“How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.”

— George Elliston

I often hear my friends and family say that this is their favorite time of the year, and it is definitely mine. The cooler fall weather always reminds me of my adolescence when cheerleading practice and football games were of the norm. Cheerleading was so motivational for me that when I was hired as a staff person at the Glenwood Springs Chamber I suggested we begin the day by going outside and chanting a cheer. I thought it would increase staff morale, demonstrate to the community, passersby and our members how much we appreciate you. Obviously, I was the only one that thought this was a great idea since you never saw us out there. But I still think it is an immeasurable way to motivate yourself every day. So instead of being outside performing a cheer I am applauding you through this newspaper article. Since November is a month of thanks and appreciation this is the perfect time to say it to everyone, Thank you. We appreciate your commitment, support and ongoing dedication to our organization.

The chamber’s vision is to make Glenwood Springs the ideal mountain community, and it is because of you that we are able to take on such a considerable feat. We strive to be the champion for a thriving community by maintaining visibility, promoting our unique assets and creating venues to attract visitors and locals. The chamber is also the catalyst for business growth and development, and we help small businesses thrive. We provide businesses access to networking, visibility, education and other resources. The chamber will also convene leaders and influencers to get things done. We facilitate sustainable community and economic development by being the voice of small and large businesses and our community.

I have shared this with you before but a reminder that The Schapiro Group Inc. & Market Street Services revealed the findings from their 2012 study. At that time, we learned that 44 percent of consumers are more likely to think favorably of a business and 63 percent are more likely to purchase goods or services from that company in the future if they are a member of their local chamber. According to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives there are about 13,000 chambers registered worldwide and 4,000 chambers of commerce in the United States. So there is most likely a chamber in your community that you could join. In return for your investment, dedication and support the chamber will supply you with increased visibility, businesses growth, positive perception among consumers, ongoing education and training opportunities, community connections and much more.

We are in this together, so on Thursday, Nov. 8, the Glenwood Springs Chamber staff and Ambassadors Committee will be out in the community to show our respect and appreciation to all our members by personally saying thank you. The chamber representative visiting your business will have a member information update form for you to make any necessary changes, a small token of our appreciation, our 2019 chamber calendar, and they will be able to answer any membership questions you may have. Also, if you happen to be out and about that day, please stop by the visitor center at 802 Grand Ave. for a “cup of Joe,” a sweet treat and to enter your business in the drawing ($100 off membership investment dues for 2019).

So to our current Chamber members, thank you for your continued support. For those of you that are considering relocating your business to Glenwood Springs, opening a new business in Glenwood Springs, or to those established businesses that have not yet joined you may find that becoming a Chamber member could be of great value to you.

We are constantly working very hard on your behalf to enhance Glenwood Springs, the community in which we live and work. Please do not hesitate to call on us if we can be of service. The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association “Building Business. Building Community.”

Joni Bates, IOM is vice president of membership development at the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association and can be reached at joni@glenwoodchamber.com or 970-945-1514.