Several local chambers were recognized for outstanding work in their field at the Excellence Awards dinner during the Spring Conference of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives annual professional development event in Frankfort on Thursday evening.   Click below to view the list of winners:

KCCE Awards Winners 2012.doc (26.50 kb)

KCCE and 9 local chambers of commerce recently sent a letter of support to the Secretary of Energy requesting an extension of life of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and a prevention of substantial job losses in the Commonwealth.  See below for the full letter.

February 24, 2012  

The Honorable Steven Chu

Secretary of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

425 I Street NW, Room 700

Washington, DC 20585

Dear Mr. Secretary,

On behalf of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives, the state’s premier professional development organization representing chamber business groups from across the Commonwealth, we respectfully request you use your authority and extend the life of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP).  We support the plant because it is not only good for Kentucky’s job force, but the plant is a good deal for our nation’s taxpayers.  Last year, the Government Accountability Office confirmed that re-enriching the tails at the Paducah plant would generate billions in new revenue and save our nation’s taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.  We are also aware of the strategic national security significance of the facility that must be also considered as decisions are made on future missions for this important national asset.

We support Kentucky’s Congressional delegation’s requesting a meeting with your agency in hopes that you will detail your thoughts and plans for the plant.  We strongly encourage you to help extend the life of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant to prevent substantial job losses in the Commonwealth.

We thank you, in advance, for supporting jobs and economic growth in Kentucky.

Sincerely,

Ali Crain

Executive Director

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives

Cc:  The Honorable Leader Mitch McConnell

        The Honorable Senator Rand Paul

        The Honorable Congressman Ed Whitfield

        The Honorable Governor Steve Beshear

Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce

Elaine Spalding, President/CEO

Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce

Carter Hendricks, President/CEO

Marshall County Chamber of Commerce

Debbie Buchanon, Executive Director

Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce

Sue Stivers, Executive Director

Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce

Lance Allison, President/CEO

Paintsville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce

Fran Jarrell, Executive Director

Henderson-Henderson County Chamber of Commerce

Brad Schneider, President

Greater Muhlenberg Chamber of Commerce

Dorothy Walker, Executive Secretary

Ballard County Chamber of Commerce

Beth Ann Hunt, Executive Director

The Leaders Conference is brought to you by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Kentucky Nonprofit Network and presented by Constant Contact. The KCCE/KNN Leaders Conference is a one-day course designed for local chamber volunteers who want greater insight and answers to questions related to their role as a volunteer. The conference is open to board members, Ambassadors and other committee members. Cost per person to attend will be $25.

March 1, 2012 in Hopkinsville at MSU Hopkinsville Campus
March 7, 2012 in Frankfort at Kentucky Chamber Headquarters
March 14, 2012 in Somerset at Center for Rural Development

Find out more info and register on our website-

The KCCE New Professional Boot Camp is an intensive course designed for chamber executives and leaders that have been on the job two-years or less and want a greater insight and answers to questions related to chamber operations.  Although there won't be extensive running or pushups, you will participate in indepth discussions with seasoned chamber professionals from across the state and recieve resources that will assist you with your duties.  More importantly, you will be able to ask all of your questions and receive input from other professionals with proven ability in the field of chamber operations.  All session participants will receive the KCCE Chamber Professional Handbook that will serve as a reference point in the days to come.

KCCE and Kentucky Retail Federation Form Partnership

KCCE and KRF have formed an official Resource Partnership to provide local chambers opportunities and services for retailers in your area.  It is our hope that you can utilize this partnership to provide added value to your current members as a retention tool, as well use as a recruiting tool.

The Kentucky Retail Federation will work with you and your staff to "customize" a program of valuable services you need specifically for your local retailers.  While the KRF provides some services similar to those already offered by the KCCE, the goal is not to compete but to compliment those that add value to local Chamber membership.
Member service program offerings may include affinity programs that do not compete with KCCE offerings, retail specific legislative and regulatory information, issue briefings, retail industry news feeds and industry trends and updates, and communications services.  Their staff will also be available to make presentations to your members regarding retail related issues and help you in the formation of a "Retail Merchants Council" if you so desire.

