Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to Speak at Paducah Chamber Business Luncheon; Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber’s Kay Burton starts next chapter after retirement; #BestChamber Practices: Rochester Regional Chamber: Membership Input prior to Strategic Planning; Career opportunity: President and CEO of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce - via Shelli Williams of ICEA; BACC, Barrington 220 welcomes around 40 new teachers; Hopewell/Prince George Chamber program: If you ‘Dream it’ you can ‘Do it'; Kenosha Area Chamber stresses engagement as local group holds 100th annual meeting; Town Square Publications Chamber Publications and Maps

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

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to Speak at Paducah Chamber Business Luncheon

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is the featured speaker at a Paducah area business gathering later this month. Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a public policy luncheon August 15. 

McConnell will speak about Congressional issues and answer questions concerning the regional business community. The event is sponsored by Fluor and Swift & Staley and will be held at the Walker Hall Events Center at 11:30 a.m.

The event is open to the public. Registration is required by August 10. The cost is $20 per person. Register online here. Read more: WKMS

Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber’s Kay Burton starts next chapter after retirement

Retirement plans were in Kay Burton’s future, but she hadn’t expected to be saying good­bye to her co­workers at the Brookhaven—Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce so soon. Her 4 ­year ­old granddaughter in Virginia was diagnosed with leukemia in January and Burton made a choice. “I either had to retire or not help them,” she said. “I chose to help them.”

Burton divides her time between home and Virginia, making the 16 ­hour drive often. She said as soon as her granddaughter is better, Burton plans to continue her involvement with community projects. “I’m not really saying good­bye, I’m saying see you later,” she said. Burton will be honored at a reception at the chamber today from 4­-6 p.m. The public is invited. Chamber Ambassadors will be hosting the event. The Chamber is located at 230 Whitworth Ave. Burton, who celebrated 19 years with the Chamber in February, will be missed. “The Brookhaven-­Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce cannot adequately express its appreciation for Kay’s decades of service,” said executive director Garrick Combs. “Her time at the Chamber was punctuated by tireless work on behalf of our community. Her impact on Brookhaven and Lincoln County will be felt for years to come. We wish her well in her next steps in life and we will always be grateful to her time here.” Read more: Daily Leader

#BestChamber Practices: Rochester Regional Chamber: Membership Input prior to Strategic Planning 

