 Veteran's
Business Outreach Centers (VBOC)
VBOC's are located strategically across the Southeast to service
Veteran entrepreneurs every step of the way. VBOC's in the Southeast
have counseled and trained nearly 6,000 veteran entrepreneurs; assisting
them in reaching and surpassing their entrepreneurial goals.
City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map
The new City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map is available at the City of Ridgeland Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Bynum, Sandy Baas 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.
NPR: Trump Franchise Hotel To Open In Small Mississippi Town
Cleveland, Miss., is just a speck of a town sitting in the wide-open cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta. Two interstate highways lined with diners, auto body shops and strip malls dissect the town. Just off one of them on the edge of town, you can see the shell of a new hotel sitting in an overgrown field.
I'm right up at the front doors. There's some siding on the building. Some of the windows are in. And there's some construction materials around, but there's nobody else here. It's very quiet, and it looks abandoned.
Construction on the hotel has been delayed since July to make changes to its structure and design.
JUDSON THIGPEN: They want a two- or three-story opening when you walk - lobby area. And I think they had probably built a single-floor level.
NORTHAM: That's Judson Thigpen, the executive director of Cleveland's Chamber of Commerce. He says the new hotel will be more upmarket than the handful of budget hotels already in Cleveland.
THIGPEN: Ninety-two hundred rooms, the boutique, full-service hotel with the rooftop bar and a nice restaurant and all those kind of things. So we're looking forward to having that one.
NORTHAM: When finished, this will be the first in a new line of four-star hotels franchised by the Trump Organization. It'll be called Scion. Read more: NPR
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (What are the top THREE things that need to get done today?)
“Hope is a good breakfast, but a bad supper” - Francis Bacon
#BestChamber Practices: Cary Grove Chamber: Weekly e-newsletter
Shop Small on November 25 -We have limited supply of promotional materials for the "Shop Small" event on Saturday, November 25. Contact Aimee at the Chamber office for more information on what we have available or stop by 445 Park Ave., Cary and we will load you up with supplies for your business!
Chamber Thanksgiving Food Drive - Join with us for the first Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce annual Thanksgiving Food Drive supporting the Cary-Grove Food Pantry. We will be collecting donations at our office now through November 20 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday. We will deliver to the Cary-Grove Food Pantry before Thanksgiving.
Chamber Holiday Party & Taste of the Chamber - Mark your calendar for Thursday, December 14 and plan on joining us for our annual Chamber Holiday Party at the Chamber offices at 445 Park Ave., Cary from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We will have a "Taste of the Chamber" with favorites from our restaurant members!
LAST CALL-Participate in the Parade - Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival is a long-standing tradition for the residents of Cary. The event will be held on Sunday, December 3 from 12:00-3:30 p.m. Click here for registration to have your business participate.
Refer A New Member-Receive A Credit - Rrefer a business to the Cary-Grove Chamber and you will receive a $25.00 credit with the Chamber if they mention your name!
More information: Cary Grove Chamber
#BestChamber Practices: Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber: Business Assistance on Website
Business Assistance
Harrisonburg and Rockingham County’s economy is vibrant and growing. Benefitting from a planned growth model, two technology zones and an ideal location, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area is the perfect home for your business. Many opportunities exist for further local development and below you will find helpful resources for not only starting, but also maintaining and growing your business here in the valley.
Contemplating starting a new business? There are many things to keep in mind when creating a business entity. Please find below several checklist’s to help you through some of the start-up considerations.
Business Start-Up Considerations (PDF) (provided by PBGH, LLP, certified accountants)
Planning Your Start-Up Checklist (provided by the Shenandoah Valley SBDC)
Education and economy focus of MEC tour
Developing an educated workforce to improve the economy of Mississippi was the bulk of a message from the Mississippi Economic Council as it made its latest statewide tour stop in Vicksburg Wednesday.
The MEC pitched their goals to a large crowd during the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
The MEC is currently on an 18-city tour across the state, gathering information and focusing on the future of Mississippi by discussing economic development, workforce training, healthy living and community programs that are making a difference.
Those in attendance were allowed to participate by electronically selecting answers to key questions MEC would like polled from the various communities in Mississippi.
Participants were asked if they believe the economy is better today than it was five years and overwhelmingly 57 percent said yes, while 21 percent were evenly split on no or not sure.
Scott Waller, the interim president and CEO of the MEC, directed the program and indicated just over 60 percent of respondents at previous MEC tour stops also indicated the economy has improved.
Other questions included transportation and infrastructure issues, which MEC has targeted as a key component of improving Mississippi’s economy. The Mississippi Legislature is expected to take up the ongoing issue in the 2018 session.
