Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Looking for help on exporting: From Export.Gov: the TRADE FINANCE GUIDE
The Trade Finance Guide provides the basics of financing techniques from cash-in-advance to government assisted foreign buyer financing.EXPLORE THE GUIDE
Use the buttons below to download the full Trade Finance Guide in a printer-ready format. The Guide is available in both English and Spanish.
English version of the Trade Finance Guide DOWNLOAD
Guía de Financiamiento Para Operaciones de Comercio Internacional en Español DOWNLOAD
Export.gov helps U.S. companies plan, develop and execute international sales strategies necessary to succeed in today's global marketplace. Developed by international trade specialists and economists, here you will find trusted market intelligence, practical advice and business tools to help you understand how to export, connect with foreign buyers, and expand operations in new markets.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPORT.GOV?
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration collaborates with 19 U.S. Government agencies to bring you Export.gov. We can help you navigate the maze of government offices and get answers to your questions, provide a single source for tools, assistance, and expert knowledge to expand your company's international sales.
Greater Reston Chamber: Welcome, Charles Kapur, New President and CEO
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Kapur as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 2, 2019.
“It is an honor to serve the business community as the President and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce,” stated Kapur. “Reston is a community unlike any other in Northern Virginia – it has a profound appreciation of its history, a diversity of cultural and economic opportunities for businesses and residents alike, and an enthusiasm for the growth of this region.”
“Charles is a consummate professional,” stated Maggie Parker, Chair of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “He has devoted himself to Reston and Northern Virginia both as a businessman and volunteer for the past decade. We are indeed fortunate that he will be leading our business community’s biggest advocate, the GRCC."
Logansport Cass County Community Resource Guide and Map
The Logansport Cass County Community Guide and map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to the Bill, Teresa and the chamber members for their help and direction putting this together!
Logansport Cass County Chamber Directory and 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.
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time. Friedrich Nietzsche
Chamber exec Andy Johnson of Grand Rapids joins national 40 Under 40 class
A local chamber of commerce executive is part of a national 40 Under 40 class in his field.
Andy Johnston, VP of government affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber, has been named to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' 2019 40 Under 40 class.
This is a new honor presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives to highlight the “brightest men and women under the age of 40 in the chamber industry.”
The award recognizes young professionals who have demonstrated “significant success” in their careers and communities.
Johnson began at the Grand Rapids Chamber in 2005.
“Andy’s commitment to serve the West Michigan business community has contributed tremendously to our organization, as we strive to foster a thriving and prosperous West Michigan for all,” said Rick Baker, president and CEO, Grand Rapids Chamber.
Award recipients will be featured in the summer issue of Chamber Executive magazine in August. Read more: Grand Rapids Business Journal
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives Announce 2019 Excellence Awards
The awards event culminates with the presentation of the KCCE Chamber Professional of the Year that is awarded to an individual that has shown outstanding dedication and achievement in the field of chamber leadership and service to the community. The 2019 Chamber Executive of the Year is Samantha Brady, Executive Director of the Bardstown – Nelson County Chamber of Commerce.
Other individual awards were Staff Member of the Year awarded to Suzy Hosley of the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce. And the Volunteer of the Year awarded to Ruth Ann Bryant of the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce.
Awards were given in five categories: annual dues income less than $75,000 (Group I); annual dues between $75,001 and $150,000 (Group II) annual dues income between $150,001 and $250,000 (Group III); annual dues between $250,001 and $650,000 (Group IV); and annual dues income more than $650,001 (Group V). The winners are:
Membership Retention
Outstanding E-News Communication
Outstanding Web Site
Outstanding Social Media
Special Event
Virginia Peninsula Chamber collaboration: Envision 2020 Regional Branding
Dear Business Leaders,
First, thank you to those of you who have already taken the Envision 2020 Regional Branding Initiative Business Leaders Survey. We appreciate your dedication to helping advance our region.
For those who have not completed the survey, there is still time. If you have already started taking the survey but stopped for any reason, you can continue taking the survey by using the link you were provided and picking up where you left off.
