Getting back to our roots

Business professionals by day. Buzz makers by night.

Who are these unmasked super heroes defending the

image and quality of our business community? They

are MCC’s Ambassadors Regional. Capable of scaling

tall buildings of doubt. Faster than the word of our

legislators. Stronger than the winds of recession.

Ambassadors Regional serve a three-fold purpose: the

braintrust for programming and events, the buzz

makers for the businesses in our region, and the

champion connectors for the community.

“We don’t serve the chamber. We serve its mission to

connect businesses and create commerce,” says

current Ambassador Chair Phil Lavelle, Jr. “One way to

do this is to invite and encourage more participation

around the region.”

The Ambassadors Regional meet monthly at locations

around the county to learn about and better promote

hosting entities.

“I love meeting these businesses around the county,

“says Ruth Pritchett of Anderson University and an

Ambassador Regional. “We learn more about

organizations who host us and then go out and create

buzz about what they are doing!”

Ambassadors Regional attend and encourage others

to attend chamber and county-wide events and then

work to facilitate introductions. These events include

the Wake Up Breakfast, Get Linked Expo, Mad9

Mixers, Young Professional Group events, ribbon

cuttings, and more.

Do you have what it takes to be an Ambassador

Regional? > getlinkedmadison.com/ambassadors-

regional

April 1, 2011

Approximately 60

years ago, a few

business leaders in

Scottsdale (AZ) were

frustrated with the

slow progress in local

government to build

the highways required to satisfy the

demands of commerce. These

business leaders had some ideas on

how to improve the local economy by

building the infrastructure and

providing the tools needed for local

commerce to bloom in the desert. As

these business forefathers found

common ground, they decided to

concrete their relationship by forming

a coalition that later became the

chamber of commerce serving

Scottsdale.

From my research, many early

chambers – like the Scottsdale

Chamber – were born out of the

necessity to aid local government in

providing the right tools and

infrastructure for good commerce and

voicing the opinion of the business

community. Over the years, chambers

adopted other models such as

merging or forming convention and

visitor bureaus to attract more

customers to their business

communities, or economic

development initiatives to bring more

companies to the area. More recently,

chambers have formed because a few

local business owners saw it as a way

to self-promote.

Today, most chambers of our size offer

similar packages of networking

programs, educational training or

workshops, and a lot of membership

drives.

Question: what chamber model works

in today’s hyper-connected, social-

media driven, global economy? For

example, now that I have LinkedIn and

Facebook, BNI, and roundtables,

why do I need my local

chamber of

commerce? After all, most

cities/states have their own economic

development partners or

departments. I already get several

calls a week asking me to support one

initiative or another, why back my

chamber of commerce?

Let’s look to our

roots for some

answers. As issues

came forth in

Anderson a

hundred years ago,

business leaders

came together to solve it, and a

chamber of commerce was born. The

foundation blocks of this chamber

include: 1) leadership, 2) finding

common ground in the business

community, and 3) tackling the issues

impeding economic growth.

It’s not about a mixer. It’s about

connecting people to create

commerce. It’s not about an annual

dinner. It’s about celebrating and

toasting the positive among us. It’s

not about sitting on a committee. It’s

about finding common ground and

solving the issues of the day. It’s not

about a membership drive. It’s about

driving our mission to cultivate,

protect, and prosper our economy in

Madison County.

It’s about people.

Connecting Business. Creating Commerce.

Put your business in the hands

of 800 plus decision

makers for only $199. You print it and fold it, we’ll mail it.

Save on cost of mailing through

this unique, shared medium.

Contact Rita Puckett

rita@getlinkedmadison.com

GETLINKEDMADISON

Madison County Chamber | 2701 Enterprise Dr. #109 | Anderson, IN 46013 | 765.642.0264 | www.getlinkedmadison.com

> Join the conversation: facebook.com/madisoncountychamberceo

Powered by:

Kyle Morey, CEO

April 4 | 8 am to 9 am

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Meet the players. Know the issues. Share your opinion. State legislators will present their views and entertain questions from attendees. Co-presented by League of Women Voters.

Cost: Complimentary

Where: Anderson Public Library, 111 E 12th St

April 21 | 7:00 am to 8:30 am

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Connect at the longest standing, most talked about, largest business networking event in Madison County. Linking business

professionals from around the region to create commerce.

Cost: $15 (includes admission and breakfast buffet)

Where: Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, exit 21 off I-69

April 21 | 9:00 am to 10:00 am

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Wellness in the WorkPlace with Dr. Gary Young

Cost: $10 (includes admission, coffee/water, and materials)

Where: Flagship Enterprise Center, 2701 Enterprise Dr., Anderson

April 27 | Noon to 1 pm

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through a business social event with or without background through a business social event with or without background music. music. Join Kyle Morey, CEO of Madison County Chamber, as he demonstrates the right way to work a room that produces results. Caution: you may at times want to tap your foot.

Cost: Complimentary (limited to 50 attendees)

Where: Flagship Enterprise Center, 2701 Enterprise Dr, Anderson

April 28 | 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

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A high-level networking event presented by the Mad9. Meet business and civic leaders from around the county and the nine

organizations behind the scenes of business growth.

Cost: Complimentary

Where: Beyond the Greens, 9273 W 1050 N, Elwood

Upcoming Events Register > www.getlinkedmadison.com

Warmer weather is coming...time to golf! I saw the crocuses bloom a few days ago. You know what that means

… spring is on its way! Finally! And that means

it’s time to get out your golf clubs and practice

for the annual Madison County Chamber/United

Way of Madison County Golf Classic.

The MCC staff is excited to co-organize this 4th

annual event with our local United Way chapter.

Last year’s tournament raised over $24,000 in

support of MCC and United Way programs! And

we can do even better this year with your help.

While you’re dusting off your clubs, think about

how nice it would be to spend a July morning or afternoon golfing

with your best clients as they see your logo throughout the

tournament supporting two highly regarded and active Madison

County organizations. Hoosier Park Racing and Casino has

generously signed on as our Presenting Sponsor, but we have plenty

of opportunities available!

Sponsorship packages are available from $1200 for a Gold Sponsor

(includes 2 teams and tons of publicity) to $125 for a hole or tee

sponsor – something for everyone to get involved! Just want to play?

Foursomes are just $500 and include 4 entries in the contest

package.

So how about it? Golf with purpose! Sign up today to get great

publicity for your company, support the work of two Madison County

organizations, and reserve your team’s spot in either the morning or

afternoon flight. We’ll see you on the links!

Who: You and Your Best Employees & Clients

What: MCC/United Way Golf Classic

When: July 8, 2011 – First Flight 7:30 AM | Second Flight 12:30 PM

Where: Meadowbrook Golf Course, 3429 S. Madison Ave., Anderson

Why: Golf with purpose!

Find out more at > www.getlinkedmadison.com

Madison County Chamber | 2701 Enterprise Dr. #109 | Anderson, IN 46013 | 765.642.0264 | www.getlinkedmadison.com