UPPER ARLINGTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BUSINESS MONTHLY The Power to Make a Difference
March 2011
Issue 32
Chamber partnerships increase growth, leverage
Inside this issue Chamber board . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 New Chamber members . . . . . . 7 Tech corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 PAC members . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Chamber committees. . . . . . . . 6 Upcoming Chamber events . . . 11 www.uachamber.org
The Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce leverages efforts to market and assist in the retention and expansion of businesses while strengthening the economic vitality & enhancing the quality of life. The past year has been an exciting year for our community: making big strides in economic development, while bridging the gap between the city, the UACIC and the chamber in efforts to improve the quality of life in Upper Arlington. As the needs of businesses and our community have changed, the chamber has created a new model to meet those needs. In addition to providing members a chance to affect the direction of the chamber through committee work, members are also affecting the direction and future of Upper Arlington. We want to thank the city of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation (UACIC) for granting funding that will enable us to fully leverage our ongoing work for the benefit of businesses, the community, the UACIC and its strategic partner the city, to accomplish our shared mission. The chamber invested resources in 2010 for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and marketing and programming efforts to support the ShopUA! brand and the business community. As a result of that effort and the chamber’s dynamic programming, the chamber’s website ranks among the top three Google searches in comparison scores and has surpassed all other suburban chambers in central Ohio. We believe capitalizing on redevelopment opportunities helps keep the city both vibrant and financially sound. A thriving business climate improves our city’s ability to serve all of us — residents and businesses alike to better meet the challenges facing UA and serve our constituents. The chamber’s focus will be: Develop and maintain a knowledge base • Build a more comprehensive data base and continually update and create a broad base of knowledge about the companies within the Upper Arlington area. • Connect companies and business support pro-
March 2011 | Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce Business Monthly
grams to stimulate and/or accelerate the growth of companies in the community (Chamber Business Advisory Program). • Utilize the website to help identify mid- and small- companies needing assistance. Provide support and/or integrate community resources: • Create a network hub with online presence to develop, facilitate, and partner connection opportunities for area business executives to create clusters with like minded interests and needs. • Increase awareness of the importance of the community’s existing business base • Increase the visibility through an on-going marketing campaign and on-line presence for branding the community and events to highlight the community. • Showcase and market our area retail and service businesses through programs in partnership with the city (such as Shop UA!) with an expanded online presence. Public Policy •Advocate for area business and act as a conduit presenting a unified voice to monitor and engage in local, state, and regional legislative and public policy issues which will affect the economic well-being of the Upper Arlington area business community and community at large. Upper Arlington Incubator Support the cooperative effort among UACIC, UAACC and the city to establish an incubator. We have the leadership and the tools. Through collaboration and purposeful decision making, along with a long term perspective, we will continue to work together to enhance the quality of life for all residents and help grow and retain business locally and in our region. It’s all about partnerships and collaboration. Thank you from the Chamber Board of Trustees, Don Leach, chairman, and Becky Hajost, president
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