Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: One book I still read every day: Train Your Brain for Success - by Roger Seip; #BestChamber Practices: Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce: Short Video Productions Support Small Business Saturday:; Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber presents awards at banquet; Business Breakfast Bytes, from the Fox Cities Chamber, will focus on Sales & Prospecting in December; Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile Guide; Twenty-five graduate from Leadership Bowling Green class; New shops, restaurants aid Meridian revival; Michigan Continues to Climb in Latest Economic Competitiveness Study; Chamber interest: Agritourism workshop planned in Southside; 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!

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: One book I still read every day: Train Your Brain for Success - by Roger Seip

Train your mind to achieve new levels of success!
Professionals and entrepreneurs do a great job of keeping up appearances. But if they're honest with themselves, they're short on living the life they really want. Train Your Brain For Success provides the perspective to analyze how you got where you are and, more importantly, learn the skills to get where you truly desire to be. Train Your Brain For Success explains specific ways of thinking and acting that will get anyone where they want to go, fast. Learn to condition your mind to move towards success automatically, by discovering greater memory power and fundamental techniques for boosting reading speed and comprehension.
Get a proven strategy for succeeding and becoming a record-breaking performer.
  • Learn to live in the moment
  • Become brilliant with the basics
  • Aggressively take care of your mind
Chapter 16 -Your Energy Management Tools and Chapter 17 - The Power Hour - are tools for the rest of your life - JD 

Train your mind for new levels of success by boosting memory power, reading speed and comprehension. More information: Barnes & Noble



#BestChamber Practices: Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce: Short Video Productions Support Small Business Saturday:

The Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce wanted to do something to support the small businesses in their area and make it meaningful for their members. Short video productions that could be filmed, enhanced and edited in-house with their own staff was the answer.
2016 was the first time it was attempted, and the results made the program worth repeating. In 2016 over 54,000 people were reached, thousands of likes and hundreds of videos shared on social media. Not only does it remind people to Shop Small, an initiative created and supported by American Express, it lets people know who a small business might be.
Goodyear tire may be considered by most to be a large business but most of the retail shops are franchises owned and operated as small businesses. Something else people don’t always think about is that small businesses have far more employees than do large companies, they are the life blood of the economy in every community.
Chamber President David Sabathne said at a recent chamber gathering “small businesses create the culture of our communities and everyone of us has a vote to decide if they leave our community or if they remain and thrive; and every dollar we spend with them equals a vote.” The great thing is you can vote as many times and as often as you want.
For more information about Shop Small or other programs and benefits the Chamber offers, call 630-231-3003 or email Team@westerndupagechamber.com and visit us on the web by searching Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce.


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, Julieth 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.


Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber presents awards at banquet

Work, support, and commitment.

All three words, as it pertains to these matters, derive from love of one’s community.

The Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards and recognition dinner on Thursday, Nov. 9 at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville, featuring the Small Business Grant Winner, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Don Horan Community Leader of the Award.

Mayasari Effendi of Mayasari Indonesian Grill, Brenley Jameson and Carmen Thackery, and David Fry were all award winners last Thursday.

Don Horan Community Leader of the Award

The Community Service Leader Award was first presented in 1961 by the then Greensburg Chamber of Commerce before being an annual award starting in 1975.

In 2013, to commemorate the contributions business leader and philanthropist Don Horan left behind following his death, the Community Service Award was renamed the Don Horan Service Leader of the Year Award.

Given its meaning to the community, Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jeff Emsweller speaks highly of the award, saying the Chamber sees this as the highest award in the community.

Last year, the Don Horan Community Leader of the Year Award was given to Alan and Kristy Lowe. This year, the torch was passed to David Fry.

The award is presented to an individual or individuals who have gone above and beyond in the service for the greater good of the community, according to the Chamber.

Before he was introduced, the Chamber mentioned a variety of contributions Fry has made to the community, including his role in helping Greensburg advance to the final round of the Stellar Communities effort.

Fry spoke to the audience after receiving his award.

