It's All About Who You Know: Recent Episodes

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Andrew Hoan, President & CEO for the Portland Business Alliance. Join Craig and Andrew for their conversation about the critical role of the regional chamber of commerce to a community through good times and bad. Listen in as Andrew and Craig discuss the power of partnership and collaboration, how the history of the Northwest has influenced where the Portland regional economy is today, and the importance of involving everyone in the community on the pathway to success.

1:15 - Intro, Andrew Hoan, Portland Business Alliance

3:47 - About the Portland Business Alliance

4:54 - Chamber Focus: Opportunities and Challenges

10:09 - Getting Everything Done that Needs to Be Done

14:34 - Advocacy Victory: Aligning Tax Policies

18:39 - What is Regional Government?

23:02 - Planning for the Future

27:16 - "Get Out of the Echo Chamber"

28:35 - "What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?"

32:29 - If You Had a Blank Check...

36:45 - Member Shout Out

38:53 - Inspirations

41:58 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Portland Business Alliance,
visit www.portlandalliance.com

This episode of IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW is sponsored byMomentum's Virtual Ambassador Training for Chambers of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Gene Barr, Senior Advisor for GSL Public Strategies Group, and former President and CEO for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Join Craig and Gene for their conversation about the evolving role of state chambers of commerce through and after the pandemic, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with local chambers. Learn what's on tap in the incredibly interesting political environment in Harrisburg for 2023, and where the business community's focus will be - coming off a major advocacy victory last year. Gene and Craig also discuss Gene's nationally-recognized leadership in Civil War history, and his next steps in his new role with GSL Public Strategies Group.

1:19 - Intro, Gene Barr, GSL Public Strategies Group

4:13 - About the PA Chamber of Business and Industry

6:41 - PA Chamber - Importance of Local Chamber and Associate Members

11:53 - Post-Pandemic Chambers and the Impact of Remote Work

15:07 - Business Advocacy in PA 2023

19:50 - Favorite Chamber Initiative

24:24 - Gene and Gettysburg History

28:44 - What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?

32:21 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

33:43 - Inspirations

38:07 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry,
visit www.pachamber.org

For more information on GSL Public Strategies Group, visit www.gslpublicaffairs.com

This episode of IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW is sponsored byMomentum's Virtual Ambassador Training for Chambers of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Tiffany Ott, Administrator for the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP). But that's not all... Tiffany is also:

• Executive Director, Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE)
• Administrator, Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE)
• Executive Director, Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE)
• Executive Director, Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE)

Join Craig and Tiffany for their conversation about the importance of not only chambers of commerce to their communities - and Tiffany represents more than 700 of them in her various organizations - but about continually educating and inspiring the leaders of those chambers, so they can be at their best. Learn about themes (workforce!) that are prevalent all across Tiffany's network of chambers, as well as how chambers are dealing with post-pandemic realities, taking advantage of opportunities, and relying on each other for good ideas and best practices. With the benefit of being able to see the chamber industry from a very high level, Tiffany shares her insights into the current climate, and the road ahead.

1:27 - Intro - Tiffany Ott

4:12 - Tiffany's Organizations and Roles

6:58 - A "Membership Organization of Membership Organizations"

11:55 - Big Chambers and Small Chambers

13:50 - Themes Across Chambers

15:36 - The Workforce Dilemma

18:55 - Zoom vs. In-Person

20:23 - Low-Hanging Fruit

22:26 - What Gets You Up in the Morning?

24:15 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

26:06 - Inspirations

27:50 - Sharing Best Practices

28:38 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals,visit www.pacprofessionals.com

For more information on the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives,
visit www.gacce.org

For more information on the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives,
visit www.cacce.org

For more information on the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives,
visit www.louisianachambers.org

For more information on the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives,
visit www.vacceva.org

This episode of IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW is sponsored byMomentum's Virtual Ambassador Training for Chambers of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Stacey Duncan, President & CEO for the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Stacey for their conversation about the importance of aligning regional economic development resources in a community, on moving from the "doer" role into leadership and a trip down memory lane between two former colleagues in the trenches of chamber advocacy. Learn how the Binghamton region is advancing in tourism, high-tech manufacturing and entrepreneurship, and how the chamber, with its unique model housing a number of different entities under Stacey's leadership, is at the center of everything.

