Geneva's Swedish Days Festival - 200,000 expected: 'The Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals' will run Tuesday through Sunday, June 19-24; #FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: Leadership; Fredericksburg Regional Chamber: Community Conversation: Governor Ralph Northam; Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Dearborn Chamber event: “Cruisin’ Dearborn” Returns this August to Kick-off the Dearborn Homecoming Festival, Featuring 125 Classic Cars & 50 Classic Motorcycles; Horn Lake Chamber Food Truck Fest; Covington County 2017-2018 Chamber of Commerce Community Map; China presents huge opportunity for NWI Region businesses; Nominations open for Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner awards; New Richmond Chamber Fun Fest June 12-15: Sponsorship Opportunities; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S. Welcome New Town Square Chamber Partner: Carterville (IL) Chamber;

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

Welcome New Town Square Chamber Partner: Carterville (IL) Chamber

We love being part of your business strategy!

Geneva's Swedish Days Festival - 200,000 expected: 'The Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals' will run Tuesday through Sunday, June 19-24

A must for a summer fun destination is Geneva’s 69th Annual Swedish Days Festival. More than 200,000 visitors and residents stop by for a variety of activities – combining traditional events and exciting new attractions. For more online info, see Geneva, Ill Swedish Days

Here’s a sneak peek:
Shopping & Treasures
Every year shoppers look forward to sidewalk sales offering “must have” bargains at Geneva’s 100+ specialty shops.

Musical Entertainment
Free nightly musical entertainment on Central Stage kicks off Tuesday, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. featured artists play on the courthouse lawn.

Food Booths
Festival goers can feast on traditional Swedish and favorite American and ethnic foods including, brats, ribs, turkey legs, veggie burgers, wood smoked pork sandwiches, meatballs, pizza, garlic crab pasta and burritos, to name a few at the many non-profit food booths. Sinfully good desserts will also be available.

Restaurants, Pizzerias & Pubs
Don’t forget all the fine restaurants in Geneva. From casual bistros to 5-star formal dining, a day in Geneva isn’t complete without sampling one or more of the fine restaurants and eateries. Or stop by one of the beer gardens that offers good food, drink and entertainment during the festival. Visit www.genevachamber.comfor a listing of our 40+ restaurants, pizzerias and pubs.

Activities for Young Visitors
Kids will want to be at Swedish Days 2018 every day, but Tuesday's kick-off explodes with activity for young visitors.
- Creation Station opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and continues all week with projects.
- Swedish Days 2018 is packed with favorites: the Carnival, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Quad Power Jump, Fun at the Library Tent and mini golf.
- June 22 is “Kids’ Day” where from early in the morn to late into the night, kids can stay busy. All-Star Sports coaches will try to dodge getting dunked. The Geneva Park District coordinates games and activities on the courthouse lawn including performances by Sunset Dancers and Angels Cheer & Poms Team.
- The Kids’ Day Parade invites children through age 10 to enter in one of our parade categories.

Come for the Run, Stay for the Fun
Located along the scenic Fox River in Geneva, the Swedish Days 5K Lopp promises an unbelievable race experience. Runners are encouraged to tie-in the Scandinavian theme with their attire. More info at www.genevachamber.com

Grand Parade
On Sunday, bring some chairs and blankets so the entire family can enjoy the Grand Parade – a community parade with over 45,000 viewers.

Enjoy free admission with easy access via the Metra.
Events, hours and schedule available at www.genevachamber.com or the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 
630.232.6060. Source: Nordstjernan




#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: Leadership

“I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: try to please everyone”. Herbert Bayard Swope

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber: Community Conversation: Governor Ralph Northam

The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes Governor Ralph Northam to the Fredericksburg region as part of our Community Conversation series presented by Virginia Partners Bank on June 19, 2018. The event will be held at the Jepson Center on the University of Mary Washington’s campus at 8:30 a.m.

