Happy July 4th Friday, Chamber World! Have a GREAT weekend!
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Named As Finalist for 2016 Chamber of the Year
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009 Chamber of the Year, was recently named one of four finalists nationwide for the American Chamber of Commerce Executive’s (ACCE) 2016 Chamber of the Year. This most recent honor marks the 3rd time in 3 years that the Chamber has been invited to apply for Chamber of the Year and the 2ndtime in as many years that the Chamber has been named a national finalist.
Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in leading businesses and communities. Chambers honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have not only demonstrated organizational strength, but also have made an impact on key community priorities such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.
The Chamber of the Year award involves a multi-stage process, which includes a detailed operations survey, application and interview. Only a handful of chambers nationwide are asked to compete beyond the operations survey. The application process takes several weeks, with each department submitting detailed information and case studies on initiatives completed throughout the previous year. The finalists are then named based on the scoring of the in-depth application process. From there, each finalist chamber will undergo a 45 minute interview in front of a panel of 4 judges.
“We couldn’t be more proud to once again be named a finalist for the Chamber of the Year Award. The invitation-only application process is rigorous and comprehensive, and we wouldn’t be here without the hard work of our volunteers, our Chamber leadership, and our professional Chamber staff,” said Ron Bunch, President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “Adding to our 2009 win and our 2014 finalist designation, we are thrilled to once again be recognized on the national stage.”
“The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce maintains a strong focus on the needs of our partners and the growth of our community. We work in collaboration with our local leadership on a regular basis to ensure our partners have a community with a strong local economy and vibrant quality of life where their businesses can grow and prosper. We are delighted to be recognized by the ACCE for our efforts,” said Tonya Matthews, Vice President, Partnership Services at the Chamber.
Winners for the award will be announced at the ACCE Annual Convention August 9-12, 2016 in Savannah.
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is also a 5 Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce, as named by the United States Chamber of Commerce. The accreditation process is a comprehensive examination of every aspect of a Chamber’s operations over a 2 year period, including governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, program development, technology, communications, facilities, and benchmarking. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, only 1% of the Chambers of Commerce in the United States have achieved 5 Star Accreditation. The Bowling Green Area Chamber is proud to have achieved the 5 star milestone without a lapse since 1973.
“Achieving these two significant milestones isn’t easy. Our Chamber is among the elite. I’m not sure that it is common knowledge that out of more than 7,000 chambers across the country, we are ranked in the top 1%, according to the U.S. Chamber’s thorough evaluation process. This means that our partners have a Corvette when it comes to chambers, and they helped build it!” said Mark Iverson, Chairman of the Bowling Green Area Chamber Board of Directors. Read more: Bowling Green Area Chamber
"I would remind you that extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you that moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue." --- Barry Goldwater
Applications available for Peninsula chapter of Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Middle and high school students interested in starting and running their own businesses are encouraged to apply for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, class of 2017.
Participants will brainstorm business ideas, write a business plan, interact with professionals and, about 70 percent of the way through the program, pitch their ideas to potential investors.
They'll then obtain funding, register their businesses, participate in a trade show and launch their professional endeavors.
The 2016 class, the second of the Peninsula chapter, consisted of 10 students, but up to around 20 could be accepted this year.
"Students in the program actually become business owners over the course of the school year, and the other thing to note as well is students get to work with different business professionals throughout our local community, building relationships with them as they learn to build their own businesses," said program manager Jemal Harris, who also is the economic advancement director of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
Previous classes have produced tech products, apps, services and even organic air fragrances."Students are like 'Wow, I own it, I run it,' and parents are excited because their students know all these bankers, lawyers, accountants, business owners. It's a great benefit on both ends." Read more: Daily Press
#BestChamber practices: Rochester Regional Shop Local Program
SHOPLOCAL DOLLARS PROGRAM 
ShopLocal Dollars is a regional economic development initiative to keep spending in the greater Rochester communities, promote our local businesses and offer a convenient online gift certificate program for doing so!
How do I sign up my business?
Click here to complete the Participating Merchant form. Click the Signup button and enter invitation code ROCHESTER to get started. Questions? Contact the Chamber office at (248) 651-6700.
More information: Rochester Regional Chamber
New Arrival: Romeoville 2016 Community & Membership Directory
The Romeoville 2016 Community & Membership Directory is available at the Romeoville Chamber of Commerce today! Thanks to Michelle Jarnutowski, Gina Sopko 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.
When: August 4th, registration begins at 11:00 a.m.
Where: The Silver Palace, 1719 State Street, La Porte
Cost: $25 per person, members may also sponsor an educator for $25 or be an event sponsor for $35
Please join us in welcoming and celebrating new teachers and administrators from the local area at the New Teachers Welcome Luncheon on August 4th at 11:00 a.m.
All Chamber members and their employees are invited to attend the event, which includes a buffet lunch at the Silver Palace, 1719 State Street in La Porte. Members can sponsor an educator for a cost of $25 per person and also attend the luncheon at a cost of $25 per person. Event sponsorships are available for $35 (company name will be listed in press releases, on table placards and announced at lunch. Must sponsor at least one educator to participate).
Chamber members are also invited to provide coupons or promotional items to be given to new teachers in a welcome packet. If you wish to donate to the welcome packets, feel free to drop off 55 of the items at the Chamber or call 219.362.3178. Read more: La Porte Chamber
All Chamber members and their employees are invited to attend the event, which includes a buffet lunch at the Silver Palace, 1719 State Street in La Porte. Members can sponsor an educator for a cost of $25 per person and also attend the luncheon at a cost of $25 per person. Event sponsorships are available for $35 (company name will be listed in press releases, on table placards and announced at lunch. Must sponsor at least one educator to participate).
