Chamber of Commerce Daily News

Town Square Publications (https://www.townsquarepublications.com) publishes two hundred world class turn-key chamber directories, community guides and maps annually at no cost to the chamber of commerce. We are Employee-Owned & part of the Daily Herald Media Group.149 years old and thriving through innovation daily. Chamber of Commerce Daily News follows chamber news, education, economic development, chamber jobs, and other related chamber issues/events. Best, John Dussman

Showing posts with label Burlington Area Chamber. Show all posts

Friday, March 23, 2018

Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce Board Of Directors Extends President/CEO Contract; Front Royal/Warren Conty Chamber partnership: Vows in the Valley; Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2017 Community Map; Burlington Area Chamber - and Chambers - raise $32,640 for charity; Welcome New Town Square Chamber Partner: Eau Claire Area Chamber; Farm Service Agency Kentucky head addresses chamber; Petoskey businesses to 'battle the bulge'; Education Town Hall Meeting Held In Columbus; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Daviess County Celebrating M&C Tech; Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Recycle Day; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S. Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor)

Happy Friday #Chamber World! Have a GREAT weekend!

Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce Board Of Directors Extends President/CEO Contract

Naperville, IL. (March 22, 2018) – The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC) Board of Directors unanimously approved to extend the contract of current President/CEO Nicki Anderson for another year. Anderson has been leading the NACC for the last four years and is looking forward to continuing her role at the chamber.

“We are in the throes of a very exciting time. Not only do we see improvement in growth and engagement, we started our Future Forward campaign this past fall and to date have raised over $200,000 of our $250,000 goal,” said Anderson. “We are allocating those dollars for technology improvements that have not been touched since 2006. If we’re to continue to lead the way as a business resource, we have to be able to provide the necessary communication to engage and support our business community.”

Emily Ory, 2018 NACC Board Chairman shares, “Nicki has proven herself to our board, members and community over the past four years as an influencer, innovator and incredible leader. She has built tremendous momentum within the chamber, and we’re looking forward to building upon that with her continued leadership.”

Anderson, once a business owner and chamber member, took the reins of the NACC in February of 2014. Since then, she has made several changes to improve the value and visibility of the NACC in and around the community.

“Now more than ever, this organization is committed to supporting our business community and providing our members with the best resources to thrive,” Anderson stated. “I’m proud and honored to continue my role. I love this community, and I am passionate about this organization.”

Front Royal/Warren Conty Chamber partnership: Vows in the Valley

We are excited to announce the formation of a new wedding organization in Warren County, Virginia!

Vows in the Valley are a group of wedding professionals, coming together to promote Front Royal/Warren County as Virginia’s premier wedding destination! Working together with the Front Royal - Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Vows in the Valley will be marketing all that the county has to offer perspective brides through various marketing channels, as well as hosting annual wedding shows put together to showcase not only the counties beautiful wedding venues, but allow all the talented wedding professionals and how they can help brides plan for their dream wedding.

The first wedding show is taking place on April 8, 2018 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Blue Ridge Shadows, in Front Royal, from 11 am to 3 pm. The event is FREE for brides and their guests to attend, and will feature a mock wedding, where various vendors will be taking part in leading attendees through what their big day may feel like, from hair and make-up, to cake cutting, night through dancing the night away!

For more information on joining Vows in the Valley or the upcoming Wedding Showcase on April 8^th, please contact the Front Royal – Warren County Chamber of Commerce at (540) 635-3185.

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.

Burlington Area Chamber - and Chambers - raise $32,640 for charity

The second annual Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce Black Tie Gala Benefit, presented by Herb Chambers of Burlington, raised $32,640 for the local organizations that make up the BACC's Charitable Partnership Program. BACC President Rick Parker and co-chair of the board Sonia Rollins presented a check to Charitable Partnership representatives.

The BACC and the Burlington community are extremely fortunate for organizations that are so committed to their causes. Thank you for all that you do every day: HELPIS, Nashoba Learning Group, Neurofibromatosis Northeast, Skate for the 22 Foundation, UDT SEAL Association, Relay for Life of Burlington, Burlington Education Foundation, and Burlington Youth & Family Services. Read more: The Valley Dispatch

Welcome Town Square Chamber Partner:

Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce -

We love being part of your business strategy!

Farm Service Agency Kentucky head addresses chamber

The state executive director for the Farm Service Agency spoke to Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday about changing trends in Kentucky agriculture.

Brian Lacefield is Kentucky’s state executive director for FSA and was the keynote speaker at this month’s Business@Breakfast, which featured an array of foods produced in Kentucky. This included locally sourced scrambled eggs, hickory-smoked bacon from Kuttawa’s Broadbent B&B Foods, honey from Calvert City’s Lost Possum Farms and biscuits made from Woodford County’s Weisenberger Mills mix. Read more: Murray Ledger

Petoskey businesses to 'battle the bulge'

The Petoskey Chamber of Commerce and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan are teaming up to offer area businesses the opportunity to join a friendly weight loss competition launching Monday, Feb. 26.

