Power in numbers

Most Central Oregonians know that Redmond has a chamber of commerce. But just what does a chamber do, anyway? And who are all those smiling people you see putting on events such as the Music on the Green concerts and the annual Christmas Parade?

In Redmond, as with other chambers of commerce, the membership is comprised of local business owners who pay annual dues to join. In joining, they gain access to the other members, and are given the opportunity to collaborate and network with them on a variety of projects throughout the year.

The mission of the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB, which is a private nonprofit organization, is “To improve the economic vitality and quality of life in Central Oregon through collaborative use of business and community resources,” said Eric Sande, executive director of the chamber.

“The Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB works to foster the success of its members,” he said. With about 775 members, Sande said the chamber unites hundreds of businesses and professional firms to create a unique central agency that works to improve business and build up the local economy.

“The Redmond Chamber of Commerce is the embodiment of its members, recognizing that it can accomplish what no individual member can do alone.”

Though Redmond is not a huge town, its chamber of commerce has been going strong since the start of the community back in 1910. Over the years, its role has evolved along with the town. The chamber sponsors free community events such as the Fourth of July and Starlight Christmas parades and the Music on the Green summer concert series. It provides community services such as hanging the Christmas lights downtown and funding and putting up the “official” Redmond Christmas tree each year. It also serves as Redmond’s Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB), providing community hospitality services and promoting Redmond as a destination for groups and a desirable place to hold events.

“We answer thousands of requests for visitor and relocation packets each year,” said Sande, who has been with the chamber since 1992. To assist those requesting information about Redmond, the chamber publishes the Redmond Visitor & Business Guide, a 154-page, glossy, full-color publication that doubles as a guide for visitors and residents, as well as a business directory featuring the membership network. On a smaller scale, the chamber publishes a monthly newsletter called “Business News,” a tabloid-sized publication that features information, profiles, updates and news that directly affect the membership and community.

Other annual events presented by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB are the annual Chamber Golf Tournament, Business Hop and the Holiday Village Market. A new event, the “Bacon & Brew Fest,” will take place on Sept. 9. Formerly the “Dinner, Dance and Auction,” the Bacon & Brew Fest includes the chamber’s annual auction, which serves as the primary fundraising event to help cover the costs of free events.

Needless to say, organizing all these activities and overseeing the membership is a big job, so the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB has a staff of five and a Board of Directors, as well as an Ambassador Program to help keep things functioning as smoothly as possible.

“The strength of the chamber lies in attracting the greatest number of members, and creating a pool of resources from which all can draw ideas, energy and financial support,” said Sande. “What you put into the chamber is what you get out of the chamber, and those who become active benefit the most. The chamber deals with current issues affecting business every day. As a chamber, there is no issue too big or too small that we can’t tackle together.”

One of the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB’s biggest events is its weekly Coffee Clatters, hosted by a different chamber member each Friday. The Clatters include door prizes and a 50/50 raffle (raffle tickets are sold, and proceeds are split evenly between the winner and a Redmond nonprofit organization). The Clatters attract as many as 100 members each Friday, Sande said.

“Coffee Clatter has become the premier weekly networking event in Redmond,” said Sande. “It’s the must-attend function of the week.”

Brenda Kelly, President of the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB’s Board of Directors, first joined the chamber 11 years ago after attending a Coffee Clatter.

“I was in the mortgage business, and I heard about the Coffee Clatters through a Realtor,” said Kelly. “She said how great they were for mingling and marketing, so I decided to try it. Then my husband, who was also in the mortgage business, joined me in going to the Clatters.”

Kelly and her husband, who are now both retired, were so impressed by the chamber that they became Ambassadors, and each was eventually named Chamber Ambassador of the Year.

“The chamber is like a second family to us,” said Kelly. “I can’t tell you enough about it. I don’t think we will ever stop volunteering unless we have to for some reason. We just really enjoy chipping in and helping. I would recommend chamber membership to anyone.”

Sande said the key to the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB’s success is keeping the membership fun while getting the work done.

“We are not your typical chamber,” said Sande. “We try to make everything we do have the biggest impact possible and be the most fun possible while spending the fewest dollars possible.”

One of the signature fun moments each year, he said, is when the chamber sends out its annual Christmas card. Kelly agrees that the card is creative and is anticipated by the membership each year.

“The card is themed and is of the chamber staff every year, and the whole staff has a great imagination,” said Kelly with a laugh. “One year, the card had a 1940s theme and was shot with a classic Packard convertible. They wore fur hats and fur-collared coats. It was great.”

Membership in the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB is open to businesses of all sizes and types, individuals, retirees, service clubs and nonprofit organizations. Annual dues vary depending upon the size and nature of the business.

Information about joining, a listing of Chamber events and programs, business and community directories and much more can be found on the chamber’s website, www.visitredmondoregon.com.