Chamber of Commerce Daily News

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Showing posts with label Greater Springfield Chamber. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Illinois Chambers of Commerce Shining Stars in 2018; Shining Chamber Stars #1 --- Illinois Accredited Chambers; Illinois 5 Star Chambers --- The highest ranking possible; Shining Chamber Star #2 - 2018 IACCE Chamber Executive of the Year; Shining Chamber Star #3 - 2018 IACCE Chamber of the Year; Shining Chamber Star #4 - Training Collaboration of the Year; Shining Chamber Star #5 - Southern Illinois Made; Shining Chamber Star #6 - Effingham Chamber of Commerce; Shining Chamber Star # 7 - Geneva Chamber Swedish Days; Shining Chamber Star #8 - Plainfield Area Chamber - Giving Gala; Shining Chamber Star #9 - Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce; Shining Chamber Star #10 - The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and Women’s Biz Net (WBN)

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

Illinois Chambers of Commerce Shining Stars in 2018

There are a thousand points of light in Illinois Chambers of Commerce. Here are ten shining stars to share this year:

Illinois Shining Chamber Stars #1 --- Illinois Accredited Chambers

Across the U.S., there are over 850 chambers that have participated in the program since 1964. Currently, 208 chambers carry this distinction across the United States. With approximately 7,000 chambers in the United States, Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by Accredited state and local chambers of commerce.

Illinois Accredited Chambers

Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Elgin IL Accredited - Carol Gieske, President
Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Lake Zurich IL Accredited - Claire Slattery - Executive Director

Illinois 5 Star Chambers --- The highest ranking possible

Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Aurora IL 5 Stars - Joe Henning, President
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Springfield IL 5 Stars - Chris Hembrough, President
McLean County Chamber of Commerce Bloomington IL 5 Stars - Charlie Moore, President
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Naperville IL 5 Stars - Nikki Anderson, President
Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Sterling IL 5 Stars - Kris Noble, Executive Director

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #2 - 2018 IACCE Chamber Executive of the Year - Jeff Griffin - President, Peoria Area Chamber

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #3 - 2018 IACCE Chamber of the Year - Jefferson County Chamber - Mike Beard, Executive Director

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #4 - Training Collaboration of the Year - Batavia Chamber, Holly Dietchman, Executive Director and the Valley Industrial Association, Kathy Gilmore, President

Two Collaborating Associations: Human Resources Programming Monthly Classes

1. Record keeping and Retention

2. Staffing, Recruiting and Hiring

3. Writing Good Job Descriptions

4. Compensation Strategies

5. Backgorund Checks and Legal Updates

6. Employment Updates

7. Employment Handbook Update

8. Onboarding & Upward

9. Motivating Employees - Setting a Work Ethic

10. Communication Strategies

11. Conflict Management

12. HR Roundtable

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #5 - Southern Illinois Made - Local Products, Local Destinations, Local Jobs, Local Chambers

This is an exciting new initiative developed through a partnership between State Senator Dale Fowler and Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce.

Southern Illinois Chambers programs sponsoring the effort include:

Benton/West City
Carbondale
Carterville
Chester
DuQuoin
Hamilton County
Herrin
Jefferson County
Marion
Metropolis
Murphysboro
Nashville
Pinckneyville
Saline County
Union County
West Frankfort

The first event was held in Marion, Illinois, serving as the premiere opportunity for businesses like yours to showcase the impressive products made and destinations available in Southern Illinois. All proceeds from admission and exhibitor fees will go toward Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.

Exhibitors from all over the region are invited to display and sell their innovative products, unique creations, and tasty treats and showcase fabulous Southern Illinois destinations*.

The event is also open to the general public – giving everyone the opportunity to experience firsthand the quality of unique products made by Southern Illinois artists, designers, and manufacturers and the beauty of Southern Illinois destinations. A donation of $5 to Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois will be suggested for admission by all guests.

