Greater Madison Chamber dinner to feature Trek's John Burke and Lands' End's Federica Marchionni as speakers; Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber invites community interaction for Stellar Communities; Chamber Chuckle - Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests; #BestChamber practices: Join us at the Members in Motion Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast brought to you by your local Chambers: Algonqin/Lake in the Hills, Cary Grove, Crystal Lake, Huntley, and Woodstock.; Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Loudoun Chamber to Host 'State of Innovation in Education' Forum on Sept. 14; Nominations being sought for Kyndle Industry of the Year Award; LAFCU’s Chrystal Murphy elected president of Eaton Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce board; Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber CEO headed to Ingalls; Town Square Chamber of Commerce Directories

Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!



Greater Madison Chamber dinner to feature Trek's John Burke and Lands' End's Federica Marchionni as speakers

The top executives of Trek Bicycle Corp. and Lands’ End will headline the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner in September.

John Burke, president of Waterloo-based Trek, and Federica Marchionni, CEO of apparel retailer Lands’ End, will be keynote speakers at the event Sept. 28 at Monona Terrace.

Chamber president Zach Brandon said the theme of this year’s dinner will be “Make Madison” — that the greater Madison area is “the place where you can make a career, make a life and make a difference,” he said.

Rather than drawing a speaker from outside Wisconsin, as the chamber did the past two years — with Richard Reeves of the Brookings Institution in 2015 and best-selling author Steven Johnson in 2014 — Brandon said he wanted Wisconsin leaders to address the business organization.

“We wanted people who understand what makes greater Madison the place that it is,” Brandon said. Read more: Madison.com

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

Chamber Chuckle -  Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests

"Where can I buy manure?  Not store bought manure, but real manure."

#BestChamber practices: Join us at the Members in Motion Multi-Chamber Networking Breakfast brought to you by your local Chambers: Algonqin/Lake in the Hills, Cary Grove, Crystal Lake, Huntley, and Woodstock.

Members in Motion is a progressive networking breakfast that puts you with a table of others who are also looking to grow their businesses through networking. Over the course of a three round scramble, you will meet over twenty individuals who want to hear more about your business, as well as share information about their business. Registration is required and limited to three professionals per industry, one per company and fills up quickly.

After a Continental Breakfast, you will be seated with a table (around 8) of individuals with the same goals in mind that you have - networking.  You will not be seated with any of your competition and you will not sit with the same person twice (unless some last minute registrants sneak in at your table).

Each round will begin with everyone having three minutes to talk about who they are, what their business does, and answer a question (you will receive your questions in advance) asked by the table facilitator, such as, "What businesses would best compliment your business?" After everyone has shared information about their business, a bell will ring and they will then move to the next table and repeat the process with new contacts. As an added bonus, open networking will take place before and after the scramble, so be sure to bring plenty of business cards. By the end of the scramble, you should have had quality time with about 23 individuals, and open networking with many more. 

Registration is required and limited to 3 professionals per industry. The event will take place on Thursday, September 15 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Boulder Ridge Country Club, 350 Boulder Dr., Lake in the Hills. 

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

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

Rapid City Directory

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

Loudoun County Chamber to Host 'State of Innovation in Education' Forum on Sept. 14

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams and Northern Virginia Community College President, Dr. Scott Ralls, will headline the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 forum on the “State of Innovation in Education,” according to an announcement by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce.

“Dr. Williams and Dr. Ralls are recognized leaders in the national movement to transition primary and secondary education away from an overemphasis on testing towards a focus on more individualized education to better develop students’ core academic, technical and employability skills,“ said Loudoun County Chamber Government Affairs Manager, Brian Fauls.

“We look forward to hearing them address to growing shift in education towards a focus on preparing our kids for the 21st Century workforce and creating multiple career pathways for our students. This movement requires partnership among community colleges, primary and secondary schools, workforce and economic development agencies and employers and the Loudoun County Chamber is proud to be a part of that partnership in our community,” Fauls added.