1:10 - Intro - Stacey Duncan, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce

6:10 - About the Greater Binghamton Chamber

8:32 - Opportunities and Challenges

14:31 - Organization and Staff Focus

17:20 - Partnering with Government

19:46 - Binghamton's Tourism Hook

26:24 - "What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?"

28:06 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

30:13 - Creating a Vibrant Riverfront

31:35 - Member Shout Out

32:55 - Inspirations

36:22 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce,visit www.greaterbinghamtonchamber.com

This episode of IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW is sponsored by TechCards.
Check out our TechCards program designed specifically for chambers of commerce.

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Joyce Waugh, President & CEO for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, who is retiring from the chamber after 22 years. Join Craig and Joyce for their conversation about lessons learned at the helm of the chamber, being able to rally members around important community issues, and the importance of setting (and keeping priorities). Just a few months out from retirement, Joyce lends substantial wisdom learned on-the-job to our chamber of commerce conversation, leaving us with best practices, insights and inspirations that you won't want to miss.

1:38 - Intro - Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce

3:39 - About the Roanoke Regional Chamber

7:22 - Opportunities and Challenges

13:34 - Rallying Members

18:52 - Planning for the Future

28:45 - Importance of National and State Chamber Orgs

34:44 - What Will You Miss the Most?

36:49 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

42:28 - Member Shout-Out

46:32 - Inspirations

49:24 - Advice to Joyce's Successor

51:19 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce,visit www.roanokechamber.org

This episode of IT'S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW is sponsored by TechCards.
Check out our TechCards program designed specifically for chambers of commerce.

View Details

Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Chris Romer, President & CEO for the Vail Valley Partnership. Join Craig and Chris for their conversation about the unique challenges and opportunities the Vail Valley community faces, from booming real estate and tourism at an all-time high... To unique workforce quandaries that only a high-profile community nestled in the Rockies can understand. Chris fills us in on the approach to both the community and to members that netted the Partnership ACCE Chamber of the Year honors in both 2016 and 2020, and prepared them to face the many hurdles created by the pandemic. Learn about the Partnership's role in economic development and tourism, and in keeping Vail Valley the world renowned destination it has been for almost 60 years.

1:07 - Intro - Chris Romer, President & CEO, Vail Valley Partnership

3:31 - About the Vail Valley Partnership

5:44 - What's Happening in Vail Valley?

7:11 - Pent-Up Tourism Demand

9:14 - Chamber Activity

10:55 - Member Value - Post-Pandemic

13:21 - Unique Workforce Challenges

17:36 - Focus on the Future

20:50 - "What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?"

22:50 - Managing It All

25:19 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

27:17 - Member Shout-Out

30:16 - Inspirations

32:27 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Vail Valley Partnership,visit www.vailvalleypartnership.com

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Henry Florsheim, President & CEO for the Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Henry for their conversation about the strength that the chamber of commerce has in its community, and the importance of using that position to effect positive change. Learn how the unique challenges of the pandemic led Henry and his team to discover the sheer power of live video, and how they've been able to engage, at times, thousands of stakeholders in the most timely and important conversations in their community (seriously - if you're a chamber of commerce, you need to listen to this episode, particularly starting at the 16:04 mark!). The Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce is hitting home run after home run, is a major part of significant, positive change in the community, and Henry tells us what it all means.

1:09 - Intro - Henry Florsheim, President & CEO, Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce

3:06 - About the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce

6:04 - Wichita Falls - Opportunities and Challenges

8:53 - Effecting Change

14:52 - The Chamber's Public Image

16:04 - Pandemic Flexibility and Discovering Live Video

23:45 - Focus on the Future

26:27 - Third-Party Validation of Your Mission

28:34 - "What Gets You Up in the Morning?"

31:03 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

34:01 - Inspirations

37:56 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce,visit www.wichitafallschamber.com

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Jim Johnson, President & CEO for the Pearland (TX) Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Jim for their conversation about the chamber of commerce's role in not only serving members, but the entire community they represent - and how to define that community. Jim takes us behind the scenes of the chamber's work in one of the country's fastest-growing areas, and leaves us with some great best practices and takeaway nuggets on taking a chamber of commerce, and transitioning it from "valuable" to "essential." Get to know Pearland, TX, and the great work Jim and his team at the Pearland Chamber of Commerce!

