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Chamber launches new website, services

By JEFF ROSLOWj
jroslow@heartlandnewspapers.com

For about a month there was no Bartow Chamber of Commerce website, but now it’s back and it has become more of a one-stop place for businesses and residents, and people living in town and out of town.

“It embraces not only businesses but also the quality of life in Bartow,” Bartow Executive Director Jeff Clark said.

He said there was a lot of information on the site one of the biggest advantages to the revamped site is it is a lot easier to find your way around it. And, while much of the information that was on the previous site is still there – and improved in look – there are new items to help people. The site has to be that way because it should be central to learn anything and everything about the town.

“It’s one stop,” he said. “Anyone can get information on businesses, but it’s also a site residents can use … a community site.”

Rocco Condello who started Neon Octopus, designed and programmed it. And he while he and Clark worked on making it easier to navigate, he said the site is also usable on the cell phone.

“You can download and get through to the membership social network and people can socialize with each other,” he said. “It will work on Blackberry, Android and iPhone. I would encourage people to use that.”

And, with his programming knowledge and the familiarity he’s learning, Clark said the improvements are easily noticeable.

For those who want to know how noticeable it is, ChamberNation CEO Richard Scully, which provides technology behind the scenes so Chambers can have sales tools, said Bartow’s previous site – and now the new one – is one of the best ones that use his service. ChamberNation is used by 135 Chamber of Commerce websites in 43 states.

“Rocco Condello did such a wonderful job in Bartow we retained him to work nationally,” Scully said. “I asked one of our service guys about this site and I called him and started using his services about six or eight months ago.”

He said Condello has done work on the Chamber sites in Woodland Park, Colo., Oroville, Calif., and Boulder City, Nevada.

The new website

When someone gets to the Bartow site, and passes the mouse over links at the top it will take users to Chamber areas, Members, Community links, Parks and Recreation and Development. And, because there’s so much Condello also made Quick Links on the right to take users directly to what are the most used areas, such as the calendar, a place to put in your own calendar link, membership names and businesses, business information and more. Then the rest of the front page features big events that are coming up and that will change often to keep users interested and informed of what is happening in town.

“The news and events drive traffic to the events,” Condello said. Clark added it will be necessary to change the front often because people want to be engaged differently each time they come and front page should be dynamic. He also said that while the site is live – and Condello is in a way employed to maintain and update the site which is almost a full-time job – having it complete and done will probably never be done.

“It’s not finished and it’s probably never going to be finished,” Clark said. “(Condello’s) had a lot of ideas and we’re working on it now and we’ll probably be working on it a year from now.”

Currently Condello and Clark are working on updating the Parks and Recreation information. The pages have icon links on them to show users quickly what they offer and the text information has been redone to make them more reader friendly in web terms than they were before. Both said text on the web has to be different – shorter – than it is in print or other products and photos is what really drives users.

And, “this connects with Facebook and Twitter and events can be posted automatically,” Condello said.

Also as the previous website allowed, members can build their own pages for free. It can be handled by business owners themselves, but Condello said he will for a price he can handle it but the programming is easy enough to use for anyone.

Other Chamber changes

The website is not the only thing changing at the Chamber. This week it started rolling out to new and renewing members the Corporate Community Partners program. That will allow members to invest in various levels based on bundles of programs and services. The bundles can be customized to fit a member’s needs and goals.

Community Corporate Partners can participate at different levels. A business level costs $500, a director level costs $1,000, an executive level costs $2,500, a president’s level costs $5,000 and a chairman level costs $10,000. Each level provides members with a bundle of benefits including networking opportunities, marketing programs and events.

And another change is in that the yearly magazine will now come out quarterly. Clark said they made this move because after some time the yearly publication was got dated with it coming out once a year. Its circulation is about 15,000.

And, while the hardest part of the website development is done, now comes the marketing phase of it. Teaching members how it is useful, attracting new people to Bartow and having the community take advantage of it is about to get under way.

The Chamber, Clark said, should mark the center of town and have everything a person needs to know about a town. Getting the word out about it is part of that.

“Between now and January we’re going to hit it hard with sales with this website and show businesses the advantages (of Bartow).”

December 2012

Richard:

WOW, I listened to the recorded meeting......great presentation on the Chamber and Commerce module that I missed last week!! I am really excited and great job!! This is what we are looking for!!!!

