Carmel Chamber 2018 Objectives

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January 01, 2018
SHOP LOCAL - In October 2017, we launched our first Shop Local Program. “Make Our Day – Shop Carmel” was specifically designed to encourage our community and visitors alike to support small, local business by shopping more often and utilizing local services year ‘round. Shop Local is a national movement and the idea of course is that when money stays local, businesses stay open, people stay employed, residents stay put and the local economy thrives. Last year we launched the program during the holiday season and more specifically with Small Business Saturday in November. This year our program will deliver targeted marketing messages encouraging the community to support local businesses more often throughout the year, provide effective tools and resources designed specifically for the independent business owner, refer consumers and members to fellow businesses and report back to our members on the success of the program.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS - No more plastic straws, no Styrofoam, better recycling, saving water and conserving energy. These are just a few ways that businesses are trying to operate while respecting and protecting the natural environment that surrounds and supports them. The chamber will continue its work with businesses, agencies, the City of Carmel and others to identify additional practices that embrace this new way of doing business. We’ll spotlight current members and partners who have already implemented sustainable methods in their everyday business and how other businesses, residents, visitors can do to work together and get involved.

REPRESENTING OUR BUSINESSES TO GOVERNMENT - This year the Carmel Chamber of Commerce welcomes its first official Government Affairs Committee. The mission of the Governmental Affairs Committee (“GAC”) is to “Provide a basis for The Carmel Chamber of Commerce (“CCC”) to proactively engage in local, state and federal government related issues and to cultivate positive and productive working relationships with elected officials to create a healthy business climate for our Carmel communities.” We will listen, respond and when appropriate, take action in regards to issues that directly impact our local business communities. Whether it be letter writing, testifying in support of business, meeting with local and state elected officials or sitting down with residents and the community at large, we’ll advocate when appropriate and we’ll report all of our efforts as the efforts of others back to you.

BUILDING A STRONGER CHAMBER & COMMUNICATE - In order to continue to provide ALL the benefits, tools and resources that the Carmel Chamber has to offer, we need to keep our membership base strong. We do that by providing keeping our members happy and renewals strong. We stay in contact with current members and we recently created more comprehensive membership packages that provide more value, more useful tools, more programs and more services throughout the year. We are also forming new partnerships with other local Chambers as well as larger and notable companies to broaden our brand recognition and reach. We’ll be tapping into new funding sources that will allow us to create more programs and opportunities. We’ll be updating our website to feature relevant and real time information first, showcase all of the successes of the Chamber and its members and we’ll report on what other Chambers are doing to best serve their communities. We will communicate all of this to you more often, more consistently, more effectively, using all the various channels available to us, including print, social and beyond.

We look forward to working with all of you on these efforts and more in this new year. The Chamber Board and Staff are always available to take your feedback and suggestions on how we can best serve you. I am honored and grateful to work with such a motivated and committed Board of Directors, a talented and enthusiastic staff, friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, and an impressive group of business members and professionals who make Carmel such an amazing place to live and work. Here’s to many more years of success!

Cynthia M. Buhl, The Crossroads Carmel
Carmel 2018 Board Chair