Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Economic Perspectives on Small Business Lending; Geneva Chamber of Commerce brings the flavors of fall;13th Annual Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber Vine & Dine: Top chefs come together to support Gleaners; Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Paducah Chamber partnership: The Second Annual Meet the Artists Event is set for Thursday, Sept. 15th.; East Troy Bluegrass Festival celebrates 23 years; Interim Chamber head tells Rotarians about Lowndes Young Leaders; Clay County Chamber of Commerce -- Spotlight on Business; Salem-Roanoke County Chamber roundtable is Sept. 15; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps

Happy Monday, Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT week!



Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Economic Perspectives on Small Business Lending


Small business lending after the financial crisis: A new competitive landscape for community banks Community banks face growing competition, but also opportunities to partner with alternative lenders using technology to find borrowers and underwrite loans. Read more

Geneva Chamber of Commerce brings the flavors of fall

Reading the paper or watching TV, you can hardly miss all the back-to-school ads that have been trying to capture our attention since July 5.

Is this your sign that autumn is approaching? Or is it when the kids officially started school? Maybe it’s the colors changing or perhaps when you wear that favorite sweater for the first time during the season. I am a combination of all, but I certainly know fall is upon us when Festival of the Vine rolls around.

For 35 years, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce has been inviting all who enjoy fantastic food, exquisite wines, energizing entertainment and a great time to this “tasteful” event, Sept. 9 to 11.

Twenty-three Geneva restaurants will be creating a culinary display of specialties from Italian to Mexican, savory appetizers to delectable desserts, at the Flavor Fare. This year brings new menus and new eateries. What a delicious way to sample many of our local restaurants in one convenient location. There will be free entertainment all three days on the main stage as well.

Since Festival of the Vine stemmed – pun intended – from anything grown on a vine, wine of all varieties is a fruitful part of the festival. Twenty-five wines are being offered at the wine tent for purchase by the glass. Read more: Kane County Chronicle

13th Annual Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber Vine & Dine: Top chefs come together to support Gleaners

The area's top chefs are gathering under the same roof for one of the tastiest fundraisers of the year.

Tickets are now on sale for the 13th annual Vine & Dine, a gourmet fundraiser hosted by theBirmingham Bloomfield Chamber to benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. This year’s event will be held 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills.

“We are honored to once again partner with Gleaners Community Food Bank to help feed literally thousands of needy families in Oakland County,” said Chamber President Joe Bauman. “And we could not do it without the incredible support we receive from our member restaurants and wine wholesalers and retailers who donate not only their product for the event, but staff time as well.”

Vine & Dine offers guests an outstanding selection of domestic and imported wines, combined with a strolling buffet featuring the finest restaurants. Back by popular demand, director of NUCLASSICA, violinist and Cranbrook graduate Jordan Allen Broder will provide entertainment for the evening, offering an eclectic mix of modern music played on classical instruments paired with a live disc jockey.

Consistently a sell-out event, Vine & Dine has become the new tradition for wine and food aficionados. Tickets are $85 per person in advance, with special pricing available for bulk tickets of 12 or more. Complimentary valet will be included and guests are encouraged to dress to impress.

Food and wine participants this year will include: Bill’s, Café ML, Roadside Bar & Grill, Mandaloun Bistro, The Bird & The Bread, Forest Lake Country Club, Cameron’s Steakhouse, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Townhouse Birmingham, The Stand Gastro Bistro, BIGGBY Coffee – Bingham Farms, Granite City Food & Brewery, Hills Fine Wine & Spirits, ML Spirits, Eagle Eye Brands, Birmingham Wine & MI Grape & Wine Industry Council.

“We love participating in this event because it supports such an incredible cause,” said Bill Roberts of the Roberts Restaurant Groups. “The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber does a fabulous job in putting this together every year, and the Cranbrook Science Museum is a great location. Everyone in the community always has a great time – and most importantly, we’re helping out Gleaners.” Read more: Hometown Life

Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Kristina Simmons and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Rapid City 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.

Paducah Chamber partnership: The Second Annual Meet the Artists Event is set for Thursday, Sept. 15th.

The fourth event in the Creative Collaborations series developed by the Paducah Arts Advisory Committee will be held Thursday, Sept. 15. On that date, enjoy the second annual Meet the Artists, A Celebration of Art & Community from 4 until 8 pm at the Paducah School of Art & Design’s new 2D/Graphic Building (recently rehabilitated historic Kitchens Building) located at 905 Harrison Street. Free parking is available.

