Hampton Roads Sports Commission Recognizes Local Sports Industry at Sports Awards Banquet; Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017: Chamber issue: The Future of Springfield, What it Could Look Like; Awards given at Winchester-Clark County chamber banquet Thursday; Women Empowering Women To Celebrate Inclusion At June Event; Grand Rapids Area Chamber: Grow Your Business with Great Customer Service; Regional Workforce 'Talent Summit' This Week; Chamber partnership: Sounds of Summer returns for 10th year;

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


Hampton Roads Sports Commission Recognizes Local Sports Industry at Sports Awards Banquet

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Hampton Roads Sports Commission, an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber, recently hosted the 2017 Hampton Roads Sports Awards at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.  This event was a celebration of the local sports industry and gave recognition to the people, organizations and facilities that help make our local athletes succeed.  Old Dominion University Football Head Coach Bobby Wilder gave the keynote speech about the importance of teamwork and how people of all ages should be a positive influence to others, especially the youth.  There were 11 categories of awards at Wednesday’s event.

Winners of each category included:

Best Tourism Partner – The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium
Best Sports Organization – Girls on the Run Hampton Roads
Best High School Team – Oscar Smith High School Football Team
Best Local Sportswriter – Larry Rubama, The Virginian Pilot
Best Local Sportscaster – Adam Winkler, Newschannel 3
Best Locally Created Event – J&A Racing Yuengling Shamrock Marathon
Best Sports Affiliate – CHKD Sports Medicine
Best Sports Facility – Ted Constant Convocation Center
Hometown Hero – Dr. Lawrence Hultgren, Virginia Wesleyan College
Organization MVP – Kim Kranz, CHKD Sports Medicine

Sports Tourism plays a vital role in our local economy.  All the categories that were acknowledged during Wednesday’s event help make an impact on the Hampton Roads economy.  From the facilities that host the event, to the media coverage, to the people who run and volunteer their time, to the local organizations that participate and host these events, to the medical staff on site and the attractions around the area, all these main ingredients help attract new sporting events and sustain the events the region and cities currently host.

Lauren Bland, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Sports Commission, stated, “We are lucky to live and represent a region with so much passion for the sports industry. Our athletes and teams are successful because of the incredibly hardworking folks behind the scenes who ensure we have excellent venues, services, staff and volunteers. It was truly our pleasure to honor and celebrate our local sports industry!  Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners!” Read more: Contact:

Shannon Curtin - office (757) 664-2501 SCurtin@hrchamber.com 




Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017 

The Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017 is available at the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Niki Foster and Pam Riffle and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! 

Front Royal Warren County Community Profile & Membership Directory 2017

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.


Chamber issue: The Future of Springfield, What it Could Look Like 

Springfield is a town of rich history.

It's a regional hub of historic landmarks, retail and opportunity.

A study by the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission shows a decline in population growth in the capitol city by .12%.“We need more people we need more young people to stay here and live here,” said Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Norms Simms.

It's not the only downward trend.

Big box stores have either closed their doors or planning to do so.

According to the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, they expect job growth to be .1% annually over the next 10 years.

“People who are buying on retail and engaging in commerce online for example, is changing the marketplace,” said Simms.

I sat down with city leaders and asked what they're doing to fix the problem.

“Creation of the enterprise zone, downtown TIF is crucial, we did renew that, but the real key is making sure the utility, which we have put on better financial footing, is to use that as an economic driver, “said Langfelder. “So if there is a new company that wants to relocate to here or business expansion, we would be able to use that as an economic driver, by lowering the utility rate possibility.”

Chris Hembrough, CEO and President of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, says numerous groups have come forward with development ideas, but he says not having a state budget is holding back investment.

“So the folks know what to expect even if is not what they want,” said Chris Hembrough, President & CEO, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. “To know what they are going to get and what the environment is going to be like that they have to operate in, will be a huge thing.” Read more: Fox Illinois

Awards given at Winchester-Clark County chamber banquet Thursday

About 250 people from Winchester’s business and civic communities came together Thursday for the annual Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce Banquet at Emmanual Episcopal Church.

The evening was filled with festivities celebrating successes in the community from the previous year, including recognizing those who took part in Leadership Winchester,  commending businesses that have made community contributions and awarding volunteers and volunteer organizations for the time and effort they put into improving their community.

Award recipients were:

Downtown Business Of The Year:  Leeds

Partner Of The Year: Leggett & Platt

Director Of The Year: Cora Heffner

Community Service Award: Joyce Morton

Nonprofit Of The Year: Kiwanis

Community Partner Of The Year: BCTC And Freedom Realty

Citizen Of The Year: Harry Enoch

Business Of The Year: WKYN 107.7 FM 

Read more: Winchester Sun

Women Empowering Women To Celebrate Inclusion At June Event

The Dubois County women’s leadership organization, Women Empowering Women (WEW), will gather on Wednesday, June 7, at the St. Joseph Church Parish Center, 1029 Kundek Street in Jasper.  Doors will open at 11:30am for networking before the meeting begins at 11:45am.  This event is open to all prospective and current WEW members.

