Champaign County Chamber: Energy Co-op Round - Start Paying Less for Energy; 5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory; La Porte Chamber Day at Four Winds Field for Father’s Day; Southern Wayne Regional Chamber: Downriver’s Newest and Tastiest Community Gathering Is Happening This August!; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives award 9 scholarships; Martinsville named Virginia's fourth certified work ready community; EMBDC interest: Bonita Lakes Mall: "High hopes for the future"; Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association and Twin Lakes considering pavilion in Lance Park; Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association and Twin Lakes considering pavilion in Lance Park; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Guides: The best in the U.S.

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


Champaign County Chamber: Energy Co-op Round - Start Paying Less for Energy


The next Energy Co-op Round is now available for members who have not taken advantage of this cost savings benefit.

There is no obligation to get pricing.
Take advantage of this benefit to compare prices
Save money on your utilities (electricity and gas are available)
Gain stability over your utility budget.

To learn more, contact our Gulf Plains Energy Consultant, Ginny McDade or call 217.359.1791.

Applications will be due by June 23.

Watch your email and mail for more information.





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!

Rapid City South Dakota 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory

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.



La Porte Chamber Day at Four Winds Field for Father’s Day


The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring La Porte Day at Four Winds Field in South Bend on Father’s Day, June 18.

The game starts at 2:05 p.m. EDT (1:05 p.m. CDT). The South Bend Cubs will be playing the Lake County Captains.

For just $12 per person you will receive a ticket to the game and a ticket for a South Bend Cubs hat.

La Porte Chamber member businesses that purchase 10 or more tickets will be recognized in the game program. Tickets need to be purchased in advance. Deadline to purchase is June 10.

For more information or to reserve seats to attend this special game please contact the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce office by calling 362-3178 or emailing gesse@lpchamber.com


Southern Wayne Regional Chamber: Downriver’s Newest and Tastiest Community Gathering Is Happening This August!


The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is thrilled to announce the Taste of Downriver on August 15 in Downtown Wyandotte

Wyandotte, MI – Something big is cooking Downriver this August in Downtown Wyandotte! The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the new Taste of Downriver taking place on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 6-10:00 pm in Downtown Wyandotte. This exciting community event, presented by Wayne County Community College District (“WCCCD”), will attract 1,000 people to the Downriver region to experience the sights, sounds and delicious tastes of the community, exploring nearly 20 participating restaurants and indulging in free samples of some of the finest signature foods of Southeast Michigan.

“The Chamber is thrilled to partner with WCCCD, Downriver Community Federal Credit Union, Henry Ford Hospital, Public Service Credit Union, and the City of Wyandotte to showcase our Downriver region and the amazing restaurants who serve some of the most delicious food in Southeast Michigan,” commented Ron Hinrichs, president of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Event participants will have the opportunity to explore Downtown Wyandotte by taking a shuttle to different restaurants, or enjoy an evening stroll between restaurants in a lively environment on the Detroit River.”

Participating restaurants include A Serendipity Cakery, Alvi’s BBQ, Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant, Applebee’s of Southgate, Belicoso Martini Cigar Bar, Captain’s Bar, Culver’s of Taylor, Firehouse Pub & Grill, Charlie’s Chop House at the Holiday Inn-Southgate, Joe’s Hamburgers, Matador Restaurant of Taylor, MOD Pizza of Woodhaven, Primanti Bros., Sports Brew Pub, The Little Pierogi & Crepe Kitchen, The Silver Ballroom, Whiskeys on the Water, and Wine Dotte Bistro. Restaurants not located in the Downtown area will be setup near the clock tower on Biddle Ave.

Only 1,000 tickets are available, with nearly 400 already sold, online at www.SWCRC.com or by calling 734-284-6000. Tickets are $25 early bird, or $30 at check-in (if not sold out prior to the event). Attendees will receive a wristband and event menu, to be picked up at check-in, located at the Yack Arena between 5:30 and 8:00 pm on the day of the event.

Shuttles will be available in Downtown Wyandotte throughout the evening, and are provided by Downriver Community Federal Credit Union. Menu sponsors are Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and Public Service Credit Union.

Be sure to follow the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at facebook.com/SWCRC and the Chamber website for all the latest Chamber news and events.




Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives award 9 scholarships

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives, the statewide network of professionals dedicated to promoting professional education, ethical standards and efficiency in chamber of commerce management, announced today the organization is awarding multiple scholarships for the upcoming annual Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives National Convention.

The KCCE board of directors decided to increase scholarship money to encourage as many members as possible to attend the ACCE Convention to be held in Nashville, July 16-19, 2017.

“It is so rewarding, as a chamber professional to be a part of an organization like KCCE,” said KCCE chair and Hardin County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brad Richardson. “Our board has always maintained focus on professional development, but to be at this level, offering so many opportunities to chamber executives that wouldn’t be able to attend conference, is wonderful. Amy Cloud, executive director of KCCE, has been integral in reinforcing our mission statement in every decision we, as a board, make. Her guidance, along with the boards quest for excellence has made this work. We want to make it possible for every executive in our organization to be the best version of themselves. To grow and achieve their goals, without obstacles.”

The board has awarded a total of 9 scholarships. The recipients include:

• Alison Brotzge-Elder, Greater Louisville, Inc.
• Kelly Davis, Paducah Area Chamber
• Debra Hamelback, Paris – Bourbon County Chamber
• Lee Lingo, Hopkins Regional Chamber
• Andrea Miller, Lincoln County Chamber
• Paula Fowler, Danville-Boyle County Chamber
• Tracy Pratt-Savage, Carlisle – Nicholas County Chamber
• Tammy Tinsley, Logan County Chamber
• Fran Jarrell, Paintsville / Johnson County Chamber (scholarship provided through partnership with the State Executives Association Network) Read more: Lane Report

Martinsville named Virginia's fourth certified work ready community

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Martinsville has become Virginia's fourth certified work ready community.

The nationally recognized designation, conferred by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the American College Testing (ACT), is targeted at attracting businesses and jobs to Martinsville, in addition to strengthening the skill sets of the region's high school students, job seekers, and incumbent workers.

"I applaud the City of Martinsville for leading the way in workforce development and setting itself apart in this competitive global economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Training workers for the jobs of the 21st century is good for business, good for communities, and good for our efforts to build a new Virginia economy. The people of Martinsville should be proud of the progress their community is making in this critical area.”

More than 55 regional employers, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations supported Martinsville's efforts to achieve the national certification. 

To become certified, a county mush achieve benchmarks in three areas of performance: high school graduation rate, number of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) credentials attained in the county, and number of employers recognizing the NCRC.

Martinsville companies reported that knowing a job candidate has demonstrated foundational workplace skills expedites the hiring process.

“The designation of a Certified Work Ready Community allows existing and prospective employers to recognize that our workforce has the skills needed for them to locate and expand in Southern Virginia,” said Amanda C. Witt, President of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. “This initiative has allowed us to work collaboratively with many different sectors in our community to create the end result of a workforce matched to available jobs in our community that align with their skills levels.” Read more: 13 WSET

EMBDC interest: Bonita Lakes Mall: "High hopes for the future"

According to the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, over the past ten years, the retail industry has accounted for almost 12.5% of jobs in Meridian. That industry is currently taking a hit. Within the past two months it's been announced that two stores at Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian will close. This is due to a national drop in sales because of on-line shopping. Those stores are Payless ShoeSource and JCPenny. Amid this news, mall officials say they still have high hopes for the future.

Andrew Paul Kirkley of Hattiesburg is investing in the mall. Early this fall, the entrepreneur is set to open his 6th and largest Fitness Depot in the old Goody's location.

"There's going to be a coffee and juice bar," says Kirkley. "We'll also have a walking track around the perimeter, timed circuit training, classes like zumba and kickboxing and much more."

The 30,000 plus square foot gym will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it will be accessed by members' fingerprints.

"There will be mall security, and I feel like people will feel safe entering and exiting it," says Kirkley.

According to Kirkley, one of the biggest selling points for him for the site was the parking lot. With almost 300 parking spaces, he says that's plenty of room for his clientele to grow.

The general manager for the mall calls the gym a great fit for the building.

"Malls are evolving," says Renee Williams. "So, they're becoming more than just a retail center. They're becoming more of a destination for entertainment, fitness and offices. Malls are going to evolve. So, this is one of the first gyms in the state of Mississippi to open in a shopping center like this. This will probably be a trend that you're going to start seeing all over."