“We are committed to working with the Lieutenant Governor (Tate Reeves) and the Speaker (Phillip Gunn) to address transportation funding,” Waller said. “Transportation impacts everyone.”
By the response from those at Wednesday’s event, they agree. More than 70 percent said the overall quality of roads and bridges is extremely important to Mississippi’s economy. And more than 60 percent strongly support spending money on improving roads and bridges in the state.
But the overall theme of the message was developing workforce training for future development, which most agree begins with education.
According to the MEC, by the year 2020, 65 percent of U.S. jobs will require post-secondary education and training beyond high school. Currently, 61 percent of Mississippi jobs require such training.
“Education and workforce development are a single issue,” Waller said. “They work together.”
Those in attendance believe 65 percent of Warren County’s workforce is somewhat prepared in post-secondary education and training.
Marvin Moak, the president of Hinds Community College’s Vicksburg campus, said during a panel discussion with Vicksburg-Warren School Superintendent Chad Shealy and Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pablo Diaz that education must also be “flexible and adaptable” in training a stronger workforce. He indicated HCC offers workforce training classes to students at midnight. Read more: Vicksburg Post
Chamber collaboration: Purdue conference assists businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans
The daylong conference, themed "Pitfalls and Rewards of Business Partnerships," starts at 8 a.m. in Stewart Center on Purdue’s campus. This is the 13th year for the sessions.
“This is the largest event in West Central Indiana that brings together diverse companies from all over the state to meet with larger companies here in the Greater Lafayette community,” said Jesse Moore, Purdue’s director of supplier diversity. “The Tippecanoe County commissioners and the mayors of both Lafayette and West Lafayette sign a proclamation designating Nov. 17as Supplier Diversity Day.”
Melvin Gravely II, majority shareholder and CEO of TriVersity Construction, will be the conference’s luncheon keynote speaker. Gravely has more than 26 years of business management, sales and strategy experience, including positions with Fortune 500 businesses The Timken Co. and IBM.
He is also the founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking Ltd., a think-tank focused on getting the best results from minority business development initiatives.
“Melvin Gravely is a dynamic speaker and successful entrepreneur,” Moore said. “His knowledge of the economic consequence of the changing landscape and demographics in America and the role diverse businesses must play in that change is presented in a lively and engaging manner. This will be his third appearance at the Relationship to Partnership Sessions.”
This year's plenary session will be 8:30-10:30 a.m. in Stewart Center, and will feature a panel discussion on the day’s theme “Pitfalls and Rewards of Business Partnerships.” Scott Walker, president and CEO of Greater Lafayette Commerce, will moderate the panel. Daryl Williams-Dotson, president and CEO of WDi Architecture; Hal Darring, president and CEO of Global Parking System; Jessica Nickloy, president and CEO of The Etica Group; and Howard L. Stevenson, managing partner of Stevenson Legal Group, will also participate on the panel.
Also during the conference, the coalition will recognize three companies that exhibit “diversity and excellence.” Winners of the 2017 Golden Handshake Award are Purdue University Physical Facilities, large company; Tippecanoe School Corporation, new coalition member award; and Indiana Oxygen, veteran business. Read more: Purdue University News
Manufacturing Awards of Distinction Nominees and Impact
The Greater Green Bay Chamber and Advance, its economic development department, will be presenting the Annual Manufacturing Awards of Distinction on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.
“Manufactures account for 12 of the region’s 30 largest employers, including several that employ
more than 1,000 workers each. Manufacturing is who we are as a region, and once a year we
have the honor of recognizing our manufacturers for their tremendous leadership, innovation,
contribution to our local economy and creatively attracting and retaining talent. It’s not only a
great event, but also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the diverse industries, as well as the
variety of products being made right here in Greater Green Bay, Wisconsin,” Vice President of
Economic Development Pete Zaehringer explains why the Manufacturing Awards of Distinction
is a great showcase for the companies in our area.
The event is focused on the Northeast Wisconsin area, allowing companies that reside in
Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto, Shawano and other surrounding counties to
participate and be nominated for the awards. The nominees for the 2017 Manufacturing Awards
of Distinction are Baum Machine Inc., De Pere Cabinet Inc., Green Bay Packaging Inc., MCL
Industries Inc., Pro Products Inc., Robinson Metal Inc., Salm Partners LLC and Wisconsin Plastics
Inc.
Owner and CEO of AmeriLux International, a value-adding distributor of various
products used mainly in building and construction applications including polycarbonate
sheet products and PVC liner panels, Kurt Voss will be the speaker of the evening. He
will discuss the impact of manufacturing in our region.
