Chamber of Commerce Daily News

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

#FamousChamber Speaker: Bob Harris CAE, One of the Top Five Chamber Speakers of All Time; 1si's Dant Chesser elected chair of statewide economic development board; #BestChamber Practices: Aimee Thurber, Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce: Year End Summary and Holiday Greeting note; The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce Guide & Map; Manufacturing job fair brings hope and opportunity to job seekers; Boyle County: Making the pitch: Students pitch ideas to local business leaders; Numbers add up to good year for Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce; Numbers add up to good year for Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce; The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce promotions for Kelli Vanden Bosch And P.J. Lemanski; Town Square Chamber Publications: Valparaiso Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!; Bryant turns dirt at new Oxford hotel groundbreaking ceremony; Leadership 21: SWCRC; Businesses Honored At Bay Area Chamber Of Commerce Event; 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!

#FamousChamber Speaker: Bob Harris CAE, One of the Top Five Chamber Speakers of All Time

Organizational Excellence - It starts with the heart - the PASSION of volunteers and staff to be great. Then the focus is on governance, operations, and strategy. Finally, finally mix in smart practices and benchmarks to ensure excellence. - Bob Harris, CAE - www.nonprofitcenter.com

1si's Wendy Dant Chesser elected chair of statewide economic development board

Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana, has been elected chair of the Indiana Economic Development Association board of directors.

Dant Chesser was previously vice chair and secretary of the board, as well as the chair and member-at-large for the organization's legislative committee.

"I'm very honored to be elected board chair of this prestigious organization," Dant Chesser said. "The IEDA is a fantastic organization that assists individuals, rural communities and metropolitan areas throughout Indiana as well as professionals who work within the economic development field."

IEDA, which turns 50 next year, is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides ongoing education to its members and opportunities to engage elected officials to promote business-friendly policies. The organization has about 400 members.

Dant Chesser has been CEO and president of 1SI, Clark and Floyd counties' economic development organization, since 2012. She was previously president of a similar organization in southwest Michigan called Cornerstone Alliance. She has also worked for the state of Indiana in various economic developments capacities, including her role as deputy executive director for program operations for the Indiana Department of Commerce. She is a Jeffersonville native.

Accolades include being named 2016 Chamber Executive of the Year by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association, one of North America's Top 50 Economic Developers of 2015 by Consultant Connect and 2000 Outstanding Young Hoosier Award from the Indiana Jaycees. Read more: News and Tribune

#BestChamber Practices: Aimee Thurber, Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce: Year End Summary and Holiday Greeting note:

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Happy Holidays from the GBCC!

Greetings!

On behalf of my staff, Board of Directors, and committees and councils here at the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, I would like to extend a warm Happy Holidays and a joyous New Year to you and your family! Our Chamber offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26, and then Monday, January 1 and Tuesday, Jan 2 for New Years.

To close out the year, I want to send a sincere Thank You to YOU—our members, our volunteers, our ambassadors, our business and non-profit leaders, our corporate partners, and our community champions. 2017 has been a year of change, across the country and right here at home. We're so excited for the evolution we're experiencing at the Chamber, and we thank you for your continuous support and commitment as we move forward!

It has been a true privilege to come on board as the Executive Director for the Greater Beloit Chamber after serving the Chamber in other capacities for over 15 years, and to be able to expand my team to include our Business Advocate and our Community Concierge. Read more about them and our Board here!

We remain committed to fostering the continued evolution of economic development, business and workforce growth, and community and civic engagement in the Greater Beloit region. As a team, we service not just the City of Beloit but surrounding countywide and regional municipalities, and we will continue to advocate for YOU: our members in the Town of Beloit, the City of Beloit, the City of South Beloit, and the region, just as we have always done. I am proud to say that has been our mission for over 90 years, and will continue. We strongly believe that when one of us thrives, we all thrive, and we remain committed to maintaining regional partnerships for the betterment of all.