Williams and other members of the mall's management team recently returned from the International Convention for Shopping Centers in Nevada. While there, the delegation met with a number of potential tenants. Read more: WTOK

Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association and Twin Lakes considering pavilion in Lance Park

The Twin Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and the Twin Lakes village government are exploring the building of a pavilion in Lance Park.

The chamber proposed the idea at a Village Board meeting in March. The pavilion could replace the chamber’s need to rent and erect tents at the park each summer for Libertyfest. The rest of the year, the village could rent out the pavilion to others, chamber representatives say.

On Monday, Village Board members, village administrator Jennifer Frederick and representatives of the chamber leadership met at Lance Park to discuss the possibilities.

The chamber is figuring a 60 feet by 90 feet structure with a roof but open sides would work for their purposes. Initial thoughts were to cut into the hill that runs along the park’s parking lot’s west side to locate the structure. The tent the chamber has been using is erected in the parking lot.

But Village Board members thought that might be expensive due to the amount of dirt that would have to be moved.

Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald suggested using the natural bowl in the park west of the parking lot for a music venue and area for Libertyfest. Others raised concerns about the cost of that alternative, but Trustee Aaron Karow, who is experienced with excavation, said using the bowl would likely be less expensive than digging out the hill. Chamber President Wayne Trongeau, a retired police officer, said he was concerned the bowl would create a hang out when not in use that could not be patrolled easily by police officers. Read more: West of the I

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Guides: 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 Best Practices: Keep the new hire engaged... before they start!; Chamber legend Terry Hartwick moving from North Little Rock Chamber to Lead Parks in NLR; Chicago Southland Chamber Breakfast with the Governor; Martinsville-Henry County Chamber luncheon: State Senator Bill Stanley, Del. Danny Marshall to seek state aid for med school; East Mississippi Business Development Council interest: 26 graduate from Leadership Lauderdale; Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan; Chamber interest: What big ideas in Northern Kentucky should get state funding?; Chamber issue: Boeing exec talks about future of Gary airport; Chamber initiative: Leadership Rapid City is looking for leaders for the 2015 class; Portage Area Chamber assist: Needed: $4k for Independence celebration; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

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

Chamber Best Practices: Keep the new hire engaged... before they start!

Ever had buyers remorse? Of course. Have you ever had someone accept a job only to not show up on their start date? Or call the night before saying that their spouse changed their mind and they won't move? Well, we have seen it all! Especially if there is a long period of when the candidate accepts and actually starts the job. Here are some tips on what you can do to help keep that candidate engaged along the way:

·         During the interview process, sell the 'family' not just the potential employee. Find out what is important to them and highlight how this new position will help the entire family.

·         Keep in touch with the new hire regularly if longer than 2 weeks. Keep their excitement level up.

·         If they are relocating, have a welcome package in their hotel or new home - include some local food items, maps, local magazine, items to help make their move easier and to show you care.

·         Send them a package of company products such as logo'd hats, jackets, t-shirts that you have in the promotions prize closet.

·         Check in a few day before start to cover where to go, when, who to ask for and how to prepare for their first day.

Becoming an employer of choice is all about letting employees, community and the industry know what it is like to work for you! Source: Laurie Kahn-Media Staffing Network

Chamber legend Terry Hartwick moving from North Little Rock Chamber to Lead Parks in NLR

Terry Hartwick has informed the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce that he will be leaving as president and CEO at the end of the year to take over management of parks and recreation for the city where he was mayor in the 1980s.
Hartwick, 66, confirmed the move to Arkansas Business on Wednesday morning. Steve Winchester, the chamber's current chairman, said the chamber would soon begin a search for Hartwick's successor.
At the parks department, Hartwick will succeed Bob Rhodes, who is retiring at the end of 2015. And while he praised Rhodes' stewardship of the city's parks, Hartwick said he would be more aggressive in marketing North Little Rock as a venue for various sporting events — even some that have been held across the river.
"Anything in Little Rock I may go after," he said.
Hartwick has led the North Little Rock chamber for 15 years, growing membership from 288 to more than 1,600. Read more: Arkansas Business

Chicago Southland Chamber Breakfast with the Governor

The Chicago Southland Chamber Breakfast with the Governor will be held

on Monday, June 15, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a,m. at Chicago Gaelic Park located

at 6119 W. 147th St. Oak Forest.  For more information visit

www.chicagosouthlandchamber.com/events.

