CEO's Corner: May 2008
by Rob Clapper, Chamber President and CEO
What does being a member of your Laurens County Chamber of Commerce mean? If I were to ask ten individuals that question I can be assured of at least ten differing answers.
The answer to the question has changed in just a few short years. I also know I will sometimes get a different answer from some of our major employers over those of the small business owners. The same applies to the "big box" stores and family-operated business dealing in similar products.
The trick for us as your Chamber staff is to understand those differences and plan our marketing programs in accordance with them. We need to be diverse and visionary. This Chamber is no longer only a networking, ribbon-cutting and socializing element within the county. Although we are concerned about those historical functions of chambers of commerce, we have expanded our role by going well beyond those fundamental necessities.
In a nut shell, I believe our members receive a real return on their investment as members of a professional and leading organization. This can be seen many ways throughout a day. More specifically it is clearly visible by observing the hard-working, talented and professional staff we have to support you. You will find no other chamber that has the caliber of professionalism and passion that Marlene and Randall bring to the Chamber.
We have become the recognized "go to" place by local, state and some national leaders. Why? More often than not, your Chamber is approached by many other groups and organizations that are seeking our input, endorsement and assistance. They see our chamber as a relevant and integral part of the community that maintains a finger on the pulse of Laurens County.
Still, we are asked by some as to just what their investment (in terms of money) has done for them? Though the question is not asked as frequently as when I first came on the scene in 2004, it still does come up. My most frequent response is to ask the question as to their involvement. All too often we will find out that the business owner asking the question "What do you do for me?" has never, or rarely involved himself or herself in any of the committees, task forces or networking opportunities provided. Therefore, it is no wonder that they should ask such a question. For those new members who attend one of our many networking opportunities, or who become involved in a specific committee, we never hear that question. They know and they get it. Over the two years our membership has been fairly constant, and there has been a significant decrease in asking "What does it do for me?"
We have seen a rapid growth in our chamber throughout this 30th Anniversary year. Currently our Chamber has a record membership directory with more than 500 members covering the upstate region. 2007 saw the Chamber selected as the National Runner-up to the ACCE Chamber of the Year and the has maintained the best membership participation in recent history.
Large Employers, committee chairs and directors still don't compose the majority of our membership list. It is all of those smaller businesses that keep the economy in and around Laurens County vibrant. A small business in America still hires most of the work force and to those small entrepreneurs and the people employed by all of our members we give hearty THANKS!
Thanks for keeping our economy moving forward. You, our business leaders and chamber members, are the backbone of our economy and keep the machine moving forward for the generations that follow us.
You are truly what the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce is really all about. Each of you will remain the Chamber of Commerce. See you around the County.
