Greater Elkhart Chamber: Young Professional Feedback; Illinois Chamber of Commerce hires Melissa Hahn as director of communications; The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will present its list of eight priorities to area legislators next week; Montgomery County (Virginia) Chamber of CommerceTop 10 Reasons to Join; Chamber interest: Columbia, Missouri to make airport announcement; Chamber Chuckle - Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests; Chamber issue - Report: Wisconsin taxes too high, complicated; Chamber news: Animal Advocates To Hold Discussion On New Norman, Oklahoma Shelter; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

Greater Elkhart Chamber: Young Professional Feedback

 Two and a half years ago I joined Fidelity National Title as an Escrow Officer. I was then promoted in March 2012 to Account Manager. I knew I needed to get involved and learn more about Elkhart, since I grew up in St. Joe County. My very first thought was to get involved with The Chamber.

     I attended a Young Professionals lunch and instantly wanted to get more involved. The following month I attended the council meeting and was soon part of the executive council. I am now the Co-Chair of the YP’s along with Stacey Anderson of CAPS.  

     YP’s motto is Develop, Network, Serve and we do just that. 

     YP has helped me develop many relationships not only professionally but personally as well. I am happy to say that many of my “clients” have now become my friends. I have built many of these relationships by attending our many networking events.  Read more: Greater Elkhart Chamber

Illinois Chamber of Commerce hires Melissa Hahn as director of communications

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce, based in Springfield, has hired Melissa Hahn, formerly of Hennepin, as its new director of communications.
Hahn lived in Toluca in Marshall County the first five years of her life before moving to Hennepin with her mother, where they lived until 1986. She attended Hennepin Attendance Center, Hennepin Junior High School and Putnam County High School and received an associate’s degree from Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby. She worked on the student newspaper, served as a member of the student senate, joined the American Chemical Society’s Club at IVCC and participated in theater. Read more: BCRNews.com

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will present its list of eight priorities to area legislators next week.

Given that Kentucky just went through a contentious election cycle that included a fight for control of the state legislature, has a lame-duck governor and another contentious gubernatorial campaign coming next year, local business leaders aren’t too confident the General Assembly is going to get much done in its 30-day session set to begin in January.
That won’t stop them from trying. To that end, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is planning to release next week its list of eight priorities for the upcoming session. Those include more work on the regional and statewide heroin epidemic, allowing public-private partnerships on major infrastructure projects such as the Brent Spence Bridge and even updating the state’s telecommunications laws and regulations. The chamber will present this list to the area’s legislative caucus at an event Wednesday night. Read more: Cincinatti.com

Montgomery County (Virginia) Chamber of CommerceTop 10 Reasons to Join 

1.   New Business Contacts – Networking and new business contacts to help your business grow. With 600+ members representing thousands of area employees, the Chamber speaks with a strong and credible voice for business. Volunteers and staff members monitor government meetings and pending legislation to keep members informed on issues that affect them.

2.   Credibility – Credibility to make a statement that you are committed to the future of Montgomery County

3.   Member-to-Member Discounts – Discounts and benefits (Member-to-Member Discount Program) to help you save some money

4.   Leadership Development – Learning opportunities / professional development to help you run a smarter, more profitable business

5.  Community Commitment – Promote the community to help Montgomery County residents enjoy greater opportunities

6.   Referrals – Referrals and sales opportunities to deliver return on your investment

7.   Publicity and Exposure – Publicity and heightened name recognition so customers know who you are

8.   Marketing and Advertising – Targeted, effective and affordable advertising (Chamber Media) to help you advertise effectively on a small budget

9.    A Healthy Local Economy – Create a strong local economy to keep our business momentum moving forward

10. Gain a Voice in the Government – The Chamber is your representative on the local, regional, state and national level. Your voice is heard on important regulatory, legislative and educational issues that directly affect your business.

The Chamber helps to build a more vibrant, prosperous, and connected Montgomery County!

Source: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce


Chamber interest: Columbia, Missouri to make airport announcement

Columbia officials plan an announcement Monday about service at Columbia Regional Airport that might include news of a third destination or that American Airlines, the city’s air service provider, will use larger jets on its flights from Columbia to Chicago and Dallas.
Officials have been tight-lipped about what the announcement entails, but they have been in talks with American about a new destination city and using larger planes on its routes. American provides service from Columbia Regional Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport on 44-seat and 50-seat jets. A market analysis names several cities it considers viable new destinations. Read more: Columbia Tribune

Chamber Chuckle -  Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests

"Where do I buy goldfish?"

