Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Brandon Bullard joins Illinois Chamber
Brandon Bullard of Mount Vernon has been named to the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The director of marketing for locomotive manufacturing company NRE will represent the southern part of the state on the the board and the executive committee. Bullard is also the manager of RARE Chop House in Mount Vernon.
"It is truly an honor to accept this appointment and represent the business community here in Southern Illinois," Bullard said. "My focus has always been in recruitment and retention of our region's businesses, helping to achieve their goals in any way possible. The Illinois Chamber has a vast array of avenues and tools to help every size of business no matter what their needs may be. I look forward to helping the business climate and the future here in southern Illinois"
Locally, Bullard serves on the Jefferson County Chamber Board and Executive Committee, Jefferson County Development Corporation, Jefferson County CEO, Jefferson County YMCA and St. Mary School Board secretary. He is also active in the Mount Vernon Rotary Club, Mentors 4 Kids, United Way, and Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. Southern Business Journal
La Porte Chamber and La Porte Jaycees Announce Partnership - Jaycees to Act as Junior Chamber and Young Professionals Network
The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce and La Porte Jaycees are proud to announce a new partnership. The La Porte Jaycees will act as the official Junior Chamber and Young Professionals Network for the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce.
The Jaycees organization, with chapters at the local, state, national, and international level, derives its name from the letters “J” and “C” which stand for Junior Chamber. The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce is membership-driven nonprofit that seeks to help businesses and community through its programming, events, and projects. Seeing a need in the community to retain and connect young professionals, the two groups decided to create a more solidified partnership that would not duplicate the efforts of either organization. This agreement also represents two long-standing organizations in the area working together- the Chamber has been active for over 100 years in La Porte, and the Jaycees have been active for over 70 years in La Porte.
The Chamber and the Jaycees are excited to provide an outlet for young professionals to meet and help them to become more involved in the Chamber, civic organizations, and community at large. There are plans to have quarterly Young Professionals Nights which will give attendees of all ages the chance to have networking opportunities in a casual setting and hear about topics that are of particular interest to younger adults. The organizations invite the public to attend the first such meeting on May 10 from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at T-Bones Pier 11, 1110 Lakeside Street in La Porte. This event will feature an updates from La Porte’s Downtown Director and City Planner. There will also be a greater voice and more involvement within the Chamber for the Jaycees with more projects to come from the partnership.
Rita Mrozinski, President of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, said, “This partnership will help us to create a more engaged and active group of young professional in our Chamber and community.” Carrie Campbell, the President of the La Porte Jaycees, continued by saying, “This partnership is going to be a valuable benefit to members of both organizations. It will provide many opportunities to the up-and-coming generation of business and community leaders while providing meaningful relationships with the established network of Chamber members.”
For more information about the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, call 219.362.3178 or visit www.lpchamber.com. For more information about the La Porte Jaycees, visit www.laportejaycees.org. Read more: La Porte County Life
The Valley Business Today with Niki Cales from Front Royal – Warren County Chamber of Commerce
Niki Cales from the Front Royal – Warren County Chamber of Commerce joined us in the studio today. She gave us an recap for the chamber’s recent Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony and talked about the local business owners & community members who were recognized during the event. She also filled us in on details for the Wine & Craft Festival happening on Saturday, May 20 from 10am – 6pm on Main Street in downtown Front Royal. Along with wine tastings, craft vendors, live musical entertainment and lots of food, they’ve added an escape room activity to this year’s festival and a VIP admission. Get all the details, including ticket information by visiting their website: http://www.wineandcraftfestival.com/
An informational meeting for businesses and entrepreneurs, nonprofits, service groups and the general public regarding the upcoming 2017 Harry Potter Festival will take place Wednesday, April 12.
In January, the Jefferson Common Council unanimously approved a request to designate the City of Jefferson as the host community for the 2017 Harry Potter Festival, which previously had been held in Edgerton.
Planned for Oct. 20-22, this year’s event will be the third annual Harry Potter Festival USA.
The “Harry Potter” books are one of the best-selling series of all time, with more than 500 million copies sold. It is a seven-book fantasy series by British author J.K. Rowling, first published in the United Kingdom on June 26, 1997, as “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
It was released in the United States on Sept. 1, 1998, as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” The final book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” was released worldwide on July 21, 2007.
There also are an eight-part film franchise and theme parks based on the series.
The informational meeting will be split into three parts. From 6 to 6:45 p.m., there will be information for businesses and entrepreneurs; from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., for nonprofit and service groups, and from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m., for the general public.
All segments will take place in the Puerner Room at 100 N. Main St. on the third floor of the Fort Community Credit Union Building in downtown Jefferson.
“Basically, the festival organizers are going to be there to meet with businesses to answer questions like, ‘Can I call a special burger this?’ or ‘Can I not do that?,’ etc.,” Leigh Price, Jefferson Chamber of Commerce executive director said.
“It’s the same with the nonprofits. We’ll be talking more about vendor booths and what you can sell and permits for sale in the right-of-ways.
