OT Chamber of Commerce help

Hey guys, so I've got a broad question here and just looking for any ideas, suggestions, advice, etc. Our small town (around 1,000 pop) has a chamber of commerce/community betterment group and we are looking for ideas of how we can bring more to our members.

currently they get some advertising on local radio stations (in adjoining larger towns) and some advertising in the local paper.

What are you guy's chambers doing for you or your local businesses? Looking for ways to get more businesses, get more people in current businesses and spend money, etc!

Thanks!!

Well don't know bout that there other stuff, But that there spending money part, I'm REAL good at that! Send some over here to Nw. Pa and I'll help ya out.

Have the C of C start a festival complete with a parade, pet show, tractor exhibit, and entertainment.

Start a Christmas parade.

Have a special day for a sidewalk sale.
Free community dinner.

Hire an economic development person for $50 or $60 grand a year like the two towns in my area do with ZERO ROI! But they still have a job!

The economic development people are over paid and do NOTHING,I think they are doing nothing on purpose,to keep business out of small towns,

Might need to broaden their reach instead of local advertising.
Those that hear it locally already know about your town.

They do zero advertising for members. Mostly they concentrate on running festivals and so forth.

Brad, You are not going to want to hear this but it is almost impossibe to save the economic stores in a town of that size (unless it is many many miles from anything). There simply is not enough business to turn a profit. I have studied it nationwide as a part of my job and there is not much reason for outsiders to travel from their town to another very small town to shop. Generally the customers and their dollars gravitate to the nearest community with a Walmart, a big supermarket, a hospital and a drug store.

That said, a few well run local business can do OK. A quality conveniece store, a gas station, a small auto repair/tire repair store, a morning/noon coffee shop. Needs to keep a church or two, which is very important.

The life of the community can continue, with festivals, neat little parks and church events. BUT...If the town turns into a trash pile with junk cars and debris everywhere, abandoned houses and human delilects....last one out... turn off the lights.

my local chamber keeps trying to get me to join, other than a few golf outings that you have to pay for anyways, I can"t really see what my dues go to.

Well, Bradracer, you've asked the $64,000 question. Having been the director of our local chamber for 11 years after retiring from my real career, this question is asked constantly. Really, a chamber cannot bring customers into your business - you must do that through advertising and exceptional customer service. A chamber can help with advertising by bringing several businesses together and getting a discounted advertising program with a local newspaper, radio, and television. Many business owners do view a chamber as cd1, below, does - if dues don't bring in customers, dues aren't worth it. I never argued with that attitude as a chamber cannot bring paying customers in the door. In my opinion, the chamber of a small town (ours is about 8,000) can best provide services to members especially networking which is a goal of cd1's golf outings. We began a once a month early morning networking event which runs from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and gives community leaders a maximum of 2 minutes to tell what's new - kind of a headline news format. It has been our most successful event that has run for several years and typically draws almost 100 people each time. Sponsoring community festivals which gives residents a sense of place are very popular and gives businesses a chance to showcase their products and services. There are many other activities a chamber can sponsor to serve the needs of business but bringing customers in the door where you must interact with them is up to you. Sorry this is so long. It could be much longer.