Letter From the Editor

In late July, GRCA’s Digital Marketing Coordinator Audrey Krupiak and I ventured to Indianapolis for the annual Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Conference. Consisting of a three-day immersive experience into all things chamber-related, the conference brought together more than 1,000 professionals from all over North America, and it was the first one since 2019.

We attended multiple sessions each day which included everything from how to attract new members, new communication trends and tools to turning what is unique about your community into real action of attracting new talent. Did you know that the Indy Chamber utilizes community members that they’ve dubbed “Indyfluencers” to help promote the area to potential newcomers? It’s an important component in the chamber’s regional economic development strategy.

Some interesting research from ACCE shared at one of the sessions really put into perspective how much a chamber membership can positively affect the perception of a business. Here a few tidbits.

• A chamber member enjoys a 70% increase in consumer awareness compared to non-chamber members.

• Consumers are 23% more likely to believe a chamber member uses sound business practices over non-chamber members.

• When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of them.

• 64% of consumers believe a chamber membership shows that a company is involved in the community.

In between sessions, attendees willingly shared ideas with us, as it was a great opportunity to pick each other’s brains to find out what is working for chambers all over the country. Because our chambers are not in direct competition, conversations and ideas flowed as easily at the wine at the conference’s happy hours.

The trip wasn’t all sessions and networking. We left plenty of room for fun as we enjoyed a free gondola ride through the Indy Canal and checked out the Indy food scene by visiting multiple, local restaurants. The stay was capped off with a party at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, which featured a seven-piece pop and R&B band headed up by the President and CEO of the Indy Chamber.

Overall, we left with a long list of new and innovative ideas. As a marketing team, we will work to better serve our members by telling their stories and make sure GRCA’s deliverables closely align members needs and wants. There is a fresh perspective and motivation to try new things, and I can’t wait to get started!

Visit our website

For the most up-to-date schedule of events, training and webinars, visit GreaterReading.org and click on the events calendar at the top of the page. Please note: GRCA will use the most current information available to determine whether events and training will be held virtually or in-person.

GRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman Daniel R. Langdon – East Penn Mfg, Co., Inc. Vice Chairman Ernest J. Choquette – The Stevens & Lee Companies Treasurer Jeffrey R. Rush – Fulton Bank Secretary Michael A. Duff – Penske

DIRECTORS

Gregg A. Bogia – Bogia Engineering Inc. John H. Gallen, Jr. – EthoSource Jim Gerlach – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Laura Haffner – Wells Fargo Bob Harrop – East Penn Mfg, Co., Inc. Sara Kuzma-Stump – Suburban Testing Labs Susan D. Looney – Reading Area Community College Jamey Maack – Industrial Metal Plating Debra L. Millman, Esq. – Greater Berks Development Fund Michele L. Richards – Fulton Bank David C. Roland – Truist Timothy D. Romig – Customers Bank Peter Rye – Brentwood Industries David W. Stonesifer – Herbein & Company, Inc. Christina L. Weeber – East Penn Mfg, Co., Inc. John Weidenhammer – Weidenhammer

GREATER READING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairwoman Michele L. Richards – Fulton Bank Vice Chairwoman Sara Kuzma Stump – Suburban Testing Labs Solicitor Timothy Dietrich – Barley Snyder Treasurer Laura Haffner – Wells Fargo Secretary Gregg A. Bogia – Bogia Engineering Inc.

DIRECTORS

Lucy Cortez – Community First Fund Brian Dietrich – Ernst & Young (EY LLP) Jonathan Encarnacion – UPMC FOR U, INC. Josephina Encarnacion – SBDC – Kutztown University Becky A. Eshbach – UGI Utilities, Inc. Andrea Funk – Enersys Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz – Mi Casa Su Casa John H. Gallen, Jr. – EthoSource Jim Gerlach – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Jack Gombach – Community Networking Resources Dr. George Grant – Penn State Berks Dan Gring – D&B Construction Dr. Jill M. Hackman – Berks County Intermediate Unit Bob Harrop – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc. Joey Jurgielewicz – Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd. Daniel B. Laws, Jr. – DaBrian Marketing Group Kristi Gage-Linderman – Gage Personnel Paul Oxholm – Sharpoint Partners, Inc. Ryan Redner – Redner’s Markets Jennifer C. Rivera – FirstEnergy Corp. Rodney Ridley – O’Pake Institute at Alvernia University Peter Rye – Brentwood Industries Alan Shuman – Shuman Development Group David W. Stonesifer – Herbein & Company, Inc. Ira Tauber – Triose John Weidenhammer – Weidenhammer

GREATER BERKS DEVELOPMENT FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman Dan Langdon – East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc. Vice Chairman Ernest J. Choquette – Stevens & Lee/Griffin President Debra L. Millman, Esq. – Greater Berks Development Fund VP/Treasurer/Secretary Jeffery Rush – Fulton Bank Secretary Michael Duff, Esq. – Penske Truck Leasing

DIRECTORS

Richard Bashore – Reading Electric Motor Service, Inc. Joseph Butto – Tompkins VIST Bank P. Michael Ehlerman – Yuasa Battery, Inc. Jim Gerlach – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Scott Hauseman – Fulton Bank Ginger Kunkel – Tompkins VIST Bank Susan D. Looney – Reading Area Community College Jamey Maack – Industrial Metal Plating David C. Roland – Berks BB&T Timothy D. Romig – Customers Bank David Shaffer – EnerSys Joseph Sigle – Santander Bank Sally Stewart – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Michael Vind – FSL Public Finance Christina L. Weeber – East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc.

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