Chamber nominees at Tourism Awards: WIGCOT 2022: Rising Star Award Nominees
Katie Carey, Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce
Katie Carey has been the Tourism Manager for the Fort Atkinson
Area Chamber of Commerce for more than two years, as well as a valuable member
of the volunteer-based Jefferson County Area Tourism Council (JCATC) since late
2019. She has been the point person for Instagram and has really elevated the
brand and position with her fantastic work and photos. She is also a key member
of the new weddings subcommittee, which looks to brand Jefferson County as a
premier Wisconsin wedding destination by offering luxurious yet affordable
weddings with unique venues and prime locations. Katie has always been a
contributor to conversations that involve ideas to grow, to connect and ideas
to build something new. And Katie is one of those rarities who can take a
project and run with it, which is great for volunteer organizations.
Lauren Sackett, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce
Born and raised in Rhinelander, Lauren Sackett has shown a
confidence as Executive Director that has benefited not just the Chamber, but
all the tourism organizations in the region. Since becoming the Executive
Director of the Chamber in June of 2018, Sackett has served as the treasurer of
the Oneida County Tourism Commission and has advocated for increased commitment
in tourism investment. Her leadership during the pandemic was unparalleled and
many tourism businesses were able to survive because of her work. She partnered
with Oneida County Public Health to share information with area businesses, put
on listening sessions and informational meetings, and contacted area representatives
to keep tourism included in future meetings. Lauren is the perfect blend of
local pride, fearless advocate and compassionate peer. She is the missing piece
the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce has been waiting for to bring tourism
in the Northwooods to the next level.
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion Nominees
Krystal Westfahl, Let’s Minocqua
Under Krystal Westfahl leadership, the Minocqua Chamber of
Commerce received $39,550 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant for an Oneida
County Research project: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, inclusion. Krystal
is committed to bringing diversity to tourism in the northern parts of the
state.
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces First Intern/Extern Expo
Join the Chamber as we welcome nearly 500 high school and college students to the Fredericksburg Expo Center for our first ever Intern/Extern Expo on April 26th from 9am-5pm. This is a great opportunity for community businesses to interface with the future of our community’s workforce. Rene Daniels Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Spotsylvania County Public Schools says, "As we prepare the future workforce, events such as the Intern Expo are extremely important. The hands-on experience a student gains from an internship or externship builds student confidence and provides valuable insight of career opportunities."
Businesses are needed for this event to be a success for our future workforce, industries include Aquaculture/Seafood/Commercial, Fishing/Marine, Forestry/Wood Products/Paper, Manufacturing, Distribution/Logistics, Information/Data Centers, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.
Rebecca Morris, Internship and Work-Study Counselor for Germanna Community College says, “The Intern Expo will allow our area employers the opportunity to see the vast wealth of potential employees coming from our public school systems and local institutions of higher education. Specifically, Germanna students will be able to showcase what they are learning in their classes and demonstrate their abilities for our local employers. The Intern Expo will help to solidify our regional partnerships, foster new relationships, and help our community retain great graduates as members of our workforce. These are the connections we need to identify and promote. We’re proud to partner with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce on this effort and expect great outcomes.”
Participating students have an opportunity to receive a $1,500 scholarship (2 available). Participating businesses include: Mary Washington Healthcare, Fredericksburg Area Museum, LifeCare Medical Transports, Dominion Raceway & Entertainment, Fraser Wood Elements, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, and many more!
Carley Swaim Walker, Senior Director of Membership & Community Advancement says “The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce serves as a longstanding voice of the business community. In a July 2021 survey to Chamber members, 45% of respondents indicated that lack of workforce was a top concern for their business. We want to address that top concern by tapping into the talent right here in our school systems; secondary and post-secondary. The intern Expo will allow for ours schools and businesses to come together to build upon our workforce here in the Fredericksburg region. The best of the best in business and student leaders will be represented. You do not want to miss out on this opportunity!”
