Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a GREAT day!
5 Star Naperville Area Chamber Of Commerce CEO Announces Fall Departure
A Search Committee comprised of NACC Board Members as well as chamber members will work to identify Anderson's successor.
"I speak on behalf of the entire board of directors when I say thank you to Nicki for all that she has done for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce over the last 5 years," said Emily Ory, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "During Nicki’s tenure she has streamlined programing to bring more value to our members, explored additional revenue sources, improved efficiencies with staff, strengthened partnerships with strategic alliances and become a personal friend. I admire the ownership and passion Nicki has for the community and it’s been an honor to be a part of the legacy she’ll leave on this organization."
Anderson said, "It has been nothing short of a privilege to serve as the NACC’s CEO for the past five years. I came into this organization with some challenges but knew what needed to be done. With a great team and a solid Board of Directors, we have secured a strong future for this chamber. As I look to complete my service later this year, I will greatly miss my team, Board Members and members for their support and inspiration. The time is right to hand the baton off to the next CEO whose vision and leadership can guide this organization into a bright and exciting future.”
Under Anderson’s leadership, the organization has enhanced engagement and grown the Young Professionals Network. The NACC also went through a complete rebranding to increase its relevancy in the community. Additionally, she led the organization through a capital campaign to raise $250,000 to fund technological advancements including a new website.
“Nicki has served as a transformational leader for the Chamber. Throughout her tenure, she has listened to our members, modernized our organization, and made us more agile,” said Ian Holzhauer, Chair-elect of the Board of Directors. “I’m especially thankful for the way she has engaged young professionals, igniting them to take leadership positions within our business and broader community.”
“I’m very proud of the vision and relevance brought back to this organization. Therefore, with my “mission accomplished” it is time to hand it off to a CEO that can bring the organization to a new generation of business owners and leaders. There is plenty of work to be done moving forward, the opportunities are endless,” said Anderson.
The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce is the largest suburban Chamber in Illinois with an active membership of 1,200 organizations of every size and from every sector. The NACC promotes economic growth and advocacy in and around the Naperville area. For its efforts in promoting free enterprise and the business community, the Chamber has been recognized with 5-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an honor bestowed on only 1 percent of Chambers, out of the nearly 7,000 in the nation. Visit www.naperville.net
Kay Sipes Named Chamber Director at the Washington County Economic Alliance
“We are so pleased that Kay has joined our staff,” said Cary Karlson, WCEA Executive Director. “Kay has brought new energy to the Chamber with the addition of new programs and members. Kay’s enthusiasm for her role as Chamber Director has been marvelous.”
In her short time with the WCEA, Sipes has lead new initiatives to increase engagement with Chamber businesses such as Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series, Bunny Hop Retail Eggtravaganza, and most recently the #ChamberChowDown which is a Snap, Share, Win social media campaign. She has also been successful in increasing the number of Chamber memberships.
“Kay has hit the ground running in 2019,” said Ryan Ashley, WCEA Board Chairman.
“She brings passion and energy to the role of Chamber Director for Washington County and is focused on growing our chamber membership. We are excited she is a part of our organization and look forward to putting her great ideas to work for our local business partners. ”
Prior to her role at WCEA, Sipes served as the Executive Assistant/Project Manager for the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce. She brings to the role creativity and enthusiasm.
“They say all hearts lead home, and truly I can say I am at home with a team that works to grow Washington County,” said Sipes. “Our business is to help grow your business.”
To learn more about the services of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, please contact Sipes at ksipes@wceams.com or 662.378.3141.
5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Lynn Kendall, Shiloh Francis 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.
A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Kurt Gillins
Gillins’ pursuit of watching other people enjoy themselves helps weave his own life experiences.
For the Chamber, Gillins hosts networking events and workshops that help build new skills. He also enjoys connecting young professionals with mentors and offering new businesses advertising opportunities.
“I love being able to meet all the people,” Gillins said. “I get to help them grow professionally as well as help them grow their businesses and experience success.”
For the past three years, Gillins has worked with We Create Media to produce monthly videos that feature his humorous take on what’s happening each month. The videos garnered a national award.
“It’s a really big deal for us,” he said.
A couple months ago, when it was only 13 degrees, Gillins filmed a video in swim trunks and a tank top in downtown Valpo.
“It was really a lot of fun, but it wasn’t easy to pretend it was summer in Central Park that day.”
Before taking on full-time fun at the Chamber, Gillins worked at Memorial Opera House, a natural extension of his education and background. Gillins discovered his love of acting in high school, and by chance decided to audition for the show choir at Wheeler High School.
“I discovered performing at that point and then started taking voice lessons and ended up majoring in theater at Valparaiso University,” Gillins said. “I’ve even done some commercials and extra work in Chicago.”
Valpo residents likely recognize Gillins from his yearly performance at the Valpo Parks tree lighting. He is a founding member of JingleTones, which started not as a Christmastime choral ensemble, but as something quintessentially American: baseball entertainment.
“A friend of mine had a request to sing Christmas carols at a White Sox game for their Christmas in July event,” Gillins said. “We did that for five seasons, and as more people heard about us, they wanted us to perform at their events, too. Every Christmas now, we do several local performances.”
