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Why Join WIlkes Chamber of Commerce?

 

 

 

By joining the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, your company connects with a network of more than 650 Wilkes and surounding businesses, with more than 26,470-/+ employees, working together to promote economic growth and job creation in Wilkes.  The Chamber also provides resources and networking opportunities to support the growth and prosperity of your business. 

 

Invest in your business. Invest in Wilkes County’s future. Join the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce today.

Your Chamber Mission:

"Promoting Economic Development and Striving to Enhance the Quality of Life for all Wilkes County Citizens."

 

 

How does your Chamber accomplish this mission?

 

Promoting and marketing Chamber member businesses and industry

  • Direct referrals to visitors that come through the chamber doors, the calls received, and the email contacts

  • Globally with the presence of website marketing- WilkesChamber.com , ExploreWilkes.com, Livability.com, and the various Social Media venues such as Facebook (2), Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, and Wilkes Chamber Blog. 

  • Through a monthly e-newsletter, “Chamber Connection” distributed to full membership and 2200+ contacts

  • In print with Livability Wilkes County- Published annually, Chamber Newsletter- written fully by staff and Board Chair and published 6 times a year; the Wilkes County 2014 Visitor’s Information; and the Wilkes county 2014 Calendar of Events- both updated in-house continuously throughout the  year.

  • Business to business relationships are nurtured through networking events hosted by your chamber: In 2013 this consisted of 24 Committee Meetings, 11 Ambassadors meetings, 9 Business After Hour events, 4 Business and Breakfasts, 21 Ribbon Cuttings, 11 Twelve @12 luncheons; 9 Full day Leadership Wilkes Sessions; Leadercast (150 attendees); the Wilkes County Christmas Parade; Wilkes Chamber Annual Dinner;  Wilkes Chamber Membership appreciation Breakfast; and the Wilkes Chamber Education Foundation Golf Tournament.  This is a total of 94 opportunities in 2013 for chamber members and others to connect, build relationships, and strive to do business together.

  • Marketing members through TV Interviews with MNT-TV these are 15 to 30 minute segments – recorded live in the station once a month.

  • Your chamber serves as Wilkes County’s Visitor Center, promoting Wilkes County Travel and Tourism locally, statewide, nationally and globally.  Your chamber serves as the liaison with the NC Division of Tourism as we enter all data relative to accommodations, attractions, events meeting facilities, and sport facilities into the Division’s Extranet Program.  This information is shared with inquiries received at VistiNC.com and 1-200-VISITNC.  The information we provide on local vineyards and wineries goes directly into the North Carolina Winery Guide.

  • Your Chamber is the representative with tourism affiliates: Blue Ridge Parkway Association; Blue Ridge National Heritage Area; High Country Host marketing; Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor Initiative (President Linda Cheek currently serve as Treasurer for the Board); and most recently Take a Break from the Interstate-Travel Historic US Hwy  21.

  • Through the High Country Host Marketing Partnership, Your chamber has the opportunity to market in publications as US Airways Magazine (over 6000,000 viewers_; Southern Living Magazine; Oprah; Good Housekeeping; Garden and Gun; and many others.  Your chamber has to create each ad – writing the ad and putting together the photography.

  • And, your Chamber manages the NWNC Visitor center – open to travelers 361 days a year.  In 2014 the budget was decreased by NC DOT to $92,857.

 

 

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