Senator Fowler and our Chambers are excited to give our local business community an opportunity to showcase the products, services and destinations produced and offered in Southern Illinois. More information: Southern Illinois Made

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #6 - Effingham County Chamber of Commerce - Effingham Regional Career Academy - Vision becomes Reality

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has agreed to proceed with a $14 million capital campaign to construct the Rural Technology Development Center to house the Effingham Regional Career Academy. Our goal is to have this facility completed and operational by 2023.

HELP ERCA - Construction of the Rural Technology Development Center will be funded by Lake Land College. The Effingham Regional Career Academy will soon be seeking financial support to equip the Academy with state of the art equipment and a strong technology infrastructure. Additionally, business leaders and technical experts are needed to serve on Board and career pathway advisory committees

VOLUNTEER WITH ERCA

Join a committee today!
Operations Committee
Funding Support Committee
Programs and Curriculum Committee
Workforce Readiness Committee
Media Relations Committee

If you would like to volunteer or donate please contact Norma Lansing, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, at (217) 342-4147.

Illinois Shining Chamber Star # 7 - Geneva Chamber Swedish Days - 200K attendees

After 69 years, Geneva's Swedish Days, the "Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals," doesn't disappoint and always has something for everyone to enjoy.

The six days of fun takes place mostly on Third Street with mostly free activities, food, a carnival, music, plenty of things for kids to do, shopping and sampling.

The 5K Lopp kicked off Saturday's festivities and included the Granquist Music Competition and Geneva's Got Talent competition.

Sunday is highlighted by the 1 p.m. parade that travels east on State Street to Third Street and south to the Metra station. Read more: Daily Herald

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #8 - #ChamberHeart - Plainfield Area Chamber - Giving Gala
On the 20th Anniversary of the Plainfield Area Chamber and the Healthy Driven Plainfield Harvest 5K Run/Walk & Kidz Miler - resulting in over $300,000 donated back to the community - a new collaboration - 2019 Plainfield Giving Gala
We are very pleased to announce that the 2019 Plainfield Giving Gala will be held in February 2019 to raise funds in support of charitable causes throughout the Plainfield community. The Friends for Charitable Giving (FCG) and the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) are very proud to be hosting the 2019 Plainfield Giving Gala.
Throughout its history Plainfield has always been a caring and giving community and the 2019 Plainfield Giving Gala embodies that spirit of being there for those in need. Please join us as we embark on this worthwhile endeavor. The many charitable organizations that serve those within our community count on your generous support, and The Plainfield Giving Gala is wonderful way to do just that!
The success of the 2019 Plainfield Giving Gala relies heavily upon the generosity of our area businesses and individuals, like you, through business sponsorship and item donation. We are asking you to partner with us in supporting this worthy cause by making a generous donation for a 2019 Plainfield Giving Gala sponsorship or auction item.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON SPONSORSHIP'S

CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORSHIP FORMS

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #9 - Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce Launches New Program Aimed At Developing Business Professionals Into Engaged Community Leaders

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC) has launched a new professional development program, Leadership Naperville! with the goal of developing business professionals into engaged community leaders. This program provides the opportunity to learn directly from Naperville’s influencers and public officials. Participants will hear Naperville’s history, engage in face-to-face conversations with prominent community business leaders, meet Mayor Chirico and other members of the local government, tour the Police and Fire Departments with the Chiefs and become a voice for volunteer engagement.

“As our community evolves, so must our Chamber. Our Members are telling us that community engagement is key to their professional success. Leadership Naperville! does just that,” said Nicki Anderson, NACC President & CEO. “Providing opportunities to meet with influential leaders throughout the community gives attendees the insight necessary to be an active participant in the future of Naperville.”

Leadership Naperville! runs every Tuesday morning, 7:00 – 9:00 a.m., from October 2 through November 6 and will meet at various locations throughout Naperville. This program is open to the public. The cost for Chamber Members is $295 through September 1 and $325 after September 1. The price for Non-Members is $350.

For more information on registration or sponsorship, please visit www.naperville.net or contact Kara Carpenter at (630) 355-4141.

