New president brings new energy to local chamber

The Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) is gearing up for an exciting summer of events, according to President Rodney Young. Elected president in January, Young is bursting with energy and is filled with plans to increase the impact of the HACC in Homewood, Flossmoor and Glenwood.

 

The Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) is gearing up for an exciting summer of events, according to President Rodney Young. Elected president in January, Young is bursting with energy and is filled with plans to increase the impact of the HACC in Homewood, Flossmoor and Glenwood.

“As an area chamber serving these three communities, we are creating a new image and want to focus on how we can help our businesses. We want to become the major source for helpful information and to provide effective solutions on  issues faced by small business owners,” Young said.

 

He added that he is excited because the chamber board members are enthused about helping it grow in membership and are involved in reaching out to the community.  Currently there are 35 chamber members.

“We are hoping to re-engage with former members and possibly expand our board of directors, as well as inviting prospective members to join our new effort,” Young said. “We are open to people from other communities also because networking is really essential to business success.”

 

A series of workshops slated for late spring or early summer is at the top of the list for upcoming events. The series will focus on “Marketing Tips for Small Businesses.”

“In communicating with our businesses we have learned that a major concern seems to be marketing,” he said. “Our workshops will be designed to provide information to business owners on the best way to attract attention to their businesses. We are planning to hold the workshops in the evening because, hopefully, it will be easier for business owners to attend at the end of their business day.” 

 

Executive Director of the HACC is Paul Styles, who has held the position since 2017.

“We are working to build the attendance at our events,” Styles said.

Before his appointment, the chamber had operated for an entire year without a director.

“During that time, the organization just kind of floated along and suffered a loss in membership,” Styles said. “So now the focus of our efforts is to let people know this is a new, different chamber with a purpose.”

 

Styles said the organization is planning to hold business breakfasts and lunches with good speakers to attract business people.

“We had a successful breakfast in April with Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun as guest speaker,” he said. “We will host a luncheon in May and then a breakfast in June.” Dates for those events are still to be determined.

 

The breakfast and luncheons will be conducted within the three communities. “Of course we want to utilize our businesses. We have had great support from Gabe’s Place, Aurelios and Grape and Grain,” Styles said.

 

The chamber holds monthly get-togethers on the second Thursday of each month that are open to all.

“Networking is the best advertising, and information about all our events is on the chamber’s website,” Styles said.

 

For further information on the chamber, including events and membership, visit the website at homewoodareachamber.com.