Chamber chairman advocates networking

January 7, 2009

By JoAn Bjarko

The Wellington

Businesses need to stick together in tough times, this year’s chairman of the Wellington (Colorado) Area Chamber of Commerce said in an interview with The Wellington.

“For the community to develop and grow, we need to band together and work together,” said Tom Gillespie.

With the United States more than a year into a recession, and many believing the economy will get worse before it gets better, “it’s more important than ever to be networking, marketing and selling your business,” Gillespie said. “It’s not something you let go, or fall behind on, or you’ll get further in the hole.”

A cost-efficient way to network and market a local business is with a $150 or $250 membership in the chamber, he said. The chamber lists all members on its web site both alphabetically and by business category. It provides monthly gatherings through Business After Hours and the Leads Group. The value of these connections, Gillespie contended, far exceeds the price of membership.

In addition, the chamber can serve as an information source on local, state and national policies that could affect local businesses, he said. Board members keep in touch with area legislators by phone, letter and e-mail, he noted.

The 27-year-old Gillespie, manager of Points West Community Bank, said he has a lot of energy to put toward increasing the chamber’s effectiveness. Top on the to-do list for Gillespie is continuing to improve the chamber web site (wellingtoncoloradochamber.net) to make it more user friendly and valuable to members. It already has a number of useful links to information from local, county and state governments.

Gillespie himself became active in the chamber to promote the bank where he has worked for four years. “I’ve got to help the town survive,” he said. “If the town doesn’t survive, my business doesn’t survive.”

He also enjoys working with the other chamber members, he said, and he hopes to bring more businesses into the network.

The best way for nonmembers to decide whether the chamber of commerce is for them is to attend a Leads Group meeting the first Tuesday of the month, 8 a.m., at Points West Community Bank, Gillespie said. The next meeting is Feb. 3. “It has helped me tremendously,” the new chairman said.

A prospective member may attend a couple of meetings without charge to share coffee and conversation with about eight other people. “It’s a good ice-breaker,” Gillespie said.

Those already involved in the chamber will soon find it easier to become active as a board member. The bylaws will be revised to require three, rather than 30, signatures for nomination to the board.

“I would be more than happy to nominate anyone who is interested,” Gillespie said.

Those wanting more information about the chamber may visit the web site or call Gillespie at 568-3250.