Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Needs a Marriage Mill Couple; Geneva looking for top talent to audition for contest; Ann Arbor - Ypsilanti Chamber (A2Y Chamber) resource: the Virtual Business Advisor; Chamber news: Smithsonian puts Bayfield, Wisconsin on '20 Best Small Towns to Visit' list; Chamber Event: Dale Carnegie Course on Effective Communications and Human Relations; Virginia chamber "Blueprint Virginia" - Dominion puts price tag on gas connections; Mississippi Economic Council interest: ‘Streamlined’ MDA debuts its analytical website; Marian Mason resigns as Christian County chamber president; Chamber Monday: The Paris (France) chamber of commerce has a $600 million annual budget. - Magicians of Main Street, by Chris Mead

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



Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce Needs a Marriage Mill Couple 
                                                     

The Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Marriage Mill on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., and is looking for one couple to get married! This is a one-of-a-kind, historic wedding ceremony! The casual ceremony is held at the bottom of the stairs in front of the Historic Lake County Courthouse. The attendees stand lining the walkway to the stairs, during the fabulous Food & Arts Festival. Then the newly married couple is treated to an old fashion reception in the lovely, rustic rotunda where the guests are served complimentary cake, and sparkling juice. Couples enjoy the festival and then a one night stay and breakfast at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza.  If you or someone you know, would like to be part of this unique wedding ceremony please contact: Lee Hartsell at lee@crossroadschamber.org or call 219.769.8180.

Did you know in 1915 to 1940, Crown Point was well-known across the country as the place to tie the knot?  Nearly 175,000 couples traveled to the city to say  “I do”!  As many as six Justices of the Peace performed marriages at all hours seven days a week. Wedding parties arrived by the busload, and local jewelers kept a very large stock of wedding rings on hand.

Contact: Lee Hartsell - Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce- 9101 Taft Street Merrillville, IN 46410 - (219).769.8180 - Fax 219.736.6223

Geneva looking for top talent to audition for contest

Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Geneva Park District have partnered to offer Geneva's Got Talent, a fun-filled talent competition. The application deadline is 9:30 p.m. Monday, May 11.

They are seeking all levels of talent from BMX bike riders, to skateboarders, singers, dancers, magicians, jugglers, gymnasts or those with more unique talent, just about anything is welcome. Show them what you got and you may be crowned the 2015 Geneva's Got Talent winner.

"Geneva's Got Talent" auditions will be held at noon Saturday, May 16, at Playhouse 38, 524 W. State St., lower level.

Only the first 75 applications received will be invited to audition for a chance to perform during Swedish Days and compete to win a $1,000 cash prize. You do not have to live in Geneva to apply. Read more: Daily Herald

 

Ann Arbor - Ypsilanti Chamber (A2Y Chamber) resource: the Virtual Business Advisor

Virtual Business Advisor

The VBA aims to assist entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses as they work towards their next stage of growth. Through a series of assessments, the VBA identifies personal and company strengths and weaknesses, benchmarks against other companies in the region, and connects users to suggestions and available resources to address their unique needs. Contact the chamber: A2Y Chamber

Chamber news: Smithsonian puts Bayfield, Wisconsin on '20 Best Small Towns to Visit' list


The town of Bayfield in northern Wisconsin is one of "The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2015," according to Smithsonian.com.
Bayfield Mayor Larry J. MacDonald, in a news release from the Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau, said, "The recent designation from Smithsonian reinforces all the qualities of the place we call home.
MacDonald believes the residents of Bayfield place "people, the environment and our businesses in high regard," making it a community that stands out from all the rest.
"We are lucky to have a talented community that chooses to be both supportive and protective of our many assets, including both Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands" he said. "It is hard to imagine a better place than Bayfield."
For the past fours years, Smithsonian Magazine has highlighted its choices for the top 20 small towns in America as a way to encourage their readers to "take the path less traveled." Read more: Wisconsin Gazette


El Dorado, AR Chamber Event: Dale Carnegie Course on Effective Communications and Human Relations

