Media Center
Stay Informed
At the Columbus Chamber, we always strive to keep you informed. Stay up to date with the latest happenings by reading our media coverage, press releases, and newsletters.
To arrange an interview with a member of the Columbus Chamber team, contact:
Michelle Bretscher, APR
Director, Marketing and Communication
614.225.6941
michelle_bretscher@columbus.org
- LogisticsAdvocacy
Press Release
Chamber Announces Director of Columbus Region Logistics Council
Columbus, OH (Feb. 8, 2012) – The Columbus Chamber announces the appointment of Jeff Zimmerman as Director of the Columbus Region Logistics Council (CRLC), an initiative of the Columbus Chamber and industry-led group which serves as the catalyst for the growth of the region’s logistics capability.
Zimmerman will drive the CRLC’s efforts, serving as the industry’s chief advocate and focusing on the strategic areas of infrastructure, workforce and education, technology and business environment. He comes to the CRLC with extensive business development experience and a proven track record as a business executive with Boise Cascade and later with Office Max. “Our region’s logistics industry is at a pivotal point, as we build upon our strong foundation and work together to take Columbus to the next level,” said John Ness, owner/president of ODW Logistics, and chair of the Columbus Region Logistics Council. “I have no doubt that Jeff will be a great addition to the CRLC. His commitment to investing in this industry, as well as his professionalism, will greatly benefit our mission.” Presently, more than 80 firms are council members, including third-party logistics providers, companies, professional services firms and educational institutions. “I am excited to join the Chamber in support of the Columbus Region Logistics Council to ensure Columbus offers a world-class logistics infrastructure that creates a significant cost and service advantage for logistics operations in the Columbus Region,” said Zimmerman. “I hope to use my experience to help grow CRLC membership, foster member engagement and ensure that meetings and events are useful and reflect the importance of the region’s logistics industry.”Zimmerman became a certified logistics associate at Columbus State Community College and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the State University College at Buffalo in New York. He also sits on the board of directors for the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio and is a graduate of Leadership Columbus.
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About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit www.columbus.org. - Chamber
Press Release
Columbus Chamber Announces 2012 Annual Meeting, Keynote Speaker
Columbus, OH (Jan. 23, 2012) – The Columbus Chamber has announced its 2012 Annual Meeting will take place February 22 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s Battelle Grand. Full breakfast and networking kick off at 7:30 a.m., with the program running from 8 to 9 a.m.
The theme of the meeting will be “it starts with us” – emphasizing the organization’s intensified commitment to strengthening businesses in the Columbus Region. “This is a new Columbus Chamber. Think of us as a connector or navigator helping to accelerate business,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber. “Our Annual Meeting will be a vibrant celebration, officially launching our new brand, new service-based approach to membership and new resources to help businesses thrive.” Nancy Kramer, founder and chairman of Resource Interactive, will deliver the meeting’s keynote address. “As we considered our theme, ‘it starts with us,’ we knew it was integral for our keynote speaker to be from right here in Central Ohio. Nancy Kramer represents one of the region’s greatest business successes, and we look forward to hearing her inspirations and insights,” Dalby said. Kramer has built Resource Interactive into an award-winning, nationally recognized agency – both for its creative work and its unique culture. Her marketing experience and impact coincide with great moments in technology marketing history, from Apple as the agency’s first client to the first live streaming of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to the launch of Off The Wall – the first-ever fully integrated social commerce experience. Additionally, “Historic Columbus – A Bicentennial History” – a commemorative history book showcasing Columbus’ past two centuries, in honor of the city’s bicentennial celebration – will be sold on-site at the Annual Meeting. Author and local historian Ed Lentz will be signing copies of the book, which retails for $49.95. Tickets for this year’s Annual Meeting are $75 for individuals or $750 for a table of 10 (Columbus Chamber members) and $90 for individuals or $900 for a table of 10 (non members). Those interested in attending can register by visiting www.Columbus.org/annualmeeting and clicking on the “registration” tab under the event description.###
About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit www.columbus.org. -
Press Release
Columbus Chamber Releases 2012 Public Policy Agenda
Columbus, OH (Jan. 9, 2012) – The Columbus Chamber today announced the release of its 2012 Public Policy Agenda, which addresses immediate advocacy challenges and goals for its member businesses with a stake in local, state and/or federal government issues. The agenda serves as an evolving document, meant to identify key issues and planned Chamber initiatives that align with each.