Dear John, We are asking you to fill out a very brief survey that will assist us with our strategic planning process. If you complete the survey by Friday, August 12, 2016 we will place your name in a drawing for a free membership!  Please note that your information will be kept confidential!     Take this survey (Link removed by JCD, see note below) Thank you for your feedback, your input matters!    Sincerely, Sheri Heiney Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Note: Survey questions available by email info@rrc-mi.com - or calling RRC at (248) 651-6700. Career opportunity: President and CEO of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce - via Shelli Williams of ICEA President and CEO - Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce Please send resumes and salary requirements to: President Search Committee La Porte Chamber of Commerce 803 West Washington Street La Porte Indiana 46537 Website: www.lpchamber.com Email: seitz@lpchamber.com. Position Summary: The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce located in La Porte Indiana is seeking a full time professional to lead the Chamber in day-to-day operations and set goals for the future of the La Porte Chamber. The President & CEO of the Chamber is the Chief Executive and Administrative officer of the Chamber and is responsible to the Board of Directors for the full range of activities, including coordination of the program of work, organizational structure, and procedures; motivation of volunteers; managing income and expenditures; maintenance of membership; employment, training, and supervision of staff; interpretation of policy; execution of short term plans; and development and execution of long-range planning and setting Chamber's public policy goals for the state legislature. About the La Porte Chamber of Commerce: The La Porte Chamber of Commerce is located in the north western portion of Indiana. This Chamber proudly serves just over 300 member businesses and is a 5 star accredited chamber by the United States Chamber of Commerce The collaborative efforts of this very effective Chamber with member businesses, state and local governments, along with the volunteers serving on 8 committees of the chamber have produced results on par with those of much larger Chambers. www.lpchamber.com for job description. Barrington Area Chamber Women’s Biz Net Hosts “Christmas in July” Food Drive              The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) Women’s Biz Net (WBN) Council hosted a successful “Christmas in July” Food Pantry Drive that gathered hundreds of food, household and personal care items to benefit the local food pantries. During July the WBN reached out to BACC members and the community to help them stock the shelves at both the Barrington and Cuba Township food pantries. The response was well received, resulting in a variety of important items to help local families in need. From canned and boxed goods to paper products and household supplies, the WBN Council delivered the items on July 28. The Barrington Township food pantry is available to qualifying Barrington Township residents, many of which are seniors on a fixed income. Donations of non-perishable food items are always appreciated. For more information, visit www.barringtontownship.com. The Cuba Township food pantry is available to any Cuba Township resident in need. Items from the pantry are available once a month, and in the summer fresh produce pick-up is available weekly from local gardeners. For more information, visit cubatownship.com. For more information, contact BACC President Suzanne Corr, 847-381-2525 or Suzanne@barringtonchamber.com . Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory The Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Batavia Chamber today! Thanks to Holly Deitchman 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 profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at  jdussman@tspubs.com  or call (847)-427-4633. Hopewell/Prince George Chamber program: If you ‘Dream it’ you can ‘Do it' The projected growth of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) jobs from 2008-2018 is 17 percent, according to the Department of Commerce. Students are moving away from liberal arts degrees and going into the technical schools. Dream It. Do It. Virginia (DIDIVA) is a program designed to train students to qualify for today’s technology-driven manufacturing careers and is hosted by ITAC in Chester. This year 37 students from around the area compete to win a $500 scholarship towards a STEM education. “We started this camp because we saw a need for skilled labor in the area and it is very valuable to give the students an education at a young age and show that there are career opportunities that do not require a four year degree,” ITAC Project Administrator Rachel Pest explained. Students from Dinwiddie, Hopewell, Prince George, and private schools are split up into four teams and are assigned two coaches. These coaches are local engineers, marketing experts, and/or are in a STEM career. The students are split up into either marketing or engineering but, are given equal education from both sides. Frank George is an electrical engineer with Service Center Metals and is in his second year of coaching for the ITAC camp. “The Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association reached out to Service Center Metals for help with the camp,” George said. “My son even competed in the second year of the camp.” The camp consist of education in marketing, introduction to manufacturing and design, field trips to local companies, and a final production competition. “The teams do team based exercises that teach them basics and skill sets. The competition and camp also consist of building a marketing program, designing a logo, building a production line, and loging out the parts while budgeting,” Coach George explained. The camp is done through the Virginia Manufacturers Association and they have applications online for possible students. The ages are from rising 9th graders to rising 12th graders. “The camp is good because I think that manufacturing is very important to Central Virginia and this will open up a lot opportunities for them. STEM careers always have opportunities and it is important to the future of the country,” George stated. There is a wide arrange of students in the program but, all have some interest in a pursuit of STEM career opportunities. Abby Volk, Ryann Rowland, and Pinckney Wilson are all high school students in the area and students of the camp. Read more:   The Hopewell News Kenosha Area Chamber stresses engagement as local group holds 100th annual meeting The 100th edition annual meeting of the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce featured many of its regular elements. But it also illustrated how the community and its businesses engage with each other and the greater community around them. The chamber unveiled a new mission statement for a new century: “To provide opportunities to engage and connect our members with the greater community.” Chamber president Lou Molitor admitted it sounded simple. “But this is at the heart of what we want to accomplish,” Molitor said. The chamber expanded its number of annual scholarships from four to five this year. “Usually, we award scholarships to four (high school seniors), but this year the field was just too good,” said Manoj Babu of Gateway Technical College, vice chairman of the KACC board of directors and chairman of the scholarship committee. Among the numerous recognitions presented at the noon luncheon Wednesday at the Club at Strawberry Creek was the annual beautification award. Waterfront Warehouse, 3322 Sheridan Road, was honored for the rehab job accomplished by Dino Katris and his partners. “We are excited to be in town,” Katris said upon accepting the award. “We came to town five years ago with La Fogata. We decided this time to show off our American side. It was a good time building it, but we’re more excited to be open.” Read more: Kenosha News Town Square Publications Chamber Publications and Maps  Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications To request your chamber publication or map proposal, Contact Town Square Here

#BestChamber practices: The New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce Regional Salary Survey; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce elects new chairman; New executive hired for Logan chamber; Hopewell/Prince George Chamber is developing tourism strategy; Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Eclectic Ocean Springs: a little beach town with a big personality; #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation; Heart of Wisconsin Chamber event: Gather by the Gazebo returns in Rome; Town Square Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories and Community Profiles;

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


#BestChamber practices: The New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce Regional Salary Survey

Please assist us in collecting data about regional manufacturing salaries by completing this brief survey. If someone else within your company would be more knowledgeable about this topic, we would appreciate the forwarding of this email. Thank you for your assistance.

