KCCE

KCCE's Crain Receives CCE Designation

kcce — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 00:55:00 +0500

Contact: John Carlson

KCCE’s Crain Earns
Certified Chamber Executive Certification

Alexandria, Virginia– (Aug 1, 2013) – The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has designated Ali Crain, Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Executives, Certified Chamber Executive (CCE). The CCE is the only national certification for chamber professionals. The announcement was made July 24 at ACCE’s annual convention in Oklahoma City.

“The applicants who are designated CCEs rightfully earn this outstanding recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chambers. We applaud this year’s recipients and are proud to have them join a long tradition of professional excellence,” says Raymond Burns, CCE, president and CEO of Rogers - Lowell Area (Ark.) Chamber of Commerce and CCE Commission Chairman.

Crain was one of 21 chamber executives in the nation who earned the CCE designation this year. The CCE program is designed to assess and test the applicant's knowledge of the core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership and communication, and operations.

Candidates are required to submit an application outlining their professional achievements and activities, write two essays, make a formal presentation, complete an intensive interview by a panel of CCEs, and pass a comprehensive four-hour examination. Since the program was initiated more than 40 years ago, approximately 530 individuals have earned this highest designation in the profession. Today there are about 270 active CCEs

Bio for Ali Crain

Ali Crain is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE), the professional society for chamber directors and staff. Her expertise lies in strategic planning, board training and organization, with a love of event planning. She is a 2006 graduate of Institute for Organization Management, a program thru the US Chamber of Commerce that trains chamber professionals, was a Class Advisor at the Midwest location in 2012 & 2013. In 2004 she received the Accredited Chamber Executive designation from KCCE and was recertified in 2011. Ali is a graduate of the 2011 Leadership Kentucky program. Ali was the Assistance Executive Director at Richmond Chamber of Commerce (1999-2006), was the Leadership Madison County executive director from 1996-2005 and a founding member of Leadership Central Kentucky. Ali is an avid reader, loves to cook and enjoys travel.

Established in 1914, the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (www.acce.org) is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,000 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE supports and develops chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities.

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Local Chambers recognized for Excellence

kcce — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:31:00 +0500

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:

2013 Excellence Award Winners

Local Chambers Join in Pension Reform Support

kcce — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:36:00 +0500

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce was joined by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky (AGC) at a press conference in Frankoft on Friday, February 1, to urge legislators to pass comprehensive pension reform during the 2013 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

The Chamber, NFIB and AGC, along with more than 50 otehr business groups (including 31 local chambers and KCCE), co-signed a letter demanding immediate action on pension reform legislation when legislators return to the Capitol on Tuesday.

Click here for the press release and list of co-signers.

TriState China Trip Recap

kcce — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 23:37:00 +0500

by Amy Cloud, Jessamine County Chamber

When I was asked to write an article about our wonderful adventure through China, I had no idea where to start. The trip was amazing. It was eye opening and educational. There were many moments of contrast. My initial thought would be “wow, how beautiful or amazing is this or that” only to be immediately followed by “how do they live that way or why do they do things this way”.

Our hosts were spectacular. The tour guides, Jason and Joe, were funny, entertaining and educated. They were excited to tell us all about their homeland and how great it was to grow up Chinese. Yes, they answered difficult questions but never crossed that line. They are proud of where they come from and want outsiders to understand that passion.

Our first couple of days were spent in Beijing. After dealing with a bit of jet lag – yes, it’s a 12 ½ hour flight from New York, we hit the ground running. We took “tourist” photos of the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the 2008 Olympic Games. We journeyed out of town to the Ming Tombs and tackled the challenge of climbing the Great Wall. And that was just the first day. We visited the Summer Palace with the scenic Kuming Lake, 17 arch bridge and Long Corridor, stood in awe of Tianamen Square, got our workout as we walked three miles through the Forbidden City and were humbled by a rickshaw ride through the Old City and lunch as a guest with a local family. We were in awe at the Chinese handiwork at the Jade and Pearl Factories. Our time in Beijing was capped off with a business dinner as guest of the Director of Tourism.

