Business Weekly
September 7 – 11, 2009
- State Chamber/AIA Joins Employers for Quality Health Care Coalition
- Claiborne Deming Discusses Nation’s Energy Policy at Clinton Presidential Center
- Chamber “Door to Door” Regional Meetings Continue
- Leadership Arkansas Class IV to Kick Off with Retreat and Tourism Session
- Arkansas Sales and Use Tax School Announces Seminars
- Business Development Workshop Set for September 16
- HRMA Managers’ Symposium Slated for September 22
- Arkansas Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment Planned
- State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting Scheduled for October 19
- Small Business Council Sets Final Meeting for 2009
- Corrections to 2009 Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide
- SBA Launches New Online Training Course: ‘How to Win Federal Contracts’
- Welcome to Our New Members
- Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
- Calendar of Events
State Chamber/AIA Joins Employers for Quality Health Care Coalition
The Arkansas State Chamber/AIA has joined a coalition,
Employers for Quality Health Care, which consists of 20 statewide chambers of
commerce and employer organizations representing thousands of employers
across
The State Chamber/AIA, along with other members of the coalition, last week distributed a press release and faxed letters to President Obama and each member of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, outlining the organizations’ priorities and suggestions for reform.
“We support the efforts of the national business groups on health reform,” said State Chamber/AIA President & CEO Randy Zook, “but we have a different perspective. The U.S. Chamber and National Association of Manufacturers deal with health reform from the 30,000-foot policy level. We’re at street level, dealing with these problems every day, so we have a unique voice in this debate.”
The coalition opposes an employer mandate – noting that most employers who can afford to provide health coverage already do so because it attracts and retains quality employees – and new government-run coverage that would shift millions of Americans off their existing private plans.
“This coalition was created to enhance our members’ grassroots advocacy on this critical issue,” said George Israel, president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. “We stand united in support of free-market reforms that promote choice and competition – improving care, expanding coverage and reducing costs. We look forward to sharing real solutions with Congress, including many that have been effective in our own states.”
“Health-related spending accounts for 17 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, and it’s rising rapidly,” said Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “If we don’t get costs under control, the stress on our economy may be insurmountable. Reform is in everyone’s interest, but it must be done smart and it must be done right.”
Along with the benefits of effective reform, several
coalition members have first-hand experience with the consequences of poorly
planned efforts.
In addition to legislative outreach, the coalition has launched a social media campaign to inform employers and employees about the federal health care reform act. Follow the coalition online at www.employersforqualityhealthcare.org, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@stchmbrs4health).
The members of the coalition represent thousands of employers from family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies that voluntarily provide coverage for millions of workers and their families. Participants in the coalition include:
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- Georgia Chamber of Commerce
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- State
Chamber of
- Associated
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- Association
of
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- Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
Claiborne Deming Discusses Nation’s Energy Policy at Clinton Presidential Center
Claiborne Deming, former president and CEO and current chairman of the Murphy Oil Corporation Executive Committee, provided a presentation examining the nation’s energy future on Friday, August 28 at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center.
The event, which drew approximately 160 business leaders, was sponsored by the State Chamber/AIA, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.
Deming specifically addressed his concerns with the
current “cap-and-trade” legislation. Deming has done extensive
research on the issue, also known as emissions trading, which forces
companies in the
Deming said that the 1,400-page bill, known as
Waxman-Markey, would hurt the economy and have little or no impact on climate
change. Instead, it would effectively be a tax on the
“Arkansans need to know how the bill, if passed,
will impact every single American,” Deming said. “Specifically,
we all need to understand the legislation will affect the way we do business
and how we live our lives here in
All of
Deming has organized a group called Citizens Against Cap and Trade. For further information, click here.