Date: June 22, 2015 - September 14, 2015

http://www.midsouth.dalecarnegie.com

El Dorado Chamber of Commerce 111 West Main Street El Dorado, AR

We are excited to have the Dale Carnegie Course on Effective Communications and Human Relations at the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce starting on June 22nd. The class meets every Monday from 3:00pm-6:30pm for 12 weeks -  Apply a proven process to recall names and facts Utilize a proven process to strengthen relationships Use your experiences to communicate more confidently Persuasively communicate in a way so people are moved to action Become more animated to energize and engage listeners Communicate clearly and concisely Create an ?all-win? environment Give positive feedback on the strengths in others Deal with challenging interpersonal situations more effectively Use flexibility to create positive change Increase your ability to manage worry and stress.

Virginia chamber "Blueprint Virginia" - Dominion puts price tag on gas connections

State officials say a natural gas pipeline would be good for business, create jobs and spur opportunities to energize Virginia’s economy. But companies would have to pay a price.
Stretching 554 miles from the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia, down through Virginia and into North Carolina, the 42-inch Atlantic Coast Pipeline daily would pump 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas, an amount Dominion Resources and its partners say is needed to handle demand.
As of Friday, 92 percent of the pipeline’s capacity had been sold. Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, AGL Resources and PSNC Energy all signed 20-year contracts to distribute gas in Virginia and North Carolina, pending the project’s approval.
The question still remains as to which portions of Virginia would benefit in addition to any development projects already in progress that need energy. The final eight percent of the pipeline’s capacity is being sold, but the group that can afford it is limited.
Dominion spokesman Jim Norvelle said the cost of a tap on the pipeline would be $500,000. A metering and regulation station also would be required, driving the total expense to $5 million to $8 million, Norvelle said. In most instances, the bill would be footed by large-volume customers, said Dominion spokesman Frank Mack.
"That relieves the local community of having to invest in facilities to serve customers," Mack said.
If that doesn’t happen, many rural cities and counties would be left out.
Augusta County, for example, would not have the money in reserve to pay the full cost of a pipeline tap, said Economic Development Director Amanda Glover.
Still, many state business leaders back the pipeline. Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Barry DuVal described it as part of a long-term business plan for the commonwealth.
"When the Virginia Chamber of Commerce developed its ‘Blueprint Virginia’ to serve as a long-term business plan for the commonwealth, we had 7,000 business leaders agree that we needed to identify opportunities for gas infrastructure investment to spur economic development,’’ DuVal said. "The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will help meet the growing energy needs of our population and business community." Read more: TheDailyProgress.com

Mississippi Economic Council interest: ‘Streamlined’ MDA debuts its analytical website

If it wants to remain competitive with other states, the Mississippi Development Authority needs to streamline and recognize that communications technology has changed.
The agency has heeded those findings from a 2014 study funded by the Mississippi Economic Council, the state chamber of commerce.
Streamlining means better delivery of services, said George Freeland, executive director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, who headed up a committee that worked with Deloite LLP and Garner Economics in developing the study.
One aspect of streamlining surfaced in the news recently — the MDA will close its eight regional offices around the state and eliminate 11 positions on June 30.
That means annual savings of $751,000 in wages and benefits, according to MDA.
But streamlining doesn’t necessarily mean a bottom-line concern.
The agency will receive a boost of 10.7 percent in its general fund appropriation from the Legislature for fiscal 2016, according to the Joint Legislative Budget Office. Funding level will be $26.7 million, up from $24.1 million this fiscal year.
By the time the regional offices close, an enhanced website will have been in place two months.
The website, Gov. Phil Bryant said in a release on April 29, will enable the state to “consistently market our competitive advantages around the world.”
Mississippi Economic Development Executive Director Blake Wilson said that “the new website paves the way for us to match resources and business assets in a more efficient way.” Read more: Mississippi Business Journal

Marian Mason resigns as Christian County chamber president

Marian Mason resigned as president and CEO of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce effective Friday, the chamber board announced. She said her reasons for leaving are personal.

“I have greatly enjoyed my time here at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, especially working with the staff and volunteer leadership,” Mason said in a news release. “This chamber and community are filled with great and active leaders and it has been a pleasure to work with all of them. I wish the Christian County community nothing but the best as you move forward toward a brighter, bolder future.”