1:06 - Intro - Jim Johnson, President & CEO, Pearland Chamber of Commerce

3:22 - About the Pearland Chamber of Commerce

4:58 - Current Focus

6:44 - Being "Essential"

8:49 - Communicating with the Community

10:30 - Focus on the Future

12:16 - Lessons Learned at Different Chambers

15:33 - "What Gets You Up in the Morning?"

16:40 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

20:30 - Value of National and State Chamber Orgs

22:20 - Member Shout-Out

23:55 - Inspirations

25:31 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Pearland (TX) Chamber of Commerce, visit
www.pearlandchamberofcommerce.com

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Gina Grone, Executive Director for Pittsburgh's Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Gina for their conversation about the Northside Chamber's impact on an incredibly diverse and growing area of Pittsburgh that offers big challenges and amazing opportunities every day. From the tourism areas, including PNC Park, Heinz Field and Rivers Casino, into Northside's small business districts and neighborhoods, Gina and her team have plenty to focus on. Learn how the Northside Chamber is making a difference, Gina's plans to nearly double the size of the chamber in a few years, and how spending two years volunteering in rural India helped to create Gina's passion for community development.

1:18 - Intro - Gina Grone, Executive Director, Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce

3:20 - About the Northside Chamber of Commerce

4:28 - The Northside Community

8:06 - Current Chamber Focus

11:59 - Providing Value to Members

16:05 - Eyes on the Future

20:25 - "What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?"

22:24 - Time in India and Community Development

24:41 - Member Shout-Out

27:44 - Inspirations

30:48 - Closing and More Info

For more information on the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce, visit www.northsidechamberofcommerce.com.

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Jason Camis, President & CEO for the Gardner (KS) Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Jason for their conversation about the role of a small chamber of commerce in a high growth area. From taking care of members' needs to diving into workforce development to working with economic development partners to ensure that a community with thirty percent projected growth has what it needs to maintain its attractive quality of life, Jason and the Gardner Chamber have been leaders through the pandemic, and now have an eye on the future. Most chambers would be thrilled to have the Gardner Chamber's coverage, with more than 60% of the community's businesses as members. There's a reason why that is, and Jason fills us in on it.

1:05 - Intro - Jason Camis - Gardner (KS) Chamber of Commerce

3:56 - About the Gardner Chamber of Commerce

6:30 - The Gardner Community - Challenges and Opportunities

10:02 - Current Focus

13:11 - Looking to the Future

17:29 - Chamber Staff

20:34 - "What Gets You Up in the Morning?"

25:41 - Providing Member Value

28:42 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

30:44 - Small Chambers and Big Chambers

34:40 - Member Shout-Out

36:27 - Inspirations

38:31 - Closing and More Info

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Carlos Phillips, President & CEO for the Greenville (SC) Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Carlos for their conversation surrounding Greenville's explosive growth (which shows no signs of slowing down), the chamber's role in workforce development and the power of what Carlos describes as Greenville's "network of networks". Learn how the Greenville Chamber purposefully took on the role of being the source of accurate pandemic-related information for the business community, and how that approach not only helped their members navigate that tumultuous time, but strengthened the chamber's relationships across-the-board. Greenville is an incredibly exciting community to be a part of right now, and Carlos and his team are at the center of its activity.

1:17 - Intro - Carlos Phillips - President & CEO, Greenville Chamber of Commerce

3:25 - About the Greenville Chamber of Commerce

4:12 - "Network of Networks"

5:09 - About Greenville - Challenges and Opportunities

7:35 - Explosive Growth, and Keeping an Eye on the Future

9:19 - Accelerate Greenville

11:06 - Funding Community Initiatives

13:00 - Workforce Development and Educational Attainment

14:31 - Taking Care of Members

19:10 - What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?

20:21 - "If You Had a Blank Check?"

22:20 - Inspirations

25:06 - Craig's Interlude - ACCE and Peer Networking

27:28 - Closing and More Info on the Greenville Chamber of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Gina Suydam, President of the Wyoming County (PA) Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Gina for their conversation surrounding the unique challenges faced by rural chambers of commerce, particularly over the past two years. Learn how the Wyoming County Chamber has tackled the same issues we've featured on the podcast episode after episode - workforce, broadband access, small business recovery... But in an area where people are spread out, and the region's largest employer draws workers from seven different counties. Gina fills us in on this gem of a community in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains Region - a place whose charm and way-of-life creates lifelong fans of anyone who lives there or visits.

