Chicago Fed: Midwest Economic Growth Steady in November; Barrington Area Chamber Announces 2017 Business Award Nominees; Muskego Chamber of Commerce gets new exec; Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map; Lafayette County has one of the lowest jobless rates in Mississippi; #Chamber Partnership: Greater Reston, Prince William, Arlington, Loudoun County: Northern Virginia Restaurant Week '17; Baker College, Flint & Genesee Chamber to host economic forecast by Federal Reserve economists; Phil D'Amico to Lead Wayne County Chamber; 2nd Annual Kentucky Workforce Summit: Solutions for Economic Competitiveness; 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!



Chicago Fed: Midwest Economic Growth Steady in November

The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) decreased slightly to –0.01 in November from a neutral reading in October. The relative MEI decreased to +0.20 in November from +0.22 in October. November’s value for the relative MEI indicates that Midwest economic growth was somewhat higher than what would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy. Read more

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Barrington Area Chamber Announces 2017 Business Award Nominees

(Barrington, IL - 11/7/16) -- The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is pleased to announce the 2017 nominees for their annual “Spirit of Excellence” Business Awards. Nominees have been selected by the membership for recognition in the following categories: Hospitality Member of the Year, New Business of the Year, Chamber Volunteer of the Year, Community Partner of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. The community and the BACC membership is encouraged to cast their vote to select the top recipients by visiting www.BarringtonChamber.com.  Awards winners will be announced at BACC’s Annual Dinner & Scholarship Fundraiser on Thursday, January 19 at The Stonegate Conference and Banquet Centre.

Hospitality Member of the Year Award honors a member that has become a popular gathering space bringing community together; a venue that is a go-to destination for entertainment, connecting with friends and family….and brings vibrancy to the community. This year, nominees for Hospitality Member of the Year are; Shakou, McGonigal’s Pub, Pepper Park Coffee, Moretti’s of Hoffman Estates, Copper Fiddle Distillery, and Grassroots.

New Business of the Year Award honors a Chamber business that has come on to the scene with enthusiasm and innovation, bringing something new and fresh to the business community. Contenders are; Pinot’s Palette, Windy City Bulls, Neoteca Pizza & Wine Bar, and Lumen Optical.

Community Partner of the Year Award honors a Not-For-Profit association or organization that has distinguished themselves in the community as innovators, resulting in the advancement of a cause or project in the Barrington area that has improved the lives of others and the quality of our community. Nominees are; ClearCaptions, The Community Meal, Michael Joseph Foundation, JourneyCare, Let It Be Us, and Rahab’s Daughters.

Volunteer of the Year Award honors a Chamber member who has given unselfishly, contributing as a constant promoter and ambassador, actively attending and supporting events and other BACC members. Nominees are John Jackson (4ci Products-Balancing Life’s Challenges), John Corey (Ameriprise Financial Services), and Nancy Roach, (Upstream Investment Partners).

Rookie of the Year Award honors a Chamber member who has recently joined the Chamber and become involved with vigor and passion, bringing new energy to the organization and showing the value of the BACC experience.  New members nominated are; Gale Cohen-Demarco,( SportsClips), Basia Aniszewski,  (Monat Global), Cedric Quackenbush,  (Windy City Bulls), and Tom Drapinski, (Brainstorm Startups, Inc.)

For more information, contact BACC President Suzanne Corr, 847-381-2525 or Suzanne@barringtonchamber.com

Muskego Chamber of Commerce gets new exec

Krisann Durnford, who has been chairwoman of Muskego's Country Christmas celebration since 2006 for the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce and has been its events and marketing coordinator since 2014, has been named executive director of the chamber.

Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, chamber president Camille Darkow said, "We believe that she possesses the vision, expertise, knowledge, excitement, drive, candidness and goal-oriented thoughts and values that as a chamber and board we are looking for..."

She succeeds Deborah Skurulsky who resigned after serving nearly three years. When the position went back to full-time, Skurulsky decided she wanted to devote more time to her law practice.