The Partner's Program provides an all-in-one package that you can present to current and potential members, enabling you to retain the members you have and recruit new members; it enables your chamber to provide a level of service unheard of among local chambers of commerce; it gives your members services that they need to help them run their business better; and it provides you and your staff with a source to go to with questions in order to provide members with the answers.
 
How does it work?
A KRF staff person will sit down with you and your staff (or a committee) and outline the services available, how the program works, and how to market it to members and potential members.  For more information and to set up an appointment, contact:

Tod Griffin, Vice President

Kentucky Retail Federation

502-875-1444

tgriffin@kyretail.com                                

Greater Owensboro Chamber named 2010 Chamber of the Year

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce was named Chamber of the Year tonight at the national conference of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ACCE’s Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award which recognizes up to four chambers of commerce each year for their dual role in creating and leading businesses and communities. The Greater Owensboro Chamber was one of two finalists in the $450,001 - $900,000 total revenue category.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with this national honor,” says Suzanne Northern Blazar of UniFirst Corp. and 2010 board chair of the chamber. “This is recognition for the bold advocacy and member service programs the chamber has initiated in recent years.”

“Wow!” said Chamber President Jody Wassmer. “To be chosen by peers from across the country as the No. 1 chamber of commerce is reflective of Owensboro, our businesses and the volunteers who make the Chamber work. The “good news phone” will ring off the hook at next week’s Rooster Booster Breakfast.”   

Wassmer and Ashley Bradshaw, operations manager, were interviewed Wednesday morning by a panel of three judges that selected winners. Finalists were determined in May based on an application process.

As part of the application, the chamber highlighted its advocacy role in creating the Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwestern Kentucky (C-LINK) alliance and the Owensboro Buys It! program.

C-LINK includes 12 chambers in the region and has been a leading proponent of Interstate 69 in western Kentucky, which has seen significant progress in the past two years. Owensboro Buys It! was started in 2009 to create local commerce and taught small business members how to create an “elevator pitch,” attend networking events to practice it and then meet one-on-one with purchasing personnel from large local employers.

According to Wassmer, the Chamber board of directors approved a strategic plan in early 2008 which included a goal of being named Chamber of the Year by 2012.

“We won it two years ahead of what we thought was even possible,” he says. “We intend to keep following the plan and already are working on new initiatives for 2011.”

# # #

Ft. Mitchell - The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the formation of a non-partisan, pro-business political action committee (PAC) for Northern Kentucky, an organization separate from the Chamber that will evaluate and support candidates for elected office.

“The Chamber has always had an active advocacy program at federal, state, and local levels,” said Chamber Chairman of the Board Gary Beatrice. “Our board endorsed the PAC because they believe that the business community should use every tool possible to protect and advance a pro-growth, pro-business climate in Kentucky.”

The PAC, a separate organization from the Chamber, will be comprised of a PAC board and individual PAC members who will determine the organization’s rules of governance, engage in a bi-partisan candidate evaluation process, and develop political contribution strategies.

“We have seen a 49% increase in the number of Chamber members join our Grassroots Network this year, which means that the business community recognizes that advocacy and political action are critical to them being able to create jobs and grow our economy,” remarked Chamber president Steve Stevens. “We are excited to support this new organization and believe the PAC will be a great positive for our community.

Are you signed up?

Scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, at the Kentucky Chamber headquarters in Frankfort, the KCCE New Executive Boot Camp is an intensive one-day course designed for chamber executives and leaders that have been on the job two-years or less and want greater insight and answers to questions related to chamber operations.

More importantly, you will be able to ask all of your questions and receive input from other professionals with proven ability in the field of chamber operations. All session participants will receive the KCCE Chamber Executive Handbook that will serve as a reference point in the days to come.
 
There is no cost to members to attend.  To RSVP, please contact Ali at acrain@kychamber.com

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives
Annual Excellence Awards Winners 2009

Newsletter Outstanding Print Communications
Group I Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce
Group III Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce

e-Newsletter Outstanding e-Newsletter
Group I Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce

Web Site Outstanding Website
Group I Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce
Group II Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Group III Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce

Special Events Outstanding Special Event
Group I Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Group I – Honorable Mention: Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce
Group III Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Membership Retention Outstanding Member Retention
Group I Floyd County Chamber of Commerce