Published: April 02, 2008 03:18 pm            

The chamber's mid-year update

The first half of the chamber’s 2008 fiscal year has come and gone. We have a great staff, and it is with a sense of pride in their work that I provide this brief mid-year update.

Thus far, we have seen significant progress and are pleased to inform you about some of these achievements.

Our first notable item to mention is our Chamber Banquet and Annual Meeting in October. The event, which featured Lindsay Thomas as the keynote speaker, was informative and entertaining as always. Nearly 400 guests attended the event.

In the chamber’s Community Development Division, the Legislative Action Committee just concluded its work, where more than 40 chamber members monitored legislation before the chamber took appropriate action. Also, we recently held a Campaign Academy which helped people interested in seeking elected office learn the ropes of effective campaigning. Further, the chamber is proud to announce that the first Emerging Leaders Class is a success, and the current Leadership Dalton-Whitfield program is about to close out a great year with graduation coming up in May. The Leadership Alumni Association is also very proud of their efforts with the “Share the Vision” series, and a record attendance was recorded with special guest Deborah Norville.

In our Member Services Division, our monthly networking event, Member Mixer, continues to be very popular.

It’s so popular with our host businesses that the calendar to host a Member Mixer is currently filled until 2010. We are also looking forward to our 5th Annual Business Expo. This event has grown tremendously since its inception and is a great way to get to know many local businesses.

As always, be on the lookout for your monthly ChamberLink. This newsletter continues to be a great partnership with The Daily Citizen.

Now, I’d like to mention several items that encompass all areas of the chamber organization and the Dalton-Whitfield community. Dalton is scheduled to be a host city for the upcoming Leadership Georgia class. Their September visit will showcase the Dalton-Whitfield community to more than 100 business leaders from all over Georgia.

Finally, let me again thank our 2008 program sponsors. We are grateful for both the generosity and time these businesses give to the chamber.

This is not a comprehensive list of what is happening at the chamber, but this update illustrates the substantial progress that is being made during our program year. If you are not already actively involved in your Chamber of Commerce, I would encourage you to take that extra step.

Membership matters.



Bill Jourdain is chairman of the chairman of the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce executive board.

        

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