Indiana Chamber Professional Digest
October, 2016
Happy Wednesday, Chamber world! It’s going to be a GREAT week!
Chamber excitement: Elkhart RV Open
House to draw thousands of dealers
Recreational vehicle
companies across Elkhart County will open their doors next week to thousands of
dealers.
The ninth annual Elkhart
RV Open House, from Sept. 19 through 22, is expected to draw more than 4,000
dealer personnel from the U.S. and Canada who will check out the latest RV
offerings and make purchases for the 2017 selling season.
The week will feature more
than 60 RV manufacturers and suppliers countywide, and companies will hold
their own shows for dealers. The private shows are open only to dealers.
Most RV companies, such as
Forest River, will hold open houses at their own venues. Thor Industries,
meanwhile, will showcase RVs at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart.
Darryl Searer, president
of the Hall of Fame, said Thor’s open house is the “single largest event” held
at the complex during the year. The open house continues to attract more
dealers each year. “The fact that each year it continues to grow shows that
it’s something necessary for the industry,” Searer said.
The open house’s
popularity comes as the industry is booming. The wholesale shipment of RVs to
retailers has climbed for six straight years, and growth has continued this
year. More than 80 percent of the nation’s RVs are made in Elkhart County, and
they’re sold in bulk quantities to dealers nationwide.
During last year’s open
house week, dealers made more than $4 billion in wholesale RV orders with
manufacturers, said Mark Dobson, president and CEO of the Economic Development
Corp. of Elkhart County. “This year is projected to beat that, and you also get
the positive impacts of guests in the community at restaurants and hotels,” he
said.
Kyle Hannon, president and
CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, said the open house is the
county’s largest business event of the year. “It’s like a Notre Dame football
weekend but much longer, and hotel rooms and restaurant tables will be at a
premium,” he said. “And the amount of money from orders written by dealers is
bigger than anything else we get.” Read more: South Bend Tribune
Indy
Chamber Grant to Boost Training, Loan Programs
The Indy Chamber
says a $100,000 grant will help spark development in a key neighborhood. The
organization says the funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation will support
business coaching and microlending programs in the River West neighborhood near
the 16 Tech innovation district.
The grant will
help fund the chamber's Business Ownership Initiative. The programs will be
offered through the new Source River West Entrepreneurship Center on West
Michigan Street on the city's near west side.
In addition to
one-on-one coaching for entrepreneurs and business owners, the Business
Ownership Initiative provides loans of up to $50,000 designed to provide
capital for businesses that may not meet traditional lending standards. The
initiative also receives funding from the city of Indianapolis.
BOI President
Carrie Henderson says the JPMorgan Chase Foundation has supported its programs
from the start, saying, with its continued support, "we'll be able to make
a real impact on up-and-coming small businesses in an up-and-coming area."
The Indy Chamber
says, in 2015, its Entrepreneur Services team provided nearly 5,000 hours of
free business coaching, and more than that in combined hours of workshops and
classes for small businesses. The Business Ownership Initiative also provided
around $280,000 in microloans last year, helping spark 85 new business
startups. Read more: Inside
Indiana Business
Valpo Chamber event: Top Northwest
Indiana businesswomen offer tips for success
Ten area
businesswomen with backgrounds from farming to investing recently shared some
tips for success.
The
women, some of whom took on dramatic career shifts, talked of perseverance and
passion for what they do.
"Treat
your clients and customers with compassion. That's why we're successful
today," said bankruptcy attorney Stacey Whitten, who practices law with
her husband, Dan, in Portage. While lawyers often get a bad rap, she added,
"I'm fortunate. I get to help people."
Around
100 people attended last week's program, "10 Timeless Tips from Top
Businesswomen," at Urschel Pavilion and sponsored by the Valpo Chamber of
Commerce and the Service Core of Retired Executives, or SCORE, a division of
the state's Small Business Administration.
The
chamber wanted to do a program for women in business because so many women own
businesses in Valparaiso, said Kurt Gillins, member services director. Pairing
with SCORE was natural since the group meets in chamber offices.
Real
estate agent Dawn Collins offered tips for business and life.
