Chamber profile: Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Chamber profile: Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce

Gail Haller, the new executive director of the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce has only been on the job about three months, but already she is making an impact.

“I brought in voice mail to the Chamber telephone system,” said Haller, a 17-year resident of Park Ridge who has one MBA in entrepreneurial mentoring and a second MBA in development of business. “I’ve hired two people who job share as my executive assistant. Both are Park Ridge residents and they back each other up. I send out a Monday morning e-mail blast as a supplement to the written monthly newsletter which goes to all members. The e-mail has updated news each week from the Chamber and from members. I’ve also enacted more functions on our web site.”

With the assistance of the Chamber’s web designer and webmaster, John Barrett of Applications Network, a Chamber member, the updated web site now has such features as: a private board sub site for Chamber directors to store and share meeting documents, share a calendar and maintain a central contact list of board and committee members; and enhanced member listings which include logos, long descriptions and pictures, if desired. Other new functions allow staff members to easily update the content of the site without having to rely on the webmaster, and longer descriptions of businesses in the member listings section that serve as ads, not just contact information.

Haller believes that the Chamber functions to raise awareness of its 350 members. One way in which the organization accomplishes that goal is with ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

“The ribbon-cutting ceremonies are popular because they generate publicity with photo opportunities for the local media,” Haller said. “In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, we give a framed ‘First Dollar Certificate’ with a brand new $1 bill in it. The board comes for the ceremony and signs the red ribbon. The mayor also usually attends.”

Since starting the program in 2007, the Chamber averages between 12 and 20 ribbon cuttings annually.

As is the case with many chambers, the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce conducts traditional networking events and activities such as monthly membership luncheons, an annual golf outing and an annual Recognition Dinner. Monthly Business After Hours networking events had stopped.

“The Business After Hours were suspended for a few months before I came on board,“ Haller said. “I am lining them up again.”

The new executive director gets involved in organizations and committee such as the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce Executives (NSCCE) and thinks that others should do the same.

“I meet with other chamber executives on a regular basis to share best practices and to learn from them,” she said. “I firmly believe that volunteers are the means to success for the Chamber and welcome and encourage all members to serve on any committee that interests them.”

CHAMBER FACTS:
Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce
32 Main Street
Suite F
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Phone: (847) 825-3121
www.parkridgechamber.org

Executive Director: Gail Haller
President: Don Sebastian, Jr., Sebastian Company Real Estate

Year incorporated: 1936
Number of members: 350

Mission statement: The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to provide support and leadership to the business and professional community within the City of Park Ridge.

Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 (Archive on Wednesday, July 16, 2008)
Posted by jstoltz Contributed by jstoltz

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