Meet the Artists is an opportunity for Paducah artists and art groups to connect and reconnect with the public, build relationships, share their stories, and show their art. The public will be able to mingle with the artists to talk about their work, the community, and their inspirations. This is a free event with more than 65 artists from around the region coming together to celebrate art and show their appreciation of the community that supports them.

Downtown Development Specialist/Paducah Main Street Director Melinda Winchester says, “The enthusiasm surrounding our 2015 debut event surpassed all expectations and encouraged us to continue to create more opportunities for artists to connect with the public. At this time, 65 local artists have committed to attend this free event for the public.”

Individual artists and art groups including the Paducah Arts Alliance, Yeiser Art Center, Bricolage Art Collective, Art Guild of Paducah, and PAPA Gallery will be in attendance. Paducah School of Art and Design faculty will also host an exhibit in the Bill Ford Gallery.

Winchester adds, “Paducah’s creative cultural community continues to enrich our city, enhance our personal lives, change perspectives, and broaden our horizons. By engaging the public with our diverse artists and crafts persons, we help foster education, promote community spirit, and create a distinctive city.”

Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler initiated the creation of the Paducah Arts Advisory Committee to encourage the various artists and cultural entities to collaborate and create events that further promote Paducah’s creative industry. The committee consists of representatives from Paducah Main Street, the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Paducah School of Art & Design, and various Lower Town artists and business owners.

In addition to the Meet the Artists event, the Creative Collaborations series included this year New River Currents held on March 12, the Lower Town Arts & Music Festival Open Studios on May 13 and 14, and Working Together: Collaborative Exhibition on June 16.

The sponsors and partners for Meet the Artists are Paducah Main Street, the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paducah Economic Development, and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: West Kentucky Star

East Troy Bluegrass Festival celebrates 23 years

The East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the East Troy Bluegrass Festival from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, at East Troy Village Square Park, 2888 Main St (highways ES and 120).

The festival will feature musical entertainment, a food court with local fare, and a marketplace with local crafters, artisans and farmers market vendors selling goods.

Staying true to the festival’s roots, local, emerging and popular regional bands will also be featured. The festival headliner on Saturday is Flatt Lonesome, a band that recently garnered five major award nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association. On Sunday, the headliner will be Sideline. The lineup:  Read more: Journal Times

Interim Chamber head tells Rotarians about Lowndes Young Leaders

Bill Walker expressed a few reservations as he stood atop the ladder. 

Walker, a member of the Lowndes Young Leaders board, was on top of a step ladder with his back turned to six volunteers who waited, arms interlocked, to catch him. 

"Is this too high?" Walker asked as the gathered Columbus Rotary Club members looked on. "Do I need to come down a little bit?" 

A few moments later, Walker fell safely into the volunteers' arms. 

Lisa James, interim president and director of programs and events for the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, said the trust-fall exercise was a way to demonstrate for Rotarians gathered at the Lion Hills Center Tuesday some of the activities members of the Lowndes Young Leaders program recently experienced. 

"It's important for them to see hands-on what we're doing with the Lowndes Young Leaders," she said. "They can hear about it all day long, but when they actually get to try one of the team-building exercises, it leaves a lasting impression." 

Lowndes Young Leaders is jointly operated by the Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Rotary Club and Mississippi University for Women. The program draws about 20 students from schools across the county for leadership training. 

"We want them to go out and be well-rounded, well-educated citizens and productive and involved in society," she said. "The best way to do that is to teach them to be leaders."  Read more: The Dispatch


Clay County Chamber of Commerce -- Spotlight on Business

Allied Insurance Agency

Allied Insurance Agency in Brazil is the industry leader offering high-quality insurance coverage options. At Allied, they make a difference where we live and work. With Allied insurance, you pay for only what you need. Homeowners insurance, life insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance, motorcycle insurance and more. Their wide range of packages provide you with customized coverage at an affordable price. Allied has companies located throughout the United States. No matter your neck of the woods, we have agents ready to customize a plan for you.

Allied Insurance Agency is a Brazil, Indiana family owned insurance agency company. Allied Insurance Agency has established an insurance division, offered auto insurance and developed a life insurance service for its Brazil clients in Clay County.

Need an insurance agency in Brazil? For friendly insurance service in Brazil and Clay County call (812) 443-4251 today.