Illinois Shining Chamber Star #10 - The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and Women’s Biz Net (WBN) - WBN to Honor Outstanding Women Leaders at OWL Awards Luncheon at Biltmore Country Club

The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and Women’s Biz Net (WBN) will honor local women leaders during their inaugural Outstanding Women Leaders (OWL) Awards Luncheon on September 27, 2018 at the Biltmore Country Club, 160 Biltmore Dr. in North Barrington.

“There are women among us who serve as role models, breaking barriers and setting the bar high for their accomplishments professionally and to the community,” said BACC President/CEO Suzanne Corr. “We developed the OWL awards to thank those amazing women leaders who make a tremendous impact on the lives of others. These are important stories that others should hear.”

OWL Award Recipients will be recognized in the following categories:

1. Professional Excellence

2. Community Contributions

3. Nonprofit Leadership

4. Mentorship and Education

For more information contact Suzanne Corr, BACC President, at 847-381-2525 or suzanne@BarringtonChamber.com

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

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Job Openings in #Chamberworld - Week of September 17th - Chief Executive Officer Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce - Springfield, VA; Executive Director - Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - Cable, WI $45,000 - $55,000 a year; Events and Programs Manager/Director Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce - Reston, VA; Franklin Chamber of Commerce - Executive Director; Executive Director, Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce - Romeoville, IL - $65,000 a year; Membership Development Manager/ Outside Sales - Kentucky Chamber of Commerce - Frankfort, KY; Director of Business Attraction Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce - Moline, IL;

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

Job Openings in #Chamberworld - Week of September 17th

Chief Executive Officer

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce - Springfield, VA

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is accepting resumes until September 28, 2018 for its chief executive officer position. The Chamber's new CEO will take the helm this winter.

The ideal candidate will be skilled in membership development; program development and implementation; and public policy advocacy.

The Chamber's next CEO will need to build stakeholder relationships, manage the Chamber's finances, have critical thinking skills, be able to communicate effectively and will be self-motivated.

Administrative organization is critical to this position.

In this search the Chamber is looking for someone who is well-versed with the Greater Springfield, Virginia area and ready to connect with Fairfax County staff and local elected officials.

Interested candidates must submit their resume with a cover letter via email by Friday, September 28, 2018.

Job Type: Full-time

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Location:

Springfield, VA (Preferred)

Executive Director - Cable Area Chamber of Commerce - Cable, WI

$45,000 - $55,000 a year

Specific Duties Include:

Represent the Chamber and act as chief spokesperson for the organization.
Supervise/manage the Chamber of Commerce office staff
Hire new office staff as needed
Develop and administer procedures necessary to fulfill goals or policies established by the Board
Identify and apply for grants and other sources of outside funding
Provide feedback and report to the board on Chamber activities and operations
Maintain accurate management records and supervise financial accounting
Create the annual budget and adhere to the budget approved by the Board of Directors
Supervise accounts receivable collection activity
Serves as a liaison with communities, local municipalities, county and state government
Actively participate and take leadership roles in local and regional organizations suited to advocacy activities relating to tourism, economic development, business policy, legislation, and regulation which impacts the membership
Ensures office efficiency and seeks new ways to reduce costs
Develops and administers all marketing activities
Creates and disseminates press releases
Develop and enact plans to expand the membership base and maintains accurate membership records

Desired Qualifications

Prior chamber, economic development, marketing, and/or public relations experience is preferable but not required
A history of community service and/or volunteer experiences
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
Flexibility in work schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed to attend events/meetings
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in an organized and timely manner
Ability to speak with individuals at all levels within an organization
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Proficient in basic computing skills (Internet, Microsoft Office, Social Media, etc…)

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $45,000.00 to $55,000.00 /year

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Events and Programs Manager/Director
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce - Reston, VA

Events and Programs Manager/Director

Job duties: The Events and Programs Manager/Director is responsible for the management and coordination of all Chamber meetings and events. The Events and Programs Manager/Director is primarily responsible for professional execution and management of logistics as well as securing sponsorships and investor fulfillment for prominent Chamber events.