“The fact that this is now named the Don Horan Community Leader Award means a great deal to me, because Don and I shared office space next to one another at Fifth Third Bank for many years, and had a lot of talks about owning our own businesses and things like that,” Fry said. “So, it’s really even more special given that fact. You know, I don’t do this obviously for this reason (the award), I appreciate it, but I feel like I’m the one who always ends up walking away with greater rewards because of the people that I’ve met, the people that I’ve worked with, and the people that I’ve come to know through these types of involvements.”

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is based on business involvement in the community, entrepreneurial innovation, business and community partnerships, and success.

Nine-year-olds Brenley Jameson and Carmen Thackery started a lemonade stand a few months ago to help raise money for nonprofit organizations in Decatur County. The young ladies spent the majority of their Mondays during summer vacation selling lemonade, raising $86 for New Directions of Decatur County, $86 for Our Hospice of Southeastern Indiana, $75 for the Decatur County Animal Shelter, $150 for Wreaths Across America, $204 for Big Brothers-Big Sisters, $138 for the Decatur County United Fund, $138 for Decatur County Meals on Wheels, and $80 for MainStreet Greensburg.

Essentially, more than $800 was raised by Jameson and Thackery for their community.

“We thank Jeff and the Chamber for supporting us during the summer,” Jameson said. “We thank all of our loyal customers for supporting us during the summer. You really made us feel a part of the community.” Read more: Greensburg Daily News


Business Breakfast Bytes, from the Fox Cities Chamber, will focus on Sales & Prospecting in December

The Fox Cities Chamber’s monthly educational program, Business Breakfast Bytes, will focus on the topic of sales and prospecting as it relates to almost every business. Employers and employees alike need to grow their client base and network to find ways to generate a steady revenue. This usually requires prospecting. The customer will not always come to you, sometimes you need to find the customer.

The upcoming session will feature a panel of experts that will provide education on strategies for sales and prospecting, recommendations on how to use them, and actions you should avoid. This presentation will also include a bonus overview on how to utilize LinkedIn to generate new business.

Eric Thompson, Partner at Sandler Training, will lead the panel of experts which includes: Renee Brey, Business Development Coordinator at Credit Systems of the Fox Valley, and Beth Haase, Director of Membership at the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

“If you are struggling to make connections with prospects, unsure of the tactics that are working, or frustrated with not knowing what to do, join us for our discussion to identify the key prospecting behaviors, attitudes and techniques (BAT’s) that work for our local business leaders,” shared session facilitator, Thompson.

Business Breakfast Bytes are a monthly business educational program focused on providing our small to mid-sized business members across the Fox Cities Region with education and resources addressing top business concerns.

Registration for each individual session is required. Fox Cities Chamber members are allowed to bring a guest and may use the registration link on the Chamber website or call (920) 734-7101 to register. Please visit the Chamber website for complete details of the December session, being hosted at McMAHON in Neenah from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM on Tuesday, December 19. Details and registration can be found at foxcitieschamber.com.

For immediate questions, please contact MiKayla Kunde, Member Engagement Coordinator, by email mkunde@foxcitieschamber.com or phone (920) 734-7101.



Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile Guide

The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Greater Belleville Chamber! Thanks to Wendy Pfeil 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.




Twenty-five graduate from Leadership Bowling Green class

Twenty-five business professionals graduated Tuesday from the 2017 Leadership Bowling Green class. They completed a program that began in April with a retreat and included nine sessions during which they learned about local government, the region’s economy, agriculture, education, health care and the arts.

Leadership Bowling Green is a development program coordinated by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. The program, which started in 1985, allows emerging leaders to learn about the community’s strengths and challenges through lectures, discussions, tours and role-playing activities. The goal is to gain a wide knowledge about Bowling Green through an overview of a variety of community functions.

This year’s class also participated in a service project called “Career Exploration” that is designed to help sophomore students at Warren Central High School prepare for careers.

Amber Frye of Franklin Bank & Trust was announced as winner of this year’s Bart Hagerman Award, the top honor for a graduating member of Leadership Bowling Green. Frye was selected for the award by her classmates.

