Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!
Congratulations to the 2015 Virginia's Fantastic 50 winners!
Celebrate
the Success of Virginia’s Fastest Growing Companies- The names of fifty
of the fastest growing companies in Virginia were unveiled on April
30th at the twentieth Annual Virginia’s Fantastic 50 Awards. The banquet
was held at the Westfields Marriott with nearly 500 people in
attendance. Rising to the top among tough competition, this year’s
winners hail from across the state and represent a diverse range of
services and industries. Their entrepreneurial success and stellar
growth demonstrate the excellence that has made Virginia the number one
state in the nation for business. Read more: Virginia Chamber
2015 Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives Awards
The main focus of the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E)
Program is to connect businesses in the region with the resources
necessary for sustainability and growth.
Introduced in the Spring of 2010, the Chamber's economic
development campaign, "Invest in the Best", has one primary goal:
to fund an aggressive economic development that will maximize marketing
and recruitment efforts of the Chamber.
In May 2010, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce held its
first annual Total Resource Campaign (TRC), Fistful of Dollars, an
annual fundraiser that supports programs developed by the Chamber
members and committees. During a three week period volunteers solicit
new members and reach out to chamber members regarding available
products and sponsorships. In the inagural campaign, 100 campaign
volunteers worked together to raise $261,350 in product sales and
$79,500 in in-kind advertising, for a total of $340,850, which exceeded
the first-year goal of $300,000. The Total Resource Campaign has become
an annual event.
The state's "Pure Michigan" campaign is one of the country's most successful and the Muskegon area remains a vital part of its continued progress.
Among the area's greatest assets to the campaign, which was launched in 2006, are its lakes, its proximity to Lake Michigan and its wealth of historic lighthouses, according to David West, vice president of Travel Michigan for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
West spoke to a packed house at the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce's Business for Breakfast on Friday, April 24. West also said craft beer is a category Michigan is primed to "own" from a nationwide perspective. "Lake living" and lighthouses are also two areas where Michigan can thrive, and Muskegon is a huge part of that.
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state in the country with 129, a handful of which are located in the Muskegon area. Read more: M LIVE
Rising electric bills
unfortunately appear on the horizon due to new federal regulations. To
help prepare the Hoosier business community, the Indiana Chamber of
Commerce will highlight timely energy-saving tips at its complimentary 2015 Connect and Collaborate series.
“Ten Tips to Manage Your Organization’s Energy Costs” will feature Vince Griffin, vice president of energy and environmental policy at the Indiana Chamber. Griffin is one of the leading voices on all energy topics as a result of his 17-plus years at the Indiana Chamber and previous industry experience.
Griffin will be joined by Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar and a local business/community leader in each of the eight Connect and Collaborate stops throughout the state. They will share guidance that can be applied for organizations of all types. Each session will also include a moderated panel discussion featuring questions and comments from attendees.
What’s more, these events offer a free lunch and introduction for non-Indiana Chamber members about the organization’s benefits, as well as act as a reminder for existing members about how to take full advantage of the membership services.
There is no cost for the luncheons, which take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time. The schedule kicks off in Indianapolis on May 11 and wraps up in Muncie on August 25. In between are stops in Fort Wayne (May 19), Lafayette (June 2), Merrillville (June 8), Elkhart (June 9), Evansville (July 28) and Bloomington (August 20).
Details and registration are available online or by contacting Nick Luchtefeld at NLuchtefeld@indianachamber.com or (317) 264-6898.
Lakeland College has created a new leadership-based initiative, the Sheboygan County Scholars, in an effort to retain the area's most promising young people.
The program will annually award up to four full-tuition scholarships to high school graduates from the county who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 or score at least a 27 on the ACT .
Over the past few weeks, ceremonies were held at three local schools introducing the first class of scholars. These three accomplished high school seniors are:
•Zachery Mock, from Howards Grove High School;
•Emma Schad, from Sheboygan Falls High School; and
•Matthew Seider, from Sheboygan Christian High School.
One goal of this program is to grow leaders for our communities. These scholarships will help retain some of the area's most promising young people and prepare them for key positions at the world-class companies we're fortunate to have within the region.
Approximately 25 percent of students attending Lakeland's traditional campus program come from Sheboygan County, a number I want to see increase.
By working together with local employers, we can show this area's talented young people that they don't need to leave home to get a great education and a rewarding career.
A number of generous companies and friends are helping Lakeland make this happen. Initial funding for the program comes from a significant, multi-year lead gift from the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, with additional support from Aldag-Honold, Master's Gallery Foods and proceeds from many other supporters through Lakeland's 2014 Movers & Shakers Gala.
Students who enter the program will have some unique experiences.
Over the course of their four years, they will learn how to lead by becoming peer mentors and program evaluators.
They will have a variety of interactions with the college's senior leaders and will be encouraged to aspire to larger leadership roles on and off campus.
