The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce will host
this year's Central LA Day at the Legislature on
Wednesday, May 13, 2015.
2014 Central Louisiana Day at the Legislature
Central LA Day will once again provide Chamber members with an opportunity to hear from state legislators and to weigh in on vital issues. The agenda begins at 11:00 a.m. with a briefing by members of the Central Louisiana State Legislative Delegation in a Senate Committee Room that will be announced at a later date. Following lunch on your own, the group will be greeted by Gov. Bobby Jindal in the 4th Floor Press Room at 2:45 p.m. Then join us in the Capitol Rotunda at 3:15 p.m. to visit the House and Senate floors to be recognized as a group.
Following events at the State Capitol during the day, the Chamber will host a legislative reception at City Club in downtown Baton Rouge. The event will be from 6:00 (or upon adjournment of the House and Senate) until 8:00 p.m. with the entire legislature invited to attend.
The Chamber is seeking sponsors for the event. Sponsors will be listed on the invitation that will go to each member of the legislature and other statewide officials. Cost of sponsorship is $700.00. If your company would like to be a sponsor for the reception please email [email protected] or contact the Chamber at 442-6671.
The full schedule for the daytime events at the Capitol will be announced soon. Thanks for your consideration, and we look forward to seeing you in Baton Rouge.
5 Phrases That Should NEVER Be in Your Business Vocabulary:
1. "We can't do that."
What a negative response! Maybe something can be done with the right attitude. Few things are impossible. In fact, with the right attitude, it is amazing what can be accomplished.
What to say instead: "We'll see if we can do that."
2. "We'll get to it later."
Procrastination is never a remedy in business; it is nothing more than a delay tactic. Satisfied customers and loyal employees are not interested in waiting. When dealing with their concerns, they want someone to have a sense of urgency in handling their situation.
What to say instead: "We'll take care of that ASAP."
3. "It's not that important."
To a customer or employee, their needs are very important! The most important customer or employee a business has is the one they are dealing with at the present time.
What to say instead: "I certainly understand the importance of this."
4. "Why so many questions?"
Yes, we all know that some people ask many more questions than others, but they still need answers. If they're asking a question, it's important for them to receive an answer.
What to say instead: "I'm happy to answer your questions."
5. "Why doesn't he take his business elsewhere?"
This is just the attitude a business owner never wants from his employees! Rather than helping to build a long-term sustainable, successful business, this attitude does just the opposite.
What to say instead: "We're thankful for all business."
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce. Don't forget to add [email protected] to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!
Sincerely,
The Central LA Chamber of Commerce
IT'S TIME TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET!
It's time to roll out the red carpet! The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Awards provide local businesses the opportunity to celebrate and be recognized for their achievements. Organized by the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce
, the awards shine a spotlight on business in Central Louisiana.
Starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 members of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce can nominate themselves or other members for each of the 12 awards categories. Businesses may enter or be nominated in more than one category; however there is an entry fee for each category nomination. Nominations will be accepted online until Friday, May 1 at 4:00PM. Ballots will be sent out to all Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce representatives for voting. Votes are then tallied and the winners announced at the awards dinner Friday, June 12, 2015, at the Sai Convention Center in Alexandria.
Dinner seats are $65 each. You also have the opportunity to sponsor a table for $700. Tables seat 10. Table sponsors will also receive name recognition inside the event program. You may purchase tickets
here. Please RSVP for the event by Friday, June 5.
For more information on the 3rd Annual Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Awards please click
here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor $5,000 Limit 1
Two tables of 10 each with premium placement at the awards ceremony.
Prominent logo placement as the exclusive Presenting Sponsor of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Awards on all promotional materials
Back cover, full page ad on event program
Sponsor recognition from the podium at the event as well as on the event visual program
Opportunity for company spokesperson to speak from the stage at the beginning of the event to welcome attendees.
Gold Sponsor $3,500 Limit 5
One reserved table of 10 with prominent placement at the awards ceremony.
Logo placement on promotional materials
Half page, inside back cover ad in event program
Sponsor recognition from the podium at the event
Logo recognition in event visual program
Silver Sponsor $1,750 Limit 10
One reserved table of 10 with preferred placement at the awards ceremony
? page ad in event program
Sponsor recognition from the podium at the event
Name recognition in event visual program
Table Sponsor $700
Reserved table for 10 at the awards ceremony
Name recognition in event program
How To Enter
Deadline: Friday, May 1, 2015 at 4:00 PM
Any member of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is eligible to be considered for a Central Louisiana Business Award in one or more categories. Entries must be submitted online by 4:00 PM, Friday, May 1, 2015. All entries must include a short essay explaining why the organization should be recognized as a 2015 Bizzy Award Winner, and include the organization's logo. All entrants must pay the $25/entry fee by the May 1 deadline in order for their entry to be reviewed by the Central Louisiana Business Awards committee. The award committee will review each paid application, and then nominate 5 entrants in each of the 12 categories. Each business member of the Chamber will then receive a ballot containing the nominations. Each business member will vote on each category and submit a completed ballot per number of chamber representatives to the Chamber office by the ballot deadline date. The Central Louisiana Business Awards committee will tally all ballots, which will represent 20% of the vote for each category, with the remaining 80% from the committee. Winners will be announced at the Central Louisiana Business Awards Ceremony on June 12, 2015.