"My
philosophy in all things is move ahead," she said, adding that includes
embracing change. "'Move ahead' is not just my catch phrase. It's a way of
life."
Listening
to and understanding the needs of clients or cutomers is very important,
Collins said.
"It
is only in helping others move ahead that we can truly succeed ourselves,"
she said.
Amanda
Snider, owner of Homenclature, a Valparaiso home furnishing store, was educated
in biology and genetics, but decided in 2008 to go into business for herself.
"I
don't take 'no' for an answer," she said, adding her husband resisted at
first, but is now working full-time at the store.
From her
store's location in an old warehouse, to the wares she sells, Snider said she
offers a memorable shopping experience and exemplary customer service, both
critical for getting people talking about her store.
"Make
yourself unique," she said. "Set yourself apart from what everyone
else is doing." Read more: Post-Tribune
Greensburg/Decatur
County Chamber invites community interaction for Stellar Communities
The Greensburg/Decatur
County Chamber of Commerce has asked local residents to like the “Partners for
Community Progress” Facebook page as a way to stay up to date on the city’s
efforts to become a 2017 Stellar Communities Award winner.
“This will take a complete
community effort and we value and really need your input on the future of our
area,” the Chamber’s Facebook post reads.
Decatur County residents
are asked to share their thoughts and ideas and to participate when asked to do
so.
“Many organizations are
working hard to make major improvements to our community. Please like the page
and share with your friends and relatives,” the Chamber asks.
Community meetings will
begin soon regarding future improvements to the area and the Chamber said the
Partners for Community Progress page will be the place to stay up to date with
relevant information. Read more: Greensburg Daily News
Indiana tour gives Longview chamber
members insight on collaboration
Longview residents who attended a
Longview Chamber of Commerce-sponsored tour of Evansville, Indiana, this past
week said they learned that communities with a collaborative spirit tend to be
more prosperous.
"After four of these visits, I
understand that communities that are successful develop momentum through
collaboration and doing things on a regional basis," said Ron Hutchison, a
member of the chamber's executive board. "They look at the whole region
and see what is best for the region."
Hutchison was referring to his
participation in the trip to Evansville on Wednesday and Thursday and previous
annual city trips that chamber officials have arranged. The chamber has offered
the tours for four years so business and community leaders here can learn what
cities elsewhere are doing to make their communities successful.
Hutchison was among 28 chamber
members who signed up for the trip and paid their own expenses, according to
Suzanne Stadden Brown, advocacy and communications director for the chamber.
Brown and Kelly Hall, chamber president and chief executive officer, attended
as chamber staff.
Participants met with
representatives from the Evansville Chamber of Commerce, business and city
leaders and others, and concluded the visit with a reception this past Thursday
evening, according to Hutchison and Kimberly Fish.
Fish is a freelance writer and
community volunteer who attended with her husband, Mel, an osteopathic doctor.
They also went on walking tours and took a bus tour.
Hutchison and Fish said
collaboration is working well in Evansville, a city in southern Indiana that
has about 20,000 more residents that Longview.
"They have a great
transformation effort," Hutchison said. "They are attracting
employers. They are really transforming the community for the next 100 years.
They do have a comprehensive plan that they are enacting similar to Longview,
but we have not started enacting our plan."
The comprehensive plan shows a
willingness to work together, and it is paying off, Fish said.
"As a result, they have
booming construction in the downtown and major reinvestments in all corners of
their city," Fish said.
Fish and Hutchison also cited
collaboration by three hospitals to bring a medical school campus from Indiana
University to Evansville.
Hutchison and Fish indicated
Longview can learn from Evansville's experience.
"They are collaborating,"
Hutchison said. "We have not gotten where the egos in the room are put
aside."
Fish said, "It's amazing what
can be accomplished when nobody is worried about taking credit for it."
Fish said she was pleased some
members of the Longview delegation were younger than 40 because they can become
future leaders.
