January 10, 2022
Who is the Winchester Chamber?
You, our members, are of course. Whether you are an individual, a small business, a local industry or agricultural company, a local government or non-profit, YOU are the Chamber! Together we provide a significant voice for change and growth in our neighborhoods, our community, and our businesses.
This past year we have worked together to achieve far more than we could have individually. We welcomed 54 new members in 2021, while achieving a retention rate of 92%, well above the national average. That is important as we strive to work together to help each other through uncertain times.
Educational/Communication
We offered free educational sessions via Zoom.
- Small Business Marketing Pro – Tips and Tricks
- Survive & Thrive Social Media – Three part series
- Digital Success – Creating a digital Marketing Strategy
- Facebook for Small Business
- Instagram for Small Business
- E-blast videos and instructions on how to post Member Job opening and Events on the web-site (which auto post to the app and FB)
Plus our monthly newsletter, filled with events and updates from our Chamber members.
Review of Internal Processes
- Reviewed Chamber Retention numbers
- Reviewed current membership processes. Implemented a Recruit and Retention practice.
Promotions and Events
- Take out Tuesday & Shop Local Saturday
- 1st Annual “Heart of Winchester Chamber 5K” (Virtual)
- Beer Cheese Food Week – Winner: Engine House Pizza & Pub
- In Person/Outside/amazing – Chamber Banquet (224 Participants)
- Golf Scramble (45 Teams)
Commerce Advocacy Team
via zoom our CAT Comittee hosted guest speakers:
- JD. Chaney – Executive Director/CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities
- Bruce Manley – BCTC
- Mayor Ed Burtner and Judge Executive Chris Pace – State of the Community
- Amy Sparrow Glasscock, Director of Workforce Services and Rolando Thacker, Business Service Manager – Address the issue of finding employees.
Business and Education Team
via zoom and in-person, our BEST Comittee hosted guest speakers:
- Patricia Hopkins – Mountain Comp Care
- Rebecca Kissick – Clark County Health Department
- Duke Dryden – General Manager WMU
Leadership Winchester 2021 - 2022
Our Leadership Class of 2022 consists of twenty-five community members representing eleven industries. Topics covered through the year include: Economic Development, State Government, Local Government, Health Services, Agriculture, Tourism, Education and Nonprofits
Winchester Clark County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals
The Young Professionals hosted four in-person networking and cocktail events. These events are open to anyone 40ish and below working or living in Clark County.
Getting the most out of your Chamber Membership
The Chamber is about making Member to Member Connections. COVID-19 made us realize the Chamber needs to keep members connected even when we can’t make those connections in person.
Coffee, Conversations & Connections Zoom.
The Chamber facilitated this member open discussion via Zoom of what changes their business made due to Covid. What changes worked and didn’t. Take aways from CC&C:
- Stay Positive
- Give your Customer’s a reason to shop local
- Use FB to promote your business – push the positives of being a family owned local business
- Impressed with how our Community has rallied together
- Eliminate and Concentrate – Using this as an opportunity to evaluate what and how we do business. Implement the positive changes in the future
- Chamber Members supporting Chamber Members
Member Plus Chamber App.
In 2021, we implemented the Member Plus Chamber App. It allows you to have the Chamber's information at your fingertips.
- Have an entire list of Chamber members & their contact info
- Chamber Events Calendar
- Chamber Member Events Calendar
- Chamber Member Job Postings
- Members and offer exclusive deals to other members – Member to Member Deals
Ribbon Cuttings
The Winchester Clark County Chamber of Commerce welcomed the following businesses in 2021:
- Clark Regional Medical Center Cath Lab
- Eppic Films
- Boonesboro Trail Senior Living
- Luxe Med Spa
- Consolidated Graphic Communications
- Party on Main
- Smokin’ Howard’s Sports Bar & Grill
- Bluegrass Community Health Center
- Stuff’s Recycling
- MPG Architecture
- 46 Solutions
- Back 40 So Co.
Mix & Mingles
Thank you to the following businesses who hosted networking events in 2021:
Breakfasts
- Community Trust Bank
- Winchester Municipal Utilities (WMU)
After Hours
- Clark Regional Medical Center
- Stuff’s Recycling
- Donuts with Santa hosted by the Chamber & Party’s on Main
- Stock Yard Bank & Trust
Thank you so much for your investment and your willingness to be part of something bigger, something better. Cheers to a healthy, prosperous, and very happy new year! It is a great day to be part of the Chamber.
Cindy Banks
Chamber Director
Tammy Moberly
Chamber President