Chamber issue - Report: Wisconsin taxes too high, complicated

A report submitted to Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday that came out of nearly two dozen meetings around the state concludes that Wisconsin taxes are too high and too complicated, but makes no specific recommendations about what to do about it.

With an eye on future tax policy changes, Walker had asked Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler to gathered input. They met with business and manufacturing leaders, farmers, elected officials, private citizens and others at 23 meetings this year. Read more: WISN.com 

Chamber news: Animal Advocates To Hold Discussion On New Norman, Oklahoma Shelter

A group in Norman planned a town hall meeting to discuss the animal shelter for Monday. Norman Animal Welfare Now (NAWN) volunteers said there will be experts in animal rescue and shelter management at the event to talk about best practices and renew the focus on saving the lives of homeless animals.

In 2011, Norman's Chamber of Commerce unanimously passed a resolution to fund a new shelter. Read more: News9.com


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

 

Chamber news: Michigan is the Comeback State; Chamber Economic Development: David Brown: Omaha chamber's recruiting of Yahoo was doubly successful; Joplin, Missouri Chamber Receives Excellence in Programs and Campaigns Award; Norman Chamber of Commerce hosts State of Schools luncheon; Arkansas Highway Commissioner to Speak at El Dorado Chamber Economic Outlook Luncheon; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Oklahoma State Chamber; Chamber Forum in central Illinois: Minimum wage hike bad for biz; Canada's consul general will address Crossroads (Indiana) chamber meeting Nov. 18; Iowa City chamber: A Toast to Our Communities awards recipients announced; Chamber event: Business counseling available Nov. 19 in Wisconsin Rapids; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Attitude)

Chamber news: Michigan is the Comeback State 

Timothy G. Nash, Keith A. Pretty, Richard K. Studley and Bob Thomas

The U.S. Great Recession (December 2007-June 2009) saw the largest decline in U.S. GDP of 4 percent and the sharpest increase in unemployment from 4.9 percent to 10.1 percent since The U.S. Great Depression of the 1930s.
Economic conditions were far worse in Michigan with the bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler while new automobile, SUV and light truck sales were near 40 year lows.
The 2014 Michigan Chamber Foundation Economic Competitiveness Study was released in September and concludes that Michigan is on the comeback trail. Michigan ranked 20th in state GDP growth in 2013 outpacing the U.S. as a whole, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the last week of October the Tax Foundation released its 2015 State Business Climate Tax Index. According to the Tax Foundation, Michigan is now the 13th most competitive state relative to the Business Tax Climate, something that is clearly good for job creation and the attraction of new businesse. Read more: Midland Daily News


Chamber Economic Development: David Brown: Omaha chamber's recruiting of Yahoo was doubly successful

Over the years, I have become the guy you would call when you saw something under construction and wondered what it was. That is appropriate since the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce is home to the regional economic development organization, the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. We represent all of the economic development organizations in a six-county area. Over the past 10 years, we have closed more than 460 projects totaling nearly $5 billion in new investment and 25,000 jobs.

More than half of these projects involve companies new to the Omaha region, solidifying our reputation as a haven for a great number of out-of-state firms, including more than 100 California-based companies. Apple, Bank of the West, eBay, Google, LinkedIn, Pacific Life, PayPal, Wells Fargo and Yahoo are just a few of the global enterprises that have made considerable investments in our region and, in many cases, have used Partnership services. Read more: Omaha.com

Joplin, Missouri Chamber Receives Excellence in Programs and Campaigns Award

The Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri gave the Joplin Chamber an Excellence in Programs and Campaigns Award. The Joplin Chambers Young Professionals Network designed the campaign. Organizers say even though the issue failed earlier this year with the voters, it's nice to be recognized.

