THE AMHERST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTINUED...

BY COLLEEN DIPIRRO - PRESIDENT AND CEO

As I was reviewing our Annual Report this week, something jumped out at me.  Many sentences began with the phrase, we continued.  That says a lot about the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.  It says that many of our programs and services are proven to provide tangible value and service that is beneficial to our members and the community.  We continually enhance our services but their basic premise was based on the needs of the community and our organization's ability to fill voids and provide the leadership required to grow our regional prosperity.

Many years ago, businesses joined chambers in a broad effort to support their community.  Chambers tended to be the point of service for maps, general information and socialization.  As we entered the information age, the need for these services diminished.  The Chambers that remained viable and, in fact grew, were those that re-invented themselves.  At the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, we reached out to the businesses we represented and asked what role they would like us to play.  This process of outreach began in the early 1990's and continues today.  The world changes at a rapid pace on a daily basis and we must be fluid as an organization and adjust as the marketplace evolves.  But, we don't overhaul our organizational foundation and program of work- we refine it.  We continue with the products and services that have proved valuable and provide the Chamber with sustainability and we add services where there is a void. 

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce continues to:

• Play a major role in driving public policy that benefits the community. 
• Provide opportunities for members to network with their peers and build their market base
• Offer products and services that lower our members cost of doing business
• Host meetings that puts our members face to face with community leaders
• Provide lower cost health insurance with all three local carriers and a professional staff to assist with benefits advice
• Communicate with our members on a timely basis with news they can use
• Be available to assist our members and serve as a conduit to their success

In addition to continuing to provide the highest level of service and improving our current product offerings, the Amherst Chamber of Commerce pledges to remain fluid and adapt to the changing needs of our members.  Because of our strong history of being responsive to our members needs, we will continue to reach out to you for feedback and launch new products and services in response to your input.  We encourage member ownership in the organization and commit to continuing to work for you and with you.  Feel free to email me at cdipirro@amherst.org with your comments or suggestions.