Grand Rapids Annual Meeting - Create Great Business
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 - 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. - DeVos Place
Join us for the Chamber’s largest event of the year, the 132nd Annual Meeting!
Together, we will celebrate what our members did to Create Great in 2019 and reflect on the work the Chamber executed to support a thriving and prosperous West Michigan for all.
We are thrilled to welcome keynote speaker Dustin Garis. Dustin is a world-renowned brand innovator and customer experience pioneer, pushing the boundaries throughout his career at the most breakthrough companies around the globe. He was dubbed the "Indiana Jones of Marketing" for his extreme global research expeditions to over 40 countries, and his unconventional innovation tactics, like riding an 1,800-lb. bull in a rodeo or converting an elevator into his office.
Dustin will share his mix of extraordinary experiences and mind-opening insights to help us transform the way we approach our business into the future.
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2020 ATHENA Awards®
Nominate a deserving individual today!
ATHENA Award®
The recipient of the ATHENA Award® demonstrates excellence,creativity and initiative in his or her business or profession; provides valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community; and assists women in reaching their full leadership potential.
CLICK HERE to view the nomination form.
ATHENA Young Professional Award®
The ATHENA Young Professional Award® is given to an emerging leader who strives toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment and serves as a role model for young women. This award is sponsored by past recipients of the ATHENA Award®.
CLICK HERE to view the nomination form.
The nomination deadline is Friday, December 6 by 5:00 p.m. Late nominations will not be considered.
The 2020 ATHENA Award® luncheon is sponsored by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and Spherion Staffing Services. The recipient's lapel pin is provided by Busey Wealth Management.
The luncheon will be on Thursday, February 20.
WELCOME HOME - The Nation's Premier New Resident Marketing Program for Your Chamber Members
Welcome Home, the nation's premier new resident marketing program,is a new mover marketing program designed to help get your chamber members' businesses in front of the most valuable audiences - new residents.
Exclusive to chamber members, the WELCOME HOME program is a remarkable advertising tool, highly visible, targeted and delivered direct to new resident's mailboxes, catching them as they establish new buying habits.
In addition, WELCOME HOME is distributed to local libraries, park districts, municipalities and your local chamber office.
Get your members in front of one of the most valuable audiences: NEW RESIDENTS.
Don't miss this opportunity to promote your member businesses to new residents ON A MONTHLY BASIS, ALL YEAR LONG!
Mailed monthly to new movers from the previous 30 days!
They are new to the neighborhood. They have money to spend. They need your member's businesses and services.
Palatine Area Chamber WELCOME HOME
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's NEW MOVER publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Milwaukee has arrived, now what?
Developers say region has opportunity to reach new heights
It is an exciting time for Milwaukee.
After decades of stagnation and a national perception of it being flyover country, the Milwaukee area in recent years has attracted numerous major developments downtown and in suburban areas.
At the same time, the city suddenly finds itself in the spotlight with a newfound level of national and international attention. The 2020 Democratic National Convention will bring an unprecedented level of media coverage and new visitors to Milwaukee. The city’s long-slumbering sports scene has been jolted to life by two of the nation’s biggest sports stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks and Christian Yelich of the Brewers. The 2018 National League Championship Series and the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals brought new excitement and attention to Milwaukee. And even more could be on the way in 2020, which will include the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan County.
With so much attention on Milwaukee now, what do the media and the surge of new visitors coming here see when they experience Milwaukee for the first time?
Downtown has newfound vibrancy. The skyline was dramatically altered by the Northwestern Mutual Tower & Commons project in 2017. Then came the Bucks’ new home, Fiserv Forum, which opened in 2018 and has not only been great for the Bucks, it has also delivered on its promise to be much more than a basketball arena, booking far more major concerts than the Bradley Center. Development and activity around the arena has transformed that corner of the city.
The downtown area has also seen new apartments, hotels and office buildings in recent years. The BMO Tower, which is being constructed southeast of Wells and Water streets, is set to be completed by the end of the year, offering Class A office space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Huron Building, located just a few blocks south at the northwest corner of Clybourn Street and Broadway, will bring new life to a quieter part of downtown.
Also, the former Grand Avenue mall is being turned into a mixed-use center consisting of apartments, office space and a food hall, continuing the overall rebirth of the downtown area west of the river. Across the street, the former Warner Grand Theatre is being transformed into a new performance hall for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The suburbs are undergoing plenty of change as well. Oak Creek has its new downtown in Drexel Town Square, landed the state’s first Ikea, and will soon be home to a new Amazon fulfillment center. In recent years, the suburbs also have welcomed major mixed-use projects like The Corners of Brookfield, The Corridor in Brookfield, Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa and 84South in Greenfield. Read more: Biz Times
At the same time, the city suddenly finds itself in the spotlight with a newfound level of national and international attention. The 2020 Democratic National Convention will bring an unprecedented level of media coverage and new visitors to Milwaukee. The city’s long-slumbering sports scene has been jolted to life by two of the nation’s biggest sports stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks and Christian Yelich of the Brewers. The 2018 National League Championship Series and the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals brought new excitement and attention to Milwaukee. And even more could be on the way in 2020, which will include the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan County.
