Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a GREAT day!
#BestChamber practices: Note on Coronavirus from Barbi Jones, Executive Director, Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina
Dear friends,
Our partners at the North Carolina Chamber launched a Coronavirus Resource Guide to help you do just that, including resources to help you:
- Activate
your preparation and response team,
- Communicate
with your employees and prioritize their safety,
- Begin
and/or continue business continuity planning, and
- Familiarize
yourself with legal guidelines.
Thank you for your ongoing support and investment in our Chamber!
Best regards,
Barbi Jones
Executive Director
The Chamber
704-490-4978
#BestChamber Practices: Mclean County Chamber: Expanding the Workforce - Creative Staffing Solutions
Thursday, March 5
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Chamber Training Room
Join Best Buddies for lunch and an informal discussion about cost effective staffing solutions that involve an untapped employee market. Learn how to diversify and create more inclusion in your workplace by hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
This session will cover:
Cost effective solutions to address business needs
Reduced recruitment and training costs
Lower absenteeism and sick leave
Increased employee morale
Foster a culture of corporate responsibility
Federal tax incentives available
Register Here
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
“There's nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.” -
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Lake County Chamber! Thanks to Shaunese Teamer and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2019-2020 Community Guide & Membership Directory
Town SquarePublications (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.
#BestChamber practices: 1si One Southern Indiana: The Industry-Focused Monthly Networking Groups
Engage your Current members and Attract New Committed Members
Closed Networking Group - only chamber members accepted.
Join one of our monthly industry networking Groups!
2019 1si Industry Networking Groups
1si Members whose business’s correlate to an industry networking group should email Ellenk@1si.org and request an application to join an industry focused monthly networking group.
These groups are INCLUDED with your 1si Membership!
2019 Monthly Industry Networking Groups are:
1si Commercial Property Services Networking Group, Max size 60.
Member businesses in this group are Construction, Design, Architecture, HVAC, Security, Roofing, Fleet Vehicles, Elevator, Banking, Real Estate, Property Insurance, Communication, GPS Vehicle Tracking, Paving, Cleaning, Site Selection, Moving, Climate Control, Commercial & Industrial Equipment Rentals, Sanitation, Erecting, Filtration, Excavating, Planning & Development, Electric Services, Materials, Engineering, Masonry, Commercial Water Features, Environmental Testing Services and more!
1si Residential Services Networking Group, Max size 60.
Member businesses in this group are is comprised of; Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Loan companies, Financial Institutions, Home Designers, Inspectors, Insurance, Roofers, Electricians, Furniture & Appliance Stores, Countertop company, Plumbers, Lawn & Landscaping, Real Estate Law Firms, Window, Door companies and more!
1si Nonprofit Roundtable, Max size 40.
Members in this group are C-Level and/or Development Director leaders representing nonprofits within the Kentuckiana region.
1si SoIN to Events & Weddings Group, Max size 60.
Member business in this group are Venues, Event Planners, Florist, Hotels, Caterers, Travel, DJ, Bakeries, Massage, Jewelry, Dentist, Skin Care, Sports, Bed & Breakfast, Tourism, Extended Stay, Tailor, Tux Rental, Dress and Wedding Boutiques, Gift Shops, Transportation, etc.
The 1si Health & Life Services Group, Max size 80.
Member businesses in this group include Hospitals, Senior Care, Nursing, Rehab Facilities, both mental and physical, Doctor/Dentist/Veterinary offices, Wellness, Nutrition, Chiropractors, Medical-related businesses, Hospice, Assisted Living Communities, Counseling, Therapeutic, occupational, Behavior Health, Allergy, Health Education, insurance providers and more!
Do you want to present to one or more of these groups?
Call or email me ASAP to learn how! EllenK@1si.org 812-206-9031
Fox Cities Chamber: Bazaar After Dark Night Market Events Announced for 2020
Vendor applications open March 2
The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce has announced that Bazaar After Darkâ, the Fox Cities inclusive and eccentric night market, will return for two separate events in 2020. Bazaar After Darkâ is dedicated to revitalizing and drawing positive attention to underutilized business districts in the Fox Valley, while fostering community collaborations through art, music and unique experiences.
