Showing posts with label Sauk Valley Chamber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sauk Valley Chamber. Show all posts

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Fox Cities Chamber Features Nationally-Acclaimed Economist Elliot Eisenberg as Keynote Speaker for 2020 Economic Outlook Lunch on February 13; #FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!); The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 2019 Voice of Business; Virginia Peninsula Chamber - Developing the Talent Pipeline; Women Worthy of Note: Amy Cloud, KCCE; #BestChamber practices: Clarkston Area Chamber: Light Bulb of the Month - The Captain's Club at Woodfield - "A Night to Give Back"; Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2020 Community Profile & Membership Directory; #BestChamber practices: Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber: Eat. Drink. Shop Oxford; “Sauk Valley Millennial Group” Forms New Leadership Structure As It Grows and Evolves; Group Changes Name to “Sauk Valley Keystone Group”; Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2018 Local Business Magazine; A Celebration of Black LGBT Business Excellence; Fulton County Chamber: Business Minute; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Fox Cities Chamber Features Nationally-Acclaimed Economist Elliot Eisenberg as Keynote Speaker for 2020 Economic Outlook Lunch on February 13


The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Fox Cities Regional Partnership will host the Fox Cities
Economic Outlook Lunch where both macro and micro economic insights come together in an
entertaining presentation by keynote speaker, Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. Eisenberg who will discuss how national and global trends could impact the Fox Cities’ economy in the year ahead.

The results of the annual local Fox Cities Economic Outlook Survey, conducted by the Fox Cities
Regional Partnership (the economic development division of the Fox Cities Chamber), will also be
revealed which cover business trends from the previous year and projections for 2020.
Learn more at: http://business.foxcitieschamber.com/events/details/2020-economic-outlook-lunch-15127

When: Thursday, February 13, 2020
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Registration & Networking
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Program
Where: Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley, 333 W. College Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911

Tickets: Chamber members - $50/each or $450/table of 10; General admission - $50/each or
$550/table of 10 (Tickets can be purchased online at foxcitieschamber.com or by calling
(920) 734-7101.)

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., often called the “Stand-up Economist,” is
president, chief economist and founder of Graphs and Laughs, LLC. He uniquely specializes in
making the arcana and minutiae of economics entertaining and relevant.
125 N. Superior Street, Appleton, WI | 920.734.7101 | www.foxcitieschamber.com
Dr. Eisenberg earned a B.A. in economics with first class honors from McGill University in
Montreal, as well as a Master and Ph.D. in public administration from Syracuse University.
He has spoken to hundreds of business groups and associations as a keynote speaker on topics
including: economic forecasts, economic impact of industries such as homebuilding, tourism,
consequences of government regulation, and other current economic issues. His research and
opinions have been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, Bureau of National Affairs, Forbes,
Fortune, and many other publications. He is a regularly featured guest on cable news programs,
talk, and public radio.

Dr. Eisenberg was formerly a Senior Economist with the National Association of Home Builders
in Washington, D.C. He is the creator of the multifamily stock index (the first nationally
recognized index to track the total return of public firms principally involved in the ownership
and management of apartments), the author of more than 100 articles, serves on the Expert
Advisory Board of Mortgage Market Guide and is a regular consultant to several large real estate
professional associations, hedge funds and investment advisory groups.

For additional event information, please contact Katie Gaffney, Event Coordinator, by email
kgaffney@foxcitieschamber.com or phone (920) 734-7101.


#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)

“If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.'
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.”

---Chinese Proverb



The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 2019 Voice of Business

The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 2019 Voice of Business is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Richard Kennedy and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!




Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 2019 Voice of Business Community Guide
Town Square Publications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Virginia Peninsula Chamber - Developing the Talent Pipeline

Name: Developing the Talent Pipeline - Part 3

Date: February 18, 2020

Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Register Now

Event Description:

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will host the third part of a series focused on attracting and retaining talent on the Peninsula and in Hampton Roads. The previous events focused on transitioning service members and their families, and individuals moving directly from high school into the trades. This event will focus on young professionals and future leaders of our business community. We know that we are in a stiff competition for young talent with places like Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC.

