Members
January Chamber Connection
with Chamber CEO Shelley Arrott
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Happy New Year, Ponca City! As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I want to express my gratitude to our Chamber Investors for your resilience and dedication as we went through a year of change at the Chamber. Rich Cantillon retired in February 2023 after 19 years of service with the Chamber; he laid a wonderful foundation through his dedication to our community. Tiffany Hermann stepped up as Interim Director and performed two jobs from Feb. 25 through June 4; Kelly Cross began as our Membership Coordinator on June 9; and Zach Trantham steadfastly maintained his Tourism Coordinator duties and supported the Chamber through the transition. After serving six months as the Chamber CEO/President, I am blessed to be a part of our strong Ponca City Area Chamber Team that is ready to make a difference in our community!
In addition to the amazing staff team, in 2023 we had an incredible Chamber Board of Directors and Executive Committee, with Rick Hancock leading the charge as the 2023 Chamber Chair. Even with the monumental changes at the Chamber, we had wonderful achievements in 2023 that have laid the foundation for a successful 2024. The year 2023 was an auction year for Party at the Palace, and we had a highly successful fundraiser. Remember, the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce only has a fundraiser every other year! As of Nov. 22, 2023, when this article went to press, we have 68 new Chamber Investors; we have increased our social media reach by 1,000 followers; and we have had record attendance at our Chamber events. We are recognizing our investor milestones, spotlighting our investors weekly and tracking new investor touchpoints through the Ambassador Committee. For the first time, the Ponca Politics Committee is developing a Legislative Agenda tailored specifically to the needs of our community for which to advocate during the 2024 Legislative Session. These accomplishments set the stage for the anticipation of creating new experiences for our Chamber Investors, in addition to our wonderful opportunities already in place. The unwavering commitment, collaboration and shared values among our investors have been the driving force behind our collective achievements.
Kelsey Wagner takes the helm as our 2024 Chamber Chair on Jan. 1, 2024. The upcoming year is a scheduled Investment Year, meaning the goal will be to expand our network of Chamber Investors. As we reflect on years past, it has been six years since the Chamber has focused on an Investment Cycle. Typically, on years we do not have a Party at the Palace auction we have an Investment Drive. However, two years ago Wendy Stobbe Martin led us in the much-needed Kindness Campaign and four years ago, we were sidetracked by the pandemic. Kelsey has a wonderful vision and dynamic goals to take our Chamber to new heights. Her vision for our Investment Drive is to “Invest in Success and Grow Your Business.” With great thought, Kelsey is going to lead us in an “Invest in Success” social media hashtag campaign, with an Investor Spotlight Series, Tips for Success for your Business, Interactive Q&A Sessions, Weekly Success Challenges, Educational Opportunities to help grow our area businesses and much more! The heart of this vision lies in our Investment Drive, a strategic initiative aimed at bringing together a diverse array of talents, ideas and perspectives under the banner of shared investment in success.
As we embark on this Investment Drive, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to both existing and potential investors to actively participate in this initiative. Together, let’s build bridges, forge connections and amplify the impact of our business community. Whether you are a seasoned investor or are considering investing for the first time, your presence and activity in our Chamber family are integral to our shared success.
Investing in the Chamber means investing in our community! In the spirit of unity and growth, understand that it takes all of us working together to promote the success of our community and each other. We are very excited to share details of many new Chamber experiences for 2024! Join us in shaping the future because, in our collective strength, we find the power to thrive!
From everyone at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, we wish you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous new year!
The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization committed to promoting and supporting the growth and prosperity of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and its surrounding communities. With a rich history dating back over 130 years, The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce strives to connect businesses, government entities, and community organizations to drive innovation, economic vitality, and community engagement. We are proud to support and champion the diverse industries and enterprises that make Ponca City a thriving and welcoming place to live, work, and do business.
For more information about the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.poncacitychamber.com.
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