St. Joseph County Chamber News: South Bend, Indiana Ranks First as Best City to Get Wealthy; East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual meeting draws raves for positive economic message; 21st Annual Kentucky Chamber Day; Chamber Best Practices: Become a Muskegon STAR and share what is special about this town: Dave Alexander; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Perspective); East Troy Chamber presentation: Ring in the holidays aboard Santa Train Dec. 5; Southwest Virginia Chamber event addresses legislative issues; Ryan McKennedy named Herrin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Town Square Publications and Custom Maps;

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

St. Joseph County Chamber News: South Bend, Indiana Ranks First as Best City to Get Wealthy

Published Friday, November 20, 2015

South Bend came in first in Money Under 30's Best Cities to Get Wealthy rankings.

When it comes to saving money, where you live matters. Money Under 30 found 10 cities with affordable housing and above-average salaries for 18- to-34-year-olds. Could these be the best cities in America for getting rich?

If you want to grow wealthy, where you live matters.

Although Silicon Valley may be today’s locale of choice for aspiring members of the triple comma club, most of us aren’t going to strike silicon gold by launching the next Facebook.

And here’s the thing about California: The rent is too damn high. According to Rent Jungle, an average one-bedroom apartment in Palo Alto rents for about $2,600 a month — almost double what it was in 2009.

Most of us will have a better shot at becoming a millionaire by finding good-paying work in an affordable city.

For example, in Chicago, the mortgage payments on a $300,000 home are about a third of the monthly rent in Palo Alto.

But what about jobs? It doesn’t matter if housing is cheap if you can’t find a job with a decent wage.

Money Under 30 studied cities across the United States to find the ideal combination of modest expenses and decent salaries. In other words, we looked for locations where you can earn and save at the same time.

We looked specifically at how much young people were earning in each location. The per capita income in Fairfield, CT is quite high, but not a lot of people under 30 are getting a piece of that pie.

So where are young people making more money and also keeping more of it? Here we present the 10 best cities in America to build wealth. Note: All figures are based on the Census Bureau’s 2014 projections (the latest data available).

Here is the publisher's findings about South Bend:

Metro population: 268,291
•Median income (with a bachelor’s or higher): $71,829
•Young people making > $35,000/yr: 65 percent
•Median rent: $720

As if Notre Dame grads need another reason to brag: South Bend tops our list for a slew of reasons — including a median income that’s 10 percent above number two Springfield. Nor is South Bend exactly in the boonies; Chicago is just 90 minutes away by car if you’re craving hopping nightlife or culture out the wazoo. As you might expect, the education sector offers big opportunities with Notre Dame the top employer: The university experienced a 21 percent increase in full-time faculty and staff between 1993 and 2002, according to the City Data website. It’s also home to AM General, which produced the almighty Hummer, and makes heavy-duty vehicles for the military.

•Unemployment rate, bachelor’s degree or higher: 2.3 percent
•Best (or worst) Notre Dame joke: How many Notre Dame football fans does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: 956. One to screw in the bulb and the other 955 to talk about how grand the old light bulb was. Read more: MoneyUnder30.com

East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual meeting draws raves for positive economic message

 Members of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation got a rousing pep talk Friday to highlight the organization's 19th annual meeting at the Mississippi State University Riley Center's Historic Theatre.

    Mississippi Development Authority Director Glenn McCullough gave the keynote address and it was followed by a panel discussion led by former Mississippi State University President and current Riley Foundation member Dr. Malcolm Portera.

    This was the first annual meeting for EMBDC President and CEO Bill Hannah, who's been on the job for six months. Many of the attendees Friday expressed praise for Hannah's program, which focused on the importance of regionism and positive attitude.

    "This was the most informative EMBDC annual meeting I've attended," Mississippi House Pro Tempore Greg Snowden (R-Meridian) said.

    That was the objective, Hannah said.