“Advocacy is a vital part of the Columbus Chamber’s mission, with our main objectives to educate our members on key government issues, build relationships between our members and legislators, and create capital for the region’s business community,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. “The Public Policy Agenda helps us to stay on top of immediate needs and track progress in finding solutions to each challenge.” The Public Policy Agenda is compiled with input from the Chamber’s 2,000 members and expertise from the organization’s Government Affairs Steering Committee. It is a “rolling” agenda, which will be updated as new issues and priorities come about. The initial 2012 agenda includes the following priorities: -Local regulatory issues including permitting, customer service, zoning, taxes and reforming the Columbus Stormwater Manual -Statewide reforms ranging from workers’ compensation and workforce development to energy and infrastructure investments. The state’s Ohio Medical Corridor also will be a focus in 2012. -Federal-level projects focusing on transportation and infrastructure, healthcare reform and workforce development. Visit Columbus.org for more information and resources regarding the Chamber’s advocacy initiatives, including events, Government Affairs Steering Committee members and the Columbus Chamber Prosperity Project. A full version of the Chamber’s 2012 Public Policy Agenda is available here.###
About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit www.columbus.org. - Regional InitiativesChamber
Press Release
Columbus Chamber Offers Historic Book to Commemorate City's Bicentennial
Columbus, OH (Jan. 12, 2012) – Just in time to celebrate the city’s bicentennial, the Columbus Chamber announced that “Historic Columbus – A Bicentennial History,” a commemorative history book showcasing Columbus’ past two centuries, is available for purchase. The 200-page coffee table book, published in partnership with the city of Columbus, retails for $49.95.
“We’re proud to help celebrate the city’s rich history and showcase 200 years of business achievements that have shaped the Columbus Region into the regional economic development center it is today,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. “The Chamber has been a major driver in the region since 1884, and we hope to continue our commitment to local businesses for years to come.” Written by local historian and educator, Ed Lentz, “Historic Columbus” contains hundreds of photographs, illustrations, maps and other images, many of which have never before been in print. Also included is a “Sharing The Heritage” section, chronicling the histories of many of Columbus’ leading corporations and organizations that have played a role in the development and economic strength of the city. In addition to being available at shop.200Columbus.com, the book is being sold on-site at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting Feb. 22 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s Battelle Grand. Lentz, who teaches Ohio history at several local colleges and universities and has studied the history of central Ohio for the past 40 years, will be signing copies of the book at the event.###
About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit www.columbus.org. - Regional InitiativesChamberBusiness Advancement
Press Release
Chamber Adds Government Relations Staff, Appoints New Chair
Columbus, OH (Jan. 3, 2012) – The Columbus Chamber today announced the hiring of Kristen Easterday as director of local government relations, and the appointment of Barbara Benham, senior vice president and director of government relations for Huntington Bancshares, Inc., as chair of its government affairs steering committee.
“The addition of Easterday, who will focus specifically on local government relations, takes the Chamber’s commitment to public policy one step further by dedicating resources to cultivate local relationships and stay on top of legislative issues affecting our members,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO of the Chamber. “We’re also proud to appoint Benham, a driving force in the region’s government relations industry, to a key position on the government affairs steering committee. Her knowledge and experience will help to educate members on issues impacting their businesses.” In her position, Easterday will advocate for business-centered economic growth policies to members of local governments and will assist Michael Hartley, vice president of government relations, with informing Chamber members of public policy issues. Easterday previously served as the executive director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Office of Farmland Preservation, and as the finance coordinator for Michelle M. Mills for Columbus City Council. She completed her undergraduate studies at Ohio University and earned a master’s degree in public administration at The George Washington University. As the new chair for the Chamber’s government affairs steering committee, Benham will collaborate with the 40-member committee to evaluate and provide recommendations regarding public policy issues affecting business owners in the region. Benham also will be involved in the Chamber’s annual Government Day event, which connects business leaders and policymakers to discuss issues that are important to the economic growth and development of the Columbus Region. The Chamber’s government relations initiatives are designed to support businesses and the development of the Columbus Region. In the past, the organization’s efforts have helped the region to secure millions of dollars from the federal government to improve the infrastructure at Rickenbacker, an important area for the growing logistics sector; save thousands of jobs at the Defense Supply Center Columbus; and positively affect state regulations. The Chamber facilitates dialogue between business and government leaders and connects local businesses with resources to improve their ability to do business.###
About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit http://www.columbus.org.
