Working from the heart around the Working from the heart around the Chamber Chamber
Boo off Broadway another “scary” good time!
Digital marketing tips for 2025
Learn how to make the most of your Chamber benefits
Great fun and fundraising at this year’s Fall for the Foundation
Member Spotlights
Member Benefit News
Recent Ribbon Cuttings
Foundation News
From the Editor’s Desk
Population: 43,341*
Median Age: 40.1
Population Over 18: 79.5%
Population Over 65: 17.7%
Number of Households: 18,469*
Median Home Value: $244,151
Average Income Per Household: $111,247
Nearest Intermodal Facility: Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) and Norfolk Southern Rickenbacker Intermodal
Want to learn more about the demographics of Grove City? Visit our resources online
Employee Well Being Local Care from OhioHealth Vote for Business of the Year
Another Great Boo off Broadway 30+ Years of Sommer House
Digital Marketing Ideas for 2025 Letter from the President
special note from Shawn Conrad
CHAMBER
The OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital campus includes 24/7 emergency care, heart and vascular care, and primary care from OhioHealth Physician Group. It’s just another way we’re bringing your best health within reach.
To learn more about the ways OhioHealth cares for Grove City, visit OhioHealth.com/GroveCity.
YOUR CHAMBER
Chamber Business Connections is published bi-monthly by the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce with revenue from member dues, advertising, and sponsorship. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the content in this publication, by any method or purpose whatsoever, without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Only Chamber members can advertise in Chamber Business Connection. To discuss advertising opportunities, contact the Chamber (614-8759762).
Your Board
Katie Antry Fleming Board Chair
Mellissa Forte Board Chair Elect
Lenny Frazzitta VP at Large
Greg Dawkins GC Chamber
Foundation President
Nick Connaughton Chair of Finance
Jeffrey Buskirk Chair of Government Relations
Ed Fleming Board Member
Nikki Fleming Board Member
Cathy Frederick Board Member
Brittany Hannigan Board Member
Amanda McCullouch Board Member
Brenda Newman Board Member
Carol Riffle Board Member
Andrea Ruede Board Member
Staff
President / CEO
Shawn Conrad
Events Manager
Marilyn Reiner
Events Operations and Marketing
Heather Brokaw
Member Services and Marketing
Kaziah Conrad
Letter from the President
At this time of year, we all spend time thinking about all the things that have happened during the outgoing year and the exciting things that the new year holds.
In 2024, Chamber events were presented to record crowds. Our visitors, vendors, advertisers, and sponsors were satisfied, and we feel confident that we listened, heard, and responded to our members. Over the course of several hours, our member manufacturers welcomed over 100 SWCSD high school students into their facilities for tours, hands-on experiences, and presentations by participating manufacturing company reps, and they were encouraged by former SWCSD students who are now working in the manufacturing field. In 2025, the GCACC and the Government Relations and Advocacy Committee will host our first Annual Impact Conference, featuring speakers sharing business development information that will impact Grove City and local businesses.
Our amazing staff and committees strive to make the GCACC a dedicated and successful supporter of local businesses to over 750 businesses that call us their Chamber of Commerce. We worked diligently to ensure that Finance, benefits, marketing, member services, events, YP, women’s leadership, community leadership, and every chamber component came together to create an exemplary member experience. In 2024, we invested in the Chamber office to create a physical building that represents our drive to be relevant and impactful in our Community, our Chamber, and our Businesses. GCACC membership continues to grow; retention is strong, and your Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce stands as one of the strongest in Central Ohio and beyond.
I am honored and humbled to serve as the President of the GCACC; thank you for trusting us to be part of your family.
Celebrating Anniversaries
J&W LLC
Waxxpot Grove City
Carpet One Floor & Home
Expanders, Inc
Miller Family Consulting, LLC
Unity IT Partners LLC
The Tarrier Steel Co Inc
T&H Plumbing Services, Inc.
Pete Martin Painting
The Flag Lady's Flag Store
Matrix Adhesives
1 YEAR:
Zanzi's
Skyward Contracting
Pathways Financial Credit Union
NovoPrint USA, Inc
Capitol Fence
Chris Cline
5 YEARS:
Classic Plumbing
KW Premier Realty The Pompey Group
The Katie Fleming Team at Howard Hanna
Cricket Wireless
Speedway Wrecker Sales
Darby Creek Field and Flowers
American Heritage Homes Corp
Interior Elevation
Ohio Addiction Recovery Center
2025 Sponsorship Deck: Now Online
The 2025 Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce Sponsorship Deck is now live and ready for you to make your sponsorship selections! With something for every budget, this is a great way to prepare for 2025 and get your business name seen in the community in the coming year.
