Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Is Your Business Seeking New Government Contract Opportunities... Or Do You Want To Learn How?
Tuesday, May 1 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel
Meet procurement and small business liaison officers from federal, state and local government agencies and prime contractors at the 6th Annual Northern Virginia B2G Matchmaking Conference and Small Business EXPO. Hosted during the Small Business Administration's (SBA) National Small Business Week, our regional event is designed for emerging to established government contractors to support their business growth.
Featuring Keynote Speakers Antonio Doss, Washington Area District Director at the US Small Business Administration and Kevin McAleenan, Acting Commissioner of the US Department of Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, four educational workshops taught by industry experts, 40+ vendors and great connections in the Small Business EXPO.
List of Participating Agencies and Prime Contractors, as of March 14th:
Defense Health Agency
Defense Human Resource Activity
Defense Intelligence Agency
Defense Logistics Agency
Fairfax County Department of Purchasing and Supply Management
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Communications Commission
GSA
NASA
US Air Force Small Business
US Department of Customs & Border Protection
US Department of Defense- Washington Headquarters Services, USBP
US Department of Energy
US Department of Housing & Urban Development
US Department of Labor
US Department of State
US Department of Veteran Affairs - tentative
US Navy Small Business - tentative
USAID - tentative
VA Department of General Services, Division of Purchasing
AT&T
BAE Systems
CALIBRE Systems
Engility
Ernst & Young
IBM
Leidos
Lockheed Martin
ManTech
MITRE
Northrop Grumman
SAIC
SOSI
Learn More: Greater Reston Chamber
St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall County Regional Plan Developed; Time For Action
More than two hundred community leaders from all corners of the region gathered last week in Mishawaka for the unveiling of the first ever regional economic development plan. The plan launch marked the culmination of more than a year of work by hundreds of volunteers seeking to develop a roadmap for regional development over the next seven years.
The plan comes on the heels of the cooperative effort that resulted in St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties receiving a $42 million state grant from the Indiana Regional Cities program. That infusion of state dollars, combined with significant local pubic and private sector dollars will result in more than $700 million of investment in the region. Many of those projects are now underway.
The regional cities award was a little bit of a surprise. When it launched leaders in the region and down State wondered if our region would be able to come together with a collaborative effort that could compete against other Indiana regions. What resulted was a plan that caught the attention of the State and further solidified developing relationships across this region.
Some wondered if once the money was doled out if that regional collaborative spirit would continue or whether communities would go back to doing things the way they always had been done. Leaders wisely decided instead to build upon that collaborative effort that produced a winning regional cities application and next build a regional plan to help guide future efforts.
A steering committee first took a deep dive into the data, forming a better understanding of the assets of our region and how we stacked up against our peers. An overarching goal of raising per capita personal income was developed. From there, five specific focus areas were studied, and a plan was developed with those focus areas in mind.
Those focus areas are Educating a world-class WORKFORCE; Recruiting and retaining great TALENT; Attracting and growing new economy companies in complement to our remarkably strong manufacturing INDUSTRIES; Promoting INCLUSION and sparking opportunities for minorities; Helping ENTREPRENEURS.
Specific measurable goals were developed under each of those focus areas. Those goals address things like reducing income disparity, stopping out migration, improving education attainment levels, growing jobs in higher pay traded cluster industries, and establishing high tech start-ups. Specific actions have been prescribed to help achieve those goals.
Though the regional cities plan originally incorporated only the three Indiana counties, the new regional plan incorporates a broader geography that includes Southwest Lower Michigan and Northern Indiana.
A small group of leaders have been drafted to help guide progress towards those goals. An overall organizational framework has also been put in place to help guide sustainable progress. That group includes broad community representation like elected officials, private sector representatives, chambers of commerce, economic development officials, convention and visitor bureaus, and others.
Now the real work begins. Its critical that leaders across the region don’t just place this plan on a shelf but instead incorporate elements of the new plan into their own programs of work as they work closely with their regional partners on the implementation of this plan.