The chamber’s board chairman, Frank Field, said, “It has been a rewarding experience working with Marian throughout her tenure with us. She brought new initiatives and new ideas to our Chamber. We wish her nothing but the best.” Read more: Kentucky New Era

 

Chamber Monday: The Paris (France) chamber of commerce has a $600 million annual budget. - Magicians of Main Street, by Chris Mead

Greater Springfield Chamber: Spring Economic Outlook Survey results released; Greater Elkhart (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce invites community as part of national Chamber Week Celebrations; Chamber visit: Retailers Connect in Murray for National Small Business Week; Chamber visit: Retailers Connect in Murray for National Small Business Week; Chamber partner: Group Established To Help Revitalize Downtown Van Buren, AR; Lodi and Lake Wisconsin Chamber event: Taste of Red, White and Brew; Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber: Wayne County Executive Warren Evans to Speak at Legislative Breakfast; Roanoke Valley lawmakers say region must do a better job of selling itself; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey Rule #83

Happy Friday Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Greater Springfield Chamber: Spring Economic Outlook Survey results released

The Spring 2015 Economic Outlook Survey, conducted by the University of Illinois Springfield and The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, finds local businesses and non-profit organizations are very optimistic about doing business in Sangamon County over the next 12 months.

In the past two and a half years, local business expectations have increased 30 points, expectations for their sector have increased 23 points, and expectations for the overall Sangamon County economy have increased 36 points. All three measures indicate strong positive expectations for the economy over the next 12 months.

“The Economic Outlook Survey is a crucial piece to getting a true indicator of how our local employers view the current state of the economy,” said Chris Hembrough, President and CEO of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. “The overall survey numbers are the best since 2008. The responses we received this spring not only demonstrate a healthy economy, but our employers are feeling better about doing business in Sangamon County than they have in many years.”

Three-fourths of survey respondents report that they expect an increase in their own gross revenue/sales over the next 12 months and 63.9 percent report that they expect an increase in the overall gross revenue/sales in Sangamon County. In addition to positive expectations about their own business and the overall county, local employers also report optimistic projections for almost every industrial sector with the medical/health care sector receiving the most positive expectations. Read more: Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Greater Elkhart (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce invites community as part of national Chamber Week Celebrations

If you've ever wondered how a Chamber of Commerce works, now is your chance. The Greater Elkhart Chamber is inviting the community to stop by a meeting as apart of national Chamber Week Celebrations.

Community members can stop at the chamber office on Friday from 11:00am-2:00pm. The Greater Elkhart Chamber consists of 12 councils that aim to improve business in the community. The Chamber aims to do this by by bringing businesses together and keeping them informed on regulations, current topics, professional development, advocate for legislation at all levels for tax law, and create network opportunities. Read more: FOX 28 NEWS

Chamber visit: Retailers Connect in Murray for National Small Business Week

District Director of the Kentucky Small Business Development Center in the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business at Murray State, Chris Wooldridge and President/CEO of the Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce Aaron Dail visit Sounds Good to speak with Chad Lampe about a Retailers Roundtable in Murray Wednesday morning as part of the observance of National Small Business Week, which includes information about a new tool being developed for small business to make actionable change and decisions based on local market data.
A proclamation signing today kicks off National Small Business Week in Murray and Calloway County, an opportunity to talk about and support small businesses. A large amount of the business economy in Kentucky is fueled by small businesses, companies that have fewer than 500 employees and less than $10 million dollars in sales. According to the SBA, there are 341,000 small businesses in the Commonwealth, roughly 66,000 of them have employees (a majority are one-person organizations).  Read more: WKMS 91.3 FM

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Post Legislative Briefing

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Post Legislative Briefing will be May 20 at Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi, 151 Beach Blvd.
Among those participating will be House members Richard Bennett, Scott DeLano, Greg Haney, Sonya Williams-Barnes and Patricia Willis and Senators Tony Smith and Sean Tindell. Other Coast legislators have been invited to the session.
Networking and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. and the program is from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Admission is $20 for members and $25 for general admission. Table sponsorships for a reserved table for 10 is $350 and presenting sponsorship is $700. RSVP: Dhiana@mscoastchamber.com