We flew next to Shanghai and traveled out to Suzhou, a small town by Chinese standards - approximately 1 million residents. There we enjoyed climbing the Hundred Steps at Tiger Hill and “holding up” the leaning tower of China. The day ended with a canal boat ride through a tougher area of town. It was amazing to the group how so many locals wanted our pictures. Not only to take ours but for us to be in photos with their family and friends. We enjoyed another business dinner that night with the Minister of Commerce.

The next morning we enjoyed a tour of the Silk Factory, with lunch in their dining room, and a leisure wander through the Lingering Gardens. Words cannot describe the intricate pathway, water features, plants, sculptures and wooden structures in this garden. That evening we traveled to Hangzhou.

We awoke to a sunny day in Hangzhou where our first adventure was the Buddhist temple. The smell of incense encircled the pathway and we were quickly swept up into the crowds. Some of us took time to pray, others visited the 300 foot Buddha in one of the four temples and others of us (like me) were fortunate to snap a photo with one of the monks. Just a short way down the road was the Green Wheel tea plantation where the group was educated in the harvesting and preparing of green tea. We even learned that the steam from a freshly steeped cup will soothe dry, itching eyes. The rolling hills around us were covered in tea bushes, and with a bright blue sky, it was a perfect day to enjoy the Botanical Gardens. We had the pleasure of walking through these gardens on the way to our site for lunch. After another filling meal, we hurried to West Lake in order to catch our boat tour across the waters. The West Lake adventure married big city and historical charm. In one direction, the passengers could view the skyline of Hangzhou. But a slight turn to the right, there were rolling hills, sailboats and a temple in the distance. Every direction we looked, we spotted arched bridges. This day ended with a drive into Shanghai, were, upon arrival we caught a glimpse of our hotel miles away. Due to the fact that it was lit up with a bright blue outline and that it was one of the tallest buildings.

We awoke to a final full day in China with an incredible roundtable discussion with three Americans currently doing business in China. Two were residents of Shanghai. Many in the group agreed we could have talked with them all day. But the MagLev called for us. The MagLev is the only elevated, magnetic train in the world and at certain times of the day travels over 250 miles per hour. We did not catch it at that speed, but approximately 183 miles per hour seemed to satisfy the group. After that journey out to the Shanghai airport and back, we traveled to the Bund, an incredibly beautiful waterfront park that majestically draws the line between old Shanghai and new. We relaxed there for a mere moment and then headed to the Market. We were prepared to bargain our way from one end to the other. Many of us ended up with a fun experience and some great deals. Dinner was four flights up in one of the market buildings and it was a much needed break. But, there was no rest for this group. As soon as dinner was finished, we hustled to the nearby performance center for a production of the ERA show. A cirque de soleil type production, we sat in awe of the gymnastic, acrobatic, balancing and strength act that took place. What a way to end the day.

An early rise on Sunday morning which was Saturday afternoon back home, saw our group travel by plane from Shanghai to Beijing, Beijing to New York and the all points out from there.

Our group consisted of 44 individuals representing Chamber of Commerce from Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee. One of the greatest parts of the trip were the Americans with me. We learned together about the great historic sites of China, how to speak a bit of Chinese and the best way to barter for gifts to take home. But at the same time, we had ample opportunity to share our Chamber worlds with each other. Over dinner at the Peking Duck Restaurant we chatted about non-dues revenue. Or on the three hour bus ride from Hangzhou to Shanghai, there were many conversations over board nominations, award ceremonies and ambassador programs. Since returning home, I have reconnected with many of my counterparts. We’ve shared photos of our trip as well as plans for our chambers and know that these will be relationships developed through an adventure that will stand the test of time.

Survey Shows More than Half of Kentucky Manufacturers Plan to Hire in 2013

kcce — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:08:00 +0500

Annual Manufacturing Survey Shows 94 Percent of Companies Offer Health Insurance

FRANKFORT AND BOWLING GREEN, KY--Fifty-two percent of Kentucky manufacturers say they plan to hire between one and 19 employees in 2013, according to the recently conducted 2012 Annual Manufacturing Wage and Benefits Survey.

