Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Intern Expo a Success
The
Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomed 500 high school students
from King George, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Stafford and Fredericksburg as well
as college students from the University of Mary Washington and Germanna
Community College on Tuesday, April 26th
for the first ever Intern Expo. More than forty
regional businesses attended the expo to
share details about intern
opportunities at
their businesses. Volunteers from the
business community and school districts assisted in breakout rooms that helped
students prepare an elevator pitch, create a LinkedIn
account, and take a career assessment.
Rebecca
Morris, Internship and Work-Study Counselor for Germanna Community College said, “What an inspiring and impressive event!
We hosted hundreds of students who were able to visit with community
employers and learn from the breakout sessions. It was exciting to see students
come so prepared and watch them engaging with their potential future employers.
The Expo Center was alive with energy! Even the students who may not land an
internship were able to practice and strengthen their soft skills, which is an
invaluable opportunity. Employers were able to get a glimpse of the future
talent pipeline and provide students with real-life examples of what work looks
like. I even heard one of the employer representatives say, “Wow, I wish
they had something like this when I was a student!” I’m proud that GCC is
able to partner with the amazing staff at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber
so that we could be a part of the effort to support our community.”
A & B Creative Events business Owner Latasha Brooks
said, “As a business owner, it felt so good to see so many people ready to get
back to work. I really enjoyed the in person conversations and had over 25 students
sign up to intern with me.”
Students that attended the event had the opportunity to apply for a $1,500 scholarship (2 available). The scholarships were sponsored by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Una-Dyn, and Matern Staffing. The Chamber’s Workforce Now Committee will review applications and announce the winners on June 1, 2022.
The event is a pilot program that is
supported by a
grant from Go Virginia and sponsorships from the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association, Mary
Washington Healthcare and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. For more
information about interviews with businesses and school administrators about
this event please visit the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce HERE.
WCCCD & SWCRC Regional Workforce Talent Initiative to Host Women Professional Career & Program Fair on May 18
Event Will Connect Women Talent to Non-Traditional Career Pathways Throughout the Region
Employers throughout the region are challenged with connecting qualified and motivated talent to critical career pathways in fields such as the skilled trades, public safety, technology, entrepreneurship, and more. The Regional Workforce Talent Initiative (RWTI), a regional partnership of Wayne County Community College District and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, is hosting the Women's Professional Career & Program Fair as an impactful resource to connect women professionals to non-traditional career pathways throughout Metro Detroit. The free-to-attend Women Professionals Career Fair will take place on Wednesday, May 18 from 10 AM – 12 PM at Wayne County Community College District’s Ted Scott Campus, located at 9555 Haggerty Rd. in Van Buren Township (Belleville mailing address.)
“The Career & Program Fair will provide our region with a powerful resource toward overcoming historic employment barriers, and will connect strong women talent with non-traditional career pathways throughout the region,” commented Anthony Arminiak, Vice Chancellor and Regional Campus President at Wayne County Community College District.
Registration is requested for women job seekers who plan to attend the event. A list of participating businesses and confidential registration is located online at www.SWCRC.com/WomenPros
The RWTI is seeking up to 40 employers to participate in the career and program fair, with nearly 30 already registered. Businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies can sign up at SWCRC.com/WomenPros, or call RWTI Program Manager Stacey Hale at the SWCRC at (734) 284-6000 x 29. Vendor booths are complimentary for employers. Vendors will be registered on a first come, first served basis until the capacity has been met.
"WCCCD and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber are committed to working with our community partners toward positive and effective solutions to resolve the ongoing worker shortage facing our region’s employers,” commented Stacey Hale, Program Manager of the Regional Workforce Talent Initiative. “This career fair will empower women professionals to explore exciting opportunities in non-traditional career pathways.”
The RWTI is working alongside Community Resource Partners to organize the event, including the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, Downriver Community Conference, SEMCA Michigan Works!, Wayne Chamber of Commerce, and the Westland Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about the Regional Workforce Talent Initiative (RWTI), visit www.SWCRC.com/RWTI.
Wayne County Community College District has nearly 50 years of uninterrupted operation and development of comprehensive educational services. Both directly and indirectly, our students and the 2.3 million people living within the College's service district have enjoyed the benefits of constantly improved instructional programs and community services. WCCCD's five campuses are located in industrial, rural and metropolitan areas where a major share of Michigan's technical and skilled occupations is located. Because of the diversity of its service areas, WCCCD places a strong emphasis on occupational and career programs, and traditional college and university transfer programs, including those within the liberal arts discipline.
The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber provides member businesses and organizations across 21 municipalities throughout the Downriver and southern Wayne County region with opportunities and resources to engage and network with other businesses, enhancing financial growth, professional development, and the ability to contribute to a thriving community environment.
Mississippi SBA: Exporting Resources for Your Small Business
Wednesday, May 4
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (CT)
Small Business Development Centers provide counseling and training to small businesses including working with the SBA to develop and provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion. Join us on this brief webinar, as you’ll have an opportunity to hear from Jim Harper, Director of the Hinds Community College/International Trade Center SBDC. We’ll explain how the SBDC can help your small business expand into exporting.
Click Here to Join
Prince William Chamber to host Annual Meeting
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the success of businesses in the 2021-2022 Fiscal year, anticipating a crowd of 200+ members of the business community at this year’s Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, June 16th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, for a night of Fun, Food and Music at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run.
This event signifies the change of leadership in the Chamber’s Board of Directors as Gayle Whitlock, Whitlock Wealth Management becomes the Immediate Past Chair and Rick Nishanian, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. takes over the position as 2022-2023 Chair. New Board Members will be inducted at this meeting, agreeing to the Chamber’s Mission of acting as “the voice of the business community and creates powerful connections and resources that give members the courage to thrive.”
