Chamber membership drive sets record

Last edited 8:10 a.m., Sept. 4, 2013

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce netted a record 423 new members and $221,000 investment dollars during its three-day membership drive, just shy of its 425 new-member goal.

According to information from the chamber, investment dollars brought in represent average membership dues of $400 to $700 per business per year. The Aug. 27-29 event puts the chamber at about 2,275 members, up from around 1,800 before the event.

During the chamber's last membership drive in September 2011, the month-long event brought in a then-record 420 new members, bringing the total membership to more than 2,100, and raising a then-record $200,000. However, just more than one year later, in December 2012, chamber member rolls were back down to 1,874, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment, not just for our chamber, but for the community as a whole,” Chamber President Jim Anderson said in a news release. “The fact that we could do this not once, but twice, shows just how committed the business and professional community is to making a difference here in Springfield.”

About 410 chamber volunteers were spurred on during the drive by zoot-suit wearing Jimmy Cusano and the membership development team at Your Chamber Connection, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]