The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Chamber hosts annual meeting
The power of partnerships was a reoccurring topic Jan. 25 at the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce’s 29th annual meeting of members and investors titled “Progress Through Partnerships.”
Representatives from Lorain County businesses, organizations, government offices and Chamber members gathered at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive in Avon, to network, have lunch and get updates on what it accomplished in 2016 and to hear what it hopes to accomplish in 2017.
Sponsors of the annual event, which included 32 businesses, agencies and organizations, set up tables for an informal networking opportunity to give attendees a better sense of what they do.
The Chamber’s 2017 slate of trustees and executive officers were voted on and approved.
Chamber chairman Ed Skimin gave the opening remarks and provided an overview of some of the organization’s 2016 accomplishments.
Skimin said 2016 was one of the best years in the Chamber’s history. Sixty new members joined the chamber in 2016, he said, noting that was accomplished with a 91 percent retention rate.
Chamber event participation also
increased and the organization participated in or supported events such as the FireFish Festival in Lorain, music on Ely Square in Elyria and the Leadership Lorain County’s Difference Makers Gala, among many others.
“The Chamber has been very engaged in the community and very active supporting worthy causes,” Skimin said. “By every measure, 2016 was an exceptional year for the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce.”
Chamber President Tony Gallo gave a speech titled “Progress Through Partnerships,” which touched on the Chamber’s 2016 achievements, as well as what the business group hopes to accomplish in 2017.
Gallo said when the county Chamber of Commerce was formed 29 years ago, its leaders focused on working together to provide programs and services to support business growth with a good deal of emphasis on workforce development.
Gallo said that hasn’t changed much since the organization was formed, and the Chamber still works with Lorain County Community College, the Lorain County Joint Vocational School and local high schools.
Topics such as culture, art, health and wellness are now playing a role in where businesses come and stay, not just infrastructure and utilities, he said.
“The Lorain County Chamber of today believes that working with our community partners to foster all of these ideals, will promote and progress the positive business climate needed to enhance the quality of life in and around Lorain County,” Gallo said. “Through the leadership of our businesses, organizations, educational and philanthropic institutions, the Chamber can act as a liaison bringing companies and organizations together, to continue to be the voice for business growth and prosperity, to encourage entrepreneurship and educational priorities and provide a healthy place to live, work, play and raise a family.”
Gallo provided an overview of workforce development for the audience and spoke about the prospect of Lorain County being recognized as a certified Work Ready Community, which is a national program aimed at making the country more competitive by closing the skills gap.
He said Lorain County started the process about a year ago and one stipulation to being certified is having 143 employers sign up and agree that the Work Ready Community is good for the county.
The Chamber had 45 sign ups, and Gallo said his goal was to double that by the end
of the meeting.
Initiatives the Chamber plans to be involved with in 2017 include: a Bicycle and Pedestrian Forum on May 11, which is in conjunction with the Lorain County Metro Parks and the Lorain County General Health District to increase awareness and support for the inclusion of bike and pedestrian needs when creating and sharing plans to connect all communities in the county; Y’s Choice, which is a program created through a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and hChoices to increase the availability, visibility, access and engagement to comprehensive wellness programming; and Economic Summit in Lorain County, which is a May 9 event to facilitate business growth and economic development throughout the county by getting local leaders across all industries to examine the economy, financial outlooks and trends.
“Tomorrow, the hard work begins for the County Chamber to transform our words into action,” Gallo said. “As the Chamber president, I can set the right example and lead the charge.
“But one person cannot achieve the progress needed for Lorain County to exact change without the support of our government officials, our business leaders, our community advocates and of course, our residents to help make these goals a reality.”