Chamber of commerce executives newsletter, fundraising ideas, membership boosters

Advisory publications you see featured on this website are the copyrighted products of Hakes Publications of Storm Lake, Iowa.

The firm was founded in 1986 by Dick Hakes, a former newspaper editor and lifelong Chamber of Commerce volunteer who serves as editor and publisher for the Chamber Executive Network newsletter and related publications. Hakes has been an active Chamber

board president, committee chairman

and project director/volunteer for three Midwestern Chambers. Some Chamber and community projects under his direction have included a five-mile recreation trail, fishing dock for physically-challenged anglers and a $100,000 community gateway/lighthouse welcome sign, among others.

      "I view Chambers as the key driving force in many communities," says Hakes. "When you see an active, progressive, thriving community, take a closer look at the Chamber, because it is probably a first-rate organization."

      According to Hakes, Chamber execs have one of the toughest leadership positions in any community and he enjoys the challenge of trying to help them succeed.

      "I have profound respect for the people who work for and manage Chambers," he states. "They're deep in the trenches of community and economic development every day. They have literally hundreds of bosses, and yet they always have time to talk to me in an upbeat way about their towns and cities, their membership issues, their job challenges, and their hopes and dreams. Working with and learning from these Chamber execs makes my job a pure delight."