The Hagerman Award is named for Bart Hagerman, who served as chamber executive from 1983 to 1986. Hagerman initiated the first leadership program for chamber members in Kentucky while he worked as the assistant chamber executive at the Ashland Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to Frye, the members of the 2017 Leadership Bowling Green graduating class are:


Lori Beliles, Hancock Bank and Trust; Meghan Birkenhauer, Bluegrass Oral Health Center; Alicia Carter, Western Kentucky University; Kellie Crawford, Scotty’s Contracting and Stone; Rachel Donnelly, Scott & Ritter; Mark Ford, Fort Knox Credit Union; Melanie Hatfield, Service One Credit Union; Erin Holderman, WKU; Chelsea Houchins, American Bank & Trust; Tyler Jaggers, Leachman Buick-GMC-Cadillac; Chris Kummer, Warren County Parks and Recreation Department; B.J. Malone, Warren County Water District; Andria McGregor, TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital; Rebekah McKinney, Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore; Rhondell Miller, HOTEL INC; Andrew Morlando, Graham Packaging; Jason Ross, U.S. Bank; Alison Sexton, Bowling Green Municipal Utilities; Brian Summers, Farmers National Bank; Andrew Tolbert, Carr, Riggs & Ingram; Joey Traughber, Traughber Mechanical Services; Nathan Vinson, English, Lucas, Priest & Owsley; Melanie Watts, Bowling Green Police Department; Chad Webb, Crowd South; and Brandy Zackery, Arnold Consulting Engineering Services. Read more: Bowling Green Daily News


New shops, restaurants aid Meridian revival

With the arrival of the holiday shopping season, new businesses are opening in downtown Meridian.

Two restaurants, an expanded boutique and a specialty food shop are among the new names in the downtown and North Hills areas.

The newly remodeled DT Grinders — set to open next month — and Dontea’s Seafood & BBQ on Fifth Street are two of the new restaurants downtown, both of which will offer live entertainment.

Located on Front Street and 22nd Avenue is Crooked Letter, an expanded boutique which owner Debbie Mathis calls “a Mississippi Marketplace.”

Crooked Letter, which offers specialty products such as jewelry, pottery, art, coffee, candles, soaps, lotions and unique food items, opened on Oct. 7.

“Everything we sell is made in Mississippi,” said Mathis, a Meridian native.

Crooked Letter is across the street from the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, and Mathis believes she chose the “perfect location.”

“I feel an energy in downtown Meridian like I’ve never felt before,” she said. “There are good things happening — people like me who are willing to step out and take a little bit of a risk and people in general that are willing to invest in downtown.”

With the recent announcement of the Mississippi Children’s Museum satellite in Meridian, Mathis says it’s an exciting time to be downtown.

“That's going to be huge,” Mathis said of The MAX and the Children’s Museum. “We already have a huge number of visitors tied to our area every day. We felt like with all the energy and the good things happening downtown, there’s a lot of revitalization, and it made sense to put our business downtown.”

Dontea’s, which opened earlier this month, is located in the historic African-American business district on Fifth Street. Owner Dontea Cross has brought what he calls “the best seafood and barbecue in town” to the new restaurant, located in the old Sportsman’s Club building.

Replete with a full ballroom-style dining room, a bar, a private dining area upstairs and a back patio/garden, Dontea’s is set to be part of the 5th Street renaissance.

DT Grinders, located at 1600 24th Avenue, is under new management.

Tom and Ashley Walker Brown hope to reopen Meridian’s well-known hot spot some time in December.

“This town needed something to revive it,” said Brown, who hails from Los Angeles. He and Ashley Brown, owner of Stitchin Krazy LLC in Meridian, purchased the property in September. “This old building was falling apart, and it needed somebody to save it — and we decided to save it.”

So far, the plan is to be open for lunch and dinner, with a menu that focusses primarily on steak and seafood and various other combinations. With years of experience as a chef, Brown says he hopes to bring a unique taste to Meridian.

“We’re using all top-of-the-line beef, nothing less than that,” said Brown, who added that live music, karaoke and trivia will likely be a regular part of DT Grinders’ entertainment. “We’re talking to the former owner to see what he did.”

Brown said the first floor will operate as a restaurant, the second floor a bar, and the third will be used for events.

Debby Delshad of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation agrees that downtown is coming back to life.

