Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Crowne Plaza - Baton Rouge

Join us for LABI's 2024 Annual Meeting as we bring together the top leaders in business, government, education, and in the community for innovative and thought-provoking conversations. Click here for more information and tickets.

Louisiana Economic Development is making a new form of financial support available to contractors through its Bonding Assistance Program, which Gov. John Bel Edwards relaunched in 2016 to support emerging, minority and women-owned, veteran-owned and other small businesses. A new default mitigation fund will further level the playing field by helping certified small and emerging construction businesses receive bonding at reasonable rates by reducing the surety’s risk. The default mitigation fund will provide recipients up to $40,000 of the current program guarantee, or 10% of the contract price – whichever is less – in mitigation funds. The funds can only be used to prevent default and cannot be used for project mobilization. Contractors must become certified in LED’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program to be eligible for the Bonding Assistance Program guarantees and default mitigation funds. The surety company will issue bonds should the contractor receive a favorable underwriting result. To learn more about the program, visit www.OpportunityLouisiana.gov/BAP or contact Camille Campbell at 225.342.5534 or Camille.Campbell@la.gov.

Registration will open for Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute’s next General Contractors Seminar on January 16, 2024. The 10-week course provides technical knowledge essential for a general contractor working in the construction industry in Louisiana. Topics will include blueprint reading; building calculations; site work, demolition and construction; foundations, formwork and retaining walls; roof structures; structural loads; steel construction; related trades; special construction and equipment; and safety codes. Registration for the course will close on Feb. 23. The course will be offered virtually from Feb. 26 to May 1. It will feature two-hour sessions twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. For additional information or to register for the General Contractors Seminar, click here.

Forbes Management Self Employed Podcast

Are your business owner members leaving money on the table? To find out more, please click here.

Join KLB for a Clean Biz Partnership Enrollment and Update Webinar on January 30

This year, join the 32 chambers and 340 businesses who have committed to keeping Louisiana's business corridors clean. If you aren't already participating in the program, now is the perfect time to sign up to be a Clean Biz Partner with Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Join KLB for a webinar on January 30^th at 10am to hear what's in store for Clean Biz in 2024 and how you can join in . For more information on the program, visit KLB's Clean Biz page. Keep Louisiana Beautiful will provide updates on their 2024 Clean Biz program goals and offerings, as well as Love the Boot Week- an event coinciding with Earth Day which offers business communities a fun opportunity to be a part of the effort towards a clean and beautiful Louisiana.

Register for the webinar here.

We are proud to share that our President, Brian Francis, will be joining the faculty of the US Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management. Brian will likely be teaching Effective Government Affairs Programs, Advocacy and Alliances and PACs and Political Endorsements. Interested in building your advocacy program in 2024? There is still time to enroll in our January cohort of the Advocacy Framework. Visit www.advocacyframework.com to learn more.  

Happy New Year 2024! Starfish Partnerships will be offering chamber staff specific private focus groups in 2024 – for Executives, Membership, Events and Office staff members. Investing in your team not only fosters confidence but also promotes empowerment. Each virtual group can accommodate only 30 participants, ensuring ample time for sharing and deriving maximum benefit. These sessions involve in-depth discussions on outlined topics and includes a 10-15 minute presentation followed by discussions, brainstorming and idea-sharing. It’s less than $25/month and paid annually at only $297.  In addition, I’m offering a study group on the book Lead Like Jesus. The best part? It’s free! The only cost is for you to purchase your book. This opportunity is open to everyone so feel free to share this with your friends too. Register for both of these by January 26^th! You can register here: https://www.starfishpartnerships.com/2024-programs.  I shared the All Things Chamber program information with you in December – look for additional information on it from the state association soon! If you want to explore options for partnerships in 2024, please reach out to me at teri@starfishpartnerships.com. 

The Chamber will host Prosper Acadia | Strategic Planning for Small Business on January 11 at Main Street Patio.

The 2024 Farmers' Appreciation Dinner, sponsored by Supreme Rice, will take place January 18 at the International Rice Festival Building in Crowley. This is a special event that gives us the opportunity to thank the many people who are an integral part of the argicultural community.

We are excited to announce that David Alexander, recently retired as Ascension’s Superintendent of Schools, has accepted the position of CEO and President of the Chamber. He will assume this most important leadership role in January 2024, following the departure of Robert Burgess, who has served as the Interim CEO since October 2022. David led the long time A-rated school system through several complex and difficult challenges over the years and has certainly earned the respect of his government and community peers. We are most fortunate and thankful that the Chamber and its 500 members will be the beneficiary of his professional relationships, skills, and creative thinking. With him at the helm, the Ascension Chamber has a bright future ahead. We thank Robert for his service at what was a critical time for us. He will be a volunteer to help close out some important projects, then he will be on his patio.

The Chamber announced its Annual Meeting presented by Kean Miller will be held on February 2 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge. The event will celebrate the achievements of 2023 and share 2024’s new goals. BRAC partners, investors and non-investors are invited to this regional celebration. Entire teams are encouraged to attend and reserve a table. Register here.

The Chamber recently celebrated its project wins from 2023 at its annual event coined the “Big Wins Bash.” With this year’s project activity, BRAC saw $430 million in capital expenditures and 56 new direct jobs in emerging sectors. Additionally, BRAC saw a combined new jobs total of 520 new jobs across multiple industry sectors such as distribution, energy, chemicals, and consumer products. These jobs build on 2022’s news jobs which totaled 292 in emerging sectors and 286 in its key industries. In addition to these investment and jobs announcements, BRAC shared that over $4 billion in capital investment and over 2,500 jobs were announced in feasibility projects in 2023, mainly in new energy projects.

