Chamber collaboration: Lobbying effort adds 22 nonstop flights to Indy; Chamber leaders vote not to oppose Naperville sales tax idea; Dave Adkisson, Lee Lingo among Kentucky Chamber Reps on Canadian Visit; Chamber support: Lansing would get flights to D.C., Chicago under American Airlines plan; Virginia Peninsula Chamber event: Hampton State of the City: Busy year at Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber; Small businesses, non-profit honored at Jackson County chamber's annual Anchor Awards; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Positive Attitude)

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

Chamber collaboration: Lobbying effort adds 22 nonstop flights to Indy

 Indianapolis International Airport has gained 22 nonstop flights in the past year, nearly doubling its previous offerings, thanks to a coalition lobbying airlines to add more of those flights to important business destinations around the country. The airport now offers 41 nonstop flights, more than it has had since Indianapolis-based ATA Airlines folded and other airlines started a wave of consolidation six years ago, Indianapolis Business Journal (http://bit.ly/1geAS5t ) reported.

After learning the lack of nonstop flights was hurting the city’s goal of attracting corporate meeting and convention business, a coalition formed to lobby airlines for additional nonstop flights. It’s comprised of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the Indy Chamber and the city’s tourism agency, Visit Indy. Read more: Washington Times-Herald

Chamber leaders vote not to oppose Naperville sales tax idea

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors decided through a voice vote Monday not to formally oppose a plan by Naperville to add a 1 percent municipal sales tax, but that doesn't mean members are happy about the idea.

"We're pro-business," the chamber's President and CEO Nicki Anderson said, "and this is not particularly pro-business."

The vote came during the group's monthly legislative committee lunch on Monday. The Naperville City Council is expected to discuss the issue at a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Anderson indicated that the chamber's board would meet later Monday afternoon in hopes of arriving at a position to present to the public.

Because Naperville is a home rule municipality it is allowed to create a 1 percent sales tax without voter approval. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Dave Adkisson, Lee Lingo among Kentucky Chamber Reps on Canadian Visit

Eighteen Chamber of Commerce Executives from across Kentucky are in Montreal this week for professional development, networking, and best practices discussions at the 2015 Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Convention.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for our members," said Ali Crain, Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives, the professional development society for local chambers of commerce in the Commonwealth. "It is a real benefit to exchange ideas and train alongside the best executives from across the globe. KCCE is honored to provide a number of scholarships for our executives to attend."

In addition, Commerce Lexington, Inc., is one of 13 finalists for ACCE Chamber of the Year, to be announced Wednesday. This marks the second consecutive year that Commerce Lexington, Inc. has been recognized as a finalist for the honor. Chamber of the Year is the only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in leading businesses and communities. Chambers honored with this designation have not only demonstrated organizational strength, but also have made an impact on key community priorities such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.

The Kentucky delegation is:

Ali Crain, Kentucky Chamber Executive Commerce of Executives

Dave Adkisson, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Lee Lingo, Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber

Amy Cloud, Jessamine County Chamber

Brad Richardson, Hardin County Chamber

Jacob Colley, Southeast Kentucky Chamber

Bob Quick, Commerce Lexington

Dana Zinger, Commerce Lexington

Lynda Bebrowsky, Commerce Lexington

Mark Turner, Commerce Lexington

Andi Johnson, Commerce Lexington

Tyrone Tyra, Commerce Lexington

Betsy Dexter, Commerce Lexington

Carlos Phillips, Greater Louisville, Inc.

Trey Grayson, Northern Kentucky Chamber

Julie Rottman, Northern Kentucky Chamber

Tonya Matthews, Bowling Green Area Chamber

Meredith Robinson, Bowling Green Area Chamber

Read more: SurfKY.com

Chamber support: Lansing would get flights to D.C., Chicago under American Airlines plan

American Airlines is eyeing the Capital Region International Airport for flights to Chicago and Washington, D.C., the airport announced Tuesday.

Sun Country currently flies routes to Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. However it announced in June that it would pull out of Lansing completely effective Oct. 1. Now American Airlines has applied with the Federal Aviation Administration to be able to fly the route beginning Nov. 5.

To help manage congestion, the Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. typically only accepts flights from closer than 1,250 miles. But the FAA allows for a number of what they call "slot exemptions." These amount to special permission for airlines serving smaller communities to land at Reagan International Airport. Sun Country has one, and American Airlines would need to take over that exemption in order to fly from Lansing to Washington, D.C.

