The most important role any chamber of commerce can play is that of economic developer. Simply put, this means bringing money into our local economy. Whether it is a real estate agency, an automobile dealer, a homebuilder, or a merchant – all businesses are affected by the health of the local economy.
Recruiting new business, retaining and expanding existing business, promoting Conway, and hosting business-to-business networking opportunities for Chamber members all fall under the economic development umbrella. Over the past decade, Conway and Faulkner County have added more than 8,000 jobs and 1,000 new businesses to the economy.
New Business Recruitment
Few things garner more excitement in the Chamber world than recruiting a major employer to a community. Through a decades-long partnership with the Conway Development Corporation, the Chamber leads the community in efforts to recruit new business.
Business Retention and Expansion
The bread and butter of economic development is the expansion of existing business. The Conway Area Chamber is in constant contact with the local business community. It has a yearly visitation program for the largest area employers to help gauge the relative health of each. The Chamber also hosts regular “Executive Forums” for the leaders of the city’s largest private employers.
Tourism and Promotion
Conway may not be a traditional “tourist destination,” but it is a destination for business events and youth sports. Hotels and restaurants are the most direct beneficiaries of this piece of our economy. The city has a 2 percent tax on hotel rooms and a 2 percent tax on food prepared in restaurants, delicatessens, bakeries, and concession stands. This money is managed by a city-appointed Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commission.
The Conway Area Chamber acts as the staff of the A&P Commission. This includes assisting visitors and events, advertising on behalf the commission, and looking for opportunities to promote the city. Because many guests are unfamiliar with the term “A&P Commission,” the Chamber now markets those services as the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The CVB name puts the organization in line with peer cities and makes more sense to potential visitors.
Benefits of Membership
The Conway Area Chamber also provides a vibrant suite of business-to-business and targeted consumer opportunities for its members. Whether it’s a gathering of more than 1,000 attendees at annual events such as Business Expo and Taste of Conway or 20 Leads Group members meeting regularly to network, the Chamber offers a business product for every budget or market.
Recruiting new business, retaining and expanding existing business, promoting Conway, and hosting business-to-business networking opportunities for Chamber members all fall under the economic development umbrella. Over the past decade, Conway and Faulkner County have added more than 8,000 jobs and 1,000 new businesses to the economy.
New Business Recruitment
Few things garner more excitement in the Chamber world than recruiting a major employer to a community. Through a decades-long partnership with the Conway Development Corporation, the Chamber leads the community in efforts to recruit new business.
Business Retention and Expansion
The bread and butter of economic development is the expansion of existing business. The Conway Area Chamber is in constant contact with the local business community. It has a yearly visitation program for the largest area employers to help gauge the relative health of each. The Chamber also hosts regular “Executive Forums” for the leaders of the city’s largest private employers.
Tourism and Promotion
Conway may not be a traditional “tourist destination,” but it is a destination for business events and youth sports. Hotels and restaurants are the most direct beneficiaries of this piece of our economy. The city has a 2 percent tax on hotel rooms and a 2 percent tax on food prepared in restaurants, delicatessens, bakeries, and concession stands. This money is managed by a city-appointed Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commission.
The Conway Area Chamber acts as the staff of the A&P Commission. This includes assisting visitors and events, advertising on behalf the commission, and looking for opportunities to promote the city. Because many guests are unfamiliar with the term “A&P Commission,” the Chamber now markets those services as the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The CVB name puts the organization in line with peer cities and makes more sense to potential visitors.
Benefits of Membership
The Conway Area Chamber also provides a vibrant suite of business-to-business and targeted consumer opportunities for its members. Whether it’s a gathering of more than 1,000 attendees at annual events such as Business Expo and Taste of Conway or 20 Leads Group members meeting regularly to network, the Chamber offers a business product for every budget or market.
