Chamber President & CEO Message

We saw many changes in 2021, and most of us anticipate good things from 2022. It has been amazing to see business leaders find strength in themselves, the business community, local leaders and community members. I have watched as many have had to adapt, improvise, overcome and get creative as business owners, employers, employees, citizens and chamber.

Taking action to meet these challenges head-on has been a remarkable feat. To accomplish this, we have all created a unique twist for doing business, just as the chamber has done it in supporting its members.

While we have all experienced these unprecedented times, we have found strength in each other. There are still hurdles that many are trying to jump over, and the chamber is working hard to provide support and solutions to meet these challenges and reach new heights. We continue to encourage participation and feedback from our members to help meet these challenges.

Stepping into this leadership role of directing the activities of the chamber has been an honor. To address the challenges of COVID and the changing times, significant and necessary changes have been made during the last two years. One of those changes has been within the chamber’s organizational structure.

Members have seen changes through rebranding and new titles within the chamber. The leadership titles align with adjustments made nationally within chamber organizations during the past 10 years to eliminate confusion.

The chamber’s executive director title has been revised to president and CEO. This title structure will be more in line with the leadership organization and reflect the business nature and focus of the chamber. Also, the board officers’ positions have been aligned with the new president and CEO title: Jessica Devenish is our board chairperson, and Brain Johnson is our chair-elect for 2023.

Though I have a title change, I continue to lead and manage the Springville-Mapleton Chamber of Commerce along with the amazing leadership of board members and an exemplary partnership with Jessica Devenish, chair of the chamber’s Board of Directors.

The chamber has also launched a new and exciting Open for Business platform that brings local communities a centralized shopping and search experience. We partnered with Chamber Nation to provide this powerful marketing and advertising platform.

Today is a mobile world, so why not bring the chamber along? This online marketplace provides a single location where community members can find anything their town provides. The information is easy to find on mobile devices, increasing local viewing and shopping exponentially. Under this marketing plan, businesses’s websites on the platform are entirely built out by professional designers, and small companies will have the same exposure that larger corporations do.

We’ve increased exposure through social media, monthly newsletters and more significant exposure opportunities, including sponsorships. The chamber’s mission, purpose and vision have been more clearly defined to create opportunities for businesses to network and grow.

The purpose of the chamber of commerce is to create opportunities for member businesses and their owners to network, gain education and receive recognition for their successes.

The mission of the chamber is to create an environment where businesses can prosper.

Our vision is that by creating an environment where businesses can prosper, we can strengthen business and community. Strengthening our local business environment is our goal as we work together to build a stronger community.

We have been working hard to provide these opportunities through networking, education, training and online presence. We encourage companies to participate, sign up for business spotlights, stay current with chamber events and training opportunities, and gain a voice in their local government. When business members participate in the events, they actively get involved and take advantage of these opportunities. They see the immense benefits of being a part of such a great organization.

I want to thank all of you who have seen the importance of the chamber, and, through these challenging times, have continued with your membership and support to keep this organization going strong. Because of you, our members, we will make it through these difficult times and come out stronger than before.

Here’s to a new year full of new opportunities to serve. I’m sure there will be many more unknowns, but I am grateful for each of our great members, for our supportive city leaders and for the extraordinary communities in which we live.

Melanie C. Bott President & CEO Springville-Mapleton Chamber of Commerce

CELEBRATING 44 YEARS