Darkow had high praise for Skurulsky: "It was a pleasure working with her and she did an amazing job of leading the chamber of commerce through the new challenges and changes that are happening in the city of Muskego and surrounding areas."

"We hope for only the best for her future, and take comfort in the fact that she has her law office right here in Muskego and has offered that she is always available for guidance and assistance if needed as well as being readily available to help with the transition for our new executive director," Darkow said. Read more: Muskego New Berlin Now

Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map 

The Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map is available at the Cary Grove Chamber today! Thanks to Lynn Caccavallo and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Cary Grove Area Chamber map

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

Lafayette County has one of the lowest jobless rates in Mississippi

Lafayette County continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Mississippi and remains below the national average. The 4.1 percent jobless rate in Lafayette County for November is more than a percentage point below the state average of 5.2 percent and slightly below the 4.4 percent national average.

The state October rate was 5.7 percent.

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security provided the most recent figures.

Local officials are pleased with the job growth numbers.

“Lafayette County not only has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, but also the highest rate of growth, third highest average annual wage and some of the highest growth in manufacturing jobs,” said Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and Chamber of Commerce. “We are doing a lot of things right in Lafayette County when it comes to true economic development.”

According to the MDES, the state unemployment rate is the lowest in 12 years. The state jobless rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point from October and was the lowest rate since February of 2004. A year ago, the state rate was 6.6 percent. Read more: Oxford Eagle

#Chamber Partnership: Greater Reston, Prince William, Arlington, Loudoun County: Northern Virginia Restaurant Week '17

Restaurant Week

March 20 - 27, 2017

Back by popular demand...the Greater Reston, Loudoun, Arlington and Prince William Chambers of Commerce are excited to present Northern Virginia Restaurant Week from March 20-27, 2017. 

This week-long dining experience is taking place at a variety of local establishments - from fine dining to fast casual. Get ready to enjoy value pricing for lunch, dinner and/or specialty foods.

Baker College, Flint & Genesee Chamber to host economic forecast by Federal Reserve economists

Two economists from the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will present an economic forecast for 2017, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 5-7 p.m. at the Baker College of Flint Center for Business, 1050 W. Bristol Road.

The event is free and open to the public; registration is not required.

The Fed presenters, Paul Traub, senior business economist, and Martin Lavelle, business economist, will look at what 2017 may hold economically for the state of Michigan, the region and the nation.

Baker College and the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsors of the event.

“Learning about economic trends and how they may affect you is knowledge that would well serve all of our area residents in their professional and personal lives,” said Wen Hemingway, MBA, CTP, Baker College of Flint president. “This is an incredible opportunity to hear from two of the region’s top economists who will offer valuable insights, delivering them in an engaging and understandable way.”

Baker College sponsors this event annually for its students, faculty and staff and opens it to the public as a community service.

Traub is responsible for research and current analysis at the Detroit branch. Prior to joining the Fed, he was president of Scenario Economics LLC and senior economist for Americas Commercial Transportation Research Company LLC. In 2008, he retired from the position of corporate economist after 25 years of service at Chrysler Group LLC. He worked in the Chrysler corporate economist office for more than 17 of those years, where his responsibilities included tracking the economy and forecasting its impact on North American auto sales, supporting new product development, and speaking to auto dealers and numerous professional organizations.

Traub is a member of the Baker College of Flint Board of Trustees, Detroit Association of Business Economists Board of Directors, the National Association of Business Economists and the Detroit Economic Club. He also serves on advisory boards for the Baker College of Flint Center for Business, Lawrence Technological University’s College of Management and the U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, and has served as adjunct faculty at Oakland University’s School of Business. He earned a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and an MBA from Oakland University.

