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Clinton Area Chamber Welcome

Think Positive ... Be Positive ... And Buy Chamber!

The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to present our 2009 Membership Directory and Community Profile.

Our Chamber is proud to have been a catalyst paving the way, most recently, for projects such as the renewal of the majestic riverfront; the face-lifting of Camanche Avenue, our Gateway to Clinton from the west; and the development of affordable property in our community for both commercial and residential use.

Our Vision Iowa and Great Places projects would not have come to fruition without the Chamber’s persistent efforts. We are proud of the strong volunteer base that our Chamber brings to these initiatives and realize our members are what make the River Cities so successful.

As you work your way through these pages, remember to keep your local businesses and neighbors in mind when you’re doing business.

Think Positive…………Be Positive…………And Buy Chamber!

Mike Johnson, Chair; Board of Directors 2008-2009 Lori Susie, Chair; Board of Directors 2009-2010

Mission Statement:
The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of nearly 600 area businesses organized to encourage a strong local economy and quality of life by promoting a well-balanced regional community, receptive business climate, sound government and an informed membership.

Four divisions form the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce:

1. Member Relations & Programs Our purpose is to continue to develop and strengthen an active membership through new member growth and retention, and to exceed the needs of our member investors through programs, communications, services and promotion of member businesses.

2. Government and Community Affairs Our purpose is to serve as an advocate for Clinton area businesses and the community as a whole by encouraging regional cooperation; distributing information to local government; seeking to influence legislation at the local, state and federal government level and educating the public and the members of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce about governmental processes; to advance the Clinton area’s ground transportation priorities through local, state and federal advocacy efforts.

3. Clinton Convention & Visitors Bureau Our purpose is to maximize the Clinton area’s visitor potential through the promotion of area events and attractions.

4. Downtown Partnership Our purpose is to encourage downtown growth and revitalization efforts.

Member Benefits
Membership in the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce is an important element in your formula for business success, while supporting your community. To grow and prosper, exposure is essential for any business.

Chamber Member Benefits
• Your business gains exposure through a variety of benefits offered to our members: a listing in the Membership Directory and Community Profile, a profile of your business in the monthly newsletter, a listing on the Chamber website and the opportunity to promote your events in the weekly e-mail. Your business also has the opportunity for additional exposure through the many advertising and sponsorship opportunities offered exclusively to our Chamber members. Ribbon cutting ceremonies are another great way to gain exposure for your business. The membership decal in your window communicates your commitment to the community.

• The Chamber offers networking opportunities at a variety of events hosted throughout the year: A Night of Elegance, the Annual Meeting, Chamber Night at the LumberKings, Golf Playday, Jingle Bell Jam, Biz After 5s (hosted the third Wednesday of every month) and through a new partnership with the Clinton Jaycees, Speed Networking. Another great way to network is by volunteering on a Chamber committee. This is a great way to meet new people and make a difference in the community.

• As an association of businesses organized to encourage a strong local economy, the Chamber offers programs like Member2Member Discount and River City Gold, which encourages commerce between our members. The Chamber further promotes this by providing a referral service that only refers inquiries to our Chamber members.

• The Chamber provides many educational opportunities through events put on by our Business Training and Seminar committee, which focuses on issues pertaining to small businesses; through events put on by the Women in Business committee, which focuses on women’s growth in the marketplace; through the Leadership Institute, which develops future leaders and through the offering of SCORE; and free small business counseling.

• The Chamber also acts as your advocate on issues involving local, state and federal government through legislative coffees hosted by the Chamber, trips to Des Moines and Washington D.C. and by building relationships with elected officials and area businesses, all while working on issues important to our members.

Chamber & Community Events
June: Chamber Night @ LumberKings, Balloons in June, Juneteenth
July: Golf Playday, Riverboat Days, Clinton County Fair, Downtown After Dark
August: Autos on the Avenue, Corn on the Corner, Camanche Days featuring Camanche Committee Bingo Tent, Rod & Custom Car Show
September: Business Training & Seminar Committee Program
October: Women’s Lifestyle Fair, Fall Steak Fry, Fulton Fall Festival, Mardi Gras Parade, Downtown After Dark
November: Jingle Bell Jam, Denim & Diamonds, Downtown Holiday Open House, Symphony of Lights
December: Symphony of Lights, Fulton Hometown Christmas Walk
January: Downtown After Dark, Eagle Watch
February: Camanche Committee “Spaghetti Dinner,” A Night of Elegance, Legislative Coffee, Des Moines Trip, B-rrry Scurry
March: Legislative Coffee, Easter Egg Hunt
April: Legislative Coffee, Woman in Business Spring Event, Business Training Seminar Program, Earth Day, April Fools Walk, Downtown After Dark
May: Washington, D.C. Trip; Chamber Annual Dinner; Fulton Dutch Days; Main Avenue Craft Show

Chamber Contacts
Julie Allesee, President
jallesee@clintonia.com
Jennifer Naeve, Director, Member Relations & Programs
jnaeve@clintonia.com
Rachael Vopatek, Events & Communications Coordinator
rvopatek@clintonia.com
Steve Bamman, Director, Downtown Partnership
sbamman@clintonia.com
Jennifer Lee, Downtown Events & Communications Coordinator
jlee@clintonia.com
Heather Hilgendorf-Cooley, Director, CVB
hhilgendorf@clintonia.com
Mary Jo Kinkaid, CVB Administrative Assistant
cvb@clintonia.com
Shawn Hood, Business Manager & Systems Administrator
shood@clintonia.com
Karen Friis, Administrative Services Coordinator
chamber@clintonia.com

Be a part of something big! The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce works in partnership with the Clinton Regional Development Corporation, City of Clinton, City of Camanche, City of Fulton, Clinton County, Whiteside County, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Eastern Iowa Tourism, Association of Business and Industry, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other regional and national business associations.