St Joseph County Chamber interest: South Bend Cubs Tout Record Attendance; Dubuque Area Chamber initiative: Minority Business Council aims to support diversity in Dubuque business community; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; #BestChamber practices: Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce: Leadership Development Program; #BestChamber practices - Rockford Chamber of Commerce - Young Professionals; Chamber Event: New hotel coming to Meridian; Opportunity? Kentucky Tourism Secretary details how businesses can help boost state through P3 projects; St. Ignace Chamber Holds 39th Annual Arts and Crafts Dockside; WMC Chamber contest: What is the coolest thing made in Wisconsin? Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories

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

St Joseph County Chamber interest: South Bend Cubs Tout Record Attendance

The South Bend Cubs have set a regular season attendance record for the third consecutive year. The team says 350,803 fans came to Four Winds Field during the 2016 season.

The announcement came during the team's final regular season game Monday against the Dayton Dragons, whom the Cubs defeated 3-0. The new record topped 2015's attendance by more than 3,000 fans. 

"The South Bend Cubs continue to exceed expectations, especially those related to attendance and to fan experience," Jeff Rea, chief executive officer of the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, said last week. "The team has been a tremendous catalyst to growth and development efforts in the downtown area and across the region and serves as an example of the great momentum this area is experiencing. As projects continue to progress around the ballpark and throughout the downtown area, we suspect the years ahead will continue challenge ballpark attendance records."

Cubs owner Andrew Berlin received approval last month from the South Bend Redevelopment Commission for his $21 million mixed-used development at Four Winds Field, known as Berlin Place, which will feature 120 apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space. Construction is expected to begin in November. Read more: Inside Indiana Business

Dubuque Area Chamber initiative: Minority Business Council aims to support diversity in Dubuque business community

A new initiative through the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce aims to connect minority businesspeople with a wide range of resources.

Barry Gentry, the chamber’s senior vice president, said a group known as the Minority Business Council has been meeting since November in hopes of eventually creating “a clearinghouse” for resources that can be used by minority business owners or prospective business owners.

“We saw this as another need for Dubuque in our ever-growing inclusivity efforts,” Gentry said. “The business landscape in Dubuque is changing, whether that means women business owners or Marshallese, or a wide range of other under-represented groups. These individuals may not have the same kind of history in Dubuque as other business owners.”

Gentry said the council has about eight members, but he hopes to grow that total to around 20. He said the council ultimately will include representatives from successful local businesses, financial institutions, staffing agencies and more.

This November, council members will be available for one-on-one interviews with minorities in the business community, Gentry said. These interviews will be scheduled through the chamber.

“I envision this as (a service available to) both existing businesses who want to grow as well as new business owners,” Gentry said. “In my gut, I anticipate our customers will be more would-be business owners who have great ideas.” Read more: THonline.com






Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide  is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Virginia Peninsula Chamber 

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: Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce: Leadership Development Program

Session I - Finding Passion in Your Purpose - September 15

Session II - Ultimate Business Ethics - September 22

Session III - Digital Fluency - September 29

Session IV - Hiring, Selection & On-Boarding for Success - October 6 

Session V - Teamwork Makes the Dream Work - October 13

Session VI - Discovering Secrets of Motivation - October 20

Session VII - So What? Now What? - October 27

Session VIII - Graduation Ceremony - November 1

NON-MEMBER INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION - $125

Registration for one (1) individual. Includes notebook and all session materials,
and one (1) ticket to the Graduation Ceremony/Dinner at the Wytheville
Meeting Center.

CHAMBER MEMBER INDIVIDUAL

REGISTRATION $75

Registration for one (1) individual. Includes notebook and all session materials,
and one (1) ticket to the Graduation Ceremony/Dinner at the Wytheville
Meeting Center.

Each qualifying graduate will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Absence from more than two sessions may result in involuntary

withdrawal from the program and will not receive a certificate or

a refund. Each participate will receive a ticket to attend the

Graduation Ceremony. Additional tickets ($35 each) are available

to purchase for family and friends for reserved seating.

#BestChamber practices - Rockford Chamber of Commerce - Young Professionals

IGNITE

What is IGNITE?

IGNITE is a dynamic membership organization dedicated to the next generation of leaders. The group will utilize the energy and enthusiasm of young professionals and will host a series of events and programs dedicated to connecting young professionals to each other and the community. IGNITE will also educate young professionals on current issues and trends, and provide an atmosphere that young professionals will want to call home.

