Chamber news . . . . 2
January 22, 2015
New members . . . . . 5
Annual meeting . . . 6
Marble Cliff . . . . . . . 4
Connections in Commerce | www.grandviewchamber.org
Vol. 3 | Issue 2
2014:
Milestones reached and continued growth By Michelle Wilson Executive Director When I was hired as the Executive Director in May of 2009, the Chamber had 187 members, and very few financial resources. At that time, the Taste of Grandview was the main source of supplemental funds, second of course to membership dues. It was not in dire straights by any stretch, it actually was in the best shape it had been in many, many years prior to my being hired. I was the first full-time director the Grandview Area Chamber had employed. The Board of Trustees in 2009 made a great (says me!) decision to hire a director who would take on fulltime responsibility for sustaining and growing the Chamber. I was challenged with continuing what the board had started, raising awareness of the chamber’s mission, and growing the involvement of area businesses to support each other and the local
economy. With solid guidance from the board, as well as some trial and error, programming was added, member benefits were increased and membership began to grow. As of December 2014, the chamber has 315 members and growth continues to remain strong. The tri-annual Architectural Awards program recognizes outstanding new builds and remodeled properties in our area. This includes commercial and residential projects. The Grandview Digfest is the annual party held the second weekend in June at the Grandview Yard. The festival highlights locally crafted beer, micro-distilleries and Ohio wines. Digfest tripled in size in its first four years and now is the main source of non-dues revenue for the chamber. Talk Derby To Me. This annual Kentucky Derby party raises funds for the chamber’s Scholarship and Workforce Development Funds. These funds benefit students
at Grandview Heights High School. TDTM also serves as our annual Member Awards Program recognizing members who regularly go above and beyond to enhance our business community. Chamber Challenge. The inaugural CC was held in 2014 and operated solely on donated funds, services and products. The French Loaf Bakery was our first recipient and over $75,000 was donated to help this locally owned small business receive a physical makeover and new business plan. At the end of my fifth year, we have nearly doubled the number of members, raised enough funds to ensure that we can continue to offer quality year-round programming; plus, build our Kidwell Scholarship and Khouzam Workforce Development Funds, and have solid footing to build an even better Chamber. Thank you for supporting our events and being a part of our growing organization.
2014 saw many successful chamber events including: (top left) Digfest which has tripled in size in its first four years; (top right) Chamber Challenge saw $75,000 in services and materials donated to local business French Loaf Bakery providing a makeover and new business plan; and the ninth annual Taste of Grandview & Tailgate entertained over 2,000 attendees on a beautiful day in September.