Take this survey

Sincerely,

Missy Modesitt
Executive Director
The New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce elects new chairman

Among the many problems facing Chicago, crime tops the list as “a grave concern” for the city's business community, said the incoming chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Steve Ferrara, chief operating officer of Chicago-based accounting firm BDO USA, takes over today as head of the group's board of directors. Paul La Schiazza, president of AT&T Illinois, has chaired it for the last two years.

The chamber is going “to do what we can to help influence things” on issues from pension liabilities to a crumbling education system, Ferrara said. The rise in crime particularly worries the group, which represents more than 1,000 businesses with revenue exceeding $24 billion.

The chamber seeks to address the problem by fostering greater economic prosperity through its Illinois Small Business Development Center. The center—funded through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity—hosts office hours across the city for would-be entrepreneurs, including in low-income neighborhoods like Englewood and Washington Park, and offers paid internships for teenagers. Last year the chamber put nearly $300,000 toward the program, or about 7.5 percent of its $4 million in revenue. Read more: Crains Chicago Business

New executive director hired for Logan County chamber

Logan County Chamber of Commerce's board of directors unanimously confirmed long-time county resident Tammy Tinsley as its new executive director.

Tinsley, who has lived in Logan County for approximately 24 years, begins work Monday. The 2016 Chamber president, Joe Hendricks, said the board is excited about Tinsely joining the chamber as the new director and believes she brings a strong skill set and the experience needed to progress on what the chamber has accomplished in the last several years.

Tinsley replaces Ryan Craig, who went back to running his newspaper, The Todd County Standard.

“I want to continue to see my community be successful because Logan County has a lot to offer,” Tinsley said. “Right now we have a really good chamber and we want to build off that and make it grow. I hope to be able to help build off that.”

The new executive director is a native of Logan County’s neighboring Todd County. She is a Western Kentucky University graduate, where she received a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis on business. What her degree really focuses on is the psychological and sociological part of dealing with business, according to Tinsley. Read more: Bowling Green Daily News

Grand Haven Chamber partnership: City, GVSU start summer-long tourism impact study
Grand Haven’s summer tourist season has officially begun, and with it comes the start of the city’s summer tourism count.

The city, in partnership with Grand Valley State University, has started a study that aims to look at the number of seasonal visitors and the economic impact they have on the community.

“We’re ready to go,” City Manager Pat McGinnis said.

A team of GVSU experts and four city partners, combined with GVSU students and city interns, will participate in the research.

The GVSU team includes: Patty Janes, associate professor, Hospitality & Tourism Management, College of Community and Public Service; Paul Stephenson, department chairman and professor of statistics, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; Christian Glupker, professor of economics, Seidman College of Business; Paul Isley, associate dean of undergraduate programs, Seidman College of Business; Ruth Stegeman, director for the Office for Community Engagement; Robert Smart, associate provost for research administration; and Linda Chamberlain, director of technology commercialization.

Partnering with the city are the local Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Parks & Recreation Division, Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority, and the Grand Haven Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The five groups have pledged to share the cost of the study, contributing $3,686 each. Read more: Grand Haven Tribune

Hopewell/Prince George Chamber is developing tourism strategy

The Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce is developing a five-year strategic plan to attract more visitors to the area.

The Chamber has chosen Marshall Murdaugh, a  tourism marketing and strategic planning consultant, to produce the plan.  Funded by a mini-grant to the HPG Chamber from the Virginia Tourism Corp., Murdaugh started his work with a tour of the area earlier this month.

The Hopewell/Prince George Chamber took over management of the area’s Visitor Center and tourist promotion program in 2014. Last summer the chamber completed a series of DRIVE Tourism workshops sponsored by the VTC. Completing the series of workshops qualified the organization to apply for the mini-grant.