The Manufacturing Awards of Distinction will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 2017
from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay. Registration
can be found at the Greater Green Bay Chamber website, www.greatergbc.org/maod.
For more information about Advance, contact Peter Zaehringer, 920.496.2113, or visit
www.greatergbc.org/advance. For more information about the Greater Green Bay Chamber and its
programs, call 920.437.8704 or visit greatergbc.org.
Shop local with Small Business Saturday events throughout Central Wisconsin
Small Business Saturday will again provide people the opportunity to support businesses in their own communities during the holiday season.
Started in 2010 by American Express, the event is held annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which this year falls on Nov. 25. Here’s a listing of events that will be held across central Wisconsin on that date:
WAUSAU: Small Business Saturday will take place in the Downtown Wausau River District. The event is sponsored by Peoples State Bank and NorthStar Restoration Services.
Shoppers can take a selfie and post on social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) with the hashtag #ShopSmallWausau for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the district.
For more information, visit http://www.wausauriverdistrict.org/.
STEVENS POINT: “Shop Small, Shop Downtown Point,” hosted by the Association of Downtown Businesses, will be held at businesses throughout the downtown.
Participating businesses will have a limited number of Shop Small Passports for customers. Stop by any of the stores, have an employee sign for your visit and be entered into a drawing for a grand prize basket that includes gift cards and goods with an estimated value of $450. Only fully completed passports will be eligible.
Businesses participating in the event will include Assembly Shop, Blue Bead Trading Company, Body Mind Alchemy, Bria Bella & Co, Diversi-Tea, Galaxy Comics, Games & More, Gepetto's Workshop, Girls in Pearls Boutique, Graffiti's Sports Pub, Kindred Spirit Books, Q Artists Cooperative, Riverfront Arts Center, Robin's Nest Gifts, Sugar Doll Chocolates & Cards, Sunset Point Winery, The Companion Shop, and Wicked Willow.
For more information, find the event by searching "Shop Small, Shop Downtown Point" on Facebook.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS: The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Small Business Saturday event.
Shoppers can pick up passports at the chamber office, 1120 Lincoln St. in Wisconsin Rapids, and participating businesses on Friday. Folks can get the passport signed by at least five of the businesses listed and then return it to the chamber by 4 p.m. Dec. 1 for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate.
Shop at a local business in the area, upload a photo to the Heart of Wisconsin Facebook page with the hashtag #ShopSmallSelfie before 5 p.m. Nov. 27 for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.
Businesses participating in the event include BowWow Meow Boutique, Rustic Redefined, Blu Play Cafe, Rubi Reds, Trading Post, Sweet Tea Clothing, Shoe Sensation , Bet Detailing & Customs, Rapids Rehab, Daly Drug, Blades Hair Studio, Sun Tan City, Off Yer Rocker, Home Furniture, Glow Aesthetics, Kneaded Relief Massage & Spa, and more.
For more information, visit http://www.wisconsinrapidschamber.com/.
MARSHFIELD: Marshfield Small Business Saturday will take place in downtown Marshfield.
Main Street Marshfield and the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry are partnering to give away a $50 gift certificate. Enter to win by using the hashtag #shopsmallmarshfield in pictures on social media during the day.
The event will also kick off the Downtown Christmas Market 2017 featuring a s'more bar, ArtInvo, ConstructInvo, and Mill Creek Gardens. For more information, visit http://mainstreetmarshfield.com/. Read more: Stevens Point Journal
Sarah Flashing Named Three Lakes Chamber Director
The Board of Directors of the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Sarah Flashing as the new Executive Director. Flashing brings to Three Lakes more than 15 years of experience that includes event management, education, public relations, advertising and web development.
Flashing grew up in southwest Wisconsin and relocated to the area from northern Illinois to serve as Advertising Manager, and briefly Interim Marketing Director, at North Star Mohican Casino Resort in Bowler, WI. Previously, she was Board President and Marketing Director at Harvard Community Radio in Harvard, IL.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work for the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and be a voice for businesses in the community,” said Flashing. “My passion is to help businesses grow and communities flourish. I’m eager to connect with business, organizational, and civic leaders in the area and work diligently to achieve the goals of the Chamber.” “We are excited to have Flashing join our team,” said Justin Behling, Chamber Board President. “She brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience in marketing and communications and is a proven leader committed to the advancement of business and organizations in the Three Lakes area.”
Flashing begins her role at the Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, November 27. Read more: WXPR Radio
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
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