 February 2017 | ||||||||||
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Join us in Washington D.C. |
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The Missouri Chamber is hosting an advocacy mission in Washington D.C. from April 4-6. Don't miss your chance to get in front of Missouri's congressional delegation and represent your company or community in our nation's capital.
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MAKO
Reservations are now OPEN!
Don’t delay as the rooms will book fast.
Reservation due date = April 1, 2017
Reservations by phone: (479) 254-8400
You must mention our group #MAK if booking by phone
Please visit the MAKO Website for all the details
Or
CLICK HERE to use the Group Booking Page
Rooms are for king or double/double beds.
All rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Room rates are available for Saturday, April 23 – Monday, April 25, 2017.
Rates will also be honored for one day before and one day after, if available.
- Single rate = $130.00 per night
- Double rate = $130.00 per night
- Triple rate = $140.00 per night
- Quad rate = $150.00 per night
Microsoft Approved SBDC Webinars for National Entrepreneurship Week
Microsoft's latest offerings for
NATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK
As part of the week’s events, Microsoft offers the following free webinar options(simply copy, paste and send to your clients)
Tapping into your existing customer base could be the key to new business growth. On the next episode of Office Small Business Academy, learn about the power of referral marketing, and how to design a program that works for your business.
Official Registration Link:https://products.office.com/
It used to be that as your business grew, you’d have to increase your technology budget to meet your growth needs. Not anymore.
Join the Microsoft’s presentation the Staying Ahead of the Curve: Technologies That Adapt with Your Business webcast, and find out how to:
· Scale your technology to meet your business needs while making the most of your current technology investment
· Maintain business agility by making important information easily and securely available as you grow and become more mobile
· Manage data growth securely, cost effectively, and with complete flexibility
Official Registration Link: https://info.microsoft.com/en-
Learn how Yelp and Office 365 can help you connect with customers
With 82% of Yelpers searching because they intend to buy a product or service from a local business*, making a good impression is essential to making the sale. Join us for the Small Business Makeover: 3 Tips for Remaking Your Online Professional Presence webcast. You'll learn about some of the Yelp and Microsoft tools the experts use to boost their business.
Official Registration Link: https://info.microsoft.com/en-
National Entrepreneurship Week’s website is available, and can be found at http://www.
As one of your personal lifelines for SBDC to Microsoft’s offerings, I’m here to knowledge share and answer questions year-round. Please let me know if there is a convenient time to talk further for additional opportunities. I look forward to working with you!
Warm Regards,
Laura Broyhill | Associate National Business Development Manager-SMB
v-labroy@microsoft.com | Direct: 425.279.5544
Warsaw Chamber Update
You hear it all the time, “Remember to shop local!” We all say it, we all hear it, but do we do it? I’m afraid the answer to that question is, “Not as much as we should.” Why don’t we? What’s the reason? Product availability? Cheaper prices in big box stores? I’m going to be there anyway? These are valid points and one might think it’s not that big of a deal. However, let’s take a deeper look as to how our local and non-local choices really do make that big of deal.
In comparison to bigger stores, locally owned businesses create a recycling system that brings revenue back into our local economy. Let’s call it Warsaw’s economy. Let’s put a name to it, make it personal. This is our town and it affects us personally. When you buy something at a local store here in Warsaw, you pay taxes on that product. The business you bought from, then pays taxes to the City. The City then in turn, spends the tax money in Warsaw. It’s a never ending cycle of goodness. More of your dollars stay in this community for the betterment of our community increasing the value of homes in our neighborhoods, liveliness of our town, relocation of residents to Warsaw, tourism (there we go with taxes again) bringing new money into our town that starts recycling. Therefore, creating job opportunities, economic flow from new businesses, appeal from out of towners, one-of-a-kind businesses that have personal character that brings economic advantage and provides particular need for our locals.
Being the Director of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce has certainly brought to my attention something I used to never think about…..shopping locally. One of my biggest excuses was, “Well, I don’t really go into that store very often.” However, when the need would arise I was certainly glad the store was there. I have seen over the years how shopping local has made a big impact in Warsaw. We have so much to offer, including retail, restaurants, insurance, doctors, lawyers, construction, entertainment, utility companies, eclectic and creative item stores that draw people to Warsaw. Goodness, there’s too many to name! We get so excited when a new business comes into Warsaw and joins the Warsaw Chamber. We get even more excited when an existing Chamber member renews for another year. We salute and applaud a local business that is able to continue and thrive from year to year.