WEW welcomes Danyelle E. Granger, Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion Director for Old National Bancorp, to highlight the importance of self-awareness and recognizing individual biases and blind spots.  Individuals have a tendency to gravitate towards people who are similar to them, which many times, causes exclusion of those who are different.  Danyelle will challenge participants to step outside of comfort zones, enable them to break bias, start to build bridges across differences, and practice inclusive behaviors.  In this session, participants will build a basic understanding of diversity and related concepts including inclusion, cultural competence, and unconscious biases while learning practical strategies to become more self-aware and demonstrate inclusive behaviors.  Additionally, representatives from Dubois County CASA will be available at the session to provide networking opportunities about their services and education about their impact on the community.

Advanced reservations are required for members and guests.  Reservations should be made by calling the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at 812-482-6866 or by emailing chamber@jasperin.org by Friday, June 2. The cost for lunch is $5.00 per person and is payable at the door.

The mission of Women Empowering Women is to inspire women in business to reach their highest potential by instilling confidence, building networks, and promoting community in Dubois County. Membership is open to any woman in business who lives or works in Dubois County.

Danyelle E. Granger is Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion Director for Old National Bancorp.  In her current role, Danyelle is responsible for developing and executing the corporate-wide diversity and inclusion strategy; leading the development, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of Old National’s corporate policies and programs as they relate to diversity and inclusion in the company’s workforce, workplace, marketplace, and community. 

For more information about WEW and to access a membership application, visit the organizations’ Facebook page or contact the Jasper Chamber of Commerce. Contact:  Nancy Eckerle – 812/482-6866


Grand Rapids Area Chamber: Grow Your Business with Great Customer Service

When Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw started a corner delicatessen in Ann Arbor some 35 years ago, little did they know that the two-man operation would blossom into a $55 million business involved in everything from publishing to worldwide food tours.

Yet if you ask what the “secret sauce” of Zingerman’s success is in such far flung operations employing 700 people, the answer all boils down to one thing: great customer service.

If Zingerman’s can do it, so can you, the company’s officials say. Best of all, Grand Rapids businesses will soon get an opportunity to hear from Zingerman’s managers how they serve up happy customers.

Just like you would expect from a company launched as a deli, Zingerman’s has developed a hearty sandwich of business principles that add up to a sure fire recipe for returning customers.

There’s three main entrees to the sandwich:

• Find out what the customer wants
• Get it for them accurately, politely, and enthusiastically, and
• Go the extra mile.
• 
  

ZingTrain: Building a Culture of Great Customer Service May 23, 2017 7:30 a.m.-noon Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW, Grand Rapids Attendees receive hands-on learning tools including workbooks, class materials and role playing. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Summit Up! Series Small Business Price: $200

Sounds so simple that everyone should be doing it, but just
ask the top executives of some of our nation’s largest airlines whether it’s always easy to provide top notch customer service. Here’s where Zingerman’s managers lay on their 5-step series of condiments and toppings in handling customer complaints to deal with difficult customers.

The recipe is:

• Acknowledge
• Apologize
• Make it Right
• Thank them, and
• Document it.

By using these straightforward principles, Zingerman’s has grown from a local deli to a corporation — or Community of Businesses as the company likes to say — of more than 15 units that includes a bakery, candy manufacturing, Cornman Farms event venue, worldwide food tours and publishing. While the businesses are varied, the customer service principles work the same way, company officials say.



Regional Workforce 'Talent Summit' This Week

There's a regional workforce 'Talent Summit' being held in central Wisconsin later this week to help business leaders brainstorm about the recruitment, retention, and cultivation of the area's workforce.  

According to Scott Larson, Director of Marshfield's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, "Probably the most significant economic development issue we have here in central Wisconsin is workforce."  

The two-day event kicks-off Wednesday evening in Stevens Point at a reception designed to glean input from business 'decision-makers' in our area, and that's followed by a series of presentations on Thursday for people who are responsible for the day-to-day hiring and recruitment of staff.   

The Thursday session includes some comments from Governor Scott Walker, and presentations by workforce experts.  "We have Edward Gordon, who is a nationally-renowned workforce consultant, dealing with retention and recruitment of workforce," Larson said.  "So he's done work nationally recognized throughout the United States."  

The event is being put on by the regional Chamber of Commerce group 'Centergy,' in concert with the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board.  For more information on the event, contact your local Chamber of Commerce. Read more: WSAU FM

Chamber partnership: Sounds of Summer returns for 10th year

Lazy, hazy summertime in the Golden Triangle heralds the return of Sounds of Summer in Columbus. Now in its 10th year, the free concert series at the Columbus Riverwalk launches with music by the Stormy Monday blues band Thursday, June 1 from 7-9 p.m. Additional concerts will feature Swingshift June 15, Deacon Jones and the Late Night June 29 and Style the Band July 13. 

The family-friendly Sounds of Summer is a joint presentation of the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Columbus.  

"There is something for everyone at Sounds of Summer," said Barbara Bigelow, Main Street Columbus executive director. "We are so grateful for the opportunity to showcase our community and local talent with an event the public enjoys every summer." 

The concert series has been designated a Top 20 Event for June and July by the Southeast Tourism Society for the past six years. Admission is free. Food and drink vendors will be on site. Lawn chairs and blankets to sit on are encouraged. (No coolers or pets, please.)  

Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce president Lisa James said, "We are so appreciative of our business sponsors and volunteers who make this even possible. We love partnering with Main Street Columbus, our sponsors and volunteers to help deliver quality, family-friendly events to our area year after year." 

