Chamber of Commerce Daily News

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Showing posts with label Greenwood Leflore County Chamber. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Michael Caruso on Kate Spade: Are you hiding your brand?; Awesome Women Becomes Part of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce; Hampton Roads Alliance: Introducing the 757 Recovery & Resiliency Action Framework; How Secure Is Your Teleworkforce?; Kent County Small Business Recovery Program - Apply Now! 7 Ways Hearing People Can Better Include Deaf Communities in Our Communication (via the Macomb County Chamber); Waterloo Chamber: Debt Relief for New SBA-backed Loans

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

Michael Caruso on Kate Spade: Are you hiding your brand?

In 1995, fashion designer Kate Spade had enjoyed only moderate success marketing her handbags.

Although big department stores were placing orders for her brightly colored, sharp-cornered bags, the designer wasn't even breaking even.

Kate's personal savings account was running low and she even considered shutting down the brand, until she got the idea that quadrupled sales and staged the sale of her company for $158 million.

The big idea? She moved the Kate Spade logo from the inside of the bag to the outside.

Do you have a "Kate Spade problem?"

This is a great metaphor for so many speakers and presenters who all but keep their brand a secret, by:

Working only for someone else
Always presenting inferior, third-party content
Representing a corporate or franchise brand
Being tethered to silly guidelines
Working ridiculous hours
Being under-appreciated and way under-paid

It doesn't have to be this way

If this is your situation, we should at least jump on a call to talk about what's possible.
Because clarity is a wonderful thing.
Choose a good day/time for your free consult at MichaelAngeloCaruso.com/talk.
Don't hide what you have to offer. It never works out.

Indiana Chamber Virtual Event Connects Hoosier Companies To Entire Congressional Delegation; Free For Member Companies

(INDIANAPOLIS) — With many Hoosier businesses currently looking to the federal government for guidance, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is bringing the state’s congressional delegation to them in an upcoming event.

The 2020 D.C. Fly-in will be held virtually on August 12-13 from 10 a.m. to noon EDT both days. All of Indiana’s 11 delegation members – led by Sens. Todd Young and Mike Braun – have confirmed their participation for at least one of the two moderated sessions. Attendees can submit their questions for consideration in real-time.

“We’ve put together a program that prioritizes the unprecedented situation we are still in, while also acknowledging that other key matters still need to be addressed,” says Greg Ellis, the Indiana Chamber’s vice president of energy, environment, and federal affairs.

“With the convenience and safety of the webinar format, we hope to engage a record number of Hoosier business leaders in the Fly-in discussion.”

The day one conversation will center on the here and now and into next year. Specifically, what’s left to do to aid in emerging from the pandemic and the longer-term economic recovery. Also on tap will be security concerns and international relations.

Traditional domestic issues that remain of paramount importance and await action highlight the agenda on day two. These include infrastructure, health care, broadband and fiscal matters.

The two retiring representatives, Pete Visclosky (IN-1) and Susan Brooks (IN-5), will be honored as part of the program.

The 2020 D.C. Fly-in is free of charge for Indiana Chamber members and $29.95 for non-members. Register to attend at www.indianachamber.com/flyin. Read more: WBIW

Awesome Women Becomes Part of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce

The Arlington Chamber is happy to welcome the Awesome Women (AWE) Arlington Chapter to our membership community! The Chamber will begin having AWE events and programs in the fall.

AWE, the professional networking group founded in Arlington in 2014. The organization is open to women who own and operate a business.

If you’d like to support this program as a sponsor, please contact Andrea Aiello, Membership Engagement Manager, for opportunities at engagement@arlingtonchamber.org.

SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM

The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce has released the first episodes in its new Elevated Conversations Podcast, hosted by Dave Eckmann

The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce has released the first episodes in its new Elevated Conversations Podcast, hosted by Dave Eckmann, President and CEO of the Chamber.

Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber: Largest Bike Ride in Mississippi!

