Chamber
Executive Indiana Digest
February, 2018
February, 2018
1si's Wendy Dant Chesser elected chair of statewide economic development board
Wendy Dant Chesser,
president and CEO of One Southern Indiana, has been elected chair of the
Indiana Economic Development Association board of directors.
Dant Chesser was
previously vice chair and secretary of the board, as well as the chair and
member-at-large for the organization's legislative committee.
"I'm very honored to
be elected board chair of this prestigious organization," Dant Chesser
said. "The IEDA is a fantastic organization that assists individuals,
rural communities and metropolitan areas throughout Indiana as well as
professionals who work within the economic development field."
IEDA, which turns 50 next
year, is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides ongoing education to
its members and opportunities to engage elected officials to promote
business-friendly policies. The organization has about 400 members.
Dant Chesser has been CEO
and president of 1SI, Clark and Floyd counties' economic development
organization, since 2012. She was previously president of a similar
organization in southwest Michigan called Cornerstone Alliance. She has also
worked for the state of Indiana in various economic developments capacities,
including her role as deputy executive director for program operations for the
Indiana Department of Commerce. She is a Jeffersonville native.
Accolades include being
named 2016 Chamber Executive of the Year by the Indiana Chamber Executives
Association, one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers of 2015 by Consultant
Connect and 2000 Outstanding Young Hoosier Award from the Indiana Jaycees. Read
more: News and Tribune
Indiana Accepting Nominations for
Governor's Century, Half Century Business Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 8, 2018) – The state of Indiana is currently accepting nominations for the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to serving the community.
Governor Eric J. Holcomb will recognize award winners and present a commemorative certificate during a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse in the spring. Applications are due by Feb. 16.
Qualifying criteria is as follows:
The business must have had
continuous operations in Indiana for more than 50 or 100 years by Dec. 31,
2017.
The business must have participated
in the same line of work for the duration of its operations. If different, an
explanation of the evolution into the current business must be provided on the
nomination form.
The business must have had its base
in the state of Indiana since it was founded.
Not-for-profit corporations and
hospitals are not eligible.
The business must recognize,
acknowledge and agree that it is in full compliance with the Indiana Secretary
of State, Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development by
signing the application.
The business must not have
previously received a Century or Half Century award from the state of Indiana.
Previous Half Century Award recipients may qualify for a Century Award.
Eligible companies are encouraged to complete the online application. Please visit the IEDC website for additional programmatic details.
For more information about the
program or nomination/application details, please contact Elizabeth Patel
at EPatel@iedc.in.gov or call 317-232-0160.
Crossroads
Regional Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile & Membership Directory
The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Crossroads Regional Chamber today! Thanks to Sue Reed and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Plymouth Chamber Financial Wellness Classes For Member Businesses
The Plymouth Chamber strives to
provide the very best resources to the membership. In keeping with this
endeavor, the chamber is partnering with member financial institutions to
provide financial wellness classes to their employees. The classes can be
tailored made to fit the company's schedule and are offered at no cost. We
are thrilled to partner with members, Centier, 1st Source Bank, and Woodforest
National Bank. Businesses are free to select the financial institution they
prefer (see information below).
We have also partnered with First
Federal Savings Bank and Fitness Forum/Lifeplex in Plymouth to offer Financial
Peace University. This evening course is a once a week, 2 hour class, for
9 weeks and requires participants to purchase class materials. First
Federal is helping to defray a portion of this cost. The Lifeplex is
graciously providing the classroom space, and also has childcare available at a
nominal fee. Class space is limited and
is available to chamber member employees only. Classes begin February
6th, 2018. Call the Plymouth Chamber at 574-936-2323 to reserve a
space.
OneZone January Luncheon: What's Up with the Economy
Wednesday,
January 10, 2018 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST FORUM Conference Center
11313 USA Parkway
Fishers, IN 46037
Tax reform. Healthcare repeal. Drug epidemic. Workforce
development. Unemployment. Full employment. The list goes on.
What is the status of our economy?
Dr. Matt Will, University of Indianapolis, talks about the impact on business,
the state and the nation in 2018. Find out where the economy is heading . . .
and what your business can do to be ready.