Chamber “Door to Door” Regional Meetings Continue
The State Chamber/AIA continued its series of “Door
to Door” Regional Meetings with events on August 26th in
The meetings, which have drawn state and local chamber
leaders, community leaders, local business representatives and state
legislators, feature presentations on state and federal governmental affairs
issues and State Chamber/AIA programs and events by State Chamber/AIA
President and CEO Randy Zook, Executive Vice President
Additional “Door to Door” meetings are planned
for September 10 in Searcy, September 15 in Mountain Home, September 16 in
For further information, contact Deb Mathis at 501-210-4212 or dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Leadership
Leadership Arkansas Class IV will kick off with a Retreat
and Tourism Session on September 13-15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in
Additional sessions will include:
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State Chamber/AIA Annual
Meeting/Governmental Session, October 19-20,
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Central Arkansas Session, December
3-4,
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South Arkansas Economy Session, March
18-19, 2010,
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Northeast/Delta Economy Session, May
20-21, 2010,
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Leadership
Sponsorships for each of the sessions are available at the
$2,500 level (Presenting) and the $1,000 level (Participating). Contact
For additional information on the Leadership Arkansas
program, contact
The Arkansas Sales and
The Seminar tuition is $275 per single registrant per course or $250 each for two or more per course and includes a manual. Various levels of continuing education are available. The faculty for each course includes Malcolm P. Bobo, an attorney with Jack, Lyon, Jones, Fink, Jiles & Gregory, P.A. of Little Rock and B.J. Pritchett, CMI, president/owner of Pritchett Tax Consulting of Hot Springs.
For more information or to
register for either or both of the courses, contact the Arkansas Sales and
Business Development Workshop Set for September 16
The State
Chamber/AIA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and O’Neal
Technologies will provide a free business development workshop entitled
“Business Development-Strategic Marketing” in
WHO: Eligible firms include: 8(a)-certified firms, businesses operating in areas of high unemployment or low income, firms owned by low-income individuals, firms that have been in business for not more than four years, and SBA HUBZone-certified firms.
WHAT: Strategic Marketing is a critical piece in the area of business development and business growth. This workshop will break down all facets of strategic marketing from A to Z, i.e.; how to choose the type of strategic plan that is right for your business, how to focus on the processes, the structures and how to lead and manage your plan once you have learned how to develop one. At the conclusion of this workshop, the small business owner will be able to integrate all aspects of the business's activities into a mutually supportive marketing strategy. You will learn the differences between how to develop internal strategies and external strategies and how to become proactive in achieving your business goals through strategic marketing.
Workshop highlights:
§ What is Strategic Thinking?
§ What is Analytical Thinking?
§ What is Strategic Positioning?
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: State Chamber/AIA Conference Room
1200 West Capitol
HOW: Those wishing to participate in this course should click here to register. Select
HRMA Managers’ Symposium Slated for September 22
The Human Resource Management Association of Arkansas is holding a Managers’ Symposium on September 22nd at the Embassy Suites. For information or to register, click here.
“Cultivating Our Economic Growth: A
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe will provide the opening address and Entergy Arkansas President & CEO Hugh McDonald will be the keynote luncheon speaker. Other scheduled speakers include: LeRoy Dangeau, chairman of the board of Crossroads Coalition; Rich Davis, executive vice president of the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce; Robert H. Dugger, managing director for Tudor Investment Corporation; Dr. Greg Hamilton, director of Research Group, Institute for Economic Advancement, UALR; David House, CIO and vice president of Information Systems for Baptist Health, and Bill Millett, founder of Scope View Strategic Advantage.
Designed for business leaders and policy makers, the Arkansas Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment is an exploration of how quality early childhood education is a competitive necessity in a global economy – and how it helps your bottom line today and tomorrow. RSVP by September 17th to 501-371-9678 or click here.
The Summit is sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families, Entergy, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Arkansas Business, Phi Delta Kappa International, the Governor’s Work-Life Initiative, the Arkansas Early Childhood Association, the UALR College of Business Institute for Economic Advancement, Arkansas Head Start Association State Collaborative Office and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act/Child Care Development Fund in partnership with the Arkansas DHS/Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education.
State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting Scheduled for October 19
The State Chamber/AIA will hold our 81st Annual
Meeting on Monday, October 19th at the DoubleTree Hotel in
U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln will be the keynote speaker. A Congressional Briefing with members or staff from the Arkansas Congressional Delegation will also be held, as well as a General Member Meeting and a Networking Lunch.