The Warsaw Chamber realizes the huge responsibility it is to have the trust and confidence that our chamber members have for us. According to a research study done by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street Services, when consumers know that a small business is a member of their local chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. This is why the Warsaw Chamber encourages you to join with us in continuing to shop local in Warsaw.
I certainly believe that communities that preserve their local businesses and personal character have an economic advantage. We are Warsaw, so that is already an advantage!
Rachael Sherrer
Director
Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce
660-438-5922
Raytown Chamber Update
Business of the Year – Raytown Quality Schools
10 Years of Service Plaque – Vicki Turnbow
Vicki A. Turnbow, President
Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce
5909 Raytown Trafficway
Raytown, MO 64133
PH: 816-353-8500
FX: 816-353-8525
www.raytownchamber.com
Waynesville Chamber Update
WHS interns gain real-work experience at Chamber, earning credit and building their resumes
Six Waynesville High School students get dressed every morning in business attire, ready to go to work.
That’s because in the afternoon, work is school and school is work for seniors Ashely Bartlett, Michael Denn, Sierra Hart, Lindzie King, Tori Macon and Ashton Pilz.
The six who are participating in a pilot internship program spend every afternoon working at the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce creating videos, designing logos, updating the demographic profile for the county and developing marketing materials. The students have taken ownership of the program and created both a name for their group – Interns for Career Enrichment – and their own logo.
“The opportunities these students have in gaining real life experience, education and self confidence is limitless.,” said teacher Amy Ransdall-Breeden who facilitates the program at the Chamber. “They are meeting business people, networking and giving presentations to community leaders. Their work is being published by the Chamber of Commerce.”
Each project carries its own significance.
“When you’re working with the Chamber, it’s more personal for them,” King said. “This isn’t just an assignment; it’s something they need to help the community succeed.”
Students receive high school credit for the internship and each takes turns serving as the lead for a project.
Instead of working with a teacher and fellow classmates, “in here, you work with different people,” Denn said. “It’s heart-racing at times because we have deadlines we have to meet and we have to break away from texting and emailing and talk with people on the phone or in person. We have to make a personal connection to better understand what the Chamber wants.”
When embarking on a new assignment, students meet with Murray, take notes about the project, communicate its goals, decide the creative direction, delegate the work, create and manage a time schedule and sometimes watch Murray “sell” the project to the Chamber Board of Directors.
“You have to listen to what your client wants and do what you think should be done,” Denn said. “We’re still working on the project that I lead, but I am very proud of how far we’ve come so far.”
Waynesville’s program is modeled after the profession-based Northland CAPS program in the Kansas City area that places students in internships with area businesses. Students earn credits while working at the Chamber and are under the direct supervision of Ransdall-Breeden. Rather than telling students exactly what to do, teacher Ransdall-Breeden serves as a facilitator as the students work their way through a project.
“In this setting (the Chamber’s conference room that doubles every afternoon as the student’s classroom), if you have something wrong, you have to fix it,” King said. “This internship is getting us ready for working in the real world. You have to learn that you won’t always be led and in here, you have the right to fail.”
Ransdall-Breeden admits it’s a challenge at times to facilitate the class.
“It’s difficult because you have to let the students ‘fall down’ and learn from their mistakes,” Rasndall-Breeden said. “As a teacher, you want them to succeed but you also have to let them grow and map their way toward success. They face challenges every day and are developing the skills they need to have in a job. The lessons they are learning here can be applied in any career they have in the future.”
One concept all six students have quickly grasped: Nothing is right the first time and each project will improve with revisions.
“We have to switch things so they will be perfect and we can’t take it personally,” Pilz said. “We just have to keep working to get better in our work and in life. This is a good experience and a great resume builder.”
The Chamber’s feedback “makes us think on a higher level because it exposes us to a lot of good criticism,” Macon said. “We have to work to find solutions and make improvements.”
CAMRADERY
An unexpected outcome of the program is the comradery that has developed among the six students.
“One of the best parts of this internship has been the exposure to working with different people,” Pilz said. “As students, we have grown closer and learned to respect each other’s opinions, even when we don’t agree.”
All six readily admitted that they would not have chosen to work together as a team, but are now glad they have had the opportunity.
“I am working with students that I normally wouldn’t work with,” Macon said. “It can be difficult because we bounce ideas off each other and we all have different opinions and different ways to communicate, but we have learned to work off each other’s strengths.”
Denn, who transferred to WHS for this school year, said, “We all have become friends and I didn’t know any of them when I started.”
When asked what her favorite part about the program is, Hart readily said, “Adobe Illustrator is a fun program to draw on and my classmates are cool. I enjoy the people who are in this class.”