    "(We wanted to focus) on working regionally, and we have ton of very vested people, and it's not to say we haven't before, but there seems to be a want to get all of our leadership together," Hannah said. "I don't know if it is a different direction, but we're marching in the same direction and be successful. Glenn (McCullough) nailed it, we just have to believe we can be successful." Read more: Meridian Star

21st Annual Kentucky Chamber Day

Join us at the premier kick off of the legislative session

Where should you start off the new year? At the state’s largest gathering of business and political leaders! Don’t miss your opportunity to network with the who’s who of Kentucky. You’ll get to hear the governor and the state’s top four legislative leaders (all invited) share their visions for Kentucky’s economy, government and politics in the year ahead.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Heritage Hall

The Lexington Convention Center

Lexington, Kentucky

Agenda

5 p.m. Registration and Reception

6:30 p.m. Dinner

Featured Guests

Governor of the Commonwealth

House and Senate leadership

(all invited)

Pricing

Individual Ticket

$175 Kentucky Chamber Member

$225 Retail

Table of 10

$1,350 Kentucky Chamber Member

$1,850 Retail

2016 Chamber Day Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Sponsorship opportunities include value added benefits such as recognition before, during and after the event, tables of ten at the dinner and logo featured in printed materials. Sponsorship levels are as follows:

• Presenting  – $25,000
• Platinum – $15,000
• Gold – $10,000
• Silver – $7,500
• Bronze – $3,000

To view current sponorship opportunities, please click here.

Contact Andrea Flanders at 502-848-8723 for more information about sponsoring this event.

Chamber Best Practices: Become a Muskegon STAR and share what is special about this town: Dave Alexander

I am a Muskegon STAR and you can be too.

If you have been in Muskegon County the past six months, no doubt you have seen the Watch mUSkeGOn branding logo. That community image campaign launched this past Memorial Day and has been picked up by businesses, local governments, organizations and residents alike.

Dave Alexander

Community image – what we think of ourselves and what others think of us – has been a problem in Muskegon for years.

A community image campaign needs to be much more than a catchy slogan, no matter how compelling and effective. An ad hoc Muskegon County image committee has also focused on beautification and education.

The United Way of the Lakeshore Day of Caring in September took up beautification projects along Seaway Drive and Sherman Boulevard. Now the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and West Michigan Works have begun the STAR program to certify "community information specialists."

ARE YOU A MUSKEGON STAR?

Here are five questions from the Muskegon STAR assessment test given at the end of the four-hour program. (Answers can be found below.)

1. Name four major Muskegon County festivals.

2. Where is there a dog beach in Muskegon County?

3. There is one primary river in Muskegon County, true or false?

4. Name three historic ships in Muskegon County that can be toured.

5. The Lake Express is a small cargo ship that uses the Port of Muskegon, true or false?

I took the course earlier this month, the second of a monthly class of about 35 gung-ho Muskegon enthusiasts that is booked through the spring. After more than 30 years of covering this county, I was pretty much a Muskegon STAR going in as were several other community activists. We all shared ideas about what makes this uniquely Muskegon.

The four-hour program taught by the chamber and employment training agency is a crash course in everything Muskegon from attractions, the arts, festivals, recreation, restaurants, shopping and lodging. It includes customer-service training.

The goal is to have front-line employees in the service and tourism industries conversant on Muskegon when asked about the closest pizza shop or where you can put your dog into Lake Michigan.

What did I learn? Read more: M LIVE

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Perspective)

"If you listen to your own reviews, you will probably be getting some false information." 

--- Jim Mathis, The Reinvention Pro - www.jimmathis.com

East Troy Chamber presentation: Ring in the holidays aboard Santa Train Dec. 5

Limited tickets are now available for children of all ages who would like to ride in special passenger trolley cars that will follow the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Train on Saturday, Dec. 5, when it makes its annual journey into town.

Presented by the East Troy Electric Railroad in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center, the lighted four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.