Dr. Will, Assistant Professor of
Finance in the UIndy MBA program, is a financial economist and advisor on
public policy to state and national government. In addition, he is a regular
media commentator on topics related to business and economics, an oft-requested
speaker and the author of several books.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ:
This luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. and end
at 1 p.m. You may arrive to check in beginning at 11 a.m.
Agenda
11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Guests arrive
to check in, visit display tables, and connect with other chamber members.
11:30 a.m. Lunch and program begin
promptly at 11:30 a.m.
Cost
$25 for member who prepays
$35 for potential member or guest
$240 for corporate reserved table
of 8
Interested in promoting your
business at a luncheon? Showcase and display tables are available at this and
other luncheons. Call us at 317.436.4653.
Pre-paid reservations are required
by noon on Monday, January 8.
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education
Weekly New Idea: Blue Ocean Strategy - by W. Chan Kim
and Renee Mauborgne
In this perennial bestseller, embraced by organizations and industries worldwide, globally preeminent management thinkers W. Chan Kim and RenĂ©e Mauborgne challenge everything you thought you knew about the requirements for strategic success. Recognized as one of the most iconic and impactful strategy books ever written, Blue Ocean Strategy, now updated with fresh content from the authors, argues that cutthroat competition results in nothing but a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool. Based on a study of 150 strategic moves (spanning more than 100 years across 30 industries), the authors argue that lasting success comes not from battling competitors but from creating “blue oceans”―untapped new market spaces ripe for growth.
Blue Ocean Strategy presents
a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and outlines
principles and tools any organization can use to create and capture their own
blue oceans. This expanded edition includes:
- A new preface by the authors: Help!
My Ocean Is Turning Red
- Updates on all cases and examples
in the book, bringing their stories up to the present time
- Two new chapters and an expanded
third one ― Alignment, Renewal, and Red Ocean Traps ― that address the
most pressing questions readers have asked over the past 10 years
A
landmark work that upends traditional thinking about strategy, this bestselling
book charts a bold new path to winning the future. Consider this your guide to
creating uncontested market space―and making the competition irrelevant. Read
more: Blue Ocean Strategy
Logansport-Cass County State of the
city, county lunch planned
The annual State of the
City and County luncheon hosted by the Logansport-Cass County Chamber of
Commerce will take place Wednesday, Jan. 17.
The luncheon, at Angie’s
Catering and Cakes, 1007 17th St., will spotlight local leaders’ plans for the
coming year. Cass County commissioners and Logansport’s Mayor Dave Kitchell
will address those in attendance.
The event will be from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and tickets are $22 per person. Reservations should be
made by Wednesday, Jan. 10 either on the chamber’s website, logan-casschamber.com, or by calling the
chamber at 574-753-6388.
Two Valparaiso residents to be
recognized by chamber for leadership
Beth Wrobel and Joanne Urschel have several things in common.
Both love their community. Both are in awe of the people with whom they work and volunteer.
Both are also being honored tonight during the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce's Salute to Leadership event at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton.
Wrobel has been named the 2017 Distinguished Community Leader, and Urshel will be presented the 2017 Legacy of Service award.
Beth Wrobel
"I was so surprised. There are such good leaders here in this community. To be picked out to be recognized in this community makes it even more humbling," said Wrobel, CEO of HealthLinc Inc., about receiving the recognition.
The Distinguished Community Leader award is the highest recognition given by the chamber on an individual. It is presented to a person who demonstrates leadership, is successful in promoting and developing business, involved in the community and enhances its quality of life.
Wrobel almost stumbled upon her role as the leader of the health care group, which operates 10 clinics in five counties and last year saw 27,000 individuals and had 110,000 patient visits.
A nearly 22-year employee of NIPSCO as a mechanical engineer, she left that job to help care for her father, who was diagnosed with cancer.