COMMUNICATION
With every project requiring a team effort, communication in this conference room turned classroom is vital.
“We did the True Colors (led by Murray) and realized we are all different and learned how to work with each other,” Macon said. “We still can end up bumping heads when we don’t agree, but we have learned how to communicate with each other.”
Bartlett shared that her communication skills have dramatically improved through this unique classroom setting.
“I had severe social anxiety and this has helped me bond with people,” Bartlett said. “When my teacher says, ‘You can do this’ or a classmate says, ‘You’ve got this,” I believe them and I try even harder. If you open yourself to this, it’s a great learning experience.”
As leaders on the project, students have learned how to effectively communicate with their peers without insulting their work.
“You don’t want to hurt them, but you do want to guide them,” Bartlett said. “You learn to say what you like and then to encourage them to go in a different direction.”
IMPACT ON THEIR FUTURE
For some students, participating in the internship has reaffirmed their career goals; for others, it has changed the course of their lives.
“Last year, I was in the graphic design class and so this year I wanted to expand my connections in the community and get career experience,” Bartlett said. “This has reinforced my learning and strengthened my goal of becoming a graphic designer. Seeing my work published by the Chamber and being able to show it online to people is so rewarding.”
For Macon, the opposite has occurred. “I was originally going to go into graphic design, but now I realize I want to be in business,” she says. “I really enjoy the business aspect more than designing graphics.”
For Pilz, who plans to major in education, the internship has made her want to create similar opportunities for students. “I want to be in educational leadership so something like what Ms. Breeden does would be good for me.”
King wants to go into fashion design and marketing, so what is she doing at the Chamber?
“I wanted to spend my senior year working toward my career,” King said. “I am learning marketing and business skills, which will help me in the future. When I go to college, I’ll be a step ahead.”
ADVICE TO STUDENTS CONSIDERING AN INTERNSHIP
Students miss 5th-7th hours at WHS and must find their own transportation to and from the Chamber each day, yet the six support the program.
“I feel strongly that students benefit more from being in a real-world setting,” Denn said. “I am able to reach out of my comfort zone to make myself better each day.”
When King learned spots were still available at the Chamber, she enrolled in the program.
“When I was considering the idea, my dad asked me if it was going to be worth it,” King said. “Now that I’m in the program and my parents see what I am working on, they think it’s a great opportunity. If you want to benefit your future, this class is very beneficial. This is something that you can take seriously.”
As for combining work and school, Hart has this to say: “I want people to know that I love it here. It’s a different course, but I would rather be here than in a traditional classroom setting.”
Like her five classmates, she’s ready to go to work promoting the community through the Chamber.
Marianne Ward
Director of Communications and Marketing
Waynesville R-VI School District
200 Fleetwood Dr.
Waynesville, MO 65583
573-842-2040
Richmond Chamber Update
The Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce has a goal to advance the general welfare of business in the Richmond area and expand community pride by provide networking opportunities to members, organize community activities, and provide information regarding the area to visitors. The Board of Directors along with Chamber volunteers have been working diligently with The City of Richmond and The Richmond Downtown District to accomplish this mission.
The groups worked closely together to develop the Chapter 353 Tax Abatement for our Downtown area. Upon completion of the process, Forever Fotos was our first company to utilize this program. After being in business located out of her home for 6 years, she was able to afford a store front thanks to this tax incentive. This has been a very successful program that has been well taken advantage of. The affects are visible in our community when you drive down Main Street and see the updated buildings, new businesses and fresh construction. We are building an impressive resume for attracting new business to our community and hope that growth will continue for years to come.
Most importantly, the Chamber provides several valuable benefits to our membership. Free advertising and networking events are always popular within our community. We are excited to kick off our newest venture, The Entrepreneur Educational Series with the help from The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Small Business Administration and the City of Richmond. With the recent economic upturn we are experiencing in our city, we are eager to help our small business owners succeed in any way possible.
By hosting the Annual Mushroom Festival in our community, we are able to increase our cities population the first weekend of May by an astonishing 40%! The revenue that is created for businesses in Richmond as well as the tax income for the city and county are greatly appreciated and well utilized each year. We also organize our communities American Celebration and Christmas Extravaganza. The Richmond Chamber fiscally supports the American Celebration as a way to give back to the community. No donations or sponsorships are solicited for this event and it has quickly become a staple in the Richmond area. We have recently added the Chamber Classic- Christmas in September Golf Tournament to our repertoire in order to financially support the expanding Christmas Displays in the community. In its second year, we have been able to help support a new Santa house as well as new garland for our downtown area and new lights atop the buildings in our downtown area. It is beautiful scene to experience on a snowy winter’s eve in Richmond!
