Saginaw Chamber CEO Receives award from Central Michigan University; Chamber news: “The Polar Express” Train Ride makes Christmas magic in Oklahoma debut; Chamber Tweet of the Day: St. Louis Regional Chamber; Conway Area Chamber Membership Maximizer Scheduled for January; Kansas Citian of the Year: UMKC Chancellor Leo Morton; Heart of Wisconsin chamber ambassador: Helping others in community more than a job, it's a lifestyle; Ten Local Illinois chambers establish an effort to Shop Local; Girard Chamber celebrates community successes; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

Saginaw Chamber CEO Receives award from Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University recently held its annual Alumni Awards ceremony and recognized nine alumni and one foundation for accomplishments and support they have provided to the university.
Bob Van Deventer, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO received the 2014 Community Recognition Award. According to Kathleen M. Wilbur, CMU vice president of development and external relation, “Each honoree has achieved great career heights, and many have devoted personal time and talents to CMU. We thank them for all they do.” Read more: Midland Daily News 

Chamber news: “The Polar Express” Train Ride makes Christmas magic in Oklahoma debut

"The Polar Express" Train Ride makes Christmas magic in Oklahoma debut
For the first time, the Eastern Flyer is bringing its “The Polar Express” Train Ride, a one-hour round-trip journey based on Chris Van Allsburg 1985 children’s book and the 2004 computer-animated musical movie version, to the Sooner State. The holiday train is chugging around Bristow through Dec. 28, but many outings are already sold out....
"The Polar Express" Train Ride may be new to the Sooner State, but it already has earned plenty of fans, including our family. The four passenger cars on Friday night's debut trip were mostly full, and many of the outings are already sold out.

The Bristow Chamber of Commerce estimates that more than 35,000 passengers will ride "The Polar Express" Train Ride before it makes its final departure of the season Dec. 28. Read more: NewsOK.com

Chamber Tweet of the Day: St. Louis Regional Chamber

STL Regional Chamber ‏@STLRegChamber Nov 28

Looking for ways to help? Donate to the #STLTogether Fund to support local businesses in #Ferguson and Shaw. http://brev.is/tvq9 

Conway Area Chamber Membership Maximizer Scheduled for January

Employees of Chamber-member businesses are invited to attend a Membership Maximizer on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015.
During a Membership Maximizer, a Chamber representative provides an overview of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s history and mission as well as an explanation of member benefits. The informal setting gives attendees an opportunity to network and ask questions over a catered lunch.
Aaron Throneberry, director of sales, said the luncheon is ideal for employees of businesses new to Chamber and new employees who work for current Chamber-member businesses. Read more: Log Cabin Democrat

Kansas Citian of the Year: UMKC Chancellor Leo Morton

With a career spanning the business and academic worlds and a wide range of civic involvement, Leo Morton has had many titles through the years. He gained a new one Tuesday, when the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce named him as Kansas Citian of the Year for 2014.
The chamber bestowed its highest honor on Morton at its annual dinner. The University of Missouri-Kansas City chancellor joins a list of local giants in winning the award, including last year's recipient, the late Phil Kirk. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

Heart of Wisconsin chamber ambassador: Helping others in community more than a job, it's a lifestyle

The United Way of Inner Wisconsin supports many local agencies and always is looking for ways to help south Wood County residents.
Sometimes, that help comes through funding, and other times it is person-to-person. Angie Loucks, 41, of Plover is an employee of the Wisconsin Rapids-based agency and an agent and advocate for change that improves life.
"We are here to help people," Angie said. Read more: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune

Ten Local Illinois chambers establish an effort to Shop Local

Ten area Chambers of Commerce along with several regional businesses have teamed up this holiday season in an effort to encourage Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their holiday shopping in the region, rather than traveling out of the area or shopping online.

“The Southern Illinois regional chambers have been fine tuning this program for years,” said Marion Chamber of Commerce Director Dalus Strusz. “This is my first experience working with the other Chambers on this project since taking my post at the Marion Chamber in March 2014. It has been an exciting experience!”

She said than even a small shift in revenue for these businesses can result in millions of dollars for local buisnesses.

“Let’s take a moment this holiday season and reexamine how we buy and where we buy and see how we can make more of an effort to shop local and buy local,” she said. “Let’s support and preserve our community.” Read more: The Daily Republican

Girard Chamber celebrates community successes

The community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and look toward the future at the Girard Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Community & Business Awards Dinner.

