Chamber looks to increase attendance

Melissa Strle
Times Reporter

 

The Chamber of Commerce recently held its Lunch & Learn on Oct. 12 at the Community Futures Boardroom in Strathmore. The Lunch & Learn featured Ryan Tongs from World Financial Group and the topic discussed was “being an entrepreneur in today’s economy.”
Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn events are designated as educational-type events. This latest event was attended by some, but there was still ample room left for more attendees.
Terri Kinsman, President of the Strathmore & District Chamber of Commerce said, “I know that Ryan was pleased but he had hoped that there would be more people there.”
She revealed that she really does not know what the issue is.
Kinsman said the event was well advertised and it was in the Strathmore Times newspaper. She speculated that some people may not be able to come at lunchtime.
She also said that the chamber could try a breakfast or after-work meeting.
“We’ll try a couple different scenarios to see what works best for the community.”
Kinsman said that the chamber will continue to run Lunch & Learn events but they haven’t been to this point “well attended.” She said that the chamber is currently in the process of conducting a member survey to determine exactly what would be useful for members.
“We do have some ideas for 2017 for future Lunch & Learn events and we’re hoping to be able to do something that is quite relevant for business today,” said Kinsman.
The Lunch & Learns are designated as an educational-type event that may help members to increase their bottom line or deal with tax issues.
Kinsman said that there will be some great sessions coming up next year related to tax changes for 2017 and information about bookkeeping. The plan is to have sessions with a local expert on hand (tax accountant), but wherever possible, members will be utilized first if they have expertise in those areas.
There have been four or five Lunch & Learn events over the last couple of years. Some have been well attended and some have not.
Kinsman stated that the feedback the chamber has received from members has said that the material is relevant.
“They (community area residents) just are focused on something else or don’t have the time to attend,” said Kinsman.
Kinsman suggested that perhaps moving the Lunch & Learn event to a different time might work better for some people.
Regardless, the chamber will be sending the survey out electronically to all members and said, “we’re hoping that the members will take the time to answer the questions because that helps us know really what the membership is looking for,” said Kinsman.
“We want to do the best possible job for the community and the businesses in the community and our members,” she said. “We have a lot of feedback so we are kind of slogging through that and trying to determine what the best scenario is for Strathmore and what will work best for the community.”