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Brandon Chamber Celebrates 50th, Looks Ahead

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

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

The chamber – established in 1959 – will celebrate its 50th year at the dinner with a video tribute to the past and its annual citizen and leadership awards ceremony before rallying the troops to launch headlong into 2009.

Bracewell, embarking on her ninth year as chamber president, said 2008 was tough for everyone, but the organization 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.

Marsh Rainey, 2008 chairman of the board, praised chamber staff and volunteers for their response to a year rife with challenges for businesses across the board.

"I believe there are a lot of organizations out there that could learn much about management and discipline by observing the workings of this group," he said.

The chamber in 2008 increased its membership ranks by launching programs geared toward two growing and underserved segments of Brandon's demographics — Hispanics and young professionals.

"It was time to reach out to both of these burgeoning sectors of our market," Rainey said.

John Sullivan, developer of the neotraditional community of Winthrop in Riverview, will step in Friday as chairman of the board. He said the uncertain state of the economy 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. Small chamber groups will call on each member individually "to see how they are doing and what they need help with," he said.

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

"One member might have a vacant office that could be subleased, and maybe another member might need to downsize," she said. "They can help each other with shared expenses."

She 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," Bracewell said. "Don't shut people out. If there's something you need, put your antennae up and get it out there."

Rainey said now more than ever businesses need networking organizations such as the chamber in their corner.

"It is critical that small business owners and even employees of larger firms get out to network, meet and greet with … others in the business community," he said. "Inertia will not take care of your bottom line in these times."

If You Go

WHAT: Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its annual dinner

WHEN: Friday at Embassy Suites Tampa-USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd.,Tampa. The event will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $50; packages for corporate tables start at $600; reservations are required.

INFORMATION: (813) 689-1221, ext. 34; www.brandonchamber.com

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