The survey is sponsored by the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet's Department of Workforce Investment and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM), and will be distributed beginning Monday, Nov. 12.

"This study represents data collected from 184 companies in Kentucky representing over 68,000 employees," said Beth Brinly, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Investment. "It gives us a valuable snapshot of what is happening in the manufacturing industry. It shows that manufacturers are pleased with their workforce and that turnover rates remain fairly low."

The survey showed that the positions of manufacturing employees included in the survey made an annualized average of $47,486 in 2012. Most companies that responded to the survey -- 94 percent -- offer health insurance to their employees, while 92 percent of those cover family members as well. Questions about benefits showed that 79 percent of the companies provide nine or more paid holidays per year and 55 percent provide an annual bonus.

"KAM clearly understands the importance of helping the Commonwealth's manufacturing community control costs, especially when making hiring and promotion decisions," said Greg Higdon, KAM president and CEO. "KAM's annual Wage & Benefits Survey Report is a valuable tool for manufacturers to use in their efforts to compensate employees in a fair and competitive manner."

Sixty-four percent of Kentucky manufacturers surveyed are emphasizing education and training in green practices, such as reducing their energy use, making environmentally friendly products, reducing pollution, conserving natural resources and being more cost effective. This number is up 10 percent from last year. New green products are being developed by 32 percent of these companies.

IQS Research of Louisville collaborated with KAM on the development of the wage and benefits survey for Kentucky's manufacturing community. The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet's Department of Workforce Investment, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, Northwest Kentucky Forward, Greater Louisville Inc., Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation and the Foundation for Kentucky Industry also supported the survey this year.

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce assisted in the survey process by contacting existing targeted businesses locally and encouraging participation. Chamber President & CEO Ron Bunch, CEcD said, "Our involvement is part of the commitment we've made to existing businesses. More than three-fourths of new jobs come from existing businesses, and we recognize it is integral to economic growth that we aid them by providing resources and information such as the KAM survey."

Bunch continued, "Our support of the KAM survey was made possible through funding by the Tennessee Valley Authority and Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation. We're very grateful for their support and dedication to economic development here in South Central Kentucky."

In addition to the statewide report, the Department of Workforce Investment worked with KAM to produce a set of regional reports. The information gives manufacturers timely and accurate wage and benefits information such as paid vacation and sick time, health insurance and overtime pay when making hiring and promotion decisions.

To conduct the survey, IQS Research e-mailed invitations to Kentucky manufacturers. Information was collected and compiled from July 2012 - September 2012. Of the employers who participated, 39 percent said that they had fewer than 100 employees. All of the information provided in the report is in aggregate form, so as to not identify individual companies.

Companies were also asked about hiring temporary workers. About 73 percent of the employers currently use temporary staff as compared to 67 percent in the last report. Furthermore, 45 percent of the employers plan to maintain this level.

The manufacturing sector employs about 217,338 people in Kentucky as of March 2012, according to the Department of Workforce Investment.

Visit www.KAM.us.com or call 502-352-2485 for information on how to purchase a copy of the 2012 KAM Wage and Benefits Survey report.

Murray Chamber named Chamber of Year!

kcce — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:30:00 +0500

Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce Wins

2012 Chamber of the Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA (Aug. 6, 2012)--The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) announced that the Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce won the annual “Chamber of the Year” distinction for its revenue category, the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in leading businesses and communities.

The Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce was one of four chambers recognized as “Chamber of the Year” during ACCE’s Annual Awards ceremony at the association’s annual convention in Louisville, Ky. The award is sponsored by WebLink International (www.weblinkinternational.com). The Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce was one of two finalists in its category that has demonstrated success in community leadership and organizational strength by being among the top in the nation for financial and membership growth and making a demonstrable impact on key community priorities in areas such as economic opportunities, education, transportation, healthcare and cultural vitality.

