Chamber Blog

Chamber of Commerce group established in Hammond, Roberts area

The Roberts and Hammond areas finally have their own Chamber of Commerce.

After about one year’s time, the Central St. Croix Chamber of Commerce has been born.

Deb Flettre, president of the Chamber, says that business leaders in the community recently voted in favor of creating the Chamber.

“We’re on our way to becoming (officially) a Chamber. The paperwork is in motion,” Flettre said.

Flettre, a personal banking officer at Citizen’s State Bank in Roberts, said the first goal in setting up a Chamber is the networking of all the businesses in the Hammond and Roberts areas.

Read full story [New Richmond News]

Chamber of Commerce plans trip to China

The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, is offering a nine-day trip to China in November, according to a news release.

The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce is offering this deal to members of the Mohawk Valley Chamber and community in coordination with Citslinc International Inc., a company with 28 years experience in China travel, the release states.

For $1,725 per person, based on double-occupancy, travelers will receive round-trip transportation to and from JFK airport in New York City, round-trip airfare to China, four- or five-star hotel accommodations, deluxe tour buses with English-speaking tour guides, three meals per day, fees for any attractions and all applicable taxes, the release states.

Read full story [Observer-Dispatch]

McCain Addresses Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

A day before North Carolinians head to the polls, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) addressed Charlotte's Chamber of Commerce on slew of business-oriented issues.

Because McCain isn't worried about Tuesday's primary -- he has secured enough delegates for the GOP nomination and faces just one last opponent, Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) -- he focused on staking out his general election positions on immigration, health care and energy.

"I'm willing to put my knowledge and experience and judgment up against Senators Obama and Clinton's any day of the week," he told the group of roughly 150. "I look forward to that campaign, and I look forward to that discussion, and I'm confident I'll win it. I want to win it right here in North Carolina."

Unlike most of McCain's audiences, which are generally filled with supporters, this group was friendly but not explicitly partisan. Members of the crowd laughed at his jokes and most of them applauded when he declared his determination to win the election, but they did not hail all of his lines with acclaim.

When the senator trotted out his proposal to provide a federal gas tax holiday for the summer, saying the recent rise in gas prices "is hurting people on fixed income. Why not give them a little break for the summer?" the audience remained silent.

He spoke at length about energy and the environment, saying he was confident an investment in environmentally friendly technologies would both wean the U.S. off foreign oil and help improve the climate.

Read full story [Washington Post]

Dubai Chamber launches 18th issue of Industrial Directory 2007-2008

New directory a trustful reference and a gateway to services, products and companies in Dubai, says Director General The 18th issue of the Dubai Industrial Directory 2007-2008 is out. Launched by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the bilingual directory in Arabic and English contains a listing of over 2,150 companies with 1,950 from the industrial sector and 200 from the services sector. Dubai’s increasing dependence on non-oil sector and the emirate’s unprecedented economic growth make the industrial sector a driving force and the directory is seen as a strong trading tool for all businesses and consumers.

Said HE Eng Hamad Bumaim, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, “The Dubai Industrial Directory is a trustful reference and a gateway to services, products and companies in Dubai therefore Dubai Chamber has worked very hard to present this directory as part of one of its value-added services to its members. As the new edition includes an up-to-date information of Dubai industrial sector I would urge the local business community to take advantage of the information and statistics published in the directory.”

Added Buamim, “Under our new strategy of serving the members better, Dubai Chamber is doing its best in coping with the latest economic changes and is working non-stop to provide and upgrade its services for its ever increasing list of members. Besides the listing of manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and companies in Dubai, the new directory also provides useful information about the infrastructure and related government bodies as well as names of companies operating and maintaining manufacturing plants and other factories.”

Read full story [albawaba.com]

To find a local Chamber of Commerce or update your free listing visit Chamberfind.com

IT Marketing and Sales through Your Chamber of Commerce

An interesting video on how to market an IT company thru a Chamber of Commerce membership.

Maryland Chamber of Commerce supports slots

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind a November referendum to authorize slot machine gambling.

The business group announced its support at a press conference Tuesday, stressing that if the referendum fails, it will be a $700 million hit to the state budget. The General Assembly approved a plan in a special session last November to put 15,000 slot machines at five sites across the state, but left it up to voters to put it into place.

"If the state does not get this money, then the General Assembly has to come back in January and cut, which is unlikely, or make new taxes," said Kathy Snyder, chief executive of the chamber.

The chamber was joined by the Maryland Teachers' Association and Maryland Association of Counties, together emphasizing the importance of education spending. About half of the slots revenue is slated to go toward education, expected to total $660 million by fiscal year 2013, according to the chamber.

Read full story [Washington Biz Journal]

World famous gymnast speaks at Rancho Santa Margarita breakfast meeting

Peter Vidmar gives inspirational message to local chamber of commerce members.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA - An Olympic gold medalist spoke to more than 100 business leaders and city officials today about the importance of putting in just a little extra effort in life, sports and commerce.

The Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce and the city presented the 2008 Economic Development breakfast, which featured the world famous gymnast Peter Vidmar as a keynote speaker this morning.

Vidmar, of Coto de Caza, told attendees about some of his triumphs and failures in the world of gymnastics, with humor and humility.

"I learned it's OK to fail as long as you learn something," Vidmar said at the William Lyon Ballroom in the Bell Tower Regional Community Center.

Vidmar, who won two gold medals and one silver in the 1984 Olympics, said that winning in sports is not about working twice as much as the other athletes, it's about working just a little bit more. He added that business could benefit from this perspective.

"That last client … is just as important, maybe more important to the bottom line, than the first client," Vidmar said. When he finished his speech he did a back flip.

Other speakers included Mayor Neil Blais and David Deweese, incoming Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce president.

Blais listed some programs the city is working on to help local businesses, including beautifying local signs and creating a free business registration program. He said some topics that Rancho businesses are concerned with are marketing and traffic accessibility.

"We've listened to you," Blais said. "We've worked very hard to try to satisfy some of these issues."

Read full story [Orange County Register]

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Video

Opening Video for 50th Anniversary of Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Greater Hall Chamber celebrates 100 years on May 2, 2008

GAINESVILLE - The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with the Celebration of the Century at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2. The event will take place atop the Hall County parking deck overlooking downtown Gainesville.

Entertainment includes a special production by area talent to recap the Chamber's history, special recognition of past leaders and more. A special highlight of the evening will be a laser show cast upon downtown buildings. Food will be provided by Luna's Restaurant.

Click here to read full story [AccessNorthGa.com]

Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Promo Video

A video depicting the successes of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce in 2007