I share this with the hope that current members will better understand the Chamber, that non-members will consider joining us and that our customers will appreciate our dedication to keeping Madison a wonderful place to do business.
The Chamber is very thankful to have 165 organizations as members. Each one of them is part of a wonderful tradition of local volunteerism that started with the Chamber’s founding in 1943. New organizations are joining our ranks all the time.
Most Chamber members are small businesses. Some, though, are large corporations. Others are non-profits. The College of Saint Elizabeth, Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University are also members. Big or small, all Chamber members share the same dedication to making our borough a better place.
The by-laws of the Chamber state that its purpose is to help improve the economic situation of both its dues-paying members and Madison as a whole. The 2008-2010 Chamber Board of Directors is very committed to both purposes.
Our Board of Directors, like every other Chamber member who devotes their time to our programs and events, are volunteers. The Chamber is fortunate to have three of its former presidents on the Board. That is a sign of their commitment to Madison and regard for the Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber’s new executive director is Karen Meyer, who herself is a Madison business owner. Karen was born and raised in Madison and has a background in local and national retailing.
The Chamber is committed to several goals: maintaining a strong business environment; supporting businesses’ positions on issues that affect commerce; attracting new businesses and organizations to town; and making Madison a great place for family and career.
Perhaps most importantly, the Chamber is committed to promoting the business of its dues-paying members. All our programs and events provide opportunities for making new friends. The Chamber is hard at work on a new website that will provide information about its members and the Chamber. The Chamber has new literature that explains our mission.
Our fiscal year begins on July 1. By that time, our Value Card program will be in full swing. The Value Card has more than twenty special offers and discounts provided by our members. The Chamber sells the Value Card for $10 to the general public and at a wholesale price to organizations wanting to sell it as a fundraiser.
On the first Saturday every October, the same day as Bottle Hill Day, the Chamber, along with its partner Madison PBA 92, hosts the Classic Car show. The car show brings hundreds of people to downtown. Now in its seventieth year, the car show is one of the best of its kind anywhere.
At the end of every October, the Chamber co-sponsors the Madison Halloween parade with the Madison Recreation Department. For the entertainment of children and their parents, the Chamber sponsors a magician. The Chamber donates gift certificates as prizes.
During the holiday season, the Chamber marches along with its float in Madison’s Christmas Parade, holds a holiday home decorating contest and orchestrates the Holiday Shopping Days. The Chamber is one of the sponsors of the White Lights on Waverly initiative. In early January, the Chamber throws its annual holiday party at one of Madison’s restaurants.
In the winter, the Chamber, along with its partners the Downtown Development Commission and the Rotary Club of Madison, produces the Taste of Madison. The Taste of Madison is our biggest fundraiser. More importantly, it showcases Madison’s restaurants and other esteemed businesses under one roof. Fairleigh Dickinson University hosted the most recent Taste of Madison, in March 2009.
In the spring, the Chamber holds its Easter Fun Fest in the downtown, gives scholarships to Madison High School seniors pursuing a business career and organizes the annual Sidewalk Sale in June.
In the spring and fall, the Chamber holds professional fire extinguisher inspections in the downtown. Fire extinguisher tagging is discounted for Chamber members but the program is open to all businesses and individuals. Both new and used fire extinguishers are available at for purchase at a discounted price.
The Chamber concludes its fiscal year with the Annual Awards Picnic at Brooklake Country Club. New and veteran businesses and organizations are recognized for their excellence in business and service to the community.
One of the Chamber’s biggest successes is the gift certificate program. Gift certificates can be redeemed at any Chamber-member organization. Gift certificates in any denomination are available for purchase at Rose City Framemakers, Hilltop Community Bank, PNC Bank, Union Center National Bank and Valley National Bank.
There are no service fees attached to the purchase of Chamber gift certificates. Gift certificates make great gifts for friends, family, teachers and coaches any time of year, but especially during the holidays and the spring. Using Chamber gift certificates is a great way to help better Madison because it keeps purchasing dollars in town.
Two of our newest programs have been very successful. The Merchant of the Month program recognizes Chamber members for their dedication to keeping the inside and outside of their stores well maintained.
This program was hatched by the public improvement committee of the DDC. The DDC and Chamber alternate monthly picks. A Merchant of the Month winner receives a custom award plaque and the traveling Merchant of the Month banner.
The new Retailers’ Round Robin is a member-to-member program. Several times a year, five Chamber members retailers volunteer to hold an open house for follow Chamber members. It’s an opportunity for people to meet each in their stores during off-hours. It’s festive, fun and always interesting.
For these programs and events to continue their success, we need help. We need volunteers from our membership. There is so much talent and expertise within our ranks. Please consider volunteering your time to one of our committees. It’s a great way to make new friends and learn something new
If you are not a member yet, please consider joining us now. Membership entitles a listing on our gift certificates and website for free. It entitles you to receive our “What’s Happening At The Chamber” e-mails for free. It entitles you to join the Value Card for free. It provides you with eligibility to win an annual business award.
Chamber membership entitles you to discounts on fire extinguisher inspections and on the Chamber’s Nautilus Diner advertising placemat program. The Chamber has new LCD slide projector that members can borrow for free. Membership provides a fun and easy way to meet Madison business and professional people in addition to new customers.
Looking forward to the future, the Chamber has chosen a new look. We have a new logo. It was designed by graphic designer Kate Lavinio, a Madison resident.
The outer part of the logo has a strong black ring that states our name. The ring could be said to represent unity or even a coin. Within the heart of the ring there is a contemporary, stylized burgundy rose. The rose was an easy choice because Madison is still the Rose City, even after all these years. The logo simultaneously shows the Chamber’s respect for the past and commitment to the future.
Please look for the Chamber’s new rose logo printed on our membership decal in the windows of the merchants and restaurants you patronize. The membership decal of the Madison Chamber of Commerce is the sign of a business that cares about its customers and Madison.
The Madison Eagle has always been a big supporter of our endeavors.
The members of the Chamber are very thankful that The Madison Eagle published this special Streetscape edition. Streetscapes from years past have always been a wonderful resource for our customers.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank our members for their continued support and dedication and I look forward to the Chamber striving to toward even more success in the future.