October 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I remember in the mid-1990s having a conversation with Washington County’s then Chamber president, Fred Teeter, on the possibility of developing a Quad State C of C.
He said he thought it would be a great idea. As I was a little surprised with his answer, Fred preceded to tell me of how our region was growing, the new stuff coming to Franklin and Berkeley counties that would benefit Washington County and how the region was tied together by I-81.
Truth be told, Fred did sound a little like the Quad State Business Journal’s founding publisher, Peter Heerwagen in describing the QSBJ’s footprint in the region.
As I travel throughout our region and talk to business owners and managers, I am struck with the similar answers I receive when talk goes to a regional chamber.
I am told of markets for their products and services less and less being defined as ‘within the county’ to ‘all up and down I-81′ to ‘my business is wherever my customers are.’
What Would a Regional Chamber Do That Is Not Being Done Already?
Well, that is the prime question. And this is certainly not an advocate type of article. Yet.
Everyone wants to ‘do business locally’ and they certainly should.
Everyone wants to ‘support my local chamber’ and they certainly should.
I am not convinced that a chamber chapter is even the right vehicle for advancing and tying our region together more closely for increased commerce.
It is probably an impossibility due to the many jurisdictions, state and county laws, rules and regulations. Four states is a very big hurdle for an organization to cross. My guess, it would have to take shape as an association or federation type of organization for it to make sense.
But do not think that the phrase ‘chamber of commerce’ is a trademark. It is not. Fred taught me that, too. Anyone anywhere can create a chamber of commerce so a trademark would not be part of any hurdle.
The issue going in, for this reporter anyway, would be what kind of business services, business education, business promotion, networking initiatives a regional chamber would provide a member. Members have to have a reason to join–anything.
Still It Does ‘Feel Like’ Our Quad State Region Needs ‘Something’ Cohesive
I do not feel that a ‘chamber’ type organization is going to be the answer. Perhaps a regional business membership type org would be getting closer to benefiting all the contiguous counties.
When one of our capable economic authority executives market their county across the country or even overseas, would it strengthen their case to have a business relocate in their county by telling of a general Quad State Economic Coalition type of organization?
Would it help or hinder the selling of local areas to say something like “You know, we have Interstate 81 running right down through our Quad State Economic Coalition and when you settle on our area, I will introduce you to some of the other shakers and movers along that route?”
It has now become a cliché to say that our region has so much potential, so I will not. Yet that does not lessen the truth of the statement. There is strength in numbers and people and organizations are attracted to groups that can show with both form and function that they are congruent with a business’s objectives. What else is needed?
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He said he thought it would be a great idea. As I was a little surprised with his answer, Fred preceded to tell me of how our region was growing, the new stuff coming to Franklin and Berkeley counties that would benefit Washington County and how the region was tied together by I-81.
Truth be told, Fred did sound a little like the Quad State Business Journal’s founding publisher, Peter Heerwagen in describing the QSBJ’s footprint in the region.
As I travel throughout our region and talk to business owners and managers, I am struck with the similar answers I receive when talk goes to a regional chamber.
I am told of markets for their products and services less and less being defined as ‘within the county’ to ‘all up and down I-81′ to ‘my business is wherever my customers are.’
What Would a Regional Chamber Do That Is Not Being Done Already?
Well, that is the prime question. And this is certainly not an advocate type of article. Yet.
Everyone wants to ‘do business locally’ and they certainly should.
Everyone wants to ‘support my local chamber’ and they certainly should.
I am not convinced that a chamber chapter is even the right vehicle for advancing and tying our region together more closely for increased commerce.
It is probably an impossibility due to the many jurisdictions, state and county laws, rules and regulations. Four states is a very big hurdle for an organization to cross. My guess, it would have to take shape as an association or federation type of organization for it to make sense.
But do not think that the phrase ‘chamber of commerce’ is a trademark. It is not. Fred taught me that, too. Anyone anywhere can create a chamber of commerce so a trademark would not be part of any hurdle.
The issue going in, for this reporter anyway, would be what kind of business services, business education, business promotion, networking initiatives a regional chamber would provide a member. Members have to have a reason to join–anything.
Still It Does ‘Feel Like’ Our Quad State Region Needs ‘Something’ Cohesive
I do not feel that a ‘chamber’ type organization is going to be the answer. Perhaps a regional business membership type org would be getting closer to benefiting all the contiguous counties.
When one of our capable economic authority executives market their county across the country or even overseas, would it strengthen their case to have a business relocate in their county by telling of a general Quad State Economic Coalition type of organization?
Would it help or hinder the selling of local areas to say something like “You know, we have Interstate 81 running right down through our Quad State Economic Coalition and when you settle on our area, I will introduce you to some of the other shakers and movers along that route?”
It has now become a cliché to say that our region has so much potential, so I will not. Yet that does not lessen the truth of the statement. There is strength in numbers and people and organizations are attracted to groups that can show with both form and function that they are congruent with a business’s objectives. What else is needed?
###
About Steve LanningSteve Lanning is a successful and nationally recognized entrepreneur with decades of experience as a business executive and coach. Steve started his business life in the mid-1970s with a successful venture in Washington, DC which aimed at helping mostly small and one-person businesses nationally. He is the founder of the National Association of Business Coaches which he sold in 2002 and continues to encourage businesses to find and use coaches as a valuable business asset to solid business growth. Steve sees great promise in promoting the Quad State economic region and increasing trade between its entities.
Readers can contact Steve by email at steve@qsbj.org