Additional questions? Call the Office at 614-875-9762
MEMBERS
Attention new Chamber members!
Don’t forget that your GCACC membership includes one free half-page ad for this publication, the Chamber Business Connection, so don’t miss out on running your ad in one of the upcoming 2024 issues.
Ads due on the 20th of the month prior to publication. Issues publish in even-numbered months. Get a jump start on 2025!
All ads can be submitted digitally via email to Sarah, shann@katbroconsulting com
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
‘Tis the season for having quick access to heating service providers, which in the GCACC includes Command Heating. They’ll bring over 20 years of experience to your job, keeping your home heating and air conditioning systems functioning properly year-round and even after-hours availability. Command Heating also offers plumbing services, and can work with commercial properties to meet their heating, air, and plumbing needs as well.
1671 Gateway Circle, Grove City 614-871-3180 www.commandheating.com/
A German Village staple since the 1880s, Schmidt’s is also a member of the GCACC. Helping put Central Ohio on the national food scene, Schmidt’s is ready to provide the German cuisine and experience this holiday season and yearround. Enjoy the main dining area with your immediate group, or plan ahead and book a banquet room with a variety of menu and serving options. Don’t forget to finish your meal with a cream puff!
240 E. Kossuth St., Columbus 614-444-5908
www.schmidthaus.com/
Skyward Contracting handles a variety of services for the exterior of your home, such as siding, roofing, and gutters No stranger to handling storm damage, they can work to repair and restore your home while serving as your insurance claim advocate so there’s once less worry on your plate Skyward serves the greater Central Ohio area, including popular Columbus suburbs and towns just beyond I-270 and Franklin County limits
3873 Broadway, Grove City 614-277-8772
skywardcontracting com/
Let’s talk: Member Benefits
In an Our Members Say response, Jeanne R. told us she likes anything with networking such as the lunch-and-learn sessions. Those are some of our favorites too, but did you know the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce offers even more benefits beyond networking and quick bite learning (food pun intended)? Check out the variety below, and to view full details for member benefits, visit: https://www.gcchamber.org/member-benefits/
Marketing Opportunities
Openings/Ribbon Cuttings/Celebrations
We’re here to help you celebrate your new business, new business location, or even other special business milestone… and we can do more than bring the big scissors for the ribbon!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Having your name seen at GCACC events is its own kind of marketing benefit. Soon the 2025 sponsorship opportunities will be released, so get ready to plan for next year!
SOCA/Anthem
This health program is a partnership between the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and is designed for smaller employers, 50 or fewer employees.
GC Chamber Foundation
Offering three types of scholarships, the Chamber Affiliate is designed for employees of member businesses and awarded four times a year to line up with a variety of academic calendars.
Throughout the year, the GCACC will put members in touch with various marketing opportunities and discounts. A notable one being for this publication—all new and renewing members can receive a free half-page ad.
Sedgwick/BWC
With Sedgwick as our BWC partner, we’re able to put members in touch with savings on BWC premiums and the expertise of our rep Julia Bowling.
FedEx
Also by way of SOCA, the GCACC is able to put members in touch with a variety of FedEx shipping discounts.
Franklin University
One of the four educational partners, Franklin offers special discounts to GCACC members.
Ohio Dominican University
Another educational partner, ODU has special offers exclusive to GCACC members.
Capital University
New in 2024, Capital now offers special exclusives for GCACC members pursuing educational opportunities at Capital.
Columbus College of Art and Design
Now offering a Master of Professional Studies in User Experience Design, CCAD offers special pricing for GCACC members enrolled in this program.
Celebrating a Grand Opening or Big Event? Chamber Members, did you know we offer complimentary leadership participation at your grand opening, ribbon cutting, or other events? Boost your visibility and gain valuable support!
Just contact us to add your event to our calendar and connect with the Chamber team. Together, let's make your event a success!
RIBBON CUTTINGS
The GCACC is always growing and fall was no different as we celebrated the doors opening for members!
Visit Grove City celebrated their grand re-opening on October 16. Serving as the Grove City Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, you can now find them at 4060 Broadway in Historic Town Center
Waxxpot Grove City opened its doors to customers in October and celebrated their grand opening on October 22 Specializing in all sorts of waxing services, they can found at 1784 Stringtown Road.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
This article originally ran in Sedgwick’s online blog and written by Mark Debus, their clinical manager for behavioral health. We have only omitted a first-person introductory sentence to allow for clarity. Sedgwick is the GCACC’s BWC partner. To learn more about what Sedgwick and our Chamber discounts can offer your business, contact our rep, Julia Bowling, at julia.bowling@sedgwick.com
Companies have long proclaimed the belief that employees are their most valuable asset. What astute employers are learning is that a mentally and physically fit workforce is key to productivity and performance. By extension, they intuitively understand that protecting and caring for total well-being of employees is not only beneficial to the bottom line but is also the right thing to do.