Some of the community's mainstays, including businesses and individuals, were celebrated with special honors, Mayor Kurt Ziegler shared the state of the city and the community heard exciting news about Girard's new status as an e-community.
"I look forward to this every year as we honor and celebrate our businesses,” said Julie Smith, executive director of the Girard Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: The Morning Sun

  Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude):

“Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.” ~Cherokee proverb

Fort Smith Chamber 125th Anniversary Celebration; Chamber Tweet of The Day: Tulsa chamber; Columbus Area Chamber (Nebraska): Four inductees add to Business Hall of Fame legacy; Pierre Chamber one of 156 Businesses in 46 SD Communities Recognized for Outstanding Customer Service; Saginaw Spirit in the spotlight at Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Eye-Opener Breakfast; Indiana chamber news: Upcoming state issues discussed; Chamber partnership: Visit Beloit launches new tourism website; Bemidji Chamber: 'First City of Lights' needs more donations; Chamber Initiative: Letter from Richard Davidson: Leadership Missouri 2014 graduate; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey RULE #22

Fort Smith Chamber 125th Anniversary Celebration

The Chamber celebrated our 125th Anniversary on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at the Fort Smith Convention Center. With almost 600 guests in attendance, including Governor Mike Beebe, we highlighted 125 years of rich history and honored our Legacy Members. 15 members of our Chamber have been members for more than 100 years and are still in business today. The Chamber wouldn't be where we are today without our outstanding members!

Chamber Tweet of The Day: Tulsa chamber 

TulsaRegionalChamber ‏@TulsaChamber 22m22 minutes ago
 

Happy #Halloween, northeast Oklahoma!

8:39 AM - 31 Oct 2014 · Details

 

 

Columbus Area Chamber (Nebraska): Four inductees add to Business Hall of Fame legacy

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is proud this week to announce the 2014 inductees into the Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame. These four individuals are clearly deserving of this recognition and add to the legacy of those honored with induction into the Hall of Fame.
Noyes Rogers, Sr., came to Columbus in 1943 and founded the Rogers Motor Company, a Ford Lincoln and Mercury agency. Two years later, he started the Rogers Tractor and Farm Machinery and Equipment Company in Columbus.
Noyes was a trustee on the University of Nebraska Foundation, a director of the Nebraska New Car Dealers Association, a director of the First National Bank and Trust, and a director of the General Telephone Company of the Midwest.
In civic affairs, Noyes served as a director of the Columbus Family Y and Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. He was chamber president in 1947. Noyes received the chamber’s Outstanding Community Service Award in 1976 and was selected as King Ferdinand IV for the 1978 Columbus Days.
Charles "Chuck" Sand founded Sand Livestock Systems, Inc. in 1969 and revolutionized the pork industry throughout the world. Read more: Columbus Telegram

Pierre Chamber one of  156 Businesses in 46 SD Communities Recognized for Outstanding Customer Service

The South Dakota Department of Tourism has recognized more than 150 businesses and organizations across the state for their outstanding customer service.  Jim Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism says the Great Service Star Program identifies and recognizes businesses that develop and complete hospitality training programs for their staff, reward employees for offering great service and for finding ways to show customer appreciation.  Those businesses meeting those criteria are given a star symbol from the Tourism Department to use in marketing their business and showing visitors their commitment to “Great Service”.  2015 Great Service Star Program Designees include Akta Lakota Museum, Al’s Oasis, Cedar Shore Resort and Quality Inn-all of Chamberlain/Oacoma; the Cow Creek, Oahe Downstream, Okobojo Point and Spring Creek Recreation Areas near Fort Pierre; Swan Creek and West Whitlock Recreation Areas near Gettysburg; Indian Creek, Revheim Bay and West Pollock Recreation Areas near Mobridge; Murdo’s Pioneer Auto Show, Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area near Selby and several locations in and near Pierre including the Ramkota, ClubHouse Hotel, Governor’s Inn, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, RedRossa Italian Grille, SD Missouri River Tourism, Farm Island and West Bend Recreation Areas, South Dakota State Parks and LaFramboise Island Nature Area. Source: DRGNews.com

Saginaw Spirit in the spotlight at Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Eye-Opener Breakfast

The October Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Eye-Opener Breakfast took place the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Bay Valley Resort & Conference Center in Bay County's Frankenlust Township with Craig Goslin, president and partner of the Saginaw Spirit hockey team as the keynote speaker.
Many of the spirit players joined Goslin, Spirit head coach Greg Gilbert, assistant coach Jay Wells and mascot Steagle Cobeagle the Eagle.
Goslin's presentation focused on the team's economic impact in the Great Lakes Bay Region, as well as the many special events the team hosts throughout the season to benefit area organizations.
He said a study by the Great Lakes Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that more than $15 million in economic impact is generated each year by Spirit fans. With the team now in its 13th season, he said that equates to more than $195 million in economic impact. Goslin also noted that the Spirit Charitable Foundation grants out $250,000 per season. Read more: M Live

