Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Directors held the first Annual Manufacturing Dinner; Indiana commerce secretary touts the state's success luring business at Valpo event; Clydesdales visit EMBDC Business After Hours; #BestChamber practices: WMC SPECIAL: Early Bird Registration only $50 for Business World Summer Camps:;Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory; The future of mobility runs through Flint & Genesee; Clarkston Area Chamber : 5 Ways to Improve Your Small Business Marketing; Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map; Dearborn Area Chamber Names 2018 Teacher of the Year Award Recipients; Grand Rapids Chamber Small Business Series: Mindscape Shares Five Quick Tips for Small Businesses to Generate Leads & Sales Online; Halifax County Chamber of Commerce donates to SVHEC workforce training programs; Legislators give session update to Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Directors held the first Annual Manufacturing Dinner

On Thursday, May 3^rd, The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Directors held the first Annual Manufacturing Dinner.  Over 150 people attended the event held at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Il.   Manufacturing has been and continues to be a primary contributor to the success of the Sauk Valley Area.  The SVACC believes the collaboration being done between Manufacturing and Education (Sauk Valley Community College, Morrison Institute of Technology, and the Whiteside Area Career Center) to address workforce development and improve career pathways is critical to the growth of  the Sauk Valley.  

The Dinner provided an informal evening of discussion and highlight programming at Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) , the Multicraft Program offered through SVCC and area employers, and updates at  Morrison Institute of Technology.  Also included were student testimonials, tours of SVCC Manufacturing area, and a dessert auction. The funds raised will be used for Scholarships for students pursuing manufacturing careers and chamber work in the area of workforce development and helping to create talent pipelines. 

For more information about the SVACC, please call 825-625-2400 or email knoble@saukvalleyareachamber.com 


Indiana commerce secretary touts the state's success luring business at Valpo event

The state's business climate is solid and is taking flight,  including direct transatlantic flights to Paris starting on May 24, Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger said.

"We are such a magnet for business," Schellinger said.

Schellinger, 58, was featured speaker at a joint luncheon hosted on Thursday by the Valparaiso Chamber and the Valparaiso Economic Development Corp.

The top reasons Indiana continues to attract new businesses include a low tax rate, a AAA credit rating and a cash reserve of $2 billion.

"We have so much to be proud of," Schellinger said.

Rex Richards, who serves as president of both the chamber and the VEDC, introduced Schellinger at the event held at Aberdeen Manor.

"The Valpo chamber is delighted to have Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger as the featured speaker at a joint luncheon hosted by the Valpo chamber and the Valparaiso Economic Development Corp. Secretary Schellinger has worked with Valparaiso to help recruit businesses from out of state who have been looking at Valparaiso as a site for expansion," Richards said.

Schellinger, a onetime Democratic candidate for governor, was named in 2016 by Gov. Eric Holcomb to serve as his commerce secretary.

The former Indiana Economic Development Corp. president, who grew up in South Bend, leads Indiana's international economic development agenda.

Before entering public service, Schellinger was chairman and CEO of CSO Architects, which built the Indianapolis International Airport, the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts and the White family's JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.

Indiana has a number of reasons to be proud, including a 3.2 percent unemployment rate and more Hoosiers working over the last 32 months, Schellinger said. Read more: NWI Times

Clydesdales visit EMBDC Business After Hours

Mitchell Distributing partnered with the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation to host this month’s Business After Hours.

Various local restaurants and businesses were serving food and drinks at the event. The Budweiser Clydesdales even made a special appearance. People were able to take pictures and learn about the famous horses. CEO of Mitchell distributing, Adam Mitchell, says he is honored to have the Clydesdales here in Meridian.


"They've been here before, but it's been almost 10 years. To have them back, with the EMBDC and with Business After Hours is very exciting,” says Mitchell.


Friday the Budweiser Clydesdales will be parading downtown Meridian delivering beer to local restaurants. They will began at D.T. Grinders at five in the afternoon and will end at City Hall where people can come and enjoy the horses. Read more: WTOK

#BestChamber practices: WMC SPECIAL: Early Bird Registration only $50 for Business World Summer Camps:

Wisconsin Business World is celebrating 35 years and the program continues to grow. This year Business World is pleased to add a third program and feature two new locations (UW-Madison & UW-Stevens Point). This 4-day and 3-night program teaches high school students the importance of career planning, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and the free-market enterprise system. Registration is now open for each of the three summer programs. Do you know a student who should apply? Register at the link below:

https://www.wmc.org/programs/business-world/summer-program/


Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory  

The Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Business Directory   is available at the Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Krisann Durnford and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! 

Muskego 2018 Community Resource Guide and Business 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.

