Dear Chamber Member,

The Most Popular Fair On Earth is in the books, and another successful year it was.  Nine Chamber Members shared our booth this year to promote their businesses.  These members were able to showcase their business during a half day shift to fair patrons without having to commit their business to the fair for an entire week.   This membership benefit is a valuable asset for small business.  Staring in July and sometimes earlier than that, we begin to receive calls asking when our county fair will be held.  It is amazing the distances people travel to visit our county fair.  With a limited staff and a working board of directors, we manage to keep the office open all week and maintain a booth at the fair.  We utilize our fair booth to promote our Chamber members, classic car sales, phone directory & map distribution and this year we also focused on the TUF program. 

The TUF program continues to gain momentum both with new businesses participating and more people purchasing wristbands.  If you are not part of the TUF program, I encourage you to call myself or a TUF participating business to find out how this program can benefit your business.  I know I have said it before, but this program is FREE to participate in.  Your only cost, is the discount(s) you offer through the program.  The only work involved on your part is submitting your offer(s) each month (which we do not require you to change every month unless you choose to).  What program is working to help your bottom line with FREE promotions in the Hillsdale Daily News, Community Helper, Tip Off Shopping Guide, WCSR and online?  Who is compiling a database of consumers and e-mailing your potential customers your monthly specials?  The Chamber is proud to bring this program to the business community, however business participation is needed for its' success.

We will be hosting a Meet the Candidates on October 18 at Davis Middle School Auditorium from
6 PM - 9 PM.  Don't miss this opportunity to learn who the candidates are and where they stand on important issues.  Your voice is important... and those you choose to represent that voice in Hillsdale County, Lansing and Washington are equally important.

We will be hosting another Texas Hold 'Em fundraiser with Aces High at the Hillsdale Hunt Club on October 21-24.  If you like Texas Hold 'Em, please show your support for the Chamber by attending this event.

We will be co-hosting nine social networking webinars in November (LinkedIn), December (Facebook) and January (Twitter).   The fee for Chamber members to participate is only $25 per month and will cover all three sessions presented during that month.  The key benefit of a webinar is not having to leave your business to attend, you only have to have an internet connection and phone line to participate.  LinkedIn is a business networking site which allows business professionals the ability to communicate latest trends, issues and business practices within your field.  I always hear "I don't have time for that stuff".  If you are not getting involved in social networking for your business, you are passing up countless opportunities while your competition is reaping the benefit.  Please consider joining us to learn more about LinkedIn on November 3, 10 & 17.

 As always, if there is anything the Chamber can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 Respectfully,

Karri Doty, IOM
President/Executive Director