 

Chamber partner: Group Established To Help 

Revitalize Downtown Van Buren, AR

A new organization has formed to help “unify and champion for a vibrant downtown” in Van Buren.
The non-profit group, called Van Buren Original, formed not only to assist in revitalizing and beautifying the downtown area, but also to encourage more economic growth in the city.
“The downtown area, we consider to be a real opportunity to be not only an area of historical and cultural significance, but also to be an important economic development catalyst,” said Rusty Myers, former assistant executive director of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District and a VBO organizer. “Downtown is a ready-made opportunity to be a significant quality-of-place and economic asset to the city and to our region.”
Myers, along with seven other community and business leaders, formed the group to help the downtown area be “a thriving, vibrant and exciting place, filled with unique, quality shops, restaurants, businesses, residences and public spaces,” and “a top-of-mind place where people want to go” that provides attractive, fun and engaging experiences for visitors and shoppers and area residents,” according to a news release.
“We want to make it a place that makes the community proud,” Myers added.
But the group’s focus will extend farther than just Main Street, Myers said, and will include the riverfront area, the historic Drennen-Scott House, Broadway Street, Fairview Cemetery and East Main Street, all of which make the city so “unique and special,” he said.
Myers said the group will focus on bringing events that will appeal to families and all age groups to enhance and showcase the downtown area, recruit new business and create an environment downtown that is attractive to investors.
“We will focus on attracting quality businesses and business owners down there who can keep up those old buildings and help set the stage for downtown Van Buren to be an area of vibrancy and be sustainable over time,” Myers said.
Fellow VBO organizer and Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jackie Krutsch added that the group aims to create a sense-of-place and unique identity for the city. Read more: Times Record

Lodi and Lake Wisconsin Chamber event: Taste of Red, White and Brew

Grab your friends, favorite glass and shopping bag- it’s time for the Red, White and Brew Tour.
The first annual Lodi and Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce event is a chance to showcase not only the talents of area wine makers and brew masters, but also visit local vendors all in one place.
The event will be a fundraiser for the local chamber as well as the Lodi Woman’s Club Public Library.
Twenty Lodi and Lake Wisconsin area businesses will participate in the Red, White and Brew Tour, on Friday, May 15. Chamber coordinator Mandy Sitzman says the tour is similar to the popular fall wine walk with a few twists. Instead of focusing on just wine, businesses will also be serving up samples of beer. Read more: Lodi Enterprise

Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber: 
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans to Speak at Legislative Breakfast

Taylor, MI – The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is pleased to welcome Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans to our Legislative Forum.  Mr. Evans became the 4th Wayne County Executive on January 1, 2015 after running on a campaign of bringing transparency, fiscal responsibility and ethical leadership to Michigan’s largest county.  At this Legislative Forum, Mr. Evans will give an update on Wayne County and the outlook for 2015.

Date:                  Monday, May 18, 2015

Time:                  8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Location:            Crystal Gardens Banquet Center, 16703 Fort Street, Southgate, MI

Cost:                   $15 pp. includes breakfast

Registration:     Online at www.swcrc.com, by phone at 734.284.6000 or by email at info@swcrc.com

Roanoke Valley lawmakers say region must do a better job of selling itself

Seven legislators spoke to members of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce during breakfast program Wednesday morning. Norfolk Southern's decision to close its downtown office building and send hundreds of high-paying jobs to other cities should serve as a wake-up call, lawmakers said.
Speaking to members of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Delegate Greg Habeeb said he thinks the region has gotten "a little lazy."
"And I think we've got to get our act together pretty quick here or we're going to see more Norfolk Southern announcements," Habeeb told the audience.
"We have to look after ourselves," said Senator Ralph Smith. "The best thing we could do, the chamber, the realtors all come together and find a way to fill that building back up real quick." Read more: WDBJ7.com 