Governor Northam will address the membership on the New Virginia Economy. In his first year, Governor Northam has identified the economy and returning Virginia to its status as a top state for business as a priority of his administration. This event will be the Fredericksburg region’s first opportunity to hear Governor Northam’s plan for the state’s economy and to ask the governor questions.

Before he was inaugurated as the 73rd Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Ralph Northam served as an Army doctor, pediatric neurologist, business owner, state Senator and Lieutenant Governor. Governor Northam approaches public service with the same passion he brought to his military and medical service.  He is committed to working with leaders from both parties to build a Virginia that works better for every family, no matter who they are or where they live.  

To register for the event, please go to fredericksburgchamber.org or call the Chamber office at 540.373.9400. 

Media Contact Ann Marie Washington, Communications Coordinator, (540)373-9537, annmarie@fxbgchamber.org



Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber today! Thanks to Jon Maynard, Pam Swain, Rosie Vassalo and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Oxford Mississippi 2017-2018 Community Guide & Membership 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.

Dearborn Chamber event: “Cruisin’ Dearborn” Returns this August to Kick-off the Dearborn Homecoming Festival, Featuring 125 Classic Cars & 50 Classic Motorcycles

125 historic cars & 50 historic motorcycles will cruise the streets of Dearborn to kick off the festivities at the 2018 Dearborn Homecoming Festival for “Cruisin’ Dearborn” on Friday, August 3, 2018. The cruise, presented by Les Stanford Chevrolet Cadillac will begin at 7 pm at the Dearborn Police Department and will run along Michigan Ave. through Downtown West Dearborn, ending at Ford Field Park for a fun classic car show with plenty of food and entertainment! The classic cars will be on show until 10:00 pm at the Dearborn Homecoming Festival at Ford Field Park in Dearborn.

“Every year this is a visual feast for the eyes & we look forward to welcoming classic cruisers from all over Metro Detroit again this year to kick off the annual Dearborn Homecoming Festival, we’re delighted to include 50 classic motorcycles this year!” said Jackie Lovejoy, president of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce.

The parade is scheduled to be led by Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly. A “Best in Show” award will also be presented at this year’s event.

This year, the cruise is limited to 125 classic car & 50 classic motorcycle cruisers, who will all receive a certificate of participation, a dash plaque, and cruiser gift bag, sponsored by Jack Demmer Ford.

“Cruisin’ Dearborn has become a summertime favorite for our community and classic car enthusiast’s all over the Metro Detroit region!” commented Kelli Vanden Bosch, Director of Events at the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce.

Registration for Cruisin’ Dearborn is only $25 per vehicle, and includes a $5 voucher to be used at the nonprofit food vendor tents at the Dearborn Homecoming Festival. Registration can be completed online at www.DearbornAreaChamber.org or by calling 313-584-6100. Cruisin’ Dearborn is open to classic cars ranging in model years from 1933-1991.

The 39^th Annual Dearborn Homecoming festival is presented by the City of Dearborn and the nonprofit Dearborn Community Fund and runs Aug. 3-5 with three days of entertainment, family activities, and food sales and informational booths operated by community service groups.

For more information, please contact the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce by phone at 313-584-6100. Be sure to follow the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at facebook.com/DearbornAreaChamber, on Twitter @DbnAreaChamber and online at www.dearbornareachamber.org for all the latest news and events.

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce provides 600+ members with the opportunities and resources to engage and network with other businesses, enhancing financial growth, professional development, and the ability to contribute to a thriving community environment.

Horn Lake Chamber Food Truck Fest

The Horn Lake Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the first annual Horn Lake Food Truck Festival sponsored by Belhaven University Desoto to take place on Saturday, August 25th 2018 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm in Latimer Lakes Park. Our beneficiary for the event is the Horn Lake Excel by 5 program. We have been working closely with the director of the Mid-South Food Truck Festival, Stanley Perrin to make sure that we have a top notch event! Food trucks, Craft Vendors & Live music!!