Phil D'Amico to Lead Wayne County Chamber

The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce has named Phil D'Amico president and chief executive officer. He is currently chief marketing officer for South Bend-based Majority Builders Inc. and previously served as director of business growth for the Saint Joseph County Chamber of Commerce. D'Amico's previous experience also includes a stint as regional director of marketing and business development for Barnes & Thornburg LLP. In addition, he hosts a weekly television program called "Economic Outlook" on WNIT in South Bend. D'Amico will begin in his new position next month. Read more: Inside Indiana Business

2nd Annual Kentucky Workforce Summit: Solutions for Economic Competitiveness

Leadership from the private sector and strong public programs are key to creating a highly skilled workforce. The 2nd Annual Kentucky Workforce Summit: Solutions for Economic Competitiveness will focus on key areas where greater employer involvement can make a positive difference for the productivity of their companies and the overall quality of Kentucky's workforce.

Specific topics to be addressed include:

• Essential Skills for Today's Workforce — These skills are critical for success in life no matter where someone works or goes to school: working well with others, remaining drug free, adapting to new information — just showing up on time everyday! How can we improve the essential skills of Kentucky's workforce?
• Career Readiness — This is the latest buzz phrase for preparing students to succeed as adults.
  What does it mean to be career ready in today's economy and for the future? How do we make sure we're preparing students the right way?
• Workplace Learning and Apprenticeships — Whether it's called project-based learning, an apprenticeship or a career pathway, the benefit of learning while doing cannot be overstated.
  Kentucky is picking up the pace on making work-based learning more widely available, but are we moving fast enough?
• Plugging In — How, specifically, can Kentucky employers become engaged in meaningful ways to build a stronger workforce in our state?

Register now, and demonstrate your investment in the future of the Commonwealth's workforce!

Sponsors and Exhibitors:

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available. 

Click here to view benefits and contact Andrea Flanders, sponsorship development manager
at 502-848-8723 to learn more or to reserve a sponsorship and/or exhibit booth. 

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 Here

Comcast small business contest: Would $30,000 help take your business to the next level? Meridian Mississippi: Star of the Week: EMBDC chamber manager Meredith Rea; Bentonville/Bella Vista chamber dinner: Bacigalupi dotes on Northwest Arkansas' collaborative spirit; Christian County Chamber’s $300K campaign off to roaring start; Brighton Area Chamber Professional Women's Club: Event Helps Local Women Become Heart Healthy & Reduce Stress; Arc of Northern Virginia Hosting Networking Mixer Feb. 24; Chamber interest: Schaumburg Business Association: Manufacturer's Summit; Pulaski County (Virginia) chamber reps, county officials travel to Richmond during legislative session; Best Chamber practices: Fox Cities Chamber Tools: Training, Education and Advice; Early History of the Richmond Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Chamber interest: Comcast small business contest: Would $30,000 help take your business to the next level? 

Here's the contest info. At Comcast Business we believe that smart, strategic use of technology can catapult a business to an entirely new level. Connecting in innovative ways with customers…managing back office operations more efficiently…even creating a whole new line of business enabled by technology – we want to know what your business would do with a $30,000 investment in technology. Contest winners will get to take that money and implement their ideas. Innovation coming to life! Enter our Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs contest today. Our judges will select two winners in each of the 16 Comcast Business Regions: one Startup and one Entrepreneur. Each winner will be awarded $10,000 in cash to help their business get to the next level. From these 32 winners, six will be named as GRAND PRIZE Winners and will receive an additional $20,000 and a special trip to Comcast headquarters in Philadelphia – where they will meet with Business Innovation Experts to discuss how to put their technology plan into action! You’ll see the simple entry form on the homepage.

Meridian Mississippi: Star of the Week: EMBDC chamber manager Meredith Rea

Meredith Rea, who was recently promoted to the position of manager for the Chamber of Commerce at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, is a busy young lady.