Places around the country that are thriving are thriving in many cases because of a shared vision by their regional leaders. Our region is experiencing some good progress but this plan, a shared vision for our region, if implemented right, will help our region compete with any in the country. Read more: Inside Indiana Business
Jeff Rea is chief executive officer of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017 The Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017 is available at the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Niki Foster and Pam Riffle and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!  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. 2nd Annual Landscaping Camp Oxford and Ole Miss Rolling Out the Green Carpet! Jeff McManus and his team of professionals have brought The University of Mississippi numerous accolades of being named “The Most Beautiful Campus” in the nation by Newsweek , USA Today’s Readers Choice competition, as well as in other national publications including the Princeton Review. McManus will reveal some of his secrets as he shares his philosophy “Work smarter, not harder. “ Among other topics will be “Cut Flowers,” with Donna Yowell, known for starting the first cut flower garden for the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, “Container Gardening” with Garden Mama aka Nellie Neal radio host, and “Southern Gardens, Southern Food, and Southern Larder” with Melissa Booth Hall from the University of Mississippi’s Southern Foodways Alliance. Tours will also take place aboard the City of Oxford’s Double Decker bus to the magnificent estate of Diane and Dickie Scruggs’ also maintained by McManus. The finale of the camp will be lead by Ed Croom a retired botanist from the University of Mississippi, as he will be guiding the campers on an exclusive tour of Rowan Oak. The campers won’t be roughing it as we roll out the green carpet at the Inn at Ole Miss during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The Landscaping Camp is being hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber and Economic Development Foundation Retirement Attraction program and sponsored by The University of Mississippi, The City of Oxford, HottyToddy.com, MaxxSouth Broadband, The Inn at Ole Miss, Grace Realty Group of Oxford and Stages Mississippi Magazine. To take advantage of the ‘Early Bird Special,” at $300 per person, register now through March 31st (does not include accommodations). After March31st the cost will be $375 per person. Deadline to register for the camp is May 18th. You can register online for the camp at www.oxfordms.com/retire-in-oxford/landscaping-camp or call 662-234-4651. Hotel reservations may be made online at www.theinnatolemiss.com and reference the group code 3677 or by calling 1-888-486-7666. Deadline for the hotel discounted rate is April 25, so sign up now! More info: Rosie Vassallo, 662-234-4651 Fox Cities Chamber Partners with Fox Valley Technical College to Offer Discounted Creative Entrepreneur Seminar for Members
The Fox Cities Chamber is partnering with the Venture Center of Fox Valley Technical College to offer an interactive four-part series, ‘Grow a Creative Biz,’ to help entrepreneur artisans discover business opportunities and develop their value proposition to differentiate their venture in the marketplace. The series is being offered on four consecutive Tuesdays beginning in April 2018. The seminar is open to the public, however, an exclusive discount is available to Fox Cities Chamber members.
This interactive series will provide attendees with guided discussion, tools and resources to help participants launch or grow their business. Award-winning “creative-preneurs” will share their experiences throughout the seminar.
Refreshments, materials, books and one-on-one coaching will be provided to attendees for $199. (An overall value estimated at $3,000.) Fox Cities Chamber members are being offered an exclusive program fee of only $175 total for all four sessions. Sessions are scheduled to occur Tuesday, April 10, April 17, April 24 and May 1. For more information, please visit foxcitieschamber.com or http://bit.ly/2twyG4v.
Participants attending this interactive seminar will benefit by: identifying their target customer and understanding how to reach them; learning how to use both the left and right brain to make a stronger business; establishing an operations plan including pricing, merchandising, packaging and shipping; and developing sales strategies that include online, storefronts and catalog.
‘Grow a Creative Biz’ is being offered at Fox Valley Technical College in the D.J. Bordini Center at 5 N. Systems Drive in Appleton. Each session is scheduled from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. For questions, please contact MiKayla Kunde, Member Engagement Coordinator, by email mkunde@foxcitieschamber.com or phone (920) 734-7101. Or more information, Emily Feagles, Director, Marketing & Communications, efeagles@foxcitieschamber.com
The Prairie du Chien Community Guide The Prairie du Chien Chamberr of Commerce Community Guide is available today at the Chamber of Commerce! Thank you to Bob Moses and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!  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. #BestChamber practices: Annual Information Update: We Want The Deets!
In the next few days, each of our members will receive an email (one per business/organization), asking that you review the information we have on file for you, and make sure everything is correct and updated. We only do this mass email one time per year.
Now, I know.... As if you need another to-do item. I get it. Honestly, I do. I can assure you, this task is absolutely to your advantage. You want potential customers to know where to find you, and how to reach you. The information you provide helps us to ensure that information about your business-which appears in our directory, both print and online-is accurate. And considering that one of the first websites that often comes up in an online search for one of our members is the Chamber website, then you definitely want your information to be correct in our records!