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Press Release
Columbus Chamber Announces New Webinar Series
Columbus, OH – The Columbus Chamber will launch its new Smart Edge Professional Development Webinar Series in 2012 to provide business-critical, easy-access educational opportunities for members. The monthly sessions, which focus on a variety of small-business-focused topics, will be presented by fellow Chamber members and Chamber staff.
The webinar series is one way the Chamber is working to deliver even greater value to its members. “We’ve received positive feedback on the educational sessions available at the annual Small Business Forum, so we wanted to extend that offering with a more frequent and accessible option for members to interact and learn about key issues facing their businesses,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. “By featuring industry thought leaders and sharing useful tips and tactics, these webinars will arm our members with information they can use to take their businesses to the next level.” The monthly sessions will occur at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month. The first several sessions will focus on the following topics:- January 10 – “Achieving Success with an Advisory Board” presented by Mary McCarthy & Caroline Worley, Your Management Team
- February 14 – “Leading: Be Your B.E.S.T.” presented by Pat Hicks, Outcomes Management Group
- March 13 – “Is it Time to Transform Your Marketing Plan? Eight Critical Tweaks” presented by Chris Adams, Bascom & Adams
- April 10 -- “General Financing Options for Small and Emerging Businesses” presented by Tom Washbush & Ted Motheral, Benesch Law
- May 8 – “The Human Age: Attracting and Retaining Talent for Small Business” presented by Ken Lazar, Experis
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About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit http://www.columbus.org/. - Membership
Press Release
Columbus Chamber to launch CEO Straight Talks Program
COLUMBUS, OH (Dec. 6, 2011) -- In 2012, the Columbus Chamber will launch a new program to unite and empower the region’s CEOs. The CEO Straight Talk Roundtable series will provide a venue for business CEOs to meet and engage with each other, address their issues, experiences and challenges, and determine opportunities to take their businesses to the next level.
"Like an informal board of advisors, CEO Straight Talk Roundtables will challenge business leaders to exceed goals and brainstorm solutions,” said Somers Martin, director, business development services, Columbus Chamber. “Participants will benefit from the collective wisdom of the group and gain practical advice in a confidential setting. And because they will represent non-competing organizations, they can offer different perspectives and help discover new opportunities to accelerate their businesses.” Each roundtable will consist of 10 to 12 business owners who will meet monthly for confidential sharing. These sessions will be led by facilitators, and the topics will cover critical issues including finance, marketing, employee relations, production and accessing new markets. There also will be opportunities to engage industry leaders. Registration is now open for the CEO Straight Talk. For more information, download the registration form. For more information about the Columbus Chamber’s CEO Straight Talk Roundtables, contact Somers Martin, director business development services, at somers_martin@columbus.org or 614.225.6919. - MembershipRegional InitiativesBusiness Advancement
Press Release
Chamber Unveils What Makes Columbus Cool for Young, Talented
Refresh of 2007 survey shows overall increase in audience’s perceptions of improvement
Columbus, OH – (Oct. 26, 2011) – The young and talented choose to make the Columbus Region home because of its amenities, vitality and social engagement, according to results of the Columbus Chamber’s 2011 survey: “What Makes Columbus ‘Cool’ for the Young and Talented.” Feedback from the more than 1,000 respondents, which showed definite perception shifts from a previous survey, was unveiled at tonight’s State of the Young Professional (YP) event.
“The young professional audience makes up a significant portion of the Columbus Region’s workforce and entrepreneurial community, making them a vital component to the Chamber’s mission of helping to retain and expand businesses,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. “It’s encouraging to see positive feedback from this key stakeholder group, justifying the commitment we’ve made to attracting and retaining the young and talented. We hope to continue this progress in the coming years.” The survey follows up the initial late 2006 version, which coincided with the launch of the Chamber’s Attract & Retain Talent initiative. Evaluated beside the results from nearly five years ago, the 2011 survey is meant to measure progress made in the attraction and retention of young professionals, changes in perception of the Columbus Region among those young professionals, and to inform the dialogue around how Columbus can continue to evolve and improve as a home for young and talented people. Respondents to the survey included Boomerangers, who have moved back to Columbus from another location; Homegrowns, who have lived in Columbus all of their lives; Transplants, who moved to Columbus with no prior experience or tie to the region; and former Columbus residents now living elsewhere. Forty percent of respondents were between the ages of 26 and 30, and 31 percent reported 4 to 7 years of professional work experience. Full results from the survey can be found at columbus.org/yp2011, with key findings including:- The majority of respondents love the features Columbus has to offer, with more than half citing the region’s “amenities” as the reason they stay local. Those singling out “amenities” rose by 13 percentage points since 2007 – representing the most significant increase compared to reasons like family, job and education.
