Chamber Blog

Recession is likely by year end: Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. economy will likely slip into a recession by the end of the year, but the woes in the housing market are close to bottoming out, the top economist for a leading U.S. business group said on Thursday.

"I see possibly a recession by the end of the year, but it will be a relatively short recession and a relatively mild recession," said Martin Regalia, vice president for economic policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

He also said the government's economic stimulus package helped head off a recession during the second and third quarters of this year, but that a second such package would not be worthwhile.

"Some of the problems in the economy are a little more fundamental than consumption," Regalia told reporters in a briefing.

Read full story [Reuters]

The Four Pillars of The Greenwood Village Chamber

New home in historic building for chamber

The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce is acquiring the former San Jose Bank building, a historic structure on the northwest corner of Santa Clara and Market streets in downtown San Jose.

The high-profile location is generally considered one of the urban center’s most desirable.

The purchase price is $4.25 million, or about $176 a square foot, sources said. The sale is slated to close Aug. 31. The seller is Wells Fargo Bank.

The acquisition will end a search of more than three years by the chamber for a new location, said Pat Dando, the organization’s president and chief executive officer.

Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce to recognize environmentally friendly companies

The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce wants to make the decision for companies to be green easier.

In an effort to help area businesses debating whether to adopt environmentally friendly policies, the chamber is planning to start recognizing companies that use green business practices.

The goal of the Green Business Recognition Program is to help preserve the environment by showcasing the efforts of member businesses in the area that are committed to green practices.

"We wanted to show our businesses it's not only easy but you can make green by going green," said Tom Cosby, the chamber's chief marketing officer. "Plus, this allows us to recognize our Birmingham businesses that are making this effort to save our environment."

Read full story [Birmingham News]

Chamber of Commerce lends hand to homeless

The state spends a million dollars a year for medical care of the uninsured at community health centers, so the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii is to be commended for providing basic first-aid kits enabling the homeless to prevent the need for hospital treatment. The program is limited to Oahu but should be extended to other islands.
More than 1,000 Save-a-Life Safety Kits have been distributed to Oahu's homeless since the program began in 2006. The kits contain basic sanitary supplies such as toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers and files, bandages, soap and antibiotics, acquired through a $10,000 grant by the chamber's Public Health Fund Committee. Similar amounts are needed to purchase kits for each island.

The kits could be crucial since homelessness precludes healthy nutrition, good person hygiene and basic first aid. The rate of hepatitis B, C, HIV/AIDS and other infections are two to three times more frequent among homeless than the general population, according to Ken Akinaka, executive director of the Hepatitis Support Network of Hawaii.

Read full story [starbulletin.com]

Promo video for the Blount County Chamber of Commerce

Albany-Colonie chamber names new president

Mark Eagan starts his new position on Oct. 7. Eagan succeeds Lyn Taylor, who announced earlier this year that she would be retiring from the chamber. She'll remain with the chamber until the end of the year. Eagan is a 21-year veteran of the chamber profession, serving as president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County in South Bend, Ind. since 1998.

Loveland Chamber's new CEO quits before he begins

The man recently selected as the Loveland Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive officer has resigned.
Mark Smiley was scheduled to start his position on Sept. 2, replacing Gaye Stockman who left the chamber in early May.

A letter Smiley sent to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on Friday said, “immediate short-term priorities have superseded my move to the area.”

Smiley, of Ontario, Calif., has served as president and CEO of the Ontario chamber for the past three years.

The board of directors plans to meet this week to continue the search for a new director, said Jean Mooney, board chairwoman and hiring committee member.

“I think the only thing we can say is that we don’t have anything to say,” Mooney said. “We are going to look forward.”

The CEO position has been open since Stockman accepted a position as chief executive officer of the Laramie Economic Development Corp. in Wyoming. 

Source - Loveland Reporter-Herald

The "Disney Keys to Excellence" coming to Oxnard Chamber of Commerce

Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development program, the Disney Keys to Excellence, to Oxnard Friday, Sept. 12. Sponsored locally by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, the full-day event will give area professionals an opportunity to experience the business behind the Disney magic proven strategies and best practices that are easily adaptable to their organizations.

This is the only program that Disney Institute brings to the local business community, said George Aguel, senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts who also leads the Disney Institute. Participants from the Ventura County area will discover Disney practices they can incorporate into their own businesses. These strategies and tactics have been proven successful for more than 50 years.

Disney Institute programs are unique in the world of training. What makes the Disney learning experience so different and meaningful is we dont simply teach theory, said Aguel. We give participants an insiders look at business philosophies that have helped Disney to consistently rank as one of the worlds most admired companies and brands. Engaging content is presented in an entertaining fashion and provides participants with tools that can literally transform their organizations.

Read full story [Ventura County Star]

First Green Chamber Building in America

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce opened the first green Chamber building in America June 6. This 13,926-square-foot building is the first in a $75-million mixed-use development downtown.