Money Road Cycling Club and the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce will host the 13th annual BBB cycling event on Saturday, August 1, 2020. The rides begin at 7:00 AM on Howard Street in Greenwood. Mississippi's LARGEST RIDE totaled over 1,000 riders in 2019 and was selected as a “Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Festival & Event Winner” for the month of August! Join us to ride the “flat and fast alluvial plains of the Delta” and find one of the most hospitable, well organized bike events in the South.

For more information and to register, visit our WEBSITE. Check out the FACEBOOK PAGE often for regular updates, and to sponsor or volunteer, contact the Chamber at 662.453.4152.

For a complete list of places to stay in Greenwood visit: https://visitgreenwood.com/stay/.

Hampton Roads Alliance: Introducing the 757 Recovery & Resiliency Action Framework

Dear Friends of the Alliance,

It is with great pride that we introduce a new regional initiative known as the 757 Recovery and Resiliency Action Framework. This effort will result in a strategic plan that will ensure Hampton Roads emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever.

This Framework is being developed and executed under the leadership of the Hampton Roads Alliance and a coalition of leading business organizations. Ten committees shape the plan, each developing action plans specific to their sectors or areas of focus. These committees are chaired by some of the region’s most talented leaders and supported by over 100 volunteer committee members, including several young professionals and supported by ODU’s Strome College of Business graduate students.

Over the next ten weeks, we will keep you informed and up to date on our progress, and share a series of video episodes that feature local thought leaders sharing their perspective on how we can best leverage the trends and changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first of these videos, featuring Felicia Blow of Hampton University is now available across all of our social media profiles. We encourage you to follow our profiles at the links provided at the close of this email to see it and future episodes.

There will also be opportunities for those in the business community to participate in this planning process by taking surveys and providing feedback on the plans produced by these committees.

This is our time to show the world that Hampton Roads is a region with a shared vision to create a more livable, equitable, and prosperous community for all businesses and residents. Stay tuned for future updates and check out all of our work at www.757recovery.com

Watch Here

Sincerely,

Douglas L. Smith
President & CEO
Hampton Roads Alliance

Kentucky Chamber Member-Exclusive Call with U.S. Congressman James Comer

Join us for a member exclusive call with U.S. Congressman James Comer, ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at 2:00 PM EST. Congressman Comer will discuss his recent inquiry into government regulations and their impacts on economic recovery.

Register

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber collaboration: The Downriver Experience Broadcast

– Syndicated radio host Michael Patrick Shiels will broadcast live from Elizabeth Park Pavilion – Chateau on the River on Thursday, July 30^th from 6-9:00 AM. Listeners across Michigan will hear Shiels speaking with a number of guests about the many and varied experiences the Downriver region offers visitors, families and entrepreneurs. The show will be co-hosted by Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber president/CEO Ron Hinrichs.

Michigan’s Big Show is working in conjunction with Destination Downriver, a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals who are pulling together opportunities and resources to market and brand the Downriver communities, telling the world what is special about the area. The show will feature guests like Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Travel Michigan VP Dave Lorenz, area Downtown Development Authority leadership, the Downriver Community Conference, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, Stephanie Prechter (philanthropist and daughter of renowned automotive entrepreneur Heinz Prechter), Wayne County Community College District, the Friends of the Detroit River and Downriver Linked Greenways, along with other business and community leaders all relating their perspectives on this unique region of our state.

Listeners will learn about Destination Downriver’s branding and economic development role in helping tell the stories about 18 participating Downriver communities and the many unique businesses and attractions they offer visitors and job providers. According to Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber CEO Ron Hinrichs, “Thursday’s show will touch on the great dining, unique shopping destinations and one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences within our region like North America’s only International Wildlife Refuge and the over 200 miles of trail and waterways that link our communities for a complete outdoor experience.”

The public can hear the show online, which airs from 6-9 AM this Thursday, July 30^th, by visiting MiBigShow.com or the free app: Michigan’s Big Show both for live streaming and the podcasts afterward.

For more information on Destination Downriver and details on how you can participate in this collaborative effort visit www.destinationdownriver.com.

Be sure to follow the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber on Facebook at facebook.com/SWCRC and the Chamber website at www.SWCRC.com for all the latest news and events.

