Chamber executive added to Missouri Partnership board
Greg Williams, senior vice president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, is the newest Missouri Partnership board member. Missouri Partnership is the state's nonprofit business attraction and marketing organization, having taken over those duties from the state Department of Economic Development in 2007. The group aims to attract new businesses to the state in national and international arenas.
Williams leads the chamber's economic development program in all business retention and attraction initiatives and also serves as CEO of the Springfield Business and Development Corp., the chamber's economic development subsidiary. He also was instrumental in the formation of the Springfield Angel Network for area angel investors.
Williams previously served Missouri Partnership as a member of its advisory board.
Bike, Bus or Walk?
Ozark Greenways is challenging local professionals to use alternative modes of transportation at least one day this week. In the 12th annual Bike, Bus, Walk to Work Week, May 11-15, participants will use bikes, public buses, walking trails, telecommuting and carpooling to get to work. The goal is to highlight alternative transportation options, including greenway trails, on-street bike routes or buses, and to support future expansion of such choices. Corporations are doing their part as well: Panera Bread will give a bagel and coffee to registered participants; City Utilities will give free city bus rides for those traveling with a bike; and YMCA and CoxHealth fitness centers will allow free use of showers and towels. Participants can register through workplaces or schools at www.ozarkgreenways.org.
Kicking the Convention Tires
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau sales staff showcased Springfield to a dozen meeting and convention planners during a familiarization tour last week. Scheduled tour stops were the city's convention hotels, Expo Center, JQH Arena, Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, the new airport terminal, Bass Pro Shops and Hammons Field.
Sales Director Dana Maugans welcomes leads about conventions that might be a good fit for Springfield; contact her at (417) 881-5300, Ext. 111, or dmaugans@springfieldmo.org.
A Habitat Home Run
A competitive 5k run and 1-mile fun run/walk June 20 will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Springfield. The Habitat Home Run will start and end at Hammons Field in downtown Springfield. The local chapter is seeking corporate event sponsors at $250 apiece and T-shirt sponsors at $100 each. Visit www.habitatspringfieldmo.org for details and a participant entry form.
A relocation to Nixa from Republic and a rebranding occurred for Aspen Elevated Health; Kuick Noodles LLC opened; and Phelps County Bank launched a new southwest Springfield branch.
