Whether you're entertaining clients or looking to meet your next, this event offers something for everyone. The day starts with a luncheon at 11 a.m. and is followed by a round of golf or spa services at Kinsale's premier facility. With its state of the art and lavish spa, a beautiful pool area and a championship course, Chamber members and guests are sure to enjoy a competitive, relaxing, fun day while networking and expanding their contacts. At 5:30 p.m., stay to network poolside with hundreds of business professionals at our August Business AfterHours. Don't miss out on this premier location and great opportunity to meet with your colleagues. Register for Golf and Spa Day here and Business AfterHours here.

Another Small Gain in Columbus Regional Employment

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released preliminary June employment statistics for the Columbus MSA this morning. On a seasonally-adjusted basis, total employment increased in the Columbus Region for the second consecutive month. This is especially surprising because the June decline in U.S. employment was worse than that in May. Our net gain was 1,700 jobs (0.2 percent), close to the 2,000-job gain in May. (May employment was adjusted downward by 300 jobs.) The nation lost 459,000 jobs (0.35 percent), compared to 330,000 jobs (0.25 percent) in May. State employment fell 33,000 (0.6 percent). Since the recession began in December 2007, the region has lost 17,600 jobs, or 2.0 percent, compared to losses of 4.7 percent nationally and 5.9 percent in Ohio. The largest employment gains in June were 2,500 in private education and healthcare and 1,200 in the beleaguered government sector. Construction lost 1,400 and leisure and hospitality lost 1,200. Changes in everything else were close to zero.

For more insights on the Columbus region economy, visit the Chamber's blog at blog.columbus.org.

Capital Connections with Jolene Molitoris – Infrastructure, the Key to our Growing Region

Increasingly, our ability to generate jobs and economic development in our region requires growing a supporting infrastructure. The Ohio Department of Transportation is a critical partner in accomplishing this. Director Molitoris will speak about the State's plans to support the logistics industry, connect Columbus with Cincinnati and Cleveland through passenger rail service, and use transportation funding as an economic development tool.

Join us at BoMA on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009; 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. to learn more. Register here.

Increase Sales, Raise Awareness and Reach New Clients with Online Advertising

For the past four years, online local ads sales had a compound growth rate of 48 percent and are projected to reach $13.9 Billion in 2009 (+7.5%).  At the same time, other forms of advertising are projected to decline 1.4%.  Advertising continues to shift away from other media and more toward online opportunities because it is cost effective, measurable, flexible, targeted, and most importantly—it works.

Chamber of Commerce websites are frequently sought out when potential customers are looking for products and services in a local area. In fact, a 2007 study (by the Schapiro group) showed that when potential customers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% are more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.  Chamber credibility is important and it positively enhances click through rates.

The chamber is best positioned to deliver the most cost effective ($500/90 days) targeted and qualified traffic because of our brand name advantage and the collective power of our member content. Online users are seeking this content every day.

Take advantage of this opportunity by contacting Jamie Timm, director of marketing at 614-225-6908 or jamie_timm@columbus.org.