Primary Responsibilities:

Managing Events

Responsible for professional execution and management of logistics for Monthly Network Nights, Ethics Day, Holiday Celebration, Bi-Monthly Business Education Series Workshops, Quarterly Resourceful Women of Reston events, Annual B2G Expo, Annual Meeting & ACE Awards Luncheon, Young Professional Education, Legislative and Government Contracting Events throughout the year.

For all events, this includes but is not limited to:

Program – program development, speaker and session management including script preparation

Marketing – oversee design and distribution of marketing materials, create marketing plans for Communications to execute, build events online in CRM

Production – site selection, negotiating and executing contracts for all vendors and venues, oversee attendee registration payments and tracking, name badge printing, hire and manage catering and audio visual, create and track attendee surveys and analysis

Sponsorship - Work with President and CEO to develop sponsorship opportunities and levels for all Chamber events and meetings and is responsible for benefit fulfillment including the purchase and delivery of all sponsored items for designated events.

Reporting - Develop and manage reports on registration, sponsorships; budgets, etc. for weekly staff meetings and monthly Board meetings.

Budget & Timeline - Prepare annual budget for all events, track revenue and expenses, prepare master timeline and calendar

Staff Liaison - Prepare agendas, meeting notes and staff 3 committees (Resourceful Women, Business Education and Government Contracting) as well as fully execute any planned activities.

Assist President and CEO to meet objectives of the Chamber’s strategic plan and implementation of the sponsorship plan

Participate in the planning and establishment of goals and objectives to meet budget requirements in the areas of annual sponsorships, board commitments and all Chamber events. Responsible for managing all annual sponsorships and Board commitments with members to ensure each party receives the best value for their investment.

Aiding in the coordination of other community events, including, but not limited to:

Best of Reston, Taste of Reston, and Flavors of Fall

Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Undergraduate degree in a related field

Minimum 3-5 years of experience coordinating special events, promotions and marketing programs

Excellent writing and verbal communication skills

Extremely organized, efficient, detail-oriented and successful at meeting deadlines

Proven ability to juggle multiple projects/events at one time

Passion for events, community-building, promotions and out-of-the box thinking

Familiarity with Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Databases)

Internet proficiency

Start Date: Immediately

To apply, please email your resume and salary expectations to:

Mark S. Ingrao, CCP, CAE

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

event: 3 years (Required)

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

License:

Professional Meeting Planner Designation (Preferred)

Franklin Chamber of Commerce - Executive Director

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce is seeking an Executive Director to guide our organization of 400+ members towards further growth and community engagement.

The Executive Director is responsible for the full range of Chamber activities, including the coordination of the program of work, organizational structure and procedures, motivation of volunteers, maintenance and growth of membership, employment and supervision of staff, and interpretation of policy. Oversight of the budget and financial transactions of the Chamber is expected and knowledge of Quickbooks is preferred. The Executive Director will also lead the strategic development of the Chamber, build partnerships and relationships with and among members, community leaders and officials, and residents. The Executive Director is essentially the “public relations officer” for the organization and the community.

The Board is seeking an energetic, enthusiastic, forward-thinking, highly organized, self-motivated, professional leader to manage the Franklin Chamber’s affairs into the future. Required qualifications include, excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; and the ability to work effectively with the public in a professional manner. Applicants will also need strong skills in technology, social media, public speaking and presentation, and event coordination. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or a combination of education and work experience.

For confidential consideration, email your resume with a letter of interest that includes salary requirement and three professional references (with contact information) by September 28, 2018 to our Search Committee at the email listed with this posting.

