Chicago Fed Survey of Business Conditions: Survey shows steady growth in late August and September; #BestChamber Practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: Refer a member and get a $50 gift card to chamber members or Chamber Bucks; City of Ridgeland Chamber: Small Business Saturday; Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces November 4, 2016 Reality StoreSM; Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!; Grundy County chamber: The Power of Facebook Live!; Save Your Seat Today for the Future Wisconsin Summit, Nov 29; Arlington Chamber: Join Us at the Capital Improvement Panel!; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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



Chicago Fed Survey of Business Conditions: Survey shows steady growth in late August and September

The Chicago Fed Survey of Business Conditions (CFSBC) Activity Index increased slightly to –8 from –9, suggesting that growth in economic activity remained at a modest pace in late August and September. The CFSBC Manufacturing Activity Index declined to –3 from +9, while the CFSBC Nonmanufacturing Activity Index moved up to –11 from –20.
• Respondents’ outlooks for the U.S. economy for the next six to 12 months improved some, and remained optimistic on balance. Respondents with optimistic outlooks highlighted increased demand for their firms’ products, solid recent economic data, and the potential for federal tax reform. Respondents with pessimistic outlooks cited elevated policy uncertainty under the current U.S. presidential administration and concerns about the health of the auto industry.
• The pace of current hiring picked up, as did respondents’ expectations for the pace of hiring over the next six to 12 months. However, both indexes remained negative.
• The pace of current capital spending increased, as did respondents’ expectations for the pace of capital spending over the next six to 12 months. Yet, both indexes remained negative.
• The wage cost pressures index rose but remained negative, while the nonwage cost pressures index decreased and moved into negative territory. More information: Laura LaBarbera, Media Relations
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 312-322-2387




#BestChamber Practices: Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: Refer a member and get a $50 gift card to chamber members or Chamber Bucks

REFER A BUSINESS TO JOIN:

Oct 20 - Nov 20, 2017

Take home a gift card for $50.00 at one of the following:

Art & Frame Station
Costco Wholesale
Don Thomas Sporthaus-Birmingham
The Varsity Shop Training Center

Or $50.00 in Chamber Bucks

When the referred business becomes an active paid Chamber member, the referring member will receive the $50 gift card or Chamber Bucks.

Unsure if a business is a member??? Online Membership Directory





Contact Bonnie Miles with the referral and Bonnie will follow up. (248) 430-7686 or bonniem@bbcc.com

City of Ridgeland Chamber: Small Business Saturday 

Dear Chamber Members:

            Saturday, November 25^th is  Small Business Saturday®.  The Ridgeland Chamber has joined with the City of Ridgeland and Ridgeland Tourism Commission to create a major promotion for this day. Six banners promoting  Small Business Saturday® will be strategically placed around the City. 

Digital billboard advertising, ads in the Madison County Journal and social media hashtags will also be used to promote the event.  The campaign hashtags will be #ShopSmall #ShopRidgeland #SmallBizSat.  Join us in marketing through your social platforms by using the tags and the webpage.

            If your business has a discount, special offering or happening planned for November 25^th, please let us know so we can publicize it on our page, www.ridgelandchamber.com/shopsmall. 

            Participating in Small Business Saturday® is a great way to promote your business and reach new customers. Take advantage of all the resources available to help you and your business get the most out of Nov 25.

            We want to encourage everyone to visit and shop in Ridgeland on  Small Business Saturday®, November 25^th.

            Thank you for your support of our Chamber and great City.

             Linda Bynum, Executive Director

             More Information: www.ridgelandchamber.com/shopsmall 

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces November 4, 2016 Reality Store^SM

Friday, November 3, 2017 ~ 7:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Colonel Wheeler Middle School, 401 Joliet Street in Crown Point will be the site of the Crown Point Reality Store^SM. Each year, the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts a Reality Store^SM for the Crown Point and Merrillville Community School Corporations as a way to connect the business community to students. The Reality Store^SM is a day of simulation where 8th graders become 28 years old and have to live on a paycheck. 8th graders learn about the real world, costs, and various lifestyles. This encourages students to learn budgeting and begin planning their careers early in life. The best part of the Reality Store is that nearly 90 professionals, from local businesses, who volunteer for this event, influence over 600 students.