(Information provided by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce for its Spotlight on Business for August.) Read more: Brazil Times

Salem-Roanoke County Chamber roundtable is Sept. 15

The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business Owners Roundtable on Thursday, Sept. 15, at noon at Hollywood's Restaurant and Bakery, 7770 Williamson Road in Roanoke.

The event is open to all business owners who are current members of the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. Business owners will be able to join fellow chamber members to discuss topics affecting local businesses. Nonmembers are allowed to attend once as guests. The event is free to attend, all participants pay for their own lunch, and registration is required.

RSVP to info@s-rcchamber.org or call 387-0267 by Sept. 14. Source: Roanoke Times

Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles and Custom Maps

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 Here

Chicago Fed Report: Midwest Economic Growth Slowed in June; #BestChamber Practices: Greater Louisville Inc. Business Attraction Resources; Naperville Chamber President will join panel discussion on entrepreneurial success; Grand Rapids Chamber: Politics & Pints Returns to Founders!; Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Politics aside, nomination of a woman is historic; Clay County Ribbon Cutting: New assisted living facility lauded at opening; Chamber support: PORCH opens in downtown Beloit, offers gifts and more; Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Honors Military at the Norfolk Military Recognition Reception; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Happy Friday, Chamber World! Have a GREAT Weekend!


Chicago Fed Report: Midwest Economic Growth Slowed in June

The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) decreased to –0.04 in June from +0.11 in May. The relative MEI moved down to +0.37 in June from +0.44 in May. June’s value for the relative MEI indicates that Midwest economic growth was somewhat higher than what would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy. Read more

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• #BestChamber Practices: Greater Louisville Inc. Business Attraction Resources

• 
  

Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana combine to make a thriving region where success is within reach for businesses and their employees. Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) is the local leadership organization that helps you understand and take advantage of all our region has to offer.

 GLI offers a unique combination of expertise and connections to help you close your deal. Our team of economic development professionals brings knowledge and experience to the table to assist you at every stage of the deal process. We can help orient you to the market, find potential sites for relocation, facilitate connections for the incentives and expansion processes, expedite services, develop workforce solutions, and introduce you to the business community.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES  – Benefits are available for all types of companies - new, existing and relocating; regional and national headquarters; back-office; distribution and supply chain; manufacturing; and research and development. Both Indiana and Kentucky have generous business incentives and financial programs.  

                Indiana Business Incentives
                Kentucky Business Incentives 
                Brief Summary of Incentives   
 
TAXES  – Kentucky has recently enacted wide-spread reforms to tax code policy.  Designed to stimulate investment and business growth across the state, the changes are rapidly making Kentucky more competitive.  Reforms include the repeal of the corporate license tax and the intangible property tax, as well as a reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 8.25 percent to the current 6%.  Personal income taxes have also been reduced to a range of 2-6%. 
Indiana ranks 8th in Tax Foundation's 2015 Business Tax Climate Index.  The cost of doing business in Indiana is very favorable, due in part to having one of the best workers' compensation rates and unemployment tax rates. Due to legislation passed this year, corporate tax for Indiana is set to drop from 7% to 4.9% by 2021.  
                Louisville/Jefferson County Tax
                Kentucky Tax
                Indiana Tax
 
INNOVATION - Through GLI's EnterpriseCorp and Enterprise Angels, the Kentucky Innovation Network, Purdue's Research Park, IdeaFestival, and many business Accelerators, Greater Louisville shows dedication to building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture for small, early, and second stage fast growth firms. StartupLouisville is an entrepreneurial resource created by entrepreneurs - a hub for startups and high-growth companies in the greater Louisville area, where you can connect to the startup community and view events. 
Click here to view Greater Louisville's Innovation Index, and compare it to other regions. 

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS – In addition to the Chamber of Commerce member businesses, GLI has relationships with local, state, and federal government, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, etc. throughout the area. Knowing the right people is essential to growth. We know the right people and we can help introduce you.

WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS – Our team can help you proactively retain your current employees and aggressively recruit new ones. Resources include WorkInLou.com, our community's job search portal; relationships with educational institutions, and connections to industry-specific business networks.

SITES AND BUILDINGS – Save time locating and evaluating acreage, commercial and industrial properties. Find your future site or building by visiting the Regional Property Locator. This web-based application enables you to perform site selection searches, customize and analyze demographic information, as well as view, create, and print maps.

RESEARCH SERVICES – Leverage the power of information with the help of GLI’s expert research team. We can provide your company with the latest economic and demographic data to help you analyze your competitive position and plan strategically.