This marks the seventh year that the chamber has hosted a local competition in conjunction with “Win by Losing,” which is hosted statewide by Blue Cross. Last year, 16 teams competed and the participants collectively lost 890 pounds.

The competition will run Feb. 26 through April 27, and is open to any business or organization in the region, no matter their size.

There is no cost to participate and all teams will be eligible for the local prize; however, to be eligible for the statewide prizes, the business or organization must be a Blue Cross client.

Businesses and organizations will compete in four different categories depending on the number of participants on their team.

Members of the local team that loses the biggest percentage of weight, regardless of category, will receive gift cards from Boyne Resorts.

Registration is now open online at www.bcbsm.com/yourhealth. Local businesses are also asked to alert the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce of their participation by sending an email to Alexis Denoyer at alexis@petoskeychamber.com. Read more: Petoskey News

Education Town Hall Meeting Held In Columbus

Columbus residents weigh in on what they would like to see in the city’s next school superintendent.

The Education Committee and the Columbus Municipal School District hosted a second education town hall meeting.
The goal is to get community input as they search for the next person to lead the district.
It was an open discussion town hall. Citizens submitted questions to the board on what they’d like the board to consider in their interview process.
Things such as special needs, keeping and bringing in teachers were a list of some of the questions.
President of the Columbus Lowndes Chamber, Lisa James says community involvement is the most important thing.
“The next superintendent is going to affect our entire community. It’s important that we have a say in that and I think that the Mississippi Board Association, putting this event together and interviewing the stakeholder, the business community, and saying business community, what do you want to see in your next superintendent, just shows how much respect they have for our community,” said James. Read more: WCBI TV

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Virginia Peninsula Chamber 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide

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.

Daviess County Celebrating M&C Tech

County's first Japanese manufacturer opens

A few snow flurries on the first official day of spring didn't keep a large crowd from the ribbon cutting at M&C Tech Indiana, a manufacturer of plastic parts for the automotive industry, and the latest business to open on Washington's east side. It was a celebration that brought Governor Eric Holcomb down Interstate 69 to check out the latest Japanese business to open in the Hoosier state.

"It's a great morning to come down I-69," said Holcomb, who said the fifth section of the interstate is expected to be finished in August, opening more opportunities along the corridor. "It's not just connecting cities. It's connecting us to the rest of the world."

Holcomb said how quickly M&C Tech, a new company, has progressed is a win-win-win.

"This is just phenomenal how fast and far you've come. This is a big win for M&C Tech, a big win for employees and a big win for Indiana," Holcomb said, adding there are 280 Japanese companies in the Hoosier state. "To take our state to the next level, we have to take Indiana to the world and bring the world to Washington.".....

Daviess County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Samantha Bobbitt praised the staff at M&C Tech.

"We value the relationships we are building with the owners," said Bobbitt. "We are on the ground floor of the potential growth that will take place in Daviess County and I-69 positions M&C Tech on an interstate and a national highway. They are the star to watch as they expand and hire more employees down the line. It's good in every way for our community. We want to thank them for coming here to Daviess County and we are happy to get to share this place we know as home." Read more: Washington Times Herald

Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Recycle Day

April 14 from 9 AM-1 PM

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps 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

Friday, November 17, 2017

U.S. Chamber concern: The Clock is Ticking, and the Dreamers Can’t Wait; Doug Luciani: A brighter outlook for northwest Michigan; Lake Zurich Area Chamber: Local Officials Meet & Greet Breakfast; Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory; Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce to host KY Chamber President Adkisson as luncheon speaker Nov. 29; Credit Union growth driving new $26M headquarters; Chamber Strome Business Series with Kunal Mehta; Indiana Chamber Awards Top Honors to Tom Easterday, State Rep. Ed Soliday, Scott McCorkle, City of Goshen; Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map; EMBDC alliance: Exploring the keys to economic development locally; Racine County: Look For Searchlights And Shopping This Weekend; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor); Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

Happy Friday #Chamber World! Have a GREAT weekend!

U.S. Chamber concern: The Clock is Ticking, and the Dreamers Can’t Wait

From the outside Dreamers don’t seem different than anyone else living in the United States. They look, sound, and act like other Americans. They went to elementary school and high school here. Some joined the military. Others got jobs or started businesses. They are part of the fabric of their local communities and the country.
The only difference is their legal status. They’re Americans except on paper. Through no fault of their own, they’re living in the U.S. illegally, because they came here with their families when they were young.
To give them temporary legal status in 2012, President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Nearly 800,000 people are part of it.
But DACA was just a temporary fix.

