Chicago Fed Midwest Economy Index points to a pickup in Midwest economic growth in February; Virginia Peninsula Chamber names new CEO; Business Breakfast Bytes, from the Fox Cities Chamber, will focus on Sustainability in the Workplace in April; Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Howell named Great American Main Street Award recipient at national convention in Kansas City; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor); Michigan City Chamber of Commerce celebrating a century; The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce Guide & Map; NKY Chamber: Sales Essential Workshop - 5 Steps to Boost Sales with Social Media; NKY Chamber: Sales Essential Workshop - 5 Steps to Boost Sales with Social Media; New Lighthouse In Waveland a Tourist Attraction; Marshall Area Chamber: From the Directors Desk; 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!



Chicago Fed Midwest Economy Index points to a pickup in Midwest economic growth in February


The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) moved up to +0.44 in February from +0.34 in January. Contributions to the February MEI from three of the four broad sectors of nonfarm business activity and three of the five Seventh Federal Reserve District states increased from January. The relative MEI rose to +0.31 in February from –0.15 in January. Contributions to the February relative MEI from all four sectors and all five states increased from January. Read more: Chicago Federal Reserve


Virginia Peninsula Chamber names new CEO

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce named a new president and CEO to succeed Mike Kuhns, who is retiring at the end of March.

Robert S. McKenna, who served 27 years in the Navy before retiring as a captain in mid-2011, starts as the chamber’s new leader on Thursday, Kuhns said.

“Bob’s extensive leadership experience, at the highest level, is what separated him from all the other applicants,” said Chamber Board Chairman Dan Chenoweth. “We wanted someone who can continue our focus on regional collaborative leadership and who has a proven record of team building.”

McKenna lives in Newport News and was selected from more than 185 applicants to lead the 1,400-member organization, Kuhns said. Kuhns will work with McKenna through March as part of the leadership transition. Daily Press

Business Breakfast Bytes, from the Fox Cities Chamber, will focus on Sustainability in the Workplace in April

APPLETON, Wis. (March 29, 2018) – The Fox Cities Chamber’s monthly educational program, Business Breakfast Bytes, will focus on sustainability in the workplace in April. A panel of experts will provide education on the basics of sustainability, the benefits of implementing sustainability initiatives into the workplace and the simple ways to incorporate a “green” lifestyle at work.

People may be unaware of the various categories relating to sustainability as well as the smaller efforts that can be made to lessen the impact on the environment. In recognition of Earth Day in April, attendees will hear from a local small business on how they have taken on the mission of becoming the most environmentally responsible credit union in the nation. There will also be a discussion on the process of becoming a “Travel Green Wisconsin” certified location.

Join Heather McCombs, Sustainable Management Instructor from UW Oshkosh, as she leads the session. The panel of experts will include Kelle Hartman, Children & Family Educator from Green Bay Botanical Garden and Roni Kasperek, Sustainability Manager from Evergreen Credit Union.

"This discussion will address how sustainability applies to three key areas of your business: facilities, operations, and management, and what the costs and benefits of implementing them are. Learn how to get your business started with a green team and look at some third-party rating systems that your business can choose as a guide through the process," shared session facilitator McCombs.

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 April session, being hosted at Pullman’s at Trolley Square in Appleton from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 17. 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.



Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber today! Thanks to Jon Maynard, Pam Swain, Rosie Vassalo and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Oxford Mississippi 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory

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.

Howell named Great American Main Street Award recipient at national convention in Kansas City

Members, staff and board of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the Howell MainStreet DDA and board members for receiving the Great American Mainstreet Award (GAMSA).  At a live stream at Aberrant Ales, a new brewpub and eatery in downtown Howell, hundreds of proud Howell residents, business leaders and community leaders gathered to cross their fingers and cheer on Howell as everyone eagerly awaited the announcement from the Main Street America presenters in Kansas City. The three national GAMSA award recipients for 2018 are: Rock Spring, Wyoming, Oregon City, Oregon and Howell, Michigan. The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce works in collaboration with Howell Main Street DDA and DDA Board to secure placemaking efforts, making Howell a destination location to eat, shop, play, worship, go to school, work and live. These efforts benefit area residents and business owners, so much so that these honors belong to all of us who call Howell home. This is the philosophy that the Howell Chamber relays with their awards as well, including 2016 Outstanding Chamber of the Year and the Michigan WORKS! “Outstanding Workforce Development Program,” received in 2017. It requires diligence and dedication to be nominated and submit the applications for these awards. The Howell Chamber is proud to be part of this outstanding community and look forward to more adventures right here in Howell!

Via www.mainstreet.org:

More information: Howell Area Chamber



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

RULE #112     Don’t be sorry.

Michigan City Chamber of Commerce celebrating a century

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce will kick off its 100th anniversary this year by hosting its first celebratory event on March 24.

