La Porte Chamber Awarded 5 Stars from U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Chamber partnership: Planning group for Hopewell/Prince George area focuses on drawing tourists; Chamber event: Swedish Days fills Geneva (Illinois) with music, entertainment; 200,000 expected to attend; North Little Rock Chamber partnership: Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Inductees, including Hilary Rodham Clinton; Lieutenant governor candidates to speak in Paducah Chamber forum; Ford Motor Company Executive Vice President John Fleming to Speak at Upcoming Chamber Luncheon; Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Survey shows worker shortage getting worse, holding back economy; Jackson Chamber sponsor: Air Force band to perform at Mississippi Museum of Art; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

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

La Porte Chamber Awarded 5 Stars from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Good news! The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive self-review, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded us with 5-Star Accreditation. "This prestigious honor puts us among the top 1% of chambers nationwide," stated Michael B. Seitz, IOM President of the Chamber. This rating demonstrates the high commitment from our board of directors and staff to provide excellence in our program of work and services to our members.
Highlights included:
-The chamber continued to do an excellent job of recognizing its volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the chamber.
-The chamber has created a comprehensive Personnel and Administrative Policy Manual. It was also recognized for its practice of providing additional funds to staff through HSA contributions.
-The chamber achieved a perfect score in the Communications and Facilities sections.
This past year, the staff and the board of Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce spent countless hours completing the Accreditation process. Our task: demonstrate competency in 9 core areas ranging from finance to facilities. The result of our hard-work is evidenced by this impressive rating. "We should all be extraordinarily proud of this milestone achievement. It was a true team effort, but special recognition should go to Vice President Rita Mrozinski for her countless hours and contributions she made to the accreditation process that led us to achieve the 5 star rating," said Seitz. Read more: La Porte County Life

Chamber partnership: Planning group for Hopewell/Prince George area focuses on drawing tourists

Members of a tourism planning group for the Hopewell/Prince George area are unanimous on the need for a river-front development that would be a draw for tourists. The decision came after taking a series of three tourism development workshops facilitated by the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
“These DRIVE Tourism workshops helped us to focus on the assets we have and those we need to develop to succeed in a competitive travel and tourism market,” said Becky McDonough, CEO of the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber.
McDonough referenced Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s recent announcement that Virginia’s tourism revenues reached $22.4 billion in 2014 – a 4.1 percent increase over 2013. Tourism supported 216,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in state and local revenue last year. Local statistics for 2014 are not yet available.
The Hopewell/Prince George community, which held its third workshop on June 11, is the ninth locality to complete the DRIVE Tourism workshops in 2015. More than 50 individuals from local groups in Hopewell/Prince George and the surrounding region completed homework and attended the three-session workshops. The individuals represented local government administration, economic development and recreation and parks; local historical societies; entertainment, real estate and hospitality sectors; the Hopewell Downtown Partnership; Appomattox Regional Library System; Petersburg Area Regional Tourism (PART); Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR); VSU students; elected officials; as well as area residents and students. Read more: Progress-Index

Chamber event: Swedish Days fills Geneva (Illinois) with music, entertainment; 200,000 expected to attend

Swedish Days, one of the biggest festivals in the Fox Valley, will return for its 66th year featuring its usual lineup of crafting events, historical tours and live music.

The six-day festival opens Tuesday, June 23 and runs through Sunday, June 28.

One of the main events taking place earlier in the week is the Geneva's Got Talent Semi-Finals, set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Twenty contestants will take their turn onstage in the hopes of advancing to the finals and winning a $1,000 cash prize.

Talents will span a variety of genres and styles, including vocalists, musicians, pianists, dancers and bands.