The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber provides businesses and organizations across the Downriver region with the opportunities and resources to engage and network with other businesses, enhancing financial growth, professional development, and the ability to contribute to a thriving community environment.

Eau Claire Chamber: The 2020 Western & Central Wisconsin Wage Survey

The 2020 Western & Central Wisconsin Wage Survey is now available for purchase. Due to employers devoting most of their resources COVID-19 pandemic response during our submission period, participation in the recently completed survey declined 25% this year – to 119 vs. 162 last year. This was especially, and understandably, acute in the healthcare sector. We are optimistic that 2021 will see a return to our previous robust response rate.

As the survey results are effective April 1, 2020, it is difficult to say if this data will be reliable for compensation planning in late 2020 or into 2021. It appears that average pay increase percentages have remained consistent at around 3% in the area. As with any emergency situation though, the impact across employers is uneven with some being very negatively impacted and others scrambling to hire more employees in high-demand jobs. It will be an interesting year for compensation. Now more than ever, employers will need depend on applying good business judgment to determine their response to the pandemic’s impact on wages and salaries. The survey results were compiled from submissions by 119 organizations in various industries, in an area encompassing the chambers of commerce in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Marshfield, Menomonie, Portage County, Rice Lake, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids. Also involved were local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the Chippewa Valley, La Crosse, Wausau and Winona, MN. The survey is administered by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.

The full survey results are available to employers for purchase at the Eau Claire Chamber. Participating members of the Chambers of Commerce and SHRM chapters receive a copy at a reduced price. The order form is available online at: http://www.eauclairechamber.org/western--central-wisconsin-wage-survey.html or contact Danielle Kummer at kummer@eauclairechamber.org or 715-858-0618.

How Secure Is Your Teleworkforce?

U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Cyber Series: Chicago, a virtual program for entrepreneurs, business owners, and forward thinkers. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, July 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT via the Microsoft Teams Live Events platform. This event is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Virtual Cyber Series presented by FICO. The Virtual Cyber Series will cover in-depth how businesses secure their teleworkforce and continue to operate securely in remote environments.

The growth of technology-driven businesses will springboard our economy into the digital economy. We will help navigate the road ahead and explore what businesses need, including securing your remote small business, digitizing essential business functions and migrating services to the cloud, analyzing the cyber insurance market, and securing and deploying new telework infrastructure.

Join us for a new audience-driven virtual discussion that combines high-level advice with practical strategies from local experts for business leaders like you. Discussion topics include countering ransomware and lessons learned from Russia’s NotPetya cyberattack on global infrastructure, an analysis of the cyber insurance market, securing and deploying new telework infrastructure, and digitizing essential business functions and migrating services to the cloud.

Look forward to your participation on July 28th. Please reach out to me or Hannah Kim (hhkim@uschamber.com) on the U.S. Chamber’s team with any questions.

Register

Teaming 101 –

How To Win Government Contracts

for Small Businesses

Thursday, July 30

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

This webinar will provide tactics and strategies to help your small business secure lucrative government contracts. These strategies have directly helped companies win more than $2.6 billion in government contracts collectively. Historically, 90 percent of small businesses win their first three or four government contracts by “teaming” with larger firms.

Topics covered:

· Real-world tactics and strategies designed to quickly accelerate “teaming”

· Review the most common “teaming” subcontractor mistakes

· Cover the 5 functional areas larger companies use to evaluate and select small businesses.

· Discuss how to differentiate and strengthen your companies’ position

Takeaways:

· Business templates

· Example marketing collateral

· Copy of slides

Cost to Attend:

The Chamber understands that now is a challenging time. That’s why we’re offering a COVID-19 discount for our programming.

Use Promo Code: COVID and receive $12 off this webinar.

· Members: $17 with promo code; regularly - $29

· Non Members: $37 with promo code; regularly - $49

Fees are non-refundable but may be transferred to another participant.

