Heart of the Business Community

Chambers of Commerce

The heart of the business community

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI PHOTOS BY CARMEN RODGERS AND GABRIELLE JENSEN MILLBROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Brenda Robertston Dennis has been on the job as executive director a little over a year now and has made some big changes in the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce operations.

She spent the year rebranding, featured a new logo and launched a more interactive, user-friendly website. She even sends out a weekly in-depth newsletter to subscribers detailing the happenings around the region. Increasing networking events for members is another key point to her strategy.

“We’re trying to up our game on providing resources for our members,” Dennis said.

To gather the intel, she spent her first three months meeting with members and learning about their individual needs; then, she began to craft a plan forward.

“We’ve spent the year trying to fix what wasn’t there, and now, we’re at this place where we can dare to dream,” Dennis said.

One way of doing that would be launching a strategic plan. Dennis said there are so many more layers to dig into for the chamber to be at its peak success. A strategic plan would allow stakeholders to come together and decide as a unit the best way to tackle future goals.

The chamber offers ambassador positions for community members looking to get involved and volunteer their time, and this fall, Dennis plans to launch a junior ambassador program.

“Our role will be to help interested and qualified students understand the relationship of commerce, between business and government, and how they work together,” she said.

Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the chamber is located at 3390 Main St. Learn more at millbrookchamber.org or by calling 334-285-0085.

TALLASSEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Greater Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce is a group of businesses and individuals working together toward a stronger local economy. Working toward commons goals, the chamber wears many hats, including economic developer, tourist information center, business spokesperson, business training center and government and public relations specialist.

The chamber, headed up by executive director Jerry Cunningham, hosts chamber chats for networking opportunities; celebrates ribbon cuttings for grand openings; hosts an annual banquet; and works alongside the city, schools and other organizations to create a cohesive community. Recently, the chamber started hossting four vendors markets per yea, drawing more traffic to downtown businesses. Seven new business opened up in the past year.

The city is also working on a streetscape and infrastructure update to enhance the business community and create a greater draw for visitors.

For high school students looking to get involved, the Tallassee chamber welcomes student ambassadors each year to act as volunteers, learn the inner workings of commerce and receive educational scholarships.

“A lot of us are trying to be creative and find thigns that work,” Cunningham said. “I'm just glad to be a part of it.”

The chamber is located at 303 Barnett Blvd. Visit tallasseechamber.com or call 334-283-5151 for more information.

Millbrook Chamber of Commerce is under new leadership, with Brenda Robertson Dennis on the job a little over a year

Wetumpka chamber board members are sworn in each year

Tallassee hosts ribbon cuttings for its growing downtown business community

WETUMPKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

On the heels of HGTV’s airing of Hometown Makeover, spotlighting the small town of Wetumpka, chamber director Shellie Whitfield said she’s been busier than ever.

Downtown buildings are basically completely full, businesses are thriving, and tourists have been coming from as far as Israel to see what the town has to offer.

“The reason we were chosen for the show is we had a long-term plan in place,” Whitfield explained. “People love Wetumpka and want to see it thrive. There has been a group of people, leadership here, with a common vision, and we’ve worked hard toward that vision. HGTV put the rocket fuel on our spark that basically catapulted us five to 10 years ahead.”

As a result of the nationwide, and even international, attention the town has garnered, the Wetumpka Chamber has launched a tour guide program. Groups coming to town want to explore all the scenes spotlighted in the show, and retirees serve as the welcoming committee to show it off.

“We give them a tour around town and tell them the history, make lunch reservations for them,” she said, “It’s great. The mayor comes over to greet them; I come over to greet them.”

The chamber hosts coffee and conversation networking groups at a different business each month. It also greets new members with a welcome breakfast once a quarter and hosts lunch-and-learn activities a handful of times throughout the year.

The doors are open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 116 E. Bridge St. Learn more at wetumpkachamber.org or by calling 334-567-4811.

Shellie Whitfield is expanding on the attention from HGTV by offering tours in Wetumpka