"We love to win. It was a great feeling of accomplishment  that the campaign that we worked really hard on with our Young Professionals was able to bring home this state award," said Kirstie Smith, Joplin Chamber of Commerce. Source: FourStatesHomePage.com

Norman Chamber of Commerce hosts State of Schools luncheon

During the annual Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Norman State of Schools luncheon Friday, Norman community leaders heard about the status, success and future of Norman-area schools.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano, who has been with Norman Public Schools, for 15 years, said he wanted those at the luncheon to have a look at the direction the school district is heading and the challenges public education faces statewide. Read more: Norman Transcript

Arkansas Highway Commissioner to Speak at El Dorado Chamber Economic Outlook Luncheon

We have listened to our member's feedback about bolstering the Economic Outlook Luncheons. It is our pleasure to have Arkansas Highway Commissioner Robert Moore Jr. as the headline speaker for the upcoming Economic Outlook Luncheon on Wednesday, November 12, 11:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Strong, 554 S. Concord. Commissioner Moore will speak to our group about the Highway Department's future plans for Highway 167, Highway 82, and the future I-69. 

Commissioner Moore's presentation is a huge event for El Dorado and Union County's economic development future. As a region, we need to be plugged in on when and where the highway improvements will be made. In order for our existing industries to grow and for us to successfully recruit new companies, we need to have a great and modern transportation network. The State's transportation plan through its proposed expansion to a four lane will also help us inadvertently eliminate some blighted areas that we need to be rid of sooner than later. This is very important as well when we bring new people to our area. We want newcomers to feel good about the ambiance of our community.  See more: El Dorado chamber

Chamber Tweet of the Day: Oklahoma State Chamber 



Ok State Chamber ‏@okstatechamber 25m25 minutes ago

Proud to join @okcchamber & @LtGovToddLamb in offering FREE seminar for OK's small biz tomorrow, 11/13. Register now! http://www.okstatechamber.com/events

Chamber Forum in central Illinois: Minimum wage hike bad for biz

The Central Illinois Regional Chamber Legislative Effort (CIRCLE) is an organization representing 19 Chambers of Commerce in the region. As a member of this coalition, the Morton Chamber of Commerce would like to share its concerns about an increase in the minimum wage.

Although the recently passed referendum was non-binding, this issue has far-reaching implications. An increase in the minimum wage is more than just an addition to payroll expenses. It means stress on our small businesses’ already tight margins for profitability. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, raising the minimum wage above $10 an hour could mean losing up to 1 million jobs. This staggering number could put in peril an already struggling economy. An increase in the minimum wage also means higher Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as increased workers compensation and unemployment insurance rates.

A recent poll of CIRCLE members throughout central Illinois indicated that 20 percent of our businesses would be forced to reduce staffing hours. Read more:Peoria Journal Star

Canada's consul general will address Crossroads (Indiana) chamber meeting Nov. 18

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce will host Roy Norton, consul general for Canada, as the featured speaker Nov. 18 at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30, Hobart.
Norton will discuss “Why Canada Matters to Indiana Business.” Networking starts at 11:15 a.m. and the luncheon starts promptly at noon. Cost to attend is $18 for Crossroads members, and $25 for nonmembers. Registration is required and can be made online at www.crossroadschamber.org or by calling (219) 769-8180. Source:  www.NWITimes.com 

Iowa City chamber: A Toast to Our Communities awards recipients announced

The Board of Directors at the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize the best in business in seven categories at A Toast to Our Communities awards breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at Brown Deer Golf Club, 1900 Country Club Drive, in Coralville. Recipients include:
• Ambassador of the Year — Jessica Wittman, Corridor Radiology.
• Honored Farm Family award — Bill and Denise Maier and family.
• Nonprofit of the Year — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.
• Spark Leadership award — Rick Fosse, Iowa City Public Works Department.
• Impact and Innovation award — Sculpt, LLC.
• Eliot Keller Small Business of the Year — McCrossen Consulting.
• Volunteer of the Year — Jim Conard, West Bank.
Read more: Iowa Press-Citizen

Chamber event: Business counseling available Nov. 19 in Wisconsin Rapids

A counselor from the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, 1120 Lincoln St.
Confidential business counseling is available without charge to current or prospective small business operators on issues ranging from financial management to sources of capital. Counseling is only by appointment. Wisconsin Rapids Tribune

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Attitude):

“I will always find a way and a way will always find me.”
― Charles F. Glassman, Brain Drain The Breakthrough That Will Change Your Life

 

