April is EXPO and membership month at the St. Tammany West Chamber.
It’s an era of winning, strengthening communities and building new relationships.
This is the theme the members of our board, committee chairs and staff of our Chamber are carrying out this spring through our committees’ work, events and programs. We are building on a strong foundation established in the past decade, and for decades before that when our 1,000 member strong organization roots were established.
A membership drive is currently underway. Over 60 current members gathered at an event hosted at and sponsored by Mark and Donna Benfatti of N’Tini’s in Mandeville for a kickoff to gather applications and specifics about the benefits of membership. Several team captains, led by Mike Dugger of Runners Choice & City Soccer and Nancy Lee of Ron Lee Homes, will lead small groups of volunteers who understand why a strong Chamber is important in this growing parish and how businesses can benefit.
Team captains are as follows:
Nixon Adams, Mandeville Planning & Zoning Commission: History Committee
Michele Avery, LaPorte Sehrt Romig & Hand: Board
Nathan Boudreaux, Eaux Creative Designs: Tech Industries
Mike Dugger, Runners Choice & City Soccer: Ambassador’s Council
Chairman
Gabrielle Grant, Ochsner Health Systems North Shore: Cultural Economy Committee
Amy Edwards, Capital One: Communications Committee
Sally Kingston, Merrill Lynch: Small Business Advisory Council
Craig Marinello, Next Step Resources: Northshore Rising Professionals
Richard Muller, Lakeshore Title, L.L.C.: Finance Committee
Cynthia Thompson, Merrill Lynch: Governmental Affairs Committee
These individuals know they have to make things happen in your business. They understand how Chamber membership offers networking opportunities for you to market your products and services in direct one-on-one settings, build relationships, and prove your credibility.
They also understand why we have created programs such as the St. Tammany Healthcare Alliance, the NRPs – Northshore Rising Professionals, and a Cultural Economy Committee, all of which indirectly affect our quality of life and economic development. They see the results of our collaboration building efforts, and are proud to see collaboration growing and reaping results from the strong relationships we have built with elected officials and other business organizations in St. Tammany and across what is now being called the “Super Region” — from New Orleans to Baton Rouge and the northshore.
Of our current membership, nearly 50 have been members for over 20 years. To them, we express sincere and humble appreciation for their unwavering support of the Chamber of Commerce during the ups and downs in the economy over the years. Another 536 members have been members for over five years. It is these loyal members that can claim true ownership of our accomplishments, both tangible and intangible over the years. New members are constantly joining our ranks, and this is what we are focusing on this month—welcoming new companies to our business community.
The most visible and tangible accomplishment is the building, which houses our Chamber at 610 Hollycrest Blvd, just off Hwy. 190 north of I-12. Our building is something that each of our long time investors can be proud of; a beautiful and modern facility that serves as a true front door to St. Tammany West for newcomers, visitors, entrepreneurs, and a meeting place for our most active members that serve on committees. Our building committee members’ names grace the plaque near our front door; they received an anniversary note of thanks again this month for their historic contributions.
If you are a new business owner or a local small business owner that has not had the time to consider the benefits the Chamber offers you, or believe you don’t have the time, or that dues are too high — less than $25 per month for 85% of our members—consider joining today. Call our office or any of the following team captains to talk, or come as a guest to one of our events this month. You especially won’t want to miss our annual business EXPO from 11a.m until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 at the Castine Center. Over 100 businesses will be under one roof all day, exhibiting their products and marketing their services. EXPO is one of the key services we provide and is the largest show of its kind in the southeast region of our state.
The deadline to join our Chamber in order to be listed in the 2010 – 2011 Community Guide & Membership Directory is April 23.
Visit www.sttammanychamber.org to learn more about the St. Tammany West Chamber.