The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a special thank you to the businesses that are sponsoring a table at this event; Centier Bank, Chick-fil-A, Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce, Geminus Corporation, Indiana Wesleyan University, Junior Achievement of Chicago,  Liss CARSTAR Collision, Momentum Church, NorthShore Health Centers, Oak Partners, Inc., Peoples Bank, Republic Services, St. Matthias Church, State Farm Insurance/Eddie Larson, Tech Credit Union, and Western & Southern Life/Marge Myers,

We need 20 more volunteers for this event. Would your business like to sponsor a table?  Just send 2 all-day volunteers to help, there is no cost to sponsor a table but your company will be included in all  internal and external media exposure and the opportunity to network with over 80 business professionals the day of the Reality Store. Remember you don’t have to be a chamber member to volunteer for this event. Visit  https://www.crossroadschamber.org/events/details/reality-store-3095 for details and to register. You can also email Lee at lee@crossroadschamber.org or call 219.769.8180 for a copy of the volunteer form emailed to you!



Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has worked with Town Square Publications on several publications. Chamber maps and community profiles are well done and we are especially pleased with the quality of the printing and the paper.

Production schedules were provided when we began the projects and the schedule did not waiver from our agreement. Most importantly we had editorial control over the copy and we were able to select the photos and the subjects that are featured. We were able to proof before going to print but we rarely found errors or concerns. Communications throughout the production period were excellent.

We work hard to provide quality and outstanding service to our members. We identify programs that will be good for the business community with an additional benefit – some non-dues income for the Chamber.

We appreciate our partnership with Town Square and will call on them again for the next project.

Jean Gaines
President 
Geneva Chamber of Commerce


Grundy County chamber: The Power of Facebook Live! 
In this entertaining presentation, Jean Kuhn shows you how to go from ordinary business owner to "Expert/Celebrity" business owner and why that's important to getting new customers! 

Friday, October 20
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hampton Inn & Suites
621 Bob Blair Rd.
Minooka, IL

$15 members & $20 non-members
For more information or to RSVP, email christine@grundychamber.com or call (815) 942-0113.


Save Your Seat Today for the Future Wisconsin Summit, Nov 29

  

8:30 - Registration

  

Welcome
Kurt Bauer, President/CEO, WMC

Keynote Speaker
Blake Moret, President/CEO, Rockwell Automation

How Foxconn Can Change Wisconsin -- Panel Discussion

• Tim Sheehy, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
• Secretary Scott Neitzel, WI Dept. of Administration
• Secretary Mark Hogan, WI Economic Development Corp.
• Foxconn Representative (to be announced)

Meeting the Workforce Challenge -- Panel Discussion

• Rolf Wegenke, WI Assoc. of Independent Colleges & Universities
• Ed Paradowski, Apache Stainless Equipment Corp.
• Kaylen Betzig, Waukesha County Technical College
• Mike Lovell, Marquette University

Governor Scott Walker (invited)

Marketing Wisconsin
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp

Lunch / Wisconsin Job Honor Awards

Kyle Horn, Founder and Director, America's Job Honor Awards

Closing Remarks

---------------------------------

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!

Contact Kari Hofer for more information.

Email:  khofer@wmc.org

Call:  (608) 258-3400

Regular Price: $150 per person  |  $1,350 for table of ten

Discount Price: $100 per person  |  $900 for table of ten  |  $50 student

Discount Price applies for WMC Members, Future Wisconsin Partners or Members of a Future Wisconsin Community.

More info: WMC

Paducah Young Professionals to Host 5th Annual YP Unite Summit

For Immediate Release --- Paducah Young Professionals (PYP) will host the fifth annual YP Unite Summit, presented by US Bank, on November 9 and 10.  The YP Unite Summit is a multi-state leadership conference focused on young professionals and young professional organizations.  This unique opportunity allows young professionals to collaborate, network, share best practices and further develop leadership skills with others from across the region.  Young professionals from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois and Missouri are expected to attend.

The YP Unite Summit will begin on Thursday, November 9 with a welcome reception at The 1857 Hotel & Events Space and continue on Friday, November 10 with a full day of leadership workshops held at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. The cost is $85 for an individual ticket. Reserved tables are also available for $800.

Featured speakers include local entrepreneurs Ed & Meagan Musselman; Kentucky State Treasure Allison Ball and her husband Asa James Swan, who serves as Chief of Staff for the Kentucky Department of Transportation; Steve Powless, CEO of Computer Services, Inc.; and George Wilson (pending), former NFL player and founder of the George Wilson S.A.F.E.T.Y. Foundation.

Breakout sessions will be held throughout the day to focus on professional development skills such as conflict resolution, salary negotiation, job interview skills, public speaking and how to use your communication style to advance your career. Additional sessions will focus on young professional organizations and will offer opportunities to share best practices, improve your brand in the community and understand the advantages of networking.

PYP was selected to host this event by a panel of regional young professionals after an application process and panel review. Previous YP Unite Summit conferences have been held in Cincinnati, OH and Louisville, KY. 