Great legislative/chamber teamwork! Missouri Chamber priorities become law this week; Indiana Chamber Of Commerce Names Bloomington Community Of The Year; Chicagoland Chamber's "Small Business Chicago": A Hub For Entrepeneurs and Business Owners; Norman Chamber of Commerce announces Leadership Class; Tweet of the day: Rich Studley, Michigan Chamber; Chamber Event: Chiefs, KC business community celebrate new season; Chamber Testimony: SD lawmakers explore highway funding, user fees; Ferndale, Michigan Chamber of Commerce gets new executive director; Montevideo, Minnesota Area Chamber: Getting ready for a fantastic fall; New Iowa Lakes Corridor director focuses on growth; How-To Certify Your Small Business by Registering as a Government Contractor; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organzation Management (and your Chamber of Commerce); Chamber Directory

Great legislative/chamber teamwork! Missouri Chamber priorities become law this week

Each year in Missouri, on Aug. 28, the majority of bills passed by the general assembly become law. This year, several priorities of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry will become effective on Aug. 28, helping Missouri employers better compete.

“Each year, it seems like new challenges emerge that threaten our state’s businesses and their ability to grow and create jobs. If it’s not a national recession or the threat of increased federal regulations, it’s the many state issues we saw emerge recently including fraudulent unemployment claims, massive unemployment insurance debts and patent troll scams,” said Dan Mehan, Missouri Chamber President/CEO. “We thank the leaders in our General Assembly for staying current and continuing to address these problems as they arise.” Read more: Missouri Chamber

Indiana Chamber Of Commerce Names Bloomington Community Of The Year

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has named Bloomington the 2014 Community of the Year.

Chamber officials point to Bloomington’s cultural, arts and recreational attractions, which they say are impressive for a city of its size, as reasons for choosing Bloomington out of a pool of 20 applicants.

“Bloomington really stood out for the educational activities, the development of technology, the development of medical bio-sciences cluster that is here that’s providing jobs and technology breakthroughs as well as the quality of life that you have here in Monroe County,” Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Bloomington native Kevin Brinegar says. Read more: Indiana Public Media

Chicagoland Chamber's "Small Business Chicago": A  Hub For Entrepeneurs and Business Owners

From Theresa E. Mintle, President & CEO - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce   I am excited to announce the launch of Small Business Chicago, a central hub providing resources and connections for small businesses. The timing on this is no coincidence. We know this is important to our members, as 73 percent of the respondents in our recent Member Survey said small business development should be a priority of the Chamber and 60 percent said they want us involved in addressing obstacles to starting and running a business. The program features new membership programs and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Chicagoland Chamber, which provides free, one-on-one business consulting for entrepreneurs and existing business owners. More than 99 percent of businesses in Illinois are small businesses. Between our specialized programs and the SBDC, we are building a solid foundation for these businesses to equip themselves with the tools to grow and strengthen the local economy. Whether you’re launching a new company, currently running a small business, or interested in getting involved with the program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Director of Small Business Katie Hamilton at 312.494.6734 or khamilton@chicagolandchamber.org.

Norman (Oklahoma) Chamber of Commerce announces Leadership Class

Thirty Norman residents have been chosen to participate in the Chamber’s 34th Leadership Norman class. The program is designed to identify and motivate emerging leaders through development of their potential for community leadership. During the next several months, participants will attend 15 interactive sessions covering a variety of topics including communication, education, personal leadership, quality of life issues, city and state government, health care and economic development. Class members will also be given the opportunity to serve area nonprofits. Read more: Norman Transcript

Tweet of the day: Rich Studley, Michigan Chamber

Rich Studley ‏@rstudley 2h

More talk, no action. MIRS News reports: MI Senate "work group" on fixing the roads met Thurs. Boldly decided to meet again next month.

Chamber Event: Chiefs, KC business community celebrate new season

About 800 people showed up at this year's Kansas City Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon, hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the biggest turnout ever.

The event is designed to give the local business community an opportunity to show appreciation for the Kansas City Chiefs, and for the team to thank the business community for its support over the past 50 years. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

Chamber Testimony: SD lawmakers explore highway funding, user fees

Members of a legislative committee tasked with studying how to best fund state and local highways started gathering ideas Wednesday, including considering increasing some user fees as an option to help fund South Dakota's roads.

The Highway Needs and Financing Committee met Tuesday and Wednesday at the state Capitol. Republican Sen. Mike Vehle, chairman of the committee, said the state could look at a 10 percent increase to the license fee for drivers. He suggested such potential legislation as lowering the gas tax from 22 cents per gallon to 20 cents while adding a 3 percent excise tax on fuel over two years.