Who is IGNITE?

IGNITE is made up of regional young professionals that are interested in getting connected, educated, and involved in the community. The group will allow young business people to have the opportunity to network, interact socially, and gain insight on the businesses in the area.

IGNITE is open to those in their 20s to 40s. Members are from all types of businesses, including bankers, graphic designers, lawyers, engineers, teachers, account executives, event coordinators, and many other professions.

Benefits of Membership

• Admission to member-only events and additional networking events
• Special discounts and offers from IGNITE sponsors and partners
• Access to IGNITE blogs, e-newsletter and advice columns
• And much more!

Benefits to Employers

• Assistance in preparing future leaders for your company
• Attract new talent to the area
• Marketing your company to other young professionals
• Professional development

How can you be involved?

For more information please the IGNITE website at www.igniterockford.com.

Chamber Excitement: New hotel coming to Meridian

Residents and guests stopping through Meridian will soon have a new lodging facility.  Today during a ceremony, city officials and MY hospitality developers broke ground for a Tru by Hilton hotel.

“We’re very excited.  Anytime we have people who want to invest in our community that is always a great thing.  This Tru by Hilton is just one more example of the great things that are happening in Meridian,” said Casey Holladay, EMBDC’s events coordinator. 

As a new franchise under the Hilton brand, the Tru by Hilton hotel will be the first of its kind in Mississippi and one of the first five in the United States.

“It’s basically a step and a tier below the Hampton by Hilton,” said Chico Patel, president of MY Hospitality. 

The hotel will feature 82 rooms and will be located near Bonita Lakes mall where the former Crescent City Grill restaurant used to be.

“It was going to be an abandoned building, so now we get something back on the tax rolls and a great business here,” said Mayor Percy Bland. 

Patel explained why he chose to bring the hotel to Meridian.

“I think for the investment and the location and the proximity to colleges and the base, there’s a lot of demand.  I feel very confident that it will be successful.” Read more: WGBC TV

Opportunity? Kentucky Tourism Secretary details how businesses can help boost state through P3 projects

As the P3 process is getting underway, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Don Parkinson says now is the time for businesses to bring forward their public-private partnership proposals that will improve the state.

In an interview with The Bottom Line, Parkinson detailed the positive impact he feels the state’s new public-­private partnership (P3) law can have 9/12/2016 Tourism Secretary details how businesses can help boost state through P3 projects

After the law was passed in the 2016 session, the regulation to enable the development of P3 projects was published on Sept. 1 (https://kychamberbottomline.com/2016/08/16/procedures­to­develop­publicprivate­partnerships­filed/) and is currently in the public comment period which will end Sept. 30 and after it is official, the P3 process will be ready to be utilized.

Ahead of that, Tourism Secretary Parkinson says businesses in the state interested in participating in a public­-private partnership and outside investors should be prepping their concepts to present to the state.

In terms of what types of projects the Tourism Cabinet is interested in pursuing, Parkinson said they are open to all ideas and pointed to the opportunities in food services with cafeterias in state park resorts, hotel services and more.

“We are a sales organization but we are bureaucracy. So we need some new ideas and some people to come in and operate some of these things. And we can learn from their experience,” Parkinson said. “We aren’t proposing that we sell all the state parks at all. But there are several that might be of interest to people.” As for how investors can get involved in the P3 process to bring new ideas and investment. Read more: Kentucky Chamber Bottom Line

St. Ignace Chamber Holds 39th Annual Arts and Crafts Dockside

It's a weekend of handmade, one-of-a-kind crafts all on the shorelines of Lake Huron.
St. Ignace is holding it's 39th Annual Arts and Crafts Dockside.
Visitors can check out more than 130 booths of paintings, photos, jewelry and more.
Everything vendors sell must be one of kind to get a space.
The St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce says it's the perfect place to browse for a unique treasure before the Bridge Walk on Labor Day.
"It's just like, where do these people come up with these ideas?" St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce executive director Janet Peterson said. "There's some awesome, awesome things, so it's just fun and a lot of these people have been here for 10 or 15 or 20 years, so some have become like family to you." See more: 9 and 10 News

WMC Chamber contest: What is the coolest thing made in Wisconsin?

What do you think is the coolest thing made in Wisconsin?

Is it Carmex, cheese curds, beer, Kringle or maybe Allen Edmond shoes? Those are just a few things on the list.

The state Chamber of Commerce is holding an online contest to choose the coolest thing made in Wisconsin.

