Toro Company and Tomah Chamber Coordinate Emergency Response to Flood Damage; #BestChamberPractices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber Of Commerce: Using social media in smart ways: #ChamberofAction; Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!; Oxford’s Women on the Move: A Stroke of Genius; Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce: Inspiring Women; Hopkinsville To Receive City-Wide Gigabit Fiber Internet Service; Fox Cities Chamber Celebrates Chamber of Commerce Month in September; Plymouth Chamber of Commerce: Member Benefit Spotlight: Brochure Rack - Simple, smart, free; Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2017 Community Map; One of Northern VA’s Largest Outdoor Fall Festival to Include Seasonal Beer & Wine, Restaurants, Live Entertainment, and Reston Pumpkin 5K and Kids’ Pumpkin Dash; 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!

Toro Company and Tomah Chamber Coordinate Emergency Response to Flood Damage

Leadership from the Toro Company in Tomah met with the Tomah Chamber and Visitors Center on Thursday, August 30th to discuss the devastating flood damage in our neighboring communities. 

The Toro Company is issuing a plea and challenge to businesses in the area to help provide relief to the flooding victims in neighboring communities. Beginning Monday, September 10th, the Toro Company will have at their premise an empty semi trailer. They are urging businesses to help fill the trailer with much needed supplies of water, non-perishable food, bleach and cleaning supplies and pet food. All containers must be new and not opened. 

Toro’s Director of Operations, Chris Hacker, stated “this isn’t just our employees in Monroe County who are deeply affected, we also have employees in Vernon and Juneau Counties that need our help.” Hacker is urging the businesses in Tomah and surrounding areas to pool their resources and help to get supplies to the areas where they are so desperately needed.

Tomah Chamber and Visitors Center President/CEO, Tina Thompson, added that “Tomah is the big city compared to the surrounding villages and communities that surround us. Tomah employs their residents and has more resources than some of these rural communities. I know that the businesses here can step up and do great things when there is a need. We’ve all seen the devastation, and now is that time.”

Tomah Mayor, Mike Murray, also added that “people in the area want to help, but don’t know how…this is how.”

Relief items can be taken to Toro at 200 Sime Avenue beginning on September 10th through the 14th from 6:00 AM until 3:30 PM. The goal is to fill the semi trailer. The Tomah Chamber and Visitors Center will be working with the Salvation Army, Red Cross and other involved relief aid organizations to communicate the needs as well as the distribution of donated items.

Companies and individuals wanting to make monetary donations can do so at any Tomah F & M Bank location. More information: Tomah Chamber


#BestChamberPractices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber Of Commerce: Using social media in smart ways:  #ChamberofAction

BBChamber Staff recently shopped at BBChamber Member Piccolo Penguin in Birmingham 

Attention members!  Are you doing business with a fellow member of the BBChamber?  Take pics, tag @BBChamber on Facebook and Twitter and/or @BirminghamBloomfieldChamber on Instagram and use the hashtag #chamberofaction!  We'll share your posts.  

Participants will be eligible to win prizes quarterly! More information: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber



Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has worked with Town Square Publications on several publications. Chamber maps and community profiles are well done and we are especially pleased with the quality of the printing and the paper.

Production schedules were provided when we began the projects and the schedule did not waiver from our agreement. Most importantly we had editorial control over the copy and we were able to select the photos and the subjects that are featured. We were able to proof before going to print but we rarely found errors or concerns. Communications throughout the production period were excellent.

We work hard to provide quality and outstanding service to our members. We identify programs that will be good for the business community with an additional benefit – some non-dues income for the Chamber.

We appreciate our partnership with Town Square and will call on them again for the next project.

Jean Gaines
President 

Oxford’s Women on the Move: A Stroke of Genius

Rosie Vassallo is the LOU community’s go-to as the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce’s administrative assistant. Not only can she tell you about the happenings of Lafayette County, she can also show you her expertise in painting. She’s carried her love for art with her since she was a child, and now she uses it to the benefit of the community. HottyToddy.com’s Anna Grace Usery talked with Vassallo about her story. 

Usery: You mentioned you grew up in Texas. What part? As a child what did you envision for yourself personally and professionally?

Rosie Vassallo: I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. While my parents didn’t have a college background, their goal was to have me and my siblings all get a college education. I worked hard in high school to get a scholarship which enabled me to attend Texas Christian University and graduate with a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design. My dad instilled in us a very competitive spirit – not to give up but to work harder to achieve greatness. I thought I wanted to go into special education, until I substituted while attending college. I quickly realized that major was not for me. I enjoyed drawing and painting since the fourth grade. I became even more enamored in drawing that year when I received my first blue ribbon. Dressing for success has always been important to me since an early age; I used to think of the beautiful clothes I would be able to purchase once I graduated from college and got a job.