Have a great evening.
Josh
Message:

Hello there, I just joined the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce. The main reason I joined was this amazing registration. I was a member of the Sacramento Chamber - Metrochamber.org but they use an really old outdated system so I cancelled with them. If they sign up for Chamber Social Network, I will join with them again.

Can you list the chambers in Northern California that use your system. I will join their chambers due to your system.

Thanks,
Great job, on getting the Chamber's new website up and running. This site is easy to use and has so much potential for members. The personal webpage for our businesses is a great way to advertise. Check out the La Quinta's page. :)

November 2012

Richard,

You are just amazing! Thanks for all you do to help our Chambers. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Richard,

Taking a moment to thank you and Brian for the work on the Coldwell Banker App. We love it. I have not had time to really utilize it yet. It is my next big project.

--

Hey (Sam),

Billy from __ News came in asking about the Christmas Parade and I showed him the application and how to join our Chamber via our new, high tech web site…so he’s writing an
article on it! Spreading the news! That web site is AWESOME! The Board made a great decision in approving that expenditure. I just sent The _____ an email, telling them their competitor is writing an article.
Hello Luke,

I LOVEEEEE the new site and it so captures my heart and the heart of IHI's mission.
Richard,

As a Chamber Exec or staff, we wear multiple hats and perform a myriad of duties. Thus, devoting time to our database and website is limited. These two critical components though are key to running a successful Chamber. I looked everywhere for a database that would fit our needs. There was not one that came close. I refused to settle for a product that could not provide everything needed. Then, about two years ago I was introduced to ChamberNation. Upon thorough investigation of the company, product and spending time talking with the owner I knew I had found the answer to my database dilemma. ChamberNation is so much more than just a database and financial package. This robust product is focused on making your members successful, thus in return the Chamber is successful. When you apply all the back end products available, i.e. drip marketing, referral tracking, attendance tracking, touch points and so much more you (the Chamber) becomes THE business organization to belong to. In 16+ years in the business I have never seen a product that works so much for US in the Chamber world. To Richard and his staff…Thank you for making us a Hero in our community.

Sincerely,
Debbie Miller, IOM, ACE
President
Greater Woodland Park Chamber

October 2012

Richard & Sam,

Spectacular is the first word of description I could think of about the overall conference. For being the first time in putting together a conference – you all hit a home run!

Sue and I chatted on the plane about all the “new” things we want to begin incorporating. While they are not “new” – those components of the system are new to us. And exciting to us as well.

I feel so fortunate to work with such a professional company as yours. We certainly feel we were blessed when introduced to your company and both of you.

Again, thank you both!


Sincerely,
Debbie Miller, IOM, ACE
President
Greater Woodland Park Chamber
719.687.9885 Office
719.687.8216 Fax

www.woodlandparkchamber.com
Thank you Richard -

You Rock! Your Google suggestion worked great and it only took a few minutes to fix.

Thanks again & have a wonderful afternoon! :) -

September 2012

Hey all – our website is now live. Scary, but awesome.

Thanks a million – still lots to be done but I think it looks amazing so thanks to you all. Susan and I are both so impressed by your attentive customer needs and we really look forward to working with you as this site and all it offers unfolds.

Kind regards,
S.P.
Executive Director
Dear Richard,

Thank you for all you do! You are considered a Rock Star in our Chamber house and have given us such great tools!! And continue to make more. We are ever grateful and thankful.

Sincerely Yours,

K.J.
Dear Richard,

I'm writing to you to tell you about how helpful Rocco has been. I ran into some technical difficulties last week and had to call Rocco for help. He was very friendly, patient and helpful. I really should have called him earlier in the week instead of trying to figure things out on my own. If I had, I would have had a much more peaceful week. Rocco is an asset and is very knowledgeable and was such a big help to me!
Dear Richard (and Crew),

I would like to extend my wholehearted appreciation to you all for being so wonderful to work with. You made switching and updating the chamber website very easy. I have a great respect for each of you that I have had the pleasure of working or interacting with. Thank you so much for all you have done.