For more information, please check out the calendar of events. Registration forms are available by emailing info@hornlakechamber.com. Please visit our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=horn%20lake%20food%20truck%20festival

Covington County 2017-2018 Chamber of Commerce Community Map 

The Covington County Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Covington County Chamber today! Thanks to Marie Shoemake and her team for their help and direction putting this together!

Covington County Chamber Map

Town Square Publications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633. 


China presents huge opportunity for NWI Region businesses

Northwest Indiana companies have opportunities to do business in China, where the middle class is as large as America's total population and where consumers put a premium on American-made goods, according to America China Society of Indiana Executive Director Colin Renk.

Renk told the Gary Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon at the U.S. Steel Yard that China is still growing fast, at about 7 percent a year, and is a huge market that could be tapped by manufacturers and other companies despite the ongoing trade conflict. He cited the example of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly, which has had operations in China for 100 years and survived two World Wars, the Cultural Revolution and U.S.-China turmoil.

"You have a unique situation, being between Chicago and Detroit on a corridor of investment," Renk said. "It could open the doors."

China is Indiana's third largest export market, behind only Canada and Mexico. The Hoosier state exported $3.1 billion of goods such as grains, pharmaceutical drugs, auto parts and medical equipment to China in 2017, and exports to China have grown by 110 percent since 2008, as compared to 37 percent to the rest of the world.

Indiana also has exported more services, such as education, travel, royalties from industrial processes and the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial equipment, to China in 2017 than to any other country in the world, according to the America China Society. Hoosier exports of services to China totaled $856 million last year. 

That's grown by 480 percent since 2007 as compared to 52 percent to the rest of the world. Read more: NWI TIMES

Nominations open for Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Northern Kentucky Chamber’s annual awards recognizing outstanding leaders in the Chamber and in the community.

Winners will be announced in July with awards presented at the NKY Chamber Annual Dinner presented by Fifth Third Bank on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

Nominations are being accepted for the following awards:

The Walter R. Dunlevy/Frontiersman Award was established in 1968 and recognizes an individual who has a lifelong history of outstanding service to the Northern Kentucky community, exhibits outstanding service to their profession or industry, and exemplifies the highest standards of personal integrity and family responsibility.

The Walter L. Pieschel (MVP) Award, sponsored by Humana, is named in memory of the NKY Chamber’s first volunteer leader and recognizes an individual Chamber member who has provided outstanding volunteer service to the Chamber as a committee member, committee chair, or in any other special capacity during the past 12 months.

The Northern Kentucky Unity Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have shown leadership in bringing Northern Kentuckians together to address and solve common challenges and issues, and has shown leadership in seeking regional solutions to Northern Kentucky challenges.

The Northern Kentucky ImageMaker Award is presented on special occasions to an individual or individuals who have brought national or international attention to the Northern Kentucky community through their achievements.

The Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III Northern Kentucky Economic Development Award, sponsored by Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, is presented to the individual, entity, company or organization demonstrating significant advancement of the economic development efforts in Northern Kentucky in honor of Bill Robinson, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Chair (1986-87) and co-founding member and continuous Secretary/Treasurer of the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation since 1987.

Current members of the NKY Chamber’s Board of Directors are not eligible to receive these awards. Nomination forms can be found at NKYChamber.com/ADNominations. The nomination deadline is June 30, 2018 at 5pm.

Source: Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

New Richmond Chamber Fun Fest June 12-15: Sponsorship Opportunities


Beverage Sponsor $1000 (limit 3) - SOLD OUT!

Presenting Sponsor $1000 (limit 1)

Facebook Live video during Fun Fest w/your business/organization

Verbal Recognition before bands play on Friday & Saturday night

Verbal Recognition during Fun Fest Parade

Banner at the Entrance of Fun Fest Food and Beer Garden

Recognition on Chamber Website, Facebook and eNews

Complimentary Business Booth

Carnival Ride Tickets

Free Parade Entry


Gold Sponsor $500 (limit 2)

Verbal Recognition before bands play on Friday & Saturday night

Verbal Recognition during Fun Fest Parade

Banner at the Fun Fest Tent

Recognition on Chamber Website, Facebook and eNews

Complimentary Business Booth

Free Parade Entry


Silver Sponsor $250 (limit 4)