    Rea is in charge of membership services for the EMBDC, runs various programs there and is on the small business committee. She also works closely with Casey Null-Holladay, who was recently hired to handle events for the EMBDC.     Before her promotion, Rea handled public relations and communications for the EMBDC.     "We changed up the roles a little bit to make things smoother," Rea said.     This year Rea finishes her fourth year with the U.S. Chamber program called Institute for Organization Management, from which she graduates this year.     "It's a great way to connect with other Chambers, so you aren't always reinventing the wheel, " Rea said of the program. Read more: Meridian Star

Bentonville/Bella Vista chamber dinner: Bacigalupi dotes on Northwest Arkansas' collaborative spirit

The possibilities for Northwest Arkansas are unlimited in the years ahead, Don Bacigalupi, former executive director and president of Crystal Bridges, said Thursday.
Sandy Edwards, deputy director of Crystal Bridges, had a conversation with Bacigalupi during the annual Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce dinner at the John Q. Hammons Center.
Edwards asked Bacigalupi to recall his thoughts when Crystal Bridges was announced, the skepticism it endured from the art world, what it has done for the area and how it bodes for the decade ahead.
"I think that the next 10 years are going to be extraordinary and, again, unlimited," Bacigalupi said.
Bacigalupi spoke about the community's collaborative effort to establish Crystal Bridges. The intensity of the collaborative spirit of this region is unique, he said.
"There was so much positivity that it was infectious," Bacigalupi said.
It's what continues to propel the museum's national recognition; and when people come to visit it, they get a taste of Northwest Arkansas, he said. Read more: Arkansas Online

Christian County Chamber’s $300K campaign off to roaring start

Fake pearls and plastic fedoras at the door, the flappers and gangsters who came decked out in 1920s attire didn’t need them Thursday for the kickoff of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever total resource campaign.
The campaign with the theme “Roaring to the Top” aims to produce a 1920s-like feel and, by all accounts, it’s off to a roaring start even though it’s only just begun. As campaign chairs Jerod Kaufman of Robinson Construction and Lori Harper of Rogers Group announced at Oakland Manor, they’re already secured over $110,000 — more than a third of their $300,000 campaign goal.
Kaufman and Harper make a good team, they said, with Kaufman playing the role of the fun-loving guy while Harper is all about business. Both have a wide net of contacts and the ability to see to it this campaign meets and, hopefully, exceeds its goal, said Marian Mason, president of the chamber.

“He’s the fun guy. I’m the business person,” Harper explained standing beside Kaufman, both in pinstripe suits. Kaufman also brought a toy Tommy gun and a couple of pairs of handcuffs for effect. Read more: Kentucky New Era

 

Brighton Area Chamber Professional Women's Club: Event Helps Local Women Become Heart Healthy & Reduce Stress

An educational event helped raise awareness about heart disease while inspiring local women to make changes in their lives, reduce stress and become heart healthy. The second annual Brighton Go Red for Women luncheon was held today, with many attendees wearing red to recognize February as Heart Month. The event was hosted by the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce Professional Women’s Club of Michigan and Michigan Heart, a member of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Michigan Heart Cardiologist Mark Bernstein discussed the impact of stress on the heart and how to manage it in a healthy way. Bernstein tells WHMI coronary disease typically develops later in women than men and it’s important to know the warning signs and symptoms because they may not be the same for men and women. He says modifying behaviors helps lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease but acknowledged it's easier said than done. Read more: WHMI 95.5 FM

Arc of Northern Virginia Hosting Networking Mixer Feb. 24

The Arc of Northern Virginia is hosting a networking mixer for the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, February 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Arc represents and serves more than 16,000 people with intellectual and development disabilities and their families providing vital programs, services, and advocacy. Members of the Chamber and friends of the business community are invited to enjoy refreshments and learn more about The Arc’s efforts to help people with disabilities live “A Life Like Yours.”
RSVPs are appreciated by emailing HStregack@thearcofnova.org or by calling 703-208-1119, ext. 102. Read more: Falls-Church News-Press

Chamber interest: Schaumburg Business Association: Manufacturer's Summit

Date: March 4, 2015

Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

Registration: Register Now

In today's global marketplace manufacturing companies who attain a competitive advantage are nimble, responding quickly to an ever changing and challenging environment by leveraging resources. Join us as we bring together a panel of experts to provide an overview of the resources available to manufacturers at the local, state and federal levels.