Indiana chamber news: Upcoming state issues discussed

Attendees at Saturday’s Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast at Wabash College were treated with news of what to expect during the upcoming Indiana legislative session.
Topics from business to taxes and education were discussed by local state politicians and Indiana State Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Brinegar.
All speakers agreed the state’s two-year budget will be the main focal point. The bi-annual budget will be crafted for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. State Rep. Dr. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) said less money, due to inflation, will cause problems for everyone who wants a piece of the fiscal pie. Read more: Journal Review

Chamber partnership: Visit Beloit launches new tourism website

Ever try to convince friends or family to visit Beloit? Now you’ll have a new website to help you on your quest.
Visit Beloit launched a new website on Oct. 20 that will feature interviews with residents and business owners about why the city is the place to be.
The website, thisisbeloit.com, is a partnership between Vision Beloit, the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Beloit Association and Greater BeloitWORKS. The website will be updated weekly and started as an initiative to help businesses promote to prospective employees. Read more: Beloit Daily News

Bemidji Chamber: 'First City of Lights' needs more donations

The event that brightens Bemidji's longest nights needs a little jolt.

Lori Paris, Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce president, said Monday the annual "Night We Light" celebration is about $8,000 short of the money it needs to put on the full downtown display of trees alight with strings of electric bulbs. Although the city of Bemidji donates labor for hanging the lights on the waterfront, the fund's shortfall means Beltrami Avenue might be the only downtown street that crews will light.

The lights illuminate not only the trees themselves but the hearts of the people that walk past them, Paris said. Read more: Bemidji Pioneer

Chamber Initiative: Letter from Richard Davidson: Leadership Missouri 2014 graduate

What started off as a wet and soggy week has ended with some great fall weather. The trees have started to turn. I love this time of year.

I, along with 34 classmates, finished a seven-month journey last night with a formal graduation from the Leadership Missouri 2014 program. The program, put on by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, was designed to enhance our leadership skills and deepen our knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state. I met a lot of great people and built some life-long relationships along the way. Read more: Neosha Daily News

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

RULE #22      Have a minimum of 6 months operating capital in reserves

Happy Halloween!! 

John Dussman

 

What's Your Chamber's Young Professionals doing? Here's Generation Topeka's Fast Forward; Are you a Missouri Business That Wants to Sell to the Government? Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Travels to State Capitol; U.S. Chamber, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Cyber Essentials to Protect Your Business: An Exploration of the New Cybersecurity Framework; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

Generation Topeka is a group of people actively creating the place they want to be. We are passionate, unique, caring, visionary, fun, energetic, inspiring and ambitious. If you want to become more involved in the community, meet new people, have new experiences and help to change Topeka for the better, join us!
Fast Forward held its first Networking Social in 1999. Since then, we have grown to an organization that holds monthly educational events, Insiders Tours, volunteer service opportunities and Networking Socials. We have over 70 events each year that give our members the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things, tour interesting and unique businesses and organizations, attend events happening in Topeka, support locally owned small businesses and much more.
The Fast Forward Steering Committee has been working hard coming with up with new and unique ideas to attract more people to Fast Forward and our community. One idea that has continued to come up over the past year is for Fast Forward to become less of a traditional Chamber organization and more of a community based organization. We love our bankers, but we understand that not everybody wants to walk into a room full of them! Through these conversations, Generation Topeka was born. Read More: Greater Topeka Chamber

 Are you a Missouri Business That Wants to Sell to the

 Government?

The federal government awards over $400 billion dollars in contracts annually to small business owners. Are you ready to market yourself to the world's largest customer? This webinar offers an overview of the critical first steps to becoming a government contractor, how to identify opportunities, and understand the contracting process. The seminar will also cover MO PTAC services available to assist Missouri businesses in all aspects of government contracting. Wednesday, May 21- Carolyn Jones, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center Government Contracting: First Steps -

Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Travels to

State Capitol

State and local Chambers from around the state gathered in Lansing for meetings with legislators and staff and to advocate for policies that foster business and job growth
On Tuesday, May 6, the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and 31 other local Chambers met in Lansing to discuss their combined goals and strategies in 2014. Participants were scheduled to attend a series of meetings with legislators and policymakers throughout the day to discuss issues favorable to job creation and business growth in Michigan. Read more: Saginaw Chamber Blog 

U.S. Chamber, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: 

Cyber Essentials to Protect Your Business: An 

Exploration of the New Cybersecurity Framework

 

REGISTER NOW

Member Price: Free | Non-Member Price: $25

Includes Breakfast and Networking

May 22 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
InterContinental Chicago | 505 N. Michigan Ave. - Renaissance Ballroom

