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The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's Success School hosted a High School Employment Fair at Bloomington High School South (BHSS) on April 30th, 2026. There were 20-25 local organizations from all sectors that offered opportunities for current high school students. At the Fair, organizations were able to interact with high school students about the career opportunities open to them now or in the future. See photos from the event below! As a part of the Chamber's Foundation, The Success School acts as the connection between the business and the education communities. We serve students by introducing them to many different potential career options, providing them with opportunities to interact with professionals in different fields and helping them understand that graduating from high school is crucial for future success. We also serve the business community by offering meaningful volunteer opportunities for business professionals in our career learning programs which provide workforce development services for youth.
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 Darren Klein has spent his career at the intersection of strategy, data, and growth; and in 2026, he finally took the step he had been considering for over a decade. As the founder of DK Strategic Marketing Edge, Darren works with small businesses and higher education institutions to help them think about marketing in a different way. After 20 years at Indiana University, including roles within Kelley School of Business and IU Online, as well as earlier experience at Procter & Gamble. He brings a rare blend of corporate, academic, and analytical expertise. His decision to launch his own firm wasn’t impulsive, it was a result of years of reflection and a simple but powerful realization: he didn’t want to look back and wish he never had tried.
What Darren offers through his business can be misunderstood at first, and that’s reasonably intentional. He doesn’t build websites, design logos, or run ad campaigns. Conversely, he focuses on what comes before all that: strategy. His work focuses on positioning, messaging, growth planning, and helping organizations understand not just how to market themselves, but why their approach should work in the first place. In a world that often jumps straight to execution, Darren slows the process down, ensuring every decision is grounded with purpose and clarity. Congratulations to Bubbakoo’s Burritos on Their Grand Opening! We were excited to celebrate the opening of Bubbakoo’s Burritos in Bloomington with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Founded in 2008 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Bubbakoo’s Burritos has grown to more than 100 locations across 15 states. Known for its bold Mexican-fusion fast-casual concept, the restaurant offers a creative, customizable menu featuring burritos, tacos, bowls, quesadillas, nachos, and signature flavors. With fresh ingredients, house-made toppings, and a fun, high-energy atmosphere, Bubbakoo’s delivers a unique dining experience for lunch, dinner, and group gatherings. Congratulations to Jignesh Patel and the entire Bubbakoo’s Burritos team, and welcome to the Bloomington business community. Learn more: bubbakoos.com Young Professionals Bloomington's Elevate Your Edge: Emotional Intelligence for Career Success4/24/2026 On Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce held its Young Professionals Bloomington event, Elevate Your Edge: Emotional Intelligence for Career Success, a leadership training event led by Rusty Shields of Develefy Consulting. In today's workplace, technical skills may get you in the door — but emotional intelligence is what sets you apart. Based on Travis Bradberry's bestselling Emotional Intelligence 2.0, this interactive session explored the four core EQ skills — self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management — and how developing them can transform your professional relationships, leadership presence, and career trajectory. See the photos from the event below! (Photos provided by: Ever Exuberant Co.) [More photos will be added soon!] Congratulations to Merchants Bank on Their New Bloomington Location! We were proud to celebrate the opening of Merchants Bank’s new location in Bloomington with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This new investment represents more than just a building—it reflects confidence in our local market, a commitment to building strong relationships, and a belief in the continued growth of our region. Merchants Bank has built a strong reputation for community banking, personalized service, and helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals. Congratulations to the Merchants Bank team, and welcome to the Bloomington community. Learn more: bankmerchants.com On Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce held its April Business After Hours at Graduate by Hilton Bloomington. See the photos from the event below! Elect Connect is the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s nonpartisan candidate engagement series, designed to connect the business community and residents directly with individuals seeking public office. This year’s event—held in partnership with Amplify Bloomington, the Indiana Uplands Realtor Association®, and BASCI—focused on candidates in the Monroe County Board of Commissioners Democratic primary race for the District 1 seat. This event was held on Tuesday, April 21st at Constellation Stage & Screen's Waldron Arts Center. Through a combination of a moderated forum and open networking, Elect Connect creates space for meaningful, face-to-face conversations on the issues shaping our community, including housing, infrastructure, economic growth, and quality of place. The event was moderated by John Fernandez, CEO of Amplify Bloomington, and is designed to move beyond campaign messaging and foster real dialogue between candidates and the community. As part of its role as the voice of business, the Chamber hosts Elect Connect to support civic engagement, elevate key issues, and ensure that local leadership decisions are informed by the needs of our business community. The Chamber does not endorse candidates and remains committed to providing a neutral platform for dialogue and information-sharing. See photos from the event below! Congratulations to The Barrett Agency on Their New Location! We were proud to celebrate The Barrett Agency’s new business location in Bloomington with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Barrett Agency provides professional insurance and risk management services, partnering with individuals and businesses to deliver personalized coverage solutions. This move represents an exciting new chapter for the agency and reflects their continued growth and investment in serving the Bloomington community. Congratulations to The Barrett Agency team on this milestone, and we wish you continued success in your new space. Learn more: teambarrettagency.com  Andrew Lambert has built a career that can’t fit into one specific category—and that’s exactly the way he wants it! As the founder of Lambert Consulting, host of the Mind Yo’ Business podcast, a former professor, and even a stand-up comedian. Lambert’s work lives at the crossroads of business, storytelling, and human connection. Since launching his advertising agency in 2010 and his podcast in 2017, he has consistently focused on one core idea: success is not about appearances, it’s about authenticity, flexibility, and learning through real experiences.
His well-established philosophy is very potent in his podcast, Mind Yo’ Business, born out of frustration from overly scripted, surface-level interviews. Lambert set out to create something different; conversations that truly feel real. With very few pre-written questions and no attempt to command the flow. On the contrary, episodes unfold like a conversation over a coffee or a beer—complete with interruptions, a lifelike feel, and moments that are both honest and down-to-earth. His goal is as easy as ABC: to show the real path to success, including the mistakes, failures, pivots, and struggles that most people conceal in today’s world. Congratulations to Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington on 20 Years in Business! We were proud to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington with a ribbon cutting in downtown Bloomington. Since opening in 2006, the Hilton Garden Inn and Coaches Bar & Grill have served as a welcoming destination for both local residents and travelers from around the world. Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel offers guests modern comfort and convenient access to Bloomington’s restaurants, shops, entertainment, and Indiana University. Over the past two decades, the team has built a reputation for warm hospitality and exceptional service. Congratulations to the Hilton Garden Inn team on 20 years of serving the Bloomington community. Learn more: bloomingtonin.stayhgi.com |
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