As we close out December, I wanted to share a few 2017 highlights:
We have put out a 2017 Member Survey--fill it out today! We want to hear from YOU. Tell us how we’re doing. This survey is for GBCC Members only, and the data collected will help us evolve our programming to better service our members.
We are undergoing a website revamp! Thanks to Resonate Web Marketing, we are currently working behind-the-scenes to bring you a new and improved GBCC home base!
Our 2018 Sponsorship opportunities have been released. Be sure and check them out here to see what options work best for you and your business or organization.
USA Today named Beloit-Janesville on the list of Top 25 Cities Adding the Most Jobs in 2017!
We’ve seen some amazing media coverage highlighting the incredible evolution Rock County and our region have undergone in the last few years, including the Ironworks Campus, and the incredible Irontek Business Incubator.
We closed out Year 1 of our Community Concierge program, and want to sincerely thank our investors, the Vision Partners, the companies that have utilized the service thus far, and of course Maggie Littlefield for her dedication in that role. Read more about what the service can do for employers & candidates!

I can't wait to see what 2018 will bring!

Most Sincerely & with Warmest Regards,
Aimee Thurner
Executive Director, Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce

The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce Guide & Map

The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce Guide & Map is available at the Green Lake County Chamber! Thanks to the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Green Lake map

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.

Manufacturing job fair brings hope and opportunity to job seekers

More than 225 people showed up at the Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training in hopes of finding a new job.

A manufacturing job fair brought in 11 manufacturing companies from Danville and surrounding counties Wednesday afternoon. The companies were searching for workers to fill around 250 positions.

"I was currently working at a job for 10 years and it's kinda hard to find a job around the area because we really need more jobs around here to secure our families and everything else," job seeker Adrian Davis said.

According to Davis, he worked for a manufacturing company in the area, but became unemployed in September.

David Daye, who recently moved back to Danville, said he came to the fair with hopes that he could land a better paying job or advance his career.

He said he's looking for any job that's paying.

"Right now I don't feel like I'm in no position as to pick and choose to what I will and what I won't do," Daye said.

Because of the fair, he has an interview set-up.

On the business side, Woodwick Candle is hiring for roughly 10 positions.

"We had the need, we are growing, we're busy and it was a perfect timing for us," Woodwick Candle Human Resources, Anne Goins, said.

Woodwick Candle said they are setting up interviews in January and are hoping to hire by January 31.

The job fair was coordinated by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Danville Community College and the Virginia Workforce Center. Read more: WSET.com

Boyle County: Making the pitch: Students pitch ideas to local business leaders

Local business leaders heard pitches for making socks better for soccer players, launching T-shirt businesses, a new design for furniture and more on Thursday from entrepreneurial Boyle County High School students.

It’s the sixth year the for the program in the county, which began as the Young Entrepreneur Academy, said Boyle County Chamber of Commerce Director Paula Fowler. The chamber then took the program to the Boyle County High School, at the school’s request, and it was renamed the Entrepreneur Class at the school. The chamber provides business speakers and mentors.

David Christopher, who teaches the class at Boyle County High School, said it’s his favorite class, because it offers such an opportunity to work with the community.

“It’s community and education working the way it should be,” he said.

Prior to giving their pitches, students work with business mentors as they build their products and business plans. They also met with lawyers and accountants; worked on web design; and more as they progressed through the class. Read more: Advocate Messanger

Numbers add up to good year for Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce

Before food, attendees at Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development’s 106th annual dinner received some food for thought.

Joni Hunt, executive director for the chamber, gave a rundown of her chamber’s accomplishment’s over the past 12 months and thanked chamber members, employees and volunteers.

“Nobody is successful by themselves,” Hunt said, “Nobody.” Board members, volunteers and more were recognized during comments from Hunt and TJ Templeton, chamber president.

Templeton also presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to Danielle DeCarlo, who Templeton said, “was definitely the volunteer of the year.”

Hunt shared a number of statistics she said point to a successful organization.

The chamber added 52 members and had 71 events during the past year.

“That’s the most events that IVAC has held to date,” Hunt said.

Templeton also took note of the busy event calendar.

“It’s hard to believe that we have this many things going on,” Templeton said. “It really annoys me when people say there’s nothing to do in the Illinois Valley.”

Additionally, there were 35 ribbon cuttings, which Hunt said displayed a willingness to invest in the community. That’s also a 67-percent increase from last year.

A new website, ivaced.org, was launched in January, and Hunt said it attracted more than 76,000 visitors.

