Issue Forums

Dig in deep with the experts! On Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1, you and your peers will hear from speakers who will address topics impacting your communities and your professional development, including: immigration, economic development, leadership, networking, and more. Choose from four different Issue Forums each day!

Thursday, July 31

Solving the One Chamber Problem that Makes All Other Problems Easier

Gary Harpst Founder & CEO Six Disciplines Corporation Author, Six Disciplines for Excellence and Execution Revolution Knowing what chamber members value all comes down to understanding the biggest problem in business: executing strategy. The good news? You can do both planning and doing at the same time. Focusing your chamber activities/results to deliver what members value is the key to overcoming this challenge. Hear Gary detail the elements of a complete strategy execution program and clarify why such a program will become a mainstream requirement for successful businesses and chambers in the future.

 

The Secrets of Positive Networking ®

Gayle Hallgren-Rezac Networking expert Co-author, Work the Pond!

Judy Thomson Networking expert Co-author, Work the Pond!    The chamber is the logical center of networking in the community—or should be—but there is a huge challenge. When polling chamber audiences, networking experts Gayle Hallgren-Rezac and Judy Thomson find that 80% don’t like networking. If members find networking stressful, that’s a problem. But, it’s one that can be easily solved by learning the networking skills. Based on the seven steps from the best-selling book Work the Pond!, attendees will learn ‘the world’s best definition of networking’ and why it works; how to get over ‘networking nervosas;’ how to start a conversation with a perfect stranger; how to follow up; and how to teach these skills to your members.

 

Perform Like a Champion Every Day

Aaron Davis Chief Operations Officer Thomas Group Author, 10 Minute Truths Champions on the field of play and champions in the work force have the same characteristics and habits. Successful individuals (champions) all understand what it takes to perform with purpose and passion. Aaron’s real life examples of adversity, leadership, team building and customer service will equip listeners with tips and techniques on how to think, perform and live like a champion both personally and professionally!

Beyond the Rhetoric: Immigration Reform in America

Jeff Moseley President & CEO Greater Houston (TX) Partnership

Roy Williams President & CEO Greater Oklahoma City (OK) Chamber of Commerce Immigration is the most divisive public policy issue in America today. If you’re not convinced, tune in to talk radio or check out your state’s legislative agenda. In 2007, 1,562 immigration bills were introduced in all 50 states and 240 were enacted into law. Over 350 state level immigrationrelated bills were proposed in just the first two months of 2008! Multiple failed attempts at federal reform have fueled public rhetoric and prompted states to pass their own, often heavily punitive, immigration laws. Find out how state level immigration laws are impacting local economies and learn what you can do to push for meaningful reform.

 

Friday, August 1

Does Marketing Really Take a Megaphone?

Tate Linden President and Chief Thingnamer, Stokefire Consulting Group, Inc.   Tate Linden is the spark plug for Stokefire's creative engine. Quite simply, he’s in the business of “naming stuff.” In Tate’s career he's been responsible for the launch of more than sixty products and services and for more than a hundred names and taglines. Tate will share with you the common misconceptions that dampen marketing and messaging effectiveness. He’ll also show you how paying attention to the way you frame your message can be far more important than the money you spend to promote it. Take a look at naming, taglines, marketing campaigns, logos and other common tools available to marketers, and learn how each can add or detract from the brand. After hearing Tate’s presentation, your messages will make your audiences not only take notice, but also take action.

 

Promoting and Generating Growth with Your Governor

The Honorable Joseph Manchin, III Governor, State of West Virginia  Other Governors TBA Hear it directly from the source: learn how governors work to promote economic development and strengthen the state’s business climate. Also, find out how chamber leaders can partner with their respective governors' offices and other state officials to promote common economic development goals. Join us for this exciting panel discussion featuring West Virginia Governor Joseph Manchin. Other panelists to be confirmed.

 

God Is a Salesman: Learn from the Master

Mark Stevens Founder & CEO of MSCO Author, Your Marketing Sucks; Your Management Sucks; and God Is a Salesman   Known for delivering business insights with blunt truths and unconventional wisdom, Mark applies the principles of the world’s great religions to illustrate how to ‘learn from the master’ in order to transform “transactional” business to “relationship-based” business. By employing the power of faith, trust, and loyalty, Mark believes that we can and should employ the ultimate example, God, and the world’s great religions to ‘sell’ anything. After this presentation, you may just find yourself redefining the way you do business, changing your focus from transactions to relationships, listening instead of speaking, and understanding that faith and loyalty are second to none.

 

Regenerating Healthy Urban Communities for the 21st Century

John L. Knott, Jr. President & CEO The Noisette Company   Naval realignment in 1995 left the city of North Charleston, South Carolina with a 3,000-acre area in drastic need of redevelopment. In a unique public-private partnership, the city joined forces with the Noisette Company to outline a comprehensive plan to attract jobs, improve services, restore environmental quality, promote recreation, reduce crime and generally revitalize the area. This approach stresses environmental, economic and social balance to promote long term vitality for the community. John L. Knott, Jr., president and CEO of the Noisette Company, will discuss the practice of regenerating healthy urban communities for the 21st century.