Chamber Blog

Three consecutive days of rain washed away 70 percent of the revenue the Morton Chamber

MORTON — Three consecutive days of drenching rain last month washed away 70 percent of the revenue the Morton Chamber of Commerce hoped to rake in from the Morton Pumpkin Festival.

The relentless downpours also pushed chamber Executive Director Mike Badgerow into a decision he'd been contemplating for some time. He resigned about a month ago. His last day on the job is Dec. 31.

Badgerow, 48, isn't leaving the chamber after 12 years with hard feelings. He strongly believes the move is best for him and the chamber.

"I was going to resign after next year's Pumpkin Festival, but I'm ready to explore new areas," he said Thursday.

"The chamber will be in great shape without me," he said. "Looking at my basic skills set, other people can do what I'm doing. And the chamber needs someone in charge who is more adept at economic development."

Badgerow is concerned about how the revenue loss from the Pumpkin Festival - and the foundering economy - will affect the chamber.

"The chamber is going to need to cut costs, and my leaving will offer the most savings," he said.

Chamber board of directors President Linc Hobson praised Badgerow's work and said his departure provides the 15-member board with an important opportunity.

Read full story [pjstar.com]

Chamber Of Commerce Gives Advice To Small Businesses

Here is a news clip that stresses the need to market and be part of the chamber in tough economic times

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Announces New Auto Insurance Partnership with High Point Auto Insurance

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck and High Point Safety and Insurance Management Corporation President Jim Tignanelli announced today the formation of a new auto insurance partnership. Under the new Chamber Auto Insurance Program ("CAIP"), employees of Chamber member companies, a total population of 500,000, are now eligible for specially discounted personal auto insurance policies to be sold by High Point.

"In these tough economic times, the Chamber is pleased to be able to partner with High Point Auto Insurance to reduce costs for employers, as well as their employees and families," said Verplanck. "We are partnering with High Point because they have a great reputation, offer excellent rates and have an impressive record of customer service."
Companies are experiencing an increasing demand for voluntary employee benefits from employees. The Chamber and High Point will market this new benefit to member companies through a number of cooperative efforts including direct mail, web site promotion, worksite enrollment, and Chamber events.

Read full story [MarketWatch]

'Green' breakfast to be hosted by Palm Desert Chamber

The Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce will host breakfast titled Global Movement: Renewable Energy (GREEN Breakfast)

Speakers will address the global movement toward a more environmentally friendly work environment, according to Chamber officials.

Scheduled speakers are Jeffery Zucker with Palm Springs Resource Conservation Commission, Valerie Ward, with Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services and Fred Bell with Building Industry Association Desert Chapter.

Among the things Zucker will speak on is why businesses should be green, how being green differentiates a business from competitors and the effect being green has on the bottom line.

The breakfast will be held at Desert Willow Golf Resort, 38995 Desert Willow Drive. The cost is $17 for members who RSVP, $20 without an RSVP and $25 for non-members.

Search is on for chamber CEO

Fall River — The search for a replacement for former Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Peter Kortright is under way. The 13-member search committee last week ironed out objectives and posted them on regional and national Web sites.

Kortright, who served as president for eight years, resigned Sept. 30 “to pursue other professional interests on the SouthCoast.”
Clyde Mitchell, associate director of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research, had been tapped to fill in for Kortright earlier this month, but fell ill and backed out at his doctor’s recommendation.
Then about two weeks ago, Ed Hill, People Inc. director of program and staff development, assumed the new role of interim executive director. Hill, recommended for the post by chamber board member Bob Canuel, is a member of the Fall River Rotary Club, the Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School School Committee and the Swansea School Committee.

Thomas F. Lyons, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors and search committee, said Hill will serve the chamber in many facets, including at public functions like the recent Southcoast Business Expo. Hill will direct staff, interact with chamber members and perform other duties for 20 hours a week until a permanent replacement is named, Lyons said.

Read full story [Herald News]

Businesses connect at South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s expo

Donald McNally doesn’t usually man a booth at the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s annual Expo. In the past, the owner of Granite City Self Storage Inc. in Quincy just never saw the need.

But this year, with a 30,000-square-foot expansion of his 95 Old Colony Ave. location set to open in a matter of months, McNally spent Tuesday reaching out to a broader audience.

“We’re expanding the business, so we’re looking for a little more exposure throughout the South Shore,” McNally said, standing next to a table filled with free trinkets. “That’s why we decided on the booth.”