The future of mobility runs through Flint & Genesee

Flint & Genesee represents the heritage and the future of the automotive industry. The assets are all here, said Tyler Rossmaessler, director of economic development at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce.
The challenge and opportunity, Rossmaessler said, is to leverage those strengths to grow the regional economy by luring investment in connection with emerging opportunities.
The “traditional” industry is well-represented by General Motors and the automaker’s extensive investments here in recent years. GM has invested $2.8 billion since 2009 to upgrade facilities and add or retain jobs, including spending $877 million on a new body shop at Flint Assembly where Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks are built. In addition, Lear Corp. is nearing completion on a $29-million seat manufacturing plant on part of the former Buick City complex to supply seating for GM vehicles.
The future of mobility – which includes the development of autonomous and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) – is emerging here in the form of new investments by several companies in Grand Blanc Township:

• CNXMotion opened a research and development facility in October 2017 where the company will develop advanced motion control systems and actuator components for automated driving. The company is a joint venture between Nexteer Automotive and Continental Corp.
• A month earlier, Laird, a global technology leader in vehicle connectivity, also unveiled a new R&D center that will serve the company’s Connected Vehicle Solutions
• Now, Magna Corp., a mobility technology company, is building a 229,500-square-foot building where it will combine existing operations under one roof to produce advanced driver-assistance systems. Magna recently announced a multi-year collaboration with Lyft in which the companies will jointly fund, develop and manufacture self-driving systems.

Meanwhile, Kettering University’s GM Mobility Research Center is taking shape along the Flint River on the site of former Chevrolet manufacturing complex (aka Chevy in the Hole). It includes a 3.25-acre test track and outdoor lab space to test and develop driverless car systems.
The Flint & Genesee Chamber is also a partner in PlanetM, an initiative of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. PlanetM is partnership of mobility organizations, communities, educational institutions, research and development, and government agencies working together to develop and deploy the mobility technologies driving the future.
“The traditional automotive industry is strong in trucks and we make trucks. So, we are in the ‘now’,” Rossmaessler said. “But we’re also about the future, and really have an opportunity for growth. Flint & Genesee is not being left behind. Far from it, we’re in the thick of it.

“From our position as the economic development organization, we are a connection point for those companies looking to invest.” Source: Flint & Genesee Chamber

#ACCE18 early bird discount ends this Friday
Don’t miss your chance to save $80 on your Annual Convention registration. Early bird discounts end this Friday (May 18). Join people from Aruba, Australia, Bonaire, Canada, France, Israel, Vietnam, 41 U.S. states and D.C. who have already registered for #ACCE18. Connect with peers from around the world this July in Des Moines. Register today to save $80.

Clarkston Area Chamber : 5 Ways to Improve Your Small Business Marketing


While your basic marketing plan might work for your business, there are things you can do to improve. Find out how to improve marketing for your small business.

Learn From Competitors

Find out what they are doing to attract customers. If you’re the only company in your industry still using cold calling techniques and with little return, it’s time to learn from the other players in the game. Their tactics might work for you, especially since you are trying to attract the same customers.

Get Testimonials

You can attract more customers by getting reviews from people who have already purchased from you.

You can put your reviews in multiple places, so potential customers are sure to see them. You can add reviews to your website. You might have a dedicated testimonials page, or you might let customers review your products.

Update Social Media

First, keep your account information updated and accurate. If something about your business changes, your social media profile should change, too. Make sure your website, address, hours, logo, and pictures are all current.

Second, post fresh content. You must regularly post new content on your social media pages.

Get Out of the Store

Whether you have a storefront or a home-based business, it’s important for potential customers to get to know you and your business. They need to see you. Sometimes, that means you have to go out to where your customers are instead of waiting for them to come to you. 

Become an Expert

You can improve your small business marketing by positioning yourself as a local expert. Becoming an expert is one of the long-term marketing tactics for small business, but can provide a big payoff.

Full article here - Forbes

Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map 

The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Rochester Regional Chamber today! Thanks to the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Rochester Regional Chamber Map

Town Square Publications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633. 


Dearborn Area Chamber Names 2018 Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

Hundreds of teachers, students and families attended a special ceremony on Thursday, April 26, 2018 to recognize and honor the teachers of the Dearborn Public Schools district at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.  The 21^st annual Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Students’ Choice Award Ceremony, hosted by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by LaFontaine Automotive Group recognized the Teacher of the Year for grade categories Pre-Kindergarten- 2^nd grade, 3^rd – 5^th grade, middle school and high school.

The winning teachers for 2018 are Elizabeth Gutierrez of Geer Park Elementary School (PK-2^nd grades), Maria Iuliano of Geer Park Elementary School (3^rd-5^th grades), Peter Suni of Bryant Middle School, and John Bayerl of Michael Berry Career Center. Each of the four honorees received a $1,000 cash prize from the Chamber, a hand-made glass apple award from the Glass Academy in Dearborn, a membership to the Henry Ford, a gift basket full of goodies from area businesses, and are now part of a select group of Dearborn teachers who have been recognized by the community for their ability to make a difference.