BUSINESS RELOCATION - Get assistance at every stage of your deal by working with GLI's Economic Development team.  From introducing you to the market and teams who help secure incentives, to designing custom workforce solutions and orienting transitioned employees, our services can be your solution to the business relocation process.

RESIDENTIAL RELOCATION - Introduce transitioning employees and their families to Greater Louisville with LiveInLou.com, which offers an engaging overview of what it's like to live, work, learn, play, thrive, and belong.  Make sure to visit the "Linkability City" box at the bottom of each page for links to practical information (from driver's licenses and daycare to dog parks and dentists) everyone needs during relocation.

For additional information for your relocation to the Louisville region, check out the 
2015 Greater Louisville Relocation Guide. 

REGIONAL JOB SEARCH - Empower trailing spouses looking for job opportunities with WorkInLou.com.  Powered by indeed.com, WorkInLou aggregates Louisville-area job postings from all the major job search sites, creating a one-stop-shop for regional job seekers.  

INTERNATIONAL TRADE -  Find solutions to your international trade needs via these local, state and federal organizations: Sister Cities of Louisville (SCL), the World Trade Center Kentucky (WTC-KY), the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development International Trade Division (ITD) and the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (ITA).
    Foreign Trade Zones: 
         FTZ No. 29 Louisville
     Subzones:
         29B Ford     
         29C GE         29D Lexmark
         29E Toyota Motor Manufacturing
         29F Hitachi         29G Ascent Power Tech. Corp.29H ISP Chemicals
         29I NACCO Materials Handling Group, Inc.
         29J LLFlex, LLC
         29K Dow Corning Corporation
         29L North American Stainless
         29M Kinder Morgan Operating L.P."C"

SOURCES OF FUNDING DIRECTORY - The Sources of Funding Directory is the most comprehensive guide to private equity funding sources and grants ever compiled for Greater Louisville. This user-friendly volume is thoroughly researched and offers a wealth of information that can assist with expansion and relocation decision-making.

More: Greater Louisville Inc.

Naperville Chamber President will join panel discussion on entrepreneurial success

Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Nicki Anderson, will participate in a panel discussion hosted by Itasca Bank from 8AM to 10AM on Wed., Sept. 7, 2016.
The breakfast event will take place at Maggiano’s Oakbrook, located at 240 Oakbrook Center.
The conversation will focus on “The Secrets of Successful Women Entrepreneurs.”
Other featured panelists include Leslie North, Certified Public Accountant and small business owner, Nancy Stevens, Founder and Manager of Oaklee’s Family Guideand Rosemary Swierk, Founder and President of Direct Steel and Construction.
“It’s always a privilege to share the various facets of business ownership with others,” stated Anderson in a news release. “As a previous business owner and currently CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, I have seen all sides of business. My goal is to help others avoid the mistakes that I made through my own experiences as well as that of our members.”
The event will begin with a breakfast buffet and networking starting at 8AM, followed by the panel discussion at 8:30AM. Read more: Positively Naperville

Grand Rapids Chamber: Politics & Pints Returns to Founders!

Beat the summer heat with a fun night of conversation and great craft beer during our next Politics & Pints on August 18!

It’s the perfect happy hour mix to unwind and relax while connecting with elected officials and others in the community. On average, 100 attendees are able to interact with 20 elected officials from across the political spectrum.

Date | Thursday, August 18, 2016

Time | 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Location | Founders Brewing Co. - Centennial Room, 235 Grandville Ave. SW

Cost | $20/member, $25/future member or late registration starting Wednesday, August 17

Rapid City Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Kristina Simmons and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!





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.




Politics aside, nomination of a woman is historic


Partisan politics aside, Hillary Clinton’s nomination as a presidential candidate marks an historical first for women, several Mississippi political and business leaders said.

“I think this is good for our country,” said Madison attorney Vicki Slater, who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for governor in 2015. “It shows we can choose who is the best qualified candidate and not be limited by race or gender in that selection. It’s also wonderful for American families. Women in American culture make most of the decisions on education, on healthcare and consumer safety for their families.”

Even across the aisle, the historic first for women was noted.

Republican state Treasurer Lynn Fitch criticized Democratic economic policies she said have “crushed” women, but agreed the nomination of a female presidential candidate is noteworthy.