For more information about the Chamber please visit www.franklincoc.org.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Executive Director, Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce - Romeoville, IL - $65,000 a year

Do you get excited about the idea of growing an organization in a way that has lasting positive effects upon the entire community? Do you enjoy the challenge of building an organization piece by piece, and then working to ensure that it grows and prospers?
If so, then we might want to talk to you.
The Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce has an energetic new board of directors and the support of a Village committed to success. To take the next step in growing this Chamber, we need somebody to put the remaining pieces in place and run this organization. We are looking for an Executive Director that is dedicated to helping businesses prosper and who understands the important role local area businesses play in the community as a whole. In short, we need a leader to direct and achieve the goals of the Chamber.
Yes, we are looking for somebody with previous chamber experience. But the most important characteristics we are looking for are passion, energy, and the determination to improve an organization and lead it into the future.
The selected candidate will also be expected to work with the Chamber Board and staff to provide a diverse range of services to area businesses. Applicants must possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan and execute successful events for the business community.
Minimum qualifications: B.A. or B.S. degree and/or relevant business experience. Ideal candidates will have two or more years of experience working for a chamber of commerce in a leadership role. Applicants should also have strong interpersonal communication skills, strong computer skills, the ability to work days, evenings and weekends, and a deep-seated motivation to deliver excellent services to the local business community. The selected candidate will also have an outgoing personality and be willing to work collaboratively with the Chamber Board and other Chamber and community volunteers. Working knowledge of QuickBooks and ChamberMaster software is a necessity to succeed in this position.
This is a full time, exempt position (minimum 40 hours/wk). Salary range begins at $65,000/yr with a negotiable benefits package.
If this idea excites you, please apply and tell us why! Whoever takes this job will play a major role in something truly special.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $65,000.00 /year
Experience:

QuickBooks: 1 year (Preferred)
Chamber of Commerce: 1 year (Preferred)

Membership Development Manager/ Outside Sales - Kentucky Chamber of Commerce - Frankfort, KY

Influence Kentucky businesses to join the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. This is a full-time, professional, business to business, solutions-selling position. The successful candidate will effectively sell the benefits of Kentucky Chamber membership to prospects in the Western Kentucky Area. The successful candidate will communicate the Kentucky Chamber's advocacy efforts to prospects, and the positive impact that those efforts have on the prospect's business and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

Skills

Documented successful business to business sales experience, meeting/exceeding monthly sales objectives.
Willingness to engage in effective sales activities (prospecting calls, networking initiatives, sales funnel/pipeline management, appointment setting, etc.)
Proficient in Microsoft OS

Company Description

Mission: The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce supports a prosperous business climate in the Commonwealth of Kentucky through advocacy, information and customer service in order to promote business retention and recruitment.

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

Sales: 1 year (Required)

Sales environment(s):

Office or call center
Sales floor
Home

Onboarding time:

Less than 1 month

Director of Business Attraction
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce - Moline, IL

The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking a Director of Business Attraction. The Director of Business Attraction will conduct the day-to-day implementation of an aggressive strategic plan to attract new industrial and commercial development to the Quad Cities region. This individual will be responsible for identifying and interacting with business prospects/key site location decision makers and managing a range of development opportunities.

Essential Functions to be performed with or without a reasonable accommodation:

Implements and manages business attraction line of effort, including but not limited to:
Identifying and securing prospects’ interest in the Quad Cities region
Works with business intelligence staff to identify new prospects that would be interested in locating in the QC utilizing lead intelligence software
Establishing and managing relationships with site location decision makers
Builds and nurtures on-going relationships with prospects in targeted industries and targeted geographies
Works with the Chamber’s communications professionals to provide inform the targeted marketing and communications plan
Attending trade shows and sales trips
Developing relocation proposals and requests for information
Organizing site visits
Providing technical assistance to the client throughout the selection process
Assists with financial packaging
Managing business attraction projects individually or with teams
Finalizing and closing business attraction deals in the Quad Cities region
Works with Regional Business Development staff to identify potential new suppliers for existing companies to specifically target through business attraction initiatives
Coordinates with Communications staff and economic development partners to develop targeted campaigns and marketing materials
Develops a strong working knowledge of sites and building inventory and incentives available to prospective businesses locating in the Illinois and Iowa Quad Cities market
Maintains up to date records and track progress of prospects in economic development database
Responsible for managing own line of work within the ChamberMaster database - these duties may include, but are not limited to, event registration, member information updating, invoicing, and member communication
Participates annually in a minimum of two community events, continuing education activities or other initiatives to build relationships with diverse populations and / or strengthen cultural competency important to fulfilling the mission of the Chamber and Q2030
Takes initiative to ensure his / her committees, public statements, presentation materials and so on reflect the racial, ethnic, gender and age diversity of the community whenever possible