In September, the Justice Department announced it is ending the DACA program, which will be effectively rescinded next March. President Donald Trump asked Congress to take the six months and come up with a solution. We’re still waiting.
Congress must “enact legislation protecting DACA recipients prior to year's end,” said Neil Bradley, U.S. Chamber senior vice president and chief policy officer, or else Dreamers’ lives could be upended with the threat of being deported to a country they might not even remember.
"That means they’d lose their ability to work legally. It means they would all become subject to immediate deportation," said Todd Schulte, president of immigration advocacy group, FWD, at a press conference at the U.S. Chamber.
While President Trump urged Congress to find a legislative fix, and a vast majority of the public — according to a Fox News poll, 86% favor granting Dreamers work permits — supports a solution, Congressional urgency has vanished. Read more: U.S. Chamber - Above the Fold

Doug Luciani: A brighter outlook for northwest Michigan

Unemployment levels down; property values have rebounded

What a difference a few years can make.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Breakfast was a rather bleak affair. As the state and regional economy were being rocked by the Great Recession, the event entailed more questions than answers, more uncertainty than optimism and more caution than action.

Fast forward a few years and it’s a far different outlook today. Our regional unemployment levels — 4.5 percent for September — are less than half of what they were during the depths of the recession. Property values have rebounded past pre-recession levels, the region’s construction and manufacturing sectors are humming again and the tourism industry is reaching new heights. Nationally, Michigan’s “rustbelt” image is being replaced with accolades as a “Comeback State” from authoritative sources like the Wall Street Journal. Regions across Western Michigan — from Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids to Traverse City/Petoskey to the Upper Peninsula — can take pride in playing a major role in Michigan’s economic recovery.

Cycles in the economy will always happen, but it’s important to pay close attention to what moves the economic needle to ensure long-term, sustainable growth. Two of the factors in Michigan cited by the WSJ included a major reform to Michigan’s business tax structure back in 2011, and a measure approved by Michigan voters in 2014 to repeal the Personal Property Tax for small businesses and manufacturers. Both measures were strongly supported by the Traverse City Area Chamber and its Alliance partners.

Numerous other factors, of course, helped Michigan’s economy turn around. But these were critical because they involved fundamental changes to state operations. Not one-time or temporary fixes, but foundational change that businesses use to make long-range decisions, investments and expansions. Michigan leveled the playing field to make it more competitive with other Midwest states, and capital investment and job creation surged across the state. As the Journal points out, since 2011 Michigan has led the Great Lakes region in manufacturing growth, and the state’s unemployment rate has dropped to near the national average.

Here in late 2017, the challenges faced by the region are different — but no less important to tackle. Our priorities must lie with building on the momentum that’s been generated. We must resist the temptation to become complacent, or worse yet, to buy into the false notion that things will always be good or that businesses will always want to come to the Traverse City area. Very recent history shows us otherwise.

To meet those challenges, the Chamber will continue to put its focus where it’s always been — strengthening the foundational building blocks of the region to accommodate the people and businesses that want to be here. It’s been an effective approach for more than a century, from our earliest days of helping launch the region’s tourism industry, to building a regional airport and community college, to clearing an industrialized bay front. The business leaders of this community have always taken a straightforward but successful approach to economic growth — focus on the region’s cornerstone needs, and it will continue to thrive. Read more: Record Eagle

Lake Zurich Area Chamber: Local Officials Meet & Greet Breakfast

Event Invitation

LOCAL OFFICIALS MEET & GREET BREAKFAST

REGISTER NOW
Thursday, November 30, 2017
7 am - 9 am
Kemper Lakes Golf Club

When are the apartments going to be built at the former Kmart property? Is the Route 53 Extension going to happen? What's next for the Village of Kildeer? When will the stop lights go in downtown Long Grove?

Hear the answers to these questions and more from the Mayors/Presidents in all 6 communities and network with fellow business owners over breakfast.

Each Mayor will give a brief update on the current and proposed projects and development in their community.$20 Member Fee - Includes a Full Breakfast Buffet.
$45 Guest Fee - Includes a Full Breakfast Buffet

Deer Park

Hawthorn Woods

Kildeer

Village of Lake Zurich

Long Grove

Village of North Barrington

Date: November 30, 2017

Time: 07:00 AM - 09:00 AM CST
Website: http://www.LZAreaChamber.com
Location: Kemper Lakes Golf Club
24000 N. Old McHenry Rd.
Kildeer, IL 60047
Contact: LZ Area Chamber Office 847-438-5572
Email: events@lzacc.com
Date/Time Details: November 30, 2017
7:00 am - 9 am
Fees/Admission:
$20 Chamber Member Fee
$45 Guest Fee
Includes a full breakfast buffet
Advanced Reservations Required - No Walk-Ins

REGISTER NOW

Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Resource Guide & Business Directory

The Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 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 Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Resource Guide & 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.

Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce to host KY Chamber President Adkisson as luncheon speaker Nov. 29

The Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon meeting for members with Kentucky Chamber President David Adkisson. He will address business issues expected to be part of the upcoming legislative session. The luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29, at noon at the Danville Country Club on Lexington Avenue.