The high cost of employee turnover
The current job market is characterized by a high demand for talent as many companies scramble to attract and retain employees. Employee turnover not only compounds this problem, but it is also very expensive. When employees leave unexpectedly, vacant positions and the resulting reduction in productivity cost the organization substantially. Product orders are not filled and service standards are not met. This not only strains operational performance but also places undue stress on the remaining employees. During this period, manager time is diverted from operational matters to promoting position availability, interviewing candidates, negotiating a compensation package, and overseeing training as part of the onboarding process. Factor in multiple employee departures and the problem increases exponentially.
Strong culture characteristics to support total well-being
These types of scenarios underscore the need for companies to offer a benefits package and employee arrangement that contribute to employee wellness –both mental and physical. Companies today are learning that effective wellness plans involve more than competitive salary; they entail generous benefit offerings that address holistic health needs; paid time off arrangements that are easy to use; flexibility in work scheduling while still meeting job requirements; a welcoming and inclusive work atmosphere; and frontline managers who respect employees and recognize individual needs and preferences. These are characteristic work traits that enable companies to excel despite competitive market pressures.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Role of leaders and frontline supervisors
Strong corporate cultures are created at the top, and executive leadership and support are essential. But, it is the frontline managers who carry out and implement that vision on a daily basis. They are the ones who routinely interact with employees, set expectations, cultivate atmosphere, and maintain balance. As a result, frontline managers are typically best positioned to see when things are off with an employee. They can note when personal or job-related stressors become visible, workplace tensions or job burnout begins to surface, or employee departure is imminent.
Fortunately, frontline managers can be trained and equipped to address and mitigate these situations. Much depends on a frontline manager’s ability to establish a trusting relationship with direct reports, check-in and communicate on a regular basis, and talk about feelings in the workplace. While younger generations expect these conversations, a discussion around feelings can be novel to others.
Without being intrusive, a frontline manager’s genuine awareness and interest in an individual’s situation can help alleviate workplace tension and foster a more positive environment. The impact and implications of economic pressures, relationship volatility, or a family member’s health challenges are not simply left at the timeclock when an employee crosses the workplace threshold. Empathy at the workplace is essential.
Managerial styles and actions can go a long way to establishing a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. This can take the form of allowing flexibility in weekly schedules and remote work in those instances where such allowances do not negatively impact productivity or performance. Moreover, the encouragement and ability to use paid time off when needed can also contribute to an individual’s total wellbeing.
Mitigating complexities of the sandwiched generations
While the concept of the sandwich generation was introduced several decades ago, the notion has taken on a different complexity today. Originally, the sandwich generation referred to those at a stage in life where they were taking care of both their young children and aging parents. Today, the sandwich generation can not only apply to Gen X but also to millennials and Gen Z. Multiple generations may be living in one household. Young or middle-aged adults may be taking care of children, parents and grandparents. In other instances, a young person may be living at home with parents and providing assistance to younger siblings or older grandparents.
Companies need to be aware of and prepared to address the individual and unique needs that multiple generations in the workforce present. To shoulder personal and professional responsibilities, they value scheduling flexibility, an inclusive atmosphere, and benefit offerings aimed at their specific needs and circumstances. They must take care of themselves and their total well-being to take care of others and contribute to production goals.
Like many situations, life’s challenges evolve. Personal needs and preferences change. Employers who recognize this dynamic and respond with workplace agility not only deliver performance but also support and re-energize employees in the process. These organizations are the ones who are well-positioned for the long-term race.
Keeping Care Local: OhioHealth and the Grove City Community
By Sarah Hann
For over 30 years, OhioHealth’s presence in Grove City through OhioHealth Grove City Health Center, outpatient practices, and relationships with SouthWestern City Schools has brought quality healthcare closer to the community while being actively engaged in the Grove City community. As Dr. Kevin Lutz, President, OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital, put it, they are “keeping care local”.
Part of OhioHealth’s ‘active lifestyle’ in Grove City includes being an active member of the Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce. Frequently seen as a sponsor and attendee of events, such as Arts in the Alley, OhioHealth is no stranger to the Chamber’s yearly slate of activities and programming. Andy Hardy, OhioHealth Manager of External Affairs, also shared about OhioHealth’s activity with the Chamber Foundation—the Chamber’s ‘charitable arm’ that focuses on scholarships. OhioHealth associates have benefitted from scholarships to offset education costs.