What: The “State of Innovation in Education” part of the 2016 PolicyMaker Series

Who: Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Eric Williams; Northern Virginia Community College President, Dr. Scott Ralls

Where: Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA)

When: Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

For registration information, visitwww.loudounchamber.org.

Read more: Patch.com

Nominations being sought for Kyndle Industry of the Year Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Kyndle Industry of the Year Award. The event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 a.m. at the Henderson Fine Arts Center.

The guest speaker will be Dave Tatman, executive director of the Kentucky Automotive Industry Association

RSVP to info@kyndle.us. Nominations can also be downloaded there.

Deadline to submit nominations is at the close of business on Sept.16. Submit all nominations to info@kyndle.us

For more information, call 270-826-7505

Previous industry winners are:

• Sights Denim Systems
• Methodist Hospital
• Alcan
• Vincent Industrial Plastics 

Read more: The Gleaner

LAFCU’s Chrystal Murphy elected president of Eaton Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce board

LAFCU employee Chrystal Murphy has been elected president of the Eaton Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors for a one-year term.

Murphy, an Eaton Rapids native, has served on the Chamber board since 2012. Teresa Pienta, ERACC executive director, said the 12-member board is excited about the future with Murphy at the helm.

“Chrystal is energetic and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the board and the various committees on which she’s a member,” said Pienta. “She has a lot of new ideas and can handle ‘bumps along the road’ with ease. She is proving to be a great leader, and I am sure we will see great things from her time as president.”

Murphy has deep family roots in Eaton Rapids. She was born and reared in the community. Her grandparents operated a restaurant on Main Street for many years, where she developed close relationships with many residents. And, she has chosen to continue to live in Eaton Rapids where she and her husband, Matthew, are raising their children who will attend the same schools she did.

“Helping our community grow and prosper resonates with me,” she said. “Eaton Rapids is close to my heart. It feels like we’re one big family.”

Murphy is assistant vice president-south Lansing branch manager for LAFCU. Murphy is also an active volunteer for the Capital Area United Way.

“Chrystal exemplifies LAFCU’s commitment to give back in the communities we serve, and we wish her the best during her term as Chamber president,” said LAFCU CEO Pat Spyke. Read more: CU Insight

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber CEO headed to Ingalls

After 15 years of working with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, CEO Kimberly Nastasi has accepted a position as director of communications in the Communications and Public Affairs Department at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.

A breakfast and reception in her honor will be Sept. 2 from 9-11 a.m. at the Knight Nonprofit Center, 11975 Seaway Road, Gulfport.

Rachael Seymour, director of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, is serving as interim CEO while the search committee looks for Nastasi’s successor. The job is posted on the chamber website for three weeks.

Nastasi will start in her new position Sept. 6 and report to Jim McIngvale, who recently was named director of communications and public affairs at Ingalls Shipbuilding.

Nastasi said she is an “Air Force brat” whose family was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base when she was young. Her father is retired military, her brother is a member of the Hurricane Hunters at Keesler and her new position is an opportunity to work with the military contractor and remain local, she said.

Her first job after earning her master’s degree in communications from University of Southern Mississippi was as executive director of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce in 2001. She became CEO of the Coast Chamber of Commerce in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

“After Katrina, Duncan McKenzie led the organization for two years and really consolidated the organization into a true regional chamber,” she said.

Since then, the chamber has become one of the owners of the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport and created the Chamber Foundation and Coast Young Professionals, she said. Under Nastasi’s direction and board leadership, the chamber also became the first and only one in the state to receive the four-star accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Sun Herald

Town Square Chamber of Commerce  Directories

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.