Paducah Young Professionals was established in December 2015 and is a division of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.  PYP provides social and professional opportunities for emerging leaders, age 21-40. The goal of PYP is to connect, engage and develop our community’s current network of young professionals and entice others to relocate to our community. Through networking, professional development, and community service, PYP members are able to meet and connect with established leaders and like-minded professionals.  PYP currently has more than 240 members. 

To register for the YP Unite Summit visit ypunitesummit.org. Sponsorship opportunities are currently available. For more information contact Kelly Davis at 270-443-1746 or kdavis@paducahchamber.org.



Arlington Chamber: Join Us at the Capital Improvement Panel!

Join us on November 7!

Navigating a capital improvement project for your business or facility can be an overwhelming process. Renovations and building upgrades require many moving parts that can provide a struggle for anyone that doesn't manage these types of projects on a regular basis.

The Arlington Chamber's Sustainability Committee has brought together the Capital Improvement Panel to help local businesses better understand how to tackle a capital improvement, from identification to implementation. The panelists will address common issues and pitfalls from the architecture and design, financing and funding, and facility use perspectives. Please join us to gain a better understanding of best practices to implement during your next project!

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal

New Michigan City Chamber head: Not a spectator; New Arrival: New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map; Large grant will help Madison School District launch new career exploration project; Biloxi Bay Chamber event: Cruise into history returns in Biloxi on the Clipper; Augusta Chamber event: Virginia manufactured car debuts in Staunton; Chamber event: Barrington Showcase highlights businesses, community groups; Paducah Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Power in Partnership Breakfast/Youth L.E.A.D. Program; Chamber interest: Senate Subcommittee's Decision To Close 2 Prisons Could Impact Lake County Economy; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Community Profiles;

New Michigan City Chamber head: Not a spectator

Mary Jo Orlowski,
Michigan City Chamber

MICHIGAN CITY — After decades of living and working in Bloomington, Indiana, Mary Jo Orlowski has returned to her hometown for a job that she says she is very much enjoying.

In January, Orlowski was named president of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce. She comes to this position from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce where she served as director of member services for the past six years.

During this time, she was able to grow the Bloomington chamber to more than 1,000 members and hopes to have the same impact on the local chamber.

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce currently boasts about 380 members – a number Orlowski said is average for a county with two chambers. The city of La Porte also has a functioning chamber with about 350 members. Orlowski said if there were only one chamber in La Porte County she would expect it to have about 800 members, given the size and population of the area.

But that doesn't stop her plans to grow the Michigan City chamber.

“One of the reasons they brought me in was to grow membership and add programs and services that are relevant to the membership organizations. That's really important,” she said, adding that she brings to the role several years of experience in programming, events, membership and advocacy. Read more: News-Dispatch

New Arrival: New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map 

The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map is available at the New Castle-Henry County Chamber today! Thanks to Missy Modesitt, Mary Campbell and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Town SquarePublications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633. 

Large grant will help Madison School District launch new career exploration project

The Madison School District and a group of community partners have been awarded a $400,000 private grant for a new effort to better prepare high school students for college and careers.

The grant, announced Thursday, is from the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation, which focuses its charitable giving on projects in the Great Lakes region.

The money will go toward creating what the school district calls “personalized pathways.” The pathways will “provide all of our students with opportunities to explore who they are and what they are passionate about through their learning,” Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said.

Students will be able to earn college and high school academic credit as well as obtain specific industry credentials through a pathway, said Jack E. Daniels III, president of Madison Area Technical College, one of the partners.

The other partners are the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and the city of Madison. Read more: Madison.com

Biloxi Bay Chamber event: Cruise into history returns in Biloxi on the Clipper

The Biloxi History Cruise returns May 14 on a sunset dinner voyage aboard the historic Pan American Clipper.

Eighty passengers will board at 4:30 p.m. at the Point Cadet Marina behind Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi.

After the ship departs at 5 p.m., a shrimp pasta dinner will be served along with beer, wine and other beverages.

The entertainment on this cruise is provided by seven speakers sharing stories of Biloxi history.

Capt. Louis Skrmetta will tell about The Pan American Clipper and Susan Hunt will recall the Isle of Caprice off the coast of Biloxi. Kevin O'Brien will re-create the character who was G.E. Ohr. Robert "Bones" Barq will share his memories and the story of Barq's, Biloxi's most-famous drink. Bill Raymond, Biloxi's historical administrator, will tell tales of the Biloxi Lighthouse and Kenneth Dodd will look back on the 75th anniversary of Keesler Air Force Base. Alvin Baker will recall life on Deer Island.