But community participation doesn’t stop at the Chamber. As Dr. Lutz pointed out, Grove City “is a community that’s easy to engage with”—which is also the ‘secret sauce’ of Grove City.
OhioHealth can be found supporting and engaging with countless other events and groups throughout the year. They’ve enjoyed participating with the Firecracker 5k, various City functions, and are supporters of the Buddy Ball program (which is also Chamber member organization). Involvement in all corners of the community affords OhioHealth and its associates to have a deeper understanding of the community, and potentially patients, they’ll serve within their walls.
“It’s hard to understand needs if not engaged in that community,” Dr. Lutz said in discussing the value of a healthcare provider knowing the community they serve.
In keeping care local, OhioHealth also provides athletic trainers for SouthWestern City School District school athletics, making their care available to all student-athletes. This brings quality care to younger members of the community, and brings insights on the younger generation to OhioHealth.
“We’re part of the fabric to the Grove City community.”
Both Dr. Lutz and Andy shared their pride in how many OhioHealth associates can be found volunteering and engaging with the community across many events and causes. There are over 1,000 OhioHealth Grove City associates who work and live in the community. Grove City is home for so many of them, just like the majority of their patients.
Dr. Lutz spoke of the importance of having a relationship with the community, a provider-patient or associate-patient relationship in which OhioHealth is more than just a hospital. Relationships matter and OhioHealth will commonly have recognition and familiar faces given how many associates also live and engage within the Grove City community. Patients can take comfort in familiar faces, an advantage found in communityoriented healthcare.
“We’re part of the fabric to the Grove City community.”
Learn more about OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital at their website: https://www.ohiohealth.com/locations/hospitals/grove-city-methodisthospital
Healthy Home For the Holidays
‘Tis the season to be merry, but also remember to focus on our health and wellness needs too! OhioHealth Grove City shared some of their holiday-themed or holiday-helpful health blogs with us, and we’re sharing that knowledge with you.
For mental health: “Headaches, insomnia, nausea and the inability to concentrate are troublesome physical effects of stress, and they can be debilitating at times. If you haven’t been able to manage your stress yet — now is the time. With the holiday season right around the corner, obligations and to-do lists can increase your stress even more.” Click here for six ways to destress this holiday season, or even year-round.
For healthy holiday relationships with friends and the workplace: Feel like you’re missing a winter holiday? Heard of some other winter holidays but you’re not sure how to celebrate or mark the occasion whether with friends or in the workplace? Understanding how someone else celebrates can be a key piece to a healthy relationship with them, whether it’s professional, friends, or family. OhioHealth has you covered with a walk-through of many winter holidays, click here to read!
For fighting off germs: The holidays are a time for family traditions, passing down recipes and catching up with family and friends near and far. But let’s not forget what else gets shared –germs! Click here to read OhioHealth’s germ fighting tips, , whether you’re staying near or traveling far for the holidays.
For food safety: While not specifically holiday-themed, this blog about leftovers answers some commonly-asked questions about how long we should hang onto those leftovers before we get into risky territory. Click here to read!
CHAMBER EVENTS
Vote for Business Award, then join us at the Annual Meeting!
We’re wrapping up 2024 at the GCACC, which means we’re really already working on 2025 and have begun planning the 2025 Annual Meeting and Business Awards.
Use the link below to vote for your favorite business in the following categories: Business of the Year
Best Place to Work (Small, under 50 employees) Best Place to Work (Large, over 50 employees)
From retailers to banking to pet services to healthcare, the possibilities are endless of who you can nominate—which is considered your vote.
Vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWV3RFL
The voting window will close on Friday January 3.
After you’ve voted, make plans to join us for the 2025 Annual Meeting!
When: Wednesday February 5, 2025
Where: The Ballroom at Pinnacle (1500 Pinnacle Club Dr, Grove City)
Time: 7-9:30 am. Doors open at 7 and program will begin at 7:30 Link to register: https://bit.ly/GCACCAM25
The Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of members each year, providing ample networking opportunities and a chance to hear about the work of your Chamber and the plans and goals for the new year. In addition to the previously-mentioned business awards, we will also present Ambassador of the Year, Spirit of the Chamber and Heart of the Chamber awards.
Have additional questions? Want to be a sponsor of the event? Reach out to the Chamber Office today: 614-875-9762.
Another successful Boo off Broadway has come and gone, with the Halloween fun occurring back on October 26.
All the fun packed into a few hours unfolded at the Town Center Park. Dozens of businesses and similar vendors were on hand to host the Halloween fun-for-all for hundreds of Grove City area families. With pleasant this year, a good time was all but guaranteed to be had.