The Chamber’s Education Committee, chaired by Philipp Emma, had the tough job of selecting four winners from a field of nearly 2,700 nominations. Nominations were received and carefully chosen by the committee, made up of a group of dedicated and highly motivated members of the educational and business communities.

“Dearborn Public Schools has pioneered Early College and the Collegiate Academy, technical education and career planning, graduating students with RN degrees, Cisco Certifications and Associate degrees” commented Jackie Lovejoy, president of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. “The inspiring and committed educators in all areas are a stellar group and we’re delighted to honor them each year.  We are so thankful for the support of LaFontaine Automotive Group and all of our sponsors and partners who make this wonderful awards ceremony possible!”

Elizabeth Gutierrez was nominated as a 1^st grade teacher at Geer Park Elementary School by her student, Ali Zreik. Ali wrote in his nomination essay, “My teacher reads really fun books to the kids!”  Ali also included a hand-drawn picture of Mrs. Gutierrez and himself in the classroom.

Maria Iuliano was nominated by her student, Medina Faraj for her tremendous efforts as a 4^th grade teacher at Geer Park Elementary.  Medina shared why her teacher should be recognized among the best. “Instead of her doing all the work, she lets the students use the promethium board. This causes the kids to raise their hand because they want to demonstrate in front of the class.”

The middle school teacher of the year, Peter Suni, was nominated for his outstanding teaching at Bryant Middle School. He was nominated by student Hannan Farhat, who described her teacher as “a teacher who is easy going and puts in effort and connects the classroom with everyday life and makes learning fun.”

The high school winner, John Bayerl is a teacher & Special Populations Coordinator at the Michael Berry Career Center. He works with the kids, like a counselor, helping guide them and tutor them and will step in to take over a class if no sub, etc. He considers all the students to be his students and vice versa. He was nominated by his student Dana Mansi.

“In my four years of high school…” Dana wrote in her nomination. “I have never met a person who has as much faith in me as this teacher!”

Community partners sponsoring the event are LaFontaine Automotive Group, McDonald’s “The Future” in Dearborn, Dearborn Federal Savings Bank, DFCU Financial, Gallagher Benefits Services, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, 1^st Choice Urgent Care, MEEMIC Toler-Stemen Agency, Dearborn Federation of Teachers, Jim Thorpe Ameriprise Financial, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Fairlane Town Center, United States Army & Army Reserves, Famous Hamburger, PSN Technology, La Pita Restaurant, Henry Ford College, Korte’s Collision, Services to Enhance Potential (S.T.E.P.), Dearborn Education Foundation, Sphinx Technology, EduCare Student Services, Siena Heights University, Chief Financial Credit Union, Rugenski Chiropractic, Delta Dental, Kiwanis Dearborn Outer Drive, Buffalo Wild Wings, Mati’s Deli, & State Rep. Abduallah Hammoud.

The Dearborn Symphony donated concert tickets to attending teachers at the awards ceremony, Sam’s Club of Southgate provided reception refreshments, the Glass Academy donated the glass “apple” awards, Brome Burger and Yogurtopia of Dearborn donated gift cards for the winning teachers, and the Henry Ford donated a membership for each winning teacher.  The United States Army & Army Reserves donated classroom materials for each winning teacher.

Education is one of the Dearborn Area Chamber’s core strategies.  Through programs such as Teacher of the Year, the Chamber, a 600+ member organization, cultivates learning and mentoring opportunities between the student population and local business.  They also are the hosts of the Metro Detroit Young Entrepreneurs Academy entering their 6^th year with US Chamber Foundation.

For more information, please contact the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce by phone at 313-584-6100. Be sure to follow the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at facebook.com/DearbornAreaChamber, on Twitter @DbnAreaChamber and online at www.dearbornareachamber.org for all the latest news and events.

Grand Rapids Chamber Small Business Series: Mindscape Shares Five Quick Tips for Small Businesses to Generate Leads & Sales Online

Unfortunately, relying on “word of mouth” isn’t enough to grow a small business as quickly as one might hope. That’s why, with Chamber programs like the Small Business Series, small business owners and employees can get access to subject matter experts that provide them with the tools and insights they need to succeed.
Because our membership consists of 80 percent small businesses (and we are proud of it!), we work diligently to provide whatever resources and assistance they may need to thrive within the community.
For the most recent installation of the series on April 2018, we explored how to generate more leads and sales online profitably with Pete Brand, CEO, and Co-Founder of MINDSCAPE (inbound marketing and website development agency). MINDSCAPE has helped hundreds of companies around the world generate well over $1 billion in online revenue, and Pete Brand is truly an expert in the field of digital marketing.