Location: Harper College - Wojcik Conference Center
1200 W. Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067 - 3:30-5:30 PM

Topics include:

• Addressing the Skills Gaps - The Harper College, Village of Schaumburg, and SBA Partnership
• Workforce & Development Training

- See more at: Schaumburg Business Association

Pulaski County (Virginia) chamber reps, county officials travel to Richmond during legislative session

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, along with county officials, attended the Old Dominion Assembly in Richmond on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Del. Joseph Yost proposed a cigarette tax bill for Pulaski and Montgomery counties that would allow the counties to delegate cigarette taxes solely toward school renovations. Though the bill was tabled, Pulaski County had a strong representation at the subcommittee hearing.
Chamber staff, executive director Peggy White and communication director Christiana Marjakangas, along with county economic development director Michael Solomon, represented Pulaski County at the Virginia State Chamber Day, where, among others, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring spoke. Read more: Roanoke Times

Best Chamber practices: Fox Cities Chamber Tools: Training, Education and Advice
 
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is an economic development corporation providing quality business education, technical assistance and access to capital for entrepreneurs. WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin, concentrating its efforts on women, minorities and those of lower incomes.
Fox Valley Technical College’s Venture Center is an integrated entrepreneurship center providing programming and services in three areas: entrepreneurial studies, business development and innovation.
The Venture Center provides education and training to provide the necessary legal, business, scientific, capital markets, regulatory and leadership skills needed to follow the path of idea to launching and operating a sustainable business. Call 920-735-2525 for more information.
Small Business Development Center-Oshkosh The SBDC provides low-cost workshops, seminars and free counseling to aid small businesses. The low-cost seminars are specifically designed for owners and managers of businesses and are taught by instructors who have experience and knowledge about the problems of owning and operating a business. Call 920-424-1453 or 800-232-8939 for more information.
SCORE The SCORE Association is a free business counseling service. A partner of the Small Business Administration, the Fox Cities SCORE Chapter is located at the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry. To request a Fox Cities SCORE Counselor, contact 920-734-7101. Read more: Fox Cites Chamber Economic Development

Early History of the Richmond Indiana Chamber of Commerce

The idea of a Chamber of Commerce in Richmond developed slowly after World War II, even as many cities already had well-established Chambers and others were organizing new ones to take advantage of the widespread industrial expansion following the war.

According to thinking of the time, Richmond didn’t really need a Chamber, primarily because the “City Fathers” made the major economic decisions and we already enjoyed a formidable array of prosperous industries. These included the Dille-McGuire and Lontz lawnmower factories and later Motomower, a combination that often led to the contention that we were a leader in that sector in the nation. There were several busy casket manufacturers, plus the massive Crosley facility, later Avco, and the expanding Natco company. Even more notable for a national recognition were the Hill companies, which provided the basis for the claim that in Richmond there were more roses grown under glass than anywhere in the world, thus leading to the boast we proclaimed for many years that we were “The City of Roses”.

Yes, at that time Richmond had a strong and vibrant economic base with many good jobs. And yes, perhaps we were “fat and happy”. Then the world began to change.

The heavy-duty machinery manufacturer Bucyrus-Erie chose Richmond for a new facility (actually in Center Township) – to great acclaim – and, unfortunately, slowly sank into bankruptcy. Avco did o.k. for a while but eventually went out of business. Natco moved into the vacant Bucyrus-Erie plant and later sold out and the successor businesses eventually closed. The lawnmower companies disappeared. Even our star performer, Hill’s, ran into rough waters when South America showed it could grow roses much cheaper; we no longer were “The City of Roses”. Read more: Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce


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

RULE #56      If we don’t charge, say “it’s included in your membership”