Wednesday, June 6, 2018

#BestChamber practices: #ChamberROI - Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce: Tiered Membership Features at the Classic (Basic) Level - WOW! - Northwest Indiana Influential Woman Association looks to advance businesswomen; Chamber partnership: ‘Real Resources’ session offered Wednesday in Neenah; From the ACCE weekly "from chambers, for chambers"; Don't forget to sign up for #ACCE18 in #DSMUSA - here ACCE in DesMoines; Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber host: Create lasting memories at 'Birmingham’s hometown fair'; South Suburban Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory; Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to speak at Rooster Booster on Thursday; Margaritaville Hotel in Vicksburg hosts job fair to fill more than 170 positions; Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Wednesday: Announcing the Chamber Pros Webinar Series; 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!

#BestChamber practices: #ChamberROI - Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce: Tiered Membership Features at the Classic (Basic) Level - WOW!


Benefits & Services

Benefits Summary Classic Level Benefits
  • Notary Public Service - A Chamber staff person is available to provide notary services, free of charge, to Chamber member businesses.
  • Multiple subscriptions to the Chamber E-Newsletter - This Chamber e-newsletter is distributed to every member business, individual contacts within member businesses, plus city, county, and state officials - approximately 3,700. Each newsletter contains information on Chamber activities, issues of concern to members, committee reports, special events, new member updates and a calendar of events.
  • Access to online educational programs & webinars provided by COGGNO
  • New On-Demand Education & Training Resources for Chamber Members - The newly launched on-demand online training webinars and resources are here for your continuing education on a variety of important topics for your staff training and professional development: team-building, leadership, motivation, and more.
  • Multiple subscriptions to the Chamber Report - The Chamber Report is a valuable resource for business news in the region. With multiple subscriptions, you can ensure that your business is kept as up-to-date as possible.
  • Effective representation in membership
  • The membership committee ensures all members are receiving the most out of their membership and continually reviews and updates member benefits and services.
  • U.S. Chamber Ally membership - Small Business Nation - U.S. Chamber Small Business Nation is a community that was founded on the open exchange of information and ideas, while creating the opportunity for small businesses to speak with a unified voice. Bringing together America’s small businesses - the engine of economic growth - will strengthen individual endeavors while amplifying the collective voice of business.
  • Business PAC of Central Illinois - BIZPAC is the premier independent, business-focused political action committee focusing on state and local races in the greater Peoria region. BIZPAC fosters positive change in the community by recruiting dynamic candidates and providing them with resources, connections, and expertise to implement business solutions in the Peoria community.
  • Young Professional’s Organization of Greater Peoria - The Young Professionals Organization of Greater Peoria (YPGP) is a group of 20 and 30-somethings that have a mutual interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development. This Chamber-run
  • organization’s mission is to offer opportunities to attract and retain young professionals in the Greater Peoria Area by engaging, empowering, and developing those that shape our community.
  • Unlimited use of Chamber conference rooms (as available) - Our beautiful office space on Water Street is an ideal place to hold meetings. We have several conference rooms available for reservation, cubicle spaces, and a Smart Room, which has internet capabilities and a smart board.
Savings and Values
  • Sam’s Club gift card - When you join or renew your Sam’s Club membership, you’ll receive a Business Membership $10 gift card, or a Business Plus Member $25 gift card.
  • Member-to-Member deals - Member-to-Member deals, or M2M deals, are offered exclusively from Chamber members, to Chamber members. With a membership, your company will get the best prices from the most prestigious local businesses.
  • Walz Label and Mailing Systems discount - By joining the Walz Discount Program, you agree to let Walz be the preferred provider for your mailing, document handling, and other office equipment needs. With this agreement you will receive great savings, local sales and services, and an outstanding product selection.
  • Office Depot Advantage Program - As a member of the Office Depot Advantage program, you’ll receive discounted prices, a dedicated account rep, and fast,
  • free delivery.
  • 20% discount on Constant Contact subscription - Chamber members get pre-pay discounts of 20% for 6 months and 25% for a year on Email Marketing, Online Survey, and Event Marketing tools.
  • Members-only pricing for Chamber events & programs - The Chamber offers a variety of programs and events to the Peoria community. As a member, you have the opportunity to attend our annual events and monthly programs at a discounted price.
  • Gulf Plains Energy Co-op - With the Gulf Plains Energy Cooperative and increased purchasing power, businesses realize better rates and budget sustainability.
  • FedEx Advantage discount program - Receive member-only discounts on all FedEx products and services.