Dave Adkisson is president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. During his 12 years at the Chamber, it has grown substantially while working to fulfill its mission of “Uniting Business and Advancing Kentucky.” Adkisson is past chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and past chairman of the national Council of State Chambers. Adkisson is originally from Owensboro, Ky., where he started his career at the chamber of commerce and later served eight years as the mayor of Owensboro. He served as president of the Birmingham, Alabama Chamber for six years before returning to Kentucky to head the Kentucky Chamber in 2005.

Tickets for the lunch are required and are available by calling the Chamber at (859) 236- 2361, ext. 120 Read more: Advocate Messenger

Credit Union growth driving new $26M headquarters

IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union's plans for a new headquarters on Moline's riverfront are an investment not only in the credit union's future growth but in its membership, its future work force and in the Quad-Cities, its CEO says.

"We're building out for our future success," IH Mississippi Valley's President and CEO Brian Laufenberg said in an interview Tuesday afternoon at the credit union's corporate office. Located at 2121 47th St., Moline, the facility once housed a Birley's clothing store and was a Salvation Army discount store before the credit union purchased it.

Credit union leaders said the existing facility was designed for 10-15 years of growth when IH Mississippi Valley moved into it in 2001.

"We've probably faced space issues for five years," Laufenberg said, adding that many departments have been moved to other locations over the years as part of "a Band-Aid fix." "We're bursting at the seams."

Once a new 80,000-square-foot headquarters is completed at 2500 River Drive, the credit union will be able to consolidate its corporate staff under one roof, said Matt Jefferson, IH Mississippi Valley's executive vice president. The $26 million headquarters will allow it to expand its Contact Center and Technology and Digital Service teams as well as unite its training, mortgage, investment, insurance and business services teams back at its headquarters.

The project's location near the Western Illinois University campus also is strategic, in that the credit union plans to partner with WIU to begin developing future employees. "We've been lucky (in finding talent). But everybody is hungry in the Quad-Cities for technological talent," Jefferson said.

Laufenberg said the project creates a "cool place" that will improve recruiting and retention as well as tie in with the mission of the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce's Q2030 regional strategy. He said as area businesses, like the credit union, plan for the future they "are trying to determine how do we plug into that vision."

He said they considered a number of potential sites, on both sides of the river, before choosing the Moline site near WIU. "We knew we wanted to develop a campus-like feel so our employees could get out on their breaks and take a walk around or unwind."

Jefferson said there also was a desire to be easily accessible from both the Illinois and Iowa sides of the river for the employees and the members. Read more: Quad City Times

Chamber Strome Business Series with Kunal Mehta

Norfolk, VA – Join the Hampton Roads Chamber for the Chamber Strome Business Series featuring Kunal Mehta. The Hampton Roads Chamber and the Old Dominion University Strome College of Business and Dean Jeff Tanner are proud to partner up for this innovative series.

Kunal Mehta, author of Disruptors! Entrepreneurs and the Escape from Corporate America, kicks us off on November 15th, in celebration of Entrepreneurship Month. Co-founder of Unfold, a mobile network for sharing content, he is now a Venture Associate with the NYU Venture Innovation Fund. He helped to build out the finance and investment function of charity, water, and continues to work at the intersection of non-profits and global development through Incandescent and Purpose. Kunal is currently at work on his second book, Finding Genius.

Date: November 15, 2017
Time: 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Location: Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel
777 Waterside Drive
Norfolk, VA. 23510

CONTACT: Ebony Coleman, office (757) 664-2561, EColeman@hrchamber.com

Day of contact: Priscilla Monti (757)470-6805

Indiana Chamber Awards Top Honors to Tom Easterday, State Rep. Ed Soliday, Scott McCorkle, City of Goshen

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce presented its top honors tonight at its 28thAnnual Awards Dinner – the state’s largest celebration by the business community. A record crowd of more than 2,000 at the Indiana Convention Center saw the organization recognize some of the state’s very best:

Business Leader of the Year: Tom Easterday of Subaru Indiana Automotive in Lafayette
Government Leader of the Year: State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso)
Indiana Chamber Foundation’s Indiana Vision 2025 Dynamic Leader of the Year: Scott McCorkle
Lifeline Data Centers Community of the Year: Goshen

“All of our award winners have displayed a thoughtful vision, tremendous leadership and a drive to be the absolute best at what they do, which has positively impacted their companies, communities and state in a significant way,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.

During the event, Chuck Baldwin – who is managing director of the Ogletree Deakins law firm and based in Indianapolis – was formally elected the Indiana Chamber’s 2018 chair of the board of directors. Additionally, Brinegar was presented a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Eric Holcomb for his “exceptional business leadership”.