Martinsville-Henry County Chamber luncheon: State Senator Bill Stanley, Del. Danny Marshall to seek state aid for med school

State Sen. Bill Stanley expects that he and Del. Danny Marshall will seek state funding for the planned College of Henricopolis School of Medicine, Stanley said Wednesday.
Stanley made the remark while speaking at the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s post-legislative luncheon at the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Other featured speakers were 9th District U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, Marshall and fellow Delegates Les Adams and Charles Poindexter. All the legislators are Republicans. Stanley, majority whip in the Senate, said the dream of a medical school in Martinsville must become a reality with state support. Marshall didn’t address the medical school during his comments at the luncheon, but in an interview he said the governor will introduce his proposed budget in December, and legislators can introduce budget amendments when the session convenes in January of next year. Marshall said he and Stanley have asked Dr. Noel Boaz, president of the medical school, to put together a funding plan, including the total amount needed and how the money would be spent. Marshall said funding may be sought from multiple sources, including the General Assembly, Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, the Harvest Foundation and possibly federal funding sources. As for the need for the medical school, Marshall referred to a point that Stanley had made. Marshall said: “If you look at rural Virginia, every two to three doctors who retire, only one is coming back to rural Virginia. We’ve got to turn that around so we can get more doctors in rural Virginia.” Read more: Martinsville Bulletin

East Mississippi Business Development Council interest: 26 graduate from Leadership Lauderdale

The latest graduates of the Leadership Lauderdale program were honored Tuesday at the MSU Riley Center.   
    There were 26 graduates of the nine-month program, which provides participants an opportunity to better understand how the community works, build relationships with the area's current and future leaders and become inspired to focus talents that best serve the community, organizers said.
    Aa'Keela Hudnall, a Meridian attorney, was one of the graduates.     "It was awesome to meet people from different walks of life and meet people from outside my normal work circle in Lauderdale County," Hudnall said. "We were able to work together to come up with ideas that would improve ourselves and our community."     One of Leadership Lauderdale's chief facilitators, Dusty Culpepper, said in order to create effective leaders, they need to develop the seven habits of highly effective people. The seven attributes are: being proactive: begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergies; and sharpen the saw. Read more: Meridian Star

Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan

Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, is digging out of a financial crisis years in the making. But a NerdWallet analysis has found that some of Detroit’s closest neighbors have strong economies and are great places to start a business. We pinpointed the best locations — and also came across some striking findings.
Among top cities in the NerdWallet survey of Michigan is Auburn Hills. In 2010 — as Detroit was crippled by debt — Bob Kittle and Buzz Brown started Munetrix, a technology company in Auburn Hills, 25 miles north of Detroit. In 2013 and 2014, as Detroit was filing for bankruptcy, Kittle and Brown received $48,000 in two grants from the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Today, Munetrix builds data analytics platforms for over 300 local governments and school districts in Michigan, Florida and Pennsylvania, and has 10 employees in addition to its founders, plus paid interns from Oakland University, a nearby public research university.
“We’re really proud to be a Michigan-based company helping the economy,” Kittle tells NerdWallet. The company is also proud, he says, to be “giving young adults the opportunity to learn and earn a salary at the same time they hone their public-sector skills.”
NerdWallet analyzed 128 places in Michigan using six metrics to create a ranking of the top cities in the state to start a business.

7. Marshall

In southern Michigan, about equidistant from Kalamazoo, Lansing and Ann Arbor, Marshall is steeped in history and known for its 19th century architecture. The city’s top employers include Tenneco, an auto parts maker, and Progressive Dynamics Inc., a power converter manufacturer. Other local businesses include Marshall Carriage Co. & Ghost Tours and Northfield Mandolins. The Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce hosts networking conferences and monthly leadership events and features members in its online directory.