Spectators, who aren’t aboard the train, can catch a glimpse of Santa along Highway ES. The train will stop briefly at the following crossings:

• 5:30 p.m., train departs at The Elegant Farmer
• 5:45 p.m., Army Lake Road — Army Lake Camp
• 6 p.m., St. Peter’s Road
• 6:15 p.m., Byrnes Street
• 6:25 p.m., Division Street
• 6:30 p.m., Santa arrives on Village Square via East Troy Fire Department truck

The heated passenger trolley will begin boarding at 5 p.m. at The Elegant Farmer, depart at 5:30 p.m. and follow the Santa Train to East Troy. Riders will be able to walk to the historic village square to watch Santa light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas tree. The return trip will depart the East Troy depot at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the special ride, which must be purchased in advance, are available for $10 each at the East Troy Chamber Office, 2894 Main St. (on the Village Square) and the Mukwonago Chamber Office, 100 Atkinson St. For more information, call 262-642-3770 or 262-363-7758. Read more: Journal Times

Southwest Virginia Chamber event addresses legislative issues

A delegation from the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce attended the 29th annual Southwest Virginia Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast & Forum recently at the Holiday Inn and Hotel Bristol Conference Center.

The annual event, hosted by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, has become a prelude to the upcoming legislative issues and concerns that will be the topics for the 2016 General Assembly.

Represented at the forum were Senator Bill Carrico from the 40th District, Delegate Will Morefield from the 3rd District and Delegate Israel O’Quinn from the 5th District.

Questions were submitted from the localities of the 13 participating chambers that included the towns of Richlands and Wytheville, and counties of Dickenson, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wise. Read more: Southwest Times

Ryan McKennedy named Herrin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

The Herrin Chamber of Commerce has announced that Ryan McKennedy will be the new executive director.

McKennedy is a 2013 Southern Illinois University graduate and a 2015 University of Southern California graduate. He has been with the Army National Guard for eight years and continues to serve as a human resources sergeant.

Ryan helped charter and co-captain a local chapter of Team RWB based out of Marion, serving veterans throughout Southern Illinois. Team RWB Marion mission is to enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Read more: The Southern

Town Square Chamber Publications and Custom Maps 

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

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, with over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest, allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams. More information: Town Square Publications

The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your publication proposal, Click here

Chamber delight: Forbes ranking - Madison, Mississippi makes new Top 25 list; Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Voted the Region’s Best!; Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Business After Business: Speed Networking; Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards scholarship; Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce to host grant-writing seminar; Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event; Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber Lodi Pride Concerts: Crooning in June; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Happy Friday, Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Chamber delight: Forbes ranking - Madison, Mississippi makes new Top 25 list

The city recently ranked among Forbes magazine's 25 best suburbs for retirement in 2015. Described as a growing city of 25,000 located just north of the state capitol, Madison was selected for its low crime rate and access to various amenities.

"Forbes compared hundreds of suburbs and selected 25 top locales, with the farthest out 22 miles from the downtown of a city," said the magazine. "We took into account housing cost and the overall cost of living, taxes on retirees, mass transit to the big city, the serious crime rate, air quality, proximity of hospitals and higher education opportunities, as well as the strength of the local economy for those who may want to work in retirement."

Madison was chosen because the suburb offers a median home price of $230,000, a cost of living just above national average, a good tax climate, a local extension of Tulane University, a nearby hospital, a high Milken aging rate, and an extremely low serious crime rate.

For these reasons and more, Retirement Coordinator Tona Becker feels that Madison was an obvious choice.

"It's a safe, beautiful place, and we have a lot to offer senior citizens," said Becker, who has worked closely with the local Chamber of Commerce to create a program designed to mold Madison into the ideal retirement community.

"We're so close to shopping, medical facilities, and entertainment," Becker explained. "There are lots of volunteer opportunities and recreational activities if they like to boat, fish, and hike. There are lots of activities, too, at the majority of our churches here in Madison." Read more: Madison County Journal

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Voted the Region’s Best!

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce was recently voted the best Chamber of Commerce by the readers of the Northwest Indiana Quarterly!  Readers voted for their favorite businesses in dozens of different categories.  The business with the most votes in each category won the designation “Best”. 

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Sue Reed, President and CEO of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.  “Our chamber is dedicated to creating a healthy business community in our Region. We all work together to make it a great place to live and work.”

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce has a mission to continuing business growth, providing a voice for businesses, dedication to members and civic pride.  Thank you for your continued support of Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.  To see a PDF of the magazine, please visit www.nwibq.com and view the spring 2015 issue.