- Regarding what YPs look for in a community, “social capital” – defined as living in a diverse community where people are engaged and involved – recorded the biggest increase in importance from 2007 to 2011, jumping from 82 percent to 91 percent. The “cost of lifestyle,” which topped the list at 97 percent in 2007, remained the top answer at 98 percent.
- Respondents felt most strongly that the Columbus Region’s “vitality” – meaning Columbus is a vibrant, “out and about” community where people take advantage of parks, recreation and other healthy living options – had increased, rising 21 percentage points over 2007 responses.
- “Earning,” which called out the region’s broad workforce options and opportunities for entrepreneurs, jumped 12 percentage points from the previous survey – despite the lack of improvement in income levels and economic factors like the recession.
- Among Boomerangers, more than half cited family and job opportunities as the reason they moved back to the Columbus Region. The responses for Transplants were similar, with more than half citing job or educational opportunities as the biggest draws.
- When asked what one wish they had to make Columbus a magnet for young, talented people, 37 percent of those responding chose alternative transportation, such as improved public transportation and the addition of passenger rail services, up from 23 percent in 2007.
About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit http://www.columbus.org.
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Press Release
Columbus Chamber Hosting 2011 State of the Young Professional
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: Young artists, entrepreneurs and professionals from the Columbus Region, as well as city and business leaders with an interest and stake in this audience’s opinions and feedback.
WHAT: What makes Columbus cool for the young and talented? The Columbus Chamber will unveil results of a recent survey at the 2011 State of the Young Professional. More than 1,000 Young Professionals responded to the survey, noting their perceptions on issues such as income, diversity and social capital. The State of the Young Professional event will report on progress made in the attraction and retention of young professionals since the initiative was launched in 2007, and help shape the dialogue around how Columbus can be further improved as a home for young and talented people. Prior to unveiling results of the survey, the Chamber will host a career and professional development event, with sessions ranging from “Why You Didn’t Get That Job: An Insider’s Perspective to Successfully Navigating Today’s Labor Market” to “Moving From Idea to Action: What Does it Really Take to be Entrepreneurial?” Cost for attending the sessions is $30; networking and the State of the Young Professional event are free. WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Career and professional development event (4 to 5:45 p.m.)
Networking and refreshments (5 to 6:30 p.m.)
State of the Young Professional program (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.) WHERE: Embassy Suites Columbus – Airport
2886 Airport Drive WHY: Young Professionals are a vital piece of the Chamber’s mission to help businesses thrive, as they make up a significant portion of the Columbus Region’s workforce and entrepreneur community. The results from this survey will detail the impact of the Chamber’s Attract & Retain efforts, and help to inform future initiatives. The 2011 State of the Young Professional is presented by Embassy Suites Columbus - Airport, in partnership with Battelle, State Farm and Columbus Underground and with support from Shutterbooth, CYP CLUB, Columbus Rotaract and Young Professionals of Columbus.
About the Columbus Chamber
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The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit http://www.columbus.org.
- Chamber
Press Release
Chamber, Partners Benefit from Microsoft Contribution
COLUMBUS, Ohio – (Oct. 5, 2011) Thanks to a recent $169,000 software donation from Microsoft Corp., three Columbus Region economic development organizations will have the latest technology solutions to help increase collaboration and productivity for their respective companies while lowering costs. The Columbus Partnership, Columbus2020 and the Columbus Chamber, all co-located in the former Lazarus building downtown, will now be operating on one technology platform. Historically the organizations have operated with heterogeneous systems, which presented challenges and unnecessary costs for many areas of the business.
“Our recent investment showcases Microsoft’s belief that technology can empower people around the world to do amazing things,”said John Wanke, regional manager,Microsoft Corp. “This belief is the reason we partner with thousands of organizations similar to Columbus2020 around the world. As a company, we are committed to the economic success of Central Ohio as demonstrated by this contribution. The 50 local employees and partners residing in this area are excited to support and empower these organizations as they look to achieve their goals by 2020.” “Microsoft’s generous contribution enables our team to gain efficiency and leverage the collaboration that was intended by our colocation. This is yet one more step into becoming the best economic development organization in country,” said Kenny McDonald (CEO). The Columbus Partnership, Columbus2020 and Columbus Chamber are collaborating on an aggressive economic development strategy to add 150,000 net new jobs, increase personal per capita income and add eight billion dollars of capital investment by 2020.###