The list includes 200 items from foods to machines, even the littoral combat ships made by Marinette Marine.

Voting ends Monday. Click here if you want to vote.

The winner will announced in October. Read more: WISN News

Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories

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 Here

Virginia's Urban Crescent Chamber CEOs: Time for Virginia to raise education funding; #Bestchamber practices: Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy 2016; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Selling Mississippi — Swoope’s varied experience key to MEDC leadership post; Nominations being accepted for Michiana Forty under 40; Detroit YEA participants get opportunity to learn from Metro Detroit C-Level executives at Dearborn Area Chamber event; Gov. Matt Bevin asks Kentucky state workers for their input on his budget plan; East Troy Railroad Christmas train rides set records; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps;

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


Virginia's Urban Crescent Chamber CEOs: Time for Virginia to raise education funding


January 11, 2016


The Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe
Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218

The Honorable Members of the Senate of Virginia
General Assembly Building
P. O. Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218

The Honorable Members of the Virginia House of Delegates
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218

Dear Governor McAuliffe and Members of the 2016 Virginia General Assembly:

On December 11, 2015, more than 150 government, school division, and business representatives from Virginia’s Urban Crescent met to discuss the following concerns regarding the Commonwealth’s share of funding for public education:

1. Since FY 09, the Commonwealth has reduced its share of funding for public education by more than $1 billion.
2. State funding on a per pupil inflation adjusted basis has decreased from $4,275 per pupil in FY 09 to $3,655 per pupil in FY 15.
3. Virginia local governments are contributing double the amount required under current statute for public education, even as property values have significantly declined.
4. In comparison with other states, Virginia is in the top ten in both per capita and median household income, but in the bottom ten for public education funding.

Although the Urban Crescent comprises only 24 percent of the land area in Virginia, it is home to over 70 percent of the Commonwealth’s school-aged children. The Urban Crescent’s governments, school divisions and business community understand the importance of an excellent public education system as Virginia competes in a global economy. Our Commonwealth needs funding to support the current and future costs of a quality education system. However, local governments cannot realistically sustain the extraordinary funding demands of the past several years without continued dramatic impacts on other essential local government services.

The local governments, school divisions and business partners of the Virginia Urban Crescent call upon the 2016 Virginia General Assembly and Governor to meaningfully increase the Commonwealth’s proportional and required share of funding for a high quality public education system.

Sincerely,

The Mayors and Chairs of Virginia’s Urban Crescent
The Chief Administrative Officers of Virginia’s Urban Crescent
The School Divisions in Virginia’s Urban Crescent
The CEOs of Virginia’s Urban Crescent Chambers of Commerce


#Bestchamber practices: Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy 2016

The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy is offered to representatives of member businesses and organizations and is designed to prepare a select group of qualified candidates for future leadership roles in the Aurora area.

Established in 1979, the Aurora Chamber’s Leadership Academy has a rich history of providing confidence, knowledge, professionalism, and strong leadership skills that not only benefit the attendee but also their employers. The goal is simple: To create a development opportunity for graduates to serve and enhance themselves, their employers, and the community.

Over the past 35 years, more than 800 community leaders have participated in the program. Many have gone on to lead local businesses and organizations. Some have gone on to public office. All have left their mark on the community.

This year, we are partnering with the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce to provide the opportunity to a wider audience.

Our community needs you! Realize your potential to make a difference in the Aurora region. The program begins Friday, February 19.

Class size is limited. Applications and tuition will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants must possess a sincere interest in serving the community.

Informational Flier

Application

Syllabus & Program Guide






Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide  is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their work in putting this together!

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.

Selling Mississippi — Swoope’s varied experience key to MEDC leadership post

As she assumes the duties of executive director of the 500-member Mississippi Economic Development Council, Mary McDaniel Swoope feels honored, excited and respectful.

“I’m honored and humbled to fill the role of MEDC Executive Director and to serve the economic developers and chamber executives of Mississippi,” she said. “I’m excited to be serving our members and finally pulling together all the years of preparation from my different careers and using my skills to assist our members to better their communities and the state. I respect each member of this organization and I do not want to let any of them down.”

Swoope (pronounced swope) arrives at the MEDC with a varied work background. She’s worked in business outreach, marketing, real estate and in business and nonprofit leadership at the state and local level.

“Every job in my career, whether private or public, has prepared me for this position,” she said.

“Economic development is about teamwork, and I’ve had to be a collaborative leader in every position to accomplish results.”

