I want to thank all the volunteers and businesses that helped make the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet a success. It was a great evening for the Sikeston and Miner communities. The banquet committee has already started their plans for next year and we at the Chamber are looking forward to next year's celebration.
We are busy at the Chamber preparing for Springfest, which will be held May 25 through May 29 at the SACC offices. Wristband nights will be Tuesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 27. Wristband tickets can be purchased at the SACC offices for $10 per ticket. We look forward to seeing everyone at the midway.
I wanted to take some time this month to answer a question that often comes up when discussing Chamber membership with prospective members. The number one question is: "What are the benefits of Chamber membership?"
I usually touch on a few of the "biggest benefits" with one of those benefits being referrals. The SACC staff makes referrals to our members daily. We have inquiries for everything from dirt hauling or utility trailer manufacturers to certified public accountants. It never ceases to amaze me what people will call and ask about.
Our office on a slow week will make 40 to 50 referrals and on a busy week we will make 140 or more. This does not include the referrals generated by our Website: www.sikeston.net. Our Website includes our member list, a community calendar, picture gallery, wedding directory, restaurant guide and more.
We have recently added video streaming with additional sections highlighting our communities being added over the next few months. The Website is used by area residents as well as by businesses or individuals from outside the area looking for specific products or visitor information.
Another benefit of Chamber membership is the economic development efforts of our staff and volunteers. The SACC offices are often a contact point for businesses researching the area for site location.
We work with the economic development staff in the cities or counties where they are available, but more often than not we are the first point of contact and the support of our membership gives us the tools to provide the information and one-on-one contact that is available with a fully staffed office to meet the needs of those making the inquiries. We attempt to keep the most current demographics, real estate information and workforce statistics available to assist the site locators and developers that are looking at our community. The benefits to our members is a growing business climate, the more our communities have to offer, the more people will come to Sikeston and Miner to live, work, shop and obtain services such as medical care.
The Chamber also works with community leaders to improve the quality of life for our residents such as the communitywide clean up or our MAP Testing awareness campaign to support our public school system.
These are just a few of the benefits members receive from Chamber membership. If you are currently as SACC member, we thank you for your continued support. If you are interested in becoming a SACC member call us at 573-471-2498 for more information.