The competition is presented in partnership between the Geneva Park District and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. The partnership came in hopes to revitalize a fading battle of the bands competition and merge it with the chamber's existing talent competition. Read more: Daily Herald

North Little Rock Chamber partnership: Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Inductees, including Hilary Rodham Clinton

The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame on Monday announced its inaugural 11 inductees, including four historic figures and one organization.
The nonprofit organization, born out of a partnership between the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Business Publishing Group of Little Rock, will honor the group during a ceremony Aug. 27 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
The first class of contemporary inductees are:

• Mary Ann Ritter Arnold, the first woman mayor of Marked Tree and the former president of agribusiness and communications firm E. Ritter & Co.
• Betty Bumpers, former Arkansas first lady who led a statewide immunization program for childhood vaccinations.
• Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Arkansas first lady, first lady of the U.S., U.S. senator from New York, and U.S. Secretary of State.
• Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, and former under secretary for technology for the Technology Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of publicly traded J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. of Lowell, one of the largest transportation and logistics providers.
• Dr. Edith Irby Jones, medical doctor, educator, philanthropist who was the first African American to attend and graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
• Alice Walton, founder and board chairman of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

Historic inductees are:

• Daisy Bates, civil rights activist, writer and publisher who played a leading role in the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock.
• Hattie Caraway, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
• Hester Davis, a leader in the development of cultural resources management legislation and programs who blazed a trail for women in archeology.
• Roberta Fulbright, a prominent Fayetteville business leader and former publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Times who championed the University of Arkansas, fought corruption and advocated for women’s equality.

The AWHOF also chose to honor one organization, the Women’s Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools (WEC), a Civil Rights-era committee formed in Little Rock in response to Gov. Orval Faubus’ efforts to close the city’s four public high schools.
A selection committee chose the women from 73 nominees based on their contributions to the state and their respective fields. Nan Snow, president of the AWHOF board, announced the class during a news conference on the steps of the state Capitol. Read more: Arkansas Business

Lieutenant governor candidates to speak in Paducah Chamber forum

Both candidates for Kentucky lieutenant governor will participate in a candidate forum in Paducah on Oct. 1, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday.
The chamber said it will move its monthly breakfast to a luncheon for the forum. The Power in Partnership luncheon will be held in the Julian Carroll Convention Center, with a buffet beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the Chamber program beginning around noon.
“We are thrilled to be able to host this event so voters in western Kentucky will have the opportunity to meet these two candidates,” Paducah Chamber President Sandra Wilson said in Tuesday's announcement. “Our local citizens are eager to hear their thoughts on issues important to our community and the state.”
Republican nominee Jenean Hampton and Democratic nominee State Rep. Sannie Overly will each make opening comments before a question and answer session with a local media panel, and concluding remarks by each candidate. Read more: WPSDlocal6.com


Ford Motor Company Executive Vice President John Fleming to Speak at Upcoming Chamber Luncheon

John Fleming, Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs at Ford Motor Company will be joining the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce as the guest speaker at the Chamber’s upcoming Business Builder Series. The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, July 15, beginning at 11:00 am at The Henry, An Autograph Collection Hotel, located at 300 Town Center Drive, in Dearborn. Fleming is the third speaker for the Chamber’s 2015 Business Builder Series, a Chamber program designed to help local businesses and community leaders grow and enhance their organizational goals. Speakers this year have included the mayors of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, and a prestigious panel of area executives joining in a U.S. Chamber sponsored discussion of women in business leadership. Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is scheduled to wrap up the 2015 series at the 4^th Quarter event in October. For More Information, Contact: Ron Hinrichs, Director of Events & Media Relations Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce -Tel: 313-584-6100E-mail: rhinrichs@dearbornareachamber.org

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Survey shows worker shortage getting worse, holding back economy

The shortage of qualified and/or willing workers is getting worse and is holding back Wisconsin's economy, according to a semi-annual survey conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state chamber of commerce. The survey of 306 top business executives also shows concern about rising health care costs on the eve of full implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Seventy percent of survey respondents reported having trouble hiring employees, up from 64 percent in January and 53 percent a year ago. A lack of qualified applicants was the top reason given at 52 percent. Thirty-two percent say they are having trouble finding employees for all levels and fields.
Labor shortage was the No. 1 concern of business leaders when asked two separate questions on what is the top public policy issue facing Wisconsin (26 percent) and what is the top concern facing your company (27 percent). Health care affordability was second for both questions, but it was the top response when executives were asked to identify "what one thing state government could do to help your business." Twenty-eight percent said "make health care costs more affordable," 25 percent said "reduce/reform regulations" and 21 percent said "reduce taxes." Read more: BizTimes.com