Banner at the Fun Fest Tent

Recognition on Chamber Website, Facebook and eNews

Complimentary Business Booth

Free Parade Entry


Parade Sponsor $250 (limit 2)

Verbal Recognition during Fun Fest Parade

Free Parade Entry with Priority Placement

Banner at the parade Announcers Stand

Four Reserved seats at the parade Announcers Stand

Recognition on Chamber Website, Facebook and eNews


Downtown Shuttle Sponsor $100 (limit 2)

This pays for the FREE downtown shuttle on Friday and Saturday night from the Fun Fest tent to support downtown businesses and give safe rides.

Verbal Recognition before bands play on Friday & Saturday night

Banner at the Fun Fest Tent

Recognition on Chamber Website, Facebook and eNews

Read more: New Richmond Chamber

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

Wisconsin Could Be A Midwestern Silicon Valley, Madison Chamber Of Commerce President Says; The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosts its first Congressional Forum; Farmville Chamber award: Dapper Dan’s named Merchant of the Month; #BestChamber Creativity: Aurora Regional Chamber: Cardboard Boats Return; Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber Event: Breakfast with Superintendents; Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Guide & Map; Donnelly touts Gary's logistics potential at chamber event; Downtown Meridian could bring opportunity for small businesses; 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!

Wisconsin Could Be A Midwestern Silicon Valley, Madison Chamber Of Commerce President Says

Having long been associated with dairy, cheese, and sometimes Harley-Davidson, Wisconsin is a state whose reputation isn’t exactly rooted in the startup culture.

But to the president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Zach Brandon, that doesn’t mean the potential isn’t there.

Jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math – those so-called STEM fields – are concentrated in Wisconsin, to some people’s surprise, Brandon said.

"Madison, Wisconsin, has the second highest concentration of software publishing jobs in the country," he said. "That defies what we think is reality. We think that it’s Silicon Valley, we think it’s Austin, Texas." 

The only city ahead of Madison is Seattle, Washington, he said.

Brandon’s faith in the existing technology economy in Wisconsin – along with hopes for its future – draws heavily on ideas from the co-founder of America Online, Stephen Case. Case’s recent book, "The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur’s Vision of the Future," suggests the country will enter a new economic era, or third wave, when businesses will use the power of data, technology and the internet to enhance or even disrupt existing industries like healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture. Read more: Wisconsin Public Radio

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosts its first Congressional Forum

Chamber brings Kentucky's congressional delegation to Louisville, saving business leaders a trip to D.C.

Join us Monday, August 29, 2016 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville for the Chamber's first Congressional Forum. The forum will provide Kentuckians a new way to interact with their representatives by bringing members of Kentucky's federal delegation back home to talk issues.

Featured speakers will include Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville, U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green and retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield of Hopkinsville.

The Kentucky Chamber's inaugural Congressional Forum will give the business community access to legislative leaders and a chance to hear detailed accounts of the issues happening at the federal level without leaving the comfort of Kentucky.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, for questions contact Andrea Flanders at 502-848-8723 or
sign up online.

View the complete agenda.

Register now, and don't miss this rare opportunity to interact with your representatives, right here
in the Commonwealth!

Questions? For questions contact Lori Jo Goff via  email or phone at 502-848-8727


Farmville Chamber award: Dapper Dan’s named Merchant of the Month

Although Dapper Dan’s Art and Antique Gallery has been in business for 30 years, it is relatively new to the Farmville community. But it quickly has settled in and maintained its popularity.

Owners Dan Roberson and Joe White restored the shop at 3743 S. Main St. and officially opened in October.

“We love being in Farmville and the small-town atmosphere,” White said. “We still have people who stop by and say 'Thank you for coming to Farmville.’ The local support is amazing, and our Greenville customers have followed us here.”