With so much attention on Milwaukee now, what do the media and the surge of new visitors coming here see when they experience Milwaukee for the first time?
Downtown has newfound vibrancy. The skyline was dramatically altered by the Northwestern Mutual Tower & Commons project in 2017. Then came the Bucks’ new home, Fiserv Forum, which opened in 2018 and has not only been great for the Bucks, it has also delivered on its promise to be much more than a basketball arena, booking far more major concerts than the Bradley Center. Development and activity around the arena has transformed that corner of the city.
The downtown area has also seen new apartments, hotels and office buildings in recent years. The BMO Tower, which is being constructed southeast of Wells and Water streets, is set to be completed by the end of the year, offering Class A office space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Huron Building, located just a few blocks south at the northwest corner of Clybourn Street and Broadway, will bring new life to a quieter part of downtown.
Also, the former Grand Avenue mall is being turned into a mixed-use center consisting of apartments, office space and a food hall, continuing the overall rebirth of the downtown area west of the river. Across the street, the former Warner Grand Theatre is being transformed into a new performance hall for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The suburbs are undergoing plenty of change as well. Oak Creek has its new downtown in Drexel Town Square, landed the state’s first Ikea, and will soon be home to a new Amazon fulfillment center. In recent years, the suburbs also have welcomed major mixed-use projects like The Corners of Brookfield, The Corridor in Brookfield, Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa and 84South in Greenfield. Read more: Biz Times
JBLE Soldier honored By Virginia Peninsula Chamber for commitment to community
Growing up in Ohio with a passion for the military, there was no doubt in this Soldier’s mind that one day he would serve his country, but what he didn’t anticipate was the impact he would have in his community.
U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Johns, 221st Military Police Detachment, Training and Doctrine Command, was awarded the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2019 Military Citizen of the Year for the Army.
The award has been presented annually since 1955 to recognize the military citizen who has made the most significant contribution of community service in the area. The VPCC names one local representative, E-6 and below from each branch of the military, who has demonstrated active participation in off-duty community activities, as well as exceeding military standards.
“I wasn’t expecting to receive the award,” Johns said. “I volunteer at the school because I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I don’t expect anything from it, but it means a lot to me that someone noticed that I’m trying to make a difference.”
Since Johns can remember, he’s always been willing to volunteer his time for a great cause.
“I’m always willing to help out whenever and wherever I can,” he said. “I just enjoy helping people and doing my part to create a better community.”
For the past three years, Johns has been volunteering at General Stanford Elementary School, Newport News, Virginia, helping teachers with anything they need, whether it's helping out around the classrooms, attending career day or being the school mascot. He is also often seen greeting the kids as they start their school day.
“I have three children of my own,” Johns said. “This is my way of showing appreciation to the education staff who help our youth and getting to see the smiles on the children’s faces when I show up makes it all worth it.”
Johns takes every chance he gets to be involved with the community to include participating in sporting activities around base housing with the youth to show them police authorities are not a threat, but are here for them.
“In today’s society police officers have somewhat of a stigma,” Johns added. “So I try to get out whenever I can to give them stickers, pencils and if I see any of the children having a bad day I will pull them to the side and speak to them and let them know everything’s going to be ok.” Read more: DVIDS
Greater Reston Chamber News
Last week, Chamber President & CEO Charles Kapur attended the VACCE Government Affairs Roundtable Meeting in Richmond. The meeting was facilitated by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and included 15 other chamber of commerce executives from throughout the Commonwealth. The session, featuring a panel discussion with three leading experts in Virginia-based public policy, previewed the upcoming General Assembly session following statewide elections this month.
Progressive Pipeline to employ 50 people at new corporate office in downtown Meridian
Progressive Pipeline plans to move its corporate headquarters to downtown Meridian in 2021.
The relocation was revealed Wednesday morning at the close of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual meeting at the MSU-Riley Center.
5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Lynn Kendall, Shiloh Francis and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (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.
Patoka 2000 Accepting Donations For Bridge Planters For Winter Months
Patoka 2000 (beautification committee of the Jasper Chamber) is getting ready to prepare the urns on the Patoka River Bridge for the Holiday and Winter seasons.
In order to defray the costs of this beautification project, Patoka 2000 seeks donations from individuals, families or businesses throughout the community.
You may make a donation in any amount and specify that the donation is in honor of someone, in memory of someone, or as a tribute to a favorite cause.
By doing this, you are able to remember that person, while admiring the beautiful bridge area every time that you drive across the bridge.
Family members and friends are encouraged to chip in together for this great beautification project.
By working together we can continue to make Jasper a clean, bright community for those that live here and those that are just traveling through.
A classified ad will be placed in The Herald (around December 17) stating all of those that donated funds and the people or cause they would like to have remembered or honored.
Deadline for accepting donations for the Winter Project is December 10.