Chamber partners: West Michigan leaders preach collaboration at Mackinac Policy Conference

While Southeast Michigan leaders at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference acknowledge that their region’s economy still has room for improvement, they’ve started to pivot from a focus on fixing immediate problems to tackling long-term solutions instead.

When it comes to pervasive issues like roads and talent, they might find some examples of public-private collaboration from West Michigan that could help point a way forward.

“I think we in West Michigan row in the same boat together,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development organization.

While the Detroit Regional Chamber sponsors the late May event and gears the discussions toward Southeast Michigan, business leaders from West Michigan — Kitchens included — said they also wanted to have their say and seize opportunities for bridge-building and collaboration with their colleagues across the state.

“I think we collaborate better than most areas of (a similar) size in the nation,” Kitchens told MiBiz at the conference. “I think we work with Southeast Michigan a lot because the economic development there is driven by governmental institutions, where West Michigan is much more private sector-driven.

In particular, Kitchens said he believes leaders from the east side of the state are increasingly looking at proven models around West Michigan to solve the talent crisis. One such example is Grand Rapids-based Talent 2025, a private sector-led initiative with higher educational representatives that’s addressing long-term talent concerns in the region. - See more at: MiBiz.com

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Business After Business: Speed Networking
REGISTER NOW

June 18, 2015 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Pinstripes
435 East Illinois Street

Member Ticket: $30 | Non-Member Ticket: $50

Connect with like-minded business professionals
more effectively than ever before

Build build new business relationships, learn new ideas, share information, discuss challenges, and make meaningful professional connections at this fun, well-structured networking event.

Participants have the luxury of pre-qualifying the type of people they want to meet by filling out a brief online profile about themselves and who they want to meet. When you attend this event you will be provided a customized schedule (based on your networking selections) of meetings in which you will meet up to 10 new people for five minutes each.

Advantages of Speed Networking:

• Take the guess work out of finding the "right" contacts
• Avoid the awkward feelings of meeting new people
• Identify new business alliances, synergies, and career opportunities
• Meet more people in your target market in just two hours 

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce awards scholarship

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will be awarding the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship to Ania Austin, senior student representative from the Student Advisory Council to the chamber.
Ania has remained involved with a wide variety of activities throughout high school, including sports, academic clubs, community organizations and volunteer service. She is currently the president of the African American History Club, Senior Chair of the Pulaski County Student Advisory Committee and member of National Honor Society. Ania’s extensive community involvement includes over 400 volunteer hours, something chamber executive director Peggy White says “is a true representation of someone who has a passion for the community and wants to see it succeed.” The chamber continues to sponsor this scholarship for local students in an effort to help mold a successful future workforce and positively impact Pulaski and surrounding communities. Read more: The Roanoke Times

Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce to host grant-writing seminar

The Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Tourism Bureau will host the grant-writing seminar, “Researching and Writing Winning Grants” geared toward nonprofits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the MidAmerican Credit Union, 1610 N. Summit St., in Arkansas City.

Grant-writing skills are useful not only to those employed by schools and libraries, but also to those who work for nonprofit agencies, municipalities and faith-based organizations.

The seminar will be taught by Lu Kindblade, of Lu Kindblade and Associates, LLC, a planning firm that assists communities, schools, nonprofit organizations and businesses in developing and funding sustainable programs.

The seminar will highlight the basics of planning a project, writing a grant proposal and researching and accessing funding sources. A funding-resource list detailing the latest available funders and invitations for proposals will be provided, according to Kindblade.

“I am excited to be returning to Ark City because this is a community that understands that business and community needs go hand in hand,” Kindblade said. “I am thrilled at the opportunity to help this community and neighboring organizations find the funding to strengthen their services and projects, especially in this challenging economic climate.” Read more: Winfield Daily Courier

West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory

The West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory is available today! Thanks to Diane Brandt and her chamber team for their work in putting this together!

For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or glossy publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event

More than fifty local artists will come together to celebrate the art and community of Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, on June 18, 2015 from 4-8 PM in the Historic Coca-Cola Plant.

