THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES (VACCE) ANNOUNCES 2021-22 OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber President & CEO, Named VACCE Chair-ElectHOT SPRINGS, VA – The Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) announced its 2021-22 officers and directors at their Annual Membership Meeting held at the Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, VA.
The 2021-22 Executive Committee members are:
Chair – Danielle Fitz-Hugh, Chesterfield Chamber
Chair-Elect – Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber
Secretary – Grafton deButts, Loudoun Chamber
Treasurer – Beth Rhinehart, Bristol TN / VA Chamber
Immediate Past President – Teresa Hammond, Alleghany Highlands Chamber
VACCE has placed the following members on its Board of Directors:
District 1 – Melissa Miller Haley, Hanover Chamber
District 2 – Terry Banez, Greater Williamsburg Business Council
District 3 – Sylvia Haines, Hampton Roads Chamber
District 4 – John Brandt, Colonial Heights Chamber
District 5 – Elizabeth Cromwell, Charlottesville Regional Chamber
District 6 – Gina Hilliard, Luray-Page County Chamber
District 7 – Angie Cabell, Powhatan Chamber
District 8 – Joe Haggerty, Alexandria Chamber
District 9 – Jennifer Atwell, Wytheville/Wythe/Bland Chamber
District 10 – Debbie Jones, Prince William Chamber
District 11 – Joe Martin, Dulles Regional Chamber
At Large Director – Brian Anderson, ChamberRVA
At Large Director– Tracy Hale Clark, Louisa County Chamber
At Large Director– Tracy Lyons, Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber
At Large Director– Michel Zajur, Virginia Hispanic Chamber
Ex-Officio Director– Erik Rison, Virginia Chamber
"I’m honored to be assuming the role of Chair-Elect for VACCE, following a line of tremendous leaders, including most recently Teresa Hammond and Susan Spears, and our current chair Danielle Fitz-Hugh," said Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber President & CEO. "During the pandemic, VACCE convened the chambers of commerce throughout the commonwealth for dialogues with our Governor and U.S. Senators to advocate for our business community. Our industry is an incredibly collaborative one, and I can’t think of a more supportive community than VACCE, where our chambers of commerce throughout Virginia support each other by sharing ideas and best practices.”
VACCE is an alliance of chamber executives representing large and small chambers of commerce from localities throughout the state. VACCE strives to develop the professional skills of chamber executives, staff, and volunteer leaders. The Association also provides a forum for integrating the work of the local chambers of commerce to contribute to the growth and development not only of local communities but also of our Commonwealth.
Greater Reston Chamber: Vaccine Mandate for In-Person Events and Committee/Council Meetings
COVID-19 cases, exacerbated by virus variants, have significantly increased in Fairfax County. The Centers for Disease Control currently identify the region as an area of “substantial” spread. In acknowledgment of our role as a community leader, and in response to this increasing public health crisis, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is introducing additional safety guidelines for all in-person activities, effective Monday, September 13, 2021.
The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce supports its members, and the surrounding community, through its four cornerstones of networking, education, business development, and advocacy. These additional measures are intended to ensure the Chamber’s continued ability to deliver its programs and services to as many of our members, guests, staff, and volunteers as possible, in the safest possible environment. The Chamber will continue to monitor county, state, and federal COVID-19 guidance and adjust these measures in the future as needed.
The Greater Reston Chamber staff are committed to providing our members and guests an efficient and seamless way to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine in a secure and confidential manner. The Chamber is also offering our event and meeting attendees the option to record their vaccine status so that proof does not need to be provided more than once.
The Wauwatosa-West Allis Chamber of Commerce Special Events Guide and Community Map
The Wauwatosa-West Allis Chamber of Commerce Special Events Guide and Community Map is now available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Chris Ruditys 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.
Brian Anderson, President & CEO, ChamberRVA to serve on the board of directors for ACCE
Brian Anderson, President & CEO, ChamberRVA has been elected to serve on the board of directors for ACCE, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, an Alexandria, Va.-based association of over 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,600 chambers of commerce.
“We are pleased to welcome Brian to the ACCE Board of Directors,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, president & CEO of ACCE. “He joins the organization’s volunteer leadership at a time when the role of chambers of commerce has never been more critical. As our members’ communities and regions emerge from the pandemic and focus on economic recovery, Brian’s expertise and leadership will contribute to achieving meaningful change, continued economic recovery and more equitable prosperity.”
“Serving on the ACCE board will allow me to be aware of issues facing communities and regions around the country while gaining insight on best practices being implemented around the country that can also benefit the Richmond region,” said Brian. “I am honored by the opportunity and look forward to representing the Commonwealth of VA, our region, and ChamberRVA.”
Brian Anderson also was part of the most recent class of sixteen chamber professionals to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation in 2021. The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas —management; planning and development; membership, communications and revenue; and operations. The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years and is recognized as the highest, and most elite, professional designation in the chamber of commerce profession. It’s the only globally-recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry.