"American's service proposal is a big win and a boost to much-needed mid-Michigan air service," said Howard Kass, American's vice president of regulatory affairs. "With an exemption grant, American plans to inaugurate service to Lansing with four daily flights to two destinations, providing Lansing-area travelers a new choice in travel with a new carrier."

If their plan is approved, American Airlines would offer a LAN to DCA flight departing at 7:10 a.m. and arriving in Washington, D.C. at 8:55 a.m. Returning flights would depart from DCA at 5:30 p.m. and arrive at LAN at 7:20 p.m. The route would be flown with a CRJ-700 aircraft, which seats 67.

"Retaining the connection between Michigan's capital and the nation's capital is critical to the mid-Michigan economy," said airport President and CEO Bob Selig. "Mid-Michigan travelers have already demonstrated support for the service, with Washington, D.C., being the second most popular destination from LAN."

American Airlines would also add three daily flights to Chicago in 2016.

The Lansing business community is supporting the effort to secure the LAN → DCA slot exemption Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. Read more: M Live

Virginia Peninsula Chamber event: Hampton State of the City


Limited Time Offer: Must register for Series before 9/12/15
State of the Cities Series Sponsorship/Ticket Opportunities
Click Here for Series Sponsorship Opportunities
Click Here to register for Series Sponsorship/Tickets
Click Here for SOTC Hampton Sponsorship OpportunitiesSpecial opportunity for event Sponsors: 
 Organizations that sponsor the event at the Silver level or above will have the opportunity for two or more( see sponsorship level) representatives to join Mayor Wallace, other City Officials, and honored guests for an exclusive pre-event reception.  The reception will begin approximately 30 minutes before the event and will provide attendees with time to speak informally with City leaders.  Coffee and tea will be available during the reception.

Busy year at Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber

It's been a very busy year at The Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. We started out the year with our annual meeting and dinner at The Dorf Haus in Roxbury, and soon after elected our new board of directors for 2015.

Our new board is busy planning some new activities that we believe will add to our premium line up of events, and bring even more visitors to our beautiful valley, which of course means tourism dollars and tax revenue.

One such event we're hoping to debut in 2016 is our Taste and Tour event. This event would offer a bus tour of most of the area, including lake area restaurants, Lodi restaurants and even Wollersheim Winery. Besides touring the area and partaking in what our fine restaurants have to offer, every bus would include a tour guide who would highlight each point of interest along the way.

Another event that is in it's very early stages is a Lodi valley blues festival. Several southern Wisconsin communities are currently offering such an event and we believe that with our beautiful surroundings here in Columbia County, the Lodi area would be a perfect fit for such an event.

One side benefit that we sometimes overlook, is the number of people who visit our area, and end of relocating here. Many of you reading this now (myself included) were once visitors. New residents mean new construction, more tax dollars for our schools, etc. It's a win-win.

Your chamber has also taken one of the areas newest and most popular events under it's wings this year, The Lodi Pride Concert in the Park series. Read more: HNGnews.com

Small businesses, non-profit honored at Jackson County chamber's annual Anchor Awards

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce's seventh annual Anchor Awards today celebrated the county's extensive network of small businesses and doled out awards to three outstanding entrepreneurs.

At the breakfast event held at Moss Point's Pelican Landing, three small businesses and one non-profit organization were honored for their contributions to the local economy and community. 

This year's winners were:

• Small Business of the Year (50 or fewer employees): Turf Masters Lawn Care Inc.
• Small Business of the Year (51-200 employees): Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists LLC.
• Rookie Business of the Year (1-3 years in business): Hilton Garden Inn of Pascagoula.
• Non-profit Organization of the Year: Rotary Club of Pascagoula.

Chamber board chairman Kelly Sessoms thanked all of the winners and nominees for their dedication to their work and to Jackson County.

"Small business isn't for the faint of heart," he said, as it takes bravery and fortitude to begin and grow a small business. 