Cybersecurity experts often say that there are two types of businesses - those who have been hacked and know it, and those who have been hacked and don't know it yet. Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, to learn your business' current cybersecurity posture, how to set goals for cybersecurity improvements, and much more. Read more: Chicagoland Chamber Events

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)
  “The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” ~ Tony Blair
Forbes 5/50
 

Chamber Affinity Program: Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce's Payroll & HR Services Program; 5 takeaways from the Saginaw Chamber's 151st annual meeting; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: Dale Carnegie

Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce’s Payroll & HR Services Program:

Paying your employees to help you grow your company is a good thing, paying too much is a problem! The Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a program that will lower your payroll costs while improving your service with a local connection.

Our program can offer customized service and scheduling, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for or need some assistance in figuring out what your costs would be please contact Michael Carpanzano,
President & CEO, at (630) 226-8420.

We have partnered with AmCheck, a national company with a locally owned franchise. As a result we maintain a lot of flexibility and service-orientated control in the program. With more than 30 years of combined experience in the largest payroll and HR companies in the world, AmCheck’s owners, Mark Weaver and Bryan Headley, have the experience and knowledge to guide you in the right direction.

Contact the Chamber today to receive a no obligation quote today! We are certain you will be satisfied with the cost savings and the service!


For more information call (630) 226-8420.




 5 Takeaways from the Saginaw Chamber's 151st Annual Meeting

About 400 businessmen and women gathered Friday, April 11, for the 151st annual meeting of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. The event, which included awards presentations, lunch and a keynote address took place at Apple Mountain.
“It’s kind of a report to our members,” Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce President Bob Van Deventer said of the annual meeting. “We’re such a volunteer-driven organization. … It’s a great opportunity to recognize the volunteers.”
Here’s a look at this year’s award winners:

• President’s Award: Anthony Taylor, Tri-Star Trust Bank
• Ambassador of the Year Award: Terianne Carey, Rex Corp.
• Ed Dornseifer Spirit of Ambassadorship Award: Kristen Wenzel, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
• Diplomat of the Year Award: Kevin Scorsone, Chemical Bank
• Chamber Challenge Award: Covenant HealthCare
• Chairman’s Award: Leslie Bilodeau, Brown & Brown of Central Michigan

Sen. Arlan Meekhof, 30th District, and Republican Majority Floor Leader, was the keynote speaker.

Here are five takeaways from the annual meeting: Read more: M LIVE


 Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations:

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. - Dale Carnegie

 

John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 U. S. Chambers of Commerce have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at jdussman.vp@villageprofilemail.com or (800)-600-0134 x239. 

Chamber Releases Top Recommendations for K-12 Academic Standards; Social Media Checklist; 6 takeaways from Saginaw business talk with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley; 24th Annual Arkansas Small Business Awards Luncheon Set for May 1st; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotes: Glenn Shepard

Indiana Chamber Releases Top Recommendations for K-12 Academic Standards

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has taken a comprehensive look at academic standards in the state and beyond, producing suggestions to help elevate Indiana’s well-regarded standards to an even higher level.Early this year, the Indiana Chamber commissioned a detailed comparison of Indiana’s current standards (approved in 2010) and previous standards along with those from Massachusetts – which added state-specific adjustments to the Common Core State Standards base – and from two states (Virginia and Texas) that did not adopt Common Core. Read More: Indiana Chamber

Social Media Checklist

Arkansas's Small Business and Technology Development Center's Small Business Social Media Checklist can help small business owners think through why and how to participate in social media.


6 Takeaways from Saginaw Chamber Business Talk with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley

The so-called “skills gap,” the role agriculture plays in the region's economy and manufacturing in Michigan were just a few of the topics Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Steve Arwood and select Saginaw business leaders discussed at the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce.
The panel of leaders Wednesday, April 9, included Herb Spence, president of Spence Brothers; Dick Garber, president of Garber Management Group; Dr. Samuel J. Shaheen, president of SSP Associates; Tim Hausbeck, president and chief executive officer of Hausbeck Pickle Co. Read more: M LIVE

24th Annual Arkansas Small Business Awards Luncheon Set for May 1st

The State Chamber/AIA will host the 24th Annual Arkansas Small Business Awards Luncheon from
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 1st at the Holiday Inn Presidential in Little Rock. This event honors recipients of awards presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If your company is interested in being a sponsor for the Small Business Awards Luncheon or for
more information, contact Jeff Thatcher at 501-210-4205 or
jthatcher@arkansasstatechamber.com. Read more: Arkansas State Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotes:

If You'd Wear It to the State Fair, Don't Wear It to Work

Glenn Shepard