Chamber members discuss ways to promote interaction
Drawing for chamber checks to be held at monthly luncheons
Marion Chamber of Commerce members who patronize each others' businesses and attend the monthly meeting may receive a prize.
During the chamber's monthly luncheon Feb. 21 at McGillicuddy's, retail sales committee chairman Troy Leith said the committee was looking at ways to encourage Chamber members to do business with each other.
One possibility would be to have chamber members bring receipts from other chamber businesses to each monthly luncheon. A drawing could then be conducted and the winner would receive a $10 certificate for chamber bucks.
Leith said that Marlin and Debbie Buchholz from Marion Pharmacy would provide $120 to fund the first year.
Kevin Fruechting, immediate past president, said attendance at the monthly chamber lunches has been dwindling.
"Maybe we could limit it to one receipt per person," Fruechting said. "I think that could be utilized to encourage attendance."
Mike Powers said that if the goal was to provide more business interaction between chamber members, than people should be able to bring numerous receipts — from different businesses — that could be entered into the drawing.
Other chamber members suggested other possibilities for the drawing. Chamber President Jeff Cady instructed retail committee members to talk over the suggestions and come up with drawing guidelines.
Leith said the retail committee has discussed other promotion ideas including cup holders, something like a paper koozie, that could be used to hold cans. The Marion Chamber logo would be one side, while the names of businesses could be on the other.
Gene Winkler said a good place to use the cup holders would be at the baseball stadium during the summer.
"That way it will reach a lot of out-of-town people," Winkler said.
Melissa Parmley said she thought regular foam insulated koozies would not be thrown away. But Leith responded the price of those might be cost prohibitive.
Leith said the retail sales committee also was looking into purchasing plastic sacks printed with the chamber logo and businesses. The bags could be used for handing out promotional materials.
Cady said he was pleased with all the discussion that had taken place during the meeting.
"Look at the interaction we had here today," Cady commented. "If we get twice the people (at the monthly lunches), we'll have twice the interaction."
Also:
— chamber members heard a short presentation from David Scott, a representative from KJRL, a contemporary Christian radio station located in Herington. He noted the station was a non-commercial, non-profit radio ministry.
— Cady asked Michel Soyez, Marion police chief, who Cady introduced as probably "the youngest police chief in the state," to talk about why Soyez chose to enter law enforcement.
