Upcoming events and Membership news, click here.

2005 Major Events! Click here to view the current schedule.

ChamberPlus, Inc. news, click here.

Governmental Relations news, click here.

Workforce Development news, click here.

Economic Development news, click here.

Community Development news, click here.

Leadership Jackson news, click here.

Updated list of new members, click here.

New Photo Gallery Pictures, click here.

Did you know that the Chamber could save you money on Office Products? Click here to find out how!

Receiving bad checks?  Click here to find out how the chamber can save your business time and money on check recovery!

Click here to view the 2005 Executive Committee & Board of Directors

Special Thanks to our Diamond Level Investors

    Platinum Level Investor

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Memo from President Duane O'Neill

This week I am yielding my column to Debi Green, Membership Consultant for the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership .  Membership in the Chamber offers a wealth of business opportunities to create new relationships and to contribute time for making our area a more attractive place to live and work.  Membership is very crucial to our chamber due to the fact that we do not rely on government funding in order to support our great programs.  The MetroJackson Chamber values every member and we are always available to support the vitality of our metro community.  If there is any way we as a Chamber can better serve our members, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Debi Green, Membership Consultant

Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership MEMBERSHIP – A PARTNERSHIP IN DEVELOPING “ONE COMMUNITY FOR SUCCESS!”

The mission of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is to promote business and community growth and development in the metro area for existing as well as prospective businesses.  The MetroJackson Chamber now boasts over 2,200 members representing more than 250,000 employees in the Metro Jackson area.  The Metro Chamber is made up of people just like you…people who realize that through the Chamber, they can accomplish collectively what no one can do individually.  

MetroJackson Chamber Board Members During Membership Drive Phone Rally

Funded by your membership investments, the MetroJackson Chamber works for a healthy economic climate of good jobs, capital creation and honest, efficient government.  A Chamber’s strength lies in the number and diversity of its membership, creating a pool of resources from which can be drawn ideas, energy and finances. 

There is power in the partnership with the members of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership .   If you were to put a dollar figure on the publicity, referrals, business leads, political contacts, membership services, minority business development, economic development projects, education, leadership, etc., you will quickly discover that your membership investment is a valuable business decision.

Listed below is a brief listing of the many services that your Chamber provides.  Please visit our website, www.metrochamber.com to view more specific information on what the MetroJackson Chamber does for you and your community, as well as the many opportunities for volunteer service.

• The MetroJackson Chamber is the voice of your community.  It’s the central organization in which the business community can join with other organizations to promote projects that benefit the community as a whole
• Opportunity to have a Grand Opening/ribbon cutting for your new or expanded business
• Free Website listing and Hotlink to your website – our website is experiencing approximately 9,000+ hits per week!
• ChamberPlus – MetroJackson Chamber’s affinity program that now includes affordable health insurance for small business owners through Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS; discounted savings on your office supplies through Office Products Plus, and F.A.R.S. Marketing, our newest affinity program that helps your business same time and money on check recovery
• Monthly Business After Hours
• Metro Referral Exchange – Leads Group network meetings with non-competitive businesses allowing you to receive exclusive referrals to new clients
• Invitation to Special Events throughout the year – Annual Golf Tournament, C.A.R.E. Awards luncheon, Metro Teacher Recognition, Prospecting in the P.M., plus many more!
• Congressional Action, Local & State Government, Transportation and Regional Cooperation

The MetroJackson Chamber is once again planning their annual membership campaign.  We will be “kicking off” our 2005 campaign, MJCC Championship Bowl Series on August 26^th.  We are asking all corporate teams who participated last year to sign up and ask others to participate as well in helping us accomplish our goal of 200 members or $60,000 in revenue.  The MetroJackson Chamber board of directors participated in a “Spring Training” event in May and were successful in acquiring 15 new members…so, the first pass has been thrown and we are looking forward to a successful Championship Series!  Details will be forthcoming to volunteers who are interested in helping us “win the game.”  You don’t want to miss out on this year’s great prizes!!!

Thank you to ALL our investors who help us make this “One Community for Success!”

Fast-paced growth, success the focus of Fast 40 program

One of the state’s most prestigious recognition programs for business — Fast 40 — is back in 2005, and it will once again honor Mississippi’s fastest-growing private companies. Nominations are currently being accepted, and the awards luncheon is slated for October 20, 2005.

“If it’s amazing success stories you like, the Fast 40 awards luncheon will be the place to be,” said Joe Jones, publisher of the Mississippi Business Journal, which is co-sponsoring the event. “These are companies that aren’t just growing, they are literally bursting at the seams, and are models for other privately-held businesses in our state. They are the best of the best.”

Qualifying companies are ranked based on revenue growth over a three-year period. All revenue figures are subject to verification, and will be held in the strictest confidence by the accounting firm KPMG, LLP, and the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC, both of which are co-sponsors of this year’s Fast 40 program.

To be eligible for the bi-annual Fast 40 program, companies must be independent and privately held; have revenue of at least $1 million in 2006and have three complete years of operations; and, have its home office and principal place of business in Mississippi.

The nomination deadline is June 17, 2005. Nomination forms are available on the MBJ Web site — http://www.msbusiness.com/. Select “Special Events” from the menu, then choose “Fast 40.”

For more information, contact Cindy Calabrese at cindy@msbusiness.com, or call (601) 364-1015.