Dapper Dan’s also has new some hardware to show customers after being named the Farmville Chamber of Commerce’s Merchant of the Month award for July.

“Dapper Dan’s was an obvious choice. ... They are dedicated to Farmville like no other,” Judy Gidley, director of the Farmville chamber, said of Roberson and White.

Dapper Dan’s supports chamber and community events, including the Dogwood Festival window decorating contest, Taste of Farmville and Little Patriots on Parade, Gidley said. The business also supports the chamber’s annual golf tournament.

Roberson and White said they were humbled to have been selected as Merchant of the Month.

“This is a great honor, especially with the time we have been here,” White said. “To receive the award so quickly, we appreciate the support and encouragement.” Read more: Reflector.com

#BestChamber Creativity: Aurora Regional Chamber: Cardboard Boats Return














Join your friends and neighbors as Fox Valley United Way kicks off its 2016–2017 fundraising campaign with the 14th Annual Cardboard Boat Race at Phillips Park’s Mastodon Lake in Aurora.

There will be lots of music, food and family fun. Activities begin at 9:00 a.m. and awards are presented at noon, including "Most Spectacular Sinking." More information: Aurora Regional Chamber


Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber Event: Breakfast with Superintendents

8-9:30 a.m. August 11, 2016

Breakfast with Superintendents

NEW location: 

Bloomfield Hills High School

Connect with community leaders and hear the latest developments from our local school districts.

Who should attend: Parents, Local Businesses, Real Estate Agents, School Representatives, Tutoring Centers, Nonprofits, Relocation Services... RSVP Here

Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Guide & Map

The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Guide & Map is available at the Green Lake County Chamber! Thanks to the Green Lake County chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Green Lake map

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.





Donnelly touts Gary's logistics potential at chamber event

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., told chamber of commerce members that the city’s potential as a transportation hub positions it to thrive in coming years.

The first-term senator said the U.S. Customs facility planned for the Gary/Chicago International Airport “is critical” for the area’s future as a logistics hub.

“We’re looking at a place that is going to become an economic dynamo for us,” Donnelly said of the airport. “It’s going to be a huge job creator, I think.”

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection office will allow international flights to land at the Gary airport. That would promote Gary’s position as a logistics hub and attract supporting businesses.

“This is a natural home for all those things,” Donnelly said.

With interstate highways, rail and the lakeshore, “this is an absolute hub. If you need to move product, this is the place,” Donnelly said.

Engineering and design work is underway on the proposed U.S. Customs facility, which will be housed in a building recently used as a helicopter hangar.

Donnelly also talked about the state of the steel industry at Monday’s Coffee & Conversation gathering. Members of both houses of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, have “worked really, really hard” on trade cases involving alleged illegal dumping and currency manipulation, he said.

“We’ve started to win those cases,” Donnelly said. “We plan to have that continue.”

Donnelly said a significant concern is providing young people with a “road map” to successful lives, including guidance in gaining the skills needed for careers with area businesses. 

“What (businesses) need more than anything are skilled, trained individuals,” Donnelly said. Read more: NWI Times

Downtown Meridian could bring opportunity for small businesses

One local organization believes small businesses may be able to benefit from new development coming to downtown Meridian. According to the Mississippi Small Business Development Center, small businesses make up about 90 percent of businesses in our state.

Over the past 8 years, Dermaine Johnson has been a cutting men's hair. Johnson says he has used barbering as way to prepare his clients for success in the Queen City.

"Whatever I do to you in here, is how you are perceived to the world. If you are going to a job and you are not groomed and you are not tamed, chances are you are not going to get that job. If you go in and you look presentable, things tend to work out for you," said Johnson.

After years of working for someone else, Johnson decided to branch out and open his own barber shop. Business counselor, Dustin Odom, says this is the time for people to start thinking about starting their own business. With new downtown development, Odom predicts it will attract more revenue to the area and help support small businesses."With the announcement of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center, we are seeing a lot of people who are looking to relocate downtown. And we are starting to see a lot more business in the downtown area. Hopefully within the next 4 or 5 next years we'll have a thriving downtown area that has been revitalized, with a lot of people from other states and cities within the state who will come to Meridian's downtown to shop and enjoy entertainment," said Odom.

