Chamber kicks off annual total resource campaign
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on September 7, 2012 1:46 PM
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its total resource campaign Thursday night with a swanky celebration at the Historic Goldsboro Fire Station bringing members, staff and guests together as the Chamber seeks to build on momentum from last year's drive, which raised more than $150,000.
The campaign aims to condense the Chamber's sponsorship drive into a six-week push for sponsors of events so as to alleviate pressure on companies to donate or contribute throughout the year.
This year, the Chamber set its goal at $175,000, of which organizers have already raised $95,000, mostly through renewals from last year according to Interim Chamber President Ed Wilson.
Wilson, who has served as president since Marian Mason resigned in June, addressed the crowd at the event, suggesting the best way to understand the importance of the Chamber and its programs was to imagine Goldsboro without it.
He highlighted the importance of the Military Affairs Committee, suggesting that Seymour Johnson Air Force Base may not even exist today without the Chamber initiative. Without the base, he explained, it would be unlikely the county would be seeing such a boom in growth, especially with the opening of several new restaurants in Goldsboro.
The 30 to 40 people gathered at the event also got a sneak peak at the Chamber's new-look website, which is sleeker, more modern and more user-friendly than its predecessor. The new website is expected to go live within the next week.
Wilson, who will step down Oct. 1 as newly hired president Bonnie Grady takes over, said he was pleased with the kickoff and the participation among members.
The campaign will end with the Chamber's victory party Nov. 8.