The President Has No Name

Our new Chamber president needs a new Twitter handle. We can’t let him run around as @_biz_z, now can we? Should it be ChamberChief, PrezZach, MadBizPrez? Follow our Chamber Twitter @MadisonBiz and Tweet your ideas to #PrezName. You can also post on our Facebook page or put in our Linkedin group. If Zach picks your name, he’ll take you to lunch!

Mobile Member Directory — Marketing for You

You asked us for a more timely, flexible, search-able directory that’s always at your fingertips. Ta-DA! The Chamber’s Mobile Member Directory is now online only and always up-to-date. It’s available whenever and wherever you are – on your smartphone, tablet or computer – with the latest contact info for your customers and potential business partners.

Your fellow Chamber members are a built-in network, ready to answer your questions or do business with you. Now it’s easier to connect than ever.

Enhance your page and turn it into a search-engine-optimized mini website. You can do it in less than five minutes. Load your logo, videos, press releases, photos, and more. Enter your key words so a search for your industry lands your business at the top of the list.

Here’s what a few Chamber members have to say about their Mobile Member Directory page:

It’s a great asset for companies with limited resources to reach the broader Wisconsin market. We’ve seen a rise in local business as a result of taking advantage of these new features.   —Liz King, vice president, gThankYou, LLC

It’s very, very easy to build a great page. I put our logos up, some video clips—we wanted to show what our facility is all about. It’s easy to post our special events. I really like the analytics that show traffic to my page. I’ve had potential service providers contact me through it.  —Jason Tyler, business manager, Madison International Speedway

It was incredibly easy to upload photos into the system. Being a graphic designer, it’s always nice to be able to showcase a couple different designs to give prospective clients a good sense of my design style.   —Tara Ingalls, owner Tingalls Graphic Design LLC

Enhance your Mobile Member Directory page today and get the most from it! It’s simple, it’s free, and it gets your business noticed.

Click here for instructions, or contact Bob Ansheles (608-443-1944) for more information.

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By Judy Dahl
Owner & Principal of JKD Communications, a proud Chamber member

Three Greater Madison Companies Rank on List of Top 10 Innovations for 2012

Chamber Calls List a Reinforcement that Madison has all the Elements of a Global Innovation Hub

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MADISON – Two companies based in Greater Madison are ranked in the Top 10 Innovations 2012 from the magazine, The Scientist. Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) and Promega both made the list along with Life Technologies that has an office here.

“The Greater Madison region is a leader in the innovation of life-changing products, technologies, methods and ideas,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “To this point, our community has been leading quietly. The time for quiet is over.”

Brandon calls the accolades a powerful example of the cutting-edge technology work being done throughout our region.

“CDI and Promega are companies that started with just an idea – a spark – that was fueled by local investors which then ignited market-leading technologies,” said Brandon. “More sparks ignite every day. The Madison Region has all of the elements of a world-class innovation hub.”

Brandon was named Chamber president Nov. 15, 2012. In his opening comments, he committed the Chamber would be energetic in telling the story of the Madison region domestically and internationally. Brandon challenged leaders to put it all on the line to close the gap between what our region is and what it can be as a true player on the global stage.

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About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Chamber is nearly 1,400 businesses working together as a strong voice for enlightened economic growth in the Greater Madison region. We serve the interests of all our members, ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 4,000 employees. The Chamber is committed to improving the community by growing healthy businesses. More information about the Chamber can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.

Click here to download an electronic copy of the press release

Welcome New Members — November 2012

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce welcomes these new members. Please keep these companies in mind when doing business. View the complete directory listing of all Chamber members.

• Advance Auto Parts
• Cadre
• Clean Lakes Alliance
• Coldwell Banker Success
• Darcy Luoma Coaching & Consulting, LLC
• Discount Tire Co
• Dunkin Donuts
• EGN Technical Resources LLC
• Great Lakes SAN, LLC
• Greater Green Bay Area Lodging Association
• Homestead Title
• Loughrin Accounting, S.C.
• Madison Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
• Marco
• Morgridge Institute for Research
• Penda Corporation
• Recover Health
• The Bayou A New Orleans Style Tavern
• The Marketing Square
• Visual Advantage
• Wisconsin Initiative to Promote Healthy Lifestyles

Download the up-to-date Print Directory Addendum.

Governor Defers to Feds on Health Care Exchanges

Governor Walker announced today that Wisconsin would not create a state-run health care exchange and instead defer to the federal government on implementation. A key component of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the exchanges will be a place for small businesses and individuals to purchase health insurance.

In a letter explaining his decision, the Governor said the long-term risk to Wisconsin taxpayers was too high and that even if Wisconsin were to set up its own unique exchange, it would still be controlled by the federal government.

The law requires the exchanges to be operational by 2014.