Small Business Development Chairwoman Letter

Small Business Development continued its services to the business community in 2019 with an ongoing LUNCH and LEARN series of business seminars. Lunch and Learn is the reason why I desired to be a part of the Small Business Development Committee. I attended a Lunch and Learn in October 2015. From that luncheon, I started a business that is doing very well today. It gave me the desire to be more active in our Chamber and try to give back as much as I can. If you have not attended a Lunch and Learn get together, I invite you to do so. We cover many topics throughout the year. If you know of any topics you would like to hear about, please notify Thomas Williams (new chair for SBDC) or the Chamber and let us know. We would love to hear what you have in mind and put it in place.

There were 24 new members that joined this year. The Chamber held 16 Ribbon Cuttings and Ground Breakings in 2019, some of them were new businesses building from the ground up and some from having their businesses newly renovated and restored. In March of 2016, the Chamber started its first-ever Showcase Cook Business Expo at the Delle Beamguard Social Hall. In September of 2017, the Chamber held its 2nd Annual Showcase Cook Business Expo at the Adel-Cook County Airport. In

September 2018, the Chamber held its 3rd Annual Showcase Business Expo at the Adel Church of God. The committee decided to revamp the 2019 event held at Horse Creek Winery and breaking attendance numbers were reached. The newly branded Business Beyond “Sip & See” had over a dozen business exhibitors from throughout Cook County and beyond that displayed their products and services. The public was invited to the event and feedback from attendees and exhibitors was very positive. We also gave numerous door prices away thanks to our sponsors. We strive to make each year better than the last year. Plans for the 2020 Business and Beyond “Sip & See” are now underway.

The Chamber held three Business After Hours events providing networking opportunities for more than 250 attendees overall. The 2019 sponsors were the City of Adel and Downtown Development Authority, the Cook County Boys & Girls Club, and the last one was a combination of five sponsors including Adel Outfitters, Adel News Tribune, Bounce-N-Inflatables, Quick Consulting, and The Gorgeous Goose. These gatherings are a great way to network and meet other business owners and leaders in Cook County. It also gives our sponsors an opportunity to spotlight their business

Chris Griffin

or organization as well.

The Committee also spotlights one business each week a STAR Member of the Week. This is a random drawing includes all current Chamber members. The Small Business Development Committee uses this format to thank our business members and help promote that company in the Adel News Tribune, The Advertiser, Social Media, and the Chamber website. From those honorees, the 2019 Small Businesses of the Quarter were selected including Heritage House of Virginia, C & M Parking Lot Sweepers, Advanced Cylinder and Tank, and the Adel News Tribune. From these four businesses, Adel News Tribune was selected as the 2019 Small Business of the Year and recognized at the Annual Chamber Banquet held in January 2020.

As 2017 was my first year on the board with the Chamber; it was also my first year as Chair. I have had several of the board members teach and guide me but I want to take this time to thank a few people that helped me to reach our goals for 2019. They are the past Chair of S.B.D. Mrs. Shonna O’Quinn, Ret. Col. Mr. Ron Mitchell, Gavin Merwin, 2018 Chairwoman Mrs. Sharon Harnage, 2019 Chairwoman Mrs. Pat Bush and our President of the Chamber Mrs. Heather Green. My committee consisted of Ret. Col. Mr. Ron Mitchell and Mrs. Michelle Meadows. Without these individuals by my side, we would not have accomplished our goals for 2019.

It was a pleasure to work under Chairwoman Pat Bush in 2019 as she guided us to give more back to our members. It has been an honor to serve as Chairman of the Small Business Development Committee for the last 3 years. The Committee has already begun planning for 2020 under new Committee Chairman Thomas Williams. The Committee looks forward to continuing much success under his leadership.

Chairwoman Letter Pat Bush

I feel very honored to have served as the 2019 Chairwoman of the Adel-Cook Chamber Board of Directors. I appreciate the confidence that has been placed in me by those who saw fit to elect me to this position.

Thank you to my fellow Board of Directors for your dedication to the chamber and to our community. Our board goes above and beyond to provide great programs and events Adel and Cook County. We have worked to meet our goals of providing services and opportunities that help make Cook County a better place to live and work. The Adel-Cook Chamber of Commerce appreciates our members. Without you, there would be no Chamber. We have endeavored to engage our members in new ways by offering programs and services that are relevant in today’s world.

I would like to thank each of the Committee Chairs for their hard work. They include Sharon Harnage-Community Development Committee, Chris Griffin-Small Business Development Committee, Holly Southerland-Ambassador/Membership Committee, Bill Tillman and Joi Williams–Education Committee. I am grateful to everyone that had a role in making 2019 an outstanding year for not only the Chamber, but our entire community.

Being involved in the Chamber has been most rewarding to me. I have enjoyed every minute of the adventure. I do enjoy and believe in our Chamber of Commerce. Seeing our businesses thrive as they meet the needs of our community is such a rewarding experience. Thank you all for making Cook County a great place to live, to serve, to grow, and to worship.

Pat Bush

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