Sounds of Summer is made possible through volunteers and sponsors such as Annunciation Catholic School, BankFirst, C Spire, Children's Health Center of Columbus, Clark Beverage Group, Golden Triangle Radiology, Lowndes County Chancery Clerk Lisa Younger-Neese, Mitchell Distributing Company, PACCAR, Penny Bowen Designs Inc., Phillips Contracting and Rex's Rentals.  Read more: The Dispatch

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

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education: If you read one book this spring, make it this: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less; Lafayette County Supervisors OK tax exemption for Blauer; 5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Virginia Governor and His Cabinet to Visit Hampton Roads Chamber; From the Greater Elkhart Chamber: Chamber Day helps connect Statehouse with community; Centralia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Is Retiring; State Budget Explained at Marshfield Chamber Forum; Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber: Exclusive New Program: Chamber Mastermind; State Chamber CEO: Illinois needs fiscal sanity; Hart County Chamber news: Movie to be filmed in southern Kentucky; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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


Chamber Executive Ongoing Education: If you read one book this spring, make it this: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin?
Do you sometimes feel overworked and underutilized?
Do you feel motion sickness instead of momentum?
Does your day sometimes get hijacked by someone else’s agenda?
Have you ever said “yes” simply to please and then resented it?

If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist.

The Way of the Essentialist involves doing less, but better, so you can make the highest possible contribution.

The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s not about getting less done. It’s about getting only the right things done. It’s about challenging the core assumption of ‘we can have it all’ and ‘I have to do everything’ and replacing it with the pursuit of ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time’. It’s about regaining control of our own choices about where to spend our time and energies instead of giving others implicit permission to choose for us.

In Essentialism, Greg McKeown draws on experience and insight from working with the leaders of the most innovative companies in the world to show how to achieve the disciplined pursuit of less.

By applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, the pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our own choices so we can channel our time, energy and effort into making the highest possible contribution toward the goals and activities that matter.

Essentialism isn’t one more thing; it is a different way of doing everything. It is a discipline you apply constantly, effortlessly. Essentialism is a mindset; a way of life. It is an idea whose time has come. More information: Your local bookseller.

Lafayette County Supervisors OK tax exemption for Blauer

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors voted Friday to grant a Free Port Warehouse Exemption for a local industry in hopes of keeping 150 jobs in Lafayette County and possibly creating more jobs in the future.

Representatives from Blauer Manufacturing Company, that also operates under SWM Company in the Max D. Hipp Lafayette County Industrial Park, asked the board to consider granting the company permission to apply for an exemption that would amount to about a $145,000 tax break for the year. The company is already receiving a five-year exemption from general ad valorem county taxes. The additional warehouse tax would come from what the company pays into county school taxes, which is about $175,000 a year.

However, Lafayette County Tax Assessor/Collector Sylvia Baker with an expected rise in property appraisals coming, the difference should offset the exemption and not cause a loss in the local school revenue.

Baker said there are 785 new parcels this year added to the tax rolls, along with 25 new subdivisions and condominium developments.

“This year is a reappraisal year and the state index changed and went up,” she said, adding that local property owners should expect to see an increase in their appraised property values.

Blauer has been located in Lafayette County since 1987 and employs about 150 people. The company is already receiving a five-year exemption from general ad valorem county taxes but continues to pay school taxes that total about $175,000 a year.

Mississippi law allows eligible warehouses, public or private, a license to operate as a free port warehouse and be exempted from all ad valorem taxes on personal property shipped out of state. In 2002, the state legislature granted local governing authorities the power to approve or deny the exemption.

While most of the supervisors expressed concerned about granting the exemption on Monday, the vote to approve it Friday was unanimous after Baker explained the rise in appraisals, which means more tax revenue being generated for the county.

Board President Jeff Busby said the board approved the exemption with Blauer agreeing to sit down with county leaders in the next three months to develop a long-term agreement to commit to staying in Lafayette County.

“Blauer could move to a number of other counties if we refused the exemption,” Busby said after the meeting. “That would have devastated 150 local families. We are going to sit down with them and come up with an agreement where we don’t ave to come back to the table like this every year.”

Busby said Blauer has shown commitment to Lafayette County and has continuously expanded its operations over the years, which has come with more jobs for local residents.

“A long-term agreement would not only give us and Blauer more security but the 150 employees as well, to know that their jobs will remain here in Lafayette County,” he said. “We are confident that Blauer will be a part of this community for many years.”

Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, said he was proud of the supervisors for their vote Friday.

“With the offsetting growth in Lafayette County, we can afford this to keep 150 jobs and grow in the future,” he said. “The board wants to make sure we attract and keep companies that provide quality jobs, that pay well. It was a tough decision, but the board is looking at protecting 150 jobs and growing more jobs in the future.” Read more: Oxford-Eagle

5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 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.


Virginia Governor and His Cabinet to Visit Hampton Roads Chamber

Chesapeake, VA –“Hampton Roads is a critically important region of Virginia. Feedback from its business community is a necessary component to building our new Virginia economy,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe in regards to his upcoming Governor and His Cabinet On the Road event scheduled for April 13th at noon at the Chesapeake Conference Center.