Respectfully,

T.K.
Director of Membership Services
Date: August 31, 2012

TESTIMONIAL

Chamber Nation/EcTownUSA, LLC.
231 W. Main Street
(P.O. Box 3466)
Quincy, CA 95971

Our Chamber is happy to recommend Chamber Nation and their work on developing 'Mobile Apps' for Chamber and members use.

We are so pleased with our Mobile app, we now reach a wider audience for our members with the increasing world market on mobile smart phones and tablets.

Chamber Nation has helped the Chamber with launching a major mobile strategy, to help our members grow. Best of all its 'Free' to members. Cost to the Chamber is minimal compared to the revenue in increased membership and advertising that the Chamber is already receiving.

Our mobile app offers the members easy access to their information giving them the tools to add or amend their information, while carrying on their business during the day.

The chamber has up to date received many calls of referrals for businesses from our mobile app, via emails and telephone, which we have passed on to our members.

Thank You Chamber Nation, we are proud to be a part of your organization.

Audrey Ellis ( Executive Director )
Hi Brian,

We are very happy with our chamber app. All comments on it -- the way it looks and the way it works have been positive. Personally, I have found it very easy to use and also very handy when I'm out of the office and away from my desk computer. And compared to what's out there on the market, it's a tremendous value. Our neighboring chamber went with a different company and ended up tearing their app down. That won't happen with ours!

--

Best regards,

Claudia

Claudia Knaus
President and CEO
Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce
1789 Montgomery Street
Oroville, CA 95965
530.538-2542
800.655.GOLD (4653)
www.orovillechamber.net
www.lakeoroville.net

August 2012

Hi Richard –

Just wanted to send a quick e-mail to let you know how much we really like the look of the new website. Rocco has done a great job and has been very helpful and we appreciate all of your help as well.

Thanks again & have a wonderful afternoon! :)

Sincerely,
Edee

July 2012

Richard:

We wanted to thank you for taking your time to visit our Prescott Chamber. We thank you for listening to our concerns and for giving us more insight into the system. We look forward to the new features being released. We certainly know that Chamber Nation is a very powerful tool, and we are working hard to take advantage of all it has to offer.

It was nice meeting you face to face and it is impressive to see the Founder/CEO take such an interest in his clients!

Regards,


Debbie Ledbetter
Administrative Assistant
Prescott Chamber of Commerce
Email: dledbetter@prescott.org
Ph: 928-445-2000, Ext. 114

June 2012

Awesome!!!! And thanks for the prompt reply.

Has anyone told you guys lately that we just absolutely LOVE ChamberNation?

We do!!!!!!!!

GWPCC
I would like to share with you from Hispanic Chamber to Hispanic Chamber something that has helped our Chamber succeed and explode in this market. It has been through the help of the Chamber Nation that we have tripled in less than three years in membership, breaking the record for our Chamber and becoming the largest Hispanic organization in the State of Arizona.

I normally don't meddle in this area but you just seemed like the perfect candidate to fully use and appreciate all that CN does as far as offering your members an immense array of online marketing tools, being the e-commerce Chamber.

I introduce you to Richard Scully who is my contact person for the Chamber Nation and wish you the best in your future ventures with Chamber Nation.

Thank you.

A.R.

May 2012

Sam,

I am very happy with the work your company has done for the Leon Valley Area Chamber and know you can help the Metrocom Chamber, too. You guys are the BEST!!! You should be very proud of your company and the great work you do!

I'll be in touch very soon!

Best regards,

Rose Ryan, Executive Director
Randolph Metrocom Chamber of Commerce
Richard,

After listening to one of your monthly member call-ins I had a huge ah-ha moment. You made the simple suggestion of messaging attendees from a previous event to let them know of an upcoming event. I have messaged guests of current events to update them on information but never thought to captivate those that had previously expressed interest. As soon as your session ended I messaged those that signed up a team or sponsored the 2011 Chamber Golf Outing. I had six more teams register and three more sponsors within four hours of the message.

What a great way to reward past attendees by giving them the first opportunity to register the next time around.

I did that same thing for our June Dairy Luncheon today. The event system is really great for this type of event. Our members and other guests can go to one page and register and find a map for directions to the dairy farm. This will really cut down on our manpower and resources in providing directions and printing off maps here in the office.

As always we love the tools you provide. But beyond that I really appreciate that you take the time once a month to talk to us and remind us of all the great resources you have.