For new participants, here is a link to the survey that you can take or you can go to http://bit.ly/Envision2020_Business to take the survey.
You only need to take the survey once. Please do not share this link with others. This link is strictly for you.
As a reminder, the Envision 2020 effort (www.envisioning2020.com) is a nine-month, research-driven initiative designed to:
1. Understand the current perceptions and misperceptions about our region’s current brand identity.
2. Develop recommendations for our region’s unique market positioning and communications strategy, related messaging, and naming architecture — how we should brand and promote our region.
A separate residents survey will be released soon. We encourage your employees and others you may know to take the resident survey when it is released.
Again, thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions related to this survey, please contact me at 757-325-8170.
Thanks,
Bob
Robert McKenna, CEO
Virginia Peninsula Chamber
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives Announce 2019 Excellence Awards
FRANKFORT, KY – The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) announce the KCCE Annual Excellence Awards. These awards pay tribute to local chambers of commerce in areas of operational excellence including membership growth and retention, Web site, social media, special publication and newsletter communications, and special events. Also, during the awards ceremony KCCE presented the Kentucky Accredited Chamber Executive (KYACE) certification. This certification is awarded to individuals that meet specific criteria related to their work in the field. This year, Carmen Inman with the Frankfort Area Chamber received her re-certification as a KYACE.
Awards were given in five categories: annual dues income less than $75,000 (Group I); annual dues between $75,001 and $150,000 (Group II) annual dues income between $150,001 and $250,000 (Group III); annual dues between $250,001 and $650,000 (Group IV); and annual dues income more than $650,001 (Group V). The winners are:
Membership Growth
Group I Cynthiana - Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Group II
Group III Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV The Chamber of St. Matthews
Group V Christian County Chamber of Commerce
Membership Retention
Group I Cynthiana - Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Logan County Chamber of Commerce
Group III Marion County Chamber of Commerce.
Group IV The Chamber of St. Matthews
Group V Christian County Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding E-News Communication
Group I Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Frankfort Area Chamber
Group III London – Laurel County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Group V Greater Louisville Inc.
Outstanding Web Site
Group I Cynthiana - Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Prospect Area Chamber of Commerce
Group III London - Laurel County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV Murray - Calloway County Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Social Media
Group I Cynthiana – Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Mercer County Chamber of Commerce
Group III London – Laurel County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Group V Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Special Publication
Group I Cynthiana - Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce
Group III London - Laurel County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV Murray – Calloway County Chamber of Commerce
Group V Greater Louisville Inc.
Special Event
Group I Cynthiana - Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Hart County Chamber of Commerce
Group III Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV Murray – Calloway County Chamber of Commerce
Group V TIE Greater Louisville Inc.
Paducah Area Chamber
The 2019 Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory and Community Guide
The 2019 Clarkston Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory and Community Guide is available at the Royal Oak Chamber today! Thanks to Shaun Hayes, Marie Clifford 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 guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Mississippi Economic Development Council announces 2019-2020 officers and board of directors
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) announces Officers and Board of Directors for the 2019-2020 year. MEDC is a professional association of economic development, chambers and associated stakeholders who work together to advance the profession and to advance economic development efforts in Mississippi through advocacy, collaboration, education and by providing resources to its members. MEDC is the voice of the economic development profession in the state.
The MEDC 2019-2020 Officers are Chandler Russ of Natchez with Natchez, Inc. as President; Mitch Stringer of Jackson with Cooperative Energy as President-Elect; Guy Johnson of Bay St. Louis with Coast Electric Power Association as Secretary/ Treasurer; and William Scaggs of West Point with North Mississippi Industrial Development Association as Immediate Past-President. The Vice Presidents are Valencia Williamson of Hattiesburg with Area Development Partnership as Vice President of Chamber Development; Allison Hawkins of Gulfport with Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District as Vice President of Community Development; Pablo Diaz of Vicksburg with Vicksburg-Warren County Economic Development Partnership as Vice President of Economic Development; and Hunter Aycock of Tupelo with the Community Development Foundation as Vice President of Emerging Leaders.