Boo off Broadway wouldn’t be possible without sponsors. One more big thank you goes to this year’s sponsors: Presenting Sponsors: Shepherd Insurance Partners and The Katie Fleming Team-Howard Hanna Treat or Treat Street Sponsors: Credit Union of Ohio, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Skyward Contracting, and South-Western Education Association (SWCA).
Check out the photos from this year’s fun and keep an eye on the Facebook page as more are shared!
By Sarah Hann
For over 30 years, Rebecca Sommer has done custom framing work, with most of those years at Sommer House on Broadway in Historic Town Center.
It’s been “a fast thirty-some years of doing custom framing.”
And while the moving sale signs might suggest retirement, Rebecca sees it more as “winding down” as she moves everything into her home workshop nearby. She’ll have the opportunity to be creative from home and make use of workspace she began setting up back in 2020, and will welcome new work by appointment.
But everyone is more than the sum of years worked and defined by more than how big of a downsizing sale is offered. We’re people with stories, and frankly if Rebecca’s Sommer House walls could talk they’d probably have stories too!
Rebecca started her journey in custom framing by working in framing part time at a hardware store in Northeast Ohio. Eventually she returned to the Columbus area, moved to Grove City, purchased the current business and has been the sole owner of Sommer House since 2008.
Her previous co-owner handled many business matters and took care of the ‘back of the house’, putting Rebecca upfront—a role she hadn’t envisioned but in the end worked out. Wearing many hats over the years, Rebeca’s found herself on the creative side, the business side, the historian side, and countless more roles—even the fortune-telling gypsy from the previous edition of Boo off Broadway (it was Boo on Broadway then).
Even as we chatted, a phone call came in that seemed to want her to wear the ‘appraiser hat’, which Rebecca informed that she’s not an appraiser, but can point people in the right direction.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then so too is a framed piece that leaves Rebecca’s gallery, even if it’s not necessarily a picture. People bring her all sorts of memory items for her to frame and even restore, from public service and military pieces, to wedding gowns, to travel memories.
“We travel vicariously!” Rebecca said of the many travel-related pieces that have been completed over the years.
Sale and Relocation Details
The Sommer House sale is on, and while Rebecca said she feels like she’s lived with all these pieces, it’s time for new homes as she works to fully move her framing work to her home workshop. Here are the sale details from December into the new year:
Month of December: 30-60% off December 26-31: 75% (and up) off Jan. 2-18, 2025: Final Clearance Sale
January 21-31, 2025: Sommer House Gallery will be closed while relocating to Rebecca’s home near Windsor Park (she’s not moving very far!)
Beginning February 2025, custom framing will reopen by appointment only. An appointment can be secured by calling Rebecca at 614-871-4620 (this is the shop’s number and she’ll be keeping it to make contact easier for all).
Just as life as is a series of comedies and tragedies, the sorrow with the joy, so Rebecca’s work has had somber moments of remembering late loved ones. She sees framing their memories as a way to find some peace and keep the memory of their late loved one close at hand. In some cases, the framed pieces have helped other family members understand the depth of their family history, or unlock a new understanding of an immediate family member’s life prior to them.
Family treasures can be abundant when working custom framing for family heirlooms. Rebecca shared about a family who brought in a few family wedding mementos—or they thought just a ‘few’. As everything was unpacked and accounted for, the family discovered additional family documents that helped piece together more of their history.
As the custom frame business of Grove City, naturally Rebecca’s work is all over the city. Many of her framing work can be seen in City buildings and across the historical society locations. One item she pointed out was a baby baptismal gown from approximately 1853, which is available to be viewed at the city museum.
The flip side to her pieces being all over the city is that items are now showing up in thrift stores! Rebecca takes the discovery in stride and as a mark of just how long she’s been part of the community, and as she downsizes her shop she’ll likely be adding to a thrift store’s inventory, too.
From the fun to the proud to the sad to the historic, Rebecca has framed it all in her years of framing and owning Sommer House. It could be hard to sum up the many different pieces and circumstances, but Rebecca found the perfect words:
“We’re framing people’s hearts.”
Three tips from 30+ years
With 30+ years in business, I had to ask Rebecca what three things she’d advise to someone starting out in a business/operating their own business.
Be flexible.
Be a free thinker
Listen, and ask questions
Additionally, Rebecca mentioned how others she’d worked with shared similar framing experiences and had ‘the eye’ for detail and design, along with mentioning her previous co-owner’s mind for business direction. That said, perhaps a fourth tip is to build a solid team that compliments your skillset and covers all the bases.