The Hampton Roads Chamber is proud to have been asked by Governor McAuliffe to host this prestigious event where the Governor will give an address discussing his priorities for the next nine months, while each cabinet member hosts individual tables of Hampton Roads Business leaders from their industry. This is a unique opportunity to interact with members of the cabinet who are working on issues that relate directly to the day-to-day lives of our local professionals.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Hampton Roads Chamber in this event to engage the local business community. We’ll be talking to these key stakeholders in the region to listen, hear feedback, and identify new opportunities to grow our economy,' said Governor McAuliffe. The Governor and his cabinet members will be are taking this opportunity to truly engage with the community and gather information that will help shape the future of Virginia and Governor McAuliffe's legacy.


The Governor and His Cabinet on the Road
Date: Thursday, April 13th
Time: 11:30am-12:00 Networking
12:00-1:00pm Program

Cost: $40 (Members), $55 (Non-Members)
Where: The Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Center Dr.
Chesapeake VA 23320

Day of Contact: Priscilla Monti, - pmonti@hrchamber.com 757-470-6805
hamptonroadschamber.com

From the Greater Elkhart Chamber: Chamber Day helps connect Statehouse with community

For a moment, I held the control of the state in my hands.

As part of Chamber Day at the Statehouse, the Indiana Chamber Executive Association (ICEA) invited Speaker of the House Brian Bosma, Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, Senate Appropriations Chair Luke Kenley and House Ways and Means Chairman Tim Brown to participate in a panel to discuss the legislature. I was asked to moderate the panel.

In the audience were 250 chamber members from communities around the state. The local chambers had invited their own state legislators to join them.

In my hand was a microphone. I was asking questions about the legislature to help our local communities get a glimpse into the workings of the state legislature. But the state legislature was scheduled to convene soon. It could not convene without the speaker of the House or the Senate president pro tempore. Bwa ha. The power was mine!

OK, so the lawmakers could get up at any time to head to the Statehouse to convene the session. I didn’t really control the fate of the state. But being the good legislators they are, they honored their commitment to speak to our group. They stayed as long as they could and they were very informative.

As I shared in an earlier column, the Chamber Day at the Statehouse is a way chambers of commerce can connect their members to the legislative process. By all accounts, it was a successful event. South Bend Regional Chamber President Jeff Rea started the festivities with welcoming comments.

After I released my control of the legislative leaders, Gov. Eric Holcomb joined us for a discussion led by Greenwood Chamber President Christian Maslowski (who is originally from South Bend). Holcomb was very gracious with his time and shared how his visits to communities around the state help him serve Indiana. He was in South Bend recently and representatives from most local chambers attended that event. Read more: South Bend Tribune

Centralia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Is Retiring

The Executive Director of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce is retiring.

Bob Kelsheimer has held the position the last 12 years. When he steps down at the end of May, he hopes to do some consulting work on his own schedule that will give him more free time.

Kelsheimer says the chamber has had a number of accomplishments during his tenure.

"One of our biggest highlights was the ability to keep Amtrak trains rolling all the way from Chicago to New Orleans really. We were able to keep Amtrak alive when it was literally in jeopardy. It was our Chamber of Commerce here that alerted everybody along the line including Senator Durbin and others who later credited this organization for keeping Amtrak service."

Kelsheimer is also pleased with the roll the organization played in helping save Murray Center and that Balloon Fest remains alive and doing very well. He notes a number of new chamber programs were also started.

Kelsheimer says he will remain in Centralia during retirement and looks forward to keeping up friendships and aquaintences made while at the chamber.

He reports the chamber has formed a search team to find a replacement. Kelsheimer says they are accepting electronically submitted resumes only at the chamber e-mail address....gccoc-at-centraliail.com. More info: WJBD Radio

State Budget Explained at Marshfield Chamber Forum

The proposed 2017-2019 state budget would generally be good for business and commerce in the state.    

That's according to Jason Culotta, Senior Director of Government Relations for the group Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, who made a stop at Marshfield's Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday with State Representative Bob Kulp to explain and talk about the proposed state budget.

Culotta said property tax cuts, investments in school tech. ed. and apprenticeship programs, and a proposed simplification of construction industry sales tax, are just a few of the things in the budget that bode well for business.    

"When it comes to elements included in the budget, continued property tax relief is a positive.  The education investment is helpful when it comes to dual enrollment, apprenticeships, tech. ed., things of that nature," Culotta explained.  Read more: WSAU.com

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber: Exclusive New Program: Chamber Mastermind

The Chamber, in partnership with Riverview Health & Fitness and Pinnacle Sales is thrilled to be launching a 6-week, FREE JOHN MAXWELL CERTIFIED LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM for our members, which will be facilitated by Mike Kole, President of Pinnacle Sales, a Chamber Member himself. Mike is a Professor of Leadership at Northwood University, a Zig Ziglar Certified Trainer, and a John Maxwell Team Member. He is donating his time to this program to give back to the community, and to help Chamber Members enhance their leadership skills!

Mike will facilitate this group using the John Maxwell Book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”. Each week, the group (7-12 members) will meet for 60-90 minutes discussing various aspects of the book at the Chamber office. By bringing together ideas and opinions from like-minded individuals, the objectives are that you will increase your awareness and understanding on how to evolve into a more effective leader!

SPACE IS LIMITED for this exclusive, and popular program, valued at over $2,500 (FREE to members of the SWCRC!)

Program is scheduled to begin the first week of June, 2017!  Chamber members will be "accepted" on a first-come, first-serve basis! More information: Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber

State Chamber CEO: Illinois needs fiscal sanity

Illinois needs to "return to fiscal sanity" and pass a balanced budget, the president and CEO of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce told a Quincy audience Friday.

