During the next interactive Good Morning Bluegrass event presented by Fifth Third Bank, our featured guest will be newly named University of Kentucky Head Football Coach Joker Phillips. Join us for this special Good Morning Bluegrass event on Tuesday, February 9, from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Lexington (401 West High Street).

Phillips is only the fifth Kentucky alumnus to become head coach of the Wildcats. He recently completed his fifth season as offensive coordinator and seventh as wide receivers coach. He was also previously an assistant coach at Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Minnesota, and South Carolina. Find out how the transition is progressing, how the recruiting trail has been, and what Coach Phillips’ plans are for the team in 2010. Don’t wait to register for this one.

TO REGISTER: The cost to attend is $25 per person for Commerce Lexington Inc. members, $35 for potential members. To register, contact Katie Hardwick.

Gold Sponsors:
Humana Health Plans
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
University of Kentucky
WUKY 91.3FM

Silver Sponsors
bd’s Mongolian Grill
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Cardinal Hill Healthcare System
Dever, Inc.
Lexington Center Corporation
Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company
Preston-Osborne
Ray, Foley, Hensley & Company, PLLC
Tops In Lexington
Waffle House

Small Business Sponsors
MSI Production Services
Progressive Marketing
Storeitoffsite.com

It’s something that all businesses, small and large, struggle with from time to time. Hiring and retaining the right personnel can make all the difference in the success of your business. If you hire the wrong person or don’t hire someone soon enough, it can cost your business or company dearly in terms of training time, lost productivity, and the time it takes to go through the hiring process again so soon.

During the next Business Resource Roundtable event presented by Community Trust Bank on Tuesday, February 9, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Commerce Lexington Inc., we’ll be “Getting Personal with Personnel” issues to help answer your questions and concerns about when to or how to hire the right people.

Our panel of local experts will be able to give hiring perspectives of a small business, a large department store, and a local bank. For many industries, the economy is showing signs of positive growth, but business owners need the right personnel to take advantage of the turnaround.

OUR PANEL INCLUDES:

Howard Blackburn
Senior Vice President/Director of Human Resources
Community Trust Bank

Mark Hunsucker
Store Manager
Walmart Supercenter (Hamburg)

Keith Yarber
Publisher/President
Top Marketing Group

Some of the topics to be covered during this Business Resource Roundtable event include:

- When to hire new employees (Including considering part time vs. full time).
- Attraction of qualified applicants.
- Retention of good employees.
- Diversity practices.
- Flexible scheduling.
- Cost issues/negotiation.
- How to deal differently with different generations of employees (age levels).

HOW TO REGISTER:
Held at Commerce Lexington Inc. (330 East Main St.) in its first floor meeting space, these events provide a topical presentation that is relevant to the success of small business owners and business professionals. They also allow members the opportunity to discuss ideas, share best practices, and work through challenges. The Roundtables are open to Commerce Lexington Inc. members at no charge. However, please register prior to the event by contacting Liz Bennett.

Note that networking is from 3:00 - 3:30 p.m., with the program from 3:30 - 5 p.m.

Gold Sponsors:
The Melinda Duncan Team of RE/MAX Creative Realty
Humana Health Plans
Missing Link Managed Services
Signs Now
TravelHost of the Bluegrass

Please note the time for Business Links has been modified to 4:30-6:30 p.m. starting in 2010.

In celebration of AirTran Airway's inaugural Lexington flight on Thursday, February 11, Blue Grass Airport and Commerce Lexington Inc. would like to invite you to a special Business Link Beach Party! Enjoy delicious food and tropical beverages, relax to your favorite beach tunes and enter to win free airfare to Florida. Even meet with travel agents to plan your next trip!

This Business Link event will be held on February 11, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. (note the new timeframe) at Blue Grass Airport. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your client base heading into 2010. Bring plenty of business cards, and be ready to meet new people and connect with colleagues and other business professionals.

