Chamber Spotlight: Department of Business Development

The Chamber has five departments of focus for our strategic plan: Program Development, Public Affairs, Organizational Development, Tourism, and Business Development.

The sector of Business Development works to serve as a leader and catalyst for planning Chamber programs and services that provide a favorable business climate and cultivate the uniqueness of the community.

Our regional businesses range from small Mom and Pop businesses to large industry, so we work to provide programs and events that vary to meet the needs of this diverse business community.

Annually, the Business Development Division produces the Business to Business EXPO each October. This regional opportunity for business to connect grows each year, attracting larger attendance and new contracts for participating businesses. Each year’s EXPO includes the Taste of Calhoun County, and we’ve expanded, in recent years, to include Restaurant Week, building up the hype to the Taste. For 2015, we will be introducing a Regional Medical EXPO, partnering with both Regional Medical Center and Stringfellow Memorial Hospital to highlight the large healthcare industry and resources we have available in our community.

The Business Development Division also includes our Small Business Committee and their efforts to strengthen and promote the growth, success and recognition of small businesses.  For years, the Chamber has also advocated for shopping local, with campaigns and events generating awareness within the general public. For 2015, our goal is to collaborate with our area municipalities and organizations to promote the Shop Local campaign, as well as promoting national campaigns like Small Business Saturday and more. Each May, we also honor local small businesses with our Small Businesses of the Year Awards Gala and month of activities.

2015 will be the first year for Lunch and Leads, encouraging members to connect for lunch. The only cost for those who attend is the lunch they would be taking already. These will be held the second Wednesday each month, moving around to various Chamber member restaurants throughout the county.

The Business Development Division and Small Business Committee will also continue to facilitate business seminars, which focus on the needs of specific businesses and industries in our area. We’ve also developed webinars to compile a sort of Business Resource Library with targeted resources for Small Businesses and Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs.

Each year, the Business Development Division also honors and recognizes Industry with Salute to Industry Month activities that range from tours for the membership and public to our annual Golf Outing and Lunch. The Salute to Industry Committee and Business Development Division work to expand opportunities and relationships for our existing industries.

The Chamber is a business tool, providing opportunities to engage, link and grow businesses.

If you are interested in participating in October’s Business EXPO, the Salute to Industry activities of September or the ongoing Small Business and Shop Local endeavors, please contact the Chamber at 256-237-3536. All these programs provide a platform for local professionals to collaborate and take an active role in expanding opportunities for all Calhoun County businesses.  Join us!

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