Todd Maisch was the guest speaker at the annual business leaders breakfast for state Rep. Randy Frese, R-Paloma. Maisch said the state budget impasse that has dragged on for two years has made bad government finances even worse.

"The state is expecting revenues of $32 billion and is spending $38 billion" in this fiscal year, Maisch said.

In addition, the state has about a $10 billion backlog on payments to vendors, caregivers, agencies and others providers of goods or services for the state, he said.

Although Maisch said years of overspending by the state produced most of the problem, the rulings of judges that the state has to keep spending at levels established in a budget adopted two years ago has made the problem worse. Income taxes were rolled back after that spending plan was drafted, reducing revenues by billions of dollars.

Maisch said the state chamber supports Gov. Bruce Rauner on most of his agenda to demand government reforms before passing a budget. Maisch wants to see the Legislature make some changes that will help the state live within its means.

"We need to fix worker's compensation. The huge issue is causation," which would tie injury claims to work, Maisch said.

Illinois is one of a few states where workers can get compensated for injuries that occur away from a job. Read more: Herald-Whig

Hart County Chamber news: Movie to be filmed in southern Kentucky

The seeds of a Southern Kentucky film industry are starting to bloom.

Several months after the Hallmark Channel movie “An Uncommon Grace” wrapped shooting in Hart and Barren counties, another shoot set to take place in southern Kentucky over the summer was announced at a Wednesday meeting of the Hart County Chamber of Commerce, according to Hart County Judge-Executive Terry Martin.

Branscombe Richmond, associate producer and stunt coordinator for “An Uncommon Grace” and advisory member of the fledgeling Southern Kentucky Film Commission, announced that independent production company Jax Productions LLC would be filming the movie in the area, Martin said.

As a member of the commission’s advisory board, Richmond has been communicating with Jax to bring it to the area, Martin said. Read more: Bowling Green Daily News

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

Chamber interest: Best Places to Start a Business in Indiana (#1-#3); Christian County Chamber Announces New President/CEO; Chamber interest: Marshfield (Wisconsin) business incubator sought; Women sweep 2015 Eastern Shore Virginia Chamber awards; Illinois Valley Chamber and Economic Development names Joni Hunt new executive director; Mississippi Gulf Coast chamber Lunch helps entrepreneurs develop leads; Cuban Chamber of Commerce opens in Troy, Michigan; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Gratitude)

Chamber interest: Best Places to Start a Business in Indiana (#1-#3)

Indiana’s economy is fueled by the automotive, manufacturing and agricultural industries, but the state is also a diverse one that encourages entrepreneurship, particularly among its younger residents, according to Robert Schuttler, professor of business and economics at Marian University in Indianapolis.
“Over the past 10 years, I’ve seen a marked increase in entrepreneurship as a professional pursuit among students,” Schuttler says. “Indiana is a good place for business creativity and development.”
Indiana’s economy grew twice as fast as the rest of the country in 2010 and put up similar results in the next three years, according to a report by the Indiana Business Review. The Hoosier State offers businesses numerous resources, including 10 Small Business Development Centers throughout the state, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Business Ownership Initiative, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and more.

NerdWallet’s analysis

NerdWallet analyzed 99 places in Indiana, each with a population of at least 5,000 and at least 500 businesses. We calculated the overall score for every location based on the city’s business climate and economic health using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Learn more about our methodology at the end of this article.

Key takeaways

Top cities are highly entrepreneurial. The top 10 cities to start a business in Indiana have an average of 10.47 businesses per 100 people, above the statewide average of 8.48, which means business owners are more concentrated in these cities.
Lower housing costs. On average, the top 10 cities have a median monthly housing cost of $727, which is lower than the statewide average median monthly cost of $819.
City size doesn’t matter. Cities ranking in the top 10 have average populations of 10,967, while 7,245 people, on average, live in the top three cities. These population figures are far lower than the statewide average of 36,524.

Best places to start a business in Indiana

1. Bluffton

The northeastern Indiana city of 9,616 has the second-highest average revenue per business on the list, and its 1,003 businesses have an average revenue of $5.06 million. Bluffton residents benefit from affordable housing: With a median monthly housing cost of $571, Bluffton ranked as the second-most affordable place for housing of all of the locations we analyzed. The city also has a high percentage of businesses with paid employees (36.39%) and businesses per 100 people (10.43). Local businesses are served by the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, which provides workforce development, networking and marketing opportunities through numerous events and programs throughout the year. The ISBDC, Indiana Small Business Development Center, has a nearby office in Fort Wayne.

2. Monticello

With a population of just 5,367, Monticello is the smallest city on the list, but it has the third-highest number of businesses per 100 people (14.27) and at 47.13%, the second-highest percentage of businesses with paid employees. Monticello is home to Lake Shafer, Lake Freeman and the Indiana Beach Amusement Resort, making the city an attractive tourist destination. Small businesses are supported by the Greater Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

3. Batesville

Located 46 miles west of Cincinnati and 67 miles southeast of Indianapolis, the city of Batesville takes the third spot on the list with the second-highest number of businesses per 100 people (14.99) and the second-lowest unemployment rate of 2.9%, which is well below both the state and the national unemployment rates. Residents also enjoy a median annual income of $44,820, which is the highest in the top 10. Batesville is home to two major employers: the Batesville Casket Co. and Hill-Rom, a health care equipment company. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce represents over 300 local businesses and provides programs and activities for its members. Read more:  Nerd Wallet


Christian County Chamber Announces New President/CEO

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Kelli Pendleton as the new President/CEO. Pendleton holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Auburn University.  She previously worked at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Military Affairs from 2010-2012.

