By Mary Owen
Representatives of two area chambers met last month to explore possibilities of working together and with tourism agencies to meet the needs of their members.
“We have already been in a collaborative partnership for the past few years,” said Kelly Schreiber, executive director of the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. Members of her board met with members of the North Santiam Chamber of Commerce, which serves the Mill City to Detroit region.
Schreiber cited “cooperation and collaboration” as the backbone of working together for the good of local businesses.
“I don’t anticipate any change in this relationship,” she added. “We’re dedicated to meeting the needs of members from Aumsville to Idanha.”
Schreiber said linking to other entities, such as Travel Salem and Travel Oregon, will help both the North Santiam and Stayton/Sublimity chambers boost tourism.
“And use our resources to our mutual advantage,” she said.
Keeping a good working relationship is particularly important now that Nicole Miller has resigned her leadership role at the North Santiam Chamber of Commerce to spend more time with her family. Her last day will be Aug. 15.
“We’re now at a point in my family life in which I’m able to focus my time and energy on the family, while maintaining a select few accounts,” said Miller, owner of Word’s Our PR. “I still plan to be involved in the chamber as a member and strong proponent!”
Miller said when she stepped up to lead NSCC’s “revival” in 2007, she had more time to devote.
“The good news is that the chamber has grown by leaps and bounds, and I’d say we’ve accomplished the revival!” she said.
NSCC has grown its board of directors from four “who were not meeting regularly” to a full board of 12 “highly committed, active volunteers,” Miller said. “We also expanded the membership seven-fold from 20 members to nearly 140 over that four-year period”.
NSCC is actively searching for an independent contractor interested in taking on this part-time executive director role, Miller said. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Chamber President Eric Ortiz at 503-897-2393.
Another change to the North Santiam Chamber came on the heels of two study/surveys, once conducted by Travel Oregon and once conducted by NSCC to its members.
“We discovered that people are less likely in this day and age to use an in-person visitor information center, and are more likely to research and book their travel online,” Miller said.
NSCC members will work with local proprietors to create visitor/business displays in key spots in the Canyon. Three new visitor information kiosks are at Trexler Farm in Mehama, Green Mountain Real Estate in Mill City and the City of Detroit office.
“Members will still have the opportunity to display their marketing materials at these kiosks,” Miller said.
By moving out of the Mill City Visitor’s Center, NSCC will be able to reallocate funding once used for utilities toward enhancing its website and overall online presence, Miller said
“The Chamber will hold a general membership meeting to gather member feedback on the new Chamber website design and functionality,” she added.
As does Schreiber, Miller believes a local chamber must “evolve with the public” to keep up with societal changes. “Making this move should be an improvement for our members and Santiam Canyon visitors,” she said.
“The North Santiam Chamber and Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce have created a wonderfully collaborative relationship over the past few years that I’m sure will continue for the years to come.”