EXHIBIT SPACE:
Commerce Lexington Inc. members can show off their products and services by exhibiting at this Business Link. This would be great visibility, especially heading into the holiday season. The cost for exhibit space is $125. To reserve space, contact Katie Hardwick.

Sponsored by:
AirTran
Blue Grass Airport

Women Leading Kentucky invites you to attend a roundtable networking luncheon featuring Linda and Keith Tarr-Whelan on Feb. 18. Linda, who was named one of the 50 most powerful women in Washington by Ladies Home Journal, is a a former ambassador to the United Nations' Commission on the status of women. Her new book, Women Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping into Leadership-and Changing the World, prvoides a practical roadmap for women. Her husband, Keith, has 25 years experience building corporate, governmental, nonprofit and political relationships in the U.S. and Europe.

Roundtables will be held as always at Malone’s Banquets above Sal’s Chophouse in the Lansdowne Shoppes (3373 Tates Creek Road) from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per event. Visit www.womenleadingky.com for more information and to register.

Commerce Lexington Inc. is a proud sponsor of Women Leading Kentucky’s Winter Roundtables.

Bill Lea of Dale Carnegie Kentuckiana leads the session

It’s the main reason that business owners and professionals join a chamber of commerce. It can mean the difference between success and failure for a small business. Who you know and who you meet can open doors for you and help you grow your business. People do this through networking, but they don’t always do it correctly or in the most effective way.

During the next Commerce Lexington Inc. Breakfast Club event presented by Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald, PLLC, on Tuesday, March 2, from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at the Lexington Legends Applebee’s Ballpark, Bill Lea, Managing Director, Dale Carnegie Kentuckiana, will be on hand to talk about “How to Build Relationships and Sales through Networking.”

Since the beginning of time, people have been networking with each other in order to advance their own circumstances. Making key connections is often THE most important thing to increase sales or foster new business opportunities. Are you maximizing your networking?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER PRIOR TO THIS EVENT:
- What is your strategy when attending networking events or receptions?
- How do gain trust and earn credibility with people who you hardly know?
- How do you contact referrals and follow-up on leads?
- Do you have trouble remembering names?
- How do you target the right people and organizations for networking?

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
By attending this event, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of and challenges to networking.
- Network effectively and with confidence.
- Use strategies to maximize networking opportunities.
- Apply skills to make powerful impressions and communicate effectively.
- Create a networking plan that builds relationships and increases business success.

TO REGISTER:
The cost to attend this Breakfast Club event is $25.00 per person. These Breakfast Clubs are open only to Commerce Lexington Inc. MEMBERS. To register, contact Liz Bennett

Host Sponsor:
Lexington Legends Applebee’s Ballpark

Small Business Sponsor:
Belle Vie MedSpa

Join Commerce Lexington Inc. staff, ambassadors, board and trustees members, and fellow new members during the next Commerce Lexington New Member Reception presented by AT&T Real Yellow Pages on Wednesday, March 3, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Commerce Lexington offices (330 East Main Street).

During this unique quarterly event, new members will be able to learn about Commerce Lexington programs and services, while networking with potential clients.

New members can pickup information about every department within Commerce Lexington Inc., and talk with staff members about programs or marketing opportunities that they might be interested in. And, don’t forget about the great food and prizes.

There is no cost to attend for new members. However, please RSVP to Dana Zinger.

Presented by:
AT&T The Real Yellow Pages

Gold Sponsors:
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
Windstream Communications

Food Sponsor:
Firehouse Subs

Design Sponsor:
Hammond Design Associates, Inc.

Women Leading Kentucky invites you to attend a roundtable networking luncheon featuring Ann and Terry McBrayer on March 17. Ann runs a 60-year-old family-owned business, Kentucky Eagle, Inc. She is the former chair of Commerce Lexington and owns Keene Ridge Farm with her husband. Terry is the senior partner for the McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland. Past positions include leadership roles within the Kentucky House of Representatives, CEO for a former governor and past chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party. He also was a former gubernatorial candidate.