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, Contact Town Square Here

#BestChamber practices - Greensburg Decatur County Business Resources on chamber Website; NKY Chamber awarded prestigious ‘Kentucky Certified Chamber’ status, one of only two this year; Chicago Southland Chamber FYI - Attention Will & Cook County Businesses - Apply for the 2016 Grant Program!; Hampton Roads Chamber, Virginia Peninsula Chamber event partners: Transit Means Business; Wausau chamber CEO Aaron Kapellusch resigns; #BestChamber Practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: Chamber 411; Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber: Doll’s House to host annual 5K; #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: Being different;

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


#BestChamber practices - Greensburg Decatur County Business Resources on chamber Website

BUSINESS RESOURCES

As part of the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce’s mission to build a positive business environment, we have created this site to provide tools and resources to help you start and operate a business in Decatur County, Indiana. Included on this page are downloadable forms and worksheets as well as links to other useful organizations and internet tools. Rules & Regulations often change so we encourage you to contact the chamber staff at (812) 663-2832 for further assistance.

Downloads

Business Plan Outline
This is a sample outline for a Business Plan.

Estimated Start-Up Costs Worksheet
This is a worksheet to help calculate start-up costs for your business.

RegulatoryCompliance
Information on regulatory compliance when starting your own business.

Small Business Grant Application
Applications are now available for the chamber’s new small business grant. One local business will be awarded $1,000 to improve, expand, remodel or grow their business. The business must be located in Decatur County, be a member of the chamber, and have less than 100 employees.

Start-Up Checklist
This is a checklist when starting-up your own business.

Useful Resources

Indiana BizCafe
Indiana BizCafe is a free site that provides a forum for useres to connect with experts, identify investors, locate new clients and find new investment opportunities. Visitors to the site complete an online personal profile that describes tehm and their business interests such as potential customers, federal grant opportunities or investors. Once complete the site scours more than one million records and emails users matches based on their identified search criteria. It also provides a searchable database of federal grant opportunities.

Indiana Business Research Center, IU School of Business
Stats Indiana is a comprehensive database of statistical demographics for the state of Indiana and is a useful resource for studying potential markets for your business.

Indiana Economic Development Corporation
The State's comprehensive site for economic development assistance.

INDURE
INDURE: the Indiana Database of Research of University Expertise was created by the State of Indiana to help transform university-developed technology into money-making businesses. The site is an online searchable database of Indiana researchers, intellectual property and on-going sponsored research projects available for further development or for integration into new products or services.

Money Training Academy
Money Training Academy is an online certificate training program that will teach you the basics of money – where to find it, how to get it, and how to manage it. This program tracks your progress through the courses and issues you a certificate of completion once you pass four of the seven courses provided.

Pitch-Then-Plan
This free tool created by the Columbus Enterprise Development Center helps you translate your business ideas into a plan.

Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) Resources to Manage Small Business Risks
Small businesses face a wide-range of risks but often lack resources and training to effectively deal with these risks. PERI is a nonprofit organization that provides excellent educational and training resources to help public entities, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations better understand and manage the risks they face. Visit PERI’s Website and browse their resource library for helpful risk management resources.

Purdue New Ventures
The Purdue Extension educators and specialists on the New Ventures Team created this site to help you find the answers and information you need to decide whether you should start a new agriculture - or food - related business. More Resources: Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber





NKY Chamber awarded prestigious ‘Kentucky Certified Chamber’ status, one of only two this year

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) recognized superior achievements and professional excellence among the Commonwealth’s local chambers of commerce at the group’s Spring Conference in Frankfort.

The KCCE awarded the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce with the distinguished designation of “Kentucky Certified Chamber.”

The NKY Chamber was one of only two Kentucky Chambers to received such a designation this year.