For sponsorship information, contact
For information on the Annual Meeting, contact Deb Mathis at 501-210-4212 or dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Small Business Council Sets Final Meeting for 2009
The State Chamber/AIA Small Business Council has scheduled its final meeting for 2009 on Thursday, November 5th. The meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bob Lamb Conference Room.
The topic for the November 5th meeting will be “Disaster Preparedness.” Lunch will be provided as well as a legislative update.
Small Business Council meetings are open to all State
Chamber/AIA members. For further information, contact
Corrections to 2009 Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide
Please note the following corrections to entries in the 2009 Membership Directory & Buyers’ Guide:
p. 9 Chairman: Ray C. Dillon/Deltic Timber Corporation
p. 51 The Design Group /phone: (501) 492-4900 /fax (501) 492-4905
SBA Launches New Online Training Course: ‘ How to Win Federal Contracts’
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched a new online training course to help strengthen access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, disadvantaged individuals and veterans.
The training course, “Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts,” is part of a federal government-wide initiative launched last month by President Obama and being led by SBA and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In announcing the government-wide initiative, President Obama reiterated his Administration’s commitment to providing “our Nation’s small businesses with maximum practicable opportunity to participate in federal government contracting.” As part of the initiative, federal agency procurement officers are participating in more than 200 events over the next several weeks to help connect small businesses with contracting opportunities. Additionally, SBA and the U.S. Department of Commerce are expanding their outreach to contracting officials across the federal government to ensure they have the tools to meet their annual contracting goals and increase opportunities to small businesses, including those owned by veterans, women and minorities, as well as those in designated HUBZones.
The Recovery Act Opportunities course is available on SBA’s web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. The course is indexed by subject matter to allow ease of use, and it includes multiple direct links to additional contracting resources.
Thanks to the following companies and organizations that have recently joined the State Chamber/AIA:
Bankers Life & Casualty
Colonial Life
Days Inn & Suites
Innovative Markets Inc.
Integrity Office Solutions
Joe Chacko/MorganStanley Smith Barney, LLC
Karin Alvarado/dba Global Cynergies
Lay Commercial Mortgage Co. LLC
Lightning Electric Inc.
Mr. Plastic
NFocus
PerioSeal Inc.
Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Lab
The
Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
We would like to express thanks to all of our Pinnacle investors, the respected companies that support the State Chamber/AIA at the highest annual investment levels. We appreciate all that they do for us.
APEX
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Chesapeake Energy, Inc.
Cox Communications
Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc.
XTO Energy, Inc.
PEAK
Arvest Bank
AT&T Arkansas
CenterPoint Energy Southern Gas
Electric Cooperatives of
FedEx Freight - East
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Kraft Foods
Nucor/Nucor-Yamato
Oaklawn Jockey Club
Southwestern Energy Company
State Farm Insurance
Verizon Wireless
Windstream Corporation
CROWN
Acxiom Corporation
AEP Southwestern Electric Power
Albemarle Corporation
American Greetings Corporation
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation
Bank of the Ozarks
BP America, Inc.
CardinalHealth
CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company
Crossland Construction
Deltic Timber Corporation
Evergreen Packaging Company
Experian
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.
Forest Oil Corporation
Glad Manufacturing/A Clorox Company
International Paper Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Lion Oil Company
LS Power
McKee Foods Corporation
Nabholz Construction Corporation
OG+E
Petrohawk
Philander
RebeccaRice & Associates
Riceland Foods, Inc.
Russellville Steel Company Inc.
Signature Bank of
Stephens Inc.
The Clorox Company
The Trane Company
Transplace
US Bank
Waste Management
Weyerhaeuser Company
Wright Lindsey & Jennings
September 10 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Founder’s Room
Searcy
September 15 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Roller Hall/Gaston Lobby
ASU-Mountain Home
September 16 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
September 22 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Embassy Suites Hotel
September 28 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Arkadelphia
October 19 State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting
State Chamber/AIA Board Meeting
DoubleTree Hotel
October 29 State Chamber/AIA “Door-to-Door” Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Town Club
November 5 Small Business Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
