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Chamber Focus: The East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
This week’s Chamber of Commerce Focus is on the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce . With over 400 members, the Chamber is composed of business and professional leaders to promote and enhance business development through free enterprise and by fostering cooperation between business, government and the community. The strength of the Chamber is built on the support and involvement of the membership. The tools of Chamber involvement assist the membership in becoming better known, aiding in their growth and development.
Our program of work is built around priorities which have been identified as important by its members from year to year. Building a solid ‘core’ organization, working with government in improving the climate for business and presentation of programs and projects with networking and educational return to the membership are all key initiatives.
Goal
The Chamber’s goal has always been to promote civic and business progress in our community. Our strength is in our 400 members who provide the financial and leadership support essential for the programs vital to community growth and development.
Objectives
Overall the objectives of the Chamber include: coordinating the efforts of commerce, industry and the professions in maintaining and strengthening a sound and healthy business climate in the East Greenwich area; sponsoring aggressive programs of work and stimulating activities that will provide for full development and employment of our human and economic resources; provide creative business leadership and effective coordination of all interested parties in solving community problems and initiating constructive community action and creation of broad understanding and appreciation of the great opportunities in the East Greenwich area and promoting the advantages and assets of our community within the area, the state and the world.
Membership Benefits, Programs & Services
Networking: The Chamber produces events every month as a forum for its members to do business with one another and for professional development. Every month the Chamber holds a “Business After Hours” which is an informal gathering at a Chamber member’s establishment where members are encouraged to mingle among each other and to build lasting, successful relationships. For those with nighttime commitments, the Chamber also holds “Common Grounds”. This morning networking opportunity varies from “Business After Hours” as it is a more structured “leads group” style networking forum. Every member has an opportunity to present their product/service to the assembled group. These events occur every month and are in addition to the Chamber’s special events.
Education: The Chamber produces several “Lunch & Learns” which provides a Chamber member an opportunity to speak about their business specialty which is often topical to those in Small Business. Topics have included organizational skills, small business growth, bookkeeping, cloud computing and many more. Training is also available and communicated to Chamber members from Chamber partner organizations like the Small Business Administration, Center for Women and Enterprise, Tech Collective, Prophet Share RI and others.
Marketing Opportunities: Chamber members have access to spread the word about sales, open houses, promotions etc. through the many advertising assets the Chamber possesses. Digital assets include email, eastgreenwichchamber.com, mainstreeteastgreenwich.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Print assets include “Welcome to East Greenwich”, monthly page in East Greenwich Pendulum, event programs and flyer distribution. Opportunities for event marketing include Main Street Strolls, Golf Tournaments, Business After Hours, Annual Meeting and “Here’s to the Ladies”. With the Chamber staff’s combined marketing experience of over 40 years, the Chamber can also put together dynamic, multi-platform marketing programs for members interested in sponsoring the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce.
Gift Certificate Program: The Chamber sells gift certificates to the public that are redeemable at over 80 of our member businesses. There is no cost to the merchant accepting the gift certificates or the purchaser beyond the value of the certificate. This provides a wonderful gift as there is a wide variety of merchants that participate. The program provides another way to bring new faces through the doors of our members that participate in the program.
Advocacy: The Chamber, at its core, is the voice of the business community on local, state and federal issues affecting its membership. The Chamber’s relationship with East Greenwich Town Officials allows the Chamber to help address issues and advocate on its members behalf on local municipal issues. On the state level, the Chamber is a member of the Chamber Coalition, a consortium of Rhode Island Chambers of Commerce who share a lobbyist to advocate and report back on issues being worked on at the Rhode Island Statehouse. The Chamber also hosts visits from elected officials on the state and federal level to hear about the challenges of small business owners in East Greenwich. Once a year the Chamber’s Executive Director travels to Washington D.C. to relay issues facing the Chamber membership as well.
Community and Economic Development: The Chamber produces the “Main Street Strolls”, a street festival of sorts, which take place in the summer and again during the holidays. The Strolls are a chance for residents and visitors to come to Main Street and take in our unique shops, boutiques and restaurants. The Chamber also produces “East Greenwich Restaurant Week” to showcase the wonderful restaurant community here in East Greenwich. EG Restaurant Week brings food lovers from all over Southeastern New England to East Greenwich to visit our restaurants. While in town these visitors also patronize our shops, boutiques and services.
The Chamber also works to retain, expand and strengthen existing business and job opportunities which benefit “Quality of Life” in the community.
Referrals: The Chamber is often the first place people turn for referrals on where to obtain goods and services. The Chamber is always alert for opportunities to connect its members together.
Ambassadors: A special group of members who welcome new members and maintain close contact with member businesses through Chamber events, phone calls and personal visits.
Member to Member Discount Program: Offer members, their families and employees a special incentive or discount on your product or service.
Health Insurance: A choice of programs for small business and the self-employed.
Bulk Rate Mail Permit Available: Bulk mail permit use free to members
Certificate of Origin Service: Free to members
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies: Service available for all new member businesses as well as member businesses celebrating re-openings and anniversaries.
Job Postings: Opportunity post jobs and openings on their website
Monthly column in the East Greenwich Pendulum
Corporate Sponsors
The Chamber’s sponsor companies are: BankRI, Coastway, Cox Business, Independence Bank, International Motor Group, New England Institute of Technology, Partridge, Snow & Hahn, and The Martucci Group.
Board of Directors
President
Michael Mancuso, Cartridge World & Office Recycling Solutions
Past President
Ross DiSegna, Tio Mateo’s/Greenwich Bay Gourmet
Vice President
Susan Clough, Mott & Chace / Sotheby’s International Realy
Secretary
Stacy Levin, Bank RI
Treasurer
Holly Ferrara, Greenwood Credit Union
Directors
Ann Marie DaSilva, Chronomatic
Joe Hindle, HarborOne Bank
Ann Lewin, Datapay, Inc.
Shawn Lynch, Lynch’s Cleaning & Restoration
Chris Maxwell, Maxport, LLC
Patricia Raskin, Raskin Resources Productions
Thomas Stencel, T. Stencel Jewelers
Mick Tedesco, Silver Spoon Bakery
Therese Vezeridis, Residential Properties
Andrew Nota, Town of East Greenwich, Ex-Officio
Chamber Staff
Executive Director
Steve Lombardi
Marketing Director
Glenn Fontaine
Main Street Coordinator
Amy Moore
For more information:
East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
580 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818, 401-885-0020
The East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce is a member of the RI Chamber Coalition