Chamber membership drive a success

Published 9:25 am Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce’s second membership drive Tuesday netted 15 local businesses as new members with the potential of adding several more during the next 30 to 60 days.

“We have had a very successful membership drive, thanks to a lot of chamber members and the new businesses,” chamber membership vice president Stefani Evans said. “We had 14 chamber members calling businesses on their cell phones; they did a fantastic job.

She said this was the second year for the membership drive, adding last year’s program brought in 13 new members and some additional members 30 to 60 days after the event.

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This year’s drive began about 10 days ago, when the chamber mailed about 285 invitations to local businesses that were not members asking them to become a member during the membership drive Tuesday.

“We had 14 chamber members come to the chamber from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and call those people who received an invitation,” she said. “They did an awesome job.”

Chamber members delivered balloons and candy to the new members who joined Tuesday and posted them on the chambers’ face book page.

“They will be recognized at the luncheon (Wednesday), and at the January luncheon,” she said.

One of those members was John Michael Allen, manager of the Super Jr. on Nailor Road, who was welcomed Tuesday by a chamber delegation.

Allen said he joined to have better business exposure, and for people to have a better idea his business.

“We don’t just sell gas; we sell groceries, too,” he said.

Besides Allen, other new chamber members included Daughtry Construction, Jerry’s Furniture, David McDonald, CTSI, Phillip Jones Electrical Co., United Cleaners, Fox’s Pizza, Campbell & Edney Law Firm, Vicksburg Ready Mix, Debra Franco School of Dance, Leist Plumbing, United Rentals, Cafe Paradiso, Gumbo Pot and Jerry Campbell.

Members assisting with the membership drive included Blake Teller, Buddy Dees, Wally Powell, Forbes Grogan, Carl Hearn, Brady Ellis, Donna Osburn, Mark Buys, Lynn Foley, Greg Raimondo, B.J. Rushing, Jennifer Grey and Ruby Green and Kimberly Smith.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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