Performs other related duties as required
Work toward continuous quality improvement
Stay current with changing technology, including software programs
Uphold, support, and promote all company policies and procedures

Education, Skills and Experience Requirements

BA/BS Degree plus 5 experience in economic development or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree or economic development certification
Knowledge and experience managing sales/business development
Knowledge of trends, developments, and techniques in the field of economic
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
Must possess a valid driver’s license

We offer: Competitive Salary plus a very attractive benefits package, including matching 401(k), Vacation, Sick Leave, 2 health plan choices, Dental, Vision, FSA, optional HSA, Life and Disability Insurance, EAP, Wellness Benefits and Supplemental AFLAC insurance offerings.

No calls/walk-ins please

EOE – Minorities encouraged to apply

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

economic development or equivalent combination of education: 5 years (Required)

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

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

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Brooks Patterson says regional CEO group has Detroit agenda, is poaching county business; Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Wins 2018 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award; Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Greater Springfield Chamber collaboration: United Way: Achievement in the classroom and beyond; Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide; Stock up on back to school supplies with Virginia tax free weekend; Evinrude wins Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award; August Power in Partnership (Pip) To Feature Kentucky Commissioner Of Agriculture Ryan Quarles; Keynote speaker, nominees named for 10th annual ANCHOR Awards in Moss Point; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Brooks Patterson says regional CEO group has Detroit agenda, is poaching county business

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is calling out a regional CEO group following a closed door meeting Thursday with county chamber directors.

Patterson invited chamber directors from around the county to his Waterford office to warn them of a regional CEO group, allegedly, attempting to “snatch up” businesses, and business leads, from the county for the sake of rebuilding Detroit. He wrote a letter July 26 inviting the chamber directors to attend.

In that letter, Patterson described the group as “self-appointed saviors” working to direct business investments to the City of Detroit and one that will “have no hesitation about coming into your community” to steal business leads.

DTE Energy CEO Gerry Anderson, who leads the 23-member regional CEO group, said a search is underway for a CEO to lead a nonprofit that will focus on the marketing and economic development of as well as business attraction for the 11-county region.

The CEO group was formed at the request of Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah two years ago. Earlier this year, the idea to create this business attraction nonprofit was brought up by group, and chamber, members.

This is the same group that wrote a letter back in April supporting the bid to place a regional transit proposal on November’s ballot, an effort that ultimately fell through.

Anderson said he understands Patterson’s passion for his work, but added that the nonprofit will never engage in assisting a company to relocate from one part of the region to another.

“Its ethic will be that when one part of the region wins, all in the region win,” said Anderson and Baruah in a joint statement Thursday afternoon. “This new entity will be exclusively focused on driving new businesses from outside the region to locate new jobs within the region.”

They added that the non-profit would follow a “by the region and for the region” approach that is consistent with best-in class models across the country.

Joe Bauman, president of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, attended the Thursday meeting. He supports regionalism and said chamber members routinely do business across city and county lines to build successful enterprises.

“While the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber represents members in six communities in Oakland County including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin, we strongly support economic development throughout Southeast Michigan,” said Bauman. “A regional approach to business attraction and retention remains the best way to benefit all of our 700-plus members.”

Representatives from chambers in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston, Clawson, Ferndale, West Bloomfield, Holly, Madison Heights, Orion Township, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy and Waterford also attended.

Anderson said Thursday morning that “we are all after the same goal” and that the entire region benefits when investment and jobs come from outside Michigan and the country to southeast Michigan.

“The Detroit Regional Chamber, the Regional CEO Group and all the county leadership in Southeast Michigan can make a positive difference when we align and create incremental, good paying jobs for the 11 County region,” he said. The Oakland Press

Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Wins 2018 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award

Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. on Friday won three statewide awards, including the 2018 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award. The state-level honors, given by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) comes on the heels of one of the best years in the organization’s history, in which Allen County added more than $81 million in new annual payroll, and GFW Inc.’s member recruiting and retention efforts surpassed goals.