The business leaders in our area take pride in the ability of all parties involved to work closely together to achieve the common goal. The Richmond Downtown District attracts the business through their continued support, The City provides tax incentives to make their success financially possible and The Chamber, through their membership, help them to grow, promote and succeed in their dreams. Richmond is a lovely community and through hard work and perseverance, will continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.
Natalie Lamar
Executive Director
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
director@ richmondchamber.org
www.RichmondChamber.org
816-776-6916
Washington Area Chamber Update
Renovation of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce offices on Main Street was a highlight for the organization in 2016, said Jennifer Giesike, president.
“That project was our big focus last year. We were able to move back in October and we’ve been working to get settled in our completely transformed space ever since,” Giesike told The Missourian.
The Chamber staff spent more than a year working out of the fairgrounds administration building while the entire first floor of its downtown building was gutted and completely renovated for five offices, a conference room, small break room/kitchen area, restrooms, storage areas and a new front lobby area.
“We are so pleased with how it turned out and invite anyone to come down and check it out,” Giesike said.
More than 200 people turned out for an open house in November and another 400 visited as part of the Holiday House Tour in December.
Although the lower level of the building was not part of the renovation, Giesike said the staff has been organizing that space as well and hopes to soon be able to use it again for board meetings and other activities.
Despite the lengthy time line, Giesike said the renovation project ran smoothly. It was paid for, in part, with capital improvement funds.
The Chamber served as the general contractor for the project. Several subcontractors, most of them Chamber members, worked on different aspects of the renovation.
Demo work on the 2,300-square-foot main floor was done by volunteers, many of whom serve on the Chamber or Fair boards.
The exterior also was updated with a new stone wall on the back of the building, new lighting and a new roof.
Giesike said the renovation was sorely needed because of issues with the building and lack of space for staff and storage.
License Bureau
As part of the renovation project, the Chamber was able to expand its office space, taking over the area formerly occupied by the license bureau which was relocated to the lower level of city hall.
Giesike said the license bureau, which is managed by the Chamber, will remain at city hall.
“That location has worked out very well for us and more importantly, the public,” she said. “It provides the space we need.”
The license office has six full- and part-time employees.
“The office is busy and we’ve received a lot of good feedback on customer service,” said Giesike, noting the Chamber has been contracted by the state to manage the office since the 1970s.
Other divisions of the Chamber include tourism and the Washington Town and Country Fair, both of which had good years, Giesike said.
Tourism
“We’re very pleased with how our tourism efforts are going,” Giesike said. “We had an increase last year in the number of visitors, including groups and those coming in on Amtrak,” she said. “Mary Beth Rettke, our tourism director, is doing a great job and we look for more of the same in 2017.”
The lodging tax is up 12 percent, Giesike noted, which is one way to track visitors, and the number of people coming through the train station also jumped in 2016.
“A highlight was Washington train station being ranked No. 8 in the nation in an Amtrak customer satisfaction survey, which is a big pat on the back for tourism and the community,” she said, noting the tourism department runs the Visitor Center.
Another bright spot for tourism last year was the purchase of a 14-seat shuttle bus. Transportation is available to groups who are staying in Washington and want to visit the wineries, attend an event or seek a history tour of the area.
Washington Fair
Giesike described the 2016 Fair as “awesome,” despite the rain.
“Final numbers will be reported later this week at the Chamber’s annual business breakfast meeting, so I don’t want to spoil that, but we had a good five days with one of our largest crowds ever for the Alabama concert,” she said. “In the motorsports arena, the Lucas Oil Pulling teams also brought in big crowds.”
“The Fair Board and the many, many volunteers are to be commended for all of their hard work,” Giesike said.
“The Chamber is very grateful for the work that goes into the Fair year after year,” she said.”We are still in the planning stages for the 2017 Fair, but it’s going to be great.”
Giesike said online ticket sales, especially with the queen candidates, went over very well and will continue this year.
The new midway sign, sponsored by the Bank of Washington, was a nice addition to the grounds, she said. “We are discussing some capital improvement projects at the fairgrounds now and we’ll continue to review that in the coming months,” she said.
Most of the Chamber staff also works at the fairgrounds before, during and after the Fair, which is why Giesike has pushed to get her staff to other fairs to help gather new ideas.