“It’s great to see the hard work of our membership and staff recognized,” said Trey Grayson, President/CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “This really sheds the spotlight on the fact that we are a full service chamber for our entire region. No matter what your business may need, we can offer a variety of ways to help.” Read more: Northern Kentucky Tribune

Chicago Southland Chamber FYI - Attention Will & Cook County Businesses - Apply for the 2016 Grant Program! Metro Chicago Exports and the CED Offers Assistance Through Grant Program to Will County Companies Looking to Export The single-round Grant Program will award grants up to $5,000 to help small and medium-sized companies in Will County and other counties in Northeastern Illinois maximize their export potential and engage with customers in international markets. Small and medium-sized companies located in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties that are existing exporters or new-to-export with fewer than 500 employees are encouraged to apply. The single-round 2016 Grant Program will award up to $5,000 to small and medium-sized companies in the seven-county region to reimburse 50% of eligible expenses associated with implementing an export plan. More information about eligible expenses can be found in this Frequently Asked Questions document. New Arrival: 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 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. Hampton Roads Chamber, Virginia Peninsula Chamber event partners: Transit Means Business Fri, May 27, 2016 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Transit Means Business Join business leaders, experts and policy makers, along with John Robert Smith, co-chair of Transportation for America and former Mayor, Meridian, MS. Explore the facts about transit’s present and future value to Hampton Roads, including results of the first-ever regional transit economic impact study, and case studies highlighting key sectors of local and regional economies. Presented in partnership with Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Portsmouth Partnership, Downtown Norfolk Council, Virginia Beach Vision, Central Business District Association, Coliseum Central Business District, Hampton Roads Transit, Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate. Event Location Sandler Center for the Performing Arts 201 Market Street Virginia Beach , VA Wausau chamber CEO Aaron Kapellusch resigns The top executive at the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce has left the position, the board chairwoman said in an email Wednesday to Chamber members. "Aaron Kapellusch is no longer employed as the President/CEO of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce," Chairwoman Melissa Kampmann wrote. "Aaron is moving on to pursue other opportunities and we wish him the best in his future endeavors." Reached at her office at the Ruder Ware law firm on Wednesday, Kampmann would not elaborate on Kapellusch's departure other than to say his last day was Tuesday and the staff was informed then. Kapellusch could not immediately be reached for comment. Kampmann's email said the board is seeking an interim director to lead the Chamber while the organization searches for a long-term candidate. In the meantime, two current Chamber staff members, Sara Guild and Stacy Livernash, will take over Kapellusch's duties while they continue with their own responsibilities, according to the email. Kapellusch was hired in November 2013 to replace former Chamber President/CEO Jeff Zriny. He was the former business outreach coordinator at the Wisconsin Procurement Institute and had been a marketing manager for Nicolet Plastics and business development manager for Northern Lake Service. Read more: Wausau Daily Herald #BestChamber Practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: Chamber 411 Chamber 411 provides an overview of how to make the Chamber work for you and your company. Coffee and light breakfast snacks are included. Business Card Drawing Giveaway When: Friday, June 03, 2016 8:00 AM thru 09:30 AM Where: Birmingham Public Schools Administration Building 31301 Evergreen Road, Beverly Hills Adjacent to Groves High School Registration: Complimentary for new and prospective members. For More Membership Information contact: Bonnie Miles (248) 430-7686 Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber: Doll’s House to host annual 5K The Doll’s House Rehabilitation Center for Women will host its third annual 5K walk/run and fun run in honor of all women and mothers next Saturday, May 7. Registration for the 5K walk/run starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the walk/run at 9 a.m. at the Brookhaven­Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. A fun run for kids will start at 10 a.m. Stephanie Turner said the 5K run/walk registration fee is $25 before Monday and $30 after Monday. The fun run registration fee is $10 before Monday and $15 after Monday. Anyone may register by calling the Doll’s House. “This year the 5K walk/run will be on Mother’s Day weekend, and we want to emphasize that,” Turner said. “Mother’s Day is about celebrating the women in your life, and our mission is to support women in transition. We invite the community to come out and honor the women in their lives, while supporting women who need it. We are looking forward to this family oriented event.” Read more: Daily Leader Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, and Custom Maps Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues. Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your publication proposal, Click here #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: Being different "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." - Dave Barry

