BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Create a business friendly community that will allow new and existing businesses to develop, grow and advance.

Small Business Committee

• Provide an increased awareness about small businesses.
• Host the Small Business Week in May with Chamber member bank sponsors.
• Provide Seminars 4 Success with the Small Business Center at Wilson Community College and The Wilson Times.

Economic Forecast Luncheon

• Plan and hold the Economic Forecast Luncheon in February.
• Secure a speaker and an appropriate facility.
• Send invitations to Chamber members and other guests via broadcast email.

Business Expo

• Create a show for businesses to market their products and services to the general public.
• Increase the number of exhibitors for the EXPO.
• Hold an EXPO Connection the night before the EXPO for Chamber members only.

Triangle East Home & Garden Show

• Create a show for businesses to market their home and garden products and services to the general public from all over the region.
• Market the event regionally to bring thousands to Wilson.
  

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT:
Education is a critical component in the future development of Wilson County.  The business community must be engaged in our schools and play a critical role in their success.

Mobilize the resources, leadership and the business community as necessary to achieve excellence in academic and career perspectives.

Welcome Back Barton

• Plan and coordinate the activities for students at the college to be held in August.
• Provide opportunity for businesses to promote their products and services to college students, faculty and staff.
  

Dynamic Leadership Wilson

• Plan and implement the annual Dynamic Leadership Wilson Class.
• Assist participants in planning and implementing a class project to be completed by graduation in June.
• Work with a Steering Committee to improve content and logistics of monthly classes.
  

• Assume a leadership role as a coalition builder, to unite various sectors of the community to bring about positive change.
  

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Membership:

• Continue to grow the membership with new recruitment efforts and a membership drive.
• Coordinate ribbon cuttings and grand openings for Chamber members and provide publicity.
• Establish a system to retain members.
• Keep prospect list current.
• Offer discount programs to members such as workman’s compensation through First Benefits Insurance and discounts on eye care needs through the Eyecare Center.
• Deliver plaques and Sources to members.
  

Ambassadors:

• Assist Membership Committee in contacting current members on a monthly basis.
• Assist Membership Committee in increasing membership by soliciting one business per month.
• Represent the Chamber at various functions.
• Recognize Ambassador of the Year at the Annual Meeting.

Chamber Champions Sponsorships:

• Increase the number of sponsors.
• Implement a program or event to give additional value to the sponsors.
• Publicize the list of sponsors in all appropriate Chamber communication.

Member Events

• Annual Banquet
• AM Networks & Chamber Connections
• Business After Hours
• Visual Improvement Award
• Annual Golf Tournament
• Ribbon Cuttings

AFFILIATES

Agri-Business Committee

• Sponsor the Meat Animal Show and Sale in March.
• Sponsor Farm-City Week in November.
  

Crime Stoppers

• Educated the community about the program and its importance through public meetings, speaking to civic groups and the media.
• Promote the program as an important and effective force in the community by publicizing the successes.
• Contact business interests and individuals in the community to raise funds for the program.
• Coordinate the annual meeting and secure a speaker to discuss crime related issues.

Wilson 20/20 Community Vision

• Work to involve the Chamber in the strategic goals and objectives as outlined by the 2020 Vision Plan.
• Represent the Chamber through the President and Board Chair serving on the governing Management Committee.
• Promote Chamber and Board involvement throughout the Wilson Community as an advocate of the 2020 Vision Plan.

Wilson Education Partnership 

• Work to improve the quality of education for the 14,000 students in Wilson County Schools.
• Develop and structure programs that will facilitate learning and improve the climate for education in the county.

Wilson County Safety Council

• Provide a forum to review safety regulations that are proposed by the Congress as set forth by OSHA.
• Co-sponsor the Safety Awards Luncheon in the spring.

Wilson Multi-Cultural Business Partnership

• Promote the growth and enhance the community awareness of minority business.
• Focus on creating effective economic development strategies for existing businesses in the minority community.

Whirligig Festival

• Provide ongoing sponsorship of the Whirligig Festival through in-kind gifts including committee placement and space provided.
• Publicize the Chamber as a founding institution of the Wilson Whirligig Festival.
• Coordinate events held at the Chamber in conjunction with the festival.