"I'm willing to look at a lot of other things, but we've got to get started somewhere," he said. Read more: Watertown Public Opinion

Ferndale, Michigan Chamber of Commerce gets new executive director

Seven people interviewed to become the new executive director of the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce, but after Marina Glagolev showed up it was a done deal.
“She walked out of the room and we all said, She’s it,” said Carol Jackson, interim executive director. “She’s a very powerful yet genuine person. She can talk to anyone from a blue collar person up to a CEO.”
Glagolev, a Birmingham resident, steps into the job Monday. Read more: Oakland Daily Tribune



Montevideo, Minnesota Area Chamber: Getting ready for a fantastic fall

In September we will be working diligently on our upcoming Annual Fundraiser scheduled for October 24, at The Hollywood on Main. This year’s focus is a beautiful, fun night of dining and entertainment featuring the ever exceptional silent auction, awards for upstanding businesses, committee and community leaders, and bringing back by popular demand Dueling Pianos! Please watch for the Chamber team to be visiting with you soon to hear and request your input for nominations, and contributions of advertising awareness for your local business gaining exposure through this night of community celebration! Read more: Montevideo American News

New Iowa Lakes Corridor director focuses on growth

He started in southeast Iowa spending time building up organizations and the chamber of commerce there, with no intentions of ever leaving his hometown, let alone moving to a place four hours away. "I really never had an intention to move outside of Mt. Pleasant, I was content there. However when I saw that the Iowa Lakes Corridor had an opening I started to look more into the area," the new director of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Kiley Miller said. "What I saw when I looked into the area were several things that attracted me to the position." Read more: Storm Lake Pilot

How-To Certify Your Small Business by Registering as a Government Contractor

Are you a small business owner interested in making the federal government one of your next customers?

Then you can benefit greatly from certifying your business first.

Many government agencies require that a certain percentage of its work is  set aside for small businesses (and woman-owned, veteran-owned and more), so certifying your business can help you successfully compete for government contracts. These resources can help:

• When and How to Register Your Business as a “Small Business” – Get the scoop on small business certification from this blog post.
• Am I a Small Business? – Make sure you meet the qualifications for "small" before you certify and register your business.
• Register for Government Contracting – As you register for government contracting, you'll also be "self-certifying" your business as small.  Read more: SBA.gov

Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organzation Management (and your Chamber of Commerce)

RULE # 11 --- Never recruit board members to appease them - Patrick McGaughey   

Chamber Directory

For a free estimate regarding a chamber map, community profile or membership directory, call John Dussman at (800)-600-0134 or email jdussman.vp@villageprofilemail.com. If your chamber has 500 members or more, please ask about our no-cost option.

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown; Chamber good news: Grand Rapids launches $40M rapid bus system; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership); Tweet of the Day: MaggieSheely @MaggieSheely - Great to be South Bend this am; Any column ideas for St. Peter Minnesota Chamber?; Chamber Education: SBA Illinois District Office International Trade Webinars; Chamber Event: Oklahoma needs women in leadership; Chamber news: Floyd named ‘Kentucky Work Ready Community in Progress’; Chamber Education: Livonia, Michigan Schoolcraft College SBDC Offers Tool Kit Series, Friday Mornings In September; Chamber Education: Livonia, Michigan Schoolcraft College SBDC Offers Tool Kit Series, Friday Mornings In September; Chamber volunteers: MO American Water to fund seven major watershed-improvement projects; Chamber history: When Sputnik Crashed in Wisconsin - Half a century later, the town of Manitowoc commemorates its biggest day ever.

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin?
Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilized?
Are you often busy but not productive?
Do you feel like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people’s agendas?
If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist.

The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.  It is not  a time management strategy, or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter. 

By forcing us to apply a more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy – instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

Essentialism is not one more thing – it’s a whole new way of doing everything. It’s about doing less, but better, in every area of our lives. Essentialism  is a movement whose time has come.

