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Information About ...
The
Clearwater Beach
Chamber of Commerce
What Does The Chamber of Commerce Do?
by Sheila Cole, Executive Director
You probably have heard that question asked at one time or another and you may
have wondered about it yourself. It is a legitimate question. A lot of people,
including many to whom the Chamber is very important, have no real concept of
exactly what a Chamber of Commerce is, how it works, or what it is for. For
example, there are those who believe that the Chamber gathers statistics, prints
nice brochures, answers inquiries and advertises what a great place we have to
visit, live, work and enjoy the good life. They are right, up to a point. We do
all these things, and proudly so. All of these jobs are important. But they are
not the only reasons the Chamber is here. They are the things we do as a matter
of routine because they need doing and we are good at them. The functions of the
Chamber, though, go far deeper; the Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst ...a
common vehicle through which the enlightened mutual interests of all segments of
the business community work together for the common good of the total community.
A better community means better business and we are working for a better
community for everyone here. That's why we do what we do. Which brings us back
to that original question, what do we do? There is, in the final analysis, one
reason for the Chamber of Commerce to exist and that is to do whatever is
possible to keep this area's economic condition such that people will be willing
to bring their resources and invest here.
In any community,
it is from the profitable operation of business that all other benefits are
derived. Only by succeeding in this fundamental goal can we provide the jobs and
produce the wealth to finance all of the governmental, civic, cultural and
charitable needs that our community is faced with everyday. We are involved in
many diverse projects to accomplish that goal.
The offices of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce are located at 333C
South Gulfview Blvd. at the beach. There, the Chamber staff executes and administers all Chamber
programs and activities in conjunction with various committees comprised of
Chamber Board Members and other volunteers. The members of the Board of
Directors, serving staggered terms, are elected as the policy-making or
legislative arm of the Chamber.
The Board is
composed of local business leaders who volunteer their time and energies to make
sure that the many and varied programs of the Chamber are carried out. I make
the point that they are volunteers. To clear up one very common misconception,
no public money supports the Chamber office financially. We do work with the
City and County in their efforts and it is all on a volunteer basis. The Chamber
office staff is paid by your membership investment.
In order to carry
out the major programs of the Chamber, a volunteer system of committees is
organized. Major areas in which committees function include Tourist development,
organizational affairs, economic and business development, governmental and
community affairs, membership and public relations, and other specific areas
such as marketing, fundraising and special events.
Where does the money come from to support an office, pay the staff, buy the
supplies, conduct the programs? From the membership. Most of the members of the
Chamber are retailers, hospitality providers, professional individuals,
real estate brokers & developers, service providers, banks restaurants, etc. in the Pinellas County area. We have a dues structure and
categories based on size, ability to invest and number of employees. We respect
our members’ investment and in turn our members support the Chamber's programs
every year because they believe in what is being accomplished.
The major benefit of membership in the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce is
that the Chamber acts as the unified voice of over 300 area businesses,
including the tourism industry and professional firms. We maintain our vitality
because our members want to get involved in those matters which concern the
economic well being of the area. Besides providing a unified approach to common
problems, the Chamber can also benefit a member business with business
assistance, networking
opportunities and marketing aids.
We constantly
update our top rated website, www.beachchamber.com, to promote our vacation
destination and our members to the world. We partner with the City and the
Regional Chamber to produce a Tourism Guide that is mailed to hundreds of
thousands of potential visitors to our area and used at Travel Trade shows.
We print a
monthly newsletter, The Beach Update and a weekly communiqué, the Weekly Update.
In this way members are kept informed of activities and receive information on
matters affecting them, keeping them abreast of pressing concerns and
opportunities. Our monthly meetings often feature major speakers of interest to
the business community and, along with our bi annual Banquets serves as a forum
to recognize area businesses and individuals who have made a contribution to the
growth of the area. We periodically produce seminars and workshops to aid our
members and their employees when current events in our beach community or needs
of our members warrant them. We have an extensive Tourist Information Center,
supported in part by the CVB, located in the lobby area of our office. We have maps and information on the surrounding area, as well as our
beaches. There is no fee charged for members and beach businesses to display their
brochures.
The Chamber also
supplies information and contact with the Small Business Administration, the CVB,
VisitFlorida and other organizations that can be beneficial to our members. We
conduct promotions and urge professionalism in marketing to keep more dollars at
home where they can work for us. We look at the future as best as we can, and
when we see a community problem in the crystal ball we initiate projects to keep
it from becoming critical. We make policy statements according to our member's
wishes, and we try to do what would be best for the majority of those we
represent.
Just stop and think and
look around you, and see all the good things that have happened in the twelve years we have been in existence, and realize that there has been a lot of
work by a lot of dedicated people behind every accomplishment. This begs the
question: who is the "we" that does all this? "We" are "you" the people of the
community and all your business neighbors who are members of the Clearwater
Beach Chamber of Commerce. The "we" and "you" provide the ideas, the drive, the
goals, the funds and the voluntary service to keep the Chamber going.
If you are not
yet part of this thriving, growing, dedicated not for profit Chamber of Commerce that
represents the best of the areas Tourism Industry and the business community at
large, give us a call at 447-7600 and our Membership
Chairman will be happy to talk with you about all of our programs and answer any
questions you may have.
We are the Clearwater
Beach Chamber, bringing a world of business to your door.
333 C South Gulfview Blvd
Clearwater Beach, Florida 33767
Info: 888-799-3199
Tel: 727-447-7600
Fax: 727-443-7812
Email:
info@beachchamber.com
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