A panel, moderated by Shelley Smith of Peninsula SHRM and Premier Rapport, will discuss obstacles, challenges and potential solutions to the attraction and retention of these future Peninsula leaders.

Panel members include Angela Neilan (President, Pen SHRM), Casey Roberts (Executive Director of New Horizons Regional Education Center) and Holli Wilson (Senior Executive Assistant at WM Jordan).

There will also be an update of Envision 2020, the Regional Branding Initiative.


Women Worthy of Note: Amy Cloud, KCCE

Women who are making a difference in the commercial life of Kentucky




Our occasional feature, Top Women in Business, highlights some of the women around Kentucky who are making an impact in business, the professions, politics and economic development. The intent is to recognize not the household names, but those in key roles whose work ethic and body of work are making important contributions to commerce – and life – in the area.

The seven women featured in this issue are among the many such women The Lane Report editorial board has identified. We welcome your suggestions for others who also are deserving of recognition for their efforts to boost the economy. Send your recommendations to lorie@lanereport.com.

Amy Cloud

Title/Company: Executive director, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (the society of local chamber of commerce professions in Kentucky)

How long at company/position: Three years

Previous jobs/positions: President, Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce; executive director, Garrard County Chamber of Commerce; VP of Operations, McMinnville – Warren County Chamber (Tennessee)

Top accomplishment: Named the 2014 Kentucky Chamber Executive of the Year

Education: Bachelor of Arts in communications (journalism) with a minor in graphic arts and marketing, University of Kentucky; graduate of the Institute for Organization Management through the U.S. Chamber and Kentucky Institute for Economic Development

Person(s) who most influenced or mentored me: It’s hard to give credit to just one person. I’ve had two wonderful older sisters who were role models to me growing up, and teachers along the way who challenged me to step out and be bold – Mrs. Gariepy, Ms. Moore, Mr. Ball and Mrs. Voss. Today, I’m thankful that I have great cheerleaders at home in my husband, Jay, and two kids, Kendall and Houston. There is no greater influence when you can celebrate the wins and tackle the obstacles than if you have a “home team.”

What inspires/drives me: My family. I want to always represent them well. If I’m known as my husband’s wife, my children’s mother, as a sister or a daughter, I want people who meet me to feel like they know the values of the people who support me.

Hobbies/interests: We show quarter horses across the region. I enjoy doing fun things with my family. I love to travel! My husband and I recently became certified scuba divers, so that’s been an exciting adventure. I enjoy reading and cooking, when I have time.

Currently reading/recent movie/play/concert attended: Most recently, I’ve been binge watching the Jack Ryan series on Amazon.

My biggest challenge and how I overcame it: My biggest challenge was a personal struggle with not being able to bear children. Years of trying to figure out what that meant to me and my husband brought us closer in our marriage, through our faith. We knew God had a plan for us. We were blessed to find a simple fix and were able to have our own biological kids. Much later in our life than what we planned, but that’s the lesson in it all: It’s not our plan …

My advice to younger women in business: Don’t be afraid to be you. You are unique with your own set of incredible talents. Use them. Read more: Lane Report


#BestChamber practices: Clarkston Area Chamber: Light Bulb of the Month - The Captain's Club at Woodfield - "A Night to Give Back"


We would like to thank the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce for recognizing us as this month’s light bulb moment. We are grateful that the Clarkston Chamber has allowed us the resources to connect with so many wonderful people and companies in the area while being professional and community driven.

The Captain’s Club at Woodfield, located in Grand Blanc, is home of the Raymond Floyd signature Golf course where we have been visited by PGA celebrities for over 25 years. Within our club house, we have a beautiful award-winning event center as well as a full-service restaurant that is run by a team of culinary specialists. The Captain’s Club believes the more united the community becomes today the stronger the community will be in the future. We are proud to be involved in supporting the community because the people within it are the ones who make us successful.

‘A Night to Give Back’ was created by three local companies who have a drive to give back to the community. Together, we collaborated and came up with a way to recognize four local heroes, who have saved and changed many lives. We were also able to bring together and strengthen the community by allowing the residents of surrounding cities an affordable opportunity to be part of the festivities. This is our way of saying thank you to the heroes while involving the local communities. In addition, we hope to raise a significant amount of funds which will be donated to the four charities that have been personally selected by our heroes.