Kristina

Kristina S. Wiltgen, IOM
Director of Operations
Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce
507 West Water Street
Decorah, Iowa 52101
(563)382-3990
kristina@decorahareachamber.com
www.decorahareachamber.com
Richard just got a call from the White House Chamber in Ohio telling him how impressed their Board of Directors is with their new mobile application.

We love compliments like this!
Richard…you are more than AOK in my book….!

J.M.
Hello Richard,

Thank you, we appreciate so much your making time for this training opportunity. Our members appreciated very much having the ‘hands on’ experience. Luke did a great job (he gets excited and we asked him to slow down a couple of times. J)

I look forward to familiarizing myself more deeply with the offerings of Chamber Nation so that we may venture into a more complete experience with all that is available.

Thanks again for taking the time for this training.

Best Regards,

L.J.
DHCC
I really appreciate the fast and responsive support we have been getting from all of you.

We are really happy that we went with Chamber Nation.

C.S.
Texas

April 2012

Man, you guys are good!!!
Thank you for that amazing turn around!!!!!!

Lisa
Our proposal was a superb effort by Susan and Chamber Nation. We are fortunate to have such talented people working on behalf of our Chamber and the County. Our on-going relationship with Chamber Nation provides our membership with exceptional benefits and significantly enhances our destination marketing efforts.

LAA
This is looking good and is so remarkable that you did this in a WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marnie

March 2012

March 16, 2012

I can’t stress enough how happy we are with the services you provide and appreciate the partnership we have created through the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce!

Thank you!
March 11, 2012

Mr. Richard Scully
Chamber Nation – ECTown USA
231 W. Main Street
Quincy, CA 95971

Dear Richard:

I am writing to express my appreciation for one of your staff personnel, Luke Tandy. I have had to contact Luke on several occasions, with questions regarding our website management here at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

Luke has shown a level of patience, and professionalism, and knowledge that has been critical to my growing familiarity and aptitude with the website. He has assisted me with the navigation of our member website, the use of snap pages to develop and change our website, and even with my email access.

Luke is a valuable member of the support team that we utilize weekly here at the AACCNJ. Once again, I am very grateful and appreciative for the time that he has spent helping me these past few months, in my transition as a new member of the support staff in the office of the President and CEO of the AACCNJ.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Baptiste
JEB

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I appreciate all that you and your entire team do each day to make as better!
Hi Richard, It's me. I have downloaded my new Chamber App and Iove it. Love It. Love it. I busy loading my photo tours for the mobile devices.

Thank you again.

A.E. (EPCC)

February 2012

Dear Sam and Luke,

Although there weren't too many questions, the audience really paid close attention to the presentation. Thanks very, very much for walking us through the details. As always, I learned a few more tips from you today. Our chamber is steadily growing, and having the strong resources of the website is a huge contributor to our growth.

Thanks again, and I will be calling you soon with more questions.

Sincerely,
Ellen Bern
Hi Richard!

I hope all is well. First of all, have I told you lately how happy I am with Chamber Nation? If I haven’t, I am!

L.W. (IACCE)
To: Brian Sundberg

After editing the site, I’m very impressed. You’ve done a great job building a site that’s easy to customize.
It’s a great service for Chamber members.

To your marketing success!

J.D.
Strategic Management / Marketing Professional

January 2012

Richard, you are great! Thanks for all of your help--cannot wait until this is live! Best, Sandy
Richard, Just wanted to let you know that Rocco is the BEST! Thanks, Deb
Thank you Richard --- perfect timing. We (Jay, me, and a couple of members) have a “Tech Task Force” meeting next Wednesday to discuss our Member benefits. I will bring your new brochure (which looks really good, by the way) and the staff manual that you are working on.

You guys are the best. ~Patty
Luke and I discussed the best way to feature our member profiles on the website. Luke has a better way of presenting the information. I would like you to work with Luke Tandy from Chamber Nation on the rest of the profiles. He will direct you about how to complete a "traffic catcher page" on each business that includes a description and makes a live website also. We need to develop these sites for the list of businesses.

They will be easy to work with while we are all learning. Please keep me posted. You can call Luke at 855-233-6362 extension 703 or e-mail him and set up a time to talk ASAP. This will be easier than you think! Thanks both of you for your help and patience on this project.