By Sarah Hann
Digital Marketing Into the New Year
Just as we consider what to do with our business’s operations, finances, and even overall growth for the coming year, so too we should consider what to do with our digital marketing. It’s not going anywhere, but like anything else it’s always adapting and ultimately changing as time passes and behaviors change.
It can be maddening to figure out where marketing goes next, and I work in marketing! Our businesses are all so very different, we have different marketing goals… and even the expert articles I browsed sometimes couldn’t agree or keep things simple. So with some inspiration from those articles that got me thinking about what else I’ve seen grow and show no signs of vanishing on January 1, 2025, I pulled together a handful of topics along with some actions.
User-Generated Content/Authentic content
With so much ‘fake’ floating around the internet and social/digital marketing channels, real and authentic content is the breath of fresh air. This includes elements that are hard to fake, such as photos from events, video walk-through clips, and anything else unique to your brand/business. For an assist, this is a great place to tap into user-generated content, even if it’s as simple as sharing a photo that tagged your brand. It shows a real person engaged your business and had a positive experience. As the person who’s watched the stats roll in, the posts with real photos showing real-life engagement bring in the best numbers.
Actions you can take: Swap as many stock photos for real photos as you can. Encourage customers to share their photos with you, whether through tagging, hashtags, or another method of your choosing.
Social channels are search engines
Is your most important information also on social media? More people have, and will continue, to consult social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, for even basic information such as hours of operation or an overview of products and services… especially if they originally found you or heard about you through a social channel. Admittedly, I consult Facebook for this information as I know Facebook can be easier to update details like store hours, and if it’s food or lifestyle-related, I consult Pinterest before Google.
Actions you can take: People scroll and read quickly, so you may want to be a little redundant and have the same information in more than one place (example: Keep your Facebook ‘about page’ hours updated, but also have a pinned post that includes your hours). Have someone do a walk-through and provide feedback on what they did or didn’t find.
Short videos, long form written content
The long and short of it, but we’re not talking about dachshunds (apologies to my own four-legged intern). Short video clips still capture attention and if they’re ‘share-worthy’, even better for gaining more views. But interest in longer form, written content still has a place for sharing the rest of the story or the nuances not easily placed in a 15-second video. Perhaps the video shares what’s in your head, and the longer written form what’s on your heart… and we use both in business.
Action you can take: Determine how this could fit for your business by considering topics for short videos or longer written content. Already doing one? See how the two could connect for robust storytelling of your brand.
Email newsletters
Email still isn’t dead! In fact, some people treat their email newsletters almost like appointment or must-see television, awaiting its arrival and setting aside special time to read it. This is a great place for any longer form writing or diving beyond the essential ‘who, what, when, where’ that may have gone out on social media channels. Actions to take: Weigh your pros and cons of email if you don’t already do email newsletters; there’s a chance it doesn’t fit. But—for those who do email newsletters or marketing, use your stats to determine if you have more of a laptop or mobile device audience (or equal split!) and be sure to use those preview options to deliver the best layout and reading experience.
Social Commerce
If you have a product or service to sell or book, how fast can someone take action from social media? Just like how a brick-and-mortar store will showcase key items just inside the door for ease of purchasing (example: ‘big box’ store has snow shovels and gloves just inside the door before a big snow forecast), you want potential digital customers to have a similar experience. Action you can take: This may look a little different for everyone, but a great first step to assess future actions would be to have a friend see how quickly they can buy a product/book a service from your social media page.
The AI Animal
It’s hard to not ignore AI’s existence, but where precisely it best fits with a business and its digital marketing plan is up to that business. As this technology develops, where AI fits could be ever-changing and tricky to pinpoint at first. Perhaps the only blanket statement I feel comfortable making is that it’s not one-size-fits-all, but that also applies to nearly all marketing tools.
Actions you can take: Stay in the know with what AI tools are out there, for your marketing and even beyond. As it continues to develop, learning with an open mind is perhaps the best first step.
Have a marketing topic you’d like to learn about in 2025? Tell us about it in this quick link: https://forms.gle/oNx5VNLwauLQfEi38
As you look toward 2025, be sure that your business and your employees are enjoying all of the benefits afforded to GCACC members. Here are a few to consider for 2025 – reach out to the office, and we will help you navigate all of your options.
Advertising – Website Social Media Chamber office TV Newsletter Emag Grove City Living Business newspaper! Get a free ½ page in the Chamber Business Connection emag every time you renew your membership!
Sponsorships – Get your business name out in front of the GC Community in an affordable and big way!
Education – You, your employees, and their immediate families can get 20% off tuition (microcredentials, certificates, associated, bachelor's, master’s) and free books!