None of this would have been possible without the combined efforts of, James Morolli with Real Estate for a Cause, Kate Skidmore from Prestige Cause Marketing and Herman Ferguson the founder of Concern over Police Safety.

This is the inaugural “Night to Give Back” and we plan to continue this event for many years to come. Thank you again Clarkston Chamber for recognizing The Captain’s Club as well as ‘A Night to Give Back”.

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2020 Community Profile & Membership Directory
The Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce 2020 Community Profile & Membership Directory is available at the Crossroads Regional Chamber today! Thanks to Deann Patena and  the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!


Crossroads 2020 Community Profile and Membership Directory


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


#BestChamber practices: Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber: Eat. Drink. Shop Oxford



 

We want to feature you on our next Shop Oxford Discount Postcards!

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is ready to promote you on our next 15% off coupon SHOP OXFORD postcard.  This conveniently printed postcard will be for consumers, promoting Chamber members offering discounts to help guide them on where to shop and get some great deals while shopping or spending time in Oxford.

The postcard will be distributed community-wide, as well as target attendees at conferences and events.  

I am including a list of conferences scheduled at the Oxford Conference Center through the summer of 2020.  Each attendee will receive the card for use while visiting Oxford.  The card will also be distributed at the Chamber office and at Visit Oxford for inclusion in welcome bags for events and incoming visitor traffic.  Initially, 4,000 cards will be printed and the card will expire on June 30, 2020.  

The postcard promotions will be for a ONE TIME use at each featured location and will give the user a 15% off discount on one item.  Each merchant or listing will be marked off by the listed Chamber member once it is used by the consumer.  The consumer then keeps the card to use at another Chamber member’s establishment.  

Inclusion in the card costs you nothing!  We will also list physical addresses and phone numbers for the included locations, to make it easier for the consumer to find the deals.  

* We understand you may need to have some exclusions on the promotions so we will note on the card "Limited exclusions may apply, see store for details" in case there is anything you need to exclude from the promotion. That is totally up to you.

* To be included on the postcard please send your business name, address and phone number, plus any exclusions that may apply (if room allows on the postcard design I will list them.)

* Deadline for inclusion on the fall postcards is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AT NOON.  Email Pam Swain at pam@oxfordms.com to be included.  


Total Oxford Conference Center and University of Mississippi conferences, single day meetings, workshops, and reunions anticipated numbers: 13 events with 2,530 out of town attendees


“Sauk Valley Millennial Group” Forms New Leadership Structure As It Grows and Evolves; Group Changes Name to “Sauk Valley Keystone Group”



The Sauk Valley Millennial Group has changed its name to The Sauk Valley Keystone Group. The name change is an effort to move the group forward into its next chapter.

In addition to the name change, the group has created a nine-member steering committee. The committee will lead meetings and organize task forces, the goals of which will be developed this year through conversations with members and community stakeholders.

The group was originally formed through the efforts of Sterling Main Street and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Notable achievements of the group include the Dogwood Acres dog park, which will be built this summer. Sterling Main Street and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce will remain as key advisors to the group and steering committee.

Members must be born after 1981 and reside within the Sauk Valley area.  Interested parties can contact the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce or Sterling Main Street for additional information. Information can also be found on the Sauk Valley Keystone Group Facebook page.





Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2018 Local Business Magazine

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Local Business magazine is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to the LZACC chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!





Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Local Business

Town Square Publications (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.


A Celebration of Black LGBT Business Excellence

Please join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois on February 20th at the Connect Gallery in Hyde Park as they host their 3rd Celebration of Black LGBT Business Excellence. Vince Williams of the YWCA Metrpolitan Chicago and Small Business Business Development Center returns as moderator. This year he will be joined by Roxanna Daniel (CEO, TAJ Development Corporation), Liu Montsho (Senior Training & Development Consultant, 360 HR Solutions), and Seke Ballard (CEO, Good Tree Capital) as they reflect on their own business journey. Be their guest and enjoy great networking, conversation, and refreshments. RSVP here.


Fulton County Chamber: Business Minute

Welcome Chamber Members and Friends,


The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for 2019 Business Awards now through Friday, February 28th.  