In collaboration with the Community Development Institute (CDI) Central at the University of Central Arkansas, the Chamber along with LA Tech College of Business and Louisiana Economic Development, is thrilled to host CDI in Bossier City throughout 2024! This three-week training program, designed in partnership with CDI Central, empowers individuals and communities to drive positive economic and social development. Led by Jessica Hemingway, PCED, and Lisa Johnson, alongside faculty from various sectors, students will engage in active learning through lectures, discussions, simulations, and projects. You can register to attend the 2024 sessions here!

Stacy Romero, President & CEO of the Chamber, is one of 35 professionals from 26 states to have been selected to participate in the ninth cohort of the U.S. Chamber’s premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges. Stacy will begin an 8-month long professional journey in February 2024.

The Chamber and the Broussard Chamber Foundation are excited to announce a new program that will support young professionals in our community called the Emerging Leaders Program. Designed to empower the next generation of leaders, participants will have the chance to build leadership skills, be mentored by seasoned professional, challenge and inspire one another to always strive for excellence. We can’t wait to see the positive impact this group will have on our community! Click here to learn more.

BroUSsard Women in Business series is back in 2024 and will feature local businesswomen who will inspire all those in attendance. The first session for 2024 is scheduled for January 18^th and will feature Keesha Buteau and Melissa Bowen. Click here to learn more.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) named the Chamber SWLA / SWLA Economic Development Alliance as its Economic Development Partner of the Year at their 2023 Free Enterprise Award winners. These annual awards recognize LABI members who demonstrate exemplary commitment and contributions to the state’s business climate and their local communities.

The 120th Chamber SWLA Banquet will be held January 18 at the Golden Nugget Casino. The keynote speaker will be Brett Culp, documentary filmmaker.

LACCE is pleased to welcome Paula Lambert, Executive Director, and the Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce as our newest Chamber member!

In December, we were thrilled to celebrate our President, Ruth Lawson, being named to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 2023 Forty Under 40 list of emerging leaders shaping the chamber of commerce industry. This annual recognition program showcases forty of the industry’s top emerging leaders who have demonstrated success in their careers and made significant contributions to the communities they serve. We are proud to have Ruth leading the way in making Jefferson Parish the best place to live, work, and thrive!

Our membership team worked tirelessly this year providing opportunities for businesses to network and grow. This month, we held our Holiday Networking Social in partnership with the Gretna Economic Development Association (GEDA). In total this year we delivered almost 200 new member packages, held 48 ribbon cuttings, and hosted 16 membership networking events.

We are looking forward to 2024 and all the opportunities that await us. Our first signature event of the new year will be our Annual Meeting being held on February 6, 2023.

Ashley Hilsman, Executive VP, was named Forty Under 40 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). In her current role, Ashley provides leadership, guides staff on Chamber initiatives, advises on budgets and finance and identifies mission-focused special projects. Ashley's dedication to enhancing the Chamber's impact over her tenure is evident in her innovative programs to keep chamber members connected with each other and key stakeholders.

ACCE also recently highlighted Sandra Lombana Lindquist, President & CEO, in their Chamber Executive magazine.

The Chamber recently announced the 2024 executive committee that will lead the organization into its 20^th year of service. Roderic F. Teamer, Sr., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, will serve as chair.

A significant milestone awaits the Chamber 2024: 20 years of dedicated service to the business community of Greater New Orleans. Our 20th anniversary is an occasion to commemorate our journey and contributions while sharing our vision for a future full of impact. For two decades, the Chamber has been the catalyst behind countless connections, partnerships, and collaborations. As we evaluate what the next 20 years will look like for the Chamber, strategic plans are underway to continue the growth of our network because local businesses are the backbone of a strong economy and the New Orleans way of life.

Biz New Orleans Magazine published a guest perspective from the St. Tammany Chamber’s President and CEO Lacey Osborne. Titled “Northshore Organizations Join Force to Combat ‘Brain Drain,’” the article discusses how seven organizations with a focus on the Northshore have built a coalition to make the most of each entity’s strengths for the benefit of the entire Northshore region. Click here to read the article.

On December 7, the Chamber held a holiday business-after-hours event in Slidell presented by Silver Slipper Casino Hotel. View photos here. And on December 15, Banner Ford in Mandeville hosted a holiday business-after-hours event. View photos here.

The Chamber’s Northshore Young Professionals capped off 2023 by gathering donations and setting up their tree in celebration of the Northshore Food Bank’s “Christmas Tree Kickoff!”

On January 16, the Chamber will hold its Installation and Awards Luncheon to recognize outgoing board members for their dedication and welcome incoming board members. It is also when Tammany and Community Leadership awards will be presented—and Member of the Year, Committee of the Year and Board Member of the Year will be recognized. The luncheon is presented by the Chamber’s President Level investors. Click here for more information.

AskACCE - Free Online Q&A Service

With ACCE’s far-reaching network of members, we are able to collect and share innovative best practices and industry benchmarks. If you are struggling with a chamber management challenge, ACCE is here to help. AskACCE, our free online Q&A service, is an exclusive benefit of your chamber’s membership. Click here for a few questions our team answered recently. 

Effective Emergency Response Plans

If current events have taught us one thing it is this: emergencies DO happen. As a result, insurance premiums for many facilities are skyrocketing, the cost of defending against lawsuits is rising, and regulatory agencies are paying closer attention to industries’ preparedness programs. Anticipating emergencies and planning your response can greatly lessen the extent of injuries and limit equipment, material and property damage. Click here to read the blog.