Murdaugh plans to study local tourism economic impact data, hotel occupancy and average daily rate and other relevant information from both the VTC  and the Petersburg Area Regional Tourism (PART) Corp.. Read more: Virginia Business

Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory The Batavia Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Batavia Chamber today! Thanks to Holly Deitchman 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 profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633. Eclectic Ocean Springs: a little beach town with a big personality Round up the kids, pack the car and head for Ocean Springs, where you’ll find activities to excite everyone in the family. Your athletic teenagers can play volleyball on the beach, while the younger ones build sand castles or play chess on a giant chessboard painted on the sidewalk. (A box nearby holds the pieces, and instructions for access are posted.) Mom and dad can swim, relax or play horseshoes. For something special, rent one of four city-owned fire pits and the party can last until 10 p.m. Just $25 gets you a beach bonfire permit—and the sturdy brick pits are large enough that the whole family can gather around to roast marshmallows. Travel Girl Tip: Submit your permit application at the City Clerk’s Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or apply online. There’s lots to do away from the beach as well. If you’ve ever been to Woodstock, N.Y., or watched The Andy Griffith Show or Mayberry R.F.D., you may feel some similarities as you wander the streets of Ocean Springs. There’s a passion for art that permeates this city, thanks to the Anderson family and Annette McConnell Anderson, the family matriarch who insisted that her three sons follow her passion for the arts. Walter Anderson took the lead, and his legacy is in the spotlight at the museum named for him, a “must see” for any art lovers visiting Ocean Springs. The Little Room is a favorite for locals and visitors, an intimate space covered in murals that was once Walter Anderson’s studio. Pottery that reflects the colors of nature is another Anderson family legacy. Peter Anderson was the master potter at Shearwater Pottery for more than 50 years, and his children continue the craft. The workshop is an excellent place to pick up a meaningful souvenir, and if you really want to see his work in all its glory, attend the annual November festival that’s held in his honor. This year, the Peter Anderson Festival is November 5-6. “The Anderson family kind of got this area started as an art community. They moved in here and their mother was very serious about the kids learning art,” explains Corey Christy, the communications director at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA). Shopping, dining, music and nightlife all have starring roles in downtown Ocean Springs. If you like to shop, you’ll find endless temptations. “We have shoe shops, jewelry shops, clothing shops, children’s shops—and most of them are locally owned. You name it, it's a fun place to find a little bit of everything you need,” says Cynthia Sutton, executive director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. Read more: WGNO TV #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart" - Elizabeth Andrew Heart of Wisconsin Chamber event: Gather by the Gazebo returns in Rome Residents and visitors to Rome can enjoy some outdoor music this summer. The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce presents the 2016 Gather by the Gazebo – Music in the Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Alpine Village Business Park, 1156 Alpine Drive. Boiler House Blues Band Reunited will be the featured entertainment. Music in the Park will continue the second Tuesday of July and August: Musician Dade Grode will perform July 12 The Antonettes will perform Aug. 9 For more information, visit wisconsinrapidschamber.com or call 715-423-1830. Read more: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune Town Square Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories and Community Profiles 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

Happy Friday, Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day! Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Chairman With Board of Directors: Mid-America #Chamber concern: Chicago Fed report: Labor issues facing agriculture and the rural Midwest; Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Elkhart Truth Editorial: Elkhart must retain economic development position; Hopewell/Prince George Chamber launches series for leadership development; Famous Wisconsin Brewer Dick Leinenkugel to speak at Forward Janesville’s Annual Dinner; Paducah Chamber honors community members at annual meeting; Four Flags Area Chamber: Lunch & Learn Series; Chamber news: East Mississippi Business Development Corporation recognizes January ambassadors; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories and Custom Maps

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



Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Chairman With Board of Directors

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce has named Adam Russo chairman of its Board of Directors. Adam Russo, Chairman and CEO of Edgewood Clinical Services, will serve a two-year term.

After eight years of membership, Russo attributes much of his business growth to the Chamber of Commerce as its programs have afforded him the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally.

“The Chamber has connected me with the right people to help me grow, and I know we can do the same for many other businesses,” stated Russo in a news release. “I also know that the Chamber is perceived simply as a networking organization; it’s more than that. Through our educational initiatives, workforce development, and other plans we have, we are going to show how great the organization truly is.”

Focus for 2016

Russo’s focus in the upcoming year will be to enhance the relevancy of the organization throughout the Naperville community.

“We have over 1,200 members and being in the Naperville Area, have the ability to do something special,” Russo added. “Primarily, we are going to focus on partnering with our local educational institutions in order to better integrate business with education to further our local workforce development. We will also have a proactive legislative agenda to help foster growth among local business.”