“For our size town and the potential of everything that’s coming, with the Children’s Museum and The MAX, we probably need about six more restaurants,” Delshad said. “Restaurants will be the draw. If restaurants come, then I believe retail will come after that.” Read more: Meridian Star


Michigan Continues to Climb in Latest Economic Competitiveness Study

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Economic Competitiveness Study shows Michigancontinues its upward climb. The most recent study, conducted by Northwood University's McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, shows Michigan has climbed to No. 21 on Northwood's proprietary State Competitiveness Index.

Now in its sixth year, the study compares all aspects of Michigan'seconomy against the other 49 states. In 2012, the inaugural study ranked Michigan No. 47 based on data from 1998 to 2012. In 2016 Michigan ranked No. 25. In fact, the 2017 study notes since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, Michigan ranks as the ninth most competitive economy in the country.

"This study offers the most detailed and honest assessment of our state's economy," said economist and study co-author Timothy Nash, senior vice president of strategic and corporate alliances and the director of the McNair Center at Northwood University. "Michigan has led the Great Lakes Region in average GDP growth since the end of The Great Recession, ranking sixth nationally."

Michigan showed strong signs of growth since The Great Recession, Nash noted. The ranking of 21st uses economic data from 1998 until 2016.

"When looking at the general macroeconomic environment in Michigan, the ranking jumped to seventh in 2017 study from No. 48 in the 2012 study," Nash said. "In fact, Michigan ranks ninth in overall competitiveness since 2009 with real GDP growth ranking sixth and per capita wage growth ranking third nationally over the same period".

"Since the study began, the overall United States economy has shown underwhelming performance," said Keith Pretty, co-author, president and CEO of Northwood University. "This study and others, however, show Michigan remains on a strong growth trajectory".

New in the 2017 study is a look at the Michigan and U.S. automobile industries. The resurgence of the automobile industry in Michigan has clearly contributed to GDP growth. In 2016, the U.S. automobile industry reached an all-time record high for automobiles sold, at more than 17.5 million, with 2017 sales on pace to challenge that number. The auto industry remains the state's biggest economic driver.

"Michigan's economy has been on a path of strong recovery and growth," said Bob Thomas, executive director of the Michigan Chamber Foundation. "We are optimistic that Michigan can become an overall top 15 state by 2020."

Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, also highlighted the importance of tax climate, an indicator of how a state's tax laws affect economic performance.

"We are pleased to see Michigan's improvement in state business tax climate, where we now rank second in the Great Lakes Bay Region, and twelfth overall," he said. "We are also pleased to see that Michigan'scorporate tax environment is now ranked eighth best nationally by The Tax Foundation". Read more: Markets Insider
Chamber interest: Agritourism workshop planned in Southside


Virginia’s farms are adding something new to their agricultural enterprises as they invite tourists to experience their fields. This blending of agriculture and tourism has created a growing interest in the components of agritourism and the tools for bringing people onto farmland.

With agritourism operations continuing to develop in the region, Southern Virginia has joined together and invites the agricultural community to Agritourism in Virginia’s New Economy workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cloverdale Quarters located at 1120 Cloverdale Trail in Sutherlin.

The workshop is free, but you must register by Wednesday, Nov. 29. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/SOVa-Agritourism or contact Amy Boles at the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce by calling 434-836-6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org

The workshop is presented by the tourism offices in Danville Pittsylvania County, Halifax County, Martinsville-Henry County, Mecklenburg County; the Halifax County Agricultural Development office; the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex; the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Virginia Cooperative Extension; and the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Agritourism in Virginia’s New Economy offers both a broad overview of agritourism possibilities as well as the need-to-know details from experts and experienced farmers.

Virginia’s agritourism industry generates over $2.2 billion in economic activity for the state and over $135 million in state and local taxes. Approximately $8.3 million of these tax dollars are generated in the Southern region including the counties of Henry, Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Charlotte, Greensville, and Lunenburg. More importantly, farmers are increasing farm income by incorporating agritourism into the farming operation. Read more: GoDanRiver.com


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

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Chamber proponent: Immigration fuels the Great Lakes region; Geneva Chamber honors Gaines for 40 years of service; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Clarkston Area Chamber: 10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving; Kentucky Chamber becomes one of four in nation accredited with distinction; #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Happy Thanksgiving!) “Champions are made...; #BestChamber practices: Visit Lake Geneva: Small region delivers mighty impact for business; United Furniture to buy Lane, expand; St Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Regional Profile and Membership Directory; Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Women in Leadership: How the Next Generation is Disrupting Business; Jasper Chamber Luncheon: John Seng recognized for service, Governor outlines pillars of improvement; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

Happy Turkey Day, #Chamber World! For all you do 365 days a year, have a GREAT Thanksgiving!