“This is a 70-percent increase from last year,” she said.

Member pages received a 122 percent increase in visitors, and Facebook likes increased by 104 percent.

Hunt said one ribbon cutting post reached 15,000 people, which proved the importance of a strong digital and social media push.

“You can’t do that alone,” she said. Read more: News Tribune

Midland Area Chamber: Cool Stuff to Share: Holiday Edition

Cool Article 1: Small-Business Q&A: Use Digital Marketing to Bolster Holiday Shopping

How do I keep the momentum of Small Business Saturday going throughout the busy holiday shopping season without it being completely overwhelming?

Cool Article 2: Mom-and-Pop Shops Are Threatening the Mall This Holiday Season

Spending growth at mom-and-pop businesses has outpaced that of the big chains in the past two years, according to Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president at credit-card giant Mastercard Inc., which tracks purchasing patterns. When they're not shopping online, Americans are seeking more personal connections and advice -- something they view as lacking at national retailers.

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce promotions for Kelli Vanden Bosch And P.J. Lemanski

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Kelli Vanden Bosch as the new Director of Events and Media Relations. Kelli’s first signature event was Holiday Gala & Auction that took place on December 8th!

Kelli has been employed with the Chamber for three years as the Director of Small Business Development & Director of Certifications. In that time with the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce team she has devoted her efforts to serving and enhancing the Dearborn area. “We are delighted that Kelli & our staff are growing & providing even more value to our membership & area.” Jackie Lovejoy, President noted. “Kelli’s expertise, enthusiasm & attention to detail make her well suited for this role!”

Kelli brings a background of event management to her new role. Prior to joining the Chamber staff, Kelli served as event coordinator at the Dearborn Hills Golf Course, owned and operated by the City of Dearborn & was a Catering Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn. Vanden Bosch is a resident of Dearborn with her husband Curt and their 2 children, Harper & Hunter.

Vanden Bosch will work with the Chamber President Jackie Lovejoy and staff, along with the board of directors and embers, to engage Chamber members in significant membership outreach and signature events including the 21st Annual Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Awards, Taste of Dearborn and other annual events and activities.

“It is an honor to take the position as Director of Events & Media Relations. I am enthusiastic and passionate about the Dearborn Area and the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce and look forward to driving creativity and excitement!”

For more information, please contact the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce by phone at 313-584-6100. Be sure to follow the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at facebook.com/DearbornAreaChamber, on Twitter @DbnAreaChamber and online at www.dearbornareachamber.org for all the latest news and events.

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce provides 600+ members with the opportunities and resources to engage and network with other businesses, enhancing financial growth, professional development, and the ability to contribute to a thriving community environment.

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The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Patrick Lemanski as the new Director of Small Business Development and Director of Certificates of Origin.

P.J. is joining the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce team after working as an intern on major projects summer 2017. With the chamber P.J. was directly involved in the management and execution for one of our largest events this summer the Taste of Dearborn, as we hosted over 1000 attendees during the strolling appetizer crawl. “His talent and drive were exemplary” commented Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce President Jackie Lovejoy. “We are delighted to have P.J. on board, his past experience and enthusiasm will contribute to our mission of growth, progress, and innovation. We love to surprise our members and the public with our events & offerings. P.J. will help contribute to the spirit of philanthropy and development that we deliver to our members and the community.”

Lemanski thoroughly enjoyed his internship and is excited for the opportunity to work with the chamber. “I am thrilled to have the chance to make an impact and to work in my field. I’m delighted to continue my commitment to non-profits and all the good they provide. The chamber and this great city have welcomed me once again!”

P.J. Lemanski is a Harper Woods, Michigan native and a Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant graduate. P.J.’s recent experience includes supervising and maintaining events in the city of Harper Woods for their Parks & Recreation department, and will bring those skills to his new position.

Note from the Valpo Chamber

I want to thank you for an outstanding map which you produced for our Valpo Chamber.In my 43 years as a CEO in the Chamber Field, it was the smoothest project I have ever seen done. You made all the deadlines, your print quality and cartography was second to none. And of course you paid us in exactly the time frame you said you would so we could count the Royalty Check towards our current year revenue.

Life is very good when dealing with Town Square Publications.

