About The Winner's Circle
For the 16th consecutive year, Commerce Lexington Inc. is preparing for its annual Winner’s Circle total resource development program. This initiative enlists the help of around 100 volunteers from throughout the community, who seek to bring in new members, renewals and membership upgrades, while informing existing members of services and marketing opportunities available through Commerce Lexington Inc.
Leading this year’s initiative is Darby Turner of Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, who will serve as Chair of the Winner’s Circle program. The Winner’s Circle program provides a great opportunity for member companies to find marketing opportunities and sponsorships that meet their promotional needs and budget.
CLICK HERE FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Commerce Lexington Inc.
Commerce Lexington Inc. was formed in January 2004 with the merger of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Lexington United, and the Lexington Partnership for Workforce Development. Commerce Lexington Inc. seeks to promote economic development, job creation, and overall business growth in Lexington and its neighboring communities, while strengthening its existing businesses through the many programs and services that the organization offers. It was created to provide more continuity and enhanced focus in the areas of business, economic development, and workforce development.
Commerce Lexington is the business organization for the Bluegrass. On behalf of businesses, Commerce Lexington Inc. also works with local government and surrounding communities to enhance business and economic development opportunities in and around the Lexington area.
As a member of Commerce Lexington, not only do business owners receive benefits that help their business grow, but their investment also strengthens the organization's commitment to advancing the Bluegrass business community and the area's quality of life. From representation at all levels of government to informative small business targeted programs to great marketing opportunities in various publications to educational and professional development opportunities, and even networking events, Commerce Lexington seeks to provide members with the information they need to make their business a success.
WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?
Commerce Lexington is a voluntary not-for-profit organization comprised of over 1,700 member businesses. Our members are mainly located in the Bluegrass Region; however, we do have members from all over the United States.
Our membership is overwhelmingly comprised of small business:
The average dues amount paid per member is $757. Thirty-eight percent of our annual dues investments are made by our Board of Trustees and our Diamond Investors.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Commerce Lexington's Economic Development Division focuses its energies on assisting local business retention and expansion, encouraging entrepreneurial activity through programs like the Lexington Venture Club, and recruiting new business investment in the Bluegrass. Within the ED Division, the Minority Business Development program aims to promote and sustain the economic growth and development of minority business owners and entrepreneurs, recruits minority-owned businesses into the Lexington MSA and Commerce Lexington, and provides business referral services to local agencies that aid in business planning process, financing, and efforts to improve purchasing and procurement opportunities for minority business owners.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Local workforce development initiatives are led by Commerce Lexington's Business & Education Network (BEN), which seeks to improve our local workforce through education and training programs by connecting and coordinating educational institutions and private businesses to better serve individuals and businesses looking to raise their workforce skills. BEN contributes to the economic growth potential of our community through its efforts to upgrade our workforce.
ADVOCACY
For 130 years, Commerce Lexington Inc. and its predecessors have served as the lead advocate for the Central Kentucky business community at all levels of government. Our ongoing strength and effectiveness resides in the collective focus of some 1,700 members – members who believe in free enterprise, understand the need to forge and readily embrace change, and who work to enhance the power of education to change lives and the economy.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Business support programs like the Business Owners Advisory Board and the @330 Series help small business owners and sole proprietors succeed through educational events, networking opportunities, and peer group advice. Members also have access to the vast resources of our research department, which tracks statistics, rankings, demographic data and more in order to provide the most up-to date information to entrepreneurs starting new businesses, out-of town companies looking to relocate, or existing businesses hoping to expand.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
If it’s leadership development that you’re after for yourself or for your employees, you’ll want to check out Commerce Lexington’s Leadership programs - Leadership Lexington, Leadership Central Kentucky, and the Leadership Lexington Youth program. Each is an intensive program that engages participants in the issues and challenges that impact our city and/or region.
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
Membership in Commerce Lexington also comes with great targeted and affordable marketing opportunities from its web site to its monthly magazine, Business Focus, to its E-Newsletter currently delivered to 4,800-plus computers each week to the Guide to the Bluegrass and various resource guides like the Small Business Resource Guide, the Guide to Gaining Media Attention, and Minority Business Resource Guide.
GET INVOLVED
Getting involved means many things to our members. We welcome and encourage our members to attend the many events that we have throughout the year. Getting involved by attending events is a great way to make valuable business contacts. In addition, our events offer professional development opportunities as well as the opportunity to hear from elected officials – both local and national. If a member has attended many of our events and has become very familiar with our organization and they want to take their involvement to the next level, one of our committees may be of interest.
Volunteer's Role in the Winner's Circle Program
The Winner’s Circle is a great way for you to meet community and business leaders while working directly with volunteers from your company and the other teams. You are one of many individuals whose teamwork and spirit of volunteerism keep Lexington’s future bright. This is an opportunity for you to grow professionally, to expand your business and community contacts, and to help Commerce Lexington become even stronger and more vital for business in the future.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR TIME
We know that in today’s business climate you are very busy in your job. We are quite sensitive to your time demands. The length of the program is specifically designed to enable you to participate while fulfilling the responsibilities of your job. In addition, Commerce Lexington staff will assist you with orientation, training, and great event opportunities.
Leading this year’s initiative is Darby Turner of Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, who will serve as Chair of the Winner’s Circle program. The Winner’s Circle program provides a great opportunity for member companies to find marketing opportunities and sponsorships that meet their promotional needs and budget.
CLICK HERE FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Commerce Lexington Inc.