Why enter the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Awards? Because it is the only fun, competitive awards program that showcases businesses in central Louisiana. This event is for chamber members, by chamber members. There's a red carpet, semi-formal attire, and a lot of friendly competition. All proceeds go toward the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce programs and services for its members.
Award-winning organizations receive a crystal statuette, and are eligible to publicize their achievement and display the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Award symbol on their marketing and promotional materials, including packaging and promotion of their award-winning products and services. Please not that use of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Awards name is only permitted with written approval from the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commence.
Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce's April Strategic Luncheon featured the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition and its Executive Director, Kendra Gauthier. Gauthier. Gauthier discussed the importance of identifying, advocating, and mobilizing community resources to ensure all people in Central Louisiana have access to stable homes. A special presentation was made by Mark Atwood, owner of Atwood's Bakery, Embers, Crave and the Sandwich Shop, regarding how offering a hand up to homeless members of our community benefited his business.
FOUR CENTRAL LOUISIANA MANUFACTURERS HONORED AT RECEPTION
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) hosted a reception honoring Crest/Distran, Hayes Manufacturing, Manchac Technologies, and Bill Lewis Lures as national manufacturing award recipients on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at The Gem in Downtown Alexandria.
Manchac Technologies, Crest/Distran, and Hayes Manufacturing are Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership Award Winners for 2015. The central Louisiana manufacturers will be honored by Frost & Sullivan's Manufacturing Leadership Council on June 4, 2015, at a gala celebration that concludes the eleventh annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit in Carlsbad, CA. Manchac Technologies will receive the New Product Leadership Award, Crest/Distran the Customer Value Leadership Award and Hayes Manufacturing Company will be honored for Innovation Process Leadership.
Bill Lewis Lures was honored at the reception. The company is one of 20 small businesses nationwide to receive the $150,000 Mission Main Street Grant from JP Morgan Chase.
CHAMBER WELCOMES GEN. MCGUIRE NEW FORT POLK COMMANDER
Commander of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk changed hands March 27 at Fort Polk's Warrior Field, with Lt. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue, deputy commanding general, Army Forces Command, serving as the senior commander for the ceremony. Brig. Gen. William B. Hickman relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Timothy P. McGuire. But the change of command was not the only highlight of the morning.
Brig. Gen. Timothy McGuire
General Hickman was informed that the U.S. Senate confirmed the major general promotion list and that he was on that list. This will be Hickman's second star, coming as he departs Fort Polk to become the deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Central Command/Third U.S. Army, Kuwait. Hickman was the JRTC and Fort Polk commanding general for 28 months.
"We congratulate General Hickman and express the Chamber's appreciation for his leadership during his tenure," said Deborah Randolph, Chamber President. "We are looking forward to working with the new commander, General McGuire to support the mission of Fort Polk and its soldiers and families."
Brigadier General McGuire graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Diplomatic and Strategic History from West Point, a Master's in International Relations as an Olmstead Scholar from the University of Chile, and a Master's in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.
CENTRAL LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS 2015 SPRING LACCE CONFERENCE
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce will host the 2015 Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) Spring Conference in Alexandria-Pineville from April 22-24, 2015.
"LACCE is a valuable organization that serves as a platform for chamber executives and board leadership to share information and resources, and to work collectively to address issues of vital importance to the businesses and industries we serve," said Deborah Randolph, President, Central LA Chamber and LACCE Board Member.
The LACCE Spring Conference will include two presentations by David Aaker, U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management faculty member, author, nationally known motivational speaker and trainer on customer service. There will also be presentations by the U.S. Chamber, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the England Authority, as well as round table discussions. The conference will be held at AEX, with evening events taking place at the Alexandria Museum of Art and Kent House.
"It has been well over a decade since the LACCE conference was held in Alexandria-Pineville," said Randolph. "We are looking forward to showcasing our region."
LACCE's membership is composed of chambers of commerce throughout the state. The association is headquartered in the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) building in Baton Rouge. LABI serves as Louisiana's state chamber.
