Articles of Interest

4 Tips on Selecting a Chamber Database
Christina Green
Finding the right chamber software is all about assessing your needs.
www.frankkenny.com

When Guests Attend Chamber Board Meetings 
Bob Harris, CAE
What do you do when you have a gallery of guests?
www.nonprofitcenter.com
Institute Ideas

Ribbon Cuttings
Are you tired of having to do ribbon cuttings after hours for free for your new members?  Try this method:

9am - 4pm:
Free Ribbon Cutting

After 4pm or on weekends:
$125 for Ribbon Cutting

For more information on how this is working for the Farragut West Knox Chamber, contact Julie Predny at (865) 675-7057 or [email protected].  
2014 Annual Management Conference

October 29 - 31, 2014
Hyatt Regency
Greenville, SC
 
 
Join us for the premier training opportunity for chamber professionals in the Carolinas!

Patrick Coughlin, CCE, CCEC
President & CEO
Cabarrus Regional (NC) Chamber
 
How long have you been in Chamber work?
18 years

How long have you been in your current position?
5 months

What do you love most about your job?
I love the strategic side of community development: understanding where the leaders of a community want to go, translating that into specific strategies, and building a united team to execute. Making elected officials, large businesses, and small businesses feel valued and important is a role I really enjoy.

Tell us about your most embarrassing Chamber moment.
There are so many! Several years ago we planned a wine tasting / grazing event after a downtown festival, thinking people would come after the outdoor event. I think 6 people showed up.

Which Chamber Executive has had the biggest impact on your career and how?
It's hard to narrow it down to one. It seems like the right people are brought into your life at the right times. When I first started in the Chamber industry in PA, Bob Layo of the Greater Johnstown / Cambria County Chamber was always there to answer questions and encourage me. Shortly after, I met Casey Steinbacher, who's been a friend ever since. I've been incredibly influenced by Danny Hearn's thirst for knowledge and new approaches to new challenges. Marc Jordan and Harvey Schmidt have both mentored and guided me as I transitioned to a larger Chamber. I admire each one of these leaders and count myself lucky to consider them friends

What is your Chamber's signature event?
We launched a brand new event this year called Celebrate Cabarrus, an awards event for the Chamber, EDC, and CVB. It's scheduled for the spring of the year and is the only event that brings all segments of the business community together. After each organization presents their annual awards, the band starts and we have a big celebration. Great revenue generator!

What is your favorite Carolina destination outside of the one you represent and why?
My wife and I love Charleston, SC. We met there at Institute and married in the gazebo at the Battery the week after we graduated! I gained 20 pounds on our honeymoon as we ate our way through all the great restaurants.

What is your favorite hobby?
I love to read: spy novels, historical fiction, as well as biographies. We love to cook as a family; it's very relaxing and a good way to unwind from the week. A little over a year ago my daughter and I started taking drum lessons together. In my next life I want to play full-time with a band.  

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The media always fascinated me. After working a short time in TV (didn't like it at all) and newspaper, I worked in radio for about 8 years
Who will be next?  Stay tuned and be on the lookout for your next Carolina Connections coming out on Tuesday, August 5.
Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives | 404-312-0524 | [email protected] | http://www.cacce.org
1622 Tarklin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37920