The cruise is presented by the Culture & Heritage Committee of the Biloxi Bay Chamber and all proceeds will support projects of the committee. The group has raised money to install a marker on the previously unmarked grave of the Hermit of Deer Island; replanted the "12 Palms" that honored Biloxians who died in World War I; and organized an exhibit and concert as a tribute to Biloxi's Clarence Harder and his One Man Band. Read more: Sun Herald

Augusta Chamber event: Virginia manufactured car debuts in Staunton

 "It's like driving a race car," said Dave Young of Tanom Motors.

The co-founder and chief financial officer introduced the company's first motor vehicle, the Invader, on Wednesday at The Club at Ironwood in Staunton. The event was put together by the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, which will be hosting Young as the keynote speaker during its annual business and award dinner April 5.

This is the first motor vehicle produced in Virginia, Young said. The company has a 35,000 square-foot facility in Culpeper and has already made 50 cars. It's been featured on the show, Jay Leno's "Garage."

It's not quite a car and it's not quite a motorcycle. The three-wheeled vehicle is considered an autocycle, a car and motorcycle hybrid.

"We're trying to capture the same recreational feel of a motorcycle like the sound and the feel but maintain the safety and stability in a three-wheeled vehicle," Young said. Read more: News-Leader

Chamber event: Barrington Showcase highlights businesses, community groups

Barrington businesses and community groups showed what they have to offer Sunday during the 3rd annual Community Showcase, the largest gathering of its kind in the village.

More than 100 booths representing all types of Barrington-area organizations took part in the event at Barrington High School hosted by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, Barrington Area Unit School District 220 and BMO Harris Bank.

"It brings together all the best of the Barrington area," said chamber President Suzanne Corr. "It's a chance to learn about the amazing resources in your own backyard so that you shop, support, and know what is available to you right in your own community."

The event also featured a young artists show with hands-on activities for kids, a robotics demonstration, food and refreshments, and family entertainment.

The Main Stage included entertainment by Bataille Academie of the Danse, the Barrington Children's Choir, various Barrington High a cappella groups, and a performance by the Barrington High School Drama Club. Read more: Daily Herald

Paducah Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Power in Partnership Breakfast/Youth L.E.A.D. Program

An update on the progress of Interstate 69 will be the program for the April Power in Partnership monthly breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce on April 14 at 7:30 a.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. The breakfast will also include the recognition of the 26 local high school students who recently completed the Youth L.E.A.D. program.

Assistant State Highway Engineer and State I-69 Coordinator Paul Looney, P.E. will be the featured speaker. Caring People Services is the sponsor. Looney currently serves as the Assistant State Highway Engineer for Project Development and is the Project Manager for the I-69 corridor. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.

Members of Youth L.E.A.D. Class #5 include:

Community Christian Academy – Maddy Brown

McCracken County High School – Zachary Althouse, Barton Christmas, Bailey Cissell, Brycen Flynn, Joshua Grogan, Robert Hicks, Hallie Poat, Henny Ransdell, Dylan Richards, Sarah Shaikh, Vincent Shiben, Olivia Sin, Will Sivills, Hannah White, Peighton Wix

St. Mary High School – Olivia Griffin, Karina Romero

Paducah Tilghman High School – Will Denton, Jose Roberto dos Remedios, Hunter Grubbs, John Holtgrewe, Claire Kelly, Bryson Wells, Maddie Ybarzabal

PATCH Home School – Layton Estes

The Youth L.E.A.D. participants are juniors from four local high schools and a home school. Youth L.E.A.D. is a program designed to develop and prepare students for future community support and leadership roles in Paducah-McCracken County. Class members take part in a six-month educational course beginning with an orientation retreat and concluding with their graduation. The students learn about human needs and service learning, communication and career development, business and economy, law and government, and healthcare in Paducah and McCracken County. Read more: West Kentucky Star

Chamber interest: Senate Subcommittee's Decision To Close 2 Prisons Could Impact Lake County Economy

A Senate budget subcommittee has voted to close two Michigan prisons, but lawmakers are not saying which prisons will be impacted.

The plan could save the state almost $47 million a year, but the proposed cuts would have a big impact in Northern Michigan.

Some inmates from the prisons that close would be sent to the privately-owned North Lake Correctional Facility in Lake County.

GEO Group owns the facility that houses inmates from Vermont.

Since last June, the GEO prison has housed inmates from Vermont, opening its doors again after years of being closed.

With Thursday's proposal, more inmates, and potentially more workers from two former state prisons, will join them.

The Michigan Senate says they will lease the North Lake Correctional Facility in Lake County in order to help save nearly a million dollars annually.

It's not the first time.

The Michigan Department of Corrections says the Senate has closed down prison units already this year.

By closing two entire prisons out of around 30 in the state, they say it would ease the strain on the state budget.

The nearby Baldwin community hopes this new influx of state workers and inmates will help out a struggling local economy.