Scholarships – Our Foundation has given nearly $200,000 in scholarships to Chamber affiliates, returning recipients, and local HS students!
Events – Volunteer. Have fun and show your community support!
FOUNDATION NEWS
Fall For the Foundation: A great success
This year’s Fall for the Foundation fundraiser event brought the community together and raised over $30,000 for the Chamber Foundation’s future scholarship efforts.
Held at the Aladdin Shrine Center in mid-October, guests enjoyed dinner, socializing, music from the Travis Brown Band, and bidding on live and silent auction items. Guests also had the opportunity to purchase a key in Keys for the Cruise for the chance to win a 3-4 night Bahamas cruise courtesy of MSC Cruises and a Southwest airfare gift card donated by David Todd of Cruise Planners, who also made the connections and arrangements for the cruise itself.
Conducted by local auctioneer Rich Jenkins, the live auction items ranged from sporting event tickets to a vacation rental home at Lake Norris. Silent auction items ranged from once-in-a-lifetime trips to many tickets and gift baskets arranged and donated by local businesses and community members.
The Foundation is grateful for all who attended the Fundraiser, and all who sponsored, donated or otherwise supported the evening. Please see our full list of thank you’s!
Additional Foundation News
Congratulations to Makayla Brill and Myah Sanders for being awarded Chamber Affiliate scholarships for the third quarter. With their scholarships awarded, the Foundation’s ‘running total’ is now over $199,000 in scholarship money awarded and 326 scholarship recipients. With one more 2024 Chamber Affiliate deadline, it’s quite likely the Foundation will pass the $200,000 awarded mark by the end of the year.
Speaking of that final 2024 deadline—Friday December 13 is the deadline for the fourth quarter/last-for-2024 Chamber Affiliate Scholarship. Visit https://gcchamberfoundation.org/scholarships/ to learn more and apply.
And while 2025 applications are not yet open, for those filling in their 2025 calendars and planners, the 2025 deadlines are as follows: March 14 (High School Class of 2025 and Q1 Chamber Affiliate), June 13 (Renewal and Q2 Chamber Affiliate), September 12 (Q3 Chamber Affiliate), and December 12 (Q4 Chamber Affiliate).
Lastly, as you consider your year-end giving or your 2025 sponsorship budgets, the Chamber Foundation would be honored to have your support in order to continue awarding scholarships to local students. Visit https://gcchamberfoundation.org/ways-to-give/ to learn more.
FOUNDATION NEWS
Gold:
Credit Union of Ohio
Mt. Carmel
KEMBA
Grove City Smiles
Meyers Jewelers
Silver:
Commercial Lighting & Electric
Franklin County Banking Center
OhioHealth
Wright-Patt Credit Union
WesBanco
Bronze:
Jeff Buskirk & Associates
Buckeye Pawn Shop
ServPro
Andy Morbitzer
Gary Gabriel
IBEW Local Union 71
Copper:
Dignified Home Loans
Morley Parren Bright Insurance
Friend of the Foundation: Mojo on Broadway
Southwest Dentistry LLC
Waugh Law, LLC
Cash donor:
Richard "Ike" Stage
Event Photography By: Columbus Prime Realty
Fundraiser Auctioneer: Rich Jenkins
Corporate Tables
Coumbus Building Services
Electro-General Plastics
Silent/Live Auction Donors
3 Brothers Diner
4 Paws & A Tail
Advance Auto Parts O’Reilly - Grove City
Air Quality Solutions/Larry & Mary Titus
AMC -Cinema
AMF - Stardust
Auction Shake-Up
Auto Zone - Grove City
BalletMet
Bambi’s Farm Market
Basket’s & Boughs
Blu-Willy’s
Bob Evans
Bryan Mulvany/ Eric Saxton - Howard Hanna
Buffalo Wings & Rings
C. Krueger’s
CardCollector2
Char McFarland
Cincinnati Reds
City BBQ
Cleveland Cavaliers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Clippers
Columbus Museum of Arts
Cooper’s Hawk Winery
Cruise Planners
Crumbl Cookie
Dannette’s Floral Boutique
Dawn Lowther
Diane Boso Walker
DoubleTree Cleveland / Independence
El Vaquero
Evans Center
Franklin County Banking Center
Heartland Bank
Huntington Bank
Sherriff Baldwin
Tosoh
Valmer Land Title Agency
Home Depot - Grove City
IHOP
Inn at Honey Run
Jason Nies
Longhorn Steakhouse
Lowe’s - Georgesville
Margaret Rieser
Margie Brant
Matt Rogers/Dignified Home Loans
LLC
Meijer Store
Meyers Jewelers
Mojo on Broadway
Mona’s Eats & Treats
Moo Moo Car Wash
Nails by Colleen Nicholson
Olive Garden
Park National Bank
Patrick Castro & Kristie Doyle
Patty Boso
Chris & Shelly Boso
Personal Healthcare Concierge
Pinnacle Golf Club
Pittsburgh Steelers