The public is invited to “Meet the Artists” and hear the artists' stories and see their art. Participating artists include individual artists and art groups like Paducah Art Alliance, the Art Guild, Yeiser Art center, Bricolage Art Collective, Wastelanders and PAPA Gallery.

Paducah has discovered that Art is one of its greatest resources for education, engagement and community spirit. The diverse artists and crafts persons who are part of its creative cultural community have enriched our city, enhanced our personal lives, changed perspectives, and broaden our international horizons.

The event is being held in the Historic Coca Cola Plant, one of Paducah's recently rehabilitated historic treasures, located at 3141 Broadway. Light Hors d'oeuvres will be provided and the Dry Ground Brewery and Piper's Tea and Coffee will be open for drinks.

Event sponsors and partners are Paducah Main Street, the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paducah Economic Development and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: KFVS12.com

Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber Lodi Pride Concerts: Crooning in June

Kicking off the summer concert season will be two hours of Lodi alumni and friends held at 6:30 p.m.m on Sunday, June 14 at the Lodi High School Performing Arts Center, 1100 Sauk St. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
The Lodi Alumni Concert will feature a variety of music from six decades of performers. Emcee Jerry Nelson (class of 1969) will be joined by classmate Susan Goeres.
From the ‘80s are Don “Hoppy” Hopkins, Susie Frankland, Leslie Nevens, Tracy Foster and Stacey Hoon.
Representing the ‘90s are Heather Halverson, Jason McGrath, Shana Dunn and Brooke Nault.
Next are the beginning of the graduates from the “new” high school: Regina Hurley, Patty Rea and Nicole Pare.
The millennials will have the most participants featuring Bryce Baker, Ryan Senger, Ricky Thaden, Hannah Weber, Kiley Roller and, newest graduates, Faith Hatch, Abby Mason and Andy Nevens. All three alumni received scholarships from music sponsors at Class Night. LHS Senior Skye Baron will also perform.
From the youngest to the, let’s say most experienced, Ivalo Senese represents everyone more than 90 years old. Accompanists are Susan Goeres, Shelly Pare, Sharon Hatch and Senger.
Nelson will also be the lead entertainer at the season’s first Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce sponsored Lodi Pride Concert on Wednesday, June 17 at Habermann Park. The night’s event will be sponsored by the Lodi Canning Company. Read more: Lodi Enterprise


Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

RULE #98      Never ask for money that isn’t there.

Comcast small business contest: Would $30,000 help take your business to the next level? Meridian Mississippi: Star of the Week: EMBDC chamber manager Meredith Rea; Bentonville/Bella Vista chamber dinner: Bacigalupi dotes on Northwest Arkansas' collaborative spirit; Christian County Chamber’s $300K campaign off to roaring start; Brighton Area Chamber Professional Women's Club: Event Helps Local Women Become Heart Healthy & Reduce Stress; Arc of Northern Virginia Hosting Networking Mixer Feb. 24; Chamber interest: Schaumburg Business Association: Manufacturer's Summit; Pulaski County (Virginia) chamber reps, county officials travel to Richmond during legislative session; Best Chamber practices: Fox Cities Chamber Tools: Training, Education and Advice; Early History of the Richmond Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

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

Chamber interest: Comcast small business contest: Would $30,000 help take your business to the next level? 

Here's the contest info. At Comcast Business we believe that smart, strategic use of technology can catapult a business to an entirely new level. Connecting in innovative ways with customers…managing back office operations more efficiently…even creating a whole new line of business enabled by technology – we want to know what your business would do with a $30,000 investment in technology. Contest winners will get to take that money and implement their ideas. Innovation coming to life! Enter our Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs contest today. Our judges will select two winners in each of the 16 Comcast Business Regions: one Startup and one Entrepreneur. Each winner will be awarded $10,000 in cash to help their business get to the next level. From these 32 winners, six will be named as GRAND PRIZE Winners and will receive an additional $20,000 and a special trip to Comcast headquarters in Philadelphia – where they will meet with Business Innovation Experts to discuss how to put their technology plan into action! You’ll see the simple entry form on the homepage.