New Alexandria Chamber CEO Reflects on Challenges, Opportunities Ahead; The interview: 3 questions with Las Cruces' outgoing chamber CEO (and Midland Michigan’s incoming CEO); Gala for Naperville Chamber of Commerce Jan. 29; Greensburg Decatur County Chamber good news: Indiana continues lowest unemployment levels since 2001; Monroe County Chamber assistance: American Furniture Expands Production Centers In Amory, Mississippi; Greater Beloit Chamber sets workshop on regulation changes; Chamber Cheers: Frankfort Area (Kentucky) Chamber of Commerce; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps

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

New Alexandria Chamber CEO Reflects on Challenges, Opportunities Ahead 

From the offices of United Way Worldwide on North Fairfax Street where he serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer, Joseph Haggerty looks across the Potomac River and sees a tremendous opportunity for Alexandria as the new MGM casino is built at National Harbor.

To the north is Potomac Yard, which is slated for the construction of a new Metro station and commercial development. And in the Carlyle/Eisenhower East neighborhood, he sees great potential with the construction of the National Science Foundation.

Those and numerous other projects in the city excite Haggerty, who was announced as the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s new CEO last month, replacing the retiring John Long. As well as for professional reasons, Haggerty said he has a personal justification for agreeing to be the chamber’s new CEO.

“I travel a lot and I have a couple of kids and I thought this might give me a little more time not being in an airport on a Friday night at 10 p.m.,” he said. “I think the chamber has a lot of meetings and you’re probably out every night, but you’re not stuck at Dallas-Fort Worth airport on a Friday night. I think it will feel better to be involved in the local stuff that’s happening here, and also I’ll be running my own show.”

The New England native comes into his new role with the chamber having started at United Way as an intern while completing his master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. Read more: Alexandria Times

The interview: 3 questions with Las Cruces' outgoing chamber CEO (and Midland Michigan’s incoming chamber CEO)

If you're having business community problems, your old-school chamber of commerce might be one.

As Bill Allen, chief executive officer of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, ends his tenure in New Mexico next week — both as CEO of the chamber, as well as president of the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association — he moves on to Midland Future, a new organization in Michigan that combines Midland's chamber of commerce with an economic development group in the area. While he says a combined platform isn't right for every city, chambers need to do more than provide networking opportunities if they're going to stay relevant to the business community.

Allen has spent the last five years leading the LCCC after moving here in 2010 following his time as executive director of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce in Royal Oak, Michigan. Since 2010, gross revenue at the LCCC has increased by about $100,000 and the organization was one of the highest revenue-producing chambers in the state with $716,000 in revenue for the fiscal year ending in 2013.

What precipitated the change in job and the decision to go back to Michigan?

I was actually contacted by a recruiter who I helped out in the past, so he just suggested that I take a look at this opportunity. … The position itself presents a great opportunity, so that might have been the first thing I looked at. The size of the organization is a bit larger than our chamber here, so that was a positive. In addition, it’s not that much of a big deal to move back to Michigan, so that didn’t hurt.

Midland Future is a unique combination of a chamber of commerce and economic development group. Is this the future? Read more: Albuquerque Business First

Gala for Naperville Chamber of Commerce Jan. 29

Attendees have a chance to win a $2,000 grand prize.

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Inaugural Gala: Back to Our Roots from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville, located at 1823 Abriter Court. The event will benefit the Chamber as a not-for-profit organization and is its largest fundraising event of the year.

The evening will begin with an open bar cocktail reception where guests will have a chance to mingle, participate in a number of fundraising games and enjoy a hyper-local craft beer tasting. An assortment of appetizers has been carefully paired with selections from local craft breweries including: Hopvine Brewing Company, Granite City Brewery, Rock Bottom Brewery, Two Brothers Roundhouse, Pollyanna Brewing Company and Solemn Oath Brewery.

The cocktail reception will be followed by a 4-course dinner and an evening of dancing and celebration with music provided by Windy City Dueling Pianos. The evening will also feature a Draw Down presented by Banyan Treatment Center. Each attendee will be entered for a chance to win. Every 20th ticket drawn will win a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant, and the final ticket drawn will receive a $2,000 grand prize.