The Centennial Gala will be held from 5:30 to 11 p.m. at Blue Chip's Stardust Event Center, 778 Blue Chip Drive.

The gala will celebrate both the chamber's and the business community's 100 years of success, chamber President Mary Jo Orlowski said.


"We will honor longtime members and focus on the important role all of our members play in making Michigan City a great place to grow a business," Orlowski said.

"We encourage members and the public to join us for this once-in-a-century evening featuring special guests, signature cocktails, gourmet dining and live music."

Cost is $100 per person. Advance registration is required. Participants can register and pay online at MichiganCityChamber.com or call 219-874-6221.

Charlie Keene, vice president of General Insurances Services, serves as the chamber Board of Directors president.

Keene said he is proudest of the chamber's support of the Michigan City Area Schools and its support and development of Lakefront Career Network, a committee that raises money to help those with needs.

"The future of our chamber, and I'd like to see it continue for another 100 years and beyond, is on our focus on young folks so it will continue to grow," Keene said.

The chamber was founded on June 14, 1918, by a group of men including Joseph Hays, who owned Hays Corp., Orlowski said.

Meetings were held at Marquette Hall and the first president was Leon Kramer, who served part-time and in an unpaid position. Read more: NWI Times




The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce Guide & Map

The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce  Guide & Map is available at the Green Lake County Chamber! Thanks to the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Green Lake map

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.

NKY Chamber: Sales Essential Workshop - 5 Steps to Boost Sales with Social Media
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:30 AM - 10:30 AMEST

Northern Kentucky Chamber Of Commerce
300 Buttermilk Pike Suite 330
Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017


5 Steps to Boost Sales with Social Medi


Learning Objectives in this session will be:

• How to create an impactful social media presence

• How to reach your target audience

• How to build lasting relationships on social media

• How to engage effectively, promptly and consistently


This session will be presented by Michelle Hummel who was recently nominated for the Woman Owned Business of the Year! She’s a passionate Social Media Trainer with 15+ years of successful online business development, sales and marketing experience. She holds a valuable Internet Marketing Degree and travels Nationwide providing social media keynotes and in-depth training. Read more: NKY Chamber of Commerce



New Lighthouse In Waveland a Tourist Attraction

A new lighthouse is making a tourist attraction out of bathrooms on the beach, by incorporating them into a $1.9 million lighthouse with a roof-level viewing deck.

"We're the only city on the Coast that doesn't have a bathroom facility on the beach," Mayor Mike Smith told the Sun Herald .

Several of those cities have lighthouses. The Biloxi Lighthouse is one of that city's biggest attractions. Gulfport built a replica lighthouse at Jones Park after Hurricane Katrina and Pascagoula rebuilt the iconic Round Island Lighthouse as a beacon at the entrance of the city.

The Waveland lighthouse is for tourism rather than navigation, and officials say the deck will provide excellent water views.

"It will be an attraction for the city to draw people to Waveland beaches," said Tish Williams, executive director of Hancock Chamber of Commerce. "The Waveland beaches are beautiful."

Groundbreaking was held Friday for the project, which is under a 280-day contract, WLOX-TV reported .

"Oh my gosh, it's just amazing," Cindy Rice told the station. "We are from Michigan, we winter down here, and this has been in the works for so long."

Smith said he expects the new beach volleyball courts will be used much more once bathrooms are available.

He also says he hopes work can be finished by the end of the summer.

Former Mayor David Garcia first proposed the idea.

"We improved the design and sought out funding," said Smith.

He said no local taxes will be needed. The money is coming from Mississippi Tidelands funds paid primarily by waterfront casinos, GoMesa money from offshore oil rigs and a sea wall tax, which comes from a gasoline tax. Read more: WTVA.org



Marshall Area Chamber: From the Directors Desk

Happy Spring! We have quite a bit of great things going on in our community. Take a look at the calendar of events, be sure to get out and enjoy all the great opportunities! Our annual career fair is shaping up nicely and several of you have registered for the marketing lunch and learn. We are very anxious to host an open house, April 20, to show off our newly remodeled building and introduce our small business's in the building.
The community wide yard sale is coming up in May and not to long after, the end of the school year.  On May 16th, we will be touring the first grade class downtown to learn about the Walldog murals.  Our investors and potential investors will be invited to hear updates from the county, city, school system and the chamber at the community update late May.
The National Road Heritage Corridor group will be meeting on April 12 at 6pm at the Martinsville Public Library (downstairs), if you are interested, please join us.
We have had a lot of interest in our community in the last several months, I have been fielding a lot of phone calls and tours of our great community, but lets remember we often bring guests to your businesses, lets leave them with the BEST impression of Marshall as we can!  


Happy Easter,
Jennifer Bishop

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