Vice Chairman
Dr. Austin Bunch - East Carolina University
Ambassadors
Boots Mills
Business Expo
Chad Reynolds - Wachovia Securities
GATE
Mary Parsons – Parsons & Robinson Insurance
Liz Freeman – The Liz Freeman Team
Membership Gala
B.J. Whitley - Manpower
One of the primary focuses of 2007 was member retention. To maintain the Chamber’s 1,000 members, the staff developed and implemented a detailed retention process that keeps members in continuous contact with Chamber staff, informed and involved throughout the year.
The 29 Chamber ambassadors made personal visits to new and renewing members and contacted the entire membership over the course of the year. The Ambassadors met monthly for updates on Chamber events, assisted with Business After Hours and attended the 40 ribbon cuttings held throughout 2007. Ambassadors of the month were recognized in the Chamber newsletter.
The 2007 Pitt County Business Expo was held on Saturday, March17, at the Greenville Convention Center. More than 80 businesses marketed their products and services to the general public. A Business After Hours/Member Preview Party was held on Friday night, March 16 for Chamber members.
The "Get a Member…Get a Grand" membership campaign continued to grow the membership. Current member who personally recruited a new member were eligible for the drawing for ONE THOUSAND dollars. Grand prize winner, Mary Parsons of Parsons & Robinson Insurance signed up Daniel Cowan with Blue Diamond Pool Service.
The Chamber continued the popular monthly GATE (Greenville-Pitt Advisory Team for Entrepreneurs) meetings for small business owners with less than 25 employees. GATE, sponsored by First Citizens, focused on networking skills and provided speakers on topics of importance to small business.
The Chamber’s Annual Membership gathering was upgraded to an elegant gala event to celebrate the success of 2006 and kick-off the 2007 year. The Gala was held February 1, at Rock Springs Center and chaired by B.J. Whitley of Manpower. More than 260 people attended the black tie optional event. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2006 Citizen of the Year Award to Renee Arrington of The Little Willie Center.
"Coffee with the President" continued to inform new members and increase participation. Nine “Coffee with the President” meetings were held this year, providing valuable orientation to new members and also networking opportunities.
10 Business After Hours, presented by Southern Bank, were held to showcase businesses and encourage networking among members. Business After Hours remains the Chamber’s most popular event, according to 2007 survey results.
The Annual East Carolina University Merchants Fair provided a unique marketing experience for 38 members to promote their business to ECU students.
Educational opportunities for small businesses were presented in the form of "Lunch & Learn" and "Tuesday Toolbox" seminars in partnership with Pitt Community College.
The Annual Small Business Breakfast, presented by First Citizens Bank, highlighted Small Business Week in May with nationally-known keynote speaker Steven S. Little. Little, presented by the Pitt Community College Small Business Center, provided a 90 minute seminar entitled “Ready…Set…Grow: The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Business Growth.” The Awards Breakfast was held May 9, at Brook Valley Country Club. Mary Parsons was presented the Small Business Leader Award and Wilkerson Funeral Home was presented with the First Citizens Bank Customer Service Award.
The Chamber Gift Certificate Program put about $400,000 back into local business in 2007. Fifty-one businesses accept the certificates.