The first night market event of 2020 is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 in New London. The second event will occur on Wednesday, July 29 in Neenah. Eventgoers can expect to see exciting new live art features along with an expanded lineup of vendors. Event details are still being finalized.
Stay informed about this event and learn more about Bazaar After Darkâ at http://foxcitieschamber.com/community/bazaar-after-dark/ or follow us on Bazaar After Darkâ’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bazaarafterdark/.
Bazaar After Darkâ is an inclusive, family-friendly street market event. Attendees can expect to enjoy fresh food, live art, local business participation, live music and a pet-welcoming atmosphere many have grown to appreciate at the past Bazaar After Darkâ events.
Interested Bazaar After Darkâ vendors, artists, sponsors and volunteers can find more information at http://foxcitieschamber.com/community/bazaar-after-dark-vendors/. Vendor applications for both 2020 night market events will open on March 2.
The community will notice a refreshed image for the Bazaar After Darkâ brand this year that remains true to the essence of the event’s identity.
Hardin County Chamber puts spotlight on health
Hardin County Chamber puts spotlight on health
Health was the main focus Wednesday during the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
The monthly event, held at Pritchard Community Center in Elizabethtown, included the Health and Human Services Expo, which featured local vendors aimed at providing the community with information on health and wellness.
The speaker at the luncheon was Dennis Johnson, president and CEO of Hardin Memorial Health. He spoke of several accomplishments of HMH throughout the past year, including its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program earning SANE Ready designation from the Kentucky Office of the Inspector General; the hospital becoming the world’s first institution to go live with IBM Watson Imaging Patient Synopsis; and its hospitalist program experiencing record growth in 2019 with the addition of five new physicians bringing the total number to 21.
“These are specialists that take care of patients while you are in the hospital. That is the cutting edge,” he said. “We’re proud of our new hospitalists.”
Johnson went on to tout the hospital’s cancer program that continues to grow. He said they now have a medical group of more than 260 physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
“When we are recruiting we try to be intentional in recruiting people that are going to be here for life,” he said, noting the vast majority of their physicians have a connection to Hardin County or central Kentucky.
“We’re very proud of the team that we have recruited.”
In November, Fort Knox Federal Credit Union announced a $1.5 million long-term investment to support military and community health in Radcliff.
The 10-year financial commitment and partnership, made through the Hardin Memorial Health Foundation, will help expand services at HMH Medical Group Radcliff Family Medicine clinic near the Wilson Gate at Fort Knox.
“They were generous and they are enabling us to provide expanded care at that clinic. It will include behavioral medicine,” Johnson said. “It will include some nutritional and physical counseling and support. We hope that clinic will be a model that we can then scale across all of our primary care clinics throughout central Kentucky.”
This spring, Johnson said the hospital also is opening its third urgent care location at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Ring Road.
“Again, this is part of our expanding foot print,” he said. “Most millennials and younger receive their care at an urgent care clinic. And while we encourage people to get involved with primary care and have a regular medical home throughout the course of their lifetime, we also realize people want quick, fast care.”
Johnson also mentioned Hardin County ranked No. 8 as one of the healthiest places to live in the state, according to a recent study.
“That has been a county-wide initiative,” he said.
In addition, Johnson reminded attendees in 2019 Hardin Memorial Health joined the new Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship program, teaming up with hospitals across the state to fight opioid abuse. He also noted the hospital’s emergency room is at the 87th percentile in patient satisfaction.
Johnson went on to praise the Hardin Memorial Health Foundation, thanking the organization for its continued support. Through the foundation, the hospital is able to pay for pet therapy, SANE and other programs.
“Our foundation is only five years old and yet they have raised an excess of $5 million,” he said. “And they have funded programs that we would not otherwise be able to fund.”
Lastly, Johnson addressed the sale of HMH to Baptist Health. He said they expect to close on or before Dec. 1.
“Despite everything that we’ve talked about with physicians and facilities and services and accomplishments, when you boil everything else down what really matters is the care of the individual,” Johnson said. “Our mission is to exceed the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families and anybody walking in our door ... Baptist’s mission is in a Christ-like manner to serve others. Our missions go hand in glove.”