Usery: How did you make it to Oxford?

Rosie Vassallo: My husband Steve graduated from Ole Miss and our goal was to one day live here. He says it only took 44 years to make Oxford our home.

Usery: Where did you begin your career?

Rosie Vassallo: My first job after graduating from TCU was with Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers, in San Antonio. I had responded to a silkscreen position and was offered another job, working in the sign shop. In less than one year, I was awarded “employee of the month” and was promoted to creating marketing ideas for their 55 stores. I was also awarded the prestigious Cash Award of the Eleanor Onderdonk Memorial Award at the San Antonio Art League exhibition where only seventeen cash prizes were awarded from more than 1,000 entries. We then moved a number of times due to Steve’s fantastic promotions and I found different occupations wherever we relocated. So I held various positions from a graphic artist, to an illustrator, decorator and art teacher, worked for a Lawn and Garden Center where I designed their ads as well and won two first place awards in advertising.

Throughout my career I have been recognized with First Place awards in the media of watercolor and oils in Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas.In McKinney, Texas I had the unprecedented experience of my students sweeping every top award, from first place to third place, in every category of the county’s fifth grade art competition. I’m proud to say my art students have won state, national and international competitions. Finally moving to Mississippi, my art background continued to be an asset as I became the Executive Director for Madison’s City Chamber of Commerce for 13 years. I created many of their marketing materials. During my tenure with the chamber I was named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Leading Business Women, as well as Who’s Who in Mississippi. Today, I work as Director of Retirement Attraction for the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, where I have been able to use my artistic background in designing ads for our members, and donating paintings for our fundraising events. In 2016, I was nominated to the Lafayette-Oxford-University Women of Distinction. In partnership with Jeff McManus we created the “Landscaping Camp” campaign which was designed to raise awareness on beautifying ones yard as Ole Miss has been named the Most Beautiful campus by a number of national publications, while showcasing Oxford MS as a preferred retirement destination. We were awarded the PRAM Award of Excellence this year, among public relations professionals in Mississippi. I produced a painting for each of our speakers and created one specifically to make into a print to thank our sponsors and campers.

Usery: Wow, you’ve had a wonderful career! As far as painting goes, your specialty is animals. Do you have a special connection to animals or is it something people just asked you to paint? Who in the community have you painted for?

Rosie Vassallo: Our nine children (dogs) have been the love of our lives. Pets are all so precious and hold such a special place in one’s heart. I love painting them for others. It makes me smile and feel so good when I complete a commissioned painting, that I can’t wait for the owner to see it. I call myself a pet portrait artist and have been commissioned to paint hundreds of pets. One special painting was presented to Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter at The Economic Development Foundation’s “First To Know Breakfast.” It was a painting of his two poodles that had recently passed away. Others who have commissioned me in Oxford include Michelle Mason, Tony Deal, Megan Berry, Molly Mogridge, Sasha Hedges, Sam Deleeuw, Amy Holmes, Margaret Britt Baker, Gail Miller, Scott Romero and Allen Kurr. In addition, I have done paintings of Ole Miss coaches and have donated paintings to various nonprofits for fundraisers such as Doors of Hope, St. Joseph Catholic Church, United Way and Oxford University School, just to name a few.

Usery: Take me through your creative process.

Rosie Vassallo: I work from photographs and start with a pencil line drawing. No one in Oxford had heard of anyone painting upside down until I shared my techniques with others, which I learned in college. This really brings so much more detail to one’s painting. I start with the eyes because if they are not captured just right, you’ve missed the whole emotion. Once I am almost finished I turn the painting around to see how it looks and always excites me when I get to this point. I love to paint with acrylics and watercolors.

Usery: What’s your favorite thing about being so immersed in the LOU community?

Rosie Vassallo: My favorite thing about the Oxford-Lafayette Community is that there is always something to do… lots of fabulous entertainment.

Usery: What do you love about Oxford?

Rosie Vassallo: What I love about Oxford is its small, safe community with everything you’d find in a large city. In addition, the people here are very friendly and always ready to help others. Oxford is an easy city to navigate. Read more: Hotty Toddy

Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce: Inspiring Women

The Inspiring Women of Oswego from the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce held a Garage Sale this summer to support Mutual Ground.  Pictured are committee members presenting the donation of $977 to Mutual Ground to help their organization.  

Hopkinsville To Receive City-Wide Gigabit Fiber Internet Service

HOPKINSVILLE, KY- energynet, a division of Hopkinsville Electric System, is investing in Hopkinsville to bring the city the next generation of digital infrastructure. Gigabit fiber internet, offering speeds up to 1,000 mbps, is 100 times faster than traditional internet service. The Hopkinsville-based company will be the first to make gigabit fiber internet service available city-wide and joins a handful of U.S. cities providing such a service.