The dinner was presented in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Details about the four Indiana Chamber award winners:

Business Leader of the Year: Tom Easterday, Subaru of Indiana Automotive), Lafayette
Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) has been driving economic impact in Lafayette and throughout the state for 28 years. Easterday has helped lead that effort since before the first vehicle came off the assembly line. For the last two decades, he’s been the top American employee. Easterday holds the titles of senior executive vice president, secretary and chief legal officer.

“Tom has really been instrumental in growing and leading SIA to be one of the most highly rated, well respected automotive assembly facilities in the country,” Brinegar notes.

“He is very calm and very thoughtful. I’ve been to that facility several times. And when you walk around with him, you pick up how admired he is, how well respected he is and how well liked he is by the associates there.”

Easterday has cheered milestones such as the five millionth vehicle produced and witnessed the plant grow to employ nearly 6,000. He is also part of guiding every new hire through orientation. He works closely with associates, both in the facility and in the community. And he deflects praise to those producing the vehicles – Outbacks, Legacys, Imprezas and (beginning in 2018) Ascents.

Dan Evans, the recently retired head of Indiana University Health, has known Easterday for 35 years. “He’s been able to deal with very complex cultural issues of managing a Japanese-owned facility in Indiana, and has achieved huge success in so doing,” he says.

“Tom’s leadership extends beyond his mere job. And, in my opinion, that’s a sign of the ultimate leadership, which is wisdom. Tom has wisdom and applies it.”

Easterday has brought open communication policies to SIA and tries to make the plant feel like a small town. Each person wears a Subaru shirt with their first name on it. The Annual Associates Appreciation Day drew 10,000 employees and family members.

Easterday was also instrumental in Purdue establishing a branch campus on-site for manufacturing-related certificates and degrees. Associates who receive a C or better have their tuition paid for by SIA.

Easterday: “As a company, we try to pride ourselves on quality, safety and environmental stewardship. We have a great spirit of teamwork here at SIA, and I think the communications that we do are an important part of that. I have an open office. At any point of time I may have someone come over to my desk. If it’s important to them for that moment, it’s important to me.”

Government Leader of the Year: State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso)
Soliday enjoyed a celebrated 35-year career in the skies with United Airlines. In his current role representing the constituents of his hometown of Valparaiso, he hit the road by championing long-term transportation infrastructure funding legislation that will benefit all Hoosiers for many years.

Compiling the data and relying on the facts allowed Soliday to bring together a broad coalition. Clear communication, teamwork and perseverance are other factors that contributed to this critical success.

House Enrolled Act 1002, the landmark infrastructure funding bill signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb earlier this year, will allow Indiana to raise $1.2 billion annually for infrastructure costs.

Adequate funding is one of the goals in the Indiana Chamber’s long-term economic development plan, Indiana Vision 2025.

“It took a lot of information gathering, a lot of making the case by seeing what needed to take place between six years ago, which is roughly the time we started on this venture, and now. (Soliday) could look forward and see the need, as did the Chamber,” Brinegar says.

“He was a stalwart in working through the necessary information, building the case and offering forward-thinking legislation that was not without controversy.”

Unlikely allies – municipalities, unions and business advocacy groups, for example – joined forces. People and organizations with competing interests won’t always agree and that’s fine, Soliday says. But it takes working through ideology and accepting compromise at times to get legislation such as House Bill 1002 across the finish line.

Soliday: “It’s a model I learned a long time ago … it’s really simple: Define the problem first. Define the problem, gather information, make a plan, act on a plan. A lot of people make plans and never act. The most important part is critique all along the way. Have I taken my mind off what the real problem is?”

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas calls Soliday “fearless” and says, “If he thinks something is right, he will fight for it regardless of the obstacles in his way. He was a helicopter fighter pilot in Vietnam and he brings those qualities of grit and dedication and courage with him to everything he does.

“As (former Governor) Mitch Daniels used to say, you shouldn’t run for office to be something, but to do something. (Soliday) doesn’t need to be anything, but he saw the need and the opportunity to strengthen the state and that is what motivated him to take on the (legislator) role.” Read more: Indiana Chamber

Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map

The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce 2016 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 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.

EMBDC alliance: Exploring the keys to economic development locally

How would you describe your local economy? That's the question some local business leaders were asked Tuesday as part of the Mississippi Economic Council's statewide tour. Meridian is the 9th stop on the 18 city tour.

"Improving." That's how the interim president for the MEC describes the state's economy. He says the new tire plant in Hinds County, and booming business at Ingalls Shipyard on the coast are just two examples of growth, but more is needed.

"If you look at what site selectors tell us, the number one issue is workforce, and number two is strong transportation infrastructure," says Scott Waller.

That's why he says transportation upkeep, and across the board continued education improvements are needed.

"We've got to focus on making sure that we have a skilled and educated workforce that's able to not only deal with filling the jobs that are available today, but making sure that we're prepared for the jobs that are coming down the line tomorrow," says Waller.

