Our largest event of the year was a huge success. 700 members enjoyed an atmosphere that can’t be beat and feasted on a buffet full of lobster, clams, mussels and shrimp, followed by chocolate pot de crème and crème brulee.
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Why Clambake? Beyond the great food, Clambake is an opportunity for us to host a mission focused event and reach a significant portion of our members in one evening. Not only does the event allow us to connect business leaders with one another, we get to promote many of the great assets of the region including the Casino, Maumee River and showcase the delicious culinary skills in our community.

In an energy filled training session this morning at the Radisson at UTMC, we kicked-off our membership campaign with more than 80 team chairs and captains. This is in preparation for our ALL IN Membership Event at the end of August. For two and a half days, hundreds of volunteers will work against the clock and against each other to sign up new Chamber members and create a greater community awareness of the important role of the Toledo Chamber and our mission to connect business with resources and opportunities; advocate for a thriving business environment and lead the charge to promote the assets of the region. 
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The event is organized by Jimmy Cusano and a group called Your Chamber Connection. Their specialty is high energy membership campaigns that allow volunteers to conduct "out of the box" membership fun while building the membership base.

In June the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce held its Chamber U event on the topic of building and zoning permit processes. This was a forum aimed at helping local businesses better understand these processes and how to avoid project delays or other issues. Conversations on property development and zoning are a part of the Institute for Leadership & Advocacy’s sessions on economic development and planning sustainable communities, and graduates were invited to attend the forum.

​The discussion included a panel of building inspection and zoning officials from local departments who answered questions and covered topics such as permit processing timelines, common issues delaying permit issuance, and improvements underway to improve service. Panel participants included Steven Shrake, City of Toledo Chief Building Official; David Golis, Lucas County Chief Building Official; and Jim Gilmore, City of Oregon Building & Zoning Commissioner.

​National Small Business Week has been designated by the U.S. Small Business Administration as April 29th through May 5th, 2018. In the Toledo Region, we recognize that It Matters Where You Make It ® and we are proud of the small businesses that contribute to our dynamic culture built upon a heritage of hard work and a can-do attitude.

By: Tim Schneider, Manager - Local Government Advocacy, TRCC

​Graduates of the 2018 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy program joined members of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce for its annual Legislative Day in Ohio’s capital on April 18. This event was an opportunity for those in attendance to have lunch with our region’s state legislators and receive updates from key agency leaders.
 
The luncheon, held at The Athletic Club of Columbus near the Ohio Statehouse featured speakers Andrea Boxill, Director, Governor’s Opiate Action Team, and Joe Testa, Tax Commissioner, Ohio Department of Taxation. Ms. Boxill spoke about the national opiate epidemic’s impact on the workforce and societal challenges that exist in addressing the problem. Mr. Testa spoke about recent tax changes at the state level and implications for Ohio businesses.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce congratulates the 30 emerging leaders who graduated from the 2018 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy. These graduates join the more than 300 leaders who have completed this training and are prepared to effectively serve their communities and engage in the government decision-making process.
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The graduation ceremony took place March 26, 2018 at the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Metropark Visitor Center in Maumee. The ceremony included opening remarks from program facilitator Tim Schneider, Manager, Local Government Advocacy for the Chamber, and Ben Brown, Vice President, USI Insurance Services, and Chairman of The Leadership Fund PAC.

​​Early this fall, a delegation including thirteen representatives from eight area firms took the new American Airlines’ nonstop service to Charlotte, North Carolina out of Toledo Express Airport for an intercity visit. The visit was organized by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, as an opportunity for our members to learn about the economic prosperity of Charlotte and generate new ideas for our area.
 
Charlotte was of particular interest for many reasons but most of all to showcase the new direct route from Toledo Express to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which opens the business community in the Toledo Region to many exciting opportunities. The city was also chosen because of existing relationships between the Charlotte and Toledo Chambers of Commerce and between Toledo Region businesses with those in the Charlotte area.  These relationships played a crucial role in securing the new route and this trip was the next step in strengthening those relationships and creating new ones.

​Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has been a national program that encourages charitable activity at the start of the holiday season. Toledo Community Foundation supports local nonprofits in this effort by promoting the program and encouraging donations. With over 2,500 nonprofits in the Toledo Region, there are more than enough opportunities for you to kick off this holiday season with the spirit of giving.
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This year, #GivingTuesdayNWO is on November 28, 2017. For the second year in a row, Toledo Community Foundation and The Blade have partnered to make a matching grant opportunity available to any eligible local participating nonprofit organization and one $5,000 award to one area nonprofit organization who participates in #GivingTuesdayNWO. More information can be found on the TCF website.

​Join EPIC Toledo for the premier leadership and professional development conference in the region. November 9, 2017 world renowned speakers and innovative local business leaders will be sharing their experiences with emerging talent in the Toledo Region. Don't miss featured keynotes, Barb Roose, Michael R. Wilcox and Joe De Sena. Plus, enjoy the opportunity to experience Joe De Sena's message hands-on November 8th at the Huntington Center where he will be leading a community wide workout!

Barb Roose
Speaker, Author, Life Coach​​

Barb Roose is a speaker, author and life coach from the Toledo area. As a speaker she equips and motivates audiences to elevate their personal leadership abilities at company gatherings, training meetings for personal coaching sessions.

​Join EPIC Toledo for the premier leadership and professional development conference in the region. November 9, 2017 world renowned speakers and innovative local business leaders will be sharing their experiences with emerging talent in the Toledo Region. Don't miss featured keynotes, Barb Roose, Michael R. Wilcox and Joe De Sena. Plus, enjoy the opportunity to experience Joe De Sena's message hands-on November 8th at the Huntington Center where he will be leading a community wide workout!

​MICHAEL R. WILCOX
Chairman and CEO
Wilcox Financial and Wilcox Sports Management
 
Michael R. Wilcox, founder of Wilcox Financial and Wilcox Sports Management, is a rare breed among financial advisors. Knowledgeable and trustworthy, personable and passionate, Mr. Wilcox provides high-level specialized financial advice for his diversified clientele. Wilcox Financial is a diversified financial services and consulting company with a long tradition of excellence and growth.