Jackson Chamber sponsor: Air Force band to perform at Mississippi Museum of Art

The City of Jackson, along with numerous other sponsors, will host the Independence Day Weekend First of July Celebration featuring the United States Air Force West Concert Band Performance at 6 p.m. July 1 at the Mississippi Museum of Art's Art Garden.
Also performing will be Cade Chapel Voices of Love. The event will be free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase via food trucks. The rain location will be Thalia Mara Hall Performance Center.
Formed in 1941, The United States Air Force Band is the Air Force's premier musical organization. Each member is proud to represent all Airmen, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.
"The Jackson CVB is excited about the opportunity to partner with other agencies to produce this exciting event in Jackson," said Rickey Thigpen, executive vice president for the Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "This activity and others like it strengthens the quality of life for our citizens and enhances Jackson as a true visitor destination."
Sponsors of the event include the city of Jackson, the Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Mississippi Museum of Art, Visit Mississippi, the Greater Jackson Arts Council, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi National Guard, and Downtown Partners. Read more: Hattiesburg American

 
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership) -

The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born - that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. —Warren Bennis

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

Fairfax Chamber Partners with 14 Northern Virginia Business Organizations to Author Op-Ed on Importance of I-66 Outside the Beltway; Celebrate Your Successes in Indiana: Chamber of Commerce Week: May 4 - 8, 2015; Area sophomores attend Sheboygan County Chamber's Career Connections event; The Chamber at Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg: Business Assistance; Effingham Illinois Chamber of Commerce Radio Day; North Little Rock Chamber project: Names being submitted for Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame; Hardin County Chamber Programs & Benefits; Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce: Take our 2015 Chamber Survey NOW

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

Fairfax Chamber Partners with 14 Northern Virginia Business Organizations to Author Op-Ed on Importance of I-66 Outside the Beltway

Tysons Corner, Va. – The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce (Fairfax Chamber) has partnered with fourteen (14) other Northern Virginia business organizations to author an op-ed this week on the importance of I-66 outside the Beltway.

The article is currently featured on InsideNOVA.com, the website for Northern Virginia Media Services which produces such publications as Prince William Today, the Sun Gazette (Arlington and Fairfax), and Leesburg Today.

“A public private partnership (P3) achieves ‘the transportation win’ the Commonwealth needs and deserves, while also reducing the risk to Virginia taxpayers, minimizing disruption to surrounding communities, and allowing the Commonwealth to leverage its scarce transportation resources on other important projects,” said Joe Vidulich, Vice President of Government Relations at the Chamber. “The Northern Virginia business community is committed to reducing congestion and improving travel times in the I-66 corridor.”

To read the op-ed, visit InsideNOVA.com. To learn more about the Fairfax Chamber policy and advocacy efforts, please visit http://www.fairfaxchamber.org/business-advocacy.html.

Celebrate Your Successes
Chamber of Commerce Week:  May 4 - 8, 2015

 

Chambers are the heart and soul of communities and a vital partner in the economic engine of our state.   Chamber Week is a collaborative statewide celebration of successes from every corner of Indiana.

May 4 - 8 is your time to celebrate all of the positive attributes your chamber brings to the community that you serve.  While the individual activities that local chambers are planning are diverse, we can make a huge impact through this coordinated celebration.

Please work with your local media to issue this initial press release on Monday, May 4.  This follow up press release  may be issued later in the week.  Please edit the press releases to localize the content prior to release.  

For more information - Contact Shelli Williams at ICEA.