"I would hope that it would mean that it's going to bring a little commerce to the community, a little more people coming in and visit the town and purchase property, make purchases in the store locally, help our economy. It is something that's needed," says Leeann Russell, Lake County Chamber of Commerce president. Read more: 9 & 10 NEWS

Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Community Profiles

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

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

Chamber Executive Kentucky Digest

 March, 2016

#Chamber news: Aetna Says Kentucky Is Only Area Where It's Made A Real Estate Commitment

Fears that another major employer will send jobs out of state are sparking debate over Connecticut's tax and spending policies just days before the legislature begins its annual session.

The pledge by the chief executive of Aetna Inc. that Louisville, Ky., will be the "only community" where the health insurer operates its government-related work is making some business advocates and elected officials nervous. General Electric Co. announced less than three weeks ago that it's moving its headquarters to Boston, ending a 42-year run in Fairfield.

Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini told investor analysts Monday that Aetna will make Louisville, the site of Humana that Aetna is proposing to buy for $34 billion, headquarters for Medicare, Medicaid and other government insurance plans.

Louisville is "actually the only community where we've made a real estate commitment," he said. Last week, he told the Louisville area's chamber of commerce that Aetna will be looking at "all of its real estate."

"But we've made a commitment to only one community as a location for the most important part of our business, and that's Louisville," he said.

Aetna has not commented beyond saying it "remains headquartered in Hartford." The insurer, which dates its presence in Connecticut to the 19th century, employed about 6,000 workers in the state at the end of 2015, a spokesman said. Read more: Hartford Courant

Danville-Boyle EDP named one of America’s leading economic development corporations

The Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership was named one of America’s leading economic development corporations by Global Trade Magazine.

The California-based Global Trade is a media brand focused on domestic and global expansion processes, logistics efficiencies, strategic location, information technology and intelligent banking solutions for U.S. manufacturers that export and their logistics partners.

In its February print edition, the company highlighted 18 economic development organizations and their accomplishments, and the Danville-Boyle County EDP was selected for its unique model, which proves there is “strength in numbers.”

In its February print edition, the company highlighted 18 economic development organizations and their accomplishments, and the Danville-Boyle County EDP was selected for its unique model, which proves there is “strength in numbers.” (Photo Provided)

“What a nice compliment this recognition is to the vision of those in our community who created the EDP and to the good work of the professional staff who make the partnership such an effective organization for economic development in Boyle County,” said EDP Board of Directors Chairman Richard Trollinger.

The EDP is an alliance of the Boyle County Industrial Foundation, Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce, Danville-Boyle County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Heart of Danville Main Street Program, Main Street Perryville, and the local governments of Boyle County, and cities of Danville, Junction City, and Perryville.

The EDP was organized in 2006 from the former Danville-Boyle County Community Development Council.

“An alliance between nine local organizations, the EDP unifies Boyle County, Kentucky’s economic development efforts,” the magazine states. “It’s a unique model, but EDP members say the alliance proves that there’s strength in numbers. One of the EDP’s recent successes involved three member organizations working together to help the Danville-based Wilderness Trail Distillery (WTD) find a new production site. At first, the WTD mulled moving to another county, but the EDP showed the distillery how investing $5.6 million in a local venue would be good for business.” Read more: KY Forward

 

New chairman takes gavel at Bowling Green Area Chamber dinner

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce’s 81st annual dinner Thursday at Sloan Convention Center was on a timer and set to music.

The chamber set a large digital clock at 50 minutes and quickly recognized outgoing chairman Tommy Adams and incoming chairman Mark Iverson, plus saw Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon swear in the new chamber officers and ambassadors.

The dinner ended with 43 seconds to spare.

Western Kentucky University’s Vocal Spirit a capella group provided transitions between various portions of the program, at one point serenading women chamber ambassadors and chair-elect Robbin Taylor while the women sat on stage.

During a recognition of Independence Bank, the men broke out in harmony to start “The Star-Spangled Banner,” ending with the company’s tag line “revolution.” Also honored during the spotlight segment were US Bank, M&L Electrical Inc. and Bluegrass Supply Chain Services.

The more than 600 guests heard outgoing chairman Adams thank chamber staff and members for support in 2015. The chamber had a banner year in 2015 with $943 million in capital investment and the creation of 1,040 jobs in southcentral Kentucky. The chamber also ended the year with 1,232 chamber partners, a record.

Adams said assuming chairmanship of the chamber in 2015 showed him how much he didn’t know about Bowling Green and Warren County. He met new acquaintances at ribbon-cuttings and “had a lot of fun” serving in the post, he told the dinner guests.

Adams said Charles Moore of Charles A. Moore Insurance introduced him to chamber activities years ago and encouraged him to get involved.