“When we first started doing the gig at Sox park, it was incredible to be behind the scenes and out on the field. It was so cool – one of my favorite performances ever.”
Harkening back to his high school days, Gillins always preferred performing, but over the years he’s done more directing.
“It’s just one of those things. I always end up the director,” Gillins said. “I volunteered the first time and it stuck. Then I found other shows that I wanted to do.”
When his daughter Lilly was 5, Gillins directed Beauty and the Beast, and Lilly fell in love with theater – and Disney, too.
Lilly’s affinity for her father’s production of the Disney classic created a full-family enthusiasm for Disney World. Kurt, his wife Patty and Lilly are always looking forward to their next trip.
“It’s kind of our place to go and relax and enjoy being together,” Gillins said. “Lilly has always loved going, and we grew into it because of her. It’s great that we have a 17-year-old who still enjoys being around her parents. We’ll do this as many times as we can.”
Gillins has always cherished watching people enjoy themselves, and none more so than his daughter.
“She’s a good kid, and I credit her incredible mother for that,” Gillins said. “She always loved dressing up as Alice in Wonderland or Wendy from Peter Pan. I’m always going to nurture that bond that we’ve built.” Read more: Valpo Life
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year! - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Christian County Chamber collaboration: Community Vision Plan 2030 Planning Begins
Chamber asking for community input
The Greater Hopkinsville Chamber Foundation in coordination with the Christian County Chamber of Commerce is organizing the next strategic vision plan for Christian County. A selection team with the Foundation has selected consultant JRO+Co. out of Washington to help develop the plan. A 20 person task force of community members has also been formed to help guide the process and Taylor Hayes will serve as the liaison for the project.
The team will spend the next year collecting data and surveys but also seeking ideas and input from members of the community. “We will conduct group meetings, place idea boxes around the community and attend events that draw a big crowd in order to capture what our community wants for the future of Hopkinsville” said Taylor. “We are also driving folks to an online survey to answer two simple questions.” Those who submit ideas will be entered into a drawing for two $250 gift cards. The website to submit ideas is www.christiancountyvision.org.
Jason Robertson, President/CEO of JRO+Co. recently made his first visit to Christian County to meet the task force and meet with various stakeholders in the community. “There’s a passion for community-building here that you don’t find in too many places”, said Robertson, “You hear it in the way people talk about the history of their hometown and you feel it when people talk about what’s possible in the future. I’m looking forward to connecting with as many people as possible in the months ahead, and together, figuring out “what’s next” for Christian County.
The Vision Plan was first created in 2005 by a community stakeholders who saw a need for a strategic plan to ensure progress for Christian County. Since its implementation, Christian County has experienced substantial progress and improvement in education, investments in infrastructure and a better relationship between law enforcement agencies and local neighborhoods. It serves as a guide for the many sectors of Christian County to ensure stakeholders are working together as a team to reach a common goal for our community.
The proactive engagement phase of the project runs through September 2019. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Taylor Hayes at visionplan@christiancountychamber.com and to submit ideas for the community, go to www.christiancountyvision.org
Additional information about the 2030 Vision Plan can be found at www.christiancountyvision.org
Congratulations to all the companies recognized today at @101Best awards ceremony. We are honored and humbled to be recognized as an Elite winner alongside so many other incredible companies! #TheBB
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!
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.
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce: YOUR BUSINESS VOICE
The Oshkosh Chamber brings the voice of business to the table. Our advocacy supports businesses of all sizes and types. Our share agenda shapes the public policies designed to create a business environment that drives business success. Advancing the economic vitality of Oshkosh depends on the right business environment.
2017 STRATEGIC DRIVERS
Advocate public policies and representatives that foster and sustain economic prosperity through a strong business climate for the community.
We support:
A tax system that incentivizes business growth and workforce investment.
Efforts to streamline and reduce regulation that increases the cost of doing business.
Empowering local government to use economic development tools in ways that will help them grow their employment and tax base.
Honesty in taxation that ensures revenues collected are expended for the reason stated.
Initiatives that ensure Wisconsin workers have the skills to compete in a global economy.
Northwest Federal Earns Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce Financial Industry Leader Award
Northwest Federal Credit Union was presented with the Stars Over Dulles Award for Financial Leader by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce on December 5th. The award recognizes businesses in the Dulles area that are industry and community leaders, delivering exceptional service and value to customers or members, and offering a unique approach to the financial industry.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Northwest Federal Credit Union. The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce has been an excellent partner in the community and I look forward to our continued partnership,” said Jeff Bentley, President & CEO of Northwest Federal Credit Union.
“Jeff Bentley and his team at Northwest Federal routinely go above and beyond expectations when serving their members and the local community,” said John Boylan, President & CEO of Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Northwest Federal is always at the leading edge of new technology and service. Their many locations throughout our Dulles Region and the DC Metro area are a reflection of their promise to help others. When we put out the call for help, Northwest Federal is always the first to respond. Therefore, while we recognized them for financial leadership they are also ‘first responders’ when helping in the community.” Read more: Business Wire
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
