up next to the Foster Cabin across from the Chamber on South Whitworth Avenue. Read more: Daily Leader

Western DuPage Chamber named WorkNet One-Stop-Operator

The Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce has been selected by the DuPage County Local Workforce Innovation Board to serve as the One-Stop-Operator for WorkNet DuPage.

WorkNet DuPage is located on Cabot Drive in Lisle and houses nine partner agencies that serve to meet the workforce needs of DuPage County and the region.

The role of the One-Stop-Operator is to assist in creating a seamless delivery of services to businesses seeking new hires and individuals seeking employment. The OSO reports regularly to the LWIB, which provides oversight and policy direction.

WorkNet DuPage operates under federal and state guidelines related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In DuPage County, these partner agencies work together to offer information and assistance to all residents of the county as well as businesses.

The DuPage County Workforce Development Division, Choose DuPage (the County's Economic Development agency), the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Department of Human Services/Rehabilitation Services, the College of DuPage, Parents Alliance Employment Project, National Able, and Community Assistance Programs all have representation at the center so that One Stop truly means One Stop to gain access to all of the benefits and services that are available.

"We have been providing workforce training and securing grant funds for our members for years," said David Sabathne, President and CEO of the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce. "This new responsibility allows us to use our experience and join with an elite workforce development team to bring us all to the next level." Sabathne believes that this new initiative will broaden the reach and impact of all workforce programming offered through the participating agencies and deliver additional benefits to the entire County. Read more: Daily Herald

#BestChamber practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber - Professional Edge Workshop: Cadillac Travel Group

How to make $$ on Travel and other insider tips

Learn how to: Save time and how to save money
Make money on the travel you are already doing
Get in and out of airports easier and how to be a savvy business traveler

Speaker: David Fishman, President, Cadillac Travel Group

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When:

Thursday, August 17, 2017 8:00 AM thru 09:30 AM

Where:

Birmingham Public Schools Administration Building
31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills
Adjacent to Groves High School

Registration:

NEW FOR 2017 - COMPLIMENTARY FOR MEMBERS!
$10 Nonmembers

Registration questions contact (248) 430-7689

Register Here

Daviess County: Tourism growing regionally and locally

When it comes to tourism, business is booming in southern Indiana and in Daviess County. Radius Indiana's Tourism Index shows the eight-county region is outpacing other areas of the state in the overall vitality of the tourism industry sector.

The RTI is a new series of measurements to provide Radius with analytic tools that monitor the strength of the regional economy in southern Indiana.

"Radius is diving down and looking at what is working for tourism and where the growth is coming from," said Executive Director of the Daviess County Visitors and Tourism Bureau Samantha Bobbitt. "They are focusing in on highlight of our area and what makes our area a destination of place."

Radius used data from a report published by Rockport Analytics, commissioned the the Indiana Office of Tourism, along with other economic factors to create a baseline for the region's tourism industry. The index tracks changes to key economic indicators like tourism jobs, wages, spending, tax receipts and the overall economic impact. It then compares them to the same data for the state as a whole.

The regional RTI score was 68.1 for the positive changes to the those key economic indicators over the last two years. The most significant change was a 13 percent increase in tourism spending. The score was bolstered by double digit increases in tourism jobs and tax receipts.

"The Rockport report gave us a complete snapshot of regional tourism and now the Radius Tourism Index gives us a good tool to begin tracking its growth," said Executive Director of the Dubois County Visitors Center and Tourism Commission Kevin Manley.

Daviess County officials say that in the past they have relied heavily on state reports to determine the impact of tourism on the area. Those numbers have shown a marked increase since 2012.

"In 2012, visitor spending in Daviess County supported 920 jobs and generated $18.5 million in labor income," said Bobbitt. "In 2014, the report indicated there were 930 jobs and tourism generated $19.3 million in labor income. The snapshot expenditures include lodging, food and beverage, recreation and entertainment, and retail." Read more: Washington Times Herald

#BestChamber practices: Kernersville Chamber: Eating for Education

Always the second Wednesday in July, August and September - come eat and support our local schools!

Eat out at participating restaurants to support Education Grants.  Get your coupons in today's Kernersville News or online kernersvillenc.com. Participating restaurants donate up to 10% of their proceeds to Educational Grants.