Roundtables will be held as always at Malone’s Banquets above Sal’s Chophouse in the Lansdowne Shoppes (3373 Tates Creek Road) from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per event. Visit www.womenleadingky.com for more information and to register.

Commerce Lexington Inc. is a proud sponsor of Women Leading Kentucky’s Winter Roundtables.

How do cities and businesses thrive in dire economic times? They get creative. The Creative Cities Summit, an interdisciplinary conference on 21st century issues challenging evolving communities, will convene in Lexington, April 7-9, 2010.

Previously held in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2004 and Detroit, Michigan, in 2008, the 3-day conference draws speakers and attendees from all over the world to discuss savvy economic development; how to develop environments supportive of innovation; transportation; sustainability; adaptive reuse and the built environment; and the nurturing of local arts & culture.

The event has strong local support from some of the region's largest employers, including Lexmark, UK, LFUCG, Central Bank, Stoll Keenon Ogden and many others interested in addressing difficulties in the attraction and retention of “Creative Class” talent ranging from hi-tech entrepreneurs, urban planners and researchers to engineers, architects, artists. These professionals, considered a key driving force for economic development in the post-industrial cities of America, include those working in healthcare, business and finance, the legal sector, and education. Highly educated, they draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.

Scheduled to appear during the event at the Lexington Center are Gov. Steve Beshear; Renowned urban theorist Richard Florida, author of Rise of the Creative Class and Professor of Business & Creativity at the University of Toronto; Rebecca Ryan, founder of NextGeneration Consulting and an expert on issues confronting young professionals; Charles Landry, author of The Creative City; Bill Strickland, McArthur Genius Grant recipient, CEO of Pittsburgh’s Manchester Craftsman’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center; and Lexington native Ben Self, co-founder of Blue State Digital and creator of Barack Obama's official campaign website. This international lineup will be joined by experts and practitioners from all over Kentucky and the region.

Summit organizers anticipate a diverse audience, ranging from economic development professionals and arts and cultural advocates to urban planners, architects, business leaders, government officials, young professionals, and college students. The common thread is a desire to make their communities better places to live, work and play.

Breakout sessions will focus on Social Media and the City; Mayors Panel featuring Lexington’s Mayor Newberry, Mayor Elaine Walker (Bowling Green) and Mayor Jerry Abramson (Louisville); New Strategies for Economic Development; Best Practices in Young Professional Development; Nurturing Technology Entrepreneurs; Small Towns and the Rural Creative Economy; The Black Creative Class; Churches and The Creative City; and Developing Social Innovation.

The full conference package is available with early bird registration for $199. A limited number of scholarships will be available. For more information, visit www.creativecitieslexington.com.

In a historic and visionary move, two of Kentucky's largest chambers of commerce will come together in 2010 to study the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania community and explore how it transformed itself from a steel manufacturing town into a city that recently hosted the World G20 Summit.

The 2010 Leadership Expedition is your chance to celebrate our region's successes and further examine the possibilities that lie ahead for two of Kentucky's most energized communities. The trip itself, which takes place May 10-12, 2010 in Pittsburgh, will encourage statewide thinking, break_through ideas, regional networking and business collaboration.

Registration is now OPEN for the 2010 Leadership Expedition to Pittsburgh. To reserve your spot and make your payment on-line, CLICK HERE...

ABOUT PITTSBURGH:
There's a reason that Pittsburgh was named the #1 Most Livable City in America in 2007. Its affordable standard of living, great health care facilities, and cultural amenities have helped it transform into a city of possibilities, with rapidly growing technology, research and robotics industries. It's been quite a transition since the steel mill days. A global center of innovation, the Pittsburgh region is home to over 100...billion-dollar-plus global corporations spanning advanced manufacturing, information and communications technology, and the life sciences. The region is a national leader in green building, with increasing capacity in energy and the environment. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh is the world's largest LEED Gold Certified green convention center, and the city recently ranked number one in a study of farmers' markets and community gardens per capita.

Watch a brief preview video about Pittsburgh at http://leadershipvisit.commercelexington.com.