Odom also says small businesses employ about half of the workforce in Mississippi. Starting out, Johnson says he will employ up to eight stylists. As the city continues its growth, Johnson hopes more people will look into starting their own business.

"It's another avenue of showing that, hey this guy did it; he is probably from my neighborhood. I can do it as well. It's just not going to be someone else's job," said Johnson.

Mississippi State University's Small Business Development Center will host a free workshop on starting your own business Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. The workshop is held each month at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation on Front Street in Meridian. Read more: WTOK.com

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 for chambers 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.More information: Town Square Publications

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 #16 --- Great board meetings take 40 minutes

Chamber Best Practices: Keep the new hire engaged... before they start!; Chamber legend Terry Hartwick moving from North Little Rock Chamber to Lead Parks in NLR; Chicago Southland Chamber Breakfast with the Governor; Martinsville-Henry County Chamber luncheon: State Senator Bill Stanley, Del. Danny Marshall to seek state aid for med school; East Mississippi Business Development Council interest: 26 graduate from Leadership Lauderdale; Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan; Chamber interest: What big ideas in Northern Kentucky should get state funding?; Chamber issue: Boeing exec talks about future of Gary airport; Chamber initiative: Leadership Rapid City is looking for leaders for the 2015 class; Portage Area Chamber assist: Needed: $4k for Independence celebration; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Chamber Best Practices: Keep the new hire engaged... before they start!

Ever had buyers remorse? Of course. Have you ever had someone accept a job only to not show up on their start date? Or call the night before saying that their spouse changed their mind and they won't move? Well, we have seen it all! Especially if there is a long period of when the candidate accepts and actually starts the job. Here are some tips on what you can do to help keep that candidate engaged along the way:

·         During the interview process, sell the 'family' not just the potential employee. Find out what is important to them and highlight how this new position will help the entire family.

·         Keep in touch with the new hire regularly if longer than 2 weeks. Keep their excitement level up.

·         If they are relocating, have a welcome package in their hotel or new home - include some local food items, maps, local magazine, items to help make their move easier and to show you care.

·         Send them a package of company products such as logo'd hats, jackets, t-shirts that you have in the promotions prize closet.

·         Check in a few day before start to cover where to go, when, who to ask for and how to prepare for their first day.

Becoming an employer of choice is all about letting employees, community and the industry know what it is like to work for you! Source: Laurie Kahn-Media Staffing Network

Chamber legend Terry Hartwick moving from North Little Rock Chamber to Lead Parks in NLR

Terry Hartwick has informed the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce that he will be leaving as president and CEO at the end of the year to take over management of parks and recreation for the city where he was mayor in the 1980s.
Hartwick, 66, confirmed the move to Arkansas Business on Wednesday morning. Steve Winchester, the chamber's current chairman, said the chamber would soon begin a search for Hartwick's successor.
At the parks department, Hartwick will succeed Bob Rhodes, who is retiring at the end of 2015. And while he praised Rhodes' stewardship of the city's parks, Hartwick said he would be more aggressive in marketing North Little Rock as a venue for various sporting events — even some that have been held across the river.
"Anything in Little Rock I may go after," he said.
Hartwick has led the North Little Rock chamber for 15 years, growing membership from 288 to more than 1,600. Read more: Arkansas Business

Chicago Southland Chamber Breakfast with the Governor

The Chicago Southland Chamber Breakfast with the Governor will be held

on Monday, June 15, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a,m. at Chicago Gaelic Park located

at 6119 W. 147th St. Oak Forest.  For more information visit

www.chicagosouthlandchamber.com/events.