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

  RULE #83      Articulate our organization goals often

Husband, wife lead Murphysboro, Carbondale chambers; Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Wins Excellence Awards; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce; One Southern Indiana collaboration: $3.5 million manufacturing facility will create 21 new jobs; Delta County Chamber collaboration: Island Resort Championship at Michigan's Sweetgrass Golf Club calls for volunteers; Virginia Peninsula chamber: We are a Business Development Chamber of Commerce; Conway Area Chamber shows Leadercast 2015 live at Central Baptist College; Oxford-Lafayette chamber board member named to Mississippi Business Journal‘s Top 50 Under 40; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

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

Husband, wife lead Murphysboro, Carbondale chambers

Two chambers of commerce presidents in Southern Illinois have the same last name -- Falat.
Jolene Falat took over as president of the Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce this past Friday. She joins her husband, Steve Falat, who is president of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.
Jolene is the branch manager at Old National Bank, in Murphysboro. Steve is the market manager at River Radio.
Jolene acknowledged the fact they are both chamber presidents, but said it wasn’t something that was planned.
“It is neat,” she said. “It is very coincidental and a unique situation.”
She said the fact they are married could help facilitate conversations between Carbondale and Murphysboro chambers while working together in joint promotions along Illinois 13.
Several chambers along the state highway launched a "Shop Local" campaign during the holiday season, dedicated to keeping dollars in the region. Read more: The Southern Illinoisan

Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Wins Excellence Awards

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce was honored recently with three Excellence Awards by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives during its annual Spring Conference in Frankfort.
Awards received include:

• Outstanding Membership Retention for 2014
• Outstanding Publication for our Annual Report
• Outstanding Website

The KCCE, established in 1965, serves as the society for chamber of commerce professionals in the state. The KCCE Excellence Awards were created to recognize superior achievement and professional excellence among local chambers of commerce throughout Kentucky.
“We are honored for our incredible staff to be recognized by our Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives colleagues,” Ron Bunch, Chamber president and CEO, said. “We have an extraordinary team of partners that work together to provide value to our community. I thank all of our partners for their commitment to making this community an amazing place to live, work and play.”
The awards complement a phenomenal year in economic development for the region. In 2014, South Central Kentucky experienced a capital investment of $211,250,025 and the creation of over 663 new jobs.
In addition to our Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 5 star accreditation, this year we were among three other chambers in the state to be designated as a Kentucky Certified Chamber by the KCCE. This new designation is a peer-reviewed, best practices certification awarded to chambers who meet nationally benchmarked criteria on internal organization, processes, financial controls and service to members. The other three chambers honored with this designation were Kyndle (Kentucky Network for Development, Leadership and Engagement), Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce


Chamber Tweet of the Day: Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce

Wisconsin MC @WisconsinMC  ·  Apr 28

Congrats to each of the 2015 nominees for the Wisconsin Family Business of the Year award! Check out the full list: http://familybusinessaward.com/ 

 

One Southern Indiana collaboration: $3.5 million manufacturing facility will create 21 new jobs

In tandem with One Southern Indiana (1si), the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the River Ridge Commerce Center (RRCC) and the City of Charlestown, Ind., D.A. Inc. and its parent company, Kojima Industries, announced today the construction of a 38,000-s.f., $3.5 million manufacturing facility at the River Ridge Commerce Center that will create 21 new jobs over the next two years.
The project was announced today at a groundbreaking ceremony on the company’s new site in the River Ridge Commerce Center. Founded in 1988, the Charlestown-based D.A. Inc. is a custom plastic injection molder for the automotive industry and a Tier 1 and Tier 2 Supplier of Toyota. The total investment of $10,614,000 will include the land purchase, building construction and new equipment.
With a second facility in New Mexico and affiliates across the world, D.A. Inc.’s project will include manufacturing operations in Charlestown to supply its Midwest customer base. The current Charlestown facility is a distribution center and corporate office for D.A. Inc. Company officials estimate parts sales to grow approximately 20 percent by 2020 compared to 2014 sales, spurring the decision to build a new facility to house a highly automated production operation.
“The sincere hospitality and support shown to us over the years by the City of Charlestown, Clark County, the State of Indiana, One Southern Indiana and the residents of this community are what attracted us here in 1988, and it remains the primary reason we choose to expand our operation here,” stated President and C.O.O. Kenji Kanii.  “We are invested in this community and its citizens – not only as a business partner but also as our friends and neighbors.” Read more: Lane Report