Each year, as many as 2,000 people stop by the chamber’s annual business-to-business expo. This year’s event, held Tuesday at The Lantana in Randolph, drew 82 exhibitors, slightly fewer than last year’s record turnout of 97.

The decline in exhibitors, however, did not reduce the festive atmosphere in the exhibition hall, as business people from myriad industries collected freebies while networking.

Read full story [The Patriot Ledger]

Small businesses thrive during economic downturn

While the large corporations struggle to stay on their feet, area small business development groups are energized with the demand for entrepreneurs who are pushing to get established.

Matt Creamer director of the Small Business Development Center in Pocatello says small businesses can thrive in the downturn economy. And, finding financing can be arranged to get things moving.

Creamer, speaking with KPVI News 6 said the SBDC works hand-in-hand with the banks to try to make deals for entrepreneurs. “A good deal for the borrower. A good deal for the bank. And a good deal for our organization,m” he said.

But Creamer is not alone is pushing small businesses forward. Only last week, the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Small Business Resource center opened its doors to show off the resources that they have available. The SBDC offers classes for people interested in starting their own business the second Thursday of each month. The next one will be held Nov. 13.

From coaching and advice to helping secure loans. The Small Business Development Center in Pocatello makes a big difference for many small businesses across eastern Idaho.

Read full story [Idaho Business Review]

Celebrating Texas Chamber of Commerce week

The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses organized to promote and improve economic vitality through partnerships, leadership and education of our members and community. Texas Chamber of Commerce Week begins Oct. 20 and we take this opportunity to share with you how our mission statement has manifested itself this year.

Promoting and improving the economic vitality of this great city and county has led us to develop even stronger ties with entities that have similar focus.

For example, this Chamber took a leadership role in the development and implementation of the Kendall County Economic Development Corporation. We collaborated with the city of Boerne, Kendall County and the Comfort Chamber, as well as numerous influential business owners, and local businesses and residents are now reaping the rewards of that collaboration.

Our award-winning EDC has already garnered the attention of businesses across the country and we have every expectation that it will continue to do so.

The Chamber leaped at the opportunity to partner with Boerne Independent School District by developing a business advisory board for teachers who are concerned that students have more information as they pursue a wide variety of career paths.

Teachers and businesspeople have been paired so that when a teacher needs advice and counsel on directing their teaching course to advance the students’ ambitions, the track is focused on the reality of the real world jobs. We’re excited about helping prepare the next generation of employees for rewarding careers in our area.

The Chamber’s Leadership Boerne program graduated a new class of business people who understand the needs of local residents and businesses, and who are prepared to step forward today to lead the community as it meets the new challenges of the economic conditions in the global marketplace. Many already have been tapped on the shoulder and asked to take leadership roles in the public arena.

And, while the graduates of our Leadership program are assuming their positions with local non-profits and businesses, our new Lunchbox Lessons program is providing the everyday training our small to mid-sized companies need to keep their skills sharpened and focused.

In its inaugural year, as the economic downturn loomed on the horizon, our newest education program provided free hands-on training in promoting businesses through effective press releases, fine-tuning business plans, re-defining target markets, the development of communications plans and the refocusing of marketing plans.

Read full story [The Boerne Star]

Largest Metro Chamber of Commerce Responds to Turbulence in the Financial Markets

The Detroit Regional Chamber issued the following statement regarding the current economic emergency confronting the global economy.

"We are facing uncertainty in the global economy on a scale not seen before in our generation," said Richard E. Blouse, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. "It is vitally important to restore a sense of confidence and calmness among investors to allow the world markets to function in an orderly manner rather than react to irrational fear, which is only undermining the global economic foundation."

"Stabilizing the financial markets is absolutely necessary to preserve an economic environment where businesses, the engine of the global economy, can thrive. The Detroit region's businesses, which are already struggling under tough conditions, and millions more across the nation are being negatively affected by the current economic crisis. We cannot allow fear and panic to hamper business growth and job creation. The leaders of the world's largest economies need to coordinate their efforts to help restore liquidity and faith in the global economy," continued Blouse.

Chamber Of Commerce Week

Monday through Friday, October 20-24, marks Chamber of Commerce Week in Texas.

In its observance, the North Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives have planned a joint luncheon for Monday, October 20, beginning at 11 a.m. It will be held at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie.

Hillsboro chamber members are encouraged to attend the event. Tickets are available at the Hillsboro chamber office, located at 115 North Covington Street.

Guest speaker for the 11:30 a.m. plate lunch will be United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The event is scheduled to conclude at approximately 1 p.m.
The 86 chambers in the North Texas Region represent over 52,450 business members.