"We brought back some really
productive ideas," she said. "Our challenge for the next year for
those of us on this trip is to find ways to take these big ideas and explore
how we can put the ideas to use in Longview." Read more: Longview News-Journal
#BestChamber Practices: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber - Member Testimonials in chamber communications
The Muncie- Delaware County Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of Jay Julian and his team of professionals has proven to be a driving force in our community. Until I became a board member I was not aware of all the things the chamber did to make Muncie and Delaware County a better place to live. The benefits of joining the chamber far exceed the cost for any business or organization. They are without a doubt one of our biggest assets.
Rich Spisak,
Ball Brothers Foundation
Carroll County Chamber event:
Thousands can't get enough Delphi bacon
From television commercials to T-shirts, the slogan is everywhere.
Bacon makes everything better.
If this now-ubiquitous catchphrase
is in fact true, then there was no better place to be Saturday afternoon than
on Main Street in Delphi.
On a day that occasionally
threatened rain but consistently delivered copious amounts of grease, an
estimated crowd of more than 10,000 people converged on downtown Delphi for the
third annual Indiana Bacon Festival of Carroll County.
The festival, which also drew
Indiana Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, is held each summer to celebrate Carroll
County's standing as one of the top pork-processing counties in Indiana.
"When we started this, we
expected a lot of people because of the bacon, but we had no idea there would
be so many," said Julia Leahy, executive directer of the Carroll County
Chamber of Commerce.
"We had 6,000 the first year, and it rained the whole day. We had 10,000 last year, and our goal this year is 13,000. It really has become something special, and 100 percent of it is for nonprofits. I think that's just great." Read more: Lafayette Journal and Courier
Multi-Chamber Education Event:
Duneland, Hobart and Portage Chamber - Robb Zbierski: Train Your Brain for
Success!
After the success of bringing
the Disney Institute with Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce last year, the
Duneland Chamber has partnered with the Portage Chamber of Commerce and the
Hobart Chamber of Commerce to bring Freedom Development featuring Robb Zbierski
for a Train Your Brain Workshop next month!
Train Your Brain for Success
Workshop is taking place on Wednesday, September 29 at Sand Creek Country
Club. The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Hobart
and Portage Chambers for a Tri-Chamber Educational Seminar! In this
workshop you will learn to harness the incredible creative capacity of your
mind and achieve your personal best - professionally, financially and
personally.
- Your brain’s extremely
unhelpful “default settings” - We now know that all of us have brains that come
“pre-programmed” with some really strong patterns that will actually hold you
back - keep you stuck in place - if not understood and dealt with.
- How to overcome these default settings, and put you in charge of your brain and your results.
- How to overcome these default settings, and put you in charge of your brain and your results.
The good news is that there are
simple and effective strategies for making your brain work FOR you instead of
AGAINST you. Robb will provide a game plan for ongoing improvement.
- 8 tips for better Brain Productivity that encompass goals, time management, prioritization and technology
- 8 tips for better Brain Productivity that encompass goals, time management, prioritization and technology
Click here to register or for
more info. (http://www.dunelandchamber.org/events/details/train-your-brain-for-success-workshop-09-29-2016-4042)
St Joseph
County Chamber interest: South Bend Cubs Tout Record Attendance
The South
Bend Cubs have set a regular season attendance record for the third
consecutive year. The team says 350,803 fans came to Four Winds Field during
the 2016 season.
The
announcement came during the team's final regular season game Monday against
the Dayton Dragons, whom the Cubs defeated 3-0. The new record topped
2015's attendance by more than 3,000 fans.
"The South
Bend Cubs continue to exceed expectations, especially those related to
attendance and to fan experience," Jeff Rea, chief executive officer of
the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, said last week. "The team has
been a tremendous catalyst to growth and development efforts in the downtown
area and across the region and serves as an example of the great momentum this
area is experiencing. As projects continue to progress around the ballpark and
throughout the downtown area, we suspect the years ahead will continue
challenge ballpark attendance records."
Cubs owner
Andrew Berlin received
approval last month from the South Bend Redevelopment Commission for
his $21 million mixed-used development at Four Winds Field, known as Berlin
Place, which will feature 120 apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail
space. Construction is expected to begin in November. Read more: Inside Indiana Business
Chamber relationships:
Participate in a Business Showcase at La Porte High School!