You have the right of first refusal to do our next map. You are a great partner for our Chamber. We are living proof that a printed map is still very much in demand by both advertisers and consumers.

It would be my pleasure to recommend Town Square Publications as a firm Chambers and Tourism Bureaus should use when considering a printed Map or other print publications.

Rex G. Richards, CCE
President

Valpo Chamber of Commerce

Bryant turns dirt at new Oxford hotel groundbreaking ceremony

Charter Road Hospitality, headed by Chan Patel, has partnered with Hilton to build a 104-room Tru by Hilton hotel that will be located in front of Malco Oxford Commons Cinema and Premier Lanes.

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Bryant, along with city and county leaders and citizens, gathered in front of the future site of Patel’s fifth hotel in Oxford for a groundbreaking ceremony.

With the hum of large machinery and the sounds of construction workers doing site work behind him, Bryant congratulated Patel and his father, MV Patel, and thanked them for their investment in Oxford and Mississippi.

“Here we are investing, growing, determined to make sure to add to the great team members who work with Charter Road Hospitality,” Bryant said.

Bryant said he attended a meeting Monday with the Mississippi Development Authority and an overseas company that was looking to locate in Mississippi and bring 150 jobs to the state.

“They wanted a large amount of incentives from the state of Mississippi, and I reminded them that I would be in Oxford today where this great Patel family has a 120 Mississippians working and, to the best of my knowledge, have never asked for anything from Mississippi but perhaps to have the governor come and help turn the first soil of a new development,” Bryant said. “We’re very proud of this $11 million investment.”

Tru by Hilton will bring the number of rooms in CRH’s hotels to 448 and the number of employees from 120 to about 150 after it’s opened.

Patel thanked his employees for all their hard work.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today if not for you,” he said.

Also speaking at the event was Jon Maynard, president and CEO Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation and Oxford Aldermen Ulysses “Coach” Howell. An invocation was given by Jimmie Smith, retired CRH team member. Read more: Oxford Eagle

Leadership 21: SWCRC

The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is proud to host a dynamic, and premier leadership program, training and developing our next generation of small business and community leaders in the Downriver region! Welcome class of 2018!

Mission:

To provide an intensive, dynamic leadership program that challenges, educates, and develops a diverse, select group of emerging small business, and organizational leaders in Southern Wayne County.

Purpose:

To prepare participants to lead with a vision, to affect a positive change in the community on a long-term basis, to interpret complex social and economic issues, and to establish a network of community leaders.

Benefits to Participants:

Increased awareness of important issues facing your community
Ideas for shaping the future of your community
Complimentary Admission to Chamber networking events

Benefits to Organizations:

Improved leadership skills
Improved ability to interact with other employees (teamwork)
Improved self-confidence resulting in more willingness to assume responsibility
Positively represent organization in the community

Issues to be Explored:

Private sector
Non-profit sector
Leadership
Economic Development Community Education
Government

Candidates:

A small group of individuals annually will participate in the program. They will represent a cross section of the community, including, but not limited to, business, government, education, civic groups, health service, and community organizations.

Selection Criteria:

Potential participants must demonstrate the following criteria:

Commitment and motivation to serve the Southern Wayne County area
Interest in seeking major volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles
Ability to set and attain personal goals resulting in achievement in his/her field
Experience and record of achievement in community activities which indicate potential leadership
Potential to shape policy and exert influence on critical issues facing the community
Availability of time to participate in Leadership 21 activities

Program:

A one-day orientation retreat is scheduled for October, 2017, followed by one session a month. A graduation banquet will be hosted in February or March, 2018.

Process:
Candidates are selected on their own merits from written applications submitted to the Leadership 21 Executive Committee.
Applications must be received by the committee by August 24, 2017
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by September, 2017
Those not selected for this year’s program are encouraged to apply again next year.

Requirements:

Participants must have the full commitment of their respective corporations or organizations. Attendance is expected at all sessions.

2017-2018 Meeting Dates (Subject to Change):

October, 2017 – Orientation
November, 2017 – Non-Profit Sector
January, 2018 – Private Sector
February, 2018 – Community Relations / Government
February/March, 2018 – Graduation

Tuition: $250 per person.

