Member News!

Hello to all,
I would like to invite you to visit a new insurance website for the Las Vegas market, www.healthbiznow.com . The website is designed to keep employers up to date with the latest changes/news related to the health insurance industry. The more knowledge /information an employer has, better equips them to maneuver this changing business environment.
Thank you for reading.
Chris S. Chapel
AssuranceLTD.
Phone: 702-252-6825
_______________________________

The Celebrity Dog Walk is coming up on March 20th. We could use some volunteers to help with set up and take down, and for registration. Volunteers can contact Margaret at 293-5290.
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Dance Etc's annual Spring concerts are just around the corner. Consider advertising in their program booklet as as way to reach out to a new customer base. A business card size ad is $25/recital, half page $50/recital & full page $100/recital. (obviously double $ if in both April & June recital programs). We hand out over 1000 programs each recital. And people do actually look at them (even if it is because there are "love notes" to dancers that are fun to read!) Call Dance Etc and ask for Danielle at 293-5001.

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Two candidates for public office will speak to the Boulder City Republican Women at a luncheon meeting Thursday, March 18, 11:30 a.m. at the Railroad Pass Casino Banquet Room. Candidate for Governor Michael Montandan will discuss his solution to the foreclosure disasters and address state budget problems. Montandan is the former mayor of North Las Vegas, and has been a resident of So. Nevada since 1962. Also, Steve Sanson, candidate for the position of Clark County Public Administrator will speak. Sanson has served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a Desert Storm Veteran. He is president of Veterans in Politics, is author of a book on bad debt account collections, and a former instructor at So. Nevada Community College on Small Claims Court. He is a longtime resident of Las Vegas.

Boulder City resident Stanna Musick will report on "Support the Troops" effort which sends care packages to troops serving in the front lines of Afghanistan and Iraq. BCRW supports this activity.

The luncheon meeting cost of $20 includes tax and tip. Reservations should be made by March 16 by calling the BCRW information hotline, 393-1228, or e-mail to: bcgop@yahoo.com All interested persons are invited to attend.
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NCOT hails passage of historic travel legislation that will benefit Nevada’s tourism economy

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Hard-won congressional passage of the Travel Promotion Act to boost international visitor numbers and stimulate tourism economies is great news for Nevada’s No. 1 industry, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT), said Friday.

“Nevada needs the benefits of this landmark legislation more than any state because we are hardest hit by national economic challenges that are causing people to spend less on travel,” Krolicki, said. “This legislation, soon to become law, will create jobs in Nevada’s tourism-dependent economy.”

The Travel Promotion Act, which passed the U.S. Senate late Thursday, establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and to communicate U.S. security and entry policies. The bill, now on the president’s desk, is estimated to drive $4 billion in new consumer spending annually, provide $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year and create 40,000 U.S. jobs nationwide, the international economic forecasting service Oxford Economics says.

“This legislation will give the United States a chance to raise our visibility around the world as the destination of choice and compete with other countries for tourists,” NCOT Director Dann Lewis said. “The lack of a U.S. organization to promote international travel has hampered our success as contenders in the highly competitive global tourism marketplace, and this legislation will put us into the game where we belong.”

International visitors are essential to Nevada’s tourism-based economy, because they stay longer and spend more, averaging at least $4,000 per trip. NCOT, wholly funded by 3/8 of 1 percent of the room tax that visitors pay, works to attract international visitors by conducting familiarization tours for influential travel journalists and tour operators, promoting the state at trade shows around the world and utilizing representative services in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and China that work directly with their tourism industries to drive business to Nevada.

The Travel Promotion Act is not funded by U.S. taxpayers, but is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. The fee is collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

The measure also is expected to reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
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New study shows chamber of commerce members offer safer bet when it comes to business credit risk
Chamber members pay their bills faster, possess better credit scores than other businesses
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – February 22, 2010 -- The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) today announced the publication of a new study detailing the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers of commerce across the United States, comparing their member businesses with other regional, state and national business averages. Produced by Cortera™, a community-driven business credit bureau, on behalf of ACCE, the study includes the Bowling Green (KY) Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boca Raton (FL) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Durham (NC) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Omaha (NE) Chamber of Commerce, Helena (MT) Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Champlain (VT) Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock (TX) Chamber of Commerce, Salem (OR) Area Chamber of Commerce, San Diego (CA) Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Tulsa (OK) Metro Chamber. According to the study, chamber of commerce members possess an average credit score of 629, compared to a 557 average score for businesses at large. Such scores – the payment behavior from which they are derived -- play a significant role in attracting lines of credit and securing favorable terms from lenders and suppliers.
A complete copy of the study, which includes both the aggregate findings, as well as the individual commercial credit scores for each of the ten local chambers, is available on the ACCE and Cortera sites. The study was contracted by ACCE and performed by Cortera, which reviewed payment behavior for chamber member businesses.
"Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their community," said Mick Fleming, president and CEO of ACCE. "What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that's especially important."
"The economic health of the entire supply chain is dependent on the payment behavior of each of its stakeholders," said Jim Swift, president and CEO of Cortera. "This study suggests that chamber members are among the most dependable participants in this ecosystem."
About the American Chamber of Commerce Executives
Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,300 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.
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Third Thursday at the Museum

Please join us Thursday February 18, 2010
In the Boulder City Museum
At 6:00 pm
For light refreshment and a talk.