Johnson said the hospital, which turns 66 this year, looks forward to expanding and continuing care in central Kentucky for the next 66 years. Read more: News Enterprise
Benzie County Chamber Joins Forces with Traverse City Tourism
It’s a new strategy for marketing and tourism in northern Michigan, as two communities join forces.
Rick Coates is the Executive Director of the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce. “There’s an opportunity for everyone to work together and I think that’s what everybody’s excited about.
The Benzie County Visitors Bureau is looking to expand their reach, and to do it, they’re teaming up with Traverse City Tourism. The idea is to create a stronger marketing presence, and benefit both communities. Coates says Benzie County has a history of a tag-team effort in tourism. “The chamber was really playing the role of being both the Chamber of Commerce and the visitor center.” For more than 20 years, the Benzie County Chamber – and Visitors Bureau – have shared a building and shared a name. But now the Visitors Bureau has a new vision. “The voting members of the CVB, and rightfully so, feel that there is an opportunity to expand the brand of Benzie County tourism perspective by partnering up with Traverse Tourism.”
22 participating Benzie County properties and their visitors will begin paying a 5% assessment on room charges starting March first. That money goes to Traverse City Tourism for funding of marketing and sales efforts. Arah Johnson works at Crystal Mountain and is also a Board Member of the Benzie CVB. She says, “By virtue of the size of Benzie County and the number of lodging properties there’s a limit to how much our marketing potential is. By joining with Traverse City they have a much broader scope and exposure.”
And Johnson says tourists to northern Michigan aren’t always concerned with crossing county borders. “Visitors don’t see county lines. They think of this is a region and we want to promote it as such. We find that often people who are staying in the Traverse City area drive out to Benzie County and, vice versa, people who are staying in Benzie County will visit many points of interest in the area.”
The partnership also affects the Benzie Chamber – which becomes a completely stand-alone entity. But Coates says it gives them an opportunity to focus on ways to better serve the business community. “Pretty much every business that’s a member of the Chamber that is here in Benzie County is impacted directly or indirectly by the tourism industry, so it’s extremely important. So we’re still going to play a vital role.”
And while Johnson says the Pure Michigan funding debate wasn’t a key factor in the decision – the uncertainty of what’s coming from Lansing makes this partnership even more important. “By virtue of there not being Pure Michigan funding right now, it actually probably helps our area to pool our resources because that increases the buying power to the market in this region, when there won’t be so much of that going on at the state level.”
The Benzie Chamber, meanwhile, will be evaluating and restructuring its operations in the coming weeks. In a letter to Chamber members, Coates says he plans “to meet with Benzie based tourism businesses and other interested parties towards the end of February to discuss the Visitors Center operation as well as additional tourism initiatives.” Read more: 9 and 10 News
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.
Louisa County Chamber launches campaign to grow area tourism
Louisa County is launching a campaign to promote tourism in the area.
The digital "Love Louisa" campaign showcases restaurants, events and other activities going on in the county year-round.
According to Tracy Hale Clark, the executive director of the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce, the primary focus will be on six big events in 2020, including the Heritage Day Festival and the Louisa Street Festival.
“We’re really highlighting those six to encourage people to build a weekend or overnight excursion to Louisa County,” she said. “There’s always something going on in our county that we’ve just kind of picked these six to highlight what we have to offer.”
Louisa County’s Chamber of Commerce is running the online campaign with funding assistance through a matching grant from the Virginia Tourism Commission. Read more: NBC 29
Louisa County Chamber launches campaign to grow area tourism
Louisa County is launching a campaign to promote tourism in the area.
The digital "Love Louisa" campaign showcases restaurants, events and other activities going on in the county year-round.
According to Tracy Hale Clark, the executive director of the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce, the primary focus will be on six big events in 2020, including the Heritage Day Festival and the Louisa Street Festival.
“We’re really highlighting those six to encourage people to build a weekend or overnight excursion to Louisa County,” she said. “There’s always something going on in our county that we’ve just kind of picked these six to highlight what we have to offer.”
Louisa County’s Chamber of Commerce is running the online campaign with funding assistance through a matching grant from the Virginia Tourism Commission. Read more: NBC 29
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