Chamber proponent: Immigration fuels the Great Lakes region

The Great Lakes region is an economic powerhouse, fueled by manufacturing, international trade and a combined GDP of more than $6 trillion.
One of the biggest drivers of regional growth is sometimes absent from the popular narrative—immigration. That message is on display in a new report from the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, published in partnership with New American Economy.
“We wanted to respond to the narrative that our region is isolationist and not welcoming of immigrants,” said Brandon Mendoza, manager of government affairs at the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to say, 'actually, immigration in this region has helped accelerate our economies away from what folks refer to as the Rust Belt and the manufacturing decline.'”
One important way that immigration fuels economic growth is by combatting population decline and out-migration. Immigrants were responsible for more than half of the region’s population growth from 2000–15. Foreign-born workers are also younger, on average, than their native-born counterparts, which helps keep the region’s workforce youthful and vital as Baby Boomers retire in large numbers.
“When you look at the top 25 metros in the Great Lakes area, immigration has been a net-positive in terms of reversing out-migration and growing their populations,” said Mendoza. “It’s a lifeblood for a lot of these cities like Pittsburgh, Rochester or Akron, where slow population growth really acts as a drag on economic growth, in general.”
But immigrants are not only filling jobs, the report found. They are also creating them, in large numbers. The study found that immigrant entrepreneurs make up 20 percent of small business owners, and have created over 226,000 jobs in the region from 2000–15.
“Immigrants, by their very nature, are risk-takers,” explained Mendoza. “They’re taking a big risk moving to a foreign country and restarting, so they’re more inclined to start new businesses.”
Mendoza stressed that immigration should be understood as a regional issue, not a national one.
“Our whole message is that we should be thinking about immigration in terms of regions,” he said. “In the Great Lakes region, we really need to make sure our immigration numbers are high and we’re supporting high-skill immigrants, as well as comprehensive legislation at some point in the future.” Read more: ACCE


Geneva Chamber honors Gaines for 40 years of service
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce sprang the surprise of a lifetime on its president, Jean Gaines, at its annual dinner Nov. 9 at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva.
Board of directors chairman Scott Lebin went off script to announce accolades to Gaines for her 40 years of service at the Geneva Chamber, 38 of them as the president.
Lebin showed a video of U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield, delivering a statement on the House floor to congratulate Gaines.
“I rise today to honor Mrs. Jean Gaines for her 40 years of service at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, most recently as president,” Hultgren said. “Her contributions have made the Chamber of Commerce a vibrant organization and a model for many other chambers throughout the state of Illinois and the country.” 
Gaines also received recognition from State Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-St. Charles, in recognition of her dedication and hard work in her 40th year.
She also received a proclamation from the city of Geneva, but Mayor Kevin Burns preferred to comment rather than read the proclamation.
“Longevity without passion and curiosity and commitment and a deep sense of honor in what you do is just another way of saying, ‘I’m hanging out,’” Burns said. “Jean Gaines is not that way. Jean Gaines has the passion, has the commitment, has the curiosity. She loves what she does and I know she loves all of you. So Jean, from the bottom of my heart, the City Council and community and all those whose lives you’ve touched, two score, happy anniversary.”
But that was not all.
With Gaines standing speechless at the podium, Martha Sanchez of State Street Jewelers in Geneva presented her with a diamond pendant.
“The piece was custom-made for her,” Sanchez said. “It’s in precious metals, a symbol of how precious you are to all of us here. It has 40 diamonds and most important is the oval design – which, like the circle, is never ending. And it symbolizes eternity. We are eternally grateful for your hard work and dedication to the chamber.”
Lebin still was not finished honoring Gaines.
He called up the chamber’s board of directors to stand in front of the podium and announced their unanimous decision to name the event the Jean Gaines Annual Dinner.
An emotional Gaines thanked them for recognizing her.
“I don’t know how I can thank you all for the wonderful life I’ve had promoting Geneva,” Gaines said, her voice breaking.
“It’s a wonderful product to promote. I’ve had the support of a wonderful board of directors and the staff through the years. It has been marvelous,” Gaines said. “I’ve had support from my family going way back to when my daughter had to be the elf at the Santa House.”
Gaines spoke of her late husband, John, as also supporting her efforts.
“As you all know, my husband is not with us anymore, but he supported me and encouraged me to work as hard as I could and go as far as I could,” Gaines said. “To me, being with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce was the ultimate goal. So thank you very much.” Read more: Kane County Chronicle
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!