We recognize that our county’s success is dependent upon the hard work of the organizations, businesses and individuals who give themselves to make our community a better place. Please take a moment to make a nomination that recognizes this hard work. We hope these awards will encourage the award winners and inspire others to be more engaged in their county.

·     Business of the Year
·     Business in the Fulton County area with proven growth and stability. Provides innovative products and services. Demonstrates economic support of the Fulton County area business community.
·     Emerging Business of the Year
·     Business established in the last 0-5 years in the Fulton County area. Demonstrates growing success in community. Exhibits commitment to good business practices, community  relations and employee relations. 
·     Business Professional of the Year
·     Individual who demonstrates growing excellence, creativity, and initiative in their professional field, is engaged in the community, and shows a strong commitment to good business practices. Serves as a role model for other professionals both personally and professionally. Possesses a vision and passion to mentor and lead others.
·     Chamber Volunteer of the Year
·     Chamber Board Member or Ambassador who is actively involved in the Fulton County Chamber. Advocate of the Chamber. Participates in award ceremonies, promotes member businesses and volunteers at Chamber events. 
·     Community Service Award
·     Original Chamber Award. Prestigious award presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the community. Winner sits as Grand Marshall of Community Parade.

Nominations can be submitted by emailing chamberassist@rtcol.com through Friday, February 28th. Please provide business/individual name, category for nomination and supporting evidence for nomination. Nominees MUST be a member of the Fulton County Chamber (with the exception of the Community Service Award). 

Nominated businesses and individuals will be notified by the Chamber by Friday, March 6th. Nominees will complete an application and return to the Chamber. Members will vote on award winners. Winners will be announced at Annual Gala on Saturday, April 25th.



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

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

7 tips on avoiding frostbite and hypothermia during this week's dangerously cold weather; 5 Star Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Dinner- A Winter Wonderland; Greater Reston Area Chamber: Young Professionals Mentor Talk; Christian County High School and Chamber of Commerce Partner to Create College & Career Pathway Program; The Prairie du Chien Community Guide; Communications Software company Scaleup Chooses Indiana As HQ; Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce actively recruiting qualified candidates to fill Executive Director position; Wisconsin's success rate for National Institute of Health grants ranks 3rd, shows prowess in life sciences tech; #BestChamber practices: Leadership Lafayette: Soliciting Chamber Member/Community Input for Leadership Projects; Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map; 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!



7 tips on avoiding frostbite and hypothermia during this week's dangerously cold weather


Communities across Wisconsin are being hit with near-record breaking cold temperatures this week. Wednesday will be the coldest day, when the high is forecast to be 12 degrees below zero. Simply put: It's going to be dangerously cold this week. 
Here are some tips for staying warm and avoiding injuries (like frostbite and hypothermia) from extremely cold weather.

1. Limit the amount of time skin is exposed to cold. 

"At zero degrees, on average it takes 20 minutes for skin that has been exposed to suffer effects of the cold," said Marc de Moya, chief of trauma surgery at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. The effects can be mild chafing and wind burn to skin turning white from lack of blood flow. 
Limit the amount of time you are outside, and cover up as much skin as you can. 

2. Be prepared. Keep a hat, gloves and a blanket in your car.

"People leave their house and they go to their car in their garage without gloves or hat," de Moya said. "They may get in an accident and they don’t have the ability to protect themselves. That’s when people get into trouble." Read more: Journal-Sentinel



5 Star Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Dinner- A Winter Wonderland

STERLING, Ill – Chamber members gathered for the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Meeting at the Brandywine Banquet and Event Center on January 24. The event was organized by SVACC and the Whiteside Area Career Center CEO Class.

“This is the sixth year that we have collaborated with the CEO class and each year we receive great feedback about the event,” shared Chamber President, Mike Loos.

The CEO Class of 2019 played a role in the event by setting up, decorating, and providing entertainment through the evening. CEO student, Grant Minssen, provided the welcome speech for the evening while his classmates entertained guests with a skit “Snuck in a Snowstorm.” CEO students provided a dessert bar which included hot chocolate and homemade cookies made by the students at the Kitchen Incubator. Walmart Distribution Center #7024 sponsored the CEO Class meals. 

