Mike Burda’s Post

Everyone should start their day meeting with like minded people with a passion for what they do. 🌞 This morning, I had the opportunity to join Illinois Main Street local directors and State Director Erik Reader on their monthly Zoom call. Hearing what is going on across the state - the victories and the challenges - motivates me to keep doing what we are doing. We are in great company. As part of the call, a few speakers who will be at the upcoming Illinois Main Street conference shared a bit about their topic. ⭐Jennifer Fukala will be sharing how her Main Street organization in Elgin, IL is partnering with the local CVB to build a thriving community. ⭐The always energized Jaime Izurieta will be speaking about how to help Main Street small business owners create an experience, not just another shop. ⭐Maggie Strong will be teaching us how to authentically engage people, build relationships, and get people into the action mode. ⭐Cindy Plante, J.D., MPA will be sharing how the One Howard Street Economic Recovery Plan, partnership with the City of Evanston and Rogers Business Alliance, came together, secured funding, and received the Strategic Plan Award from the American Planning Association.  ⭐Leigh Ann Brown and I will be presenting on how to use microbusiness development strategies as a pipeline to fill your empty storefronts. Those are just a few of the speakers and topics you can learn from at the IL Main Street Conference. If you are passionate about your Main Street, get yourself a ticket! (link in the comments) Are you going to the 2024 Illinois Main Street Conference? Let's connect! #ilmainstreet #microbusinesses #mainstreet

A New Chapter for the Northport Chamber of Commerce! We're proud to be featured in the latest article from the Long Islander this week for our work with the Northport Chamber of Commerce. It was extremely rewarding to read first hand the impact our work has had on the Northport business community. . Read an excerpt of the article below! . The Northport Chamber of Commerce has made significant advancements in integrating social media and technology to improve outreach and communication for the community’s residents and businesses. Under the leadership of President Cary Bianculli, elected in Jan. 2024, the organization has shifted from a laxed approach to Instagram and Facebook to a more proactive one, where engaging the community has become a top priority. . Bianculli, who is also the director of marketing and membership at the Northport Historical Society, spoke about the biggest challenge for the board being a “lack of information.” As a non-profit volunteer-based Chamber, the board faced difficulties in reaching members the community, particularly amid the isolation caused by the pandemic. . In response to this challenge, the Chamber collaborated with Driven Media, a marketing company owned by Northport High school alumnus Jack Ebert. Driven Media offered guidance on leveraging social media and digital platforms for event promoting and community outreach. Cary added “The best spend was to have someone manage the socials.” The Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts now serve as vital resources for community questions and spotlighting local businesses. . The Chamber’s website has also been upgraded to provide information on the events taking place in Northport, contact points, and opportunities for becoming a member. . With over 200 members and growing, the Chamber hosts monthly networking events designed to facilitate connections between business owners and residents. Outside speakers like economists or accountants are brought in to provide insights on budgeting, tax strategies, and economic trends. Member businesses also receive promotion through the website, further amplifying their visibility to the community. . Read more of this amazing article by picking up a copy of The Long Islander October Issue! . #newchapter #northport #npt #ny #longisland #marketing #socialmedia #yay #chamberofcommerce #northportlongisland

WHAT IS A PUBLIC POLICY LUNCHEON? 🍽️ If you’re new to the Chamber of Commerce, new to the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, or new to Sanford in general, you may not be familiar with the format of our events. No worries… we’re here to help! 😁 Our Public Policy Luncheons are a combination of a catered lunch from a local restaurant and public policy forum. These events bring business and community leaders together to network and discuss a variety of important policy issues and topics in a casual but structured manor. 🤔 After brief organizational updates from key community leaders, subject matter experts offer timely and informative presentations on a specific public policy topic each month. 🗓️ This event takes place on the first Monday of each month at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic And Conference Center at Central Carolina Community College from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm, with the exception of some summer months (stay tuned and check out our calendars on https://lnkd.in/eNrxFDKK). 🌞 Potential upcoming topics include: 🧳 The Economic Impact of Tourism with the TDA 🗳️ Why Rocking Your Vote Matters ☑️ Updates from Lee County Government and the City of Sanford, NC 🏘️ Growth in the Housing Market and Housing Affordability … and more! We’d love to see you there! Tell us what topic you’re most looking forward to! ✍️ #SAGA #lunch #publicpolicy #sanford #community #leecountync

This Thanksgiving, we wish you a restful day filled with gratitude and joy. 🦃 As you celebrate, remember to support your local businesses gearing up for the holiday season! ✨ #ShopLocal #LewisvilleClemmonsChamber #LewisvilleClemmonsChamberOfCommerce #ChamberofCommerce #SmallBusiness #LocalEconomy #BusinessNetworking #BusinessGrowth #networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment

📬 Exciting News Alert! 📬 If you are a bit like us, you like to be in the know of what’s happening and the good news, our community newsletter is dropping another edition TODAY! 🎉 Don’t worry, it has not been released yet so there is still a chance for you to get on the list before it is released! Are you a business owner looking to promote your events, products, or services to the Bayside community? Or maybe you’re someone who loves shopping in or around Bayside and wants to stay in the loop with everything happening in and around town? Have you joined our Best of Bayside mailing list yet? The best part? It’s super simple, and our newsletter is packed with valuable local highlights! Just visit our website at BestofBayside.com, scroll down to the bottom, and click subscribe—easy as that, and you’ll be signed up! Could you do us a quick favor and tag your favorite local businesses or friends who love shopping in or around Bayside? We’d love for them to join us too! And if you're interested in having your business featured in our community newsletter up to 24 times per year, just drop “I am one of the Best of Bayside!” in the comments and then send us a DM with your email. We’ll get you set up right away! #CommunityUpdates #ExclusiveContent #SpecialOffers #StayInTheLoop #SubscribeNow #BestOfBayside #BaysideCommunity #BusinessBranding #BusinessGrowth #BaysideProud #BaysideMoms #MakingABetterBayside #BusinessBoost #MakingaBetterBayside #ShopLocal #BaysideStrong #EducateYourselfWithEricaRose #BrandItBayside #CommunityLove #BetterTogether #WatchUsGrow #GrowingTogether #BaysidesBest #ThisIsBayside

Building Community on Haverstock Hill: First Month Recap We're thrilled to share the early progress of our Haverstock Hill B2B Community Engagement Project. This initiative, launched in mid November, is designed to foster collaboration among local businesses and create a vibrant, interconnected community. Here's what we've achieved so far: 🔹 Engagement Efforts: Visited 12 businesses, introduced the project, and distributed key resources. Despite initial scepticism, regular follow-ups are building trust and sparking interest from business owners and residents alike. 🔹 Milestones Reached: Collaborations with local restaurants, partnerships with a printing business for event promotion, and a record-breaking week of sales for one of our partners. 🔹 Volunteer Power: 11 amazing volunteers are now driving both the B2B engagement and our urban intervention initiatives, with plans to strengthen ties and impact. Next Steps: We’re launching a digital marketing campaign, engaging local authorities, and hosting a soft launch event on 13 December. This Latin American-themed evening will spotlight the community’s talent and potential. While challenges like limited funding and trust-building remain, we’ve seen early signs of success. We’re on our way to revitalising Haverstock Hill as a thriving hub of business and connection. #HaverstockCommunityBuilding #B2BEngagement #LocalHeroes #ACNetwork

🌟 **Supporting Local: Strengthening Communities One Purchase at a Time** 🌟 As we navigate the bustling marketplace, it's easy to get swept up in the convenience of online giants and multinational corporations. **Shopping locally** isn't just about acquiring goods; it's a powerful act that reverberates through the very fabric of our communities. 1. **Cultural Preservation**: When you shop at the corner bakery, the family-owned bookstore, or the artisanal craft shop, you're investing in the **cultural tapestry** of your neighborhood. These local businesses celebrate regional traditions and infuse our lives with unique flavors and stories. 2. **Social Bonds**: Local businesses are the heartbeat of community gatherings, where conversations flow freely, and friendships blossom. Picture the barista who greets you by name or the bookstore owner recommending a novel based on your interests. 3. **Economic Resilience**: Choosing the neighborhood farmer's market over the supermarket chain contributes to the **economic resilience** of your community. Local businesses create jobs, support families, and reinvest in the community. 4. **Environmental Impact**: Opting for local produce and handmade crafts reduces transportation emissions. Those juicy tomatoes from the nearby farm didn't travel thousands of miles to reach your plate. 🌟 **Freedom of Choice: A Libertarian Perspective** Shopping locally aligns beautifully with these principles: 1. **Voluntary Redistribution**: Unlike government-imposed policies, shopping locally allows **voluntary redistribution**. You decide where your money goes. 2. **Preserving Freedom**: Local businesses thrive on diversity, offering a kaleidoscope of options. Your preferences matter. 3. **Empowering Entrepreneurs**: By patronizing local businesses, you empower individuals to shape their destinies. 🌎 **Make a Difference Together** Next time you need bread, a book, or a hand-thrown mug, consider the impact of your choice. **Shop locally**—not out of obligation, but out of love for your community. 🛒 **Support local. Strengthen communities.** 🌟 📚 **References**: [Why Shopping Local Matters](https://lnkd.in/eSim3k_Z)