Frank Field, Chair for the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, offered the following comment, "We are very excited to have Kelli join our Chamber as the next President/CEO. She has been a part of this community for 12 years, and we know she is dedicated to the growth and improvement of Christian County.  We are pleased to have someone such as Kelli agreeing to lead this important community agency."

Pendleton lives in Pembroke with her husband Michael and daughter.  Her first official day with the Chamber will be Monday, July 13, 2015. 

Pendleton shared, "I am excited to return to the Christian County Chamber of Commerce as its President/CEO.  We as a community are engaged in exciting times and to have the opportunity to lead the Chamber through them is an extreme honor.  It is my goal to build upon our past growth by working with our community's leaders and citizens to continue growing our economic landscape and quality of life."  She continued, "Our Chamber team will work tirelessly to ensure our Chamber of Commerce is a place where businesses can come together, share ideas, create visions and implement plans for the future.  To work with our incoming board chair, Janet Calhoun, throughout my first year at the helm is a "best case scenario" and it provides me with the highest sense of optimism for our chamber's future." Read more: Christian County Chamber

Chamber interest: Marshfield (Wisconsin) business incubator sought

As the city seeks to attract people downtown through the proposed Second Street corridor project, another economic development effort could soon be under way: a business incubator.
"We have a lot of people who have ideas for businesses," City Council member Ed Wagner said.
On Thursday, Wagner plans to ask the city's Economic Development Board to conduct an assessment identifying the demand for and possible locations of an incubator in Marshfield.
Incubators aim to help entrepreneurs start and grow their companies by providing relatively cheap spaces to operate and training programs in business management. There were more than 1,250 business incubators in the United States as of 2012, according to the most recent data available from the National Business Incubation Association. Read more: MarshfieldNewsHerald.com

Women sweep 2015 Eastern Shore Virginia Chamber awards

Jenny O'Neill was named 2015 Citizen of the Year and T and W Block co-owner Genevieve Switzer was named Small Business Person of the Year at the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, held Wednesday, June 24, at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club.
Last year's small business person of the year recipient, Blake Johnson of the Island House Restaurant, nominated Switzer for the honor and presented her with the award.
"Genevieve is a pillar in our community who is continually promoting local businesses," he said in his nomination letter, calling Switzer "a woman working in a man's industry."
"It's probably one of the easiest nomination letters I've ever written," Johnson said.
Switzer, in addition to her business accomplishments, has been crucial in helping Johnson with the restaurant's annual oyster roast for charity, which in the last two years has resulted in more than $61,000 being raised for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Navy Seal Foundation.
In accepting the award, she credited her success to the support of family, friends and fellow business owners, "and to my father who taught me it really doesn't matter if you're a girl — you can do whatever you want to do." Read more: delmarvaNOW.com

Illinois Valley Chamber and Economic Development names Joni Hunt new executive director

The Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development (IVAC) has announced that Joni Hunt is joining the organization as executive director. Hunt will be starting her position on July 1. She replaces Marci Duro who retired in June after leading the organization for the past five years.

“After a careful and thorough search, we feel very fortunate to welcome someone with Joni’s talent and experience to our organization” said IVAC President Scott Stavrakas. “Joni served the city of Princeton as the director of tourism and marketing and, for the past three years, as their director of economic development. She brings experience and knowledge of who the players are in the area. The board has the fullest confidence that Hunt will continue to be an excellent steward of IVAC’s mission.”
Hunt is originally from Metamora and attended Eureka College. She received certification in professional community economic development by the Community Development Council in 2014. She has served on numerous boards and organizations including being a founding member of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce Retail Development Group, he Western Illinois Amtrak Coalition and the Illinois River Road Executive Board.
In her new role, Hunt will be leading IVAC into a very exciting time. IVAC is at the forefront of efforts to strengthen and grow the region. She will be working closely with the new Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois to help bring new industry and jobs growth to the area. She will also be responsible for the continued growth of IVAC’s membership and ensuring that IVAC is delivering the essential services our members count on. Read more: BCRnews.com


Mississippi Gulf Coast chamber Lunch helps entrepreneurs develop leads

A Leads Lunch will be held July 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Knight Nonprofit Center, 11975 Seaway Road.
The event is open to Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce members and is limited to one person per specific business category and 25 total participants. The cost is $20 and includes lunch/
RSVP: Dhiana@mscoastchamber.com.

Cuban Chamber of Commerce opens in Troy, Michigan

The Cuban Chamber of Commerce has chosen Troy, Michigan, as its third location and national headquarters.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dana McAllister says the choice was a natural fit because of affinities between Detroit and Havana, a significant presence of Cuban-Americans in Michigan, and support from the Oakland County government and city of Troy.

