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Chamber Celebrates 50th

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

BRANDON - Tammy Bracewell juggled phone calls and e-mail messages one busy day last week at the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, where preparations were under way for the organization's annual dinner Friday night.

Bracewell, president of the chamber since 2000, said 2008 was a tough year for everyone, but the chamber managed to ride the economic tide.

"As far as renewal memberships, we seem to be holding our own," Bracewell said. "And by the 8th of January, we had seven new members."

The group's 2009 board of directors, whose members officially assume their seats Friday, has a plan to help local businesses face the uncertain financial forecast.

John Sullivan, developer of the neo-traditional community of Winthrop in Riverview, will step in as chairman of the board.
Bracewell lauded Sullivan's idea to focus this year on an outreach program that would send small chamber groups to call on each member individually "to see how they are doing and what they need help with."

The uncertain state of the economy, Sullivan said, requires a new strategy for an organization whose mission is to protect and promote the commercial interests of the community.

"The chamber generally spends a fair amount of time showing businesses how to network and produce additional income," Sullivan said. "But income is harder to come by these days. What we need to do now is look at how we can help people cut expenses."

He wants to establish an online database where chamber members can post messages about what they need help with, or the resources they have available to help others.
Bracewell said, "For instance, one member might have a vacant office that could be subleased, and maybe another member might need to downsize. They can help each other with shared expenses."

She said it's a new kind of marketing, one that will require the group to think out of the box and be more creative.

"We talk a lot about helping businesses network and generate income, but we've never really looked at how to help people trim their expenses. Right now, that's critical. It's key."
Bracewell said the group hopes to open the lines of frank communication among members.

"I've seen so many business owners act like everything is fine, and by the time they admit there's a problem and ask for help, it's too late," she said. "Don't shut people out. If there's something you need, put your antennae up and get it out there."

COME TO DINNER

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its annual dinner Friday at Embassy Suites Tampa - USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd.,Tampa.

Tickets cost $50 per person, and packages for corporate tables start at $600.

The event will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m.

Reservations are required.

Call (813) 689-1221, ext. 34, or e-mail www.brandon chamber.com.

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