What is a Business
Showcase: Set up a table-top display
and provide information to local students about the products and services you
provide and also present to them the skills needed to work in your place of
business. The table is set up outside of the La Porte High School cafeteria.
When do the Business
Showcases occur: Your
business can participate in a Business Showcase on Wednesdays during the lunch
period from 10:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Only one organization is allowed per Business
Showcase.
How can I participate
in a Business Showcase: Contact the Chamber at gesse@lpchamber.com or call
219.362.3178 to reserve a spot.
Read below for more
information about the program:
One of the many goals of
the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce is to further develop a relationship
between the La Porte Community School Corporation and our local business. One
way to achieve and further strengthen this relationship is to create a
"Business Showcase" at the High School during the lunch hour periods.
We are suggesting that
the Chamber member provides the La Porte High School student body a table top
display of their business which can contain examples of your products and
services that your business manufactures and/or provides, the skills required
to work in your place of business and any other information about your company
that would spark interest to a young person to consider employment here in La
Porte County after graduation.
The Chamber members'
commitment would be to provide a single day "Business Showcase"
during the High School's lunch periods between the times of 10:20 AM - 12:20
PM. We have designated each Wednesday as the "Business
Showcase" day and the specific date will to be determined based upon the
participation level and your convenience. Tables, chairs, and electrical
outlets will be provided at the school.
This is an exciting
opportunity for you to "Showcase" your business and allow you to
ability to recruit potential future employees. If you are interested in
assisting us by participating in the worthwhile project, please contact the
Chamber at gesse@lpchamber.com or at 219.362.3178. Michael B.
Seitz, I.O.M.
Six elected
to Boone County Chamber of Commerce board
Six people were elected to
the Boone County Chamber of Commerce board of directors Tuesday morning during
the organization’s annual election meeting, held at Ulen Country Club.
Bob Clampitt of North
Salem State Bank; Norb Stransky of R.L. Turner; Joe LePage, communications and
community development director for the city of Lebanon; Mandy Saucerman, Boone
REMC’s communications and marketing specialist; and Corrie McConnell of Lind
& McConnell CPA; were elected to three-year terms. Spenser Rohler, an associate
attorney with Taylor, Chadd, Minnette, Schneider and Clutter P.C., Lebanon, was
elected to a two-year term.
Chamber executive director
Michelle Wiltermood opened the meeting, noting it was her 13th year as
director. “It’s been a great ride; it’s been a wonderful adventure,” she said.
Alan Milburn, who is one
of only two individual members of the Boone County Chamber — the other is
County Commissioner Marc Applegate — was one of the featured speakers.
Milburn said his first
experience with the local chamber was in 1961, when his job with the telephone
company brought him to Lebanon. He was introduced to the Chamber of Commerce by
the now-late Jack Mossman, who then was publisher of The Lebanon Reporter.
“Jack and the chamber
instilled in me the value of being involved and trying to make a difference in
some way,” Milburn said.
Job transfers took him
elsewhere in Indiana and to New York, but he continued to be active in chamber
of commerce events wherever he was, Milburn said. He returned to Lebanon in
1978. Read more: Lebanon Reporter
Greater Lawrence
Chamber resource: Historic Base Targeting Entrepreneurs
The revitalization of
Fort Benjamin Harrison from a military base to a growing business hub is
continuing. The city of Lawrence is marking the official opening today of The
Base at Fort Harrison. The coworking space is the result of a public-private
partnership with players including the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and
Yeager Properties. Organizers say The Base will ultimately house up to 100
members. The opening comes on the same day as the Westfield Chamber of Commerce
officially cuts the ribbon on its new office in The Union coworking space.
Lawrence Community
Development Corp. Executive Director Chris Barnett says The Base will be a
"launching pad for innovative new startups and will lead to a new network
of small businesses that will help keep top talent in Lawrence." The Base
features services including high-speed wireless Internet, printing and postage
as well as access to networking opportunities and and advice from business and
planning advisors.
Greater Lawrence
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Tower says there has been
"huge demand" for a space of this type for years. She says there is
room to expand, either by growing the current building or adding another
building. She says The Base will also serve as an incubator for entrepreneurs
and small businesses in Lawrence.