The United Stated Chamber of Commerce presented the Kris Noble, Executive Director, and the SVACC with the USCC Accreditation Award; achieving a 5-star status. “Of the 7,000 Chambers in the United States, only 120 achieve a 5 Star rating; putting the SVACC in the top 1% in the Nation,” noted Ben Taylor, President of the Great Lakes Region of the USCC. Also in attendance, Kate Jennings, on behalf of U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos, who presented a Congressional Record to the SVACC honoring the Accreditation Award.

Presenting highlights of 2018, Noble noted the work done through key collaborations in the areas of education and workforce development, promoting shopping local and using local resources, and continuing to promote the importance of agriculture and manufacturing in this community. She noted the key role that volunteers play through their involvement in the committee structure of the chamber and the community events the chamber is involved in. The SVACC represents 390 members representing 11,557 employees in 28 cities. The Chamber is proud of its commitment to reinvest in the community and in 2018 provided $17,140.00 in scholarships, donations to not for profit organizations, and to education (such as the CEO program).

Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Champion Award was awarded to Carol Siefken for her dedication and commitment as Director of the Sauk Valley Food Bank for the past 17 years.    The Lavonne Colloton Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Allie Johnston, University of Illinois Extension; 4H Program Manager. Sheila Martinez, US Bank was recognized for 10 year of service as an Ambassador and current Board Member; Roy Dern was recognized for 20 years as an Ambassador. Outgoing board recognition was presented to Jerry Binder, Whiteside Area Career Center and Karen Voss, Rock River Hospice and Home.

To become a member of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, or to find out more information, please call 815-625-2400 or visit www.saukvalleyareachamber.com.



Greater Reston Area Chamber: Young Professionals Mentor Talk


Tuesday, January 29 at 5:30 pm
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood
11920 Democracy Dr., Reston


Join us for a night of networking with a focus on how to better ourselves in 2019. GRCC Board of Directors Chair, Charlene Wheeless, Principal Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, Bechtel Corporation will provide expert advice on how to manage stress, avoid burnout, and set goals. 

Kick off the new year with the first Young Professionals (YP) Mentor Talk event of the year sponsored and hosted by McCormick & Schmick's at Reston Town Center. 

Enjoy light refreshments, beer and wine while networking in the private dining room.

LEARN MORE 


Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce | 703.707.9045 | RestonChamber.org




Christian County High School and Chamber of Commerce Partner to Create College & Career Pathway Program



CCHS to become a Work-Ready School following the community designation of “Work Ready Community”

The Chamber’s Mental Mapping Program will become a part of the Get Real, Get Ready! Initiative at Christian County High School.

Since being designated as a Work Ready Community, Christian County High School has been working to become a Work Ready School by creating The Get Real, Get Ready initiative at CCHS. Christian County became a Work Ready Community in May of 2018. This designation means that Christian County has the necessary supports in K-12, post-secondary, business and industry, and workforce programs to build a strong vibrant workforce. All students at CCHS will now have the option to be a part of the Mental Mapping Program concepts. The Mental Mapping program works with high school students grades 10th – 12th to map out a post-graduation plan for students. Now all students will have access to this program. The Mental Mapping Program lays out the 4 options for post-graduation which are as follows: Military or National Guard, entry into the workforce at a business/industry, 2 year college or technical training, or a 4 year college or university.
The Get Real, Get Ready initiative will include three levels; Ready, Set and Go!

In the Ready level, students will research each of the 4 post graduations which include videos that showcase the various pathways of different members of the community. The student’s research of post-graduation pathways will utilize the videos for post-graduation transition, and a reality check as the students will use their current ACT and GPA to determine if the choice is realistic.

In the Set level - Students will be split into small groups by their post-graduation plans (i.e. military, workforce, 2 year or 4 year school). During these small group settings, CCHS admins will videos the students interacting with community members.

Go level -will include have field trips to their post-graduation choice. For example, students who selected Military, will travel to Ft. Campbell Military base. This will be the time for students to ask specific questions of those who actually are in that pathway.