8. Wixom

About a decade ago, Wixom, northwest of Detroit, began a long-awaited revitalization of its downtown, which went up in flames in the 1920s. Local businesses include Adept Plastic Finishing Inc. and Wolverine Assemblies, which provides warehouse services to companies including Honda, Ford and John Deere. Businesses can join the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to be included in its directory, get referrals, attend networking events and get discounts on business products and services.

9. St. Joseph

With an iconic lighthouse, white sand beaches and 17 parks, St. Joseph attracts visitors and people looking for a second home. Local downtown businesses include Schu’s Grill & Bar and Clementine’s Too, a restaurant on the St. Joseph River. The city also has a strong corporate community, which includes appliance manufacturer Whirlpool Corp. and LECO Corp., a technology company focused on the life-sciences, environment, agriculture, food, energy and mined-materials industries. The Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in St. Joseph with networking events, marketing opportunities and discounted insurance plans, among other business resources.

10. Ishpeming

This city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has the lowest unemployment rate in our top 10: just 3.2%. Among area businesses are Lindberg & Sons Inc., a construction company, and Lawry’s Pasty Shop, which sells traditional Upper Peninsula savory pasties. A membership in the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce offers perks including TV and radio advertising discounts, insurance discounts, customer referrals and networking opportunities.

See the top ten here:  NerdWallet.com

 

Chamber interest: What big ideas in Northern Kentucky should get state funding?

Northern Kentucky leaders are being asked to think big and submit ideas for major development projects that would have great impact for the region.

The Northern Kentucky Consensus Committee is calling for project ideas so it can decide what to advocate for before the Kentucky General Assembly.

The committee is made up of representatives appointed from business, government, nonprofit and other community organizations from the eight Northern Kentucky counties.

Trey Grayson, president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said the committee identifies transformational projects that address a clear community need and have substantial regional benefit.

"The list of projects should send a strong message to Frankfort that Northern Kentucky is united, and is committed to securing funding for transformational projects that are both realistic and defensible," Grayson said. Read more: cincinatti.com

Chamber issue: Boeing exec talks about future of Gary airport

Boeing Co. is the world's largest aerospace company, producing aircraft and components for commercial, military and space purposes — with its 2014 revenues surpassing $90 billion.

And Gary represents a spoke in that multinational business.Courtney Thompson, Boeing's vice president of governmental relations for the Great Lakes, spoke about Gary/Chicago International Airport serving as home to Boeing's executive fleet before the Gary Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on Wednesday at Majestic Star Hotel and Casino.
Six airplanes help transport Boeing executives all around the world. About 75 employees are based in Gary, including pilots, flight attendants, schedulers and maintenance crews.
Thompson gave an overview of Boeing's wide-reaching business operations, but the future of the Gary airport was the subject of several audience questions following Thompson's speech. Gary is in the final weeks of a $174.1 million runway expansion, which is expected to be finished by June 25. It will extend one of the airport's disadvantages — a 7,000-foot runway that was too short for most commercial airlines — into an industry standard 8,900-foot runway.
The airport is planning for a customs facility, which would be a crucial step toward attracting cargo business to the airport. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Chamber initiative: Leadership Rapid City is looking for leaders for the 2015 class

This 12-week program will help you

• Enhance and build your personal leadership talents;
• Develop a network of connections in the community;
• Gain exposure to future leadership opportunities in your career and our community. 

Don't wait to apply, do it today!n The June 30 deadline is fast approaching. Apply ONLINE or call 343-1744 for more information. Applications must be postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2015.

Portage Area Chamber assist: Needed: $4k for Independence celebration

With a donation you can claim the crescendo by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra or the stars that sprinkle down from the fireworks above the Wisconsin River during the Concert in the Park Independence Day Celebration.

“We are in need of approximately $4,000 to help cover the costs of the music and the fireworks,” said Marianne Hanson, executive director for the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce. “People can also purchase tables at the performance to help cover the cost.”

Prices begin at $300 for a reserved table that seats eight during the July 3 event at Pauquette Park.

For the 23rd annual celebration, the public will get a feast for the senses with: the 132nd Army Badger Brass; the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra; hometown vocalist/musician Madison Malone; fireworks over the Wisconsin River; Culver’s custard; and Pepsi products.

The Brass reached out to the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce, Hanson said. More info: Portage Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

Happiness isn’t always about how much you have, it’s about enjoying what you “do” have. - Unknown