Last year, the staff visited the Minnesota State Fair, which is one of the Top 5 Fairs in the nation. In 2015, the group attended The Big E Fair in West Springfield, Mass., also in the Top 5, and this year plans are being made to visit the Clay County Fair in Springfield, Ill.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for our entire staff to seek how these fairs operate, and we always come back with some great ideas,” Giesike said.
Chamber Business
The Chamber overall had a great year in 2016, Giesike said.
“We were very focused on the renovation, but we also introduced a new winter mixer for members which went over very well and will be back again in 2017,” she said.
Other events include a summer mixer, Music at the Market, a Cajun party, Pumpkin Palooza and Olde Fashioned Christmas.
The Chamber also hosts a business breakfast meeting in January, government forum in February, membership banquet in March and a member luncheon in September.
Additionally, the Chamber operates the Farmers’ Market, which opens in April and runs through October.
“The market is still going strong. We had increased traffic and we incorporated a new Sprouts program to get children more involved with the market and boost attendance,” Giesike said.
In the new year, the Chamber will work on adding more events for young professionals, as well as tweaking its events and meetings.
Currently, the Chamber has over 500 members, and employs seven full- and part-time staff members.
Columbia Chamber Update
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Chamber Unveils Its 2017 Legislative Agenda
 The Columbia Chamber of Commerce released its priorities for the current legislative session. The priorities and positions were carefully and strategically chosen based on the feedback from the businesses community, education entities, legislative members and community leaders. The Chamber’s priorities and positions focus on making Columbia more competitive within the region, state and country. “There are many opportunities for Columbia to be more aggressive with attracting and growing business,” Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Matt McCormick said. “Our positions will help keep the message consistent and in the forefront with legislators and our business community.” For the 2017 legislative session, the Chamber is focusing on economic development, better infrastructure and more funding for the University of Missouri for several different reasons. The Chamber’s 2017 legislative priorities are:
“It is important that we help get legislation passed that can make Columbia the model of what a business community should be,” McCormick said. “The only way we can achieve that goal is to create and even better business climate that allows for business success and growth.” You can view/download the Chamber’s priorities here. |
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Newly Elected Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt Shares Visions with Chamber Members
 On January 17, newly elected Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt joined the Chamber for lunch. Schmitt emphasized the importance of Chambers around the country, saying that they show an investment in the community by citizens and members alike. Moving forward, Schmitt encouraged the embrace of entrepreneurial initiatives in Missouri as the state progresses economically and socially. He said St. Louis is the fastest growing startup city in the world, according to the Associated Press. However, with these developments in the way we do business in Missouri, local banks and serial investors will define the lending climate for new and growing businesses, Schmitt suggested. As State Treasurer, he said he will focus on short-term safety and liquidity as the state attracts more people, more taxpayers, and more jobs. Schmitt said there are banks in Missouri adopting a Silicon Valley style of lending to startups. This concept of serial investing will allow business leaders to grow businesses in Missouri while investing elsewhere. Schmitt also addressed the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. He said it will be critical in attracting Missouri banks to participate in the growth of the state's small business and agricultural sectors initiatives. Schmitt identified Missouri's vast financial services industry as having the greatest potential for a positive impact through working with small-businesses and agricultural programs in order to grow Missouri's economy and develop a strong workforce. Lt. Governor Talks About the Importance of Columbia at January Quarterly Membership Breakfast
 With more than 400 people in attendance, the Quarterly Membership breakfast on January 24th was a highly enjoyable breakfast. Business leaders were conducting business at the tables and expanding their network. Newly elected Lt. Governor Mike Parson was the featured speaker at the Quarterly Membership Breakfast. He spoke about the importance of Columbia to the state of Missouri. Not only do we have the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College, but there is a robust entrepreneur network. These businesses are the backbone of the economy. Congratulations to Chamber Information Specialist Lakeela Mings on Her Award of Excellence
 Out of hundreds of individuals served throughout the year, Job Point staff nominates individuals who have overcome significant vocational challenges to experience outstanding vocational and personal success. Lakeela is one of two individuals honored each year with the Award of Excellence. A video depicting Lakeela's story will be unveiled at Job Point's Annual Awards Banquet on March 9th. Congratulations Lakeela on your award! Brad Johnson Director of Communications & Marketing Columbia Chamber of Commerce 300 S Providence Rd PO Box 1016 Columbia, MO 65205-1016 Direct Line: (573) 817-9108 Fax: (573) 443-3986 bjohnson@ColumbiaMOChamber.com www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com |
Chillicothe Chamber Update
| Crystal Narr Executive Director Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce |
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| PO Box 407 514 Washington Street Chillicothe, MO 64601 660-646-4050 660-646-3309 www.chillicothemo.com |
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