So, when you receive the email asking for your deets (details, for those of us over the age of 40), please make sure to reply quickly. We promise to make it easy on you, and get your information updated. Of course, if your information changes at any time during the year, you are welcome to contact our office to make updates, or go through your member portal ("Member Login" at the top of the Chamber's webpage) to make your updates. If you've forgotten your login credentials, we'll help you. Simply contact chamber@macc.org or tlewis@macc.org.
Can't wait to get all the deets!!
Chamber collaboration: Galesburg chosen for state arts conference
The Illinois Arts Council Agency and Arts Alliance Illinois announce the next One State Together in the Arts conference will be Oct. 22-23 in Galesburg. Additional pre-conference events for the Illinois Local Arts Network on Oct. 21 will kick off the 10th occasion of this statewide convening for the arts, culture and creativity.
A first-time host community for One State, Galesburg was selected following a highly competitive, three-phase process led by a 10-member committee comprised of arts leaders from across Illinois. Joining forces to submit the community’s proposal were the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, under Executive Director Jessica Linder, and Michelle Kim, director of tourism for the Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We were extremely impressed by Galesburg’s commitment to One State,” said Alliance Executive Director Claire Rice. “They imagined a conference that will take us into the heart of their arts community in imaginative and innovative ways. Nearly two dozen local stakeholders collaborated on the proposal including the Galesburg Civic Art Center and Discovery Depot Children’s Museum, as well as Knox College, Carl Sandburg College, the Galesburg Community Foundation, and the Honorable John Pritchard, Mayor of Galesburg. This type of cross-sector collaboration is reflective of the Alliance’s reimagined mission and our approach to the conference this year. We are looking forward to diving into the planning process with this cooperative, energetic, and dedicated team.”
“After a difficult few years for Illinois, this is the perfect time for us to come together as a creative community,” said Joshua Davis, acting executive director of the Illinois Arts Council Agency. “One State will be an occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, acknowledge our struggles, and affirm the power of connection through the arts. We look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces this fall in Galesburg.” Read more: Register-Mail
Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce: Legislative Priorities
The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is the region’s largest business advocacy organization representing over 1,000 businesses and approximately 30,000 employees. As an investor-driven organization, the Chamber serves as the VOICE of the business community and strives to present
a united effort on our behalf.
The positions of support or opposition the Paducah Chamber takes are first vetted by the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee. This committee hears from experts on topics of interest, reviews documents presented and conducts research before taking a position on an issue. All positions are
then reviewed by the Chamber’s Board of Directors before taking a vote. Both groups are made up
of business and civic leaders who are committed to growing our community’s economy.
The Paducah Chamber and its partners work hard to create a community that is thriving, nationally competitive and economically diverse. Since the mid-1990s the Paducah Chamber has employed
John Cooper and Capital Link to serve as our legislative agent and strategist. John actively promotes
our community’s legislative priorities during state and federal sessions.
Kentucky currently ranks 33rd on the Tax Foundation’s 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index. In addition, Forbes recently ranked Kentucky 35th on its list of Best States for Business. In order for Kentucky to move to the top of these lists, we must rank well in such categories as business costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life to become identified as a state where a business can be financially successful.
For the Commonwealth and our community to be a prime location for site consultants and to encourage existing businesses to continue to expand, legislation must be approved that will stimulate a healthy, vibrant economy; provide an adequate and well-trained labor supply; and maintain quality transportation infrastructure on which companies can move their products efficiently and cost effectively.
Our community asks the General Assembly to support us in our efforts by approving policies during the 2018 Session that will move Kentucky forward to become more competitive, prosperous and business-friendly.
Public Policy Priorities
Budget
Tax Reform
Pension Reform
Transportation Infrastructure
Education
Essential Skills
Workforce & Human Resources
Medical Liability Reform
Workers’ Compensation
Unemployment Insurance
Workforce Training Efficiencies
Healthcare Professionals
Wellness Programs
Statewide Smoking Ban
Cigarette Tax
Drug Addiction
Community & Economic Development
Energy
Broadband
Tourism
Economic Development Incentives
TVA In-Lieu-of -Tax-Payments
Intellectual Property
Medicaid Pharmacy Benefits
Whitehaven Welcome Center
Transportation Priorities
State and Federal Funding
More information: Paducah Area Chamber
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
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