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 734.284.6000, ext. 25 or email Rich@swcrc.com

Businesses Honored At Bay Area Chamber Of Commerce Event

Two long-time Bay Area Chamber of Commerce members and community pillars celebrating milestone anniversaries were honored at the organization' s Eye Opener Breakfast held on Friday, December 15, 2017, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City - Riverfront.

Herman Hiss & Company and The Bay City Players received proclamations honoring their 150 and 100 year anniversaries, respectively. Jacob Bennett, Deputy District Director for U.S. Representative Dan Kildee, State Senator Mike Green, State Representative Brian K. Elder and State Representative Gary Glenn presented the proclamations.

Eye Opener Breakfasts are held monthly and are open to the public. For more information, you may call the Chamber at 989.893.4567 or visit baycityarea.com.

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1882, is a private, non-profit business organization with nearly 800 members that provides programs to assist local businesses grow and prosper. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce joins area busi nesses and the community for the economic growth and well-being of the entire Bay Area. Contact: Ryan Tarrant (989) 893-4567 - Email:chamber@baycityarea.com - Web: Bay City Area Chamber

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

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Dubuque Area Chamber inspiration: Shooting for film dollars: New regional film office wants in on booming state industry; Festival of the Vine FUN is all over Geneva; La Porte Chamber Retention & Expansion Committee Continues Discussion on Workforce Development; Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide; Flint & Genesee Chamber: Coming home; Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Discussion with Great American Restaurants and Founding Farmers; Kentucky Chamber Details Vision For The State; Leaders say Natchez needs development director, unified voice; Beyond the Hodag: Forward Rhinelander looks to rebrand community; 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!

Dubuque Area Chamber inspiration: Shooting for film dollars: New regional film office wants in on booming state industry

The film industry infused nearly a half-billion dollars into the state’s economy last year, and the Northwest Illinois region wants a piece of the action.

Whiteside County Economic Development Director Gary Camarano and Rock Falls Tourism Director Janell Loos have spearheaded efforts to set up the Northwest Illinois Film Office. The office has a physical presence in Loos’ tourism office, but the main emphasis is on making the website a virtual one-stop shop for television and film production teams.

“Scouts do a lot of their research before they visit a prospective site, and we want to make it easy for them,” Loos said. “We want them to come here by design, not by accident.”

Work on the website has started, but Camarano said it won’t be rushed because they want to get a lot of input and do it right.

The site will include thumbnails of prime film locations, downloadable permits, the Illinois Production Guide, and contact information for anyone or anything a production crew could need. Then the office will reach out to location managers to let them know they are film-friendly.

The best way to grab the industry’s attention is with incentives, and Illinois has consistently ranked in the top five nationally since the General Assembly passed the Illinois Film Services Tax Credit Act in 2008.

Illinois offers a 30 percent tax credit on all qualifying production expenses, plus an additional 15 percent credit for hiring residents in areas considered economically disadvantaged. In addition, the state requires that a minimum of $100,000 be spent on a project, a much lower ceiling that most states. The only state with a better tax credit deal is Oklahoma, which offers 35 percent.

“Hollywood is very conscious of the bottom line, so the incentives make a big difference,” Camarano said. Illinois has good incentives in addition to having beautiful locations, so it’s a great one-two punch.”

The idea of the region becoming film-friendly has been talked about before, but Camarano had set up a film office when he was the economic development director in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Now the idea is becoming a process.

“We started laying the groundwork for this at the beginning of the year, and it’s picked up speed,” Camarano said. “Tourism is an industry cluster, and we want this to truly be a regional office.”

The parameters will be even more expansive than most regional development projects, so as to incorporate scenic gems from the Rock to Mississippi rivers, and the Fulton windmills to the bluffs of Jo Daviess County.

Katy Williams of Sterling, an economics student at Northern Illinois University, is a summer intern in the tourism office. She has been tasked with reaching out to towns and organizations to bring them into the project.

The help of residents will be needed to put together the site catalog for the website. The office plans to have a contest for engaging residents’ help in finding the best locations.

“We need the help of people in the communities that participate because they know what’s unique in their area,” Loos said. “This is the kind of thing that is fun for communities, but it also drives the economy.”