They will also participate in various Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce programs, and will have a chamber member to serve as a mentor. Read more: SheboyganPress.com
The annual dinner for the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce brought together community leaders and businesses on Friday, April 24 to discuss victories of the past, look to the future of the city and acknowledge those members of the community striving to make a difference.
The evening at the 17th Street Warehouse started with Murphysboro Chamber President Kathy Bauman addressing the attendees, thanking the local business owners and dignitaries for their attendance, as well as their commitment to the community.
She pointed out the importance of that support, especially with the requests and commitment to fundraising by local banks and businesses. Likewise, Bauman said the duty of the chamber is to support all of the businesses in town to help make Murphysboro a place where everyone would want to be.
“I believe that in the past several years we are taking greater strides in making Murphysboro someone’s home town. There are a lot of good things about Murphysboro and we need to share that with the rest of the world,” Bauman said.
This was shortly followed by Bauman delineating the newly elected chamber board officers: Jolene Falat, President; Chris Mueller, Vice-President and Nominating Chair; Gene Basden, Secretary; Marlene McGregor, Treasurer; Mike Jones, Tourism Chair; Shawn Stearns, Apple Festival Chair; Dan Bost, Administrative Coordinator and Economic Development Chair; Angelo Fiorino, Civic and Social Coordinator; Lucas Bremer, Board Member; and Kathy Bauman, Past-President. Read more: Murphysboro American
Mississippi will need strong bipartisan leadership if officials want to increase the gasoline tax to pay for highways, bridges and other transportation needs, the policy director
of a national group called Transportation for America told state business leaders Thursday.
Joe McAndrew described such a debate as “a tricky political question,” and said gathering support to increase or restructure a gas tax could take years. He said it helps to have support from city and county elected officials, and some states win that support by creating grant programs that would provide money for specific local transportation projects.
He said that across the nation, gas tax revenues are stagnant, in part, because people are driving more fuel-efficient vehicles and are buying less fuel. At the same time, the costs of highway and bridge construction are increasing.
“Congress, shockingly, hasn’t done anything to solve the problem,” McAndrew said during the annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council, the state chamber of commerce.
2015 Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives Awards
Outstanding e-Newsletter
(winners chosen based on layout, appeal & good mix of content)
Group I Mercer County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Group III Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce
Group V Christian County Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Website
(winners chosen based on design, layout and ease of navigation)
Group II Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Group III Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Group IV Kyndle
Group V Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Publication
Group II Marion County Chamber of Commerce (Member Directory)
Group III Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce (Membership Directory)
Group IV Kyndle (Spark Form)
Group V Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce (Annual Report)
Group V Christian County Chamber of Commerce (Member Guide)
Outstanding Special Event
Group I Mercer County Chamber of Commerce (Jazz Festival)
Group II Prospect Area Chamber of Commerce (Dancing with Prospect Stars)
Group III Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce (2014 Annual Dinner)
Group IV Kyndle (Fire Pit Contest)
Group V Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce (2014 Annual Dinner)
Group V Christian County Chamber of Commerce (Compass Awards)
Outstanding Member Retention
Group I Paintsville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce (91.3%)
Group III Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce (96.5%)
Group IV Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce (88.3%)
Group V Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce (86.9%)
Outstanding Membership Growth
Group I Paintsville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce (14.78%)
Group IV Chamber at St. Matthews (7.9%)
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Initiatives
The Top 10 Initiatives were chosen by the Board of Directors from a list of initiatives and deemed the most critical for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. Each initiative is driven by a division, who is working hard to make great strides in these initiatives.- 1. Create a Business Retention and Expansion Program
Economic Development Division
- 2. Facilitate an Economic Development Funds Campaign
Economic Development Division
- 3. Grow the Financial Resources of the Chamber
Membership Marketing and Services Division
More information: Fort Smith Chamber
Chamber interest: Muskegon area vital to 'Pure Michigan' campaign's promotion of lighthouses, Great Lakes
The state's "Pure Michigan" campaign is one of the country's most successful and the Muskegon area remains a vital part of its continued progress.
Among the area's greatest assets to the campaign, which was launched in 2006, are its lakes, its proximity to Lake Michigan and its wealth of historic lighthouses, according to David West, vice president of Travel Michigan for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
West spoke to a packed house at the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce's Business for Breakfast on Friday, April 24. West also said craft beer is a category Michigan is primed to "own" from a nationwide perspective. "Lake living" and lighthouses are also two areas where Michigan can thrive, and Muskegon is a huge part of that.
Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state in the country with 129, a handful of which are located in the Muskegon area. Read more: M LIVE
Complimentary Indiana Chamber Series Highlights Energy-Saving Tips, Membership Benefits (May 11 to August 25; Various Locations throughout the state)
“Ten Tips to Manage Your Organization’s Energy Costs” will feature Vince Griffin, vice president of energy and environmental policy at the Indiana Chamber. Griffin is one of the leading voices on all energy topics as a result of his 17-plus years at the Indiana Chamber and previous industry experience.
