2013 goal for Zionsville chamber: ‘Support business owners’

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The agenda is jam packed this coming year for the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce, but Executive Director Julie Johns Cole has a focussed mission.

“Our number one goal is to make sure our members succeed,” Cole said. “We want to be their No. 1 support system to give them the resources, tools, and information they need to thrive as a business owner.”

With experience in economic development, Cole is enthusiastic about leading the Chamber.

“I have over 10 years of downtown redevelopment experience,” she said. “Downtown redevelopment is a passion of mine, and I’m excited to assist in this capacity.”

Cole has many ideas to help retain and attract new businesses to Zionsville. One way is through improved communication with a new Web site being launched at the chamber’s annual banquet on Jan. 25. Another tool is a new e-newsletter program for weekly communications as well as increased use of social media with a goal to get 1,000 likes by the end of 2013, according to Cole. Helping businesses promote themselves by hosting workshops throughout the year is also a priority with the first topic on “email marketing” slated for February.

One exciting new initiative, according to Cole, is a dowtown committee with its goal to be, “One solid, cohesive voice for downtown. We want to market ourselves together efficiently, comprehensively, and we want to share our message and be able to back it up that Zionsville is open for business,” Cole explained. “Let’s pull our resources together. Let’s get everyone on the same page.”

Popular events sponsored by the chamber will continue in the new year but the focus will shift to economic development, business retention, and bringing visibility to Zionsville.

“In 2013, we are going to continue to make the transition from events planning and focus on becoming an economic development organization that serves as the No. 1 resource for our business owners. We will continue to promote Zionsville through our diversified marketing campaign,” Cole said. “We will also continue to partner with other organizations to offer programs, like the 2012 gubernatorial debate that resulted in positive earned media for our community.”

The chamber’s message, “Support Business Owners,” appears to be working, with a 17-percent increase in membership since Cole took the helm in June 2012 and excitement toward the future with new initiatives.

“Looking forward, we’re really excited! We are doing as much as we can to reach out to our members in the business community, to let them know we are (business owners) advocates,” Cole said.

For more information on the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce contact Julie  at [email protected] or 873-3836.

Chamber New Initiatives:

  • Dowtown Committee – formed
  • Membership directory to be delivered to more than 9,000 households in early 2013
  • Zionsville Entrepreneurship Initiative
  • Business workshops – 2 to 3 workshops a year
  • Hosting Economic Outlook program with Boone County EDC
  • Holding issues forums
  • New member breakfast – twice a year
  • 2013 inagural golf outing – Golf Club of Indiana, June 13

Chamber Events Continuing in 2013:

  • Market Eve/Brick Street Market, May
  • Taste of Zionsville/Street Dance, August
  • Emerging Professionals, monthly
  • First Tuesdays, first Tuesday evening of each month

 


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