“In the past year, these chamber leaders not only dedicated themselves to addressing local challenges brought on by the pandemic, but also invested many hours in their professional development to earn their CCE designation,” said Matt McCormick, CCE, IOM, president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Mo.) and CCE Commission chairman. “We commend their achievement and are very proud to have them join a long tradition of professional excellence.”
“Achieving the national credential of ‘Certified Chamber Executive’ has been a personal goal for a long time,” said Brian. “I want to thank ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives) for establishing the national designation and all the resources they provide supporting Chamber of Commerce professionals. I also want to thank every board member and the chamber staff professionals I have had the privilege of serving with and learning from.”
THE NAPERVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RELEASES RESULTS OF THEIR FUTURECAST BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOVERY SURVEY
Naperville, IL - The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has announced the results of their recently conducted Futurecast Survey to find out how the local business community is doing as they emerge from the devastating impact of the pandemic.
NACC President & CEO, Kaylin Risvold said of the survey results, “We don’t know what we don’t know. We can speculate based on current business trends and research this information on a national level, but we need to hear the voices of our local businesses - in order to fully understand how our community is faring so we, as a Chamber, can best support their recovery.”
WORKFORCE SURVEY FINDINGS:
Close to half of businesses surveyed are struggling with a lack of available workforce. When asked what specific resources are needed to meet workforce needs, 77% asked to identify “non-traditional talent pools”. Given our current open dialogue on this issue, The NACC was not surprised to find several respondents note unemployment bonuses as being a factor in not finding enough workers to fill available positions.
WORK ENVIRONMENTS SURVEY FINDINGS:
A total of 70% reported shifting their workforce to remote at some point during the pandemic. Of those, 54% plan to continue remote operations post-pandemic and 10% of respondents are still reviewing this issue.
Interestingly, 75% of businesses reported childcare/remote learning had little or no impact on their business operations. Several survey comments mentioned that caring for older adults provided more challenges than childcare issues.
SUPPLY CHAIN INTERRUPTION SURVEY FINDINGS:
Our survey found over half of our respondent businesses reported supply chain issues during the pandemic - with 49% expecting these interruptions to continue. One respondent noted how this issue doesn't solely impact a business directly, as they experienced a significant blow to their revenue from a client’s supply chain problems. Specific interruptions identified were refrigerated transportation, freight on imports, driver shortages, furniture being 4-6 months back-ordered, metals, PVC, computer components, and overall vehicle shortages.
FINANCIAL SURVEY FINDINGS:
Financial recovery varies greatly among local businesses. When asked their revenues of YTD 2021 compared to YTD 2019, 34% of businesses report increases between 25% and 50%. This is in line with University of Illinois’ Flash Index that tracks the performance of the Illinois economy (https://igpa.uillinois.edu/page/flash-index-archive). However, 24% of area businesses report decreases between 25% and 50%, while 19% report no change in the revenues compared to YTD 2019.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED SURVEY FINDINGS:
When asked how additional financial resources would be used to support their recovery, 48% of those surveyed said it would be used to secure additional workforce, 38% identified it would be used towards marketing and advertising, 26% find its best use on capital expenses such as major equipment purchases and technology upgrades, and 22% believe these funds will be applied to lease/mortgage expenses as well as on retraining/cross training resources, respectively.
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE CONCERNS SURVEY FINDINGS:
A total of 60% of the respondents view the business climate in Illinois as unfavorable or very unfavorable. Property and corporate taxes continue to be high concerns for our businesses as well as rising healthcare costs. Close to 60% of the businesses surveyed expect our economy to return to normal by mid or end of 2022 with 14% looking beyond the end of 2023 for a return to normal.
A full analysis and results of the Futurecast Business Community Recovery Survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-HF8Y5XYD9/
For questions and more information, please contact Director of Government Affairs, Reba Osborne at (630) 544-3387 or rosborne@naperville.net.
Dearborn Area Chamber: The Business Case For Employee VaccinationEmployers want the best for their employees. One important measure all businesses can take to help improve the quality of life of their workforce and strengthen performance is to educate employees on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.
Here are
five reasons employers should continue to encourage employee COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace and community. Link:
https://www.wellnessworksdetroit.com/the-business-case-for-employee-vaccination/ COVID STOPS HERE CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES OVER 200 BUSINESSES WITH 70% OR HIGHER VACCINATION RATES
In an effort to encourage vaccinations across the state and celebrate businesses that are leading the way in the fight against the coronavirus, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign that recognizes workplaces with a 70% vaccination rate or higher. Since the start of the campaign in early August, COVID Stops Here has recognized more than 200 businesses across Kentucky.
New Arrival: Duneland Chamber of Commerce Community Resource Guide
The Duneland Chamber of Commerce Community Resource Guide is available at the Duneland Chamber today! Thanks to Maura Durham, June Russell and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!! Town Square Publications 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. 
Duneland Chamber Directory
Greater Owensboro Chamber: Sister Larraine Lauter to Address September’s Outdoor Rooster Booster
Owensboro, Kentucky – The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce will host the September Rooster Booster, Sponsored by Brescia University, this Thursday, September 2 at 7:30 a.m. CST. outdoors on the Kentucky Legend Pier at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Guest speaker Sister Larraine Lauter, OSU, has been immersed in matters of justice, environmental protection, art, and the contemplative life. Sr. Larraine is the Executive Director at Water With Blessings.
