Chamber Celebrates Momentous Birthday
business, chamber of commerce,
The number 125 is a big part of what the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is doing in 2009.
The chamber is celebrating its 125th birthday throughout all of 2009, with that achievement being trumpeted front and center in all correspondence with its membership. And to truly mark the event, an old-fashioned picnic and barbecue will take place in August at Riverfront Park, with all chamber members and their families invited to attend.
Salem Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike McLaran says the organization has much to be proud of in its history, including establishing itself as a well-respected leadership organization in the community.
“We help make things happen, such as getting behind the recent effort to have a conference center built in Salem,” he says. “We have also backed efforts to secure investments for the infrastructure of the area, from streets and bridges to community colleges and our local school district. The chamber has a long history, and many impressive individuals have served in leadership positions to make a lot of great things happen around here.”
Like any chamber, its key role continues to be helping member businesses, even in challenging times.
“Ultimately, the quality of life in any city is dependent upon a strong economic foundation that starts with people opening businesses, expanding those businesses and providing jobs for citizens,” McLaran says. “The chamber also helps those businesses contribute back to the city in a variety of ways, which can include supporting youth programs, aiding senior citizens and supporting nonprofits. That ‘giving back’ is what really makes a community special, and our chamber is happy to help champion such efforts.”
The Salem chamber is an all-volunteer organization that is not supported by any tax dollars. Its revenue comes solely from membership dues along with any projects and programs it organizes.
McLaran adds that the chamber staff enjoys having fun, and even put together a video akin to “The Office” television show, with that video appearing on the chamber’s www.salemchamber.org Web site.
“We like to say that our chamber has fun in addition to getting things done,” McLaran says. “The chamber is serious about our mission and the services we provide, but we don’t take ourselves as individuals too seriously. We truly enjoy what we do, which is a big reason why this chamber accomplishes so much.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
