Posts by noah.hester
Chamber hires for business development manager
Chamber hires for business development manager The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Ben Vickers to the economic development staff team as the manager of business development. In this role, Vickers will focus on building relationships with businesses in the Springfield region to support their continued growth. He will work with local stakeholders to…
Read MoreCelebrating member milestones with ribbon cuttings
Celebrating member milestones with ribbon cuttings Every day, the Chamber works to help businesses grow and thrive. And one of the things we love most is when we have the opportunity to help those organizations commemorate significant achievements – grand openings, anniversaries, new facilities, and more. April was a great month for this type of…
Read MoreConnecting businesses with those who are teaching tomorrow’s workforce
Connecting businesses with those who are teaching tomorrow’s workforce The Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies (GO CAPS) connects students with information about the wide range of potential employment options that could be available to them after their school days are done. But the program also works to help connect teachers with that same…
Read More7th and 8th Graders Go To Work
7th and 8th Graders Go To Work In February and April, more than 2,000 area students engaged in 7th & 8th Graders Go To Work experiences. Students had the opportunity to learn about careers they may not have known existed while participating in hands-on activities with businesses, municipal government, community technical centers and universities. Students…
Read MoreYoung professionals advocate for business community priorities
Young professionals advocate for business community priorities Members of The Network’s Leadership Council visited the State Capitol on April 26 to advocate for continued investment in efforts that benefit Southwest Missouri through several specific Chamber board-approved legislative priorities. The delegation in Jefferson City included Network Chair Bryant Young, Insurors of the Ozarks, along with other…
Read MoreMay 2023: How does tourism impact our community?
May 2023: How does tourism impact our community? In the May edition of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President, Matt Morrow, sits down with the new President/CEO of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mark Hecquet. For the past 16 years, Hecquet led the Butler County Visitors Bureau in Ohio where he oversaw community engagement initiatives…
Read MoreEducation Task Force hosts first SPS Board of Education candidate forum
Education Task Force hosts first SPS Board of Education candidate forum The Chamber’s Education Task Force hosted its inaugural candidate forum for Springfield Public Schools Board of Education candidates in March, prior to the April 4 election. Chamber members had the opportunity to hear from all four SPS board candidates on the ballot during the…
Read MoreStakeholders advocate for transportation priorities
Stakeholders advocate for transportation priorities Springfield regional transportation stakeholders visited the state Capitol on March 28 to advocate for continued investment in transportation infrastructure and workforce development. The delegation included Chamber Transportation Committee Chair Becky Baltz of TREKK Design Group, LLC, and public and private sector employers from around the region, including from the City…
Read MoreCelebrating outstanding individuals and the importance of supporting one another
Celebrating outstanding individuals and the importance of supporting one another An audience of over 400 business leaders honored the 2023 recipients of the ATHENA and Virginia Fry Rising Star awards on March 22 at the White River Conference Center. The event brought the Springfield business community together to celebrate two outstanding professionals and highlight the…
Read MoreIs your business prepared for a recession?
Is your business prepared for a recession? The Chamber recently hosted its first edition of the 2023 60 Minutes to Success series and the topic was centered around preparing businesses for a recession. The panel discussion was moderated by Paula Dougherty of Achieve Private Wealth – Ameriprise Financial. The panel included Dr. Jeffrey Zimmerman of…
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