Martinsville-Henry County Chamber luncheon: State Senator Bill Stanley, Del. Danny Marshall to seek state aid for med school

State Sen. Bill Stanley expects that he and Del. Danny Marshall will seek state funding for the planned College of Henricopolis School of Medicine, Stanley said Wednesday.
Stanley made the remark while speaking at the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s post-legislative luncheon at the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Other featured speakers were 9th District U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, Marshall and fellow Delegates Les Adams and Charles Poindexter. All the legislators are Republicans. Stanley, majority whip in the Senate, said the dream of a medical school in Martinsville must become a reality with state support. Marshall didn’t address the medical school during his comments at the luncheon, but in an interview he said the governor will introduce his proposed budget in December, and legislators can introduce budget amendments when the session convenes in January of next year. Marshall said he and Stanley have asked Dr. Noel Boaz, president of the medical school, to put together a funding plan, including the total amount needed and how the money would be spent. Marshall said funding may be sought from multiple sources, including the General Assembly, Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, the Harvest Foundation and possibly federal funding sources. As for the need for the medical school, Marshall referred to a point that Stanley had made. Marshall said: “If you look at rural Virginia, every two to three doctors who retire, only one is coming back to rural Virginia. We’ve got to turn that around so we can get more doctors in rural Virginia.” Read more: Martinsville Bulletin

East Mississippi Business Development Council interest: 26 graduate from Leadership Lauderdale

The latest graduates of the Leadership Lauderdale program were honored Tuesday at the MSU Riley Center.   
    There were 26 graduates of the nine-month program, which provides participants an opportunity to better understand how the community works, build relationships with the area's current and future leaders and become inspired to focus talents that best serve the community, organizers said.
    Aa'Keela Hudnall, a Meridian attorney, was one of the graduates.     "It was awesome to meet people from different walks of life and meet people from outside my normal work circle in Lauderdale County," Hudnall said. "We were able to work together to come up with ideas that would improve ourselves and our community."     One of Leadership Lauderdale's chief facilitators, Dusty Culpepper, said in order to create effective leaders, they need to develop the seven habits of highly effective people. The seven attributes are: being proactive: begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergies; and sharpen the saw. Read more: Meridian Star

Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan

Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, is digging out of a financial crisis years in the making. But a NerdWallet analysis has found that some of Detroit’s closest neighbors have strong economies and are great places to start a business. We pinpointed the best locations — and also came across some striking findings.
Among top cities in the NerdWallet survey of Michigan is Auburn Hills. In 2010 — as Detroit was crippled by debt — Bob Kittle and Buzz Brown started Munetrix, a technology company in Auburn Hills, 25 miles north of Detroit. In 2013 and 2014, as Detroit was filing for bankruptcy, Kittle and Brown received $48,000 in two grants from the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Today, Munetrix builds data analytics platforms for over 300 local governments and school districts in Michigan, Florida and Pennsylvania, and has 10 employees in addition to its founders, plus paid interns from Oakland University, a nearby public research university.
“We’re really proud to be a Michigan-based company helping the economy,” Kittle tells NerdWallet. The company is also proud, he says, to be “giving young adults the opportunity to learn and earn a salary at the same time they hone their public-sector skills.”
NerdWallet analyzed 128 places in Michigan using six metrics to create a ranking of the top cities in the state to start a business.

7. Marshall

In southern Michigan, about equidistant from Kalamazoo, Lansing and Ann Arbor, Marshall is steeped in history and known for its 19th century architecture. The city’s top employers include Tenneco, an auto parts maker, and Progressive Dynamics Inc., a power converter manufacturer. Other local businesses include Marshall Carriage Co. & Ghost Tours and Northfield Mandolins. The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce hosts networking conferences and monthly leadership events and features members in its online directory.

8. Wixom

About a decade ago, Wixom, northwest of Detroit, began a long-awaited revitalization of its downtown, which went up in flames in the 1920s. Local businesses include Adept Plastic Finishing Inc. and Wolverine Assemblies, which provides warehouse services to companies including Honda, Ford and John Deere. Businesses can join the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to be included in its directory, get referrals, attend networking events and get discounts on business products and services.