Commerce Lexington Inc. was formed in January 2004 with the merger of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Lexington United, and the Lexington Partnership for Workforce Development. Commerce Lexington Inc. seeks to promote economic development, job creation, and overall business growth in Lexington and its neighboring communities, while strengthening its existing businesses through the many programs and services that the organization offers. It was created to provide more continuity and enhanced focus in the areas of business, economic development, and workforce development.
Commerce Lexington is the business organization for the Bluegrass. On behalf of businesses, Commerce Lexington Inc. also works with local government and surrounding communities to enhance business and economic development opportunities in and around the Lexington area.
As a member of Commerce Lexington, not only do business owners receive benefits that help their business grow, but their investment also strengthens the organization's commitment to advancing the Bluegrass business community and the area's quality of life. From representation at all levels of government to informative small business targeted programs to great marketing opportunities in various publications to educational and professional development opportunities, and even networking events, Commerce Lexington seeks to provide members with the information they need to make their business a success.
WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?
Commerce Lexington is a voluntary not-for-profit organization comprised of over 1,700 member businesses. Our members are mainly located in the Bluegrass Region; however, we do have members from all over the United States.
Our membership is overwhelmingly comprised of small business:
- 2% - No Employees
- 29% - 1 to 3 Employees
- 21% - 4 to 9 Employees
- 21% - 10 to 25 Employees
- 9% - 26 to 49 Employees
- 7% - 50 to 99 Employees
- 5% - 100 to 199 Employees
- 5% - More than 200 Employees
The average dues amount paid per member is $757. Thirty-eight percent of our annual dues investments are made by our Board of Trustees and our Diamond Investors.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Commerce Lexington's Economic Development Division focuses its energies on assisting local business retention and expansion, encouraging entrepreneurial activity through programs like the Lexington Venture Club, and recruiting new business investment in the Bluegrass. Within the ED Division, the Minority Business Development program aims to promote and sustain the economic growth and development of minority business owners and entrepreneurs, recruits minority-owned businesses into the Lexington MSA and Commerce Lexington, and provides business referral services to local agencies that aid in business planning process, financing, and efforts to improve purchasing and procurement opportunities for minority business owners.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Local workforce development initiatives are led by Commerce Lexington's Business & Education Network (BEN), which seeks to improve our local workforce through education and training programs by connecting and coordinating educational institutions and private businesses to better serve individuals and businesses looking to raise their workforce skills. BEN contributes to the economic growth potential of our community through its efforts to upgrade our workforce.
ADVOCACY
For 130 years, Commerce Lexington Inc. and its predecessors have served as the lead advocate for the Central Kentucky business community at all levels of government. Our ongoing strength and effectiveness resides in the collective focus of some 1,700 members – members who believe in free enterprise, understand the need to forge and readily embrace change, and who work to enhance the power of education to change lives and the economy.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Business support programs like the Business Owners Advisory Board and the @330 Series help small business owners and sole proprietors succeed through educational events, networking opportunities, and peer group advice. Members also have access to the vast resources of our research department, which tracks statistics, rankings, demographic data and more in order to provide the most up-to date information to entrepreneurs starting new businesses, out-of town companies looking to relocate, or existing businesses hoping to expand.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
If it’s leadership development that you’re after for yourself or for your employees, you’ll want to check out Commerce Lexington’s Leadership programs - Leadership Lexington, Leadership Central Kentucky, and the Leadership Lexington Youth program. Each is an intensive program that engages participants in the issues and challenges that impact our city and/or region.
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
Membership in Commerce Lexington also comes with great targeted and affordable marketing opportunities from its web site to its monthly magazine, Business Focus, to its E-Newsletter currently delivered to 4,800-plus computers each week to the Guide to the Bluegrass and various resource guides like the Small Business Resource Guide, the Guide to Gaining Media Attention, and Minority Business Resource Guide.
GET INVOLVED
Getting involved means many things to our members. We welcome and encourage our members to attend the many events that we have throughout the year. Getting involved by attending events is a great way to make valuable business contacts. In addition, our events offer professional development opportunities as well as the opportunity to hear from elected officials – both local and national. If a member has attended many of our events and has become very familiar with our organization and they want to take their involvement to the next level, one of our committees may be of interest.
Volunteer's Role in the Winner's Circle Program
The Winner’s Circle is a great way for you to meet community and business leaders while working directly with volunteers from your company and the other teams. You are one of many individuals whose teamwork and spirit of volunteerism keep Lexington’s future bright. This is an opportunity for you to grow professionally, to expand your business and community contacts, and to help Commerce Lexington become even stronger and more vital for business in the future.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Corporate Pride: You want your company to look good!
- Corporate Visibility: Your company selected you to get the job done. You want to show them they made the best choice!
- Learn a new skill: Maybe you have never been in sales before or just want to sharpen your presentation skills.
- Add to your resume: You are a participant in the largest resource development program in Commerce Lexington’s history.
- Expand your business contacts and meet new people: There are many other companies and over a hundred volunteers who are part of this effort!
- Learn about Commerce Lexington and the Lexington area: Every event will be rewarding and informative!
- Have Fun: You may never have so much fun while helping your community – we guarantee it!
EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR TIME
We know that in today’s business climate you are very busy in your job. We are quite sensitive to your time demands. The length of the program is specifically designed to enable you to participate while fulfilling the responsibilities of your job. In addition, Commerce Lexington staff will assist you with orientation, training, and great event opportunities.
