Annual Report 2024 Westerville
Area Chamber






The Westerville Area Chamber has had a productive and exciting year.
Exciting why? Learning about your stories, the risks taken, the lessons learned, and your business plan for the next quarter, year or a couple of years, are some of the most motivating conversations our team can have to understand what you are experiencing and where we might plug in to bring you even more value. Additionally, the board of trustees challenged our Chamber team during our strategic planning with initiatives that keeps us asking ‘Where’s the Puck Going?’. How are we advancing in ways that bring even more value to our members.
How were we productive? The commitment from you and fellow members continues to be greatly appreciated. From sold out attendance for the Taste of Westerville, Golf Outing and Evening of Elegance to talented and knowledgeable guest speakers and panelist for Quarterly Member Meetings, Women in Business Luncheons and Lunch & Learn sessions the strength of the organization continues through you, our members. Bringing to you topics such as technological advancements used in member businesses, workforce development partnerships, success stories from local media talent and business owners, HR policy discussions, marketing tips, accessing capital, mental wellness in the workplace, and active shooter preparedness; our goal is to continue to challenge ourselves in providing growing resources to enhance the value you receive for your membership investment.
I heard a quote recently from a member; “the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves’. Continuing to learn from you, our members and think and act creatively about programming and ways to help you build productive business relationships is top of mind every day for our team.
We commit to our efforts of turning ideas into action, sourcing cost saving benefits, and making business operations more efficient and effective for our members.
We wish you success and prosperity in 2025!
President & CEO
Mission:
To enhance the business climate and quality of life in our community
Vision:
Be a driving force that builds economic strength, diverse businesses, and a strong community
Values:
Advocate
Inclusion
Inspiration
Innovate
Collaboration
Tradition
Chamber Board of Trustees
Mark Smolik, Board Chair, DHL Supply Chain
Amy Balster, Balster Realty Group
Rita Bassiet, Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris
Brent Blackwell, Comparion Insurance Agency
Jen Blaser, Good Vibes Winery
Angela Bridges, Mt. Carmel Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Encompass Health
Polly Clavijo, Revolution Group
Dr. John Comerford, Otterbein University
Angie Cox, Nationwide Children's Hospital
David Dziedzicki, OhioHealthy
Sean Decello, Geneva Financial, LLC
Dale Ganobsik, Lancaster Colony Corporation
Paul Hammer, Ace Handyman Services
Tom Harris, CGI
Skip Ivery, Allstate - Skip Ivery Agency
Don LaFollette, Mount Carmel St. Ann's
Tony LaNasa, HW&Co
Stephanie Nixon, WayMakers Restoration
Laura Stimmel, The Middlefield Banking Company
Eric Stolly, Stolly Insurance Group
Chuck Woodson, Columbus Title Agency of Westerville
Retention Rate 83% of members have 10 or less employees 63%
In 2024, we launched a New Member Bingo card to increase engagement for our new members! When members hit Bingo, for completing activities like going to an event, updating their online directory listing, or following us on social media, they win a prize!
““Thank you so much for sending this our way! This is such an awesome way to do onboardingwe can’t wait to hit our bingo!” Thompson Restoration Associates
““This is soo awesome! I can tell I am going to enjoy this chamber!” ~H&H Luxury Events
"Joining the Westerville Chamber has been hands down one of the best business decisions made as we launched. There are so many GOOD, TALENTED, and SMART business owners and representatives eager to make some solid connections and support each other."
~NicoleCriger,RockHouseRealty
events (not including Ribbon Cuttings) for members to learn and make meaningful connections.
~2,300 event attendees
20% of our members promoted their brand through sponsorships
Events topics included:
Boosting productivity in the workplace
Accessing capital
Bridging Education for a strong workforce
Navigating Changing HR Laws
Artificial Intelligence (Ethics and Emerging Trends)
Becoming a Better Networker and more
Young Leaders Philanthropic Events
Holiday Toy Drive
30 collection boxes in businesses throughout the community
50 volunteer gift wrappers
375 toys wrapped and donated to Franklin County Children Services
Holiday Wish Program
blankets made for children in Foster/Kinship Care throughout Central Ohio in partnership with My Very Own Blanket
125 fine arts/craft vendors
20 food trucks
268 of art pieces in youth art, a 34% increase from 2023
30 musical performances
150 volunteers
350+ attendees at the sold out event
26 food vendors featured Winners
300+ attendees (sold out event)
250+ Sponsors, Donors, & Committee
Volunteers
Evening of Elegance Silent Auction
# of bids: 1310
43% increase from 2023
# of bidders: 376
35% increase from 2023
# of Packages: 172
27% increase from 2023
Crème de la Crème: Posh TeaTime
Culinary Masterpiece: Posh TeaTime
Rookie of the Year: Ampersand Asian Supper Club
Westerville’s Tastiest: Ampersand Asian Supper Club
People’s Choice: Polaris Grill
125 members and guest participated in the sold out event.
Chamber and member promotion through social media.
Facebook:
Reach: 120.4k
New Followers: 459
Total Followers: 4.7K
Views: 122.7K
Reach: 14.3k (up 79%)
New Followers: 355
Total Followers: 2,018
Views: 63.3k
Impressions: 134,054
New Followers: 391
Total Followers: 2,061 (up 21%)
Reactions: 4,497
Page Views: 2,116
Unique visitors: 908
Email Communication with members
Business Specials of the Week: 39
Communicator (Newsletter): 12
Events Bulletin: 12
Open Rate: 38%
Click Rate: 4%
95% of emails are opened on a desktop computer 5% on mobile
Partnered with the Westerville City Schools to execute two Teacher/Counselor Externships, meeting with four member businesses and various professionals learning skills set needed to do the jobs, course work that is valuable, and examples of how course work has applied to their job skills.
WorkWISE Collective held three career workshops for community members:
Preparing Resumes that included review of resumes with attendees, Interviewing Skills
Meet with Local employers to learn helpful tips in responding to interview questions, valuable skill sets for many jobs, and what is important on resumes.
January 12 – Nichols & Co.
February 5 – 9Round Fitness
March 8 – Pure Green
April 3 – Cummins Facility
April 11 – Bibibop
April 24 – ARCPoint Labs
April 29 – Tri-State Men’s Health
May 2 – Dave’s Hot Chicken
May 15 – Comparion Insurance
May 16 – Christian Brothers Automotive
May 22 – The Price Group (eXpRealty)
June 5 – RevLocal
June 14 – The Boxing Club of North Columbus
June 25 – Flavor & Fire Foods
July 31 – Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery
August 1 – Uptown Nutrition
August 2 – ebb & float
August 6 – Immortal Martial Arts
August 13 – HearingLife
August 20 – High Bank Distillery
August 27 – Rock House Realty
September 19 – ReVision Lasik & Cataract
Surgery
October 10 – Project LeanNation
October 22 – Marion Goodwill Industries
October 29 – BB Aesthetic
December 7 – Studio86 Fitness
December 19 – Giammarco’s
December 20 – Sunny Street Café