In an effort to help attract more jobs and support existing ones, the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation has created a regional Alliance of Growth. It's a group of almost 100 business leaders from: Neshoba, Newton, Kemper, Lauderdale and Clarke counties. EMBDC president Bill Hannah says when it comes to attracting industries, this type partnership can help all involved. Read more: WTOK TV

Racine County: Look For Searchlights And Shopping This Weekend

It’s a great weekend to get your holiday shopping started! You’re invited to take in special shopping events all over Racine County – from east to west. Real Racine has you covered.

Follow the lights. The searchlights will shine bright in Downtown Burlington for Light Up the Night from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. You’re invited take a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit participating retailers for shopping specials and door prizes all evening long. Nonperishable food donations will also be accepted for the Operation Burlington Cares Food Drive. The event is presented by the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.burlingtonchamber.org

Art is everywhere. Get out and explore this Saturday! DRAW (Downtown Racine Art Walk) showcases art and artists at galleries and stores through the Downtown Racine area. Look for artist demonstrations and much more. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. More info at www.racinedowntown.com

Welcome to the village. The Waterford area invites everyone to Christmas in the Village. Specialty shops, crafters and private homes will be open with a variety of gift items. Stop by participating locations in Downtown Waterford to pick up a map. Hours are 12 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Also in Waterford, the FFA Alumni present a craft show, raffle, lunch and bake sale at Waterford High School, 100 Field Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $1. A free craft fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bruno’s Restaurant, 730 Cornerstone Crossing. Read more: Racine County Eye

Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor)

RULE #103 - Take down old pictures

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Greater Reston Chamber: GovCon Series: Federal Cyber Eligibility - Establishing Your Company's Qualifications; Kernersville Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide; Chamber interest: Daily Herald Business Ledger 2017 Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards; #BestChamber practices: Midland Area Chamber of Commerce: Cool Things to Share in your Weekly Newsletter; Logan County chamber exec, commissioner visit Fleming Town Board; #BestChamber practices: Fulton County Chamber: Making your newsletter personal; Chamber delight: Growth on Evelyn Gandy Parkway picks up pace; #BestChamber practices: Burlington Gift Checks – a program that works!; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Greater Reston Chamber: GovCon Series: Federal Cyber Eligibility - Establishing Your Company's Qualifications

Wednesday, July 19 - 8:00 - 10:00 am

Join us to determine if your business is prepared to comply with federal contractor information security responsibilities and obligations. The new requirements are in addition to the current FAR requirements regarding "federal contract information" as well as existing DHS, GSA and other agency obligations. By December 31, all companies that do not have these regulations in place may face elimination from supply and service chains.

As experts in their fields, speakers Diane Janosek, Deputy Commandant of the NSA National Cryptologic School; Nancy Sumption, Senior Legal Director and Global Cybersecurity Counsel at Medtronic; and David Dempsey, Partner at Dempsey Fontana, PLLC, will make sure you are fully prepared for the new regulations. Learn More or Register

Kernersville Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide

The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Community Guide is available at the Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Chris Comer and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

2017-2018 Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Community Guide

The Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards recognize and build entrepreneurship in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County. Honorees demonstrate the best traits of entrepreneurship, including willingness to take risk, drive, perseverance and business creativity.

CLICK HERE FOR NOMINATION FORM

Nomination Guidelines

The Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards - recognizing and building entrepreneurship in suburban Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County.

Honorees should demonstrate the best traits of entrepreneurship, including willingness to take risk, drive, perseverance and business creativity.

In order to qualify, a nominee's company or organization must be based in, have been founded in, or have a significant presence in the suburban Chicago areas noted above.

Nomination Procedure:

Nominations must be submitted online at www.dhbusinessledger.com

A statement either from business management, customers, employees or others familiar with the nominee can be very helpful to the judges.

Nominees will be contacted and asked to submit a nomination portfolio consisting of supporting materials.

Self-nomination is permitted.

Nomination deadline is 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 21 All supporting material is due 2 weeks after the nomination deadline) to Kat Polomsky, Daily Herald Business Ledger, 155 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Your information can also be emailed to: blawards@dailyherald.com.

Selection Process:

Judges' decisions are made from personal knowledge of the nominees and/or the quality of the supporting materials that are submitted.

All nominees will be notified of their status following the judging.

Primary Criteria for Entrepreneurial Excellence:

Entrepreneur must be the founder of the business, or have been critical to its growth.

The entrepreneur's company must be based in, or have been founded in, or have a significant presence in suburban Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County or Will County.

The company should demonstrate profitability.

The company should demonstrate significant growth and long-term potential.

The entrepreneur should note contributions to the community through charitable or leadership roles.

The company should demonstrate innovative employee programs and corporate culture.

The entrepreneur should demonstrate the ability to overcome adversity.

Additional Considerations:

Entrepreneur has founded more than one company.

Entrepreneur's company has received local, regional, national or international recognition.

Previous honorees will be considered if involved in a venture different from one that was previously recognized.