This event and pilot program is supported by Go Virginia and sponsored by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. Other sponsorships and scholarship contributions are still available, contact Carley Swaim Walker at cwalker@fxbgchamber.org to learn more. To register for this event visit the Chamber website at https://fredericksburgchamber.org/events/workforce-now-intern-extern-fair/
ZaneNet and Schaumburg Business Association: Improving the Health of the Healthcare Industry
Alexandra Jellerette co-founded Zane Networks, LLC (aka ZaneNet) in January 2000, intending to leverage technology to help organizations deliver better patient care through health IT, software applications, technical assistance, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). She went on to graduate from SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program; co-founder Luigi Leblanc was an alumnus of the SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative (an advanced executive training program involving about 100 hours of classroom work for several weeks). According to Alexandra, the programs “reinforced what we were doing in terms of strategizing, planning, and financing our operations.” She also found value in the networks created through their interactions with fellow participants, as the company has been able to apply for contracting opportunities as part of a team with other Emerging Leaders graduates. Moreover, ZaneNet’s HUBZone and EDWOSB certifications have helped the company qualify for additional set-aside contracts and teaming opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic created havoc across the healthcare industry, putting new pressures on existing systems and structures in ways previously unimaginable. Would ZaneNet be able to address these sudden challenges or succumb to the changing landscape?
Alexandra and Luigi knew they had to act quickly and strategically to navigate this new environment, while still offering the best support possible to their existing clients in the healthcare field. Maintaining the company’s sales revenue suddenly became more important than ever. “The Economic Injury Disaster Loan [EIDL] program and Paycheck Protection Program [PPP] really allowed us, as a small business, to make the necessary investments in our people and technology to grow to the next level,” Alexandra observes. “It allowed us to take risks to develop new methods and systems that have enabled the company to develop in ways that would not have otherwise been possible.” With offices in Washington, D.C. and in Silver Spring, Maryland, the company looks to expand into Washington, D.C.'s Anacostia neighborhood within the coming months. Alexandra is quick to credit the Washington, D.C., SBDC at Howard University for helping guide their expansion into the Washington, D.C. market.
Between the training and networking provided by the SBA, in addition to the SBA-backed loans made available through the EIDL program and PPP, Zane Networks is once again on solid footing. Before becoming an active firm in the 8(a) Business Development Program, the company had a staff of five and generated annual sales of under $1 million. Today, Alexandra and Luigi employ over 30 workers and generate about $3.5 million in sales.
Champaign County Chamber: Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program Webinar
Thursday, March 10
11:00 a.m. - Noon
Via Zoom
Free to attend, pre-registration required.
Grant Dollars are available to help train your employees through the Incumbent Worker Training Program.
We know area employers are having a more challenging time finding and retaining employees. And, we understand that to internally fill your company’s open positions, many of your existing employees may need extra training to advance to those openings.
We have a solution. The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (RPC) to identify employer eligibility for the RPC’s Incumbent Worker Training Grant program.
Join us for an informational webinar on Thursday, March 10 at 11:00 a.m. to find out how your company can apply for the grant. Funds are limited and will be rewarded on a first come, first serve basis. Click the link below to register for the webinar.
Prince William Chamber To host 36th Annual Valor Awards
Juliana Valencia & Jummy Olabanji from NBC4 to serve as Co-Master of Ceremonies
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 36th Annual Valor Awards in person for the first time since 2019. The event will be held on Thursday, March 31st from 2-4:30pm at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA. This event recognizes the heroism and bravery of the men and women in uniform who go above and beyond the call of duty in service to the Prince William Region.
The stories of the events that unfolded leading to their nominations will be read by Co-Master of Ceremonies, Juliana Valencia, General Assignment Reporter for News4 and contributes to Telemundo 44, and Jummy Olabanji, co-Anchor of NBC News4 Today.
Award Recipients will receive a Commemorative Booklet and Plaque to recognize their service.
This event is Free and Open to the public to attend.
The Valor Awards are made possible due to the support of the Chamber’s event Sponsors. Sponsors include Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Youth For Tomorrow, Northern Virginia Technology Council, The Prince William Chamber’s Quality of Life Vision Partner Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. and The Prince William Chamber’s Founding Vision Partner Dominion Energy.
“Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is honored to again sponsor the Prince William Chamber Valor Awards. This annual tradition provides us, together with our community, the opportunity to recognize and honor the men and women who serve on the front line to keep our communities safe. We extend our gratitude to all first responders and support teams.” Kathie Johnson, President, SNVMC
If you are interested in supporting this event in the future, please contact Debbie Jones at djones@pwchamber.org.
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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 or email John Dussman with the subject line: Chamber Publication Proposal Requested. Thank you!
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