Delta County Chamber collaboration: Island Resort Championship at Michigan's Sweetgrass Golf Club calls for volunteers

Sweetgrass Golf Club (www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com) at Island Resort & Casino and the Delta County Chamber of Commerce seek more than 300 volunteers for the LPGA Symetra Tour's Island Resort Championship, June 26-28.
A variety of positions are open, including cart drivers, scoreboard assistants, marshals, caddies and hospitality greeters. Jobs are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants can state their shift availability and assignment preference at the Chamber website (www.deltami.org) through June 1.
Volunteers receive an official tournament staff shirt, meal ticket, four general admission passes and a round of golf at the award-winning Sweetgrass Golf Club, which hosts the event for a fifth-straight year.
"We're extremely fortunate to have such a spirited group of volunteers every year," said Tony Mancilla, Island Resort Casino general manager and event co-chair. "It's the efforts of these volunteers that help make the tournament experience at Sweetgrass a memorable one for spectators, players and their families." Read more: World Golf

Virginia Peninsula chamber: We are a Business Development Chamber of Commerce

Business development is the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships.

At its heart, business development is all about figuring out how the interactions of those forces combine together to create opportunities for growth.

Long-Term Value:
Business development is about creating opportunities of value that persist over the long-term, which keep the floodgates open so that value can flow indefinitely. Thinking about business development as a means to creating long-term value is the only true way to succeed in consistently growing an organization.

Customers:
Find new ones and extract more value from current ones.

Markets:
Figure out where new customers “live” (both geographically and in terms of “buying mindset“) and find a way to reach them.

Relationships:
Build and leverage relationships founded on trust and integrity to facilitate opportunities.

As a Business Development Chamber of Commerce, we connect businesses with opportunities, which provides long-term value, creates and builds upon new and existing customers and relationships, while providing opportunities to expand  their markets. Long-Term Value is key to the viability of the Peninsula business community. By concentrating our efforts on the present and future business community, the Peninsula will become a premier business community. Read more: Virginia Peninsula Chamber

Conway Area Chamber shows Leadercast 2015 live at Central Baptist College

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce will show a live broadcast of Leadercast 2015 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Central Baptist College.
“Community business leaders can access the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending Leadercast,” the Chamber’s event information reads.
The event is broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of sites around the world.
This year’s speakers are:
• Andy Stanley, leadership author and communicator.
• Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Laureate; The Malala Fund founder.
• Ed Catmull, Pixar and Disney Animation Studios president.
• Seth Godin, best-selling author.
• Bill McDermott, chief executive officer of SAP AG.
• Rudy Giuliani, 107th mayor of New York City.
• Aja Brown, Compton, Calif. mayor.
• Cmdr. Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL Commander and author.
• Bill and Giuliana Rancic, Leadercast co-hosts.
Read more: Log Cabin Democrat

Oxford-Lafayette chamber board member named to Mississippi Business Journal‘s Top 50 Under 40

Mississippi Business Journal listed Preston Hugh Lee III, DDS of Lee Family Dentistry in Oxford among its list of “Top 50 Under 40,” highlighting the rising business leaders in the state.

He was among honorees recognized at a luncheon at the Jackson Hilton. Each honoree will be profiled in a special Mississippi Business Journal issue later this year.
“We are proud of Dr. Lee’s professional and civic accomplishments and successes,”Corey Ussery, office manager at Lee Family Dentistry, said. “We congratulate him on this honor and look forward to watching his continued impact on the communities in which he practices.”

Preston Hugh Lee III

Lee is active in Oxford’s community. He serves on the board of Oxford Medical Ministries and the board of Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as an advisory board member for the Sigma Chi Eta chapter at University of Mississippi. The Lee Family Dentistry provides three annual scholarships for local seniors attending University of Mississippi.