Dr. Michael Green, Professor of History at the College of Southern Nevada and noted speaker on southern Nevada History will talk on “Boulder City and the Civil War Era?”
Really? Well, sort of. During the 1850s and 1860s Boulder City didn't exist yet. The land that it is on was part of two territories with separate connections to the Civil War. This land would become part of Nevada. Nevada’s statehood was closely associated with the Civil War, becoming a state October 31, 1864. Professor Green will talk about this era and its short-term and long-term impact. He will also discuss how it relates to his new book, Politics and America in Crisis: The Coming of the Civil War.

Please join us to what promises to be an entertaining and informative evening.

Third Thursday talks are an on going program of the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association.

__________________________
Lend A Hand has another wonderful Honey Baked Ham Fundraiser going on and it's the best time of year to take advantage of it...Easter! $25 gift cards are available and carry no expiration dates. They can be used at any nationwide location. 20% of the proceeds from the gift cards will be donated to our local Lend A Hand program. For information on purchasing your gift card call 293-2691 or 294-2363.

Also as a fundraiser for Lend A Hand, a bus trip to Tuachan has been created. Wednesday, April 14th is the day of departure. $100 tickets include bus trip, snacks, dinner and the Golden Corral, and center seats for Michael Bolton in concert. The bus leaves at 4PM and returns at approximately midnight. Call 293-2691 or 294-2363.


