The VOICE
Building Momentum in Economic Development
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees By Everett Butzine, CEcD | Vice President of Business Expansion & Attraction, GRCC When I joined the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce at the start of this year, I came with a clear sense of purpose and an open mind about what I would find.…
Read MoreThe currency of credibility
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees How thought leadership shapes reputations and builds brand recognition By Christine Hand, managing editor I have a confession to make … I’ve never been a huge fan of the term “thought leadership.” Shocking, I know, especially considering how often I use it in…
Read MoreTo Market,To Market
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees A great place to do business By Angela Kay Larson, chief executive officer, Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce If someone were to tell you they “had to do their marketing on Saturday,” you’d probably think they were talking about creating sales promotions, press…
Read MoreThe 2026 social media shift
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees Why views matter more than ever for businesses By Katrina Kirby, Social Kat Social media isn’t what it used to be. For many local businesses, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube were once all about likes, shares, and comments, giving us…
Read MoreWhy your advertising is failing
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees How to maximize impact with full-funnel marketing By Angenette Natkowski, Nexstar Media Group Rockford area businesses don’t compete in a vacuum. They vie for attention, trust, and loyalty. While reputation travels fast in our tight-knit market, buying decisions take time. That’s exactly why…
Read MoreBranding a Region
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees How Mrs. Claus drew the spotlight to Rockford By John Groh, GoRockford If friends from around the country reached out over the holidays to say they saw Rockford on national television, they were likely watching NBC Nightly News the Saturday before Christmas. On…
Read MoreSales tax increase on the ballot for Winnebago County
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees ROCPAC launches opposition campaign in advance of March 17 election By Conor Brown, chairman, Rockford Chamber PAC, Inc. Last month, the Government Affairs Committee of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) announced its opposition to the countywide school facility sales tax on…
Read MoreStepping back and stepping up
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees How local, family-owned businesses handle leadership changeovers By Christine Hand, managing editor For family-owned businesses, leadership transitions are among the most pivotal moments in a company’s lifecycle. Unlike publicly traded firms, these transitions are deeply personal, blending business strategy with family relationships, legacy,…
Read MoreMore than a piece of dirt
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees GRCC’s new VP shares what economic development means to him By Christine Hand, managing editor In January, the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) welcomed Everett Butzine, CEcD, as its new vice president of business expansion and attraction. Newly relocated from Madison, Wisconsin,…
Read MoreGreater together
Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Announces Class of 40 over 40 Honorees A letter to the business community from the new kid on the block By Mike Lacny, Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce It’s week two of my new position here at the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) and our managing editor asked me…
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