“We are delighted to welcome Sister Larraine to our September Rooster Booster,” said Candance Castlen Brake, Chamber President and CEO. “With Brescia as our sponsor it is only fitting to celebrate the wide influence that Brescia’s founders, the Ursuline community has had in our world. The impact of Brescia and the Ursuline sisters on Greater Owensboro can be seen in nearly every walk of life of here.”
In over forty years of ministry, whether as art and music teacher, pastoral ministry in service to Catholic communities, choir director, ministry with immigrants, or nonprofit leadership, Larraine has always sought to be Sister more in spirit than by title.
Sister Larraine’s first ten years of ministry were focused on education, teaching art and music at the Cathedral School in Owensboro KY, then art and theology at Trinity High School in Whitesville, KY. From there, she followed a call to pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Owensboro, serving as pastoral associate, music director and liturgist for the Catholic communities of St. Columba (Lewisport KY) and Precious Blood (Owensboro KY).
In 2002, Sister Larraine started Migrant Immigrant Shelter and Support, offering housing and support to migrant farm workers in Owensboro. After moving to Louisville in 2007, she led
Hispanic ministry at St. Bartholomew’s and the Church of the Epiphany, where she also served as Minister for Social Responsibility until leaving in 2011 to lead Water With Blessings.
In 2008, together with friends Arnold LeMay and Jim Burris, she began to comprehend the immeasurable impact of clean water for the health of children and their communities. Their first Water Woman 2008 project to equip Honduran mothers with water filters to share with the community yielded unanticipated outcomes and insight, eventually incorporated as Water With Blessings (2011), at present counting around 115,000+ Water Women in 48 countries, supported by a great host of collaborators and supporters.
Lauren Klusman Promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications at Kosciusko County Chamber
(Warsaw, IN) – The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the promotion of Lauren Klusman to Director of Marketing and Communications.
Klusman joined the Kosciusko Chamber staff in March 2017 as the Marketing and Communications Manager. She is responsible for creating, implementing, and measuring the success of marketing, communications, and public relations programs that enhance the organization’s vision. In addition, she does photography and video work in order to increase visibility of Chamber members. She is the leader of the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee and serves on the Young Adult Professionals (YAP) Steering Committee.
Rob Parker, Chamber President & CEO says, “Lauren has proven herself to be an indispensable member of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. Her creativity and passion for our community and our members is evident in all she does and I know that she will continue to amaze in her expanded role.”
Taste of Kosciusko |
(Warsaw, IN) – The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Taste of Kosciusko event this Saturday, September 11th from 4pm-8pm in Downtown Warsaw. The event will feature restaurants and food vendors from across Kosciusko County. Attendees will be able to purchase taste tickets at the event for $1 each to try sample sized menu items. Each vendor will also be selling regular menu items. This event is in conjunction with the Kosciusko Kettleheads HomebrewFest. Admission to the Kettleheads tent is $40, which gains patrons a tasting glass and samples of over 45 locally made beers and ciders. Proceeds will be donated to Combined Community Services. Hand sanitizing stations may be available and social distancing is recommended. The Taste of Kosciusko is sponsored by Maple Leaf Farms.
Mclean County Chamber: Athena AwardsSince 1997, the Chamber has presented the prestigious ATHENA Leadership Award to an individual who has achieved professional excellence, gives time and energy to community service and actively assists others, especially women, in realizing their full leadership potential. The McLean County Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities, and our government.
These four finalists were chosen by a panel of judges from a strong list of nominees submitted by the community:
Aimee Beam
Vice President of Development, Public President, Carle BroMenn Medical Center
Colleen Kannaday
Relations & Marketing, The Baby Fold & Carle Eureka Hospital
Kathy Yoder
Coroner, McLean County Coroner’s Office
Aggie Hedin
Client Care Manager, SYNERGY HomeCare of Central Illinois
The ATHENA winner will be unveiled at the Leaders of Distinction Awards. Please join us in celebrating all four nominees and Pantagraph Media’s Twenty Under Forty award honorees.
LEADERS OF DISTINCTION AWARDS
Thursday, September 30, 2021
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm | Cocktail Hour
6:15 pm - 6:45 pm | Program
Castle Theatre
Cocktail Reception & Awards Ceremony
Reserve your tickets now for this festive evening celebrating these members of our community who inspire and encourage us! Tickets can be purchased online at
www.mcleancochamber.org or by contacting Jessica Kemp, Manager of Event Services, at 309-829-1188 or
jessica@mcleancochamber.org.
Job opening: Executive Director -
Portage County Business Council -
Stevens Point, WI Develop the strategic and operating plans for each organization and provide for periodic evaluation of the plans, along with summaries of performance to the Board of Directors.
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Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal or email John Dussman with the subject line: Chamber Publication Proposal Requested. Thank you!