"It is mission critical for us to spend individual time with the students to learn what their goals are and work to ensure they reach that chosen post graduation pathway," says Angie Major, Director of Workforce & Education Development at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce. "The project initiative is going to give Christian County the ability to forecast labor demands and provide workforce depth chart.”

The Christian County High School is the pilot for the Get Real, Get Ready! Initiative to become a work ready high school and will soon expand to Hopkinsville High School. The Christian

County Chamber of Commerce Mental Mapping program offers support services and career coaching to students who elect to participate in the program in helping them choose post-graduation pathways.

For more information, contact Angie Major, Director of Workforce & Education at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce. amajor@christiancountychamber.com 270.885.9096.




The Prairie du Chien Community Guide  

The Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce Community Guide is available today at the Chamber of Commerce! Thank you to Bob Moses and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! 





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

Communications Software company Scaleup Chooses Indiana As HQ


Kerauno, a communications workflow software company, will expand its Indiana operations, and has selected Indianapolis as its official headquarters as the scaleup continues to grow. With this expansion, Kerauno plans to increase its Indiana team to 140 by 2022.
“Our growth has been tremendous over the past year—we’ve nearly quadrupled our staff in less than 12 months,” said Kerauno CEO and co-founder Josh Ross, “Formally establishing our global headquarters in Indianapolis just makes sense considering the incredible pool of local talent and the positive business environment supported by both local and state government.”
The company, which offers an innovative Communications Workflow as a Service (CWaaS) platform that powerfully connects people, processes, software and systems, will invest more than $5.2 million over the next five years to establish Indianapolis as its company headquarters. Kerauno currently occupies approximately 13,000 square feet at 151 Delaware St., and plans to move into a new space adding on an additional 20,000 square feet within six months, in order to accommodate company growth. The expansion will include state-of-the-art technology design aesthetics, all-new furniture, a variety of amenities and significant technology investments to create an environment that reflects the company’s mission statement and supports the Kerauno’s continued attraction of top talent to its firm. Kerauno plans to complete the build out at its new location by mid-2019.
“Central Indiana’s tech community just keeps thriving with an impressive number of tech companies, like Kerauno, choosing to expand operations and continue to grow in our state,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Through our commitment to building a skilled workforce and our business-friendly environment, we continue cultivating opportunities for innovation and growth in Indiana.”  
To support the planned growth, Kerauno expects to create 112 new, high-wage jobs over the next several years and has already hired 22 full-time associates toward that goal, bringing its current headcount to 50.
Kerauno, which was formed more than five years ago out of Indianapolis-based Axia Technology Partners LLC, has since become a standalone software-focused entity as of January 2018, following AxiaTP’s success in the telecommunication industry. Kerauno combines essential communication channels like voice, chat, SMS, social media and email into a centralized platform, delivering convenience by enabling drag-and-drop workflow forms for the easy capture of statistical data that better informs a company’s decision-making process.
Kerauno’s rapidly growing client base includes Andretti Autosport, ACE Rent a Car, Jackson Hewitt, Meineke, Australian Gold, Citizens Bank, DuPont Goodrich Credit Union, Texas Council on Family Violence, Deepwater Federal Credit Union, Legacy Orthopedics, Hydradyne, The Kent Companies, Superior Credit Union, Clay Community Schools and Evansville School Corporation. The company reaches clients globally, with 100,000 endpoints worldwide, including nine countries and four continents. With this expansion, the company expects to have over 2 million endpoints within five years.“I applaud Kerauno for choosing Indianapolis as its global headquarters and providing more high-wage employment opportunities for our community,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Indianapolis has become a hub for tech innovation in the Midwest and continues to see explosive growth. I look forward to Kerauno’s continued success.”
In 2018, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Kerauno up to $2.2 million in conditional tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, so until employees are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Indianapolis supports the project at the request of DevelopIndy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.
Relocating Or Expanding Your Business In Indiana
Considering Indiana for your company’s relocation or expansion project? Check out Business Facilities’ Indiana Incentives and Workforce Development Guide. More information: Business Facilities Magazine



Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce actively recruiting qualified candidates to fill Executive Director position

The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce has formed an executive search committee to identify, interview and hire a candidate for the Chamber’s Executive Director position.
The committee is open to candidates with backgrounds in chambers of commerce, economic development, other types of nonprofits, or related experience with a commitment to business advocacy and strong economic development in the Clarkston and surrounding areas. “We are looking for an experienced and dynamic professional who will lead the Chamber in our mission to cultivate business opportunities and relationships for our members in the Clarkston area.” Said Emily Ford, chair of the search committee and president of the Clarkston Chamber.

The Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce is a 600-member organization serving Independence Township, City of the Village of Clarkston, and Davisburg. The Executive Director will oversee the daily operations of the organization; is responsible for the Chamber’s financial accounting systems; and supports the efforts of the President and vision set by the Board of Directors. Compensation package starting at $80,000 and up to $90,000, base salary plus benefits, commensurate with experience. Interested applicants will need to submit a resume AND cover letter to emilyford@mmrealtors.com by the posting close date of February 8, 2019. Cover letters and resumes will be reviewed, and the most eligible candidates will then be interviewed upon closing of the job posting. The position profile is posted on the Chamber’s website clarkston.org/business-resources/employment-opportunities.

Members of the Search Committee include: 
Chair: Emily Ford with Morgan and Milzow Realtors (Chamber President 2018-2019)
Tim Martin with Planned Financial Services, LLC (Chamber board member, Chamber President 2017)
Peg Roth with Washington Management, LLC (Chamber board member, Chamber President 2016)
Steve Hyer with IGD Solutions (Chamber President 2006-2007)
Dawn Horner with Clarkston State Bank (Chamber President 2000-2001)

View the job position here.




Wisconsin's success rate for National Institute of Health grants ranks 3rd, shows prowess in life sciences tech 


When compared with other states, early-stage life science companies in Wisconsin have a high success rate at winning federal grant dollars that fund research and development for their products.
According to a recent report from the State Science and Technology Institute, Wisconsin ranks third overall for its 23.4 percent win rate between 2008 and 2017, when 248 of 1,056 proposals were approved for funding from the National Institutes of Health, the second-largest provider of federal grants behind the Department of Defense.
Only Oregon (28.9 percent) and Vermont (25 percent) had a higher NIH success rate than Wisconsin.
Wisconsin companies are annually competing for hundreds of millions of dollars in Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants issued by the U.S. government, which were designed to help small, emerging companies fund their R&D. Between 2008 and 2017, Wisconsin companies were awarded an average of $8.7 million per year from the NIH, which ranks 15th overall.
California and Massachusetts had the most successful NIH grant proposals between 2008 and 2017, along with having the highest grant rewards. California averaged $77 million a year in grants while Massachusetts averaged $43.2 million, together accounting for roughly one-third of the average amount granted by NIH each year. The NIH awarded an average of $367 million in SBIR and STTR grants per year in that period.
Through the SBIR program, 11 federal agencies, including the DOD and NIH, are required to spend at least 2.8 percent of their outside R&D budgets with emerging companies. That amounts to at least $2 billion and 5,000 awards a year for research into new technologies. Wisconsin, with an average of 49.2 SBIR and STTR awards per year over a five-year period from 2013 to 2017, falls right in the middle.
The institute's report also recognizes University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Center of Technology Commercialization in Madison, which works one-on-one with early-stage Wisconsin companies to secure those grants. Read more: Milwaukee Business Journal




#BestChamber practices: Leadership Lafayette: Soliciting Chamber Member/Community Input for Leadership Projects

Do you have a community project that needs a team of some hard workers to put their time and attention toward? 

We are compiling a list of potential Leadership Lafayette projects ideas. Please keep in mind the projects must fit the following criteria:

1. The project should be able to provide near term positive impact for the City, County or University,

2. The projects will be manageable and can be completed within the class timeframe (completed by August)

3. The projects could possibly provide a longer term economic development opportunity for the community.

If you have any potential project please get me the following details.

*Idea Summary
*Contact person for potential idea

Send ideas to Pam Swain at pam@oxfordms.com no later than Friday, February 8th.

Thanks so much for any feedback!


Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map 

The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Rochester Regional Chamber today! Thanks to the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!



 Rochester Regional chamber Map

Town Square Publications  (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. 






Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps 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 Or you can call John Dussman aT 847-427-4633.