Eight new members of the Board of Directors include Jim Adams of Calamos Family Partners, Inc.; Carl Beckstrom of BMO Harris Bank N.A.; Lori Contreras of Illinois Hospital Association; Karen Gustafson of Nicor Gas, An AGL Resources Company; Dr. Anthony LaVacca of Naperville Dental Specialists & General Oral Health Care; Renee Miklosik of Little Friends; Jason Nagel of Naperville Bank & Trust; and Jim Spangler of Navistar International, Inc. Read more: Positively Naperville

Mid-America #Chamber concern: Chicago Fed report: Labor issues facing agriculture and the rural Midwest

For years the rural Midwest has faced concerns about its falling population, waning work force vitality, and increasing health problems—all of which have contributed to slower economic growth relative to that of the region’s urban areas. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research held a conference on November 16–17, 2015, to address labor-related issues confronting the Midwest’s rural economy and, in particular, its agricultural sector. Read more : Chicago Federal Reserve Bank

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!

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.

Elkhart Truth Editorial: Elkhart must retain economic development position

The departure of Barkley Garrett, Elkhart’s economic development manager, provides Mayor Tim Neese with the opportunity to take a fresh look at how the city is working to attract and retain businesses. Since Neese is only one month into his term, and because he’s making changes in other departments, it’s certainly appropriate that he takes a look at Elkhart’s economic development efforts to see if there’s a need for change.

Under no circumstance should the city eliminate the position of economic development director. This is a key role that needs to be filled by an aggressive individual with a strong economic development background who will solely represent the city's interests.

Garrett, who held the post for six years, left Elkhart last week to take a job as executive director of the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance, a nonprofit group that promotes economic development in that region.

With Garrett leaving, Neese said he plans to “re-evaluate” how the city pursues economic development, and he dropped hints about possible partnerships with the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce or the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County.

There’s nothing wrong with talking to those entities and others about ways to work together to strategically pursue economic development in the city and region. In fact, better collaboration would likely play a key role in getting more businesses to start, relocate or grow in Elkhart.

However, the city needs someone whose sole job is to work with companies, developers and others to make the case that Elkhart is the right place for their businesses. The city needs an outgoing, proactive individual who is connected enough to know when developers and executives are at the early stages of searching for a place to do business, and will quickly pursue those projects as soon as they’re in the pipeline. Read more: Elkhart Truth

Hopewell/Prince George Chamber launches series for leadership development

The Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce is launching a series of ten monthly leadership development lunches to give young business people with leadership interest a chance to interact with established business leaders in the community.
At the first luncheon was held on Tuesday at Cesare’s Ristorante in Chester. Susan Horne, president and chief executive officer of LEAD Virginia, introduced the lunch program.
Participants pay a fixed price for a light lunch: $15 for chamber members and $20 for non-members.
“We are looking to attract emerging leaders — those Millennials who are making their way through the workforce. This is also a chance for experienced leaders to meet each other, establish connections and strengthen the business community,” says H/PG Chamber CEO Becky McDonough. “This lunch program is designed to be interactive, with participants sitting around a table and exchanging ideas directly with the speaker/facilitator.”
The next program in the Leadership Lunch program will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 23, with facilitator Tim Davey, Principal for Urban and Economic Development with the Timmons Group.
Since March 2007, Susan Horne has served as president and CEO of Lead Virginia, an educational program for business and community leaders from across the state of Virginia. Lead Virginia has been recognized by the Virginia General Assembly for its work in building a statewide network of leaders serving the Commonwealth. Read more: The Progress-Index


Famous Wisconsin Brewer Dick Leinenkugel to speak at Forward Janesville’s Annual Dinner

This year’s Forward Janesville Annual Dinner could be a bit of a beer bash. The business membership organization’s president John Beckord announced through a video presentation during today’s awards luncheon, Wisconsin brewer Dick Leinenkugel will be the keynote speaker.  Beckord says they’ll turn the banquet hall into a Leinenkugel lodge on the night of April 5th, complete with beer tasting.  Registration begins Feburary 8th. More Information: Forward Janesville

Paducah Chamber honors community members at annual meeting

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Celebration sponsored by Lourdes and CSI was held Friday at the Julian Carroll Convention Center, and the chamber honored several community members. 

The award winners are:

Young Leader of Western Kentucky - Donald Shively. This award is selected by the Four Rivers Business Journal.

