Chamber Membership Has Its Privileges
business, chamber of commerce,
If membership involvement is an accurate barometer of the effectiveness of a chamber of commerce, then the Stillwater chamber earns high marks indeed. Just a look at the organization’s calendar of events leaves no doubt that the more than 650 members have every opportunity to become active and engaged.
Chamber President and CEO Larry Brown describes the early morning Third Friday Forums as “getting our membership together informally with policymakers in our community and region who help determine the future of Stillwater. In my view, it’s an educational opportunity.”
Originally, Third Friday Forums were scheduled monthly only when the Oklahoma Legislature was in session from February through the end of May. When Brown took the chamber helm in late 2007, he expanded the events to be year-round, inviting not only state lawmakers, but leaders in local and federal government, too. “It’s generally standing room only, to be quite honest,” he says, adding that the invited guests “to a tee” wrangle for the opportunity.
“It really is a much different atmosphere,” Brown explains. “It’s just like sitting in your living room or den with a cup of coffee and a doughnut and talking.”
Also in the morning is the Business for Breakfast series, when the chamber provides a free continental breakfast and a chance for members to hear expert presentations on topics that particularly resonate with small and medium-size businesses. Past topics have included tax code updates, avenues for employee health insurance, business succession planning and marketing using popular networking technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. That last topic was such a hit, Brown says the chamber may launch an annual technology seminar, probably each autumn.
One of the chamber’s newest events is Noon Networking, a monthly forum for members to share what their business is about with other members. The first 20 to sign up are allowed two minutes for a spiel highlighting their services and products. Any member is allowed to distribute business cards, brochures and other materials. “It originally started out as a brown-bag lunch situation, but it proved to be so successful that we now have sponsors coming on board buying lunch because they want that exposure,” Brown says.
Young Professionals is the only chamber gathering that is also open to nonmembers, in hopes of building tomorrow’s Stillwater business network. Yearly chamber events include the Annual Meeting and Awards Reception each June, Industry Appreciation Night and the Agriculture Appreciation Banquet.
Finally, there’s the traditional Business After Hours, held every other month, provides a fun social atmosphere for members while showcasing area businesses.
“I’m a believer that you don’t necessarily have to have an agenda for all these types of things,” Brown says. “Business After Hours is that kind of deal.”
Story by Sharon H. Fitzgerald
