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Category: Archived Press Releases

Photo by Richard Hurd

Shedding a Tier

Chamber President Zach Brandon refutes that living in Madison is a ‘Tier-Two Tradeoff.’ Read his response to Rebecca Ryan’s controversial October column in this month’s Madison Magazine.

 

 

Photo by Richard Hurd

LGBT, Greater Madison Chambers Partner to Ask Rep. Pocan to Help LGBT Angel Investors

MADISON – The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce have joined together to advocate for a change to a Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule to provide an equal opportunity for LGBT investors to participate in startups.

In a joint letter sent to Representative Pocan this afternoon, the Chambers ask the congressman to urge the SEC to revise Rule 501 of Regulation D so that individuals in civil unions, domestic partnerships, and similar relationships can have the same right and opportunity to qualify for accredited investor status as married persons have.

“We understand the important role that startups have to play in creating jobs and new opportunities,” said Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Rae. “We want to ensure that all individuals are given an equal opportunity to invest and help grow our nation’s economy.”

“Discrimination of any kind impedes growth,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “This simple revision sends the right message. Whether you are a startup investor or a founder, your financial investment will be treated equally under the law.”

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce look forward to working with Congressman Pocan to ensure that this rule is addressed as efficiently as possible. A copy of the letter is attached to this release.

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has more than 1,300 members, and the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, represents more than 100 LGBT-owned and allied businesses and organizations from around the state.

Contact:
Jason Rae, (414) 678-9275, jason@wislgbtchamber.com
Jo-ell Carson, (608) 443-1952, jcarson@greatermadisonchamber.com

Click here for an electronic copy of the press release.
Click here for an electronic copy of the letter to Rep. Pocan.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

Results from the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Economic Census

MADISON – Nearly 75 percent of Madison-area employers expect positive revenue growth for their next fiscal year according to a survey of members of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.

“Greater Madison has a positive story to tell which our Economic Census validates,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon. “While there remains some uncertainty in the market from regulation as well as consumer and business confidence, it is clear that employers are feeling good about where they are and where they are going.”

Key findings from the Census include:

  1. Businesses predict a strong year in 2014 with 72 percent of respondents expecting a positive gross revenue trend for their next fiscal year. Another 72 percent report a positive gross revenue trend for the first half of 2013.
  2. A majority of respondents, 56 percent, plan to expand somewhere in the next fiscal year. Nearly half of those expansions will occur in Dane County, 31 percent plan to expand outside Dane County, and 21 percent have plans to expand in both.
  3. Greater Madison is considered a good place to do business with 82 percent of respondents willing to recommend Dane County. When asked what makes Greater Madison a competitive place to do business, top responses include a high quality of life, an educated workforce and close proximity to colleges, universities and larger business markets. Concerns included overregulation and the political climate.
  4. Greater Madison has an exceptionally generous business community with 79 percent of organizations giving time or money to a Dane County charitable initiative last year.
  5. Uncertainty regarding health care costs remains a concern with businesses responding to increased costs differently – some by increasing the employer cost (49 percent) to continue to provide the benefit, while others utilize cost-sharing with employees or scale back benefits.

The Chamber’s Annual Economic Census included participation from 248 Madison-area business owners and executives. The individual results were aggregated and analyzed by Ady Voltedge and Monalco Marketing, with a +/- 5.6 percent margin of error.

View this 2013 Economic Census info graphic for an illustrated summary of the key findings.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

Click here for an electronic version of this press release.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

Local Fighter Wing Receives Overwhelming Response from Business Community

MADISON – The men and women of the 115th Fighter Wing will host the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Big Night Out. The interactive event with local business leaders is July 18, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Truax Field.

“The backbone of the Air National Guard is citizen Airmen who work in area businesses in addition to serving in uniform,” said Col. Jeff Wiegand, Commander 115th FW. “The continued support of the business community for these citizen Airmen both at home and abroad ensures our success.”

The event will allow attendees to view displays of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, inert munitions, the Truax Fire Department, security forces, a mobile medical unit, and an explosive ordnance disposal unit with a bomb defusing robot.

“The local annual impact of the 115th FW is more than $86 million employing nearly 1200 Airmen from Madison and the surrounding areas,” said Zach Brandon, president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. “Thursday’s event has had an overwhelming response and will be one of the largest business events of the summer. This is a tremendous show of support and recognition for the Fighter Wing and their contributions to our community, region and country.”

A brief program will begin at 5:30 p.m.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

Click here for an electronic copy of this release

Photo by Richard Hurd

Welcome New Members — June 2013

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.