Sessoms said the Anchor Awards are meant to recognize "the anchors that ground our community" in good times and bad.  Read more: Gulf Live

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Positive Attitude)

“I don’t do anything that’s bad for me. I don’t like to be nervous or angry. Any time you get upset, it tears down your nervous system.” --- Mae West

Chamber delight: Forbes ranking - Madison, Mississippi makes new Top 25 list; Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Voted the Region’s Best!; Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Business After Business: Speed Networking; Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards scholarship; Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce to host grant-writing seminar; Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event; Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber Lodi Pride Concerts: Crooning in June; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Happy Friday, Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Chamber delight: Forbes ranking - Madison, Mississippi makes new Top 25 list

The city recently ranked among Forbes magazine's 25 best suburbs for retirement in 2015. Described as a growing city of 25,000 located just north of the state capitol, Madison was selected for its low crime rate and access to various amenities.

"Forbes compared hundreds of suburbs and selected 25 top locales, with the farthest out 22 miles from the downtown of a city," said the magazine. "We took into account housing cost and the overall cost of living, taxes on retirees, mass transit to the big city, the serious crime rate, air quality, proximity of hospitals and higher education opportunities, as well as the strength of the local economy for those who may want to work in retirement."

Madison was chosen because the suburb offers a median home price of $230,000, a cost of living just above national average, a good tax climate, a local extension of Tulane University, a nearby hospital, a high Milken aging rate, and an extremely low serious crime rate.

For these reasons and more, Retirement Coordinator Tona Becker feels that Madison was an obvious choice.

"It's a safe, beautiful place, and we have a lot to offer senior citizens," said Becker, who has worked closely with the local Chamber of Commerce to create a program designed to mold Madison into the ideal retirement community.

"We're so close to shopping, medical facilities, and entertainment," Becker explained. "There are lots of volunteer opportunities and recreational activities if they like to boat, fish, and hike. There are lots of activities, too, at the majority of our churches here in Madison." Read more: Madison County Journal

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Voted the Region’s Best!

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce was recently voted the best Chamber of Commerce by the readers of the Northwest Indiana Quarterly!  Readers voted for their favorite businesses in dozens of different categories.  The business with the most votes in each category won the designation “Best”. 

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Sue Reed, President and CEO of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “Our chamber is dedicated to creating a healthy business community in our Region. We all work together to make it a great place to live and work.”

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce has a mission to continuing business growth, providing a voice for businesses, dedication to members and civic pride.  Thank you for your continued support of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.  To see a PDF of the magazine, please visit www.nwibq.com and view the spring 2015 issue.

Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference

While Southeast Michigan leaders at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference acknowledge that their region’s economy still has room for improvement, they’ve started to pivot from a focus on fixing immediate problems to tackling long-term solutions instead.

When it comes to pervasive issues like roads and talent, they might find some examples of public-private collaboration from West Michigan that could help point a way forward.

“I think we in West Michigan row in the same boat together,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development organization.

While the Detroit Regional Chamber sponsors the late May event and gears the discussions toward Southeast Michigan, business leaders from West Michigan — Kitchens included — said they also wanted to have their say and seize opportunities for bridge-building and collaboration with their colleagues across the state.

“I think we collaborate better than most areas of (a similar) size in the nation,” Kitchens told MiBiz at the conference. “I think we work with Southeast Michigan a lot because the economic development there is driven by governmental institutions, where West Michigan is much more private sector-driven.

In particular, Kitchens said he believes leaders from the east side of the state are increasingly looking at proven models around West Michigan to solve the talent crisis. One such example is Grand Rapids-based Talent 2025, a private sector-led initiative with higher educational representatives that’s addressing long-term talent concerns in the region. - See more at: MiBiz.com

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Business After Business: Speed Networking
REGISTER NOW

June 18, 2015 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Pinstripes
435 East Illinois Street

Member Ticket: $30 | Non-Member Ticket: $50

Connect with like-minded business professionals
more effectively than ever before

Build build new business relationships, learn new ideas, share information, discuss challenges, and make meaningful professional connections at this fun, well-structured networking event.

Participants have the luxury of pre-qualifying the type of people they want to meet by filling out a brief online profile about themselves and who they want to meet. When you attend this event you will be provided a customized schedule (based on your networking selections) of meetings in which you will meet up to 10 new people for five minutes each.