Recognition:

Award recipients will be honored at an evening reception to be held Thursday, Sept, 14, 2017..

Honorees will be profiled in a special supplement of the Daily Herald Business Ledger in the Oct. 16 issue.

Entrepreneurial Excellence Award Categories:

Early Stage Award: The award recognizes an individual whose company or organization has shown great promise and achievement in its early stages. Entrepreneur's company should demonstrate a likely prospect of profitability. The company should have been in business for five or fewer years.

Growth Award: Honorees are recognized for significant revenue growth over a two year period.

Innovation Award: Transforming the entrepreneurial dream into the reality of a tangible product or technology that will solve a problem is the first defining benchmark of entrepreneurial success. This award recognizes the best innovation-based products, technologies, systems or practices.

Young Entrepreneur Award (under 40): Honorees must meet the primary entrepreneurial criteria, and they must be under the age of 40 at the time of the nomination deadline (July 21, 2017).

Outstanding Service to Entrepreneurs: Through both personal and professional service, the recipient of the Outstanding Service to Entrepreneurs Award exhibits a strong commitment to helping entrepreneurs in a variety of industries. These honorees provide entrepreneurs with the resources they need to give our community its competitive edge. Examples of candidates would be attorneys, accountants, consultants, teachers and others who work with entrepreneurs.

Regional Spirit Award: Honorees should demonstrate commitment to the growth and well-being of the region through outstanding corporate citizenship and promotion of regional ties. Honorees should demonstrate the following:
- Be active in local and regional business groups
- Promote charitable and civic causes
- Work to build the region's work force and enhance its quality of life
Lifetime Achievement Award: Honorees should demonstrate the following:
Contribution to the growth of the suburban business community for at least one decade. Provide inspiration to younger entrepreneurs by examples of risk-taking, community mindedness and success. Provide information regarding outstanding achievements in business and in the community at- large, or development of the region's economy.

Candidates may be nominated in multiple categories, but may only be honored in one category. The judges will make that determination.

For more information regarding the Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, as well as for advertising and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andy Zielonka, Daily Herald Business Ledger, at (630) 955-3592 or azielonka@dailyherald.com.

Nominee Checklist

Please use this guide for providing supporting materials for your nomination portfolio. Include whatever information or materials you think would be helpful to the selection committee in considering this year's honorees. Remember, judging is conducted solely from the quality of the information and materials submitted. Please do not submit audio/visual materials or materials that must be returned.

Entrepreneur Biography: This may include the entrepreneur's resume and history, as well as mission/vision statements for the company or organization. Include information that tells the story of the entrepreneur. Include brochures if applicable, as well as testimonials or articles.

Growth: Describe how the entrepreneur has contributed to the growth of the company or organization. Please include measurable data such as statistics showing significant revenue growth over a period of time and how the entrepreneur contributed to this growth. Also describe the entrepreneur's potential for continued growth and achievement going forward.

Innovation: Describe a unique quality of the entrepreneur and/or their company or organization. This may be a tangible product or technology, a customer service system or practice or something that distinguishes the entrepreneur, company or organization within its industry.

Workforce Potential: Describe how the entrepreneur has developed the potential of the company or organization's workforce.

Achievements: List honors, awards, or achievements that the entrepreneur and/or the company or organization has earned.

Service and Entrepreneurial Spirit: Describe how the entrepreneur and the company or organization has reinvested in its community. List any involvement with business organizations, charitable or civic causes or any involvement that would enhance quality of life and give back to the community.

Category: Describe how the entrepreneur fits the awards category.

All nomination-supporting materials are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017 to Kat Polomsky, Daily Herald Business Ledger, 155 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. You may also e-mail your information to: blawards@dailyherald.com. Please do not submit any material that must be returned. Please do not submit any audio/visual material.

#BestChamber practices: Midland Area Chamber of Commerce: Cool Things to Share in your Weekly Newsletter

Cool Stuff to Share

	Cool Article: Seven Habits of Extra Interesting People - What makes interesting people captivating? Many reasons. But there are ways to learn how to be more engaging.
	Cool Podcast: Disruptive Leadership - Various TED speakers discuss what it takes to become a leader and shake up the status quo.
	Cool Website: Thought Economics - Recognized for their exclusive interviews with thought leaders from around the world. These individuals have shaped our culture and our future and discuss topics from business to science to medicine.

If you follow a good business newsletter, app, or a favorite business-related podcast, please feel free to let us know so we can tell others. Feel free to email your ideas to tlynch@macc.org.

Logan County chamber exec, commissioner visit Fleming Town Board

Fleming Town Board entertained a couple of visitors Tuesday night and both said the same thing - they work for all of Logan County, not just Sterling.

Glenna Aurich, recently-appointed director of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, gave the trustees copies of her membership welcome packets and Destination: Logan County, a magazine insert from the Journal-Advocate.