  • Credit card processing discount program - Central Illinois Business Services offers a discounted Merchant Services Plan available for members only. All members receive unbelievably low interchange plus pricing and dedicated account servicing. Free account review to see if you’re
  • getting a fair deal with your current provider.
  • The Peoria Area Chamber Rx Savings Card - This program includes discounts on prescriptions, vision, hearing, diabetic supplies, and more. It is offered to members, employees, friends, and families at no extra cost.
  • CEFCU At Work - Partner with CEFCU @Work, Free Lunch-N-Learns.
  • Liberty Mutual Group Savings Plus - The Chamber has teamed up with Liberty Mutual to offer members and their employees the Group Savings Plus®. Take advantage of a 10% discount on your auto insurance and a 5% discount on your homeowners or renters insurance. Liberty Mutual offers competitive rates on high-quality auto, home, and renters insurance.
  • Staples Advantage Program
  • As a member of the Staples Advantage program, you’ll receive discounted prices, a dedicated account rep, and fast, free delivery.
Advocacy and Access
  • Subscription to government affairs E-Newsletter - This e-newsletter covers local, state, and federal issues impacting member businesses. 
  • Effective representation in government affairs - The Government Affairs committee works to educate and inform regional business leaders to increase grassroots political participation, create strategic partnerships that enhance the effectiveness of government affairs activities, encourage pro-business candidates, connect with current elected officials, and develop regional public policy recommendations to support/improve area business climate.
  • Effective representation in education and workforce development - The Education & Workforce Development committee serves as a link between the business and education communities on K-12 and post secondary workforce preparation issues and programs. They also identify and support education reform efforts that benefit student achievement.
  • Effective representation in transportation - The Transportation committee works to maintain and improve multimodal transportation infrastructures in the region.
  • Participation in Committees Structure (as available) - An integral part of getting the most out of your Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce membership is getting involved in committees that help promote business and economic growth in our area.
  • Outstanding Small Business Award eligibility - One of the most exciting and rewarding experiences for a small business in the Peoria area is to be recognized with this award. The recipients are Chamber members who demonstrate stability, innovation, commitment to the community, and ability to overcome challenges.
  • SCORE counseling - Because 80% of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce membership is characterized as small business, it is important to the vitality of the Chamber and its membership to provide services specific to them. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), one of the Chamber’s affiliated organizations, provides one-on-one consultations and programs for small and growing businesses at no charge.
  • Participation in monthly Chamber Business Before Hours and Business After Hours - Make contacts, exchange ideas, and mingle with other members and business professionals.
  • Business Before Hours: Held the 4th Tuesday of the Month from 7:45-9:00 AM
  • Business After Hours: Held the 2nd Thursday of the Month from 4:30-6:30 PM
  • Participation in quarterly Chamber 101 and speed networking program - Learn how you can better utilize your Chamber membership’s services and resources.
  • Participation in Ambassador program (as available) - Ambassadors are highly visible, prestigius volunteers who serve as the Chamber’s primary liaison to Chamber members. Build lasting relationships with member companies and other ambassadors.
  • Host an Ambassador’s meeting or YPGP activity - Bring potential customers right to your door by hosting one of our networking events.
Marketing and Promotion 

  • Access to Chamber social media groups & sharing of information
  • Online branding is a necessary tool for a flourishing business. The Chamber offers communication through our established social media presence, so your company can remain relevant in the minds of your consumers.
  • Access to the Peoria Area Chamber website - Not only do members have exclusive permission to link to the brand new Chamber website, but we offer members the opportunity to submit events to the community calendar. 
  • Members are also listed on our online web directory, which receives more than 12,000 views per month, and have access to hot deals and job listings.
  • Opportunity to submit Business Briefs to the Chamber Report - The Chamber Report is a monthly publication that circulates to approximately 3,000 business professionals in the tri-county area. Keep your business relevant by submitting your company’s recent news to our most impactful publication.
  • Membership Business Referrals - The Chamber receives hundreds of inquiries from companies and individuals both inside and outside the Peoria Region. Referrals are made exclusively to Chamber members.
  • Permission to use Chamber web badge in advertising - Identify your company in all communications with the leading voice and resource for business in the Peoria area.
  • Host a ribbon cutting- Draw attention to your business by promoting your company’s momentous occasions with a ribbon cutting. Members host ribbon cuttings for a variety of occasions such as anniversaries, new locations, and enhanced services.