Meridian Mississippi: Star of the Week: EMBDC chamber manager Meredith Rea

Meredith Rea, who was recently promoted to the position of manager for the Chamber of Commerce at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, is a busy young lady.

    Rea is in charge of membership services for the EMBDC, runs various programs there and is on the small business committee. She also works closely with Casey Null-Holladay, who was recently hired to handle events for the EMBDC.     Before her promotion, Rea handled public relations and communications for the EMBDC.     "We changed up the roles a little bit to make things smoother," Rea said.     This year Rea finishes her fourth year with the U.S. Chamber program called Institute for Organization Management, from which she graduates this year.     "It's a great way to connect with other Chambers, so you aren't always reinventing the wheel, " Rea said of the program. Read more: Meridian Star

Bentonville/Bella Vista chamber dinner: Bacigalupi dotes on Northwest Arkansas' collaborative spirit

The possibilities for Northwest Arkansas are unlimited in the years ahead, Don Bacigalupi, former executive director and president of Crystal Bridges, said Thursday.
Sandy Edwards, deputy director of Crystal Bridges, had a conversation with Bacigalupi during the annual Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce dinner at the John Q. Hammons Center.
Edwards asked Bacigalupi to recall his thoughts when Crystal Bridges was announced, the skepticism it endured from the art world, what it has done for the area and how it bodes for the decade ahead.
"I think that the next 10 years are going to be extraordinary and, again, unlimited," Bacigalupi said.
Bacigalupi spoke about the community's collaborative effort to establish Crystal Bridges. The intensity of the collaborative spirit of this region is unique, he said.
"There was so much positivity that it was infectious," Bacigalupi said.
It's what continues to propel the museum's national recognition; and when people come to visit it, they get a taste of Northwest Arkansas, he said. Read more: Arkansas Online

Christian County Chamber’s $300K campaign off to roaring start

Fake pearls and plastic fedoras at the door, the flappers and gangsters who came decked out in 1920s attire didn’t need them Thursday for the kickoff of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever total resource campaign.
The campaign with the theme “Roaring to the Top” aims to produce a 1920s-like feel and, by all accounts, it’s off to a roaring start even though it’s only just begun. As campaign chairs Jerod Kaufman of Robinson Construction and Lori Harper of Rogers Group announced at Oakland Manor, they’re already secured over $110,000 — more than a third of their $300,000 campaign goal.
Kaufman and Harper make a good team, they said, with Kaufman playing the role of the fun-loving guy while Harper is all about business. Both have a wide net of contacts and the ability to see to it this campaign meets and, hopefully, exceeds its goal, said Marian Mason, president of the chamber.

“He’s the fun guy. I’m the business person,” Harper explained standing beside Kaufman, both in pinstripe suits. Kaufman also brought a toy Tommy gun and a couple of pairs of handcuffs for effect. Read more: Kentucky New Era

 

Brighton Area Chamber Professional Women's Club: Event Helps Local Women Become Heart Healthy & Reduce Stress

An educational event helped raise awareness about heart disease while inspiring local women to make changes in their lives, reduce stress and become heart healthy. The second annual Brighton Go Red for Women luncheon was held today, with many attendees wearing red to recognize February as Heart Month. The event was hosted by the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Professional Women’s Club of Michigan and Michigan Heart, a member of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Michigan Heart Cardiologist Mark Bernstein discussed the impact of stress on the heart and how to manage it in a healthy way. Bernstein tells WHMI coronary disease typically develops later in women than men and it’s important to know the warning signs and symptoms because they may not be the same for men and women. He says modifying behaviors helps lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease but acknowledged it's easier said than done. Read more: WHMI 95.5 FM

Arc of Northern Virginia Hosting Networking Mixer Feb. 24

The Arc of Northern Virginia is hosting a networking mixer for the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, February 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Arc represents and serves more than 16,000 people with intellectual and development disabilities and their families providing vital programs, services, and advocacy. Members of the Chamber and friends of the business community are invited to enjoy refreshments and learn more about The Arc’s efforts to help people with disabilities live “A Life Like Yours.”
RSVPs are appreciated by emailing HStregack@thearcofnova.org or by calling 703-208-1119, ext. 102. Read more: Falls-Church News-Press

Chamber interest: Schaumburg Business Association: Manufacturer's Summit

Date: March 4, 2015

Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

Registration: Register Now

In today's global marketplace manufacturing companies who attain a competitive advantage are nimble, responding quickly to an ever changing and challenging environment by leveraging resources. Join us as we bring together a panel of experts to provide an overview of the resources available to manufacturers at the local, state and federal levels.