1:04 - Intro - Gina Suydam, President, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce

2:58 - About the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce

4:33 - What's Happening in Wyoming County

6:09 - Opportunities and Challenges

9:38 - Delivering Services to a Huge Geography

11:59 - Workforce Collaboration

13:29 - Forecasting

16:26 - Fighting Talent Flight

17:30 - What Gets You Up in the Morning?

18:35 - "If You Had a Blank Check"

20:23 - Member Shout Out

22:33 - Visiting the Endless Mountains Region

25:09 - Closing and More Info on the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Dennis Saunier, President & CEO for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Denny for their conversation surrounding what it means to be a community steward, both as an organization and as an individual, of a globally-known asset, in Canton's case, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Learn how the the Canton Regional Chamber is at the center of festivities that bring a half-million people, and the eyes of the world, onto their city each year, and how they use that position to create a tangible and powerful connection with the community. But Canton's about more than just football, and you'll be interested in learning how the city, with the chamber's leadership, is attracting investment, jobs and people by being a great place to live, work and do business.

This episode is sponsored by Fat Heads Brewery

1:30 - Intro - Dennis Saunier, President & CEO, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

4:11 - About the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

10:07 - What's Happening in Canton, OH

18:30 - The Chamber's Responsibility as Caretaker of Community Assets (such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame)

23:08 - Focused on the Future

27:02 - What Gets You Up in the Morning?

32:00 - "If You Had a Blank Check"

34:12 - Inspirations

38:26 - Closing and More Info on the Canton Regional Chamber

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Bryan Derreberry, President & CEO for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Bryan for their conversation surrounding the chamber of commerce's role in not only ensuring real world benefits for members today, but organizing and leading the community in planning for the future - guidance from the head of a chamber that will celebrate its 250th(!!) anniversary in 2023. Learn how the Charleston Metro Chamber has coalesced the entire Charleston community around critical forward-looking topics such as transportation, workforce, housing, diversity and inclusion and the strength of the Port of Charleston, and then created an "ethos of collaboration" to best set the region up for success. As hot as Charleston is now, its future is even brighter, and the Charleston Metro Chamber is at the center of it.

This episode is sponsored by Welke Customs Brokers USA

2:24 - Intro - Bryan Derreberry, President & CEO, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce

4:06 - About the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce

6:46 - Current Priorities

9:46 - The Chamber at the Center of Everything

14:15 - Workforce Development - "Get It Right Under Your Own Roof"

16:04 - The Changing Role of the Chamber

20:48 - Pulling the Community Together

25:02 - What Gets You Up in the Morning?

28:37 - "If You Had a Blank Check"

31:31 - Inspirations

34:34 - Why Charleston?

38:02 - Closing and More Info on the Charleston Metro Chamber

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Steve Millard, President & CEO for the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Steve for their conversation surrounding the role of today's chamber of commerce in not only successfully growing a regional economy, but engaging members, big and small, in the effort. Learn how the Greater Akron Chamber is working in the region to tackle the many post-pandemic challenges that metro regions are facing, including workforce development, diversity and inclusion, business attraction and helping small business, and why Akron is a community you should be watching.

1:02 - Intro - Steve Millard, President & CEO, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce

2:41 - About the Greater Akron Chamber

3:29 - About the Region

4:28 - What's Going On in Akron

8:01 - Helping Small Business

9:19 - Serving Members, Post-Pandemic

13:36 - Navigating the Alphabet Soup of Economic Development and the Chamber's Role

15:49 - Looking Ahead

18:35 - "What Gets You Up in the Morning?"

20:25 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

22:28 - Member Shout Out

23:35 - Inspirations and Recommendations

26:07 - Closing and More Info on the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Joe Reardon, President & CEO for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Join Craig and Joe for their discussion on the wide array of big things happening in Kansas City, and what it's taken at the grassroots level to rally the community around them. From hosting the NFL Draft to vying to be a World Cup 2026 site, while at the same time tackling the day-to-day challenges faced by the region's employers - like workforce, diversity and transportation, learn how Joe and his team at the chamber continue to put Kansas City on the map through foresight and organizational excellence.

1:16 - Intro - Joe Reardon, President & CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

3:00 - About the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

4:34 - Regional Opportunities and Challenges

10:00 - Current Chamber Focus

16:35 - Rallying the Community

18:04 - Looking Forward

21:33 - "What Gets You Up in the Morning?"