The ticket price for the event is $150 per person or $1,550 for a Corporate Table which includes a table of ten and a quarter page advertisement in the program. Additional sponsorships are also available. Read more: Naperville Patch

Greensburg Decatur County Chamber good news: Indiana continues lowest unemployment levels since 2001

The November Indiana Unemployment Report has been released. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent in November, which continues the trend of the lowest levels in Indiana since August 2001.

Similarly, Indiana added 7,000 residents to the labor force last month, which brings numbers to a grand total of 100,000 since January 2013 – leading the Midwest. According to information provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the gap in the labor force participation rate between Indiana and the national average, once again, improved for the nineteenth consecutive month.

“Unemployment in the Hoosier State continues to be at its lowest levels in more than a decade,” Commissioner Steven J. Braun of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said. “Meanwhile, Indiana continues to lead the Midwest in labor force growth by a significant amount.”

Braun also mentioned that total claims for unemployment insurance in Indiana are at their lowest levels since 1997.

The Department of Workforce Development added that the private sector employment increased by 3,400 last month. They saw significant gains in construction and trade, transportation and utilities. However, they’ve seen losses in the manufacturing sector.

As for Greensburg, according to information provided by the Greensburg-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, the unemployment rate for the city lies below the state average with a rate of 3.6 percent. They currently have the third lowest rate in a 10 county range with Columbus holding the No. 1 spot. Read more: Greensburg Daily News

Monroe County Chamber assistance: American Furniture Expands Production Centers In Amory, Mississippi

American Furniture expanded its footprint in The Magnolia State by locating a manufacturing plant in Amory, Mississippi. The project represents a corporate investment of $560,000 and the creation of 140 jobs in Monroe County. American Furniture has existing manufacturing operations in Ecru, Mississippi, where the company has 757 employees.

For the expansion, American Furniture is locating six manufacturing lines in the 130,000-square-foot facility most recently occupied by Madison House Furniture. The company will also use part of the building for warehousing and distribution.

“AFM is excited about our start-up in Amory and being located in Monroe County. Our hope was to attract skilled associates that could jump start the operation, and our expectations have been surpassed by the number and skill levels of applicants we have received. Without the support of Mississippi Development Authority, the city and county, and the Monroe County Chamber, this project would not have happened so quickly,” said American Furniture CEO Al Wiygul.

“Having grown up in Amory, I am proud to give back to a community that gave so much to me as a child growing up here. Our plan will put us at six production lines by the end of January. Our business has grown at 20-plus percent for the last three years. If that momentum continues, this could be just the beginning,” he added. Read more: Area Development

Greater Beloit Chamber sets workshop on regulation changes

Vision Beloit, 500 Public Ave., will host the upcoming Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) seminar on changes to overtime regulations. The event will be held from 8-9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The seminar will review the current state of the law regarding employee exempt/non-exempt status, the propsed regulatory changes and the implications of those changes on the workforce. Cost of the seminar is $10 for non-members and free for GBCC members. Visit greaterbeloitchamber.org for more information.

Chamber Cheers: Frankfort Area (Kentucky) Chamber of Commerce

Cheers to: 

Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce: For helping to transform the image and reputation of Frankfort — a city that exists independently from being the seat of state government. Source: The State Journal



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

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your publication proposal, Click here

MEC, Chamber interest: $50 million Mississippi workforce training bill looks strong in homestretch; Fairfax County chamber signing ceremony: Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA Veteran Staffing Network Partnership Signing Ceremony; Little Rock chamber chat: Charles Morgan to Entrepreneurs: Surround Yourself with Good People; Michigan Chamber Thanks House Members Who Chose Michigan Taxpayers Over Hollywood Handouts; Chamber sponsorship: Public forum will offer debate on Wausau leadership; Chamber news: Liaison Technologies Announces Expansion in Carbondale (Illinois); Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber event: Bruce Kettler tells how Agriculture Industry has improved; Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber names 2014 man and woman of the year, hall of fame inductee; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