In addition to the Chamber of the Year Award, GFW Inc. won a pair of statewide Communications Excellence Awards: one in the Website division, and one for Marketing Campaign for its “Opportunity on the Edge of Greatness” 10-year vision campaign. The three awards were each judged by panels of five judges from outside the state of Indiana.

“We exist to grow jobs, wages, and the economy, and we’re honored that people across the state are noticing our community’s successes,” said Eric Doden, CEO of GFW Inc. “I’m so proud of our team and our board. We can accomplish so much for our community when we all align around a common goal and dedicate ourselves to achieving results.”

The awards were presented as part of the ICEA’s Annual Conference in downtown Indianapolis. Fort Wayne previously won the Chamber of the Year award in 2003.

GFW Inc. had a highly successful 2017 in all facets of the organization. The Allen County economy made major strides, with new jobs and payroll entering the market as companies expanded and relocated to the area. In total, GFW Inc. assisted companies investing a total of $242 million in Allen County. Other commitments included:

28 business expansions and relocations.
1,838 new jobs.
$81 million in new annual payroll.

As Allen County’s chamber of commerce, GFW Inc. counts more than 1,300 members (investors)—the vast majority being small businesses. The organization surpassed its goal of recruiting 100 new investors in 2017 while increasing its retention rate to 92 percent, better than the national average for chamber organizations.

GFW Inc. hosted 267 events in 2017, with attendance up 20 percent from the previous year and attendee satisfaction exceeding goals. Leads groups, where professionals network and help grow business for one another, saw participants connect colleagues with more than 400 business leads.

In its 35th year, Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) produced a graduating class of 63 individuals, its largest on record. LFW helps bolster the community’s talent pipeline by providing individuals with leadership training and education. The GFW Fellows program continues to attract and retain top talent from universities near and far. Last year, 10 Fellows worked project-based internships at nine local companies, getting hands-on experience with core business functions. Many of these internships lead to full-time employment, as about 50 percent of GFW Fellows alumni report that they currently live and work in Allen County.

“The Greater Fort Wayne Inc. team presented a very solid nomination for this award and excelled in all areas reviewed,” said Shelli Williams, president of the ICEA. “This organization continues to be a leading catalyst for professional innovation in Indiana.” Read more: Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to Dale Perrin and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide and Business Directory

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

Opinion -

Greater Springfield Chamber collaboration: United Way: Achievement in the classroom and beyond

We are excited to see the success our local students can achieve as the start of a new school year approaches.

Through research we know how important education can be in a child’s life, and how important it is to our local community. This is why United Way is happy to invest more than $665,000 in 12 local programs helping to address our community’s toughest challenges in education.

As the summer comes to an end, we know for many low-income students this means they are going back to school further behind academically than their higher-income peers. However, through the support of programs in agencies like Compass for Kids, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, Springfield Urban League, and United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln, we know the students from these programs have worked to make school-based gains and stop the summer slide.

Once school starts, programs in agencies such as Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, Springfield Urban League, and One Hope United help our children outside the classroom so they can make progress in the classroom.

Student behavior and attendance are also key markers of success. Programs in agencies like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois Capital Region, Compass for Kids, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, and Memorial Behavioral Health work to provide strong role models, caring supports and new techniques to help strengthen the child’s confidence and relationships.

Our community identified priorities aim to help children learn, achieve and succeed while also engaging families. Programs like United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln’s Our Child without Limits program makes family engagement the cornerstone of their programming. This program supports the parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and teaches them how to advocate for and support the healthy development of their child.

Together, these agencies are improving the academic performance of hundreds of children in our community. Last year, these programs served 1,322 students in year-round programs and 292 students in summer programs. As a result of their participation, 73 percent of children achieved growth in reading skills, and 80 percent showed growth in math skills.