“Charlie Moore loved the chamber,” Adams said.

Adams participated in the gavel-passing ceremony with incoming chairman Iverson, and several past chairmen lined the front of the stage.

Adams expressed confidence in his successor.

“If you know Mark, the chamber is in good hands,” Adams said.

Iverson said he’s a blessed man who’s fortunate to live in Bowling Green and he receives compliments about Bowling Green from visitors. He said faith has brought him to his current place in life and he praises God “from whom all blessings flow.”

Iverson said Bowling Green and southcentral Kentucky benefit from what he called “a secret sauce.”

“It’s you!” he said, looking out in the audience. “You look to find solutions for the common good. I hope 2016 looks a lot like 2015.”

The chamber executive committee includes Ron Bunch, president and chief executive officer; Iverson, chairman; Taylor, chair-elect; Adams, past-chairman; and vice presidents Steve Davis, Joy Rogers, Dave Tatman and Eric Walker.

Paducah Area Chamber Completes Trip to Frankfort

Sandra Wilson, Paducah Chambe

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce recently visited the state capitol, and took several dozen city officials and business owners with them to talk about the needs of western Kentucky.

Paducah Chamber President Sandra Wilson says the more than 50 people from Paducah had to opportunity to talk about multiple issues to different state officials and elected representatives and senators.

Among the push for the chamber this year is a request to lift the nuclear moratorium in Kentucky so Paducah could have additional options with the nuclear trained workforce that exists after decades of experience at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Wilson says they also talked with State Budget Director John Chilton, who has been busy working on statewide cuts to help balance the budget and begin to figure out the issues with the state pension plans. Read more: West Kentucky Star

Kentucky Chamber: Unfunded Pension Liability: How bad is it?

If all 4.3 million Kentuckians were asked to pitch in to fix the 36 billion pension deficit, it would take $8,268 from every man, woman and child in the Commonwealth.

 A July 2015 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts compared state pension funding levels for all 50 states. (The Public Sector Retirement Systems Project at Pew annually tracks state pension funding and has advised the Kentucky General Assembly on pension reform.) Kentucky ranked 49 out of 50 states—only Illinois ranked lower. The report found the national average state pension funding level to be 71.8%. Kentucky’s combined funding level for all its systems was only 44.2%.

To put this in a different perspective: Kentucky’s total unfunded pension liability of $36.4 billion in FY 2015 was more than three and a half times the total General Fund tax revenue the state collected in that entire year. More Information: Kentucky Chamber

Chamber Chuckle - Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests

“Where do I buy goldfish?”

Kyndle Tech Tuesday to focus on cybersecurity threats to businesses

Michael Ramage, director of the Center for Telecommunications Systems Management at Murray State University will be the presenter at the next Kyndle Tech Tuesday luncheon on March 1.

Ramage will focus on four topics related to cybersecurity: Examining the mind of a hacker; overview of current threats in cybersecurity; how to use passwords to improve your business’s security position; and tips, tools and actions to improve security.

Ramage earned a master’s of science from Murray State University, holds an information assurance graduate education certificate from Purdue University and is currently pursuing his doctorate of philosophy in technology management from Indiana State University.

At the end of the luncheon Kyndle will give away one free year of Microsoft Office 365. Read more: Lane Report

Chamber Note from Rex Richards, President, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce:

December 18, 2015

John, I want to thank you for an outstanding map which you produced for our Valpo Chamber.
In my 43 years as a CEO in the chamber field, it was the smoothest project I have ever seen done. You made all the deadlines, your print quality and cartography were second to none. And of course you paid us in exactly the time frame you said you would so we could count the Royalty Check towards our current year revenues.
Life is very good when dealing with Town Square Publications.
You have the right of first refusal on our next map. You are a great partner for our chamber, We are living proof that a printed map is still very much in demand by both advertisers and consumers.
It would be my pleasure to recommend Town Square Publications as a firm Chambers and Tourism Bureaus should use when considering a printed map or other print publication.

Sincerely,

Rex G. Richards CCE

President, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce

#BestChamber Practices – The Ambassador Program – Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce (Part 7 of 14) – The Ambassador Points Program

Every year, an Ambassador of the Years is Selected based on points.

It’s Simple…..