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

Chamber interest: $50 million Mississippi workforce training bill looks strong in homestretch

Among the survivors of the bill-thinning that occurs at this stage of Mississippi’s legislative session is legislation to set up a $50 million workforce training program that can respond timely to worker training needs of companies looking to come to Mississippi or expand here.
Senate Bill 2457, along with the House version (HB 911) which has been rolled into the Senate bill, is a session priority of both Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Economic Council. Mississippi can’t expect to compete with its Southern neighbors without beefing up workforce training and streamlining how the training is offered, Bryant and the statewide organization say.
The bill got a unanimous nod from the House Tuesday. Te Senate is expected to send it on to a conference committee, said Blake Wilson, CEO of the MEC, the state’s chamber of commerce. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal

Fairfax County chamber signing ceremony: Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA Veteran Staffing Network Partnership Signing Ceremony

Partners include: U.S. Army Reserve, The American Legion, AMVETS, Hiring Our Heroes, Military Spouse Employment Partnership

Tysons Corner, VA – Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA Veteran Staffing Network (VSN) celebrated private public partnerships to expand veteran employment opportunities at a signing ceremony earlier today held at the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. The partnerships with U.S. Army Reserve, The American Legion, AMVETS, Hiring Our Heroes and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership will expand employment support and reintegration of veterans, military members and their families.

“With the number of veterans now seeking civilian employment, and the hundreds of thousands who will join their ranks over the next few years, the need for employment support is great and growing,” said Lieutenant General Jeffery W. Talley, Chief of Army Reserve/Commanding General US Army Reserve Command. “This Private Public Partnership… will go a long way towards helping recently separated Veterans who today face a 50 percent higher unemployment rate than the general public.”

“Last year, The Veteran Staffing Network placed 300 veterans, guard and reservists and military spouses in meaningful civilian careers,” said Phil Panzarella, President of CPS Professional Services, Chairman of the Board for the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, and Board Member for Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA. “The VSN's innovative venture philanthropy model has demonstrated a powerful return on investment – veterans placed in careers have earned nearly $10 million in annualized salaries and returned nearly $3 million to the economy as unemployment benefits are replaced by income tax payments.”

Easter Seals partnership signing initiative is the first set of official Memorandum of Understanding agreements made. To view more information on the Veteran Staffing Network visit: http://veteranstaffingnetwork.org/

Little Rock chamber chat: Charles Morgan to Entrepreneurs: Surround Yourself with Good People

Former Acxiom Corp. CEO Charles Morgan has some advice for entrepreneurs: surround yourself with good people, secure adequate funding, learn from your mistakes and believe in yourself.
All easier said than done — the first two especially — but essential in building a successful startup venture, he said.
Morgan shared his insight, as well as anecdotes from his career and a recently published memoir, on Tuesday night as part of the Arkansas Venture Center's Build IT series from the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The monthly "fireside chat" series brings in prominent Arkansas tech startup founders to share their stories. The Build IT series is sponsored by Arkansas Business, and Morgan's chat was moderated by Arkansas Business Publishing Group's President and Publisher Mitch Bettis. Read more: Arkansas Business

 

Michigan Chamber Thanks House Members Who Chose Michigan Taxpayers Over Hollywood Handouts

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today applauds members of the State House for passing House Bill 4122 to finally end Michigan's wasteful and ineffective film subsidy.

"The vote today clearly illustrates which representatives are serious about cutting wasteful spending and those who are fine supporting government boondoggles," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "We commend the new leadership in the Michigan House for reexamining the merits of this subsidy and showing the resolve to govern in the best interest of taxpayers."

"We applaud State Representative Dan Lauwers and every state legislator who joined with him in placing a higher priority on Michigan taxpayers and saying NO to Hollywood film producers who only come to town to pick up a check," said Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Astonishingly, some legislators continue to vote in support of the program despite the data showing it is a failure."