“Then the third segment is for citizens that might want to know, ‘How will I get to my house?’ and ‘Where is there going to be parking in downtown?’ and stuff like that,” she continued. “We just wanted to get the word out to those different groups that could come and get more information.”
On hand will be festival founder and organizers Scott and Rob Cramer; Price; Jefferson Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department director Cyndi Keller; a representative from the Jefferson Police Department; Mayor Dale Oppermann, and City Administrator Tim Freitag. Read more: Daily Union
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!
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.
Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber interest: Cutshall talks Oak Grove growth
Oak Grove Public Works Director Misty Cutshall said the city has been experiencing growth, especially in its commercial areas along Fort Campbell Boulevard, and she noted Oak Grove officials are trying to reduce the city’s debt during the next couple of years at a State of the Community Breakfast Tuesday morning at the Valor Hall Conference & Event Center in Oak Grove.
“We have very little debt,” Cutshall said, explaining that Oak Grove Mayor Bea Burt wants to have no new taxes or increases in taxes or fees in coming years.
Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kelli Pendleton said schools in Christian County have made huge improvements compared to where they were a decade ago, and she said retail is doing well.
But Pendleton said the community needs to continue to be strong, making sure youth are college- and career-ready, helping residents connect with jobs and ensuring a strong workforce. She said officials also want legislators to consider tax reforms so the community can be competitive.
“This really is an exciting time for Christian County, (and it’s) all because we’re working together,” she said. “It’s together that we are great.”
Hopkinsville mayor Carter Hendricks noted that the Alhambra Theater in downtown Hopkinsville is slated to receive upgrades through H-CC WINS, the city and county’s plan for community improvements. Those upgrades will be led by county government, but the city will be a part of the planned improvements, Hendricks said. Read more: Kentucky New Era
MEC issue: Could Mississippi get a lottery?
Mississippi officials are rolling out new ideas for pay for roads and bridges. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant said a lottery is one possibility, while House leaders are proposing a local fuel tax, subject to approval by voters in cities or counties.
Mississippi is one of six states without a lottery, and Bryant said Thursday that he might ask legislators to consider creating one during a special session next month — but only if the state chamber of commerce supports using proceeds from the game to help pay for highways and bridges.
Improving transportation has been a big issue for the Mississippi Economic Council, but the group hasn’t taken a public position about a lottery.
“I know they’ve discussed it but there’s been no final decision as to whether or not they would come forward as a state chamber and say, ‘We would support a state lottery for the purposes of infrastructure,’” Bryant, a Republican, told reporters at the Capitol. “I think that would be very helpful and would help make a decision as to whether or not it would be part of a session.”
MEC’s new interim president and CEO, Scott Waller, confirmed in a separate interview that the group is seeking an independent evaluation of the economic impact of a lottery and how much money it might generate. Read more: Hattiesburg American
Daniel Papineau Joins Michigan Chamber of Commerce Team
MEC issue: Could Mississippi get a lottery?
Mississippi officials are rolling out new ideas for pay for roads and bridges. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant said a lottery is one possibility, while House leaders are proposing a local fuel tax, subject to approval by voters in cities or counties.
Mississippi is one of six states without a lottery, and Bryant said Thursday that he might ask legislators to consider creating one during a special session next month — but only if the state chamber of commerce supports using proceeds from the game to help pay for highways and bridges.
Improving transportation has been a big issue for the Mississippi Economic Council, but the group hasn’t taken a public position about a lottery.
“I know they’ve discussed it but there’s been no final decision as to whether or not they would come forward as a state chamber and say, ‘We would support a state lottery for the purposes of infrastructure,’” Bryant, a Republican, told reporters at the Capitol. “I think that would be very helpful and would help make a decision as to whether or not it would be part of a session.”
MEC’s new interim president and CEO, Scott Waller, confirmed in a separate interview that the group is seeking an independent evaluation of the economic impact of a lottery and how much money it might generate. Read more: Hattiesburg American
Daniel Papineau Joins Michigan Chamber of Commerce Team
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce announced today that Daniel Papineau has joined the statewide business organization as Director of Tax Policy.
Papineau comes to the Michigan Chamber with a strong background in tax policy issues, as well as legislative process, having served for five years as Chief of Staff for State Senator Jack Brandenburg, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Papineau most recently served as director of government relations for a southeast Michigan-based trade association.
"We are very pleased to welcome Dan to the Michigan Chamber's Business Advocacy Team," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "Dan's policy expertise and lobbying experience make him an excellent addition to our team."
"Making Michigan's tax climate the best in the country is a legislative priority of the Michigan Chamber," noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Dan's experience as a legislative staffer and as a lobbyist will further strengthen the Chamber's already effective business advocacy efforts."
"We are confident Dan will hit the ground running and further the Chamber's efforts to deliver powerful advocacy on behalf of our members," Holcomb added.
Papineau holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Michigan State University. Read more: prnewswire.com
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