23:46 - "If You Had a Blank Check..."

25:35 - Member Shout Out

27:40 - Sources of Inspiration

29:22 - KC's Bid for World Cup 2026

31:29 - Closing and More Info on the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, in a special two-guest feature, Craig welcomes Dolores Fabiano, Executive Director for the South Niagara Chambers of Commerce and Kory Schuler, Executive Director for the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce.

For several years now, the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce and the South Niagara Chambers of Commerce have enjoyed an incredibly fruitful partnership, forged in collaboration across the Niagara River and the CanAm border. Listen in as Dolores and Kory discuss their changing operational models, how they've answered the call for greater hands-on support for their members and the unique challenges posed by a restricted border separating a very integrated bi-national economy.

1:31 - Intro - Dolores Fabiano, Executive Director, South Niagara Chambers of Commerce and Kory Schuler, Executive Director, Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce

4:29 - Niagara Region Successes and Challenges

8:44 - Current Focus

14:02 - Communicating with Members

17:50 - Looking Ahead

24:31 - Addressing the Digital Divide

26:31 - "If You Had a Blank Check"

33:10 - Shout Out to Members

37:16 - Closing and More Information

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Garry Douglas, President & CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Upstate New York. Listen in, as Craig and Garry discuss how the northernmost region in New York State - and the chamber - persevered the past two years, despite half of their market being cut off by the CanAm border being closed to non-essential travel. Garry talks about North Country's status as "the U.S. suburb of Montreal," why the border restrictions have been such a deterrent to economic growth, and how the most successful model a chamber can have is one that's focused on service first.

1:31 - Intro - Garry Douglas, President & CEO, North Country Chamber of Commerce

3:15 - About North Country Chamber of Commerce

6:34 - What's Going On in New York's North Country?

12:42 - Sustaining by Putting Service First

15:39 - Looking Forward

18:40 - "What Gets You Excited About the Chamber Business?"

20:52 - If You Had a Blank Check

22:50 - North Country's Transportation and Aerospace Cluster

26:32 - Staying In-the-Know

27:23 - Closing and More Info on North Country Chamber

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Amanda Payne, President & CEO of Amplify Clearwater (www.amplifyclearwater.com). Listen in as Craig and Amanda discuss the last two years, and how no sooner had the Amplify Clearwater membership celebrated the successful merger of two chambers when the world shut down. Suddenly, a community that exists on people coming to visit had no one coming. Amanda talks about how she and her team adjusted their offerings to best serve members in their most uncertain times, while keeping close communication with state and local governments so that Clearwater businesses could make good business decisions. The results: Clearwater is stronger than ever. The sun is out and the future is bright!

1:07 - Intro - Amanda Payne, President & CEO, Amplify Clearwater

2:12 - About Amplify Clearwater

4:46 - What's Going On in Clearwater, FL?

7:16 - Current Chamber Activity

11:44 - Member Services During and Post-Pandemic

17:20 - Looking Ahead

20:48 - "What Gets You Excited About the Chamber Business?"

22:20 - If You Had a Blank Check

26:02 - Thank You to the AC Board

28:13 - Frame of Mind

30:11 - Closing and More Info on Amplify Clearwater

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Welcome to IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW, with host, Craig Turner from Momentum – The Business Growth Agency. On our podcast, Craig interviews executives from Chambers of Commerce around the United States and Canada, tapping into their expertise on how to get the most value from your business associations, how their organizations are serving their members and what’s happening in their market for companies looking to grow there.

This episode, Craig welcomes Chris Heck, President and CEO for the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce (PAACC). The Pittsburgh Airport area is booming, with community-changing economic development projects and job-creating investment, and at the center of it all is the PAACC. Learn how Chris and his organization are managing their region's exciting growth, while at the same time maintaining a traditional chamber of commerce feel characterized by hands-on member service and a culture of community.

0:57 - Intro - Chris Heck, President & CEO, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

2:34 - About PAACC

3:50 - What's Going On in the Pittsburgh Airport Area

8:14 - What is PAACC Focused On Right Now?

10:31 - A Changing Chamber Model and Member Services

16:11 - PAACC Culture

20:19 - "What Gets You Excited About the Chamber Business?"

22:30 - If You Had a Blank Check...

25:13 - Member Plug

28:03 - Closing and More Information on PAACC