"Egregiously, during the Lame Duck session of 2014, legislators made this bad law even worse by gifting more money for highly compensated movie executives while eliminating incentives for hiring Michigan residents," noted Tricia Kinley, Senior Director of Tax & Regulatory Reform for the Michigan Chamber. "The current subsidy also allows producers to circumvent the nominal Michigan-hiring expectations, making it even less likely that Michigan residents will benefit." Read more: Michigan Chamber

Chamber sponsorship: Public forum will offer debate on Wausau leadership

Wausau voters and leaders face a crossroads. A referendum in April will ask residents if they want to bring in a hired administrator to help run City Hall or maintain the current system with a full-time mayor.
To stir up interest in that ballot question and promote his view, City Council member Keene Winters is employing campaign techniques, including yard signs that read: "Professionalism for a change. Vote for a city administrator."
"I want the voter turnout to be more than 15 percent," Winters said.
Before the April 7 referendum, a panel of current and former leaders will weigh in on the question in a public forum titled "Mayor vs. Administrator: Who Should Run City Hall?"
That discussion will take place next Tuesday and is co-sponsored by Daily Herald Media, the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce and Wisconsin Public Radio. Read more: Wausau Daily Herald

 

Chamber news: Liaison Technologies Announces Expansion in Carbondale (Illinois)

Liaison Technologies, an industry-recognized leader in cloud-enabled data integration and data management offerings, today announced that the company is expanding operations in Carbondale, Illinois  and will announce the addition of 20 new sales positions at a press conference to be held at the Liaison Technologies office located at 1075 Reed Station Road at 10:00 a.m. on February 12, 2015.  In addition, Liaison will host a job fair on February 17, 2015 .

“We’re very excited to announce this expansion in Carbondale and increase our investment in the community,” said Larry Mieldezis, CRO at Liaison Technologies. Over the last five years, we have steadily increased our footprint. We started with five employees and expect that to reach 70 once we have filled the open positions on our sales team.” Read more: Carbondale Chamber

Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber event: Bruce Kettler tells how Agriculture Industry has improved

Bruce Kettler spoke before a large crowd at the Chamber of Commerce “Future in Farming” dinner and program Thursday evening at the K of C Hall. He began by giving credit to Indiana and Decatur County for helping build the momentum for the 2015 International Year of the Soils. He said without healthy soil there cannot be enough food produced to feed the world. The Year of The Soils will be a starting point to raise awareness about how important the soil is for food production.
Jeff Emsweller, executive director of the chamber, said that while Greensburg and Decatur County is considered a manufacturing area to many, the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce understands that agriculture still plays a significant role in our county and it is important that we all don’t forget that. Emsweller said, “Anything the Chamber of Commerce can do to heighten the awareness of the ag community, is a plus for us all. We value those agricultural related businesses who are members of the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce and our annual Ag Dinner in March is one way we can help keep that presence in the forefront of the community. It is always nice to bring in a speaker who can share insights with local farmers, ag and non-agriculture related businesses, about the future in farming. We believe it is important to not only the Chamber of Commerce, but our entire community as well. We are thankful to all of those in this particular industry.” Read more: Greensburg Daily News

Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber names 2014 man and woman of the year, hall of fame inductee

More than 100 people packed into the Great Hall at My Old Kentucky Home State Park for the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner.

FRANK HALL

After a catered meal featuring prime rib and fried chicken, chamber members turned their attention to celebrating the contributions of local men and women who make a difference in Nelson County.
MAN OF THE YEAR. In his usual humble style, Frank Hall walked up to the microphone after a lengthy introduction by Dr. Joe Lanzillo to accept the 2014 Man of the Year award.
Standing at the podium, Hall paused for a moment before he smiled and said, “First of all, I’m not really sure that was me that he was talking about.”
Hall, who recently wrapped up 36 years as a member of the Nelson County Board of Education, told the audience “I’m just a guy from New Haven whose been so blessed to be in a community like this.” Read more: Nelson County Gazette

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

RULE #65      Offer options and choices with everything we sell.