20 Points: Recruit New Chamber Member

10 Points: Deliver New Member Packet

10 Points: Attend New Member Orientation with New Member

10 Points: 6th Month Personal Visit to New Member Assigned to You

5 Points: Attend Monthly Ambassador Meeting

5 Points: Attend Monthly Chamber Luncheon

5 Points: Attend Ribbon Cutting/Ground Breaking

5 Points: Wear Chamber Shirt to Chamber Event

5 Points: 2nd Month Phone Call to New Member Assigned to You

5 Points: 3rd Month Phone Call to New Member Assigned to You

10 Points: Golf Classic Registration Table AM or PM

10 Points: Golf Goody Bag Preparation

10 Points: P/Up or Delivery of Items to Golf Course

10 Points: Golf Hole-In-One Watch

10 Points: Golf Golden Ticket Prize Table

5 Points: Golf Golden Ticket Prize (5 pts. Each)

5 Points: Wear Chamber Shirt to Golf Classic

10 Points: Ambassadors’ Luncheon – Bringing Soup or Dessert

10 Points: Ambassadors’ Luncheon – Staying to Participate in Luncheon

20 Points: Annual Dinner Set-Up

10 Points: Annual Dinner Registration Table

10 Points: Annual Dinner Greeter/Host or Hostess

20 Points: Annual Dinner Clean Up

20 Points: P/Up or Delivery of Items to Annual Dinner

10 Points: Volunteer at State Fair Booth

10 Points: Volunteer at the Kentucky Wine & Vine Festival

Award will be announced and recognized at the Annual Membership Meeting.

Ambassador of the Year will receive a new nametag with the recognition on it, be featured in the Chamber Newsletter & Tuesday Tidbits, as well as have their name, bio and photo in Ambassador Display for one year in the Chamber lobby.

We award this every year— Might as well be YOU

More information: Contact the Jessamine County Chamber --- www.jessaminechamber.com

The Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a "successful 2015" by 'betting' on business

The Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a “successful 2015” Friday at the Danville Country Club by “betting on business” and recognizing outstanding community leaders.

With a theme of “Betting on Business: Deal Me In,” the yearly event is an opportunity to bring the community together.

“Tonight is really a celebration of our community and the wonderful things so many have done,” said Paula Fowler, executive director of the Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s just a fun way of getting members of our business community together.”

Following a banquet-style dinner, the awards were presented to several “outstanding” individuals and businesses.

The School Bell Award is presented annually to a lay person chosen by their school districts who has done considerable work for the school system as a volunteer. This year’s recipients are Rachalle Brandt of the Boyle County School System, Lucy Minichillo of the Danville Independent School System and Clyde Mohan of Kentucky School for the Deaf.

The Ambassador of the Year came from a core group of “recruitment and mentoring” Chamber volunteers. Emily Toadvine received the award for her “dedication, hard work and dependability.” Read more: Advocate-Messenger

Bowling Green Area Chamber outlines accomplishments

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce released its 2015 annual report, which showed the year included nearly $1 billion in capital investment and the creation of more than 1,000 jobs in southcentral Kentucky.

The chamber received three Awards of Excellence from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and was reaccredited as a Five-Star Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a designation received by less than 1 percent of chambers across the United States.

The Bowling Green chamber announced $904 million in expansion projects, including the No. 2 and No. 5 projects in Kentucky for capital investment.

The chamber also sold the fifth speculative building in the Kentucky Transpark within three months of completion and broke ground on a sixth speculative building, also in the Transpark. Read more: Bowling Green Daily News

Kentucky Chamber event: Gov. Bevin proposes spending $59 million of lottery money on new workforce development scholarship

Gov. Matt Bevin got some applause Tuesday night when he proposed ending the legislative practice of diverting millions of dollars generated by the Kentucky Lottery from college scholarships to the General Fund.

But Bevin is not proposing to put that money back into the need-based financial aid programs for which it was designated. Instead, $27 million in 2017 and $32 million in 2018 would form a new scholarship program to help students attend special workforce programs, said Carl Rollins, executive director of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, which would administer the fund.

Need-based aid funds would remain flat.

Bevin also is proposing to issue $100 million in bonds for workforce development construction projects, which he said would allow schools and private industries to partner and create innovative workforce training programs.

The new scholarship fund would “help students pay to attend new programs that would be created by the workforce development fund,” Rollins said. Read more: Lexington Herald-Leader

Paducah Chamber honors community members at annual meeting

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Celebration sponsored by Lourdes and CSI was held Friday at the Julian Carroll Convention Center, and the chamber honored several community members. 

The award winners are:

Young Leader of Western Kentucky - Donald Shively. This award is selected by the Four Rivers Business Journal.

Leadership Paducah Alumnus of the Year - Ralph Mounts. This award is selected and presented by the Leadership Paducah Foundation. 

Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Janice Cleary with Paducah Bank.

Summit Award - Michael and April Cochran with the Market House Theatre.

Entrepreneur of the Year -  f.a.c.e. Makeup Artistry and owner Erin Hendley.

Small Business of the Year - Socially Present and President Jonas Neihoff.  

Business of the Year - Beltline Electric and President Jason Siener.

