Annual Report 2015 200 3 rd Avenue Radford, VA 24141 www.radfordchamber.com
Reflections from the Director Dear Friends, 2015 was an exciting year for the Radford Chamber of Commerce and its members. As Executive Director, I believe our office was able to achieve the goals we set out to accomplish this past calendar year. I truly feel that the businesses of Radford, both old and new, feel a new energy about their commercial possibilities, and I hope our office has helped promote some of that new energy. The Radford Chamber Board has entrusted me to make each member feel their value to our local economy and we will continue that mission. Our office is motivated to help our members increase their economic growth within the City of Radford. The Radford Chamber focused in 2015 on having events that benefited both the businesses and the Chamber. We kicked off the year with our 1 st Annual Radford Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. We had a full field of twenty-nine teams for this event at the Pete Dye River Course and it was a huge success. Next, the Radford Farmers Market really took off this past year and became something the Radford community could take great pride in. We put a fresh spin on an already great market by creating a market committee that helped unit the vendors. The number of vendors doubled from ten stations in 2014 to an average of twenty in 2015. By the end of the season, we had approximately thirty vendors who had participated in our local market. The Chamber, along with Radford University and the Small Business Development Center, created two educational seminars that were focused toward our members. The first seminar was about how our local businesses can benefit from the university s resources and the second seminar was about doing business in a GAFA (Google Apple Facebook Amazon) world. Both seminars were sold out. We concluded our year with the Annual Radford Chamber Banquet with a dinner and celebration of the year. Every table at this year s event was sponsored with over 220 in attendance. The support given to our Silent Auction was overwhelming as we had over 120 items donated by our local businesses. Photo by Charlie Whitescarver, Whitescarver Photography Our plan for 2016 is to further grow the accomplishments we made this past year. Specifically, I am putting in place a Leadership Program to help reinvigorate our members vision for their individual business. We also plan to create a Radford Chamber of Commerce YouTube Channel to further promote our businesses. As we move forward in 2016, the great news to report is that the relationship between our members and the Radford Chamber is strong. I truly believe our efforts have strengthened the relationships our businesses have with the community. I can happily report that our local businesses feel they have a partner in the Radford Chamber of Commerce. 2
2015 Board of Directors David Horton President Kim Greene Vice President Dan McKinney Treasurer Belinda Blodgett Secretary Wally Galla Director at Large Keith Weltens Director at Large Lisa Davis Executive Director Linda Gardner Karen Smith Debbie Lyons Abram Williams Ellen Taylor Radford University Basil Edwards Economic Development Michel Turk Radford City Council 3
2015 Goals Membership Goals: Increase total membership by 15 new members Be fiscally strong and solvent Enhance creditability in the Chamber Chamber Business and Community Goals: Educational Seminars social media, small business startup, consulting Increase networking opportunities Chamber Golf Tournament and Annual Meeting with Silent Auction Continue to look for new opportunities that will benefit the Chamber 4
Business Success Story We opened our doors in November of 2014. It was a slow start at first. Then in July it took off and is still to date our best month ever. It was like a sign that this was the right decision for us. It hasn t slowed down since. We try to make personal connections with everyone who comes in the store. My advice is to make wise choices, be open, remember every customer is different and most importantly enjoy what you do. It is hard work everyday. You have to get creative, because things changes and you have to adapt. When things get slow I move my furniture around to give our store a fresh new look. We have incorporated snap jewelry and clothing which has really taken off. I think we have achieved our biggest success by remembering it s not what you do, but how you do it. Believing and speaking positively is something I do every day The Chamber of Commerce has been one of our biggest supporters. I believe having a voice supporting you in the community and willing to help you think outside the box has been an asset for us. Joining the Chamber as well as making outside connections is one way to be part of something bigger. Anita Quesenberry, owner 5
Business Success Story Radford Drug, Inc. has been in business for 86 years. Scott Armentrout, the owner takes pride in how his business is handled. Mark Kirby, Scott s grandfather, also known as the Drugstore Cowboy, opened in 1929. Bill Armentrout then bought the drug store in 1966. The business has been handed down through the family each one dealing with their own challenges, but every generation has to have the same work ethic and determination. Greet your customers and make them feel welcome. When you walk into Radford Drug you are always greeted by name. The extra touches make a difference, like delivery and curb side service. Everyone has their own hurdles to overcome. Its how you choose to grow and change with them that will make you successful. Scott overcame change when the drug store switched back to being an independent drug store. He started preparing and growing for this transition for 5 years prior. Some changes included doubling the store in size, adding a hardware department, greeting cards, and more over the counter items. You have to look at the forest not just the tree s. The community and the Chamber really help with promoting our business by referring locals to us. The Chamber is willing to get their hands dirty and help make a difference in the community by promoting local businesses like Radford Drug, Inc. 6
New Local Businesses Hazel Bea Catering & The Inn at Pepper s Ferry New River Medical Massage We Fix Stuff, Inc. New River Cakes 7
2015 Membership New Members - 40 Returning Members - 185 Membership Total 225 82% are returning members 18% are new members 2015 Goal for New Membership = 266% 8
2015 Financials 30,000 $27,800 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 $20,530 $15,400 $12,550 $10,300 9200 $6,600 $4,210 4400 5200 5200 4000 3000 4000 3000 3500 $2,500 $2,500 $11,700 $12,250 6700 $5,500 3700 2900 2015 Total Revenue $131,840 2015 Total Expenses $54,800 9
2015 Events May September The Radford s Farmers Market (increased from 10 vendors to 20 this year) May August Friday After Five (partnership with the city of Radford) April New River Valley Brew Fest May 1 st Annual Golf Tournament Sold Out 29 teams participated August and November Educational Seminar s Sold Out Radford University s Virtual Community Doing Business in a GAFA world (Google, Apple, FaceBook and Amazon) September RU Club Fair 24 businesses participated October Craft & Draft November Annual Banquet Sold Out 140 guests, and over 100 silent auction donation items 10
Chamber Golf Tournament 1 st Annual Chamber Cup Winner s 11
Annual Banquet 12
2015 Award Recipients Business of the Year Radford Drug, Inc. Business Person of the Year Brad Angell Brad s Barber Shop Photograph's provided by Charlie Whitescarver 13
2015 Award Recipients Volunteer s of the Year Marceline Hunter & Nic Nicholson Non-Profit RHS Foundation, Inc. Photograph's provided by Charlie Whitescarver 14
2015 Award Recipients Radford Educator of the Year Cecil Hickman Coach Joe Raccuia Radford University Baseball honored guest Photograph's provided by Charlie Whitescarver 15
2016 Goals Membership Goals: Increase total membership by 10% Maintain and support existing members Develop a Leadership Education Program Chamber Business and Community Goals: Maintain and grow annual chamber events Partner with Radford University and our local community to create a Chamber Media channel to highlight local businesses Support the city by continuing to help increase economic development 16
Annual Report 2015 2014-2015 Annual 17