Leadership Paducah Alumnus of the Year - Ralph Mounts. This award is selected and presented by the Leadership Paducah Foundation. 

Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Janice Cleary with Paducah Bank.

Summit Award - Michael and April Cochran with the Market House Theatre.

Entrepreneur of the Year -  f.a.c.e. Makeup Artistry and owner Erin Hendley.

Small Business of the Year - Socially Present and President Jonas Neihoff.  

Business of the Year - Beltline Electric and President Jason Siener.

Generations Award - Ray Black & Son.  

At the event, outgoing board chair Bryan Carner with US Bank officially passed the gavel to Bruce Wilcox with Henry A. Petter Supply as the board chair for 2016. Read more: WPSD6

Four Flags Area Chamber: Lunch & Learn Series

Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a lunch and learn with MK Knowledgebuilders on how businesses can measure the success of the new year. The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, 321 E. Main St. The cost is $20. Chamber members pay a discounted rate of $10. Lunch will be provided by Olfactory Hue Bistro. To register, email leigh@nilesmi.com. Read more: South Bend Tribune



Chamber news: East Mississippi Business Development Corporation recognizes January ambassadors

 The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) recently presented its January Ambassadors of the Month awards to three very deserving participants.  In first place was Casey Hendricks with The Montgomery Institute, second place went to Sonya Scarbrough with BankPlus and third place went to Derron Radcliff with the MSU Riley Center.

     Also, winning the red ticket drawing was Krilecia Gianakos with State Games of Mississippi. The red ticket drawing is from the pool of ambassadors who have attended EMBDC events over the past month.

    This committee of volunteers assists with membership activities and events throughout the year including ribbon cuttings and ground breakings conducted by the EMBDC.  

    They work to secure new members and increase membership retention by building relationships and maintaining communication with existing and prospective members.  To find out more about becoming an Ambassador for your community, contact the EMBDC at 601-693-1306. Read more: Meridian Star

Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories and Custom Maps 

 Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

#BestChamber Practices: Jessamine Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program Handbook --- Part 1 of 14 sections --- The Welcome Letter; Innovate Springfield incubator a long time coming; Fairfax Chamber, Greater Washington Board of Trade, and Prince George’s Chamber Collaborate to Host Governor Terry McAuliffe, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Maryland Senate President Mike Miller; Monticello chamber presents 3rd annual Parade of Lights; Mississippi Economic Council Tour to Stop in Brookhaven; Lansing Regional Chamber refuses to let controversy sway agenda; New chamber director hired in Green Lake; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps;

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

#BestChamber Practices: Jessamine Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program Handbook --- Part 1 of 14 sections  --- The Welcome Letter

Welcome to the Ambassadors!

The Jessamine Chamber of Commerce takes pride in the Ambassador Program and the people who are “The Ambassadors” of the Chamber. We hope your participation in the program will provide new busi-ness contacts for you and establish new friendships.

Becoming an Ambassador requires a commitment to the program. The time spent at events or contacting and visiting members is time spent away from your business; however, the benefits will far out-weigh the efforts. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

Our past Ambassador of the Year Awards have gone to:

Larry Prinssen—2015                     Karen Lowry-Thomas - 2011

Suzanne Short—2014                      Ronda May – 2010

Cathy Lowe—2013                           Cheryl Eadens - 2009

Donna Seaborn - 2012                     Joe Wilder – 2008

If you speak to any of the current Ambassadors, they would tell you that they have truly enjoyed being a part of this very important Chamber program. They have come to know many new people and businesses in the community. Also, friendships and bonds have de-veloped with each member of the Ambassador Program while work-ing together.

We, at the Chamber, welcome you and hope this program means as much to you as you mean to us.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in any way.

Sincerely,

Amy Cloud CEO

Hannah Thornton Office Manager

For more information about an elite ambassador program, contact Amy Cloud, CEO at 859-887-4351.

Innovate Springfield incubator a long time coming

A privately funded business incubator expected to open in the next few weeks adds Springfield to the list of similar-sized cities in Illinois that have offered such facilities to would-be entrepreneurs for years.

Innovate Springfield is starting small. The not-for-profit has set up on the second floor of the McGladery & Pullen building at the southwest corner of Old Capitol Plaza. Sangamon CEO, a local career program that links high school students and business executives, is the first tenant, though others are in the works.

Naming of a business incubator executive director is expected in the next few weeks.