After his death, she said, and taking some time off, she began to pursue her MBA at Valparaiso University. It was there she ran into an acquaintance who asked her if she'd be interested in running Hilltop Community Health Center, later HealthLinc. Read more: NWI Times
#FamousChamber Speaker: Bob Harris
CAE, One of the Top Five Chamber Speakers of All Time
Organizational Excellence - It
starts with the heart - the PASSION of volunteers and staff to be great. Then
the focus is on governance, operations, and strategy. Finally, finally mix in
smart practices and benchmarks to ensure excellence. - Bob Harris, CAE - www.nonprofitcenter.com
Kosciusko County 106th Annual
Chamber Awards Dinner
Last night, the
Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held its 106th Annual Chamber
Awards Dinner at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center at Grace College.
Nearly 500 community business men and women along with local and state elected
officials were in attendance as several local businesses and individuals were
honored.
The night began with the
singing of the National Anthem by Sophie Schlitt, and the presentation of
colors by the Warsaw Community High School Junior ROTC Color Guard. Chamber
President and CEO, Rob Parker then welcomed everyone to the event and thanked
many individuals who helped support the Chamber and our community during the
past year.
Indiana Governor, Eric
Holcomb was the evening’s keynote speaker. His presentation was question and
answer style with Curtis Smith from Parkview Health as the moderator. Parkview
Warsaw was the speaker sponsor for this year’s event. Governor Holcomb spoke on
topics such as Indiana’s low unemployment rate, the opioid crisis, keeping jobs
local, education and other topics that directly affect our community.
Lauren Klusman, the
Chamber’s Marketing and Communications Manager, presented the Ambassador of the
Year Award to two deserving recipients, Doug Hanes from First Federal Savings
Bank and Nola Hudson from Beacon Credit Union.
Brian Peterson of Brian
Peterson Group, presented and sponsored the Young Adult Professional of the
Year Award. YAP is a group of business professionals under the age of 40 who
are active in the community. This year’s recipient was Kelsi Griffith from
Grace College & Seminary.
Monica Kendrick
presented the Government Excellence Award sponsored by Zimmer Biomet to State
Senator, Ryan Mishler. Kendrick said, “he engages the community and has a very
close working relationship with the Chamber, always available to answer any
questions and provide insight on any issue that may impact our citizens.”
The Making a Difference
Award was sponsored by Old National Bank and presented by Sandra Parra. The
award was given to Baker Youth Club for their positive impact on the youth in
our community. Tracy Furnivall shares that BYC is BLESSED to live and
serve Kosciusko County youth. The generous support by businesses, foundations
and community members is what has allowed them to serve for 91 years and focus
on what they do best and that is: “To work with the youth of Kosciusko County
to shape an educated, healthy and social identity based on Christian values,”
which is the mission of Baker Youth Club.
Zimmer Biomet was
awarded the Health and Wellness in the Workplace Award, sponsored by PNC Bank
and presented by Angie Robbins. Robbins stated that, “with more that 18,000
Team Members worldwide (5,000 of those Team Members in Warsaw), Zimmer Biomet
is committed to the health and wellness of their employees.
The Rising Star award is
given to Kosciusko County’s highest performing new company. This year, the
award, sponsored by Horizon Bank and presented by, Lindy Breeden, was awarded
to Owl Manor Medical. “Owl Manor’s regenerative medicine platform is on the
leading edge by leveraging human based programs to benefit horses of all
disciplines and dogs facing joint or soft tissue ailments,” Breeden
said.
Key Bank was this year’s
Environment & Sustainability Award sponsor. Yolanda Hedington spoke about
how this year’s winner, Washington STEM Academy, installed solar panels and
beehives to not only be more environmentally friendly, but also to use as
learning tools for their students.
This year’s Business of
the Year Award was sponsored by Lake City Bank. David Findlay, presented the
award to Splendor Boats. Splendor Boats is a family-owned business in its third
generation. One of their nominators said, “You are competent and responsive.
Thanks for making a great product and for having people around that do business
with integrity and care and respect for the customer.”
The final awards
presented for the evening were the highly anticipated Man and Woman of the Year
Awards. These awards were co-sponsored by 1st Source Bank and
Times-Union.