Linda Bynum, director of the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce, said: “All politics aside, this is an historic moment. I don’t know whether or not she’s the right candidate for the job and this is not me endorsing her, but this does lift women up. A lot of people of my generation never thought they’d see this in their lifetimes … I remember back in the '80s, when we saw Geraldine Ferraro as Walter Mondale’s running mate, I thought to myself at the time that I never dreamed I would see that. Then again, when Sarah Palin was John McCain’s running mate … I just say we’ve come a long way from the days when women didn’t even have the right to vote, couldn’t own property and couldn’t even open a bank account without their husband’s signature. Read more: Clarion Ledger






Clay County Ribbon Cutting: New assisted living facility lauded at opening




Tuesday was a milestone for Exceptional Living Centers and Clay County when the grand opening was held for Towne Park Assisted Living of Brazil.

Mayor Brian Wyndham said it's the first assisted living center in the county and it's a much needed business.

"This is a beautiful facility. Tom (Watts, Exceptional Living Centers CEO), you and your group came into town and identified a need and, more importantly, you did something about it and we really appreciate the investment you are making in this community to help us grow," Wyndham said. "As you look around, Brazil is moving and growing and it's folks like this who come in and help us do that."

Clay County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Mark Thompson said the project is bringing more than just jobs to the area.

"From the Chamber of Commerce perspective, we get very excited when we see 30 new jobs added to Brazil and see a beautiful new structure such as this," he said. "But what's going on here is something more than new jobs being added and a new structure. It's something much more personal than that. This place is meeting a need that is very real to Clay County."

Thompson told a story about Harold Plunkett, who was born and raised in Clay County.

"As his pastor, I officiated his wife's funeral a few years ago and worked with his family with 'How can we best care for Harold?' As a lifelong resident of Clay County, a generation who made Clay County a great place to live, I'm pleased and thrilled that Harold gets to remain in Clay County because of Towne Park." Read more: The Brazil Times





Chamber support: PORCH opens in downtown Beloit, offers gifts and more


Debbie Mongan hadn’t been to downtown Beloit for years, but after strolling through its Beloit Farmers Market last fall, she decided to open a business in the city’s downtown.

“I was impressed with how big the market was, but then I became more interested in what was going on in the storefronts,” she said.

Joe and Debbie Mongan opened PORCH at the former home of Flying Pig on Friday. The store is located at 430 E. Grand Ave., Suite 104, and hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday.

In addition to Joe’s metal garden art, the store offers clothing, gifts, garden items, jewelry and baby items.

The Mongans might be new to Beloit's downtown, but they aren’t new to retail.

Debbie had been working as giftware sales representative in 2003 when she met her husband, Joe, in Bangkok, Thailand, while building a playground for the non-profit Kids Around the World. Joe, a heavy equipment welder, was creating metal garden art and the couple decided to showcase his work in a storefront after his success at art shows.

They opened PORCH at 3065 N. Perryville Road, Rockford, nine years ago. She said the business became a big success.

While walking down Beloit’s streets this fall, the couple became impressed with so much entrepreneurial activity in the downtown.

“We wanted to get in when it's really starting to take off,” she said.

Debbie said she also was pleased with the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Beloit Association’s support in helping her set up shop, as well as the kindness of those in the community. Read more: Beloit Daily News





Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Honors Military at the Norfolk Military Recognition Reception




Norfolk, VA –The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce has recognized the accomplishments of our military members at our bi-annual Military Recognition Reception for more than 15 years. On August 5, 2016, the Chamber will have the honor of recognizing over 100 hardworking, military personnel representing all branches of the military from local commands throughout Hampton Roads.

Nominated by their respective commands, the honorees will be recognized for their outstanding service to our country. These service members will be joined at the reception by their families, military leadership, elected officials, and businessmen and women from the region.

Remarks will be provided by Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander. Mayor Alexander was elected Mayor of the City of Norfolk on May 3, 2016. A native of Norfolk and president of Metropolitan Funeral Service, he began his public service career more than two decades ago. Prior to his election as Mayor, he served in the Senate of Virginia where he was a member of the committees on Commerce and Labor, Finance, Transportation and Privileges and Elections. Additionally, he served on the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, the High Speed Rail Compact Commission for Virginia and North Carolina, the Special Joint Subcommittee to consult on the Plan to Close State Training Centers and the Joint Commission on the Future Competitiveness of Virginia Higher Education.

The reception will be held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott (Hampton Ballroom) at 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Candace Reid at creid@hrccva.com.

Date: Friday, August 5
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Norfolk Waterside Marriott
235 East Main Street
Norfolk, VA 23510



Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps


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 Here


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

RULE #9 - Recruit board members that earn more than you.