Imagine if all the chamber of commerce executives had the passion that the Elkin and Jonesville chamber's Laurette Leagon has.
Better known as the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, Leagon now has a certificate from the U.S. Chamber Institute. A part of University of Georgia.
Leagon is jazzed about what she has learned over the past four years and is ready to implement her new ideas. Not that she hasn't already started using what she has learned.
She has done some fine things for the organization and the business community and she's progressive in her thinking She has already taken one approach from the "Chambers for the Future" by thinking regionally and adding a Dobson division under her bailiwick. It's off to a start and will take time to develop. But it's on the way.
Beatification is important to our communities for tourists and locals alike. We like to feel welcomed as we drive into our communities from any direction. This is proving a challenge.
You don't see many adopt a highway programs around, but adopt a median might work. Litter remains a real problem along our highways. It's sad to think that we live in such a beautiful place that gets trashed. We support beautification efforts and believe that the revenue from the occupancy taxes should go towards these initiatives.
Leagon's instructors at the U.S. Chamber Institute were so impressed with the local chamber's Web site, that they used it as an example for other chambers to learn from the Elkin and Jonesville groups.
The online world has opened huge doors for endless possibilities. Users like sites that are interactive, easy to navigate and have a fresh and inviting look. If someone is thinking about moving to our neck of the woods they search "Elkin North Carolina" or "Elkin Chamber of Commerce," they will see the chamber's Web site. But the town's is at the top of the list in that category, according to yahoo.com. Its search engine optimization that makes this happen and this was touched on as part of her education process.
Another on-line version that Leagon is exploring is Webinars. This is a painless and easy process for members and non-members to have seminars in the comfort of their own offices without paying high gas prices to offer employees continuing education.
Having the chamber develop an alliance and being an advocate with local politicians who are pro-business is a radical approach that many chambers often steer clear from. But we believe in the business community. It's what makes our communities grow. The more our chamber is involved in our communities, the more dividends we reap.
Whether she is promoting our area online, or making the rounds to organizations like Elkin's Downtown Business Association, we all benefit. Leagon consistently finds a way to integrate our community into the big picture. And for that, she deserves an A+ on our report card.
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