"Springfield is the largest city in the state that does not have one (a business incubator). Everyone around us has one," said Bruce Sommer, a lecturer at the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Sommer said the goal is to open co-working space in December.

Start-up funding for the incubator is primarily through the Community Foundation for Land of Lincoln, one of the state's largest charitable fundraising organizations, and the Q5 economic-development program of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Sommer, whose family operated the former Harper Oil Co. chain of convenience stores, said business-incubator discussions with the foundation began several years ago. Read more: State Journal-Register

Fairfax Chamber, Greater Washington Board of Trade, and Prince George’s Chamber Collaborate to Host Governor Terry McAuliffe, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Maryland Senate President Mike Miller

On Tuesday, December 8^th, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Board of Trade will co-host the Annual Capital Region Business Forum.

The Business Forum will address regional opportunities and challenges in a collaborative manner. This event provides a platform for the region’s senior leaders to speak on their vision for economic development, job creation, and new company formation, as well as strategies for working cooperatively to grow the regional economy.  

WHO:             Governor Terry McAuliffe, Commonwealth of Virginia

Mayor Muriel Bowser, District of Columbia

Senate President Mike Miller, State of Maryland

Moderator: Dr. Steven Knapp, President, The George Washington University

WHAT:           The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Board of Trade will host the Inaugural Capital Region Business Forum aimed at promoting cooperation across metro area jurisdictions. 

WHEN:           Tuesday, December 8^th   

7:30 am – Registration and Networking

8:00 am – 9:30am – Program and Breakfast

WHERE:         Hilton McLean Tysons Corner

7920 Jones Branch Drive

McLean, Virginia 22102

For more information and to register for this event, please contact Ugo Iteogu at ugoiteogu@bot.org or 202-857-5933.

Monticello chamber presents 3rd annual Parade of Lights

On Saturday evening, the Greater Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau held their annual Parade of Lights, and Christmas carols were sung at the gazebo in downtown Monticello.

This was the 3rd year the parade has been held in the evening, making the annual event one which sparkles and lights up the evening and the streets of downtown Monticello.

Prior to the start of the parade, spectators gathered around the gazebo near the White County courthouse to enjoy Christmas carols, which were beautifully sung by Christin Lowry. 

For the complete story, read Monday's Herald Journal. Read more: Monticello Herald Journal

Mississippi Economic Council Tour to Stop in Brookhaven


The Mississippi Economic Council’s Pacesetter Tour will stop in Brookhaven Dec. 10 with the goal of gathering opinions about the state’s transportation infrastructure. The 22­city MEC tour will focus on transportation, economic competitiveness and the effects of a healthy and productive workforce. There is no cost to attend the program at Mitchell’s Special Events & Catering, but preregistration is required. The program, co­hosted by the Brookhaven­Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Development Foundation, will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. To register, visit www.msmec.com. “MEC is setting the pace for transportation infrastructure funding in Mississippi — and we need your help,”
“On the MEC Pacesetter Tour, you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback on the importance of transportation infrastructure across the state, and your opinions will help us build a better Mississippi for tomorrow. We need your involvement.” The MEC serves as the state’s Chamber of Commerce. It created a transportation task force that studied the state’s transportation needs and how to pay for them. Learn more: Daily Leader

Lansing Regional Chamber refuses to let controversy sway agenda

 The East Lansing City Council's decision last month to withdraw from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce won't stop the organization representing about 1,100 businesses in the region from staying active in politics.

Despite paying for mailers that criticized an East Lansing City Council candidate, the chamber will continue to support "pro-growth" initiatives, agendas and candidates that want to attract economic development, job creation and talent, Chamber President/CEO Tim Daman said.

"I don’t know if everyone is going to agree on every single issue," said Daman, referring to the chamber's relationship with City Council. "But the ability to walk away and have respect for each other is critical.”

Whether the chamber and council members can have a working relationship remains to be seen. The chamber and its political action committee, LRC-PAC, were under fire in East Lansing before, during and after the Nov. 3 city council election because of a barrage of negative campaign mailers sent out by the chamber. Read more: Lansing State Journal

New chamber director hired in Green Lake

Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce officials didn’t search far for their new director. Monday, it was announced the new director is Liane Walsh, who took over as interim director following the sudden departure of Denise Hibbitts in late June. Hibbitts had held the position for just one year. Read more: Ripon Press

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo 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