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

“To try is to invite uncertainty. Where confidence goes, success usually follows.”
― Wayne Gerard Trotman, Veterans of the Psychic Wars

 

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock Shares Vision for 10th Congressional District with Prince William Chamber Members; Ryan Carley named new Bay Area Chamber of Commerce president, CEO; Indiana Chamber Week means new member discount for Greater Greencastle Chamber; Chamber interest: Elgin Development Group to hold seminar on exporting; Christian County chamber honored at KCCE spring conference; Conway Area Chamber: 34th Annual Toad Suck Daze Festival; Chamber delight: Wisconsin Department of Tourism: Visitor spending up across state; Glenn McCullough chosen new economic chief for Mississippi Development Authority;

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

 

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock Shares Vision for 10th Congressional District with Prince William Chamber Members

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock joined the Prince William Chamber of Commerce for lunch to discuss her vision for the 10^th Congressional district and the Northern Virginia Business community. The lunch, sponsored by NOVEC-Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, was hosted by Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville, VA.

Stan Feuerberg, President and CEO of NOVEC-Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, made the introductory remarks to Congresswoman Barbara Comstock’s speech. His introduction, featuring NOVEC’s biomass waste plant and NOVEC’s reliability as an electric cooperative, transitioned well into the Congresswoman’s remarks about increasing certainty in energy policy, transportation projects, and decreasing government regulation.

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock began her speech by praising free enterprise as the best anti-poverty measure and as an ideal whose certainty she will always fight to maintain. She said that local enterprises like Lockheed Martin expressed to her a desire for predictability in how Congress develops the national budget, in how government operates, and in affordable, reliable energy sources.

Congresswoman Comstock outlined several free market initiatives. She spoke about the Help Hire Our Heroes Act to make it easier for employers to hire veterans, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act, and an “All-the-Above” energy strategy to improve the affordability and accessibility of diverse energy sources. She expressed a desire for business leaders and local chambers to help their representatives find better ways to utilize the Washington Dulles International Airport. Comstock is also working to maintain certainty in Virginia for small businesses by protecting Virginia’s “right-to-work” status. The Congresswoman indicated that she would like to see the Research and Development Efficiency Act pass the Senate in order to cut down on government red tape and “let researchers do research.” Read more: Prince William Chamber

 

Ryan Carley named new Bay Area Chamber of Commerce president, CEO

A veteran banker who has been involved with the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce for more than 16 years has been named the organization's president and chief executive officer.

Ryan Carley, who most recently worked as the statewide director of retail banking for FirstMerit Bank, formerly Citizens Bank, was named chamber president and CEO Monday, May 4. Carley, 39, replaces Michael Seward, who retired from the post in January, and Keith Markstrom, who has served as interim CEO for the past four months.
"I'm very honored to have the opportunity to follow someone like Mike Seward, who did such an amazing job for this community," said Carley, who volunteered as a chamber ambassador beginning in 1999 and has served on various committees through the years.
Carley is to be formerly introduced to the community during the chamber's Eye Opener Breakfast Tuesday, May 5, at Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center, and start work Monday, May 11. Read more: M Live

Indiana Chamber Week means new member discount for Greater Greencastle Chamber

May 4-8 is Indiana Chamber of Commerce Week, and the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced that the organization will celebrate by offering local small businesses (who are not currently members) the opportunity to join the GGCC at a discounted price for this week only.
From Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8 an annual GGCC membership will be discounted by $50. So the annual base rate membership of $185, for a business with 10 or less employees, will be just $135.
The Greater Greencastle Chamber has been supporting Greencastle and Putnam County since 1954, helping grow both local businesses and the local community.Read more: Banner Graphic

Elgin Development Group to hold seminar on exporting 

The Elgin Development Group, a division of the Elgin Area Chamber, in conjunction with the Illinois Small Business Development Center, has planned a free seminar on exporting from 3-5 p.m. May 7 at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building E, and Room 107.

There are more than 3 billion internet users worldwide and over 40 percent purchased something online in the last year. That translates into nearly $1.5 trillion in sales. Every business should have a strategy in place to access these customers. Zachary Person, Illinois International Trade Center Program Manager at College of DuPage's Center for Entrepreneurship, will lead the seminar.