Aurich told the board the Chamber is focusing its marketing efforts on online delivery systems such as social media. She said towns can be Chamber marketing members but not full members, although she encouraged the trustees to ask businesses in town to become full Chamber members.

Logan County Commissioner Byron Pelton also visited and told the trustees he hopes to sit in on a town board meeting every few months, if possible. Fleming is in Pelton's district, but he said he's vitally interested in all of the municipalities in Logan County.

Pelton had visited the Merino Town Board's meeting on Monday night. Read more: Journal-Advocate

#BestChamber practices: Fulton County Chamber: Making your newsletter personal

Dear Chamber Members and Friends,

I am so grateful to have therapy and doctor appointments behind me for right now so we can get to business and prepare for the second half of the year. I am always so grateful for July because it is an opportunity to re-order, catch up, and prepare for the next busy season. There may have been a minute when I felt like we weren't going to be able to get to the re-order stage because we have so many projects going on, but in true ebb and flow style we were able to have a free moment to sit down and plan to get that catch up planned and preparation moving.

So, what do we have in the works for the next month and our next season?

First, we are working diligently to prepare and launch our Fulton County Tourism Commission website. This has been quite a project, but we are grateful to the team who has worked so hard to ensure it is the best representation of Fulton County that it can be! Unfortunately, we had a bit of trouble collecting content from folks so we have decided to launch it without full content with the sole understanding that a little bit more work needs to be done to complete it. Our hope is that if folks see what it is that we have been asking for that they will be able to more fully understand and we can get that info from them that we need to tie everything up. In addition, we are looking forward to the Tourism videos that one of the FCLA groups decided to partner with us on. Our goal with these videos is to provide an opportunity for us to capture the essence of Fulton County and what we offer. These videos, prepared by Landon Smith of Midwest UVA, will not only be displayed on our completed Tourism website, but will be available for individuals to use to share our story. Our hope is that we can help others to fall in love with Fulton County and want to either visit, invest, or move here so we can continue to grow our great community! The new website will be available at www.county25.com starting on Friday, July 14^th.

Second, we are doing our final follow up meetings on this past month's Living Local Fest. We have had a lot of lively conversation and great ideas. We are looking forward to making final decisions and preparing for what this new family tradition will look like for next year. We will get a save the date out asap so everyone can plan to attend next Summer!

Next, we are going to spend the month continuing to work on our updated policy manual, working on starting to dream about what we desire for next year, and prepare to welcome another great intern who will be with us for the Fall.

Lastly, don't forget we have two save the dates we are working on, one being for the third and final Women In Business networking breakfast which will occur on Friday, September 8^th and the second being for our Annual Chili Cook-Off which will be on Saturday, October 14^th. We have a lot of planning which will happen for these events in the next month or so, but meanwhile get those dates on your calendars and stay tuned for more details.

As always thank you for helping us to continue to make changes to make Fulton County a stronger and more vibrant place and for your patience as we walk this out. We are honored to walk this journey with you!

Blessed to be in Fulton County,

Amy A. Roe

More information: Fulton County Chamber

Chamber delight: Growth on Evelyn Gandy Parkway picks up pace

New businesses are beginning to open along the Evelyn Gandy Parkway at a faster pace now — nearly 11 years after the stretch of highway opened from Interstate 59 to just east of Byrd Parkway.

Development along has come in spurts over the years, but it has taken off exponentially in the last few years.

"It's just exciting to see so many different new businesses opening up and existing businesses being reinvented," said Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce.

In the last year, several new businesses opened on the parkway, with even more in the planning or development stages. Read more: Hattiesburg American

#BestChamber practices: Burlington Gift Checks – a program that works!

Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce Gift Checks make an ideal thank you gift, a wonderful Christmas or Holiday gift, perfect for babysitters, teachers, just about everyone on your list. Certificates are available at Associated Bank and Johnson Bank in Burlington.

The checks are available in any amount of $10.00 or more at either bank and they will make the checks to "Any Burlington Area Business" in the amount that you request. There is a designated line on the check for you to fill in the recipient's name. You just write one check to one of these banks and all of your holiday chores are completed!

This is how it works for any merchant. Any Burlington Area Business can accept the gift check. The check should be accepted as cash. Merchants will then simply deposit the check with their regular business deposit.

What if the amount is not exact? When the merchants receive the gift check and it is not an exact amount, the merchant will accept it as cash then give the customer the change of whatever is remaining. For example: If the amount of the gift check is $20 and the customer spends $11.56, the customer will receive back the difference.

Questions? If you have any questions on how to handle these checks that support our “Buying Locally” program, please call the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce at 763-6044, Associated Bank at 262-763-9955 or Johnson Bank 262-757-1150.

Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of our fine community. We hope that this program will continue to be of value to you and your company. Remember to stop by the banks that sponsor this program to purchase the Gift Certificates. If your business needs a large quantity, just call ahead to make the arrangements. Source: Burlington Area Chamber

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

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.