Camarano is a big believer in the film component of tourism. Not only is it a unique opportunity to market a region, it creates jobs and puts people in hotels, restaurants and stores.

“Part of ‘Captain Fantastic’ was filmed in Las Cruces,” Camarano said. “They needed a Phoenix lookalike, and we got the project because Arizona really didn’t have any incentives. That project created 900 hotel nights.”

One of the Midwest’s better-known filming coups was the 1989 release, “Field of Dreams,” which brought an economic windfall to Dyersville, Iowa, that lasted for decades. A tiny two-person Iowa film office and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce rolled out the red carpet for Universal Studios, which spent more than $5 million in the town of about 4,000.

The film’s success brought tourists in droves, helped entice businesses to the area, and brought several other film projects to Iowa.

The office is initially funded by Camarano’s office and Rock Falls Tourism, but it’s hoped that other participants will make contributions that will elevate their status on the website.

“We’re working on a shoestring budget of about $10,000, but if this is successful, we will consider spending more,” Camarano said.

Other organizations involved in the project include Blackhawk Hills Regional Council, Blackhawk Waterways Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College, Morrison Area Development Corporation and Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Source: Saukvalley.com

Festival of the Vine FUN is all over Geneva

September 8-10 marks the 36^th year for Festival of the Vine. As is tradition, the Flavor Fare and Wine Tent are located on the corner of 4^th & State streets in downtown Geneva.

Free entertainment is offered Friday, Saturday & Sunday, both on the Courthouse Lawn and on the main stage at S. Fourth & State streets. Favorites return and new acts are debuting at Festival of the Vine.

All around the old Courthouse, on Third, Campbell & James streets, will be the site for a flower market, art & craft show, weekend kids’ activities and complimentary carriage and trolley ride stops.

Special Festival of the Vine events will take place in the downtown area with All Chocolate Kitchen, Chez Moi Café & Catering, Fiora’s, Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, Geneva Wine Cellars, Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, SavWay Fine Wines & Spirits, The Little Traveler and Wildwood.

Business Booths will be set up on James Street and are ready to share information about their products.

Please check the schedule for specific dates and times. In addition to the listings in our program (available mid-August and at http://www.genevachamber.com/festival_of_vine.php), which includes the above events among others, businesses may also be hosting special happenings.

For complete details on everything festival related, please visit genevachamber.com or call 630.232.6060. Contact: Laura Rush, Communications Coordinator, lrush@genevachamber.com

La Porte Chamber Retention & Expansion Committee Continues Discussion on Workforce Development

The La Porte Chamber's Retention & Expansion Committee once again held a meeting on August 2 and had 9 members in attendance. The group had gone on 2 visits since the previous meeting. The committee had guest speaker Allison Bertl with WorkOne (NWI Business Services Representative) attend, and she discussed On-The-Job training (OJT) Programs. It was also discussed how WorkOne can help businesses through Employer Incentives, Recruitment (including the website IndianaCareerConnect.com), Hiring, Labor Market Info, work displacement assistance, and Veterans Services.

Interested in joining this committee? Call the Chamber 219.362.3178, email gesse@lpchamber.com, or Click Here to learn more and fill out the Committee Preference Form.

Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide

The Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide is available at the chamber of commerce today! Thank you to Philip "Mike" Beard and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce 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.

Flint & Genesee Chamber: Coming home

Someone recently asked me where things stand with Flint. And given that this is something that I think about practically every day, I said what I’ve said many times this year – ‘Flint is at a tipping point’. What happens over the next three years could significantly increase or slow down our metro area’s growth trajectory. In addition to business investment, jobs and education, investing in our neighborhoods and shifting perceptions of Flint are also vitally important.

For as many people as we have who are working tirelessly on moving Flint forward, we need many more; those who will embrace the vision and master plan, are inspired by the region’s energy and undeniable progress, and choose to get involved. In fact, this is one of the major reasons the Flint & Genesee Chamber along with our partners will host the first-ever Flint Homecoming on Aug.16-17, recruiting Flint expatriates from across the country to come home to the invitation-only event.

We want Flint expats to return and fully participate in the 1-1/2 day Flint Homecoming and leave with a desire to invest. We want them to see what Flint’s resilience looks like. As I’ve said before, stroll the new Flint Farmers’ Market, where you might bump into a few of our 30,000 college students from all over the world. Young people from the University of Michigan-Flint, Kettering University, Mott Community College, Baker College and others, who are feeding millions of dollars into the local economy.