To register for the workshop, please contact Tony Lucenko at (847) 741-5660 or register online at www.ElginChamber.com. Read more: Daily Herald

 

Christian County chamber honored at KCCE spring conference

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce racked up the hardware at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives spring conference, winning more awards in Group V, which includes cities like Bowling Green, Lexington and Louisville, than any other chamber of commerce.

Among the awards won by the Christian County chamber were best e-newsletter, best publication and best event. The chamber was also recognized for its support of the Leadership Institute for School Principals program. Read more: Kentucky New Era

Conway Area Chamber: 34th Annual Toad Suck Daze Festival

Friday, May 01, 2015 3:30 PM - Sunday, May 03, 2015 5:30 PM

Downtown Conway
Conway , AR 72032
Downtown Conway

In its 34th year, Toad Suck Daze is one of Arkansas’s largest and most award-winning festivals. This three-day family festival takes place the first weekend of May in downtown Conway, Arkansas, and attracts approximately 160,000 people. From local and national entertainment to kids’ entertainment; from arts and crafts to anything you can eat on a stick; from the 5K/10K race to the World Famous Toad Races, Toad Suck Daze has something for everyone. In addition to food and fun, the festival provides funding for education initiatives. Since 1982, Toad Suck Daze has contributed more than $1.4 million to scholarships, scholarship endowments and pre-K education funding for students in Faulkner County.
In 2014 Toad Suck Daze received the following awards: 

• Gold for Best Children's Programming - International Festivals & Events Association
• Gold for Best Event within an Existing Festival - LaunchPad Business Start-Up Competition - International Festivals & Events Association
• Gold for Best Food and Beverage Program - International Festivals & Events Association
• Silver for Best Overall Merchandising Program - International Festivals & Events Association
• Bronze for Best TV Promotion - International Festivals & Events Association
• Bronze for Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity - International Festivals & Events Association

Chamber delight: Wisconsin Department of Tourism: Visitor spending up across state

For the first time in four years every county in Wisconsin reported an increase in visitor spending in 2014, the state's Department of Tourism announced Friday, May 1.
Travelers contributed $18.5 billion to Wisconsin's economy last year, up 5.5 percent from the year before, according to a state tourism report released Friday. Visitor growth topped 102 million in 2014, an increase of 7 million visits since 2010.
The department cited improvements in the overall economy and moderating gas prices as reasons for growth in both day and overnight visitor volumes. Each grew by around 2 percent. The report also said per-trip spending increased as personal income and consumer confidence strengthened in 2014.
The department said direct visitor spending on food, lodging, transportation, entertainment and other services accounted for $11.4 billion, up 5.3 percent from 2013. Lodging was the biggest money-maker in 2014, accounting for 26 percent of tourists' spending. Food and beverage came in second at 25.4 percent.
Jackson County, in the west-central part of the state, saw the state's largest percentage increase in visitor spending at 11.8 percent. That number jumped from $32.2 million in 2013 to $36.1 million last year.
Chris Hardie, executive director of the Black River Falls Chamber of Commerce, attributed the increase to additional construction and industrial projects. Read more: The Star

Glenn McCullough chosen new economic chief for Mississippi Development Authority

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Thursday named Glenn McCullough Jr. as the new director of the state's economic development agency, praising his past experience as Tennessee Valley Authority chairman, Tupelo mayor and Appalachian Regional Commission director.
McCullough, 60, will begin the job in June and will succeed Brent Christensen, 45, who is leaving the Mississippi Development Authority to become CEO of the Greensboro Partnership, a local economic development agency in North Carolina. Christensen had led MDA since April 2012, early in Bryant's term as governor.
Republican Bryant, who is seeking a second term this year, announced the appointment of McCullough on Thursday to more than 1,000 people during the annual meeting of the state chamber of commerce, the Mississippi Economic Council. Bryant said he specifically wanted to choose a new MDA director from inside the state. Read more: Sun-Herald

Famous Chamber of Commerce Inspiration -  (Meeting the membership)

“Time is not our own, and we must give a strict account of it” - Tiberius the Tireless, in 16^th century Peru, he traversed a 176,000 square mile diocese three times to attend to those in his charge.