“The ability to provide fiber internet service directly to the home is a game-changer for Hopkinsville. The idea that connectivity is a luxury is a thing of the past. By offering fiber internet service, we’re looking ahead and building infrastructure not only for today’s needs, but any future needs we might have as it relates to connectivity,” says Jeff Hurd, General Manager of Hopkinsville Electric System/energynet.

energynet has been offering fiber internet service for many years to businesses, and the expansion of the same internet speeds to homes in Hopkinsville has many implications. Utilizing fiber technology, energynet allows for seamless web browsing, HD video streaming, online gaming - anything that can be done from the computer, tablet and phone, without worrying about the connection slowing down.

Internet packages start at $59.95/month for energynet’s fiber internet service. The energynet service will be constructed first where the demand dictates. Hopkinsville and Christian County residents should visit goenergynet.com, input their home address, and express their interest in signing up for energynet service in order to help guide where the next phase of development in the city will be for energynet. Read more: Christian County Chamber News

Fox Cities Chamber Celebrates Chamber of Commerce Month in September

Activities announced in communities throughout month to recognize statewide initiative

APPLETON, Wis. (August 31, 2018) – The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce is excited to celebrate September as Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Month as proclaimed by Governor Scott Walker. The Fox Cities Chamber will spend the entire month bringing attention to the services we provide to members and our community.

“The Fox Cities Chamber is very committed to helping organizations grow and prosper in the Fox Cities,” shared Kathi Seifert, Chairperson of the Fox Cities Chamber Board of Directors. “We are grateful to our members, investors and community, and we appreciate all of your contributions that make the Fox Cities a great place to live, work and play.”

Our organization plays a vital role in making sure the Fox Cities Region is a vibrant place to do business. The Fox Cities Chamber is an advocate for all our members, and Wisconsin Chamber Month gives us the opportunity to recognize the value they provide to the economic vitality of our community.

To celebrate Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Month, the Fox Cities Chamber will be hosting events and special programs open to members and non-members alike. Join us and get involved in an activity that meets your business needs.

The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce will highlight a number of events and programs during the month of September. Business Breakfast Bytes kicks off for the season providing small to medium-sized businesses with a complimentary monthly educational session monthly featuring topics relevant to the needs of businesses in our area. A new three-part workshop on attracting and retaining top talent is being offered with facilitators from Employment Resource Group. Bazaar After Dark, the Fox Cities Night Market, will make its return to downtown Menasha and Octoberfest and License to Cruise round out the month. A complete list of upcoming events and programs is available at foxcitieschamber.com.

The Fox Cities Chamber is partnering with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce – the state chamber – and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to recognize all our efforts at a local, state and national level. Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Month is held throughout the entire month of September and will include the annual Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Conference in Wausau from Sept. 19-21.

Plymouth Chamber of Commerce: Member Benefit Spotlight: Brochure Rack - Simple, smart, free

Did you know the Plymouth Chamber has a brochure rack in the office lobby to display our members brochures? Visitors to the office can pick up our members marketing materials. Take advantage of this opportunity to spread the word on your business by dropping off your promotion flyers or business cards.



Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2017 Community Map


The new Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Tracy Lyons, Chrystal Lee and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Chamber of Commerce serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County Community Map

Town SquarePublications (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.

One of Northern VA’s Largest Outdoor Fall Festival to Include Seasonal Beer & Wine, Restaurants, Live Entertainment, and Reston Pumpkin 5K and Kids’ Pumpkin Dash

Event Starts October 6 at 12:00pm at Reston Town Center

RESTON, VA – September 4, 2018 – The beer and wine will flow at this year’s Flavors of Fall produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. This is one of the largest fall festivals in Northern Virginia, drawing crowds of up to 35,000 people! This event features the best in fall food from area restaurants, Oktoberfest inspired beers in the beer garden, local craft beers in Craft Beer Alley, a cornhole tournament and live entertainment throughout the day.

On Saturday, October 6, at 12:00 PM, restaurants and vendors will line the streets of the Reston Town Center. Live music will fill the air with some of the hottest regional bands! On Sunday, October 7, at 8:15am, get off the couch and get ready for the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Reston Pumpkin 5K and Kids’ Pumpkin Dash. Participants are encouraged to debut their Halloween costumes and join in the fall fun with the entire family.

The Cornhole Experience is back with the tournament featuring teams from all over the region playing for some great prize packages.

Flavors of Fall event admission is free. Food tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. You can purchase advance tickets online at RestonFlavors.com

WHEN
Flavors of Fall – Saturday, October 6, 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Reston Pumpkin 5K and Kids’ Pumpkin Dash – Sunday, October 7, (Race begins at 8:15am)

WHERE
Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190

Proceeds from Flavors of Fall will benefit the Reston Chambers 501c3 Education Foundation.

                                        

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