Donations can be sent directly to Patoka 2000 at the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 307, Jasper, Indiana 47547-0307.
Any questions can be directed to the Jasper Chamber at 482-6866 or chamber@jasperin.org.
Bowling Green author releases first novel
One local author made her debut this weekend releasing her very first novel, but she is not a stranger to the community.
Tonya Matthews attended Western Kentucky and worked for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce for two decades.
Her novel Treasure Atop the Mountain was written before her and her husband adopted their daughters from foster care. She said she found writing to be a healthy escape and effective therapy during tough times in her life.
“I wrote TREASURE ATOP THE MOUNTAIN before Todd and I adopted the girls from foster care. We’d been through years of disappointments trying to start our family. I needed an escape and began to read and enjoyed inspiring fiction books. After reading several that missed the mark, I decided one day that I’d just write what I wanted to read. I didn’t know what I was doing, but the words came and the story developed. There were times that pieces of the book came together and surprised me even as I wrote it. I’d stand up, do a little happy dance all by myself, and sit back down to type more,” Tonya shares about the writing process. Read more: WBKO
“In today’s society police officers have somewhat of a stigma,” Johns added. “So I try to get out whenever I can to give them stickers, pencils and if I see any of the children having a bad day I will pull them to the side and speak to them and let them know everything’s going to be ok.” Read more: DVIDS
Greater Reston Chamber News
Last week, Chamber President & CEO Charles Kapur attended the VACCE Government Affairs Roundtable Meeting in Richmond. The meeting was facilitated by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and included 15 other chamber of commerce executives from throughout the Commonwealth. The session, featuring a panel discussion with three leading experts in Virginia-based public policy, previewed the upcoming General Assembly session following statewide elections this month.
Progressive Pipeline to employ 50 people at new corporate office in downtown Meridian
Progressive Pipeline plans to move its corporate headquarters to downtown Meridian in 2021.
The relocation was revealed Wednesday morning at the close of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual meeting at the MSU-Riley Center.
Mike Castle Jr., president of Progressive Pipeline, said later that the move to the former Melton Hardware building at 2201 Front Street was necessary because the company has outgrown its existing headquarters south of the city off Mississippi Highway 145.
“We want and encourage our employees to be active in the community, participate in what's going on downtown, but also be good citizens and bring great value to what Meridian is doing downtown,” Castle said. “We have great potential here.”
Progressive Pipeline calls itself “the industry leading pipeline construction and maintenance company” that has “completed over 500 projects at a value of over $2 billion,” according to its website.
Approximately 50 people, including 25 new hires, are expected to work out of the top two floors of the 27,000 square-foot building, which Castle estimated will be an investment of $6 million.
The ground floor will be a multi-use space, he said.
Construction is expected to start next year. Read more: Meridian Star
“We want and encourage our employees to be active in the community, participate in what's going on downtown, but also be good citizens and bring great value to what Meridian is doing downtown,” Castle said. “We have great potential here.”
Progressive Pipeline calls itself “the industry leading pipeline construction and maintenance company” that has “completed over 500 projects at a value of over $2 billion,” according to its website.
Approximately 50 people, including 25 new hires, are expected to work out of the top two floors of the 27,000 square-foot building, which Castle estimated will be an investment of $6 million.
The ground floor will be a multi-use space, he said.
Construction is expected to start next year. Read more: Meridian Star
5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Lynn Kendall, Shiloh Francis and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town Square Publications (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.
Patoka 2000 Accepting Donations For Bridge Planters For Winter Months
Patoka 2000 (beautification committee of the Jasper Chamber) is getting ready to prepare the urns on the Patoka River Bridge for the Holiday and Winter seasons.
In order to defray the costs of this beautification project, Patoka 2000 seeks donations from individuals, families or businesses throughout the community.
You may make a donation in any amount and specify that the donation is in honor of someone, in memory of someone, or as a tribute to a favorite cause.
By doing this, you are able to remember that person, while admiring the beautiful bridge area every time that you drive across the bridge.
Family members and friends are encouraged to chip in together for this great beautification project.
By working together we can continue to make Jasper a clean, bright community for those that live here and those that are just traveling through.
A classified ad will be placed in The Herald (around December 17) stating all of those that donated funds and the people or cause they would like to have remembered or honored.
Deadline for accepting donations for the Winter Project is December 10.
Donations can be sent directly to Patoka 2000 at the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 307, Jasper, Indiana 47547-0307.
Any questions can be directed to the Jasper Chamber at 482-6866 or chamber@jasperin.org.
Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Cary Grove Chamber today! Thanks to Lynn Caccavallo and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
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| Cary Grove Area Chamber map |
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.
One local author made her debut this weekend releasing her very first novel, but she is not a stranger to the community.
Tonya Matthews attended Western Kentucky and worked for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce for two decades.
Her novel Treasure Atop the Mountain was written before her and her husband adopted their daughters from foster care. She said she found writing to be a healthy escape and effective therapy during tough times in her life.
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