She hopes to use Gov. Phil Bryant’s inaugural theme of Imagine Mississippi, for MEDC members to help them not only imagine what they can do for their communities, but to help make this a reality.

“My basic goals are simple: manage a professional organization, add value to the membership and be a resource for economic transformation,” she said.

MEDC serves as the voice for Mississippi’s economic development and chamber of commerce professionals and other constituents, providing professional development training and bring consultants  to work with community leaders. Collaborating with other entities, the organization is an advocate for Mississippi’s economic and community agenda. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal

Nominations being accepted for Michiana Forty under 40

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Michiana Forty under 40 class.

The 2016 honorees will represent the 10th Michiana Forty under 40 class, with 360 leaders already receiving recognition. (See the 2015 honorees)

The award shines a spotlight on 40 of the area's most talented young executives and professionals who demonstrate career success and community engagement.

Nominees should live and work in LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Stark or Marshall counties in Indiana or Cass or Berrien counties in Michigan.

They should demonstrate: initiative and dedication in pursuing their career; proven success and achievement in their job/career; involvement in civic, charitable and/or religious organizations; passion for their community; and be under the age of 40 on May 6.

This program is an annual collaboration among the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, the Young Professionals Network South Bend, Gates Automotive, Community Foundation of Elkhart County, the South Bend Tribune and other area partners. Read more: South Bend Tribune

Detroit YEA participants get opportunity to learn from Metro Detroit C-Level executives at Dearborn Area Chamber event  

Local young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of distinguished Metro Detroit c-level executives at the Metro Detroit Young Entrepreneurs Academy C-Level Executive Panel Presentation on Thursday, February 11 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at Henry Ford College in Dearborn. This free event, presented by LaFontaine Automotive Group and hosted by Henry Ford College, is open to the public and is held as a part of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), hosted by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. The Academy is a 30-week curriculum designed to teach students, grades 7-12, to open and fully operate their very own business.

“The Chamber is thrilled to have 16 bright, young minds as a part of our Young Entrepreneurs Academy in 2016,” commented Jackie Lovejoy, President of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. “This program provides entrepreneurial minded middle and high school students with the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and to start up a real business!”

The C-Level Executive Panel Presentation will feature panelists: Mr. Andy Chesley, former CEO of world renowned clothing company London Fog; Mr. Renato Jamett, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Raymond James; Mr. Frank Kadaf, president of Active Solutions Group; Ms. Lesli Matukaitis, senior vice president of corporate banking at DFCU Financial; and Mr. Eric Nemeth, founding partner at Varnum Attorneys at Law.

The C-Level Executive Panel Presentation is a unique experience that engages students on an elevated level. Each executive will be providing their own success stories and experiences, allowing students and the general public to hear the inside scoop of what they love about their roles as c-level executives. Additionally, they will share what they were doing when they were in 7-12 grade. Most importantly, the students will have the opportunity to personally network with the executives and to obtain real professional advice to help them succeed in their future business ideas. Read more: Dearborn Area Chamber

Gov. Matt Bevin asks Kentucky state workers for their input on his budget plan

Gov. Matt Bevin is asking state workers what matters to them in anticipation of his state budget address next week.

Bevin’s office sent emails late Tuesday afternoon to about 39,000 state workers, asking them to share with him how to improve state services and be better stewards of public resources.

More than 1,000 people had responded by early afternoon Wednesday, said Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto. She said several of them indicated that they could not recall any other governor making such a request of state workers.

“The response has been great — very constructive, insightful and appreciative,” she said.

Ditto said a similar question was asked on Facebook. Read more: Kentucky.com

East Troy Railroad Christmas train rides set records

The East Troy Railroad experienced record crowds in 2015 for holiday train rides.

More than 3,700 people enjoyed a ride aboard trains running from East Troy to Santa's Workshop at the Elegant Farmer. Those passengers also donated 536 pounds of food, which was shared with the East Troy Food Pantry to help families in need this winter. Both numbers were records for the railroad, which enjoyed considerable growth this past year.

The annual "Santa Train," held this year on Dec. 5, was also a big success, according to Ryan Jonas, president of the East Troy Railroad Museum.

"More than twice as many people were able to take the train bringing Santa to the tree lighting in East Troy," Jonas said. "We used three of our historic interurban railroad cars, so we could offer more seating than in past years. We also added some dynamic lighting effects, which added to the excitement of spectators along the railroad."

The Santa Train is presented in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center. Read more: Lake County Now

Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides 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, 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 publication proposal, Click here

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

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