The 2019-2020 Board Members are: Britt Herrin of Senatobia with Tate County Economic Development Foundation representing District 1; Clayton Stanley of Corinth with The Alliance representing District 2; Angela Curry of Greenwood with Greenwood Leflore Carroll Economic Development Foundation representing District 3; Glen Haab of Louisville with Winston County Economic Development District Partnership representing District 4; Joey Deason of Madison with Madison County Economic Development Authority representing District 5; Garrick Combs of Brookhaven with Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber and IDF representing District 6; Lori Watts of Columbia with Marion County Development Partnership representing District 7; and Janel Carothers of Kiln with Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. Stacey Lester of Jackson with Mississippi Power Company and Ed Gardner of Jackson with the Entergy Mississippi, Inc. are Members At-Large. Glenn McCullough, Jr. of Jackson with the Mississippi Development Authority as Ex-Officio Member.
The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) Mississippi representative on the MEDC Board is Jon Maynard of Oxford with Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. The SEDC Alternate Director is Tom Troxler of Brandon with Rankin First Economic Development Authority. Chance McDavid of Jackson with the Mississippi Development Authority will serve as the committee chairman for the scholarships and Community Economic Development Awards. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal
From the ICEA Conference speaker Dave KIlby: Chamber Choices Tool
One of the most requested handouts from the 2020 Annual Conference was shared by keynote Dave Kilby, President of the Western Association of Chamber Executives. This simple Excel document is a tool for your leadership team to gauge where your chamber stands status quo and to give your staff team the incentive to shift line items from the right column to the left as your team looks toward relevance for your chamber's future..
Dave Kilby,
President of W.A.C.E.
dave.kilby@calchamber.com
Fox Cities Chamber Partners with Fox Valley Technical College to Offer Discounted Seminars to Members
APPLETON, Wis. (September 30, 2019) – The Fox Cities Chamber is partnering with Fox Valley Technical College to offer chamber members access to exclusive discounts on upcoming seminars. Seminars available at a discounted rate this fall include Managing Multiple Priorities (October 11), Quickbooks Level 1 (November 12), and Quickbooks Level 2 (November 19).
These interactive seminars help attendees learn vital skills to manage and grow their business. All seminars are held at Fox Valley Technical College in the D.J. Bordini Center located at 5 N. Systems Drive in Appleton. Materials and refreshments are included in the cost. Learn more and register at foxcitieschamber.com.
Managing Multiple Priorities
Friday, October 11, 2019 | 12:30 – 3:30 PM
$150 Fox Cities Chamber members, $184 non-members (materials and refreshments included)
One of the greatest challenges business professionals face today is the quantity of demands on them. We lose about one hour per day because of conflicting priorities. This session focuses on strategies to prioritize, and develop systems to focus on one item at a time. These strategies may help when coaching a struggling employee or managing your own workload.
Learn important time management skills when all of your projects are top priority. Focus on strategies for effective time management and create an action plan for success.
Learn important time management skills when all of your projects are top priority. Focus on strategies for effective time management and create an action plan for success.
Quickbooks Level 1
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
$160 Fox Cities Chamber members, $195 non-members (materials and refreshments included)
Focus on the fundamentals and features of QuickBooks® 2018 to manage an organization’s financials. Participants explore QuickBooks interface and QuickBooks centers. Learn to set up a company and update the Chart of Accounts, build and manage lists, manage inventory using the Vendor Center, record a product sale, create an invoice for services and work with bank accounts.
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Windows® is recommended.
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Windows® is recommended.
Quickbooks Level 2
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
$160 Fox Cities Chamber members, $195 non-members (materials and refreshments included)
Elaborate on how to customize forms, create and modify reports, track and pay sales tax. Learn to use new and advanced features in QuickBooks 2018.
Prerequisite: QuickBooks 2018-Level 1 or equivalent knowledge and experience is recommended.
Prerequisite: QuickBooks 2018-Level 1 or equivalent knowledge and experience is recommended.
For immediate questions, please contact Tonya Boelter, Senior Director of Community Engagement, by email tboelter@foxcitieschamber.com or phone (920) 734-7101.
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