Beyond these funded programs, we support education through initiatives such as the Continuum of Learning. This joint effort between the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Illinois, the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield, Innovate Springfield, Springfield Public Schools District 186, and Lincoln Land Community College Workforce Development has helped our community establish best practices on how to advance the education of less-advantaged children in our community.

One of these recommendations specifically addresses the importance of reading on time by third grade. This is why, with the support of our collaborative partners, we are working with the multiple organizations to become a Campaign for Grade Level Reading community. Read more: State Journal Register

John Kelker is the president at United Way of Central Illinois.

Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide

The Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide is available at the chamber of commerce today! Thank you to Philip "Mike" Beard and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Community Guide

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

Stock up on back to school supplies with Virginia tax free weekend

Each year, select states across the nation participate in a tax free weekend timed to the start of the new school year.

Although West Virginia is not one of these states, Joshua Cline, President of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, said local parents are looking to cross the border to Virginia for back to school bargains available one weekend only.

"It's an opportunity for businesses to do well, and that's what we want at the Chamber of Commerce to hear that businesses are moving product and conducting sales, so we think its a win-win for families and a win win for businesses," Cline said.

With classroom essentials, along with clothing and footwear, eligible to be purchased tax free, those with large families, look to stock-up. Jasmine Day lives in Princeton. Day said she stocks-up on everything her kids will need for the rest of the school year.

"I think it really does help having that little bit of a tax break, especially when you have multiple children. You just try to look for every break you can," Day said.

The tax-free bargains will begin Friday, August 3, at 12:01 am, and will end Sunday, August 5, at 11:59 pm. Read more: WVNSTV

Evinrude wins Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award

Evinrude has received the ‘Business Friend of the Environment’ award presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s chamber of commerce and largest business trade association.

The company was recognized for their environmental innovation after successfully implementing an advanced energy recovery system for its Outboard Engine Endurance Test Center.

Evinrude accepted the Business Friend of the Environment award today at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s Policy Day in Madison where business leaders across the state gather to learn about potential policy changes and how they could impact Wisconsin businesses.

“Our engineers and development team are passionate about both power and environmental stewardship,” said Nando Zucchi, vice president of marketing and international business development for Evinrude. “They have worked diligently to integrate the most advanced technology into our development infrastructure and E-TEC G2 engines to create engines that don’t compromise performance while being the most environmentally sustainable on the market.”

Business Friend of the Environment awards are given to companies that demonstrate achievements in sustainability, a commitment to environmental stewardship, or successful integration of innovative technologies that promote sound environmental practices that are good for business development as well as the environment in Wisconsin. Read more: Boating Industry

August Power in Partnership (Pip) To Feature Kentucky Commissioner Of Agriculture Ryan Quarles

by Sandra Wilson

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles will be the featured speaker for the August Power in Partnership breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast will be held on Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 a.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. Mercy Health is the sponsor.

At the age of 34, Commissioner Ryan Quarles is the youngest statewide elected official in the country.

He was elected Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture in 2015. Under his leadership, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) started several new programs, including initiatives to combat hunger and connect Kentucky farmers to new markets. As a result of his Kentucky Hunger Initiative, Kentucky now has the strongest food donation immunity law in the country. His leadership on international trade issues saw the resumption of live equine exports to China, a decision that benefits all sectors of Kentucky’s agricultural economy from horse breeders to feed producers. While Commissioner, he has also supported the expansion of Kentucky’s diverse agricultural portfolio to include industrial hemp, kenaf, and hops.

On the national level, Commissioner Quarles serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

Quarles graduated from the University of Kentucky with three undergraduate majors and two graduate degrees. In 2008, he was awarded a full scholarship to Harvard University, where he studied higher education, government, and law. After graduating with a Master’s degree in higher education, he returned home to finish his last year of law school at the University of Kentucky. In 2018, he graduated from Vanderbilt University with his doctorate in higher education.

Below are the details of the breakfast:

When: Thursday, August 2, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Where: Julian M. Carroll Convention Center, Ohio Room

Speaker: Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles

Sponsor: Mercy Health

Cost: $15 for Chamber members; $25 for non-Chamber members