Find the products and services you need — click here!
Other search options:
Member List A–Z •
Category List •
Advanced Search
|
ChamberWorks July 2002 |
» Past Issues |
» President's
Message
» Remembering
Harold B. Harris
» Annual
Meeting Recap
» Arts & Crafts
Recap
» Seaside
Business After Hours Returns July 22
» Gift
Certificate Program Undergoing BIG Changes
» Welcome
New Members!
President's Message
The Start of Something Good!
In the next fiscal year, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce will continue to evolve the plan for change begun with my predecessor Michael Gness. In case you had not noticed, the chamber is examining its core programs, mission, and services, currently provided to members.
The new fiscal year brings with it a new Board of Directors. During the annual dinner meeting held at Fairfield University, I outlined three major themes — memberships, memberships, and memberships!! To accomplish our lofty goals of 100% retention and 25% new member growth, I am initiating a three-pronged approach to grow our member base.
-
Beginning with the Marketing Committee, commanded by Mary Ellen McLean, we
will be reviewing our current offerings to ensure the chamber is delivering
on these messages. Secondly, we will be developing a marketing approach to
attract new prospects who will, hopefully, convert to members. I'm hoping
this means we can develop new brochures articulating the features and
benefits of a chamber membership, and the reasons for belonging.
-
The Membership Committee, run by Kevin Lally, will be charged with holding
"regional" membership drives throughout Fairfield. Through the
efforts of selected Chamber Ambassadors, we will ask
"regional" (Black Rock Turnpike, Grasmere, Southport, Town Center)
businesses to attend a chamber-sponsored dinner event where we can extol the
features/benefits of membership. Targeted membership campaigns are essential
for the chamber to grow, and to that end, we will begin a process for
identifying key businesses we want to attract to our member list.
- Recognizing the needs of our retail business community, I have asked Diane Melish to head the Retail Committee and act as liaison for our retail business owners. Diane will ensure that our merchants are aware of the important programs available to them to help attract more customers. For example, the chamber has overhauled its Gift Certificate Program. The program is now available on line at www.fairfieldctchamber.com, making it easier for purchases of gift certificates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. In addition, we are investigating implementing a loyalty card program, which is essentially a points program that can be electronically administered from the store front at a nominal fee. Loyalty programs can be used to advertise sales, award frequent buyers with discounts, and move aging inventory.
Rounding out our efforts for enhancing memberships, Lone Weglarz will spearhead the Web Committee. She will ensure the Chamber site is up to date, features relevant content, and can be used as the primary vehicle to make purchases for future chamber events (including annual dues).
Nancy Habetz's efforts in running PR for the chamber were highlighted recently at the annual dinner. We will continue to benefit from the goodwill put forth by her excellent PR skills. Milt Jacoby continues to chair our networking events, continually seeking new and interesting locations to sponsor our member gatherings. I encourage each member to support Milt's events, by attending these gatherings, which are ideal for meeting with and networking with fellow Fairfield business people.
The chamber has much more to deal with than just securing new members, including developing a long range plan, understanding the impact of our current tax assessment, keeping a watchful eye on zoning changes that may affect our commercial development options, and looking for new and unique opportunities to promote and market the Town of Fairfield.
Have a safe and happy summer; we'll talk along the way!
Mark J. Hawkins
President
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
Remembering Harold B. Harris
Sadly missed by family and friends, we mourn the passing of Harold B. Harris,
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, 1973-1982.
Harold was extremely active in many local and area organizations, and we send our deepest condolences to his family.
Annual Meeting Recap
Once again, this year's Annual Dinner meeting went off without a
hitch. Even better than that, according to our working agenda for the
evening, we finished all of our chamber business EARLY!
We had perfect weather as we gathered in the Dolan School of Business on the grounds of Fairfield University. The reception hour passed quickly, and we moved right on to business. Master of Ceremonies Tim Russell truly outdid himself this year, and outgoing President Michael Gness made sure everything moved smoothly for incoming President Mark Hawkins. In a special presentation to the Harold B. Harris Award winner Gene Richter, Michael read a personal note from Harold B. Harris who could not be with us that evening because of his health.
Robert Trefry of Bridgeport Hospital presented an overview of hospital demands in both staff and specialty areas, along with the increasing costs and needs in today's environment.
Thanks to all our door-prize donors and our new officers and directors.
Arts & Crafts Recap
Even with the two days of overcast weather, the annual Arts & Crafts
Show artists and their customers were pleased! As we all anticipated,
the worst of the weekend occurred on Friday, the "set-up"
afternoon for Max Becker, Chairman, Patricia L. Ritchie, Chamber
Executive, and committee members. Rain and winds hit us, yet we
persevered!
Saturday and Sunday's mix of shoppers, both young and old, purchased items ranging from jewelry to fine art, crafts to clothing. Max put together a fine blend of contemporary and traditional artists.
A big "thank you" to all of the volunteers who set aside a few hours of their time to help with this effort. It is greatly appreciated by both the committee and our artists.
'Seaside Business After Hours' Returns July 22
By Nancy Habetz, Vice Pres., Public Relations
The Fairfield and Westport-Weston Chambers of Commerce, together with the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, will host a "Seaside Business After Hours" on Monday, July 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Inn at Longshore in Westport.
The event includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Patricia L. Ritchie, Executive Director of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, explained that the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce holds monthly business after hours gatherings at various sites around our area to give area business people an opportunity to network and get to know one another. "This is one time when we sponsor a networking event with other towns in our region," she said.
The event will be a sell-out as in the past, and people who are interested must register and pay in advance, since no walk-ins will be allowed at the event.
Tickets are $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. To register, please call the Chamber office at 255-1011. Credit Cards are accepted.
Gift Certificate Program Undergoing BIG Changes
We've Expanded Our Gift Certificate Program!
Three years ago the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce launched a gift certificate program open to participating chamber members. The program was conceptualized as a way to help Fairfield merchants increase sales while offering the consumer a wide choice of merchandise on which to spend a chamber gift certificate. Since its inception, the gift certificate program has gained in popularity to the point where sales have more than tripled.
Because gift certificates are available only at the chamber office during regular business hours, the Board of Directors recently voted to expand the program by permitting the certificates to be purchased on-line, seven days a week, 24 hours a day from just about anywhere. In the near future, the consumer will be able to purchase the certificates by phone, on line and by fax. This means that not only will area residents have the opportunity to purchase the certificates; consumers from all over the country will be able to access the program as well.
Merchant enrollment to participate in the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce gift certificate program is also expected to grow, since a member merchant may join the program at any time. Currently enrollment is limited to once a year.
If you are aware of any non-member businesses that may want to consider chamber membership in order to participate in this expanding local buying program, call the chamber office at 255-1011 and let us know.
Welcome New Members for June!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.