Through this hands-on workshop, Brand discussed how companies can tie together all their online marketing efforts to create a steady flow of high quality, high value leads flowing directly from their websites. He also shared tips on how to convert those leads into happy clients without having to waste hard-earned dollars on unprofitable and ineffective marketing tactics.

For those who weren’t able to make it, here are five relevant and concrete takeaways from the workshop:

1. If you want to be successful in your marketing, be relational, NOT transactional.

   • Delivering valuable content to your customers or audience should be a priority regardless of whether or not they pull out their checkbook. “If you’re only thinking about your bottom line and are focused on the transactional, interruption-based marketing, your success and sustainability will be limited,” said Brand.

2. “Your website is your most valuable business asset… don’t treat it like a stale brochure!” – Pete Brand

   • Because your website is your most valuable asset, don’t do the lazy thing and have your 16-year-old nephew design it for you! Both the IT aspect of your website and the visual appeal and user experience are vital to your end mission – and your nephew may not understand that, even if he’s “good at the Internet.” While we’re on the subject, don’t be that business that requires web visitors to answer a million questions and provide a DNA sample before revealing the pricing of your products and services.

3. Pay per click advertising is renting attention. Inbound marketing is OWNING attention.

   • The fact is, consumers buy differently than they did ten years ago. This is why blogging, keywords, and social publishing are more vital than ever before.

4. Know your buyer persona.

   • “Spend your time getting to know the personas that your company serves intimately so that you can understand what makes them tick, as well as their buyer journey,” Brand explained. “Once you have an understanding, use this intelligence to deliver value and position your company as a trusted resource.”

5. Speaking of delivering value and being a trusted resource, according to Brand, the “magic number” for blogging is about ten to twelve blog posts per month! (this includes mediums like podcasts and videos)

   • Don’t have the time for that? According to Brand, in the era of the Internet, saying that you don’t have time to blog is equivalent to saying you don’t have time to talk to your customers.

---

Like what you’ve learned so far? Then be there for the next installment of our Small Business Series on Monday, May 21, 2018. This time, we will be exploring emotional intelligence and how to manage emotions to make more stable decisions and effectively communicate in ways that get results.

Small Business Series: Emotional Intelligence

Monday, May 21, 2018 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Grand Rapids Chamber
250 Monroe Ave NW Ste 150
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Register Here


Halifax County Chamber of Commerce donates to SVHEC workforce training programs

The Halifax County Chamber of Commerce recently donated proceeds from its fourth annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament to support workforce training programs at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

“The golf tournament has been one of the most successful programs the chamber has implemented. It is our pleasure to use that money to benefit workforce development in our community,” said Nookie Green, owner of Distinct Impressions in downtown South Boston, and five-year chairman of the Chamber’s golf tournament committee.

Nettie Simon-Owens, chief workforce development officer, accepted the chamber’s donation on behalf of the SVHEC. “We appreciate the ongoing support of the chamber and its members in our training efforts. The donation will benefit participants in our workforce training programs that include Work Ready Foundations, Welding, IT Academy, and Mechatronics,” Simon-Owens stated.

SVHEC workforce training programs provide short-term (less than a year), hands-on training that leads to industry recognized certifications. Because of these programs, 173 skilled workers were added to the regional economy in fiscal year 2017. Read more: Work It, SOVA

Legislators give session update to Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber

State Rep. John Sims and State Sen. Steve West were in Maysville Thursday to give an update on the recent legislative session in Frankfort.

The event was sponsored by the Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce.

West spoke on the three major pieces of legislation passed during the session, including House Bill 200, which was the budget bill; Senate Bill 151, which was the pension reform bill; and the tax reform bill.

“This session could be summed up in a few adjectives — it was difficult, painful, historic, productive,” West said. “This is my fourth session. Some of the old timers there said this was the craziest, most pressure packed session they’ve seen. There were protests and a lot of speech from both parties. We eventually overrode vetoes from our governor in our own party.”

Of the budget bill, West said. “I felt we did a really good job keeping everything whole,” he said. “The main things we wanted to do was protect public protection, infrastructure and education.”

West said in regards to K-12 public education, legislators were able to pass a budget that put more money into the Support Excellence in Education in Kentucky fund, return funding for Family Resource and Youth Service Center programs and restored funding for school transportation.”

“We did a really good job protecting education,” he said. “You might see something on social media about how 6.25 percent was cut from education, but that’s not entirely true. We did cut from 6.25 percent but it was from the Frankfort component. You have several components. One of those is the Kentucky Department of Education component and the daily operations of that. That’s what we mean when we say we cut the Frankfort component.”

West also explained why the final pension reform bill was pushed through as Senate Bill 151, which was originally a waste water bill. Read more: The Ledger Independent

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