Doug Baumgardner of 1st Source
Bank presented the Man of the Year Award first. Baumgardner stated that,
“Despite the fact that his time is most valuable, our Man of the Year always
takes time to listen, share his knowledge and provide guidance and
encouragement.” The 2017 Man of the Year is Ron Truex.
Gary Gerard, Times
Union, presented the Woman of the Year saying that one nominator described this
year’s recipient as, “going out of her way to help others, a wise counselor to
her friends and one of the most selfless, compassionate people I know.” Gerard
then announced that the 2017 Woman of the Year is Joy Lavender. More
information: Lauren Klusman Phone:
574-267-6311 lklusman@kchamber.com
Crossroads Connects, Inc
Scholarships Deadline is January 26th at 4 pm
Crossroads Connects, Inc., the
charitable arm of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce, announces the
Scholarship Program. This year we look to award two $1,000 scholarships to
seniors attending a high school in the Merrillville, Crown Point or Porter Township,
Indiana communities.
DEADLINE - January 26, 2018 at 4:00
p.m. – ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILLED OUT AND SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
Please select the downloadable
documents below that you would like to review:
Information - Get
all the details on this document
Application -
available October 27, 2017
** All References must be sent
directly to lee@crossroadschamber.org **
Reference Form -
Available October 27, 2017 - 2 Needed for your submission to be reviewed
1 - An Academic Reference
2- A reference from a Community
Member
All submission MUST be submitted
digitally o lee@crossroadschamber.org by January 26, 2018 at 4:00
p.m. – NO Exceptions!
Chamber Exec Mary Jo Orlowski
Believes Children, Education are Bedrock of Healthy Community
Most people are familiar
with Chambers of Commerce. Most cities and towns have them. Surprisingly, a lot
of people believe that Chambers are part of the local government. In fact,
they’re actually classified as Not-For-Profits, or 501 (C) 6 organizations.
Michigan City has an
excellent Chamber that is currently helmed by Mary Jo Orlowski. Orlowski grew
up in the area, and while she moved away for a time to attend Indiana
University in Bloomington, she returned a few years ago to head the Michigan
City Chamber of Commerce.
After graduating with a
Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Orlowski worked in the health industry
and traveled half the month before accepting a position with the Bloomington,
Indiana Chamber as Director of Member Services. Eventually, she heard that the
Michigan City Chamber was looking for a new president.
Upon accepting the job as
president of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce in 2016, Orlowski set to
work driving the Chamber towards improving the quality of life for members of
the community.
“[Michigan City’s] Chamber
is different in the fact that we have an Education Foundation Fund whose
mission is to help support the educational efforts of the MCAS Corporation,”
said Orlowski. “We provide funding for various programs and projects.”
Partnering with the
Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, in which she is a board member,
the MC Chamber provides transportation to the International Manufacturing Trade
Show in Chicago. Orlowski feels that it is important for students to see
manufacturing at the highest levels and be exposed to professions they might
not otherwise be.
“Education and workforce
development are key items that the Chamber supports,” Orlowski explains. ”We
have an Education Foundation Fund through the Unity Foundation. Their goal is
to further student education and prepare them to enter the workforce.”
Orlowski and the EDCMC,
along with the Chamber, recognize that the bedrock of economic growth in any
city is to invest in the education system.
“Now we’re looking at
K-12,” added Orlowski. “We start the education process even sooner than high
school. In Michigan City, we have the STEM program in the elementary and middle
school system. They expose the kids to science and math programs that they
normally wouldn’t have.”
Investing in children is
the future of any community. Orlowski believes that if groups like the Chamber
can increase the quality of life, infrastructure, and connectivity in the
community, then a dynamic economy will develop and cause more members of the
community to stay and enter the local workforce.
Orlowski is continually
looking to improve the education and workforce development of Michigan City. By
sitting on various boards, like the EDCMC, Orlowski tries to help bring
positive exposure to the school system by hosting the first ever La Porte
County Educator of the Year Awards, New Teachers Luncheon, and bringing
exposure to the Education Foundation Fund.
“The other thing we
support is the Promise Scholarship Program,” Orlowski explained. “If a student
attends school all the way through high school, in the Michigan City proper
area, they are awarded a certain dollar amount scholarship that they can use
for college.” Read more: La Porte County Lfe
Town Square Chamber
Publications: Valparaiso Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!