We want them to know that the Flint & Genesee economy is becoming more diversified, helping to create more jobs. That we are seeing an increase in personal wages and the region’s unemployment rate is steadily improving. And the housing market in Flint is showing signs of a comeback. Home values are increasing.

We also want the expats to know that Flint is a worthwhile investment. Our investors continue to show confidence in the Flint area bringing new businesses and expanding existing ones. Last year – during a very challenging time – the Flint & Genesee

Chamber supported projects that resulted in over $503 million in investments and government contracts, and tourism generated $131 million in economic impact.

There are so many bright spots – both economic and quality of life – which I could not begin to cover them in this column. But when our expats come to town. We plan to give them a great experience that inspires them to reconnect, rediscover and contribute to the city’s reinvention. Presentations and engagement activities will acquaint the expatriates with “Flint today” – the city’s strengths and assets, its challenges, what’s needed to change the narrative about Flint, and build on the progress that began prior to the water crisis.

On behalf of my Flint Homecoming Co-Chair Phil Hagerman and I, and the 30+ organizations that are represented on the Host Committee, we simply can’t wait to share the other side of the story. We’re providing a front-row seat to Flint’s revitalization. So, Flint expats, my message is simple: come on home. Tim Herman is the CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce

Source:The Davidson Index

Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Discussion with Great American Restaurants and Founding Farmers

The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (Northern Virginia Chamber) will host Up Close with Great American Restaurants and Founding Farmers on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Northern Virginia Chamber offices in Tysons.

The event will feature an intimate discussion and luncheon with two of the regions most highly regarded restauranteurs – Jon Norton, CEO of Great American Restaurants and Dan Simons, Owner and Principle of Founding Farmers. They will share the challenges of growing a successful brand, their thoughts on the direction of the restaurant industry, how they attract and retain top talent, and what keeps them up at night.

Registration is available online. Entry is $30 for Northern Virginia Chamber members, and $50 for non-members.

Members of the media who plan to cover the event should contact Northern Virginia Chamber Director, Communications and Marketing, Alex Thompson, athompson@novachamber.org, to register.

Kentucky Chamber Details Vision For The State

Building a more prosperous future for Kentucky’s communities and the state as a whole is the focus of a new report from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Four Pillars for Prosperity suggests a new emphasis on issues that influence the state’s economy and on the actions that will chart a path toward success. The report, released Tuesday (July 28, 2015) during the Chamber’s annual Business Summit in Louisville, details the state’s current and recent economic performance; the workforce, technological and economic trends affecting Kentucky; and the perspective of business leaders on issues that most affect their ability to succeed.

The Chamber’s vision rests on four pillars:
A healthy, skilled workforce to create a globally competitive talent development system
A sustainable state government that is financially stable and creates a competitive environment for economic growth
A 21st century infrastructure to capitalize on the state’s strategic advantages and to advance its energy agenda
Aggressive job creation through the implementation of an economic development program that recognizes the potential of Kentucky’s distinct regions and industry sectors and encourages entrepreneurship and innovation

Among the specific progress points Kentucky must achieve to realize the vision: investing in quality early education programs, conducting a comprehensive management review of state government operations, supporting public-private partnerships to develop capital projects, and supporting strategic industry sectors.

To gauge the state’s performance, the Chamber plans to monitor key indicators, make them available via an online dashboard, and report regularly on the findings. Signs of progress will include:
Increased employment growth at a rate higher than the national average
Increased education attainment levels
Improved state rankings for businesses and competitiveness
Per capita income growth higher than the national average
Improved health rankings
Gross State Product per capita growth at a rate higher than the national average
Increased state exports per capita relative to the national average
More postsecondary degrees and certificates
Lower state poverty rate
Decreased state debt per capita
Improved state pension funding position
Improved condition of state’s physical infrastructure
Increased availability of broadband
Sustained low energy costs

“Our hope is that someday soon leaders in Kentucky will value economic competitiveness that same way they value competitiveness in basketball,” the report noted. “We want our leaders to plan for future years of sustainability with the same enthusiasm as when we anticipate a young colt, an aged bourbon or spring. We want to change the culture and the opportunities for every citizen in our state.”