9. St. Joseph

With an iconic lighthouse, white sand beaches and 17 parks, St. Joseph attracts visitors and people looking for a second home. Local downtown businesses include Schu’s Grill & Bar and Clementine’s Too, a restaurant on the St. Joseph River. The city also has a strong corporate community, which includes appliance manufacturer Whirlpool Corp. and LECO Corp., a technology company focused on the life-sciences, environment, agriculture, food, energy and mined-materials industries. The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in St. Joseph with networking events, marketing opportunities and discounted insurance plans, among other business resources.

10. Ishpeming

This city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has the lowest unemployment rate in our top 10: just 3.2%. Among area businesses are Lindberg & Sons Inc., a construction company, and Lawry’s Pasty Shop, which sells traditional Upper Peninsula savory pasties. A membership in the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce offers perks including TV and radio advertising discounts, insurance discounts, customer referrals and networking opportunities.

See the top ten here:  NerdWallet.com

 

Chamber interest: What big ideas in Northern Kentucky should get state funding?

Northern Kentucky leaders are being asked to think big and submit ideas for major development projects that would have great impact for the region.

The Northern Kentucky Consensus Committee is calling for project ideas so it can decide what to advocate for before the Kentucky General Assembly.

The committee is made up of representatives appointed from business, government, nonprofit and other community organizations from the eight Northern Kentucky counties.

Trey Grayson, president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said the committee identifies transformational projects that address a clear community need and have substantial regional benefit.

"The list of projects should send a strong message to Frankfort that Northern Kentucky is united, and is committed to securing funding for transformational projects that are both realistic and defensible," Grayson said. Read more: cincinatti.com

Chamber issue: Boeing exec talks about future of Gary airport

Boeing Co. is the world's largest aerospace company, producing aircraft and components for commercial, military and space purposes — with its 2014 revenues surpassing $90 billion.

And Gary represents a spoke in that multinational business.Courtney Thompson, Boeing's vice president of governmental relations for the Great Lakes, spoke about Gary/Chicago International Airport serving as home to Boeing's executive fleet before the Gary Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on Wednesday at Majestic Star Hotel and Casino.
Six airplanes help transport Boeing executives all around the world. About 75 employees are based in Gary, including pilots, flight attendants, schedulers and maintenance crews.
Thompson gave an overview of Boeing's wide-reaching business operations, but the future of the Gary airport was the subject of several audience questions following Thompson's speech. Gary is in the final weeks of a $174.1 million runway expansion, which is expected to be finished by June 25. It will extend one of the airport's disadvantages — a 7,000-foot runway that was too short for most commercial airlines — into an industry standard 8,900-foot runway.
The airport is planning for a customs facility, which would be a crucial step toward attracting cargo business to the airport. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Chamber initiative: Leadership Rapid City is looking for leaders for the 2015 class

This 12-week program will help you

• Enhance and build your personal leadership talents;
• Develop a network of connections in the community;
• Gain exposure to future leadership opportunities in your career and our community. 

Don't wait to apply, do it today!n The June 30 deadline is fast approaching. Apply ONLINE or call 343-1744 for more information. Applications must be postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

Portage Area Chamber assist: Needed: $4k for Independence celebration

With a donation you can claim the crescendo by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra or the stars that sprinkle down from the fireworks above the Wisconsin River during the Concert in the Park Independence Day Celebration.

“We are in need of approximately $4,000 to help cover the costs of the music and the fireworks,” said Marianne Hanson, executive director for the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce. “People can also purchase tables at the performance to help cover the cost.”

Prices begin at $300 for a reserved table that seats eight during the July 3 event at Pauquette Park.

For the 23rd annual celebration, the public will get a feast for the senses with: the 132nd Army Badger Brass; the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra; hometown vocalist/musician Madison Malone; fireworks over the Wisconsin River; Culver’s custard; and Pepsi products.

The Brass reached out to the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce, Hanson said. More info: Portage Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

Happiness isn’t always about how much you have, it’s about enjoying what you “do” have. - Unknown