The Chamber will network with Michigan businesses that would like to trade with Cuba, following re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Last week, the two countries announced re-opening of embassies for the first time in over 50 years. McAllister says there are already some opportunities for business relations in areas such as agricultural products, medical equipment and supplies, and alternative energy. Learn More: Michigan Radio

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Gratitude)
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."  Willam Arthur Ward

Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance event: Iron Chef Meets Taste of Williamsburg; Chamber interest: Wal-Mart wage move mirrors state attitudes; Chamber interest: Heard on the Street: Viking cruise ships coming to Mississippi River; Chamber news: Lansing Michigan named 4th-best affordable place to live on national list; Chamber heart: Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Initiative Connects Volunteers; Sturgis Chamber preparation: Campgrounds, visitor inquiries expand to match Rally crowd expectations; Ed Dowd returns to Mattoon Illinois Chamber board president position; Midwest U.S. Chamber Advocacy Resources Available For Your Chamber; Hardin County (Kentucky) Chamber 2015 Legislative Priorities; Chamber event: Marshfield Agri-Business Committee Selling Banquet Tickets; Elk Rapids Michigan Names New Chamber Head; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership)

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



Iron Chef Meets Taste of  Williamsburg -

Greater Williamsburg Chamber &Tourism

Alliance event

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance is joining with the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association to bring Iron Chef Meets Taste of Williamsburg on April 29^th at Colonial Heritage Club. The two organizations wanted to bring this combined event to the community to help promote area restaurants to not only locals, but the many tourists that visit the destination. “We are thrilled to work in partnership with WARA to bring an amazing culinary experience to our residents and visiting guests,” said Karen Riordan, CEO of the Alliance. Noreen Graziano, President of the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association, said, “I look forward to working together with the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance and feel it is going to be a great event!”

This will be the 22^nd year for Taste of Williamsburg, the 6^th year for the Iron Chef Wine and Food Expo, and the first year the two are blending together to form one big culinary extravaganza! The Taste of Williamsburg event offers member food and beverage establishments of the Alliance the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community. The highlight of the evening features the presentation of several prestigious awards to four winning participants judged by a respected panel of judges and the attendees. The Iron Chef event offers a chance for spectators to watch 3 teams of celebrated area chefs battle it out in the arena to prepare mouthwatering dishes that are judged by an esteemed panel of judges. Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks. More information: Patrick Quinn - 757.476.6820 - Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance

Wal-Mart wage move mirrors state attitudes

Arkansas-based retailer Wal-Mart's announcement Thursday of its plans to raise its entry level wages to $10 per hour by next February mirrors movements both at the federal and state level to increase the minimum wage; and, the ripple-effects locally are expected to remain uncertain for some time.

Two key local business observers agree that there will be some upward pressure on entry and minimum wage level positions in Hope as a result of the move.

“I haven't heard anything about it today from any local merchants,” Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mark Keith said Thursday.

What that tells Keith is there is no surge of concern locally.

“I can understand how that would be if you had to go from minimum wage to $10 per hour for many people; that would be challenging,” he said. - See more at: Hope Star


Chamber interest: Heard on the Street: Viking cruise ships coming to Mississippi River


Will Viking cruise ships be seen in Winona and Red Wing soon?
The Swiss-based Viking River Cruises has announced it will build six cruise ships, each capable of holding up to 300 passengers, to cruise American rivers, including the Mississippi River as far north as St. Paul.

It announced it will make New Orleans its home port for cruises expected to begin by late 2017, The Associated Press reports.

Marion Fitschen of visitor/member services of the Red Wing Chamber of Commerce, said she has been told a Viking ship will stop at the historic city. "I'm sure they are planning to stop here," she said.

It will be great for Red Wing because when cruise ships, such as the replica paddlewheelers, stop now, people come to the levee to see them. And passengers get off the ships to tour the town or shop in the downtown, she said. Read more: PostBulletin.com


Chamber news: Lansing Michigan named 4th-best affordable place to live on national list

Michigan's capital city is home to considerable amenities and affordable living, which landed it on Livability.com's Best Affordable Places to Live 2015 list.

Editors looked at three main economic factors: cost of living, median household income and median home value. But they also factored in their own "LivScore," which considered things like cultural amenities and entertainment options.

Lansing came in as the fourth-best affordable city in the United States.. The cost of living in Lansing is 8 percent below the national average, according to The Council of Community and Economic Research. Housing prices are also lower than average.

According to data from Zillow.com, Lansing's median home sale price is $88,000. Surrounding places are more expensive -- East Lansing has a median sale price of $172,169, Okemos is at $173,675 and DeWitt Township is $167,080.Read more: M Live

Chamber heart: Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Initiative Connects Volunteers

The holidays have passed, but the spirit of giving—or more precisely, giving back—remains in Jackson, thanks in part to a new initiative of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership.

#On Feb. 17, the GJCP unveiled Volunteer Greater Jackson Center with an event at Millsaps College. The volunteer center is one of a series of projects in Greater Jackson Vision 2022, a 10-year long-range plan for the Jackson metropolitan area.

#"We are not just Jackson. We are Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties," Volunteer Greater Jackson board President Crisler Boone told the audience.

#When it opens, chamber officials say the center will provide a space where people looking for opportunities to volunteer can get hooked up with area nonprofits. Boone explained how the center will work:

#"Say I'm a volunteer, and I'm looking for, say, something in education or health care, I can go to (the center's) website, log into the database, and I can say, 'I'm available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 2 to 5 and I'm interested in health care and education.' Then the nonprofits in one of those areas will get on there and match me up with a healthcare opportunity."