 Virginia Peninsula Chamber 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide


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.

Clarkston Area Chamber: 10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving 

10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving

1. Being part of a friendly, tight-knit, community that works together to make Clarkston a better place.

2. Our members.

3. The delicious food from the amazing restaurants in this community.

4. The beautiful Clarkston sunset.

5. Being a part of a community that supports shopping small

6. Networking events being full of friendly faces and tons of laughter.

7. Having the opportunity to intern and continue gaining experience within the Chamber.

8. The opportunity to plan and execute new events that benefit the Clarkston community.

9. Being able to build relationships with new people at events we host.
10. Our lively downtown that is filled with wonderful people.


Kentucky Chamber becomes one of four in nation accredited with distinction

 The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in November became one of five state chambers to be accredited, and one of four to be accredited with distinction, by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The U.S. Chamber accreditation is judged on the following areas: governance, finance, human resources, governmental affairs, program development, technology, communications, facilities and benchmarking.
Overall, there are 7,000 chambers of commerce in the United States, and only 205 are accredited by the U.S. Chamber. According to the U.S. Chamber, the chambers that are accredited are considered the top 3 percent of all chambers in the United States.
“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”
The other state chambers with accreditation are the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Lane Report

#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Happy Thanksgiving!)


“Champions are made when no one is watching” John Wooden


#BestChamber practices: Visit Lake Geneva: Small region delivers mighty impact for business


It is a privilege to communicate to you as the president of Visit Lake Geneva. Our organization serves two distinct purposes by being the destination marketing organization (DMO) in promoting tourism throughout the Lake Geneva region, as well as leading the Lake Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce that is responsible for economic development to more than 400 partners from all business segments within Walworth County and beyond.
We are very fortunate to live in such a great area that people want to visit, with a location so close to large populations within 100 miles that can support unprecedented tourism opportunities to our unique and boutique destination. The Lake Geneva region has long been a haven to Midwest travelers since the mid- to late-1800s, and continues to drive revenues, jobs and tax benefits to the 28,000+ residents who live from Delavan to Lyons to Linn to Fontana on Geneva Lake and all points in between, which we represent.
What do we do?
At Visit Lake Geneva, we welcome more than 15,000 people a year and answer more than 6,000 phone calls at our Visitor Center at 201 Wrigley Drive. We answer questions, recommend hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping and inquiries from folks wishing to relocate to our area or buy a second home. I consider this our “Front Desk” to the region and am grateful for our concierge staff who make these visitors feel welcome and keep them coming back.
The financial impact of tourism in Walworth county brings more than $700 million in tourism-related revenue annually (2016), ranking our county 5th out of 72 counties in the state. With only 102,000 residents in Walworth County we have the smallest population of the top five. We are small but mighty. The mission of Visit Lake Geneva is to increase tourism-related revenue and provide avenues for economic growth throughout the region. Our nonprofit organization is funded with room taxes collected by our partner hotels, as well as membership fees from our business partners. While many of our marketing efforts are tourism focused, our partners realize the overall economic benefits of our marketing efforts and direct sales team.
We are a small-and-mighty staff at Visit Lake Geneva, like our county, with a total staff of 10 people who are continually engaged in sending the message of all that the Lake Geneva region offers. We are blessed with an ideal resort setting that is truly four seasons. Whether visitors come in summer, fall, winter or spring, we have accommodations, attractions and world-class restaurants and shopping that can take care of their needs — all of which is an honor to represent.
While the tourism industry has seen unprecedented growth annually since the downturn of 2009, we know that we can continue to get better.
We would like to ask all residents, business partners and visitors to act as our ambassadors to make this happen. Should you belong to an organization that happens to use hotels for a conference or banquets, think of us. Should your company have meetings and training conferences that might use our hotels event venues or facilities, have them contact us with the opportunity. Should you simply meet a tourist on the street, show them hospitality that will send them home touting what a great area and great people we have here in the Geneva Lake Region.
We are calling this program “Hometown Hero, Bring it Home.”
A Hometown Hero is a person who is a resident of the area who encourages or influences a group to hold its event in the area. There is so much to do, see and experience in Geneva Lake.
Bringing your organization’s event to the area provides you and your organization the opportunity to showcase your hometown, or organization’s facilities, professional team, and other amenities.
If your business, association or industry hosts meetings, regional or national conferences, trade shows, reunions or any other special events, Bring it Home. As an example, bringing your organization’s meeting to Lake Geneva provides an economic boost to our local economy. Out-of-town visitors support Lake Geneva by dining in local restaurants, shopping in local stores, visiting attractions and staying in Lake Geneva’s hotels and resorts. Visitors help support local jobs. Read more: Lake Geneva Regional News