Last year over 1,000 students benefited through Education Grants to our 13 Kernersville Schools because of YOU...eating at participating restaurants!

The following are participating restaurants:

Angela’s Ale House
Bistro B
Captain Tom’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Domino’s
East Coast Wings & Grill
Fitz on Main
Fridas Mexican Kitchen and Cantina
Giada’s Trattoria
J. Peppers Southern Grille

Low Price Mart & The Grill

Mad Greek Grill
OutWest Steakhouse & Saddle Room
Panera Bread of Kernersville
Sagebrush Steakhouse
Sixty Six Pizzeria Bar & Grill
Smitty’s Grille
The Loop
Zaxby’s

Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Lake County Chamber! Thanks to Stewart Kerr, Renee Coco 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.

Commerce Lexington’s Kelly Bates recognized for lifetime sales award by Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

Kelly Bates, Commerce Lexington’s member engagement manager, has been recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives with a Lifetime Sales Achievement Award. Outgoing ACCE President Mick Fleming presented her with a Silver Level Lifetime Achievement Award, marking 750 transactions or $300,000 in chamber membership sales. Bates has been a producer in Commerce Lexington’s membership division for more than 10 years. Read more: Kentucky.com

Governor Walker Signs REINS Act into Law at Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce

Governor Scott Walker today signed the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act into law at the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce. The bill makes various changes regarding administrative rules and rule-making procedures.

“One of our top priorities for Wisconsin is ensuring government services are effective, efficient, accountable, and operate at good-value for the citizens of our state,” Governor Walker said. “This bill allows for more input from citizens and stakeholders before a new rule is drafted, ensures expensive or burdensome rules are subject to legislative scrutiny and approval, and creates additional oversight over state agencies. I thank Senator Devin LeMahieu and Representative Adam Neylon for taking the lead on this pro-taxpayer reform.” Read more: Urban Milwaukee

Chamber Delight: Taste of the Mountains turns 25 in September

Exhibits, artists, crafts, entertainment, living history, classic cars, magic shows, pony rides, wine and beer are on tap for the 25th annual Taste of the Mountains Main Street Festival in Madison on Sept. 2.
The event—free and open to the community—will take place in the town of Madison from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the fourth year there will be a wine tasting tent showcasing three of Madison’s Vineyards: DuCard, Early Mountain, Revalation Vineyard and Prince Michel, according to Tracey Gardner, Madison County’s economic development and tourism director.

Gardner said Bald Top Brewing will also be part of the event this year. The beer/wine tasting will cost $10, which includes a special Taste of the Mountains glass. Wine and beer may be purchased by the glass once inside the tent.

“The entire family can enjoy the day browsing, shopping, enjoying the games, listening to great music, eating and taking pleasure in the vast array of entertainment,” said Gardner. “Each year, many new artists and craftspeople are added along with those who participated in the past. Antique collectors may find the treasure they have been looking for and various informative exhibits will be of interest.”
Musicians Leon Rector, The Outlaws, David Gilmore, Bennie Dodd, Dark Hollow, and Jessica Weaver and the Silver Linings Band will provide the entertainment. For children, the entertainment will include games, sand art, pony rides, and a magic show by Party Magic.The Kemper Residence—and new home to the Madison Historical Society—where the 7th Virginia Infantry Unit, Co. C will depict camp life during the Civil War and offer some living history for onlookers while antique car enthusiasts may enjoy ogling the cars.
Madison County chefs will prepare all of the food, including some of the following restaurants: Pig ‘N Steak, Little Country Store, Bonanno’s Madison Inn, Pie in the Sky, Mad Local, North Cove Mushroom food truck and more.
“The food is local. We use local beef, tomatoes, onions and we make our pickles in house from cucumbers that are local and a lot of the pork for the brats will be from local pigs,” said Mad Local owner Jake Floyd, answering the question about why patrons should stop by and try his food.
For further information, call the Madison Chamber of Commerce at 540/948-4455, visit the website madisonva.com or email tourism@madison-va.com. Read more: Fredericksburg.com

Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor)

RULE #79      Post pictures of members in action online.

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps 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