#The chamber received a grant from Volunteer Mississippi totaling $46,700 to seed the project. In addition to establishing the website, some of the funds will go toward setting up an office for in-person volunteer consultations. Kristian Beatty will serve as director of the center, which will be housed in Millsaps' Murrah Hall. Read more: Jackson Free Press






Sturgis Chamber prep: Campgrounds, visitor inquiries expand to match Rally crowd expectations


With the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally just months away... preparation is in full swing day and night to make sure everything is ready for what is expected to be a record setting year.

Campgrounds are expanding, performers' names are being released, and hotels are filling up.

The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce says they are still trying to wrap their head around just how big this year's rally is expected to be, and the visitor inquiries are up to match that expected increase in attendance.

Executive Director Heidi Kruse says, "We have a number of calls, many of them are first timers who are saying, 'We got a group together, we've never been to the rally before, we're excited to join you.' They just want to see it this year because it's going to be an anniversary year. Read more: KEVN Black Hills FOX

Ed Dowd returns to Mattoon Illinois Chamber board president position
The new president of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce board already has experience heading this group and the annual Business Expo.
Ed Dowd, manager of the Staples store in Mattoon, served as board president in 2006 and has been in charge of the Business Expo at the Cross County Mall for the last 15 years.
"He will do great. You just can't ask for a better leader in that regard," said Donna Kastl, who recently completed her one-year as board president. She said Dowd is very logical about how he goes about his work, but also has a kind heart for working with others.
Dowd is set to take part in the Mattoon Chamber's annual dinner tonight at the Days Inn and is already looking forward to the 2015 Business Expo, scheduled for Oct. 1 at the mall.
The Business Expo has been drawing an average of 60 vendors each year in the recent past, Dowd said. Event organizers hope to get participation back up to 75 vendors this year, he said. Read more: Journal Gazette & Times-Courier

Midwest U.S. Chamber Advocacy Resources Available For Your Chamber

As you plan your Chamber programming this year, the U.S. Chamber Great Lakes Regional Office is here to help local chambers across Indiana. Here are a few ways their team can assist as you fill your 2015 calendars:

Legislative Updates - Their staff members are always available to address your chamber’s governmental affairs committee and/or monthly membership breakfasts or luncheons to update your members on issues before Congress and how they could impact the business community in your region.

Member of Congress Meet and Greets - Consider hosting informal meet and greets for your new and returning Members of Congress to provide them opportunities to interact with your members and give an overview of their priorities for the 114th Congress. These events could be at your chamber or at a member business you’d like to showcase. The U.S. Chamber's staff can help you schedule one of these in the next few months.

Government Affairs Training - Is your chamber ready to get more involved in advocacy? The U.S. Chamber's Governmental Affairs Chamber Training (GoACT) presentation is designed to educate your board/committee on best practices and ways to be better advocates for issues of concern. This short presentation is a great way to introduce or reiterate the importance advocacy plays as a program of work for a local chamber.

For more information, call the U.S. Chamber's Great Lakes Regional Office at 312-386-7796 and ask to speak with Ben, Cholly or Maggie. Source: Indiana Chamber Executives Association


Hardin County (Kentucky) Chamber 2015 Legislative Priorities


KY Chamber Issue Description


LIFT – Local Option Sales Tax: Support local option flexibility

The Chamber supports an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that would allow cities and counties the choice, with voter approval, to enact a local sales tax with a sunset provision, dedicated for the funding of transformational local projects.


Enact right-to-work legislation

The Chamber strongly supports legislation to prohibit requiring any worker to join a union as a condition of employment. We believe union membership should be a matter of personal choice, and the freedom not to affiliate with a labor union is no less deserving of protection than the freedom to affiliate. States with right-to-work laws report faster per capita

Income growth, faster growth in manufacturing and non-agricultural jobs, greater capital expenditures, lower unemployment and fewer work stoppages. As Kentucky struggles to recruit new businesses and to retain existing and expanding businesses, Kentucky’s failure to enact right-to-work legislation has allowed the Commonwealth to cede competitive ground to other states.

In fact, Kentucky is the only southern state not to have enacted right-to-work legislation, and, with Indiana and Michigan’s new right-to-work laws, stands as a conspicuous outlier in this much needed area of reform. Read more: Hardin County Chamber of Commerce


Chamber event: Marshfield Agri-Business Committee Selling Banquet Tickets

The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Agri Business Committee will be sponsoring its 9th Annual Agri-Business Banquet on March 9 at the Marshfield Eagles Club.

A social hour will begin at 6:30, followed by the meal and program at 7:30.

This event will honor and recognize several people that impact the agriculture industry in the area. Awards will be presented... Read more: WisconsinAgConnection



Elk Rapids Michigan Names New Chamber Head

The Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Tom Kern of Traverse City as its new executive director. He replaces Misty Youngson, who left the organization last fall.

Kern recently returned to Traverse City from Steamboat Springs, Colo., where he was CEO of the Chamber Resort Association there. He also previously held CEO and COO positions at the chambers in Lawrence, Kansas; Fairfax County, Virginia; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Read more: Traverse Ticker


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership): 

  “Contrary to popular opinion, leadership is not a reserved position for a particular group of people who were elected or appointed, ordained or enthroned. Leadership is self-made, self-retained, self-inculcated and then exposed through a faithful, sincere and exemplary life.” ~ Israelmore Avivor

*Forbes 49/50