Location: Harper College - Wojcik Conference Center
1200 W. Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067 - 3:30-5:30 PM

Topics include:

• Addressing the Skills Gaps - The Harper College, Village of Schaumburg, and SBA Partnership
• Workforce & Development Training

- See more at: Schaumburg Business Association

Pulaski County (Virginia) chamber reps, county officials travel to Richmond during legislative session

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, along with county officials, attended the Old Dominion Assembly in Richmond on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Del. Joseph Yost proposed a cigarette tax bill for Pulaski and Montgomery counties that would allow the counties to delegate cigarette taxes solely toward school renovations. Though the bill was tabled, Pulaski County had a strong representation at the subcommittee hearing.
Chamber staff, executive director Peggy White and communication director Christiana Marjakangas, along with county economic development director Michael Solomon, represented Pulaski County at the Virginia State Chamber Day, where, among others, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring spoke. Read more: Roanoke Times

Best Chamber practices: Fox Cities Chamber Tools: Training, Education and Advice
 
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is an economic development corporation providing quality business education, technical assistance and access to capital for entrepreneurs. WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin, concentrating its efforts on women, minorities and those of lower incomes.
Fox Valley Technical College’s Venture Center is an integrated entrepreneurship center providing programming and services in three areas: entrepreneurial studies, business development and innovation.
The Venture Center provides education and training to provide the necessary legal, business, scientific, capital markets, regulatory and leadership skills needed to follow the path of idea to launching and operating a sustainable business. Call 920-735-2525 for more information.
Small Business Development Center-Oshkosh The SBDC provides low-cost workshops, seminars and free counseling to aid small businesses. The low-cost seminars are specifically designed for owners and managers of businesses and are taught by instructors who have experience and knowledge about the problems of owning and operating a business. Call 920-424-1453 or 800-232-8939 for more information.
SCORE The SCORE Association is a free business counseling service. A partner of the Small Business Administration, the Fox Cities SCORE Chapter is located at the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry. To request a Fox Cities SCORE Counselor, contact 920-734-7101. Read more: Fox Cites Chamber Economic Development

Early History of the Richmond Indiana Chamber of Commerce

The idea of a Chamber of Commerce in Richmond developed slowly after World War II, even as many cities already had well-established Chambers and others were organizing new ones to take advantage of the widespread industrial expansion following the war.

According to thinking of the time, Richmond didn’t really need a Chamber, primarily because the “City Fathers” made the major economic decisions and we already enjoyed a formidable array of prosperous industries. These included the Dille-McGuire and Lontz lawnmower factories and later Motomower, a combination that often led to the contention that we were a leader in that sector in the nation. There were several busy casket manufacturers, plus the massive Crosley facility, later Avco, and the expanding Natco company. Even more notable for a national recognition were the Hill companies, which provided the basis for the claim that in Richmond there were more roses grown under glass than anywhere in the world, thus leading to the boast we proclaimed for many years that we were “The City of Roses”.

Yes, at that time Richmond had a strong and vibrant economic base with many good jobs. And yes, perhaps we were “fat and happy”. Then the world began to change.

The heavy-duty machinery manufacturer Bucyrus-Erie chose Richmond for a new facility (actually in Center Township) – to great acclaim – and, unfortunately, slowly sank into bankruptcy. Avco did o.k. for a while but eventually went out of business. Natco moved into the vacant Bucyrus-Erie plant and later sold out and the successor businesses eventually closed. The lawnmower companies disappeared. Even our star performer, Hill’s, ran into rough waters when South America showed it could grow roses much cheaper; we no longer were “The City of Roses”. Read more: Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce


Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

RULE #56      If we don’t charge, say “it’s included in your membership”