United Furniture to buy Lane, expand

United Furniture Industries has agreed to buy Lane Furniture from Heritage Home Group LLC for an undisclosed sum, the companies announced Tuesday.
United Furniture President Larry George said the purchase includes the global rights to the iconic Lane brand, the 750,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Belden, and Lane’s 202,000 square-foot Royal Development recliner mechanism facility in High Point, North Carolina.
“We are excited about the opportunity to include the Lane brand with our United Furniture and Simmons branded products and equally excited to have the Lane team join the United Furniture family,” George said.
Heritage Home Group CEO Pierre deVillemejane said, “The sale of the Lane business is an important step in the transformation of HHG. The transaction will significantly reduce the complexity of our portfolio and sharpen our focus on the growth of our core stable of well-recognized brands, including Broyhill, Thomasville, Henredon, Drexel, Lane Venture and Hickory Chair. At the same time, the proceeds of the sale will provide additional capital to further strengthen our prestigious portfolio and fund expansion.”
United Furniture Vice President of Sales Jay Quimby said the company would retain Lane’s employees, including the 300 at the Belden facility.
“We hope to double and even triple the employment there in the coming years,” he said.
David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo, lauded the move.
“This acquisition is great news for our region. Bringing two of the largest furniture production facilities in Northeast Mississippi under one roof creates double brand opportunity for United Furniture, an emerging industry leader, and the iconic Lane brand. We are proud to support United’s continued growth in Lee County and look forward to seeing their success in our community.”
The roots of United were planted in 1983 in north Mississippi with the opening of Comfort Furniture. In 2000, United Furniture was created with the merger of Comfort Furniture, Parkhill Furniture and United Chair. By December 2008, United Furniture received the exclusive licensing agreement as the U.S. manufacturer of Simmons Upholstery.
In August 2015, Simmons Case Goods was added to the United Furniture product lines. That allowed United to include coordinated upholstery and case goods under the Simmons brand. Read more: Daily Journal

St Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Regional Profile and Membership Directory

The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Regional Profile and Membership Directory is available at the St. Cloud Area Chamber today! Thanks to 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.



Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Women in Leadership: How the Next Generation is Disrupting Business


Tysons, Va. – The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (Northern Virginia Chamber) will host the annual Women in Business Event—Women in Leadership: How the Next Generation is Disrupting Business. The event will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM at the Ritz-Carlton McLean Tysons Corner.

Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, will present a keynote followed by a panel of five high-level millennial entrepreneurs who are reshaping business. Female founders who are challenging the status quo will address how women contribute to the innovation economy and what to expect from the next generation of leadership. Attendees will gain insight on new vocabulary as teams embrace a collaborative economy.

Registration is available online. Entry is $100 for Northern Virginia Chamber members and $125 for non-members.

