FROM THE

PRESIDENT’S DESK

 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as President of the Orange Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 2007.  On behalf of all members, I’d like to thank Ellie Brown and the outgoing Executive for the invaluable service they have given the Chamber over past years.

 

To the incoming members elected to the Executive, Congratulations! - I look forward to working with you to continue the efforts of previous Chamber Executives.

 

The new Executive team has already discussed initiatives designed to grow our membership and increase participation, including:

• moving to “anniversary billing”, as an incentive to new members who will enjoy the benefits of membership for a full year from the date of acceptance, without pro-rata payments.

• negotiating with various organisations to deliver benefits and “business - to - business” opportunities to our members.

 

Telstra Country Wide has announced that both new and current members will be eligible for a $100 payment towards their Chamber membership fee, on the purchase of one Telstra service or product.

 

Prime TV is offering both new and existing members a voucher of $500 for advertising, on payment of Chamber membership. The Prime promotion is on a dollar for dollar basis - buy $500 worth of advertising and receive an additional $500 free when the voucher is used!

 

Radio 10-89 have also offered a dollar for dollar promotion for new and existing members on the payment of membership fees.

 

I believe the combination of these offers will provide a tremendous incentive for businesses to join the Chamber.

 

Both Prime and Radio 10.89 have offered to assist the Chamber with regular advertising to raise the Chamber’s profile, as well as promotion of the 2007 Outstanding Business Awards.

 

Chamber is hosting an Open Forum on Wednesday February 28^th at the Orange Ex-Services Club Moresby Room starting at 7pm sharp with attendees seated by 6.45pm.  The Forum will include all four candidates who have nominated for the electorate of Orange in the upcoming State election. 

 

Open to the general public as well as Chamber members, the Forum will give candidates the opportunity to answer a number of prepared questions, and to respond to questions from residents.  Questions can be emailed to Chamber Office at orangechamber@bigpond.com or faxed to 6362 6921.

 

Jeff Whitton