Register Now

8th Annual NoVA B2G Goes Virtual

On August 27^th, don’t miss your chance to:

· Hear Keynotes from Amazon Web Services and the Small Business Administration

· Connect with agencies and prime contractors through Matchmaking Appointments

· Networking with others in the industry

· And most importantly, the exhibit hall chock full of solutions providers

All online!

To learn more about Attending or Sponsoring, email Alicia Field or visit the website.

Details & Registration

Kent County Small Business Recovery Program - Apply Now!

The Grand Rapids Chamber, in partnership with Kent County, is continuing to accept applications for the Kent County Small Business Recovery Program. These grants deliver short-term financial support to small, for-profit businesses in Kent County with the purpose of supporting and cultivating a strong economic recovery.

The Kent County Small Business Recovery Program will help businesses gain access to additional support to weather the COVID-19 crisis. The program will also focus on businesses that may be dealing with additional barriers including but not limited to language, general business knowledge, and those from underserved communities. Consistent with the limitations of the CARES Act, these businesses also must have been directly impacted and experienced losses due to business interruption due to COVID-19.

Additionally, the program eligibility requires applicants to be a private, for-profit business located and registered in Kent County with 0-25 full time equivalent employees, and have a business start date prior to February 15, 2020.

Questions? Please contact smallbusinessrecovery@grandrapids.org.

7 Ways Hearing People Can Better Include Deaf Communities in Our Communication (via the Macomb County Chamber)

By: Global Interpreting Services

Between lagging video conferences, dead batteries mid-call, and 6-foot conversations through masks, we’ve all felt the struggle to communicate well over the past several months. But as the world slowly allows for us to talk, shop, socialize and be understood the way we are used to, there are still many in our community who won’t automatically be granted that same widespread access to effective communication. For Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, the hearing-centered world we live in presents a few more challenges in regular, day-to-day communication. Global Interpreting Services, a locally based interpreting, and translation service, shares these easy ways hearing individuals can make a huge impact on the accessibility of effective communication for the Deaf Community in our area.

Keep Reading at Macomb County Chamber

Virginia Peninsula Chamber: 2020 Economic Forecast Mid-Year Breakfast

REGISTER TODAY!

IN PARTNERSHIP with Old Dominion University

2020 Economic Forecast Mid-Year Breakfast

Presented by 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Newport News Marriott at City Center

7:30 AM Registration

8:00 AM Plated Breakfast

8:30 AM Presentations

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! RSVP BY AUGUST 7, 2020
Tickets $35 (Breakfast Included) || Seating is Limited
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Dr. Robert McNab Presentation n National Economic Forecast
Dr. Vinod Agarwal - Presentation on Hampton Roads Economic Forecast

PRESENTING SPONSOR: 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union

For more information contact:
Suzy Johnson at sjohnson@vpcc.org or (757) 325-8160
Elisa Hernandez at elisa@vpcc.org or (757) 325-8162

Waterloo Chamber: Debt Relief for New SBA-backed Loans

The SBA is paying six months of principal, interest, and any associated fees for current and new SBA-backed loans disbursed before September 27 in the agency’s most popular loan programs (7(a), 504, and Microloan).

If you’re seeking a loan to cover fixed assets such as furniture, real estate, machinery, equipment, construction, and/or remodeling, you may need to have information to your lender by August 7 for the loan to be processed in time.

Learn more about starting or growing your small business with an SBA-guaranteed loan and start the process now to take advantage of six months of debt relief by visiting here: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-debt-relief?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best Chamber Partner in the USA!

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

or email John Dussman with the subject line: Chamber Assistance Requested. Thank you!

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Consumers Energy Foundation Announces $500,000 in Grants for Kitchen Incubator, School of the Arts in Jackson; St. Croix County Chambers' Business After 5; South Bend Regional Chamber Storytime: Program gives children in St. Joseph County free books; O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber, Progress salute local businesses at annual awards ceremony; Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Profile Guide; Mississippi Bike Ride Event Turns Residents Into Hoteliers; Northern Virginia Chamber Announces 2018 Northern Virginia Hospitality Awards Finalists; City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map; Farmer and Frenchman, pensions hot topics at Kyndle legislative review; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Consumers Energy Foundation Announces $500,000 in Grants for Kitchen Incubator, School of the Arts in Jackson

Contributions boost downtown development in energy provider’s hometown.