Happy New Year to all. I was back at work yesterday, but got this card today. In the post. Sent to me at our offices. To be clear, I take this card seriously and am not posting to get a cheap laugh with likes and comments (I am accused on *only* posting to get such things. I am not that clever, honestly. Only really need beer to keep going, not likes. Drank lots of lovely Münchner Helles over the break, brewed by the Paulaner brewery Munich. That and some Steady Rolling Man. Brewed much closer by the very clever people at Deya, Cheltenham #ifyouknowyouknow 😋) Back to my card. I quite like that someone has taken the time to write in this way. Its £1.65 for a first class stamp, so can't be a laugh, far too expensive. So serious stuff. I did that LinkedIn rewind thing over the break. Didn't post as 400,000,000,000 other people did and it became trite, but the AI pulled out some messaging / quote from of a post of mine around this time last year. It was something like "if we are to deliver growth in our communities we must get out there and explain what we can do and what we can't". Which I think I did write (at some point) in 2024. And do believe, am certainly not trying to distance myself from that. Fast forward and my Christmas card, and the message and sentiment means haven't done enough explaining to the "Villages of Sussex". I was going to say that Villages of Sussex is a bit broad. You know, far and wide. I can only really be responsible for Wealden. Which is a big chunk, but hardly all of the Villages in Sussex. But hang on just a minute. What does the Devo White paper say? Local Government Reorganisation "The Government will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two tier areas and for those unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality services for their residents. The Government will deliver this process as quickly as possible, including through legislation where it becomes necessary to ensure progress". (Page 100). The same page also says : "The Government will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. The Government will also rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal Local Authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice". (Page 100). Do the Villages of Sussex know more than I do ... ? Good weekend all. Am shattered. Two days back and its been a grind. Will try harder next week.

Have you taken the survey yet? We are building our next strategic plan, and we can’t do it without you! As the Voice of Business in Burlington, it’s important that our mission and primary goals be informed by the needs of our members and the community we serve. The Burlington Chamber Strategic Plan Input Survey will inform our focus areas and tactics for the next three years. If you want your voice heard, please take a moment to fill out these two surveys: 1. Burlington Chamber Strategic Plan Input Survey: Help us understand your priorities and challenges to sharpen our strategy. 2. Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Business Confidence Survey: Ensure Burlington’s voice is heard at the provincial level. If 75 Burlington Chamber members complete the OCC Business Confidence Survey, we’ll gain access to specific data on Burlington’s business conditions—giving us even more insight to drive our local advocacy and planning efforts. 👉All participants of the Burlington Chamber Strategic Plan Input Survey will be entered into a draw for 1 of 5 $100 credits toward your 2025 membership or Chamber events! Have your say today🔗 https://lnkd.in/giWe5Xfc #BurlingtonCofC #BurlOnBiz #OER2025 #ONBiz #ONChamberNetwork #VoiceOfBusiness #OntarioEconomicReport Canadian Chamber of Commerce Ontario Chamber of Commerce Terry Caddo Randall Smallbone, CPA, CGA AprilDawn Blackwell, MBA Shafiq Mohamed Ravi Dhaliwal, MSc. Joseph Apps Shaheryar Mian, CFA Kristina Shea, PMP Laura Barbisan, ACC Rick Goldring B.A.,CFP,CLU,CH.F.C. Siddharth Sabbella, MBA Nassira El Hadri, LL.M.

#SmallBusinessSaturday is approaching! As a long-standing Small Business who is identified as a DBE, AABE, MBE, and celebrating 28 consistent years in the A/E/C business, we value all of the opportunities that we have been given. Small Business Saturday (November 30, 2024) is not just about shopping; it's about making a commitment to support the lifeblood of our communities. By choosing to shop small, you can make a significant difference in the success of local businesses and help create a thriving, sustainable economy that benefits everyone. Many small businesses are rooted in the history and culture of the community. By supporting them, you help preserve local traditions, craftsmanship, and unique cultural elements that may not be represented in larger corporate settings. Shopping small on Small Business Saturday celebrates the local history and culture that give each community its distinct character. How You Can Support Small Business Saturday: -Shop Local: Visit small businesses in your community, either in person or online, to make purchases that can make a big difference. -Spread the Word: Share your favorite small businesses on social media and encourage others to support them as well. -Leave Positive Reviews: Help small businesses build their reputation by leaving reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or their social media pages. -Gift Local: Think of buying locally made gifts for the holiday season, which also supports local artisans and makers. -Show Appreciation: A kind word or a thank you to a small business owner can go a long way in showing support. #SLKingAlliance #SLKA #SLKT #SLKingAssociates #SLKingTechnologies #GAEngineers #SouthEastBusiness