The end of the year always brings about a spirit of reflection. It is automatically a time where one sits back and takes stock of the year that has ended, and plans for the year to come. So I was thinking a bit about your last year at the Chamber and thought I’d share with you some of what I stopped to ponder. The last year was an outstanding year for the Chamber. Our events continue to grow and improve.
Bandfest will celebrate its 20th year in 2010. Cranefest is going on its 3rd year and has generated much excitement and support from Rowe Sanctuary. Christmas Traditions had a successful 3rd year which included a very well-received Christmas Tour of Homes. And our newest celebration, MAADays, was a huge hit for its first year, and something we plan to continue in 2010. In 2009 the Chamber also improved its advertising reach with a new website and promotional materials, with grant money from the State Travel and Tourism Department. We also set up new social media pages on Facebook and Twitter as yet another way to keep our name in front of a wide variety of people. But the most exciting news from 2009 is that, for the first time ever, the Minden Chamber has a full-time Director (that would be me!). This increase from part- to full-time took place in October with funding assistance from the City of Minden. Now that I have more time to devote to Chamber work, I have created a list of things that I hope to accomplish in the next year.
• Improve dialog with members to learn how the Chamber better assist them.
• Personally visit each business.
• Expand our membership in Minden and the surrounding area.
• Apply for more funding grants.
• Research and develop new ways to promote tourism and business in Minden.
• Better execute existing events by having more time to dedicate to them, and, therefore, increase profits from those events.
• Increase Minden’s presence in meetings at the regional and state level.
Our new Board of Directors met on January 5 to plan out the year to come and I have to say, it’s going to be a full year. But that’s a good thing. I think I speak for the entire Board when I say that we are committed to working hard to make Minden the best that it can be. If you’d like to join the Chamber and “Be a part of the vision,” just call the office at 308-832-1811 and we’ll be glad to talk to you.
A belated Happy New Year to you all!
Marcy Brandt, Chamber Director