Credibility as a Chamber member and Chamber member decal - A national survey of 2,000 adults reveals that being active in a local Chamber of Commerce is an effective business strategy, because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care
about their customers, and are involved in the community. The study, conducted by The Schapiro Group (an Atlanta based strategic consulting firm) found consumer perceptions of Chamber members to be positive in many ways:
• When consumers know that a small business is a member, they are 49% more likely to think of it favorably, and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
• If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local Chamber, consumers are 10% more likely to think that its products are better in comparison to competition.
• When consumers know that a national restaurant franchise is a member of their local Chamber, they are 68% more likely to eat at the franchise in the next few months. 

Source: Peoria Area Chamber



Northwest Indiana Influential Woman Association looks to advance businesswomen



A new group hopes to give businesswomen in Northwest Indiana more professional development opportunities to advance their careers.
The Northwest Indiana Influential Woman Association recently held its first event at the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce’s office in Merrillville. The association grew out of the Influential Women of Northwest Indiana awards banquet, which has recognized prominent female business and community leaders for years. The association hopes to offer a support system, networking and educational opportunities.
“There are several organizations in NWI that focus on niche target areas of professional development for women, but there’s never been a clear go-to source,” said Erica Dombey, executive board chair and president of the Regional Development Co. “As we laid the groundwork for NWIIWA, we formed a strategy geared toward delivering the best results possible without requiring members to devote their time to mundane meetings. By drawing upon all of the resources of our membership, together we’re going to be the authors of success stories for women in our region.”
Dombey, Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairwoman Sue Reed, Ironworkers Local 395 Treasurer Tina Stevens, OurHealth Secretary Christina Matoski and Diversified Marketing Strategies President Andrea Pearman serve on the executive governing board of the group. Other board members include Sister Aline Shultz of Franciscan Health, Danette Garza of Jack Gray Transport, Africa Tarver of the city of Hammond, James Muhammad of Lakeshore Public Television, Cynthia Roberts of Indiana University Northwest, Nick Popovich of Sage Popovich, Charles Nordyke of Vibra Hospital of Northwestern Indiana, Karen Lauerman of Lake County IN Economic Alliance, and Rex Richards of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.








The Northwest Indiana Woman Association is open to anyone regardless of gender. For more information, visit NWIIWA.org. Source: NWI Times

Chamber partnership: ‘Real Resources’ session offered Wednesday in Neenah


The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Fox Cities Chamber, Fox Cities Regional Partnership, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation have partnered to offer Real Resources for Manufacturers. The program will be 7:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Best Western Premiere Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 1000 Cameron Way, Neenah.

Better understand the range of resources available to grow your business, including local and state low-interest loan programs and a new productivity tool available from WEDC and WMEP called the Total Productivity Initiative. TPI helps benchmark your company's performance and provides a roadmap to improve the factors in your business that will result in measurable financial results.

Representatives will take questions after the presentation, and then will be available for networking.

The event is free, but registration is requested at http://join.inwisconsin.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=335484&. Source: Appleton Post Crescent


From the ACCE weekly "from chambers, for chambers": 

Sourced from social
Just like the Nashville Area Chamber, we love our members. And we love the unique way #NashChamber staff puts their members in the spotlight. Check out this Facebook post for creative inspiration on how you can use social media to showcase your chamber’s members.



Don't forget to sign up for #ACCE18 in #DSMUSA - here ACCE in DesMoines



Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber host: Create lasting memories at 'Birmingham’s hometown fair'


For the 55th consecutive year, the streets surrounding Shain Park in downtown Birmingham are alive with the sights and sounds of one of Michigan’s longest consecutive running hometown carnivals.

