One big organizational change for the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce in 2013 is the reactivation of the Ambassador Group.
Director Sharon McMahon said the chamber board decided to make the Ambassador Group a separate committee once again after being blended with the Member Outreach Committee.
“They have two separate identities as far as missions,” McMahon explained. “The Ambassadors is really good for new members and perspective chamber members. They really enjoy getting out there and talking to people.”
The Ambassadors Committee, which is co-chaired by Syd Loomis and Leeca Smith, assists members in business promotion and interacts with the community while assisting with membership retention and growth. Member Outreach, which is chaired by Matt Cook, identifies opportunities and new ways of providing value-added programs and services to members.
McMahon said Community Outreach is a new committee. Its goal is to provide programs and items of interest to the general public and businesses. Other chamber committees include Business Advocacy, led by Bill Taylor, and the Young Professionals Group, which is co-chaired by Adam Huff, Meredith Platt and Angie Sutton.
The chamber is also expecting to see continued growth of some of its annual events in 2013, like the Taste of Business which showcases 80 local businesses and attracts 500 to 600 people.
“It’s one of our strongest events,” McMahon sad. “It serves the public at large. It has grown each year.”
The annual golf outing, the primary fundraiser for the not-for-profit, will return to Fox Prairie Golf Course.
“It’s the first time in many years it’ll be held there,” McMahon said of the city’s public golf course.
The Women Empowering Women luncheon series, which began in 2012, will continue with two planned events this year – one in the spring and another in early fall.
“We have been so excited about the turnout of women and the topics we presented,” McMahon said, adding previous topics have included women’s health and legal issues. “We’re looking forward to some exciting topics for next year.”
McMahon said the Lunch & Learn series will also continue and the chamber is currently lining up speakers. She anticipates that series will have three or four events depending on presenters.
All Hamilton County chamber of commerces are discussing ways to collaborate with one another to benefit members of all organizations. McMahon said the chamber currently hosted networking breakfast events and come together for Commissioner Steve Dillinger’s annual State of the County address.
“Business people come out to network and interact with businesses in other communities. This is a big plus,” she said. “It’s successful. All members enjoyed the opportunity to come together.”
Those interested in learning more about the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce can visit http://noblesvillechamber.com or call 773-0086. Memberships begin at $250 a year.
“We feel we’ve worked hard to keep down costs at a very affordable level,” McMahon said.
Important dates
• Jan. 16 – New member orientation, noon at the chamber of commerce building.
• Jan. 23 – State of the County Address by Commissioner Steve Dillinger. This all-county chamber luncheon will be held at Oak Hill Mansion.
• March 12 – Taste of Business from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hamilton County 4-H Grounds.
• April 17 – All-county chamber luncheon will be held at Oak Hill Mansion. The “noteworthy” speaker has not been announced yet.
• Aug. 28 – Golf outing at Fox Prairie Golf Course.
• Nov. 14 – Enterprise Awards at Purgatory Golf Course.
• Nov. 29 – Noblesville Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Hamilton County Judicial Center.