ACTION Newsletter

NEWSLETTER

SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION TO JACKSON-BELDEN CHAMBER MEMBERS WELCOME TO THE CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE! INSIDE • Welcome and update from Denny Saunier and Steven Meeks • Thank you from Steven Meeks

PRESIDENT & CEO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION TO JACKSON-BELDEN CHAMBER MEMBERS

WELCOME AND UPDATE FROM DENNY SAUNIER AND STEVEN MEEKS On August 9, the membership of the JacksonBelden Chamber of Commerce overwhelmingly voted YES to merge with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce. A few days later, on August 16, the membership of the CRCC overwhelmingly voted YES as well.

These were historic votes for our business community and our region, and we thank you!

We are thrilled to now represent 2,100 businesses in Stark County and beyond, making the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce the sixth largest metro chamber in Ohio, behind Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Youngstown and Dayton.

Even more importantly, we thank you for believing in our vision for a united business community.

Together, we will have an enhanced presence in the region, including: Business an Economic Development Impact: Through our combined resources, we will provide economic development initiatives for businesses of all sizes in all sectors, which includes a deeper pool of business expertise.

Member Services and Programs: An integrated organization gives members unprecedented access to a powerful array of opportunities, including an expanded calendar of events and programming. (continued ...)

SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION TO JACKSON-BELDEN CHAMBER MEMBERS

WELCOME AND UPDATE ...

Leadership for a Stronger Business Climate: The combined organization is the most significant Chamber in the region – in size, programming and impact.

our Events Calendar, which includes all Canton Regional Chamber events AND former JacksonBelden Chamber events. We urge you to attend one of these events and meet some new faces.

Small Business Benefits: Our members are poised to enjoy the most robust small business programming in the region, including networking, mentoring and growth opportunities.

In addition, next week you should receive a copy of ACTION, our monthly member newsletter. This is packed with valuable information.

Public Policy / Business Advocacy: We now have a large, unified voice on legislative issues that impact our membership.

Community Impact: A combined Chamber will continue to improve Stark County’s overall quality of life through the production of worldclass community events, including volunteer opportunities.

Our UNIFIED services, programs, resources, and advocacy will enhance each member’s visibility and potential for success while building seamless community in which we work, live and play.

In short, our organization will offer a level of value our members haven’t seen before.

We are in the process of incorporating all Jackson-Belden Chamber members into the Canton Regional Chamber databases, and are pleased that everything has been progressing smoothly so far. Once the database update is complete, you will receive all communication moving forward from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

We will continue to offer you updates on our merger integration in the weeks and months to come. In the meantime, please take a look at

Thank you again for your support; the future for our business community in Stark County is bright!

SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION TO JACKSON-BELDEN CHAMBER MEMBERS SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEVEN MEEKS, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CANTON REGIONAL CHAMBER Greetings Jackson-Belden Chamber Members, and welcome to the newly merged Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce! Please allow me a few words to reflect on the important chapter that just closed.

First, THANK YOU to the 800 members of the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce for letting me serve you these past six years. You have made my job a pleasure, and you are truly like family to me.

We could not have grown the JBCC in the past few years and implement positive change without each of you and your belief in our organization.

I’d especially like to thank our dedicated corps of volunteers. Your generosity of time, talent and treasure has helped make our community a better place. Without your support and countless volunteer hours, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I thank

you and hope you’ll continue to stay involved and share your gifts with the new organization.

I take immense pride in all that we were able to accomplish together. As the Jackson-Belden and Canton Regional Chambers move forward as one, let us not think of this as the end, but an opportunity to take all of our efforts and progress to even greater heights.

Again, thank you for letting me serve you. God bless.

Steven Meeks