I want to thank you for
an outstanding map which you produced for our Valpo Chamber.In my 43 years as a
CEO in the Chamber Field, it was the smoothest project I have ever seen done.
You made all the deadlines, your print quality and cartography was second to
none. And of course you paid us in exactly the time frame you said you would so
we could count the Royalty Check towards our current year revenue.
Life is very good when
dealing with Town Square Publications.
You have the right of
first refusal to do our next map. You are a great partner for our Chamber. We
are living proof that a printed map is still very much in demand by both
advertisers and consumers.
It would be my pleasure
to recommend Town Square Publications as a firm Chambers and Tourism Bureaus
should use when considering a printed Map or other print publications.
Rex G. Richards, CCE
President
Valpo Chamber of
Commerce
Chicago Fed: Survey Shows Growth
Accelerated in Late November and December
Survey
Shows Growth Accelerated in Late November and December
The Chicago
Fed Survey of Business Conditions (CFSBC) Activity Index increased to +27 from
–14, suggesting that growth in economic activity picked up to a moderate pace
in late November and December. The CFSBC Manufacturing Activity Index moved up
to +48 from +9, and the CFSBC Nonmanufacturing Activity Index rose to +15 from
–29. Read more
The La Porte Chamber
Welcomes New Team Member Lindsay Jongkind
We had a new addition
to our team last week- welcome Lindsay Jongkind as the Chamber's new Membership
Director!
Lindsay has experience
working for a nonprofit and years of experience in an office setting. She also
completed her Event Management Certificate through the Art Institute of
Pittsburgh Online in 2016 and works part-time as the Event Coordinator for READ
La Porte County, Inc. conducting various events throughout the year. Lindsay is
also a member of the La Porte Jaycees and is looking forward to being more
involved in the community.
Lindsay's position
deals with the recruitment of new members and retention of existing members.
She also handles various billing duties for the Chamber and and will work
closely with the Ambassadors Committee. If you would like to contact Lindsay,
she can be reached at jongkind@lpchamber.com.
Top Five Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce
Daily – click below to go there or Google search “Chamber of Commerce Daily
News – John Dussman blog”
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Dec 19, 2017
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130
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Jan 11, 2018
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Jan 9, 2018
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Last
Month’s Stories -
Valpo Chamber: FYI Business Workshop - Business & Real Estate
Property Valuation More information: Valpo Chamber
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.
#FamousChamber of
Commerce Quotations: (Realize your FULL potential!)
Success is the result of
perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty and
persistence. --Colin Powell
#FamousChamber of
Commerce Quotations: (Good Cheer)
"A merry heart
doeth good like a medicine" --- Proverbs 17:22
Chamber
collaboration: Purdue conference assists businesses owned by minorities, women
and veterans Purdue University News
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Small
Businesses by Celebrating Small Business Saturday® https://www.crossroadschamber.org/events/details/small-business-saturday-3125.
Levon Johnson named new Greater Elkhart Chamber CEO
Levon Johnson named new Greater Elkhart Chamber CEO
#BestChamber
practices: Plymouth Chamber of Commerce: Business Resources: Indiana Small
Business Development Corporation Website >
2nd Annual Indiana Technology & Innovation Policy Summit View Agenda -
More information: Indiana Chamber
Jasper
Chamber Luncheon: John Seng recognized for service, Governor outlines pillars
of improvement Dubois County Free Press
Indiana Chamber Awards Top Honors to Tom Easterday, State Rep. Ed
Soliday, Scott McCorkle, City of Goshen
If you are a new chamber client and would like delivery
of a gloss Chamber directory or gloss community map in August, 2018, please
contact me at your earliest convenience.
John Dussman
John Dussman | Chamber Manager
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Helping chambers reach
strategic goals through the development and execution of chamber directories,
maps, smart marketing and social media tools.
Do you have a story idea?
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or the Chamber of Commerce Daily News blog (above), please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com with subject line: Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or the Chamber of Commerce Daily News blog (above), please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com with subject line: Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
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