Chamber members are also invited to provide coupons or promotional items to be given to new teachers in a welcome packet. If you wish to donate to the welcome packets, feel free to drop off 55 of the items at the Chamber or call 219.362.3178. Read more: La Porte Chamber
Greater Springfield Chamber recognizes notable business leaders
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the 31st Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards, honoring notables from the community.
The event, presented by Hickory Point Bank & Trust, recognized five business leaders.
Jonna Cooley of The Phoenix Center was named nonprofit business director of the year. She has worked in social services for 30 years and has served at the center since 2006.
Susan Sullivan Danenberger, of Danenberger Family Vineyards, was recognized as new and emerging business owner of the year. After a tornado hit her family farm in 2006, she transformed the fifth-generation farm into a vineyard and winery. Since the first grapes were planted eight years ago, its wines have earned recognition in international competitions.
The recipient for the small business owner of the year award is Laura Carmody of Home Instead Senior Care. Since 2011, her business has won nine national revenue awards.
The recipient of the lifetime award for business owner of the year is Stan Travelstead of American Central Insurance Services. His agency has been in business for 29 years.
Finally, the 2016 recipients for outstanding civic involvement are Sergio Pecori, Jeff Ball, Bob Cusick and Jo Ellen Keim of Hanson Professional Services. The company's Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program is nationally recognized for fostering high school students' interest in careers involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The company provides opportunities through education, job training and paid internships. Read more: Illinois Business Daily
Nissan impact on Mississippi economy continues to grow
Nissan’s automotive assembly plant at Canton continues to grow as a major economic player in the immediate area and statewide, according to a new study.
Nissan’s direct and indirect contribution to the state’s gross domestic product averages $2.9 billion a year, up from $2.5 billion in a 2013 report from the National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center.
Additional local and state tax revenue has reached $300 million a year, compared with $180 million in the 2013 report by the center, which is located at Mississippi State University.
Another 9,000 jobs have been added to the state since 2013, bringing the total to 25,000.
The latest data were announced Thursday at the state Capitol by the Mississippi Economic Council, which is the state chamber of commerce, and Move Mississippi Forward, which describes itself as “a community voice for economic development.”
Nissan’s opening led the state to a shift toward advanced manufacturing in the state, including Toyota, Airbus Helicopters, Steel Dynamics, PAACAR, Yokohama Tire and Continental Tire, according to a release from the MEC.
The 2013 report was on the 10thanniversary of the plant’s opening. The newest one was conducted by the center only three years later, said Scott Waller, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the MEC, because the advanced-manufacturing database needed to be updated in anticipation of a statewide study.
The Rev. Dr. Dolphus Weary, co-chairman of Move Mississippi Forward, said in the release: “The investment Mississippi made in attracting Nissan as the state’s first automotive assembly plant is paying huge dividends for our state.” Read more: Mississippi Business
We have all heard that college is one of the best investments a person can make. Most of us have probably heard that a bachelor’s degree is worth a million dollars in added lifetime earnings compared with a high school degree. And we have undoubtedly heard that a college degree is a ticket to a better job or a better career.
But we are also aware that today’s graduates struggle to find jobs and are in such serious debt that they can’t launch their lives. Recent graduates often wonder whether the money and the time spent on college was worthwhile. Meanwhile, employers across the nation are having difficulty filling millions of open jobs because of a mismatch in the skills students have and the skills employers need. As a result, we have people without jobs and jobs without people.
Discussions about the value of college need to focus on identifying the paths that enable students to make informed postsecondary choices that lead to well-paying careers and meaningful lives. This means choosing the right college, the right degree, and the right major. Read more: US Chamber
Portage Area Chamber: ‘Generosity’ of community makes July 2 concert possible
One of Portage’s favorite Fourth of July holiday pastimes is about to enter its 24th year in Pauquette Park — and that’s all thanks to generous local donors.
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will share a themed performance dubbed “Bursts of Joy” beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a decades-old tradition that this year features the mother-daughter soprano team of Kitt and Alli Foss.
“They’re coming out of Madison to come to Portage, and you don’t find that very often from other orchestras,” Portage Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marianne Hanson said. Bringing the group to Portage each year costs about $15,000, and the whole event, including the fireworks, costs $25,000, she added.
“Donations from people means you can listen to it free,” Hanson said, noting the Portage Chamber is “close to the goal” but is still accepting donations. “Twenty-five thousand dollars is a lot of money, and it’s because of the generosity of the community that we can continue this for 24 years.
“I think people don’t realize that, as an orchestra, that’s over 60 musicians, so it’s not one or two people — there are a lot of people involved, (including) a sound company and technician.”
“It really is a privilege,” Brad Conrad of the Portage Chamber said. “To have them come into Portage is a wonderful thing, and I think it elevates the culture in this town or at least contributes to it tremendously.”
The orchestra will play songs from the popular Broadway musical “Wicked,” as well as Disney selections like “Under the Sea,” and patriotic songs in celebration of Independence Day.
Residents, Hanson said, look forward to the orchestra’s performance year after year — and so does the orchestra. Read more: Portage Daily Register
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles and Custom Maps
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 publication proposal, Click here