Speakers Include: 
Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts 
Katarina Famoso, Executive Sous Chef, Kapnos Taverna 
Stacey Ferreira, Co-founder & CEO, Forge 
Angela Luna, Founder & CEO, ADIFF 
Clara Sieg, Founding Partner, Revolution Ventures 
Susan Tynan, Founder & CEO, Framebridge 

Follow the event on Twitter @NOVAChamber. Members of the media who plan to cover the event should contact Northern Virginia Chamber Director, Communications and Marketing, Alex Thompson, athompson@novachamber.org, to register.


Jasper Chamber Luncheon: John Seng recognized for service, Governor outlines pillars of improvement
A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.


“It’s things you should do,” he explained.
Truly living the scout law as well as understanding the longterm impact scouting can have on one’s life, Seng, who earned his Eagle in 1973, has dedicated most of his life to leading boys to the coveted rank. That passion can be traced to his father, William, who along with his mother Mary Ann, pushed John to obtain it. William had been involved in scouts but did not obtain the rank. “He said one of his biggest regrets was that he never got his Eagle Scout,” John said Thursday.Those 12 traits are the secret to a good life. “If you live by the scout law and the scout oath, you will be of service to a lot of people,” he said. “You will have a good life and you will do a lot of good for a lot of people. That’s what we are put on this earth to do.”
Incorporating the 12 traits into his life has led to many years of volunteer work and many new Eagle Scouts. In recognition of those efforts, John received the Jasper Chamber of Commerce President’s Community Excellence Award Thursday afternoon.
John was surprised by the honor as outgoing chamber board president Laurel Seger read off his list of accomplishments during the annual luncheon. “This year’s award winner has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of local residents,” Seger told the crowd of more than 350 before announcing John as the recipient of the annual award.
John modestly accepted the award, spreading the credit among the many volunteers that have been involved at his side over the years. “There are more people here more deserving than I,” he told those in attendance including keynote speaker Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.
Soon after starting his own family, John became a den leader of Troop 183 at Precious Blood Church. He recently became involved with Venture Crew 185—Venture Crew is a separate division of Boy Scouts of America.
Over the years, John has organized and conducted 53 fishing, canoe and wilderness trips to Canada bringing scouts of different ages as well as their fathers. He has personally led several of the trips including one with 40 people.
In nominating her son, Mary Ann noted that John has made special efforts to help boys who are lacking a paternal influence over their lives.
For John, the involvement with these boys and scouting has always been an easy decision.
“It has really been a labor of love to participate in the Boy Scouts the past 18, 20 years,” he said.
John is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Precious Blood Catholic Church. He and his wife, Sandy, have four sons, Heath, Jeff, Ben and Eli. All four are Eagle Scouts.
In his keynote, Gov. Holcomb discussed the next steps of the Governor’s 2017 Next Level Legislative Agenda. He and Lt. Gov. Crouch have been traveling across the state to talk about the plan’s five pillars for taking Indiana to the next level.
Announced in his State of the State address earlier this year, the five pillars are economic diversification, infrastructure improvement, development of a 21st century skilled and ready workforce, impacting the drug epidemic and improving the government’s service to its citizens.
“We are very excited about, not just where we are, but where we can be,” Holcomb said as he praised the legislation for its progress in cooperating to get things done.
Holcomb pointed out several positives going on in the state including the 29,000 new jobs he recently announced, the $7.5 billion to support state roads and highways over the next five years and a growing technology-based economy. “U.S. News and World Report ranked Indiana the number one state government in January,” he said. “How do we maintain that position? How do we continue to improve? That’s what these five pillars are all about.”
Holcomb briefly spoke about each pillar but spent the majority of his time on what he considers an important aspect of the 2018 legislative session, developing a 21st Century skilled and ready workforce. To do so, he said, the improvements have to come from the bottom up rather than top down.
He said the administration will be seeking stakeholders in regions and communities to build focus groups, or cabinets, to work out solutions and suggest policy for the state to incorporate. The regional or community focus will allow potential changes to impact the needs of those areas. It’s an important approach for the governor who sees Indiana as a state with diverse needs.
“The City of Jasper has different employment and economic needs than Jasper County,” he said. “Huntingburg has different needs than Huntington.”
He explained the state has to address the 92,000 unfilled jobs across the state. “We are going to create an education to career pathway cabinet,” he explained. Read more: Dubois County Free Press


Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.


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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