Advantages of Speed Networking:

• Take the guess work out of finding the "right" contacts
• Avoid the awkward feelings of meeting new people
• Identify new business alliances, synergies, and career opportunities
• Meet more people in your target market in just two hours 

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards scholarship

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will be awarding the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship to Ania Austin, senior student representative from the Student Advisory Council to the chamber.
Ania has remained involved with a wide variety of activities throughout high school, including sports, academic clubs, community organizations and volunteer service. She is currently the president of the African American History Club, Senior Chair of the Pulaski County Student Advisory Committee and member of National Honor Society. Ania’s extensive community involvement includes over 400 volunteer hours, something chamber executive director Peggy White says “is a true representation of someone who has a passion for the community and wants to see it succeed.” The chamber continues to sponsor this scholarship for local students in an effort to help mold a successful future workforce and positively impact Pulaski and surrounding communities. Read more: The Roanoke Times

Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce to host grant-writing seminar

The Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Tourism Bureau will host the grant-writing seminar, “Researching and Writing Winning Grants” geared toward nonprofits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the MidAmerican Credit Union, 1610 N. Summit St., in Arkansas City.

Grant-writing skills are useful not only to those employed by schools and libraries, but also to those who work for nonprofit agencies, municipalities and faith-based organizations.

The seminar will be taught by Lu Kindblade, of Lu Kindblade and Associates, LLC, a planning firm that assists communities, schools, nonprofit organizations and businesses in developing and funding sustainable programs.

The seminar will highlight the basics of planning a project, writing a grant proposal and researching and accessing funding sources. A funding-resource list detailing the latest available funders and invitations for proposals will be provided, according to Kindblade.

“I am excited to be returning to Ark City because this is a community that understands that business and community needs go hand in hand,” Kindblade said. “I am thrilled at the opportunity to help this community and neighboring organizations find the funding to strengthen their services and projects, especially in this challenging economic climate.” Read more: Winfield Daily Courier

West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory

The West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory is available today! Thanks to Diane Brandt and her chamber team for their work in putting this together!

For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or glossy publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event

More than fifty local artists will come together to celebrate the art and community of Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, on June 18, 2015 from 4-8 PM in the Historic Coca-Cola Plant.

The public is invited to “Meet the Artists” and hear the artists' stories and see their art. Participating artists include individual artists and art groups like Paducah Art Alliance, the Art Guild, Yeiser Art center, Bricolage Art Collective, Wastelanders and PAPA Gallery.

Paducah has discovered that Art is one of its greatest resources for education, engagement and community spirit. The diverse artists and crafts persons who are part of its creative cultural community have enriched our city, enhanced our personal lives, changed perspectives, and broaden our international horizons.

The event is being held in the Historic Coca Cola Plant, one of Paducah's recently rehabilitated historic treasures, located at 3141 Broadway. Light Hors d'oeuvres will be provided and the Dry Ground Brewery and Piper's Tea and Coffee will be open for drinks.

Event sponsors and partners are Paducah Main Street, the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paducah Economic Development and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: KFVS12.com

Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber Lodi Pride Concerts: Crooning in June

Kicking off the summer concert season will be two hours of Lodi alumni and friends held at 6:30 p.m.m on Sunday, June 14 at the Lodi High School Performing Arts Center, 1100 Sauk St. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
The Lodi Alumni Concert will feature a variety of music from six decades of performers. Emcee Jerry Nelson (class of 1969) will be joined by classmate Susan Goeres.
From the ‘80s are Don “Hoppy” Hopkins, Susie Frankland, Leslie Nevens, Tracy Foster and Stacey Hoon.
Representing the ‘90s are Heather Halverson, Jason McGrath, Shana Dunn and Brooke Nault.
Next are the beginning of the graduates from the “new” high school: Regina Hurley, Patty Rea and Nicole Pare.
The millennials will have the most participants featuring Bryce Baker, Ryan Senger, Ricky Thaden, Hannah Weber, Kiley Roller and, newest graduates, Faith Hatch, Abby Mason and Andy Nevens. All three alumni received scholarships from music sponsors at Class Night. LHS Senior Skye Baron will also perform.
From the youngest to the, let’s say most experienced, Ivalo Senese represents everyone more than 90 years old. Accompanists are Susan Goeres, Shelly Pare, Sharon Hatch and Senger.
Nelson will also be the lead entertainer at the season’s first Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce sponsored Lodi Pride Concert on Wednesday, June 17 at Habermann Park. The night’s event will be sponsored by the Lodi Canning Company. Read more: Lodi Enterprise


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

RULE #98      Never ask for money that isn’t there.