The Consumers Energy Foundation today announced $500,000 for two major projects near its downtown headquarters, supporting an incubator for chefs to grow their businesses and the relocation and expansion of the Jackson School of the Arts.

“Consumers Energy is doubling down on our commitment to our hometown, and we are excited to support these two efforts that will create opportunities in downtown Jackson,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and chief executive officer. Poppe announced the grants at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Luncheon.

“We started more than 130 years ago in Jackson. We are working to create economic and cultural opportunities for all residents in our community, including a vibrant downtown that's an attractive place to live, work and innovate,” Poppe said. Read more: CSR Wire

St. Croix County Chambers' Business After 5

Multi-Chamber Event Description: Join us for this opportunity to meet and network with Chamber members from all over St. Croix County including;

Hudson
Hammond/Roberts
River Falls
Glenwood City
New Richmond
Somerset
Baldwin-Woodville

Location:

St. Croix National
1603 32nd Street
Somerset, WI 54025

View a Map

Date/Time Information:

April 24, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Cash bar, appetizers.

$10/person payable at the door. You must be a member of a participating Chamber to attend.

Be an Event Sponsor for $100. Receive 4 entries to this event plus a table for promotional materials and recognition and signage at the event.
Contact Information:

715-386-8411

Send an Email

South Bend Regional Chamber Storytime: Program gives children in St. Joseph County free books

Children in St. Joseph County can receive a brand new, free book through an early childhood literacy program that started Monday.

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to the area. Imagination Library is a national organization that helps young kids learn how to read.

Any child aged zero to five who lives in St. Joseph County is eligible for the program. Books are picked by education and writing experts based on the child’s age. Past examples of free books include The Little Engine that Could and The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Parents can register online at imaginationlibrary.com. A paper registration is also available at any library in St. Joseph County. Once a child is registered, he or she will receive the first book seven to nine weeks later in the mail.

There are benefits to early reading programs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 26 percent of children who were read to three to four times a week by a family member recognized all letters of the alphabet. This compared to 14 percent of children who were read to less frequently. Additionally, 60 percent of children could count to 20 or higher compared to those who weren’t read to. Kids were more likely to write their own names and develop stronger reading skills.

To celebrate the start of Imagination Library, the Community Foundation is hosting two story times. The first is Monday, April 16 at 10:15 a.m. Rose Meissner, president of the Community Foundation, will read in the children’s room of the St. Joseph County Public Library at 304 S. Main St., South Bend.

The second story time is Wednesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. Jeff Rea, with the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest reader. That event will happen in the children’s area of the Mishawaka Public Library at 209 Lincolnway E., Mishawaka. Read more: ABC 57

O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber, Progress salute local businesses at annual awards ceremony

O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, along with the Belleville News-Democrat and O'Fallon Progress, co-hosted the 42nd annual Salute to Business Awards on April 11, honoring businesses that have made a particularly positive impact in the community. The luncheon event was at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon.

This year, businesses and institutions being recognized were:

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital (Overall Business Award)
McKendree MetroRecPlex (Economic Impact Award)
St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church (Heritage Award)
Roy-el BBQ and Catering (Spirit of the Chamber Award)
Strano and Associates Real Estate (Community Service sponsored by the Rotary Clubs in O'Fallon).

Matt Gilreath, of Telecom Direct USA and an O'Fallon City Ward 3 alderman, served this year's event as master of ceremonies, introducing each of the honorees to the 300 attendees of the annual event.

In addition to the business awards given out at the event, Paul Evans, of Evans Law Firm, outgoing president of the O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, passed the gavel onto his successor, Sid LeGrand, of Gonzolez Companies LLC.

Sheri Welch, an independent insurance agent, was also awarded the chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award, and Renee' LaBruyere, director of business development of M2 Architecture Studio, was awarded the Ambassador Impact Award.

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