Source: Barnes & Noble

Chamber good news: Grand Rapids launches $40M rapid bus system

Grand Rapids on Monday launched a $40 million rapid transit bus system that connects the city center with southern suburbs.
The 9.6-mile Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit system kicked off with free rides to attract commuters.
"This is important today for symbolic reasons," Mayor George Heartwell told WZZM-TV at a ceremony marking the service's start. "We're the first in the state of Michigan to have bus rapid transit. We are looking toward the future. We're not stuck in the past, we're not even stuck in the present." Read more: Crains Detroit Business

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership) "Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo 


Tweet of the Day:

MaggieSheely @MaggieSheely Great to be South Bend this am w/@IndianaChamber, @sjchamber for @jackiewalorski endorsement event. @USChamberAction pic.twitter.com/a7nUDk9eFM 08:23 PM - 25 Aug 14

Any column ideas for St. Peter Minnesota Chamber?

The St. Peter Area Chamber of Commerce is given the opportunity to write columns for a couple of publications each month. That’s awesome, because there is so much about which to write. We could write a column headlined, “What’s up with the Pearly Gates?” That’s a question we get almost daily from visitors, along with queries like, “Why aren’t the Pearly Gates open?” Read more: St. Peter Herald

Chamber Education: SBA Illinois District Office International Trade Webinars

SBA is committed to helping small business understand the possibilities of growing revenues and jobs through increased international trade.

During the months of August and September SBA's Illinois District Office will offer four 45-60 minute webinars on the topics below. Each webinar will conclude with a question/answer period during which participants can ask questions of the presenter.

August 27 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm   Elements of Direct and Indirect Exporting

September 10 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm International Trade Counseling Research and Training Resources

September 17 - 12:00pm - 1:00pm Export Pricing, Tax and Accounting Options

Visit the links above to register for one or more of the webinars.

Chamber Event: Oklahoma needs women in leadership

Past and present elected officials set partisan politics aside and talked about the importance of women in leadership at the Norman Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Friday.

Former Lt. Governor Jari Askins, state representatives Lee Denney and Leslie Osborn, and Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal comprised a panel that responded to topics ranging from how they got involved in politics and public service, to the major issues facing them today. Read more: Norman Transcript

Chamber news: Floyd named ‘Kentucky Work Ready Community in Progress’

Gov. Steve Beshear announced last week that Floyd County has been certified as a Kentucky Work Ready Community in Progress.

The Kentucky Work Ready Community certification program from the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) and the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet assures employers that a local workforce has the talent and skills necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies new jobs will require. Read more: FloydCountyTimes.com

Chamber Education: Livonia, Michigan Schoolcraft College SBDC Offers Tool Kit Series, Friday Mornings In September

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Schoolcraft College will be offering a new series of classes in September specifically designed for small business owners.  It is called the Small Business Tool Kit Series and will run on Friday mornings from 9 am – noon for the month of September.  Each week will feature a different topic and be taught by a subject matter expert: More info: SBA.gov

September 5 - Management (One-Page Strategy) 

September 12 - Marketing (Corporate Voice)  

September 19 - Legal (Hiring and Firing; Protecting LLC Status)

September 26 - Technology (SEO for the CEO) 

Chamber volunteers: MO American Water to fund seven major watershed-improvement projects

On Monday, Aug. 5, Missouri American Water announced that seven local watershed-related projects will receive funding from the company's annual Environmental Grant Program.

These grants are part of American Water's national Environmental Grant Program, which began in 2005. The grants support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore and/or protect watersheds and community water supplies through partnerships...

Table Rock Lake Community Service, Inc. will restore native trees and shrubs destroyed during a highway widening project in Kimberling City. "Replant Kimberling" will use volunteers from the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce and Kimberling City Parks and Recreation. Read more: Water World

Chamber history: When Sputnik Crashed in Wisconsin - Half a century later, the town of Manitowoc commemorates its biggest day ever.

It came from outer space…. and crashed down in the middle of a street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
That surely sounds like the start of a sci-fi movie. But half a century ago, the town was on the receiving end of a 20-pound smoldering hunk of the Soviet Union’s five-ton Sputnik IV satellite.
Media reports from the September 6, 1962 event say there were no eyewitnesses, but “there are hundreds if you ask now,” says J. Gregory Vadney, executive director of the Rahr-West Art Museum, which hosts the festival. Vadney says he heard there were “two police officers on routine patrol when they spotted the piece in the street. They believed it to be a metal ingot from one of the local manufacturing plants, speculated that it fell off a truck, and left it. Following patrol, they returned to the city police station, where they heard that a search had been called for the Sputnik IV spacecraft” and suddenly realized what they’d found. Read more: Air & Space Magazine