Chamber Ready to S.C.O.R.E

Even More for City of Central

By Rev. Ron Erickson, President and CEO

Central Chamber of Commerce

 

The Central Chamber of Commerce has continued to move forward into new endeavors throughout 2010.  

 

We started our “Kicking off a New Season!” campaign last September, and since then the Board of Directors has continued to explore and develop several new concepts for helping to serve, protect and promote the membership of the Central Chamber.  

 

Now we are ready to “S.C.O.R.E. for Central!” That stands for: Specialized Meetings; Creative Promotions; Organizational Improvements; Redesigned Website; and Executive Positioning.  Here are some of the exciting changes that explain how we plan to do these things.

 

For the first time on April 14, the Central Chamber of Commerce's monthly meeting divided into "networking groups" as part of improvements designed to "S.C.O.R.E." for Central.

Specialized Meetings

Our monthly membership meetings will now alternate between bringing in a guest speaker and having networking meetings.   Many members have expressed appreciation for the opportunity to network with other Chamber business leaders.   We are diligently trying to bring in guest speakers who will be of importance to us and have a bearing on our Chamber membership.  

 

Under the heading of creative promotions, we have expanded our promotional opportunities by offering the C-4 Power Pack and producing our first ever, free-to-our-members coupon book.  

 

The C-4 Power Pack is a bimonthly mail out that is delivered to at least 300, randomly selected, homes in our area.   C-4 stands for the four C’s in the City of Central Chamber of Commerce.   We want to put the power of “C-4” to work for our membership. For a nominal fee, all that the Chamber member has to provide is their ad/coupon layout. Then the Central Chamber will print the ad, prepare the ad for distribution and mail the ad to at least 300 homes.   We are confident that this idea will catch on. Eventually, we plan to reach 1,000 homes a month!

 

Coupon Books

The coupon books came out in December, just in time for the holidays and close to 3,000 were distributed.   There was no cost to the membership.

 

Under the heading of organizational improvements, at our April Membership meeting we introduced our Ambassador’s Council Program.   The purpose of the Ambassador’s Council is to establish a select committee of volunteer professionals who will support the development and growth of the Chamber by:

·         Enhancing public relations and communication endeavors;

·         Retaining membership;

·         Attracting new membership; and

·         Serving as business liaisons to members of the City of Central Chamber of Commerce.

 

We are currently taking applications for the Ambassador’s Council and anticipate the implementation of this exciting program during the summer months.   

 

Search Engine Efforts

In May, we will have a newly created website up and running.   This website will allow members to update business information, present their business to website visitors, help optimize search engine efforts, and create a new look for the City of Central Chamber of Commerce.

 

There is one other recent change that has taken place with our Chamber.   In January, I received my first one-year contract from the City of Central Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I sincerely appreciate the Directors’ vote of confidence.  

 

I am excited about having this opportunity to serve our membership, watch out for our businesses’ interests, and look forward to advancing our Chamber.   Together, we will establish a viable, powerful, and expanding business community in and for Central.