Gayle Whitlock will award the Chairman’s Award to recognize an individual that has gone above and beyond to aid her this year. Three other awards will be selected by the Chamber Staff and awarded at the Annual Meeting for the Behind-the-Scenes Individual of the Year, Behind-the-Scenes Business of the Year and Chamber Member of the Year.
The Farm Brewery at Broad Run
· $45 for Chamber Members
· $65 for Future Members
https://princewilliamchamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/eventcalendar/Details/annual-meeting-a-celebration-of-success-619254?sourceTypeId=Website
The Chamber looks forward to highlighting the success of businesses over the past year and showcasing some of the Chamber’s successes. The Chamber considers itself a Partner in Excellence for all members and looks forward to continuing to help businesses grow in the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year.
Applications Now Open for 2022-23 Leadership Fox Cities Class
Fox Cities professionals are invited to apply for the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce’s 2022-2023 Leadership Fox Cities class. Since 1991, this Chamber program has shaped the community’s leaders with immersive educational experiences that inspire engagement.
Countless alumni credit their Leadership Fox Cities experience with networking, career, and philanthropic successes that have guided them in leadership and given them new insights into the strengths, opportunities, and challenges that exist within the Fox Cities region – defined by the Chamber as Wisconsin’s Calumet, Outagamie, and northern Winnebago Counties.
The annual class comprises approximately 40 members who are chosen via the application process. Tuition assistance is available, and many employers provide professional development funds. The class gathers monthly, from September through May, for educational sessions focused on specific community topics ranging from human services and arts to government and law enforcement. The classes include prominent guest speakers, hands-on experiences, tours, and opportunities for relationship-building.
Participants are also placed into small groups and are tasked with identifying an issue or program that needs attention in the community. Working collaboratively, the groups plan and execute sustainable community projects that are presented at Leadership Fox Cities Commencement in May.
Applications for the 2022-2023 session are being accepted now through June 27, 2022. Apply online at https://foxcitieschamber.com/leadershipfoxcities .
Premier MLB Agent Jeff Berry to address Rooster Booster
Owensboro, Kentucky – The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce will host its May Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Visit Owensboro.
The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber Members with reservations, $20 for Members with no reservations and $25 for non-members. Reservations include breakfast, which will be served buffet style at the beginning of the event.
The event will feature Jeff Berry, Premier MLB Agent and Co-Head of CAA Baseball.
“We are so excited to welcome Jeff Berry back to his hometown,” said Chamber President & CEO, Candance Brake, “This program will allow audience Q and A in addition to an interview with Jeff. Our crowd will include area high school athletes! What a great way to slide into Derby weekend!”
Owensboro, Kentucky native Jeff Berry has been a Major League Baseball player agent and attorney since 1998. He started his career with the famed Hendricks Brothers before moving on to IMG in 1999 and then eventually to CAA, where in 2006 he was one of the original employees of the newly formed CAA Sports.
Berry played college baseball at Northeastern University and UNC Charlotte. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1992 and went on to play one season in the Boston Red Sox minor-league system. Following his playing career, Berry attended Oklahoma City University School of Law and served three years as the Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach. He earned his Juris Doctor from OCU School of Law, graduating cum laude in May of 1998 and was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in September of 1998.
As the long time Co-Head of CAA Baseball, Berry has led tremendous growth and success in the baseball division. Since its inception in 2006, CAA Baseball has negotiated more than $3 billion in multi-year player contracts and advised 56 first-round picks. In 2021, CAA Baseball represented 10 MLB All-Stars and over the last 16+ years the client list has included four MVPs, five Cy Young winners and seven Rookies of the Year.
Berry has been repeatedly recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the World’s Most Powerful Sports Agents and is known as a fierce advocate for players. Berry’s advocacy has sparked two major rule changes, protecting catchers from home-plate collisions (The Buster Posey Rule) and making it possible for players to be traded soon after being drafted (The Trea Turner Rule). He has also been outspoken on various labor issues, the amateur draft and salary arbitration.
Berry was recently appointed to serve on the board of directors of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Comprised of prominent business leaders, award-winning athletes and coaches, distinguished physicians and world-renowned entertainers, the Board is entrusted with and accountable for the strategic leadership and governance of the organization. Founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, the V Foundation funds game-changing research and all-star scientists with one goal in mind: to achieve Victory over Cancer.
Berry has been married to wife Sarah since 2005 and they have 3 children: Jax, Clark and Whitney. They reside in Bradenton, FL.
Make your reservation and pay online at business.chamber.owensboro.com/events or call the Chamber office at 270-926-1860 by noon on Wednesday, May 4.
Kentucky Accepting Emerging Leaders T.H.R.I.V.E. Applications
T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program assists small business owners in growing their business, creating jobs, and strengthening their communities. This innovative program is an intense 6-month course that includes in-person, self-paced, instruction, mentoring, online, and classroom time. This is an opportunity for small businesses to work with experienced professionals at no financial cost to participants.
Qualifications: The Emerging Leaders Initiative is open to small business owners and executives who:
Have annual revenues of at least $250,000
Have been in business for at least 3 years
Have at least one employee, other than self
Can commit to completing the full program
Are coachable and willing to put in the necessary work
Applications for the 2022 Kentucky Cohort are located here.
We will have 2 informational sessions, dates to be determined.
Questions? Contact sharron.johnson@sba.gov or call 502-276-7666.
Leadership Fox Cities is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Bergstrom Automotive.