Griffin will be joined by Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar and a local business/community leader in each of the eight Connect and Collaborate stops throughout the state. They will share guidance that can be applied for organizations of all types. Each session will also include a moderated panel discussion featuring questions and comments from attendees.
What’s more, these events offer a free lunch and introduction for non-Indiana Chamber members about the organization’s benefits, as well as act as a reminder for existing members about how to take full advantage of the membership services.
There is no cost for the luncheons, which take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time. The schedule kicks off in Indianapolis on May 11 and wraps up in Muncie on August 25. In between are stops in Fort Wayne (May 19), Lafayette (June 2), Merrillville (June 8), Elkhart (June 9), Evansville (July 28) and Bloomington (August 20).
Details and registration are available online or by contacting Nick Luchtefeld at NLuchtefeld@indianachamber.com or (317) 264-6898.
New Lakeland scholarships aimed at keeping local talent in Sheboygan County
Lakeland College has created a new leadership-based initiative, the Sheboygan County Scholars, in an effort to retain the area's most promising young people.
The program will annually award up to four full-tuition scholarships to high school graduates from the county who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 or score at least a 27 on the ACT .
Over the past few weeks, ceremonies were held at three local schools introducing the first class of scholars. These three accomplished high school seniors are:
•Zachery Mock, from Howards Grove High School;
•Emma Schad, from Sheboygan Falls High School; and
•Matthew Seider, from Sheboygan Christian High School.
One goal of this program is to grow leaders for our communities. These scholarships will help retain some of the area's most promising young people and prepare them for key positions at the world-class companies we're fortunate to have within the region.
Approximately 25 percent of students attending Lakeland's traditional campus program come from Sheboygan County, a number I want to see increase.
By working together with local employers, we can show this area's talented young people that they don't need to leave home to get a great education and a rewarding career.
A number of generous companies and friends are helping Lakeland make this happen. Initial funding for the program comes from a significant, multi-year lead gift from the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, with additional support from Aldag-Honold, Master's Gallery Foods and proceeds from many other supporters through Lakeland's 2014 Movers & Shakers Gala.
Students who enter the program will have some unique experiences.
Over the course of their four years, they will learn how to lead by becoming peer mentors and program evaluators.
They will have a variety of interactions with the college's senior leaders and will be encouraged to aspire to larger leadership roles on and off campus.
They will also participate in various Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce programs, and will have a chamber member to serve as a mentor. Read more: SheboyganPress.com
Chamber of Commerce dinner shows Murphy Pride
The annual dinner for the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce brought together community leaders and businesses on Friday, April 24 to discuss victories of the past, look to the future of the city and acknowledge those members of the community striving to make a difference.
The evening at the 17th Street Warehouse started with Murphysboro Chamber President Kathy Bauman addressing the attendees, thanking the local business owners and dignitaries for their attendance, as well as their commitment to the community.
She pointed out the importance of that support, especially with the requests and commitment to fundraising by local banks and businesses. Likewise, Bauman said the duty of the chamber is to support all of the businesses in town to help make Murphysboro a place where everyone would want to be.
“I believe that in the past several years we are taking greater strides in making Murphysboro someone’s home town. There are a lot of good things about Murphysboro and we need to share that with the rest of the world,” Bauman said.
This was shortly followed by Bauman delineating the newly elected chamber board officers: Jolene Falat, President; Chris Mueller, Vice-President and Nominating Chair; Gene Basden, Secretary; Marlene McGregor, Treasurer; Mike Jones, Tourism Chair; Shawn Stearns, Apple Festival Chair; Dan Bost, Administrative Coordinator and Economic Development Chair; Angelo Fiorino, Civic and Social Coordinator; Lucas Bremer, Board Member; and Kathy Bauman, Past-President. Read more: Murphysboro American
Mississippi Economic Council meeting: Increasing gas tax makes for tough politics, adviser says
Mississippi will need strong bipartisan leadership if officials want to increase the gasoline tax to pay for highways, bridges and other transportation needs, the policy director
of a national group called Transportation for America told state business leaders Thursday.Joe McAndrew described such a debate as “a tricky political question,” and said gathering support to increase or restructure a gas tax could take years. He said it helps to have support from city and county elected officials, and some states win that support by creating grant programs that would provide money
for specific local transportation projects.He said that across the nation, gas tax revenues are stagnant, in part, because people are driving more fuel-efficient vehicles and are buying less fuel. At the same time, the costs of highway and bridge construction are increasing.
“Congress, shockingly, hasn’t done anything to solve the problem,” McAndrew said during the annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council, the state chamber of commerce.