Plank’s
Precision Jewelers
Rick & Debbie Lewis
Roosters
Skate America
Snow Trails
Strader’s - Grove City
Subway
Superior Beverage Group
Tami Washington
Fazoli’s
Fiesta Mariachi
Firestone Grove City
Flyers Pizza
Frank Herman/Columbus Prime Realty
Frisch’s Big Boy
Fusion Japanese Steakhouse
Giant Eagle
Good Year - Grove City
Grove City Brewing Co./Plum Run Winery
Hickory Hills Golf Club
Hilton Garden Inn Grove City
Tavern 62
Texas Roadhouse
Tommy's Jerky
Tony’s Coneys
Tractor Supply - W Broad
Valmer Title Agency
Cindy Walker
WesBanco Bank
Wheaton Dental
Wild Honey Salon & Boutique
Wine for Humanity
Lisa Zeigler
Special thank you to David Todd-Cruise Planners for his efforts toward the first-ever Keys to the Cruise. Thanks to his efforts, MSC Cruise Lines donated a 3-4 night cruise and David donated a $500 airfare gift card to round out the package.
EDITOR’S DESK
By Sarah Hann
Sometimes as a reporter, specific things a person says will reach out, grab hold and not let go for one reason for another. Rebecca Sommer’s “we’re framing people’s hearts” did that for me this time around for all the best reasons. Throughout our conversation, the topic of her works coming from and being a reflection of one’s heart reappeared.
I carried this with me all the way home (and I don’t just live several streets down, like Rebecca!) and saw the common thread of work from the heart. OhioHealth strives to work from the heart as they don’t just take care of community members, but take care of their own as being an active community member. It takes heart to tend to someone’s ailments.
This time of year finds us talking about heart as well. We give from our hearts and are encouraged to dig into our hearts to find greater meaning in this season. We open our hearts to others and sink our hearts into our families and closest friends. We put our hearts into our businesses as make the final push at the end of the year, in hopes of meeting goals and more favorable financial records.
Do you put your heart into your work (or even family and friends) the same way the rest of the year? If not, perhaps that’s a goal to sort out for 2025.
The Chamber even recognizes work that comes from the heart, in the award specifically named the Heart of the Chamber Award. People, businesses, and efforts that are not only from the heart, but carry out solid and steady like a healthy heartbeat have been recognized over the years. Make plans to join in the 2025 Annual Meeting festivities to see who wins, and maybe let the joy of celebrating businesses fill your heart up for the day.
We may not be able to let our hearts solely make every decision, but we can let it have a seat at our personal decision-making table. We can try to sink our hearts into something as if it were Christmas, but it’s July. We can make a series of small decisions and moves that get us closer to what would make our heart sing and feel like our work is also truly a work of heart.
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Make a one-time donation, become a sponsor, or leave behind a legacy scholarship. https://gcchamberfoundation.org/ways-to-give/
Buy apparel, blankets & more through our online store. tinyurl.com/gccfshop
Now selling a local favorite - Silverbridge coffee. Every bag (or box) of coffee you buy goes towards scholarships for 2025. Visit our site at https://gccfcoffee.square.site
As a member of GCACC you are offered discounted advertising within the chamber produced publications; our Business Connection E-Magazine, Business Weekly Connection e-newsletter, AND our social media channels. We are already reaching your target audience in the Grove City and Central Ohio area. Partner with your chamber by purchasing an annual ad package and save
O U R R E A C H
20,000+ 5,000+ 1,700 +
Ad Placement Pricing & Sizing for 2025
Full Page Inside Front Cover | 8 5x11 | $500
Full Page Inside Pages | 8 5x11 | $400
Half Page (Horizontal) | 8.5x5.5 | $200
Quarter Page | 4.25x5.5 | $100
Artwork is due by the 20th of each month.
Not sure where to start with creating an ad? Reach out to the marketing team for ideas: marketing@gcchamber.org
Artwork Requirements:
Please submit in .jpg or .pdf format
For print ads please submit artwork files in 300 dpi, CMYK and embedded fonts format
For digital ads please submit artwork files in 72 dpi, RGB format Word documents are NOT accepted Ads sent in are subject to final approval by the Chamber Business Connection magazine editing staff