“Having had the honor of being part of an organization that won Chamber of the Year, and now having the opportunity of serving as a judge, I can tell you that the Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce will forever be changed,” says Robert H. Clapper, III, president of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce in Manassas, Va., and chairman of the Chamber of the Year Award Committee. “This national recognition is the ultimate validation and recognition of the Murray-Calloway Chamber’s hard work and commitment to excellence; it will fuel them to push even harder.”

Winning the Chamber of the Year award involves a multi-stage process in which chambers compete with peers of similar size. Chambers qualify by meeting or exceeding various metrics compiled by ACCE through an annual survey of chamber operations including net income, current ratio, net assets, net assets as a percentage of annual expenses, and membership retention.

Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Representing more than 7,000 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE supports and develops chamber professionals to lead businesses and their communities.

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Congratulations to new IOM recipients

kcce — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:57:00 +0500

Congratulations to Lance Allison (Murray-Calloway County Chamber), Amy Cloud (Jessamine County Chamber) and Jessica Thompson (Bowling Green Area Chamber) on receiving their IOM designation from the Southeast Institute of Organization Management! Institute is a program of the U.S. Chamber that equips chambers with innovative ideas to expand their organizations' influence and fosters individual growth through interactive learning and networking. For more information on Institute, click here.

KCCE Awards Multiple Scholarships for National Convention

kcce — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:59:00 +0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ali Crain

502-848-8738

acrain@kychamber.com

KCCE AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP MONEY

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 25, 2012) – The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) announced this week that it was awarding multiple scholarships for the upcoming annual American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Convention. The KCCE board of directors decided a year ago to increase scholarship money to encourage as many members as possible to attend the ACCE Convention to be held in Louisville, August 1-4, 2012. "Our board felt it was important to set aside funding for multiple scholarships to ACCE in order to afford the opportunity to attend a wonderful conference to as many chamber executives as possible," said KCCE chairman Brad Hall. "We are very excited that ACCE will be held in Kentucky this year, and with this scholarship program, we will have many outstanding chamber executives there to represent our state." The board has awarded a total of 13 scholarships, plus reimbursement for 7 individuals one night hotel stay. “I am more than excited about KCCE and the scholarships I have received this year,” says Kristin Woodward, Mayfield Graves Chamber executive director.

The Recipients Include:

Amy Cloud, Jessamine County Chamber

Tara Elder, Grayson County Chamber

Shelley Goodwin, Shelby County Chamber

Deanna Herrmann, London-Laurel County Chamber

Carmen Inman, Frankfort Area Chamber

Fran Jarrell, Paintsville-Johnson County Chamber

Sherry Mulkins, CoAlliance of Business Associations

Bret Reese, Carroll County Chamber

Brad Schneider, Henderson-Henderson County Chamber

Myrna Spratt, Jessamine County Chamber

Harriett Whitaker, Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber

Kristin Woodward, Mayfield-Graves County Chamber

Paula Fowler, Danville-Boyle County Chamber (scholarship provided through partnership with the State Executives Association Network)

KCCE would also like to thank the following investors who donated to the cause: Kentucky Chamber Foundation, Northern Kentucky Chamber, Hardin County Chamber and the Bowling Green Area Chamber.

KCCE is a statewide network of professionals dedicated to promoting professional education, ethical standards and efficiency in chamber of commerce management. The board of directors guides the professional development of chamber executives, employees and volunteers across the state. The organization has been serving chamber professionals for more than 40 years. Visit www.kychamberexecutives.com for additional information.

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is a national association uniquely serving individuals involved in the management of chambers of all sizes. ACCE’s goal is to empower chamber executives with a combination of knowledge, information, networks, connections, and career advancement.

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KCCE Recognizes Local Chambers at Excellence Awards

kcce — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:54:00 +0500

KCCE Awards Winners 2012.doc (26.50 kb)

KCCE Supports Paducah Diffusion Plant

kcce — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:39:00 +0500

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