Generations Award - Ray Black & Son.  

At the event, outgoing board chair Bryan Carner with US Bank officially passed the gavel to Bruce Wilcox with Henry A. Petter Supply as the board chair for 2016. Read more: WPSD6

A note to share from Jim Baumann, Executive Director of the Boyne City, Michigan Chamber of Commerce:

(Hi John), Wondering if you might post this on your blog or a future newsletter?

Would you like to live and work in a cool little town - Boyne City, population 3,700, in Northern Michigan? Your office would be in a log cabin on the waterfront of Lake Charlevoix. Jim Baumann has had this great job for nearly 8 years and will be retiring in early November. We're looking for my replacement and would like to start interviewing in March so the new person could work with me for awhile during a transition period. You'd also get to hire your own Associate Director - we're holding the position open with some part-time people for awhile. That's the staff - two. Budget is $150k, healthy reserve fund, 360 members, great board, great community where everyone works well together. Job description: http://bit.ly/1nv1eDb

Thanks!

Jim Baumann

Northern Kentucky’s Jordan named Director of Special Projects for Education and Workforce Cabinet

Rick Jordan knows something about workforce development.

As vice president of LSI Graphic Solutions in Erlanger, Jordan was one of the leaders in the effort to develop a quality workforce in the advanced manufacturing industry. He recognized years ago that expansion of Northern Kentucky operations by companies in the industry, coupled with looming retirement of baby boomers, would create a gap in the pipeline of qualified workers.

In 2011, a coalition of Northern Kentucky advanced manufacturing leaders that included Jordan, armed with just a $65,000 grant, began working with Gateway Community and Technical College to help build that workforce.

The Northern Kentucky Industrial Park Industry Partnership was instrumental in developing the spirit of cooperation that has fueled apprenticeship programs and collaborative efforts, such as Kentucky FAME, throughout the state.

Jordan, who retired from LSI Graphic Solutions after 20 years, now looks forward to a new challenge. He has been named Director of Special Projects for the Kentucky Education and Workforce Cabinet.

“I am excited about this new position in the Education and Workforce Cabinet,” Jordan said. “One of the major areas of focus will be increasing the required technical skills of Kentuckians to meet the ever changing job requirements of Kentucky companies so that the pipeline shortages will be filled.”

Jordan, who lives in Walton with his wife Vicki, will manage the successful Kentucky Work Ready Communities Program and will be involved in a number of other special projects that are in the works.

Jordan attended Franklin and Ohio State Universities after serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

His career has spanned more than 43 years, involving a number of management duties which also included manufacturing operations. He has held management positions with the Tappan Appliance Company, the Chef Company, and as Vice-President with the Maytag Corporation. Read more: Northern Kentucky Tribune

#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Volunteers)

Volunteers are paid in six figures... S-M-I-L-E-S.     ~Gayla LeMaire

Top Five Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog – click to go there or Google search “Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog”

ChamberExecutive Wisconsin Digest February, 2016 ... Feb 18, 2016	168
Happy Friday, Chamber World! It's going to be a GR... Feb 5, 2016	113
Happy Friday Chamber World! Have a GREAT weekend! ... Feb 12, 2016	100
Crossroads Regional Chamber interviewing couples f... Feb 8, 2016	87
Grand Rapids Area Chamber launches new program to ... Feb 15, 2016	85

If you would like delivery of a no-cost gloss chamber directory or map in September or October 2016, please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Last Month’s Stories

Kentucky Chamber Outlines Vision for State, Legislative Priorities Kentucky Chamber

Chamber news: 12th Annual Best Places to Work in Kentucky Award Winners Announced To register for the awards dinner click here. Also: View the complete list of winners!

GLI Chamber initiative: EnterpriseCorp Services Overview - EnterpriseCorp. - A Greater Louisville Initiative 

Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler, McCracken County Judge Executive Bob Leeper to Speak at Paducah Chamber Breakfast West Kentucky Star

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Get Out of Your Own Way  by Robert Cooper Barnes & Noble

Kentucky Chamber CEO talks right to work and prevailing wage on KET Kentucky Chamber

Bowling Green Chamber recognizes four volunteers for 2015 Bowling Green Daily News

#BestChamber practices: Great food makes great events!  --- from Pat McGaughey, www.chambermentor.com Introduce the Chef to your audience. Great food. Great meeting.

#BeatChamber Practices: Jessamine Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Program Handbook --- Part 5 of 14 sections  --- Retention Program Amy Cloud, CEO at 859-887-4351

Introducing the Greater Louisville Inc. Member Perks program.
Save money every day on everyday business expenses as a GLI member. GLI Member Perks

Best,

John

John Dussman | Chamber Manager
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
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