Area sophomores attend Sheboygan County Chamber's Career Connections event

Over 1,400 high school sophomores from 13 Sheboygan County high schools attended the Sheboygan County Chamber's annual Career Connections event last week, hosted by Lakeshore Technical College.
Chamber Workforce Development Manager Tammy Graf says the event was a chance for students to learn more about career paths they are interested in, as well as all the different careers available in Sheboygan County.
The event highlighted local business leaders describing how they got to where they are today, learning about skills needed to achieve the career they want, and learning about soft skills and how to use career tools such as Career Cruising. Read more: WBHL.com




The Chamber at Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg: Business Assistance



Is your business looking to buy or construct a building or add machinery and equipment? The Chamber can help. We offer SBA 504 financing which provides long-term interest rates on fixed assets with as little as 10% down. Along with the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce we jointly administer the Lakeshore 504 which is a non-profit corporation promoting economic development and job creation in West Michigan. Established in 1983 as a certified development company, Lakeshore 504 is licensed by the Small Business Administration to process, close, and service SBA 504 loans.
Visit the SBA Lakeshore 504 website for more information.

Typical SBA 504 Financing Package

Bank

50% Market Rate, 10 year on real estate/7 year on equipment - First Lien

SBA

40% Fixed Rate 20 year real estate/10 year on equipment - Second Lien

Owner

10% equity injection

Total

100%

More information: The Chamber at Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg

Effingham (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce Radio Day

Friday, April 17, 2015 - Listen in this Friday to 95.7 WCRC to hear these announcers!

9:00 - 9:30 am: Andes Health Mart

9:30 - 10:00 am: United Way

10:00 - 10:30 am: The Glenwood

10:30 - 11:00 am: OPEN

11:00 - 11:30 am: Jansen's Heating/Air

11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Probst Auto Body

1:00 - 1:30 pm: Al's Tire Mart

1:30 - 2:00 pm: HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital

2:00 - 2:30 pm: OPEN

North Little Rock Chamber project: Names being submitted for Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame

Organizers say they are seeing a steady stream of nominations come in for the inaugural Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame.
May 13 is the deadline to submit nominees for the Hall of Fame, a joint project of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Business Publishing Group to honor women, living or dead, who have made a positive impact on the state.
“Both (Chamber President) Terry Hartwick and I have received a lot of feedback about the excitement around this endeavor, so we’re very encouraged about where we’re headed so far,” said Mitch Bettis, president of Arkansas Business Publishing Group.
The Hall of Fame’s board of directors plans to announce the first group of inductees June 22 and to honor them in an Aug. 27 ceremony at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
Nomination forms, which can filled out and submitted on paper or electronically, are available on the Hall of Fame’s website, www.arwomenshalloffame.com. Arkansas News



Hardin County Chamber Programs & Benefits

The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce continually provides a wide array of programs and benefits to help our members Network, Promote Develop and Advocate.  A Chamber Membership is an investment in the future of your business, providing a variety of growth opportunities. Membership is the perfect way to build stronger relationships in the community, promote your business, gain greater access to business contacts, enhance exposure for your business, and ultimately, improve your bottom line.

Network

As a Chamber member you will gain instant credibility with an established network of nearly 800 businesses and thousands of hard working, well paid employees.   And with regularly scheduled networking events such as luncheons, workshops and more each year, HCCC helps you make high-quality connections that will grow your business.

[ … Read More … ]

Promote

The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping you promote your business.  With unique advertising and sponsorship opportunities, HCCC will enable you to get your message out to new customers all around the region. Further, we will work with you to determine which opportunities will be the most effective in helping you achieve maximum impact for your business.
[ … Read More … ]

Develop

The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce offers a wide array of professional development programs and opportunities to our members covering a variety of topics.  From Leadership Hardin County, to the Chamber Ambassador program and various Professional Development Workshops, we take pride in helping our members improve themselves and their businesses.  And perhaps most importantly, HCCC membership offers the opportunity to interact regularly with proven professionals with many years of successful experience — experience they are happy to share with you.
[ … Read More … ]




Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce: Take our 2015 Chamber Survey NOW

Your feedback is what keeps us on our toes. Please take just a few minutes to complete this Chamber Member Survey and let us know how we're doing and how we can better serve you. We appreciate you!

Take the Survey NOW


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

“Happiness is a decision. You are as happy as you decide to be.”- Unknown