The Base is
the latest example of the revitalization of historic Fort Benjamin Harrison,
which has been ongoing for decades. In addition to the growing business
presence, the former base now features business newly-built homes, restaurants
and retail. Companies including Bloomerang, Blue Ribbon Transport and Enjoy
currently call Fort Harrison home. Read more: Inside indiana Business
Clay County Chamber of Commerce --
Spotlight on Business
Allied Insurance Agency
Allied Insurance Agency in Brazil is the industry leader
offering high-quality insurance coverage options. At Allied, they make a
difference where we live and work. With Allied insurance, you pay for only what
you need. Homeowners insurance, life insurance, renters insurance, auto
insurance, motorcycle insurance and more. Their wide range of packages provide
you with customized coverage at an affordable price. Allied has companies
located throughout the United States. No matter your neck of the woods, we have
agents ready to customize a plan for you.
Allied Insurance Agency is a Brazil, Indiana family owned
insurance agency company. Allied Insurance Agency has established an insurance
division, offered auto insurance and developed a life insurance service for its
Brazil clients in Clay County.
Need an insurance agency in Brazil? For friendly insurance
service in Brazil and Clay County call (812) 443-4251 today.
(Information provided by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce for
its Spotlight on Business for August.) Read more: Brazil Times
Top Five Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce
Daily – click to go there or Google search “Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog”
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Last Month’s Stories -
Southwest Indiana Chamber
named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
(ACCE) Inside
Indiana Business
Noblesville
Chamber, Nickel Plate Showcase 'The Art of Business' Inside Indiana Business
Chamber host: Valpo improvement awards honor creativity,
innovation NWI Times
The Greater Bloomington
Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Meeting and Community Awards on
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Phil
Hardwick — What remarkable associations do that others don’t Mississippi Business
Jasper Chamber Will Hold 63rd Annual Meeting
Crossroads Regional
Chamber of Commerce Hosts New Teacher Luncheon Contact: Lee Hartsell, Office Manager,
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce - 219.769.8180
New Castle-Henry County
Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map
The New Castle-Henry County Chamber
of Commerce 2016 Community Map is available at the New Castle-Henry
County Chamber today! Thanks to Missy Modesitt, Mary
Campbell 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.
Greensburg-Decatur County
Chamber Sponsor: United Fund celebrating "Bison-tennial" with public
art project Greensburg Daily News
Chamber relationships:
Participate in a Business Showcase at La Porte High School! contact the Chamber
at gesse@lpchamber.com or at 219.362.3178
#BestChamber practices: Indy Chamber: Join the 200 Club please contact Jacqueline
Troy at jtroy@indychamber.com or 317-464-2245.
#BestChamber practices:
Jasper Chamber - Patoka 2000 – Bridge Planters contact the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at
482-6866.
Career opportunity: President
and CEO of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce - via Shelli Williams of
ICEA www.lpchamber.com for
job description.
Professional Advancement opportunity: from Shelli Williams,
Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) - Wayne County, Indiana - visit the Chamber's website. The deadline to apply is September 1.
If you would like to follow up on
conversations about maps or directories, please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com, or call
me at 847-427-4633. Here are chamber peers that have used our
services recently and can give you feedback on the quality of our services.
Please reach out to them when you consider our services.
Rex Richards, Valpo Chamber
Missy Modesitt, New Castle-Henry County
Chamber
Sue Reed, Crossroads Regional Chamber
Maura Durham – Duneland Chamber
Samantha Bobbitt, Daviess County Chamber
Jeff Emsweller, Greensburg Decatur County
Chamber
Noteable Retirements: Eau
Claire Area Chamber of Commerce leader Bob McCoy announces retirement WEAU 13 News
If you would like delivery of a new gloss Chamber directory or gloss community map in April 2017, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
John Dussman | Chamber Manager
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Do you have a story idea?
If you know of a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the CHAMBER EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORT or the MIDWEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE blog, please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
If you know of a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the CHAMBER EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORT or the MIDWEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE blog, please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