Hosted by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber and presented by United Shore, the Birmingham Village Fair has provided three generations of area residents an opportunity to enjoy carnival rides, midway games and delectable goodies in a truly unique setting.

As president of the chamber, I’ve had the privilege of helping guide the fair for the past eight years and never tire of the sights, smells, sounds and, most of all, stories surrounding the history of the fair that help weave the fabric of this community.

But the impact of the Village Fair goes way beyond providing an entertainment outlet for those calling the greater Birmingham community home. Not only is the fair the largest funding source for the chamber, but through a unique partnership with dozens of local charities and nonprofit organizations and thanks to the generosity of the fair operators North American Midway, the chamber has gifted more than $100,000 in the past eight years alone to support the work of these important group. 
This year’s fair runs through Sunday, so head on over to downtown Birmingham to create your own family’s memories while helping groups like Birmingham Rotary, The Community House, the Birmingham Family YMCA and many more. And don’t forget to try an elephant ear! Complete details are available at the chamber’s website at www.bbcc.com


South Suburban  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! 





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.


Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to speak at Rooster Booster on Thursday

Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security John Holiday, will address the crowd of business and community leaders this Thursday, June 7 at the monthly Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster.

Executive Director Holiday is not new to state government. He has served as the Director of Law Enforcement within the Kentucky Department of Public Protection, and has also served the Commonwealth as a Certified Inspector General (CIG), within Kentucky’s Labor, Environmental Energy, and Public Protection Cabinets.

As an Intelligence Officer and a soldier for nearly three decades, serving in all combat theaters within the U.S. Department of Defense, Mr. Holiday specialized in intelligence and counterintelligence operations as a Counterintelligence Special Agent. The last twenty years was served within U.S. Special Operations focusing on irregular, unconventional and asymmetric warfare. He recently returned from East Africa after serving several years supporting the global war on terror as a Special Operations Forces advisor and liaison officer. In this role, he was responsible for building Special Forces capacity, increasing capabilities, and providing security assistance in order to increase diplomacy and partnerships to several African nations. Holiday continues to serve in the United States Army Reserve Component as an executive officer within one of only two special operations groups within the National Guard.

The monthly breakfast event is sponsored by Western Kentucky University Owensboro. The cost to attend is $12 for Chamber Members with reservations, $15 for Members with no reservations and $20 for non-members. Make your reservation and pay online at http://business.chamber.owensboro.com/events or call the Chamber at 270-926-1860 by noon on Wednesday, June 6.

Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked for a century to provide valuable benefits and services to member business and individuals. Today, with a membership base of nearly 1000, the Chamber is a critical partner in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.


Margaritaville Hotel in Vicksburg hosts job fair to fill more than 170 positions

New investments and careers opportunities in Warren County are helping chip away its current 4.8 percent unemployment rate.  
The new Margaritaville Resort is hosting a job fair to fill more than 170 positions.
Housekeeping supervisors, arcade staff and accountants are just some of the jobs that officials with Margaritaville hoping to fill before the new hotel and family entertainment center opens this summer. 
“I am very passionate about getting a job in graphic design, so I was very excited,” said Vicksburg resident Jiolovonte Steed.
“We open the doors a little bit early and we have been interviewing people ever since,” said Anne-Carter Tate.
More than 700 job seekers trekked to the Vicksburg Convention Center hungry for work. Margaritavllie officials say the company wants to fill more than 170 positions before the doors open for business.
“They have so many different people coming, there's so much experience in enthusiasm all in one,” said Tate.
When the new Margaritaville resort in downtown Vicksburg opens in a few months, it will include a state of the art hotel, restaurant and family fun.
“The building that they are renovating used to be a casino and they closed about five years ago, so this is a very positive move for community. Nobody wants to have empty building,” said Pablo Diaz.
Pablo Diaz is the executive director for the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. He is excited about economic stability the business will bring to the area.
“This is going to be huge in supporting tourism efforts, job creation efforts and enchaining the quality-of-life.” Read more: MS NEWS NOW




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 MaynardPam Swain, Rosie Vassalo 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.


Wednesday: Announcing the 
Through industry surveys and feedback from our recent free training on the Chamber Road Map to Social Media Success, you told us you wanted this training.

Enrollment is now open!


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

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.