Member News! Hello to all, I would like to invite you to visit a new insurance website for the Las Vegas market, www.healthbiznow.com . The website is designed to keep employers up to date with the latest changes/news related to the health insurance industry. The more knowledge /information an employer has, better equips them to maneuver this changing business environment. Thank you for reading. Chris S. Chapel AssuranceLTD. Phone: 702-252-6825 _______________________________ The Celebrity Dog Walk is coming up on March 20th. We could use some volunteers to help with set up and take down, and for registration. Volunteers can contact Margaret at 293-5290. _______________________________ Dance Etc's annual Spring concerts are just around the corner. Consider advertising in their program booklet as as way to reach out to a new customer base. A business card size ad is $25/recital, half page $50/recital & full page $100/recital. (obviously double $ if in both April & June recital programs). We hand out over 1000 programs each recital. And people do actually look at them (even if it is because there are "love notes" to dancers that are fun to read!) Call Dance Etc and ask for Danielle at 293-5001. ______________________________ Two candidates for public office will speak to the Boulder City Republican Women at a luncheon meeting Thursday, March 18, 11:30 a.m. at the Railroad Pass Casino Banquet Room. Candidate for Governor Michael Montandan will discuss his solution to the foreclosure disasters and address state budget problems. Montandan is the former mayor of North Las Vegas, and has been a resident of So. Nevada since 1962. Also, Steve Sanson, candidate for the position of Clark County Public Administrator will speak. Sanson has served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a Desert Storm Veteran. He is president of Veterans in Politics, is author of a book on bad debt account collections, and a former instructor at So. Nevada Community College on Small Claims Court. He is a longtime resident of Las Vegas. Boulder City resident Stanna Musick will report on "Support the Troops" effort which sends care packages to troops serving in the front lines of Afghanistan and Iraq. BCRW supports this activity. The luncheon meeting cost of $20 includes tax and tip. Reservations should be made by March 16 by calling the BCRW information hotline, 393-1228, or e-mail to: bcgop@yahoo.com All interested persons are invited to attend. ____________________________ NCOT hails passage of historic travel legislation that will benefit Nevada’s tourism economy CARSON CITY, Nev. — Hard-won congressional passage of the Travel Promotion Act to boost international visitor numbers and stimulate tourism economies is great news for Nevada’s No. 1 industry, Lt. Gov. Brian K. Krolicki, chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT), said Friday. “Nevada needs the benefits of this landmark legislation more than any state because we are hardest hit by national economic challenges that are causing people to spend less on travel,” Krolicki, said. “This legislation, soon to become law, will create jobs in Nevada’s tourism-dependent economy.” The Travel Promotion Act, which passed the U.S. Senate late Thursday, establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and to communicate U.S. security and entry policies. The bill, now on the president’s desk, is estimated to drive $4 billion in new consumer spending annually, provide $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year and create 40,000 U.S. jobs nationwide, the international economic forecasting service Oxford Economics says. “This legislation will give the United States a chance to raise our visibility around the world as the destination of choice and compete with other countries for tourists,” NCOT Director Dann Lewis said. “The lack of a U.S. organization to promote international travel has hampered our success as contenders in the highly competitive global tourism marketplace, and this legislation will put us into the game where we belong.” International visitors are essential to Nevada’s tourism-based economy, because they stay longer and spend more, averaging at least $4,000 per trip. NCOT, wholly funded by 3/8 of 1 percent of the room tax that visitors pay, works to attract international visitors by conducting familiarization tours for influential travel journalists and tour operators, promoting the state at trade shows around the world and utilizing representative services in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and China that work directly with their tourism industries to drive business to Nevada. The Travel Promotion Act is not funded by U.S. taxpayers, but is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. The fee is collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The measure also is expected to reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. __________________________ New study shows chamber of commerce members offer safer bet when it comes to business credit risk Chamber members pay their bills faster, possess better credit scores than other businesses ALEXANDRIA, Va. – February 22, 2010 -- The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) today announced the publication of a new study detailing the credit scores and payment behavior of ten local chambers of commerce across the United States, comparing their member businesses with other regional, state and national business averages. Produced by Cortera™, a community-driven business credit bureau, on behalf of ACCE, the study includes the Bowling Green (KY) Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boca Raton (FL) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Durham (NC) Chamber of Commerce, Greater Omaha (NE) Chamber of Commerce, Helena (MT) Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Champlain (VT) Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock (TX) Chamber of Commerce, Salem (OR) Area Chamber of Commerce, San Diego (CA) Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Tulsa (OK) Metro Chamber. According to the study, chamber of commerce members possess an average credit score of 629, compared to a 557 average score for businesses at large. Such scores – the payment behavior from which they are derived -- play a significant role in attracting lines of credit and securing favorable terms from lenders and suppliers. A complete copy of the study, which includes both the aggregate findings, as well as the individual commercial credit scores for each of the ten local chambers, is available on the ACCE and Cortera sites. The study was contracted by ACCE and performed by Cortera, which reviewed payment behavior for chamber member businesses. "Chamber members have long been seen as responsible and reliable members of their community," said Mick Fleming, president and CEO of ACCE. "What this study indicates is that the perception is right. From a credit standpoint, chamber members on average are better businesses, and as a result they have significant advantages in obtaining the funds they need. In this economy and the tight credit environment we are experiencing, that's especially important." "The economic health of the entire supply chain is dependent on the payment behavior of each of its stakeholders," said Jim Swift, president and CEO of Cortera. "This study suggests that chamber members are among the most dependable participants in this ecosystem." About the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association serving the professional development needs of chamber professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,300 individuals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staff through education, benefits programs, trend analysis, benchmarking, and network development. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession. ______________________________ Third Thursday at the Museum Please join us Thursday February 18, 2010 In the Boulder City Museum At 6:00 pm For light refreshment and a talk. Dr. Michael Green, Professor of History at the College of Southern Nevada and noted speaker on southern Nevada History will talk on “Boulder City and the Civil War Era?” Really? Well, sort of. During the 1850s and 1860s Boulder City didn't exist yet. The land that it is on was part of two territories with separate connections to the Civil War. This land would become part of Nevada. Nevada’s statehood was closely associated with the Civil War, becoming a state October 31, 1864. Professor Green will talk about this era and its short-term and long-term impact. He will also discuss how it relates to his new book, Politics and America in Crisis: The Coming of the Civil War. Please join us to what promises to be an entertaining and informative evening. Third Thursday talks are an on going program of the Boulder City Museum and Historical Association. __________________________ Lend A Hand has another wonderful Honey Baked Ham Fundraiser going on and it's the best time of year to take advantage of it...Easter! $25 gift cards are available and carry no expiration dates. They can be used at any nationwide location. 20% of the proceeds from the gift cards will be donated to our local Lend A Hand program. For information on purchasing your gift card call 293-2691 or 294-2363. Also as a fundraiser for Lend A Hand, a bus trip to Tuachan has been created. Wednesday, April 14th is the day of departure. $100 tickets include bus trip, snacks, dinner and the Golden Corral, and center seats for Michael Bolton in concert. The bus leaves at 4PM and returns at approximately midnight. Call 293-2691 or 294-2363.
Chamber Happenings - March 4, 2010