The report is available on the Kentucky Chamber’s website.

Leaders say Natchez needs development director, unified voice

— In anticipation of FOR Natchez’s final revitalization plan, most merchants and officials have said that the future of downtown Natchez looks promising. But what about the present?

As Rolling River Bistro owner René Adams puts it, the plans to reshape downtown are great, but other, short-term actions need to be taken in order to get downtown business on its feet. “I’m very happy about the FOR Natchez plan that (president) Chesney (Doyle) and them are doing, but we can’t wait five years,” Adams said. “We need to start working together to do something now.”

A catalyst for organizing and planning development could be the hiring of a downtown development director. Business owner John Grady Burns said hiring such a person could bene×t downtown’s growth in many facets. “My main thing is I really wish we could get that downtown development program going. I think that would be a huge help, because we have some very seasoned shop owners … who have a lot of knowledge, who could be extremely helpful to those of us who are newer.”

As owner of the Nest — a floral and decor shop located on Franklin Street — Burns has had a stake in downtown Natchez for the past year and a half. “Having the seasoned shop owners and the new shop owners … working together would really make (for a) bond downtown. I think that would be a huge help for downtown to really have a bond, and I think (a downtown development program) would be the best way to do that.”

The City of Natchez once helped fund such a program. Until 2009, the city committed $25,000 annually to the non-pro×t Natchez Downtown Development Association, which worked to preserve the historic downtown district and worked with local businesses to promote the city and attract consumers downtown. Eight years ago, the city cut the NDDA’s funding, which went towards the compensation of the group’s director. Though the association did not dissolve right after losing funding, the NDDA eventually fizzled out due to the lack of a director and time constraints of the volunteers who made up the group’s board.

The city’s designation as a Mississippi Main Street Association member was the next domino to fall. Members of the Main Street Association receive training, promotional and other benefits for an annual fee. Natchez had been a member up until 2016.

In lieu of an organized development association, downtown merchants have organized their own group that meets every Wednesday morning. Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson said the group has been meeting since the third week of this past January.

“When I went around they said, ‘Debbie, we need help. We need coordination,’” Hudson said. But while Hudson said the meetings have been beneficial, a development director would give downtown merchants some muchneeded cohesion. “We’re trying to work on how to be a group, but to be honest, they need a (director),” Hudson said.

Hudson said the director could share space in the Chamber of Commerce’s Main Street ofice. “I’ve been able to help pull people together, but they need more.” Read more: Natchez Democrat

Beyond the Hodag: Forward Rhinelander looks to rebrand community

Forward Rhinelander, a group of organizations, businesses and individuals dedicated to advancing the city's fortunes, got its first look Wednesday at a proposed brand guide that will be used to market the city in the future.

Forward Rhinelander member Dave Heck said the branding effort is key in developing a message that differentiates Rhinelander from other cities and towns in the area.

"This has been going on for three years. We interviewed over 40 people and literally every single person said the Rhinelander brand is lacking. What is the differentiation of Rhinelander?" Heck said. "In fact, Pat Marquardt of Printpack said he is tired of hearing how Wausau has this or Minocqua has that or Eagle River has this. Can we all sit in a room together and say why we love Rhinelander, this is the three reasons or 10 reasons?"

Since then, he said the group has been working with various stakeholders, the city and others in charting a course that will help Rhinelander prosper. Alison Schiek of Schiek Consulting took the information gathered at listening sessions and prepared a proposed brand guide, which she previewed for those in attendance.

Heck said the proposed branding guide is intended as a compliment to other promotional efforts, including the work of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce.

As part of her research, Schiek said she studied other brand messaging and consulted with other branding professionals around the country.

"It helped sharpen our need for better positioning with the community as we look at Rhinelander and assess ourselves in how we are different from the surrounding communities," she said. "Then, going further, how are we different from some of the larger areas like Wausau."

At this point, the plan is for internal use by Forward Rhinelander and some of the photos included in the document are serving as placeholders.

Schiek said the purpose of the guide is to help move Rhinelander forward through strategic communications and brand management. Read more: River News Online

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