It’s Not Your Daddy’s Chamber of Commerce!
0 comments / Posted on 08. Jun, 2009 by Austin Startup in Government
Ellen Wood
Today’s guest blogger is Ellen Wood, the co-founder and CEO of Austin based vcfo, inc. The firm specializes in operational finance and accounting, HR Solutions and recruiting services for companies of all sizes. She can be reached at 512-345-9441. www.vcfo.com.
Yes – that’s right. The Austin Chamber of Commerce is making a big difference for everyone in Austin. Do we really think Austin is the number one place to do business in the United States just because we’re a cool place to live? That designation didn’t happen by accident. Chances are you or several folks you know are working for companies that are located here as a result of Austin Chamber efforts at some point.
Most Austinites don’t know what the Austin Chamber does or the value they and their families receive from those activities. For some reason many folks think “old school established business” when you mention “Chamber of Commerce.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The membership is very diverse across industry and size. The Chamber team of professionals is extremely busy on so many fronts with significant initiatives underway to support the technology community including being one of the statewide RCIC hubs. They are in partnership with the Austin Technology Council with the ATC Director a member of the Chamber board. They host the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) and Jamie Rhodes, Chairman of CTAN, is a long time board member.
Recognizing that underlying infrastructure is critical to the long term attraction of employers, the Austin Chamber was the driving force behind the formation of the Opportunity Austin campaigns. Now in the second campaign, millions of dollars have been raised and are funding initiatives to recruit new employers to Austin, to drive a focus on quality and college readiness in K-12, and to encourage programs that result in a local educated work force to continue to attract employers to our area. Multiple companies are recruited to visit the city every month and the Austin Chamber coordinates those visits with regional partners and ensures our guests are informed and made welcome.
Other initiatives the Austin Chamber advances include the promotion of planned development in the Central Texas corridor to ensure traffic does not overwhelm the region and that infrastructure is addressed in advance. They hold numerous meetings during the year for the smaller members and younger businesses focused on business networking and other educational topics that help business owners with challenges they face. They lobby for Austin in Washington DC as well as in Austin and raise awareness in the community for local political races as it is in all our best interest to participate in the process and exercise our right to vote.
Every Austinite benefits from their efforts every day. If you are a business owner, please remember that when you get a call asking you to consider membership. Dues are very modest, especially for small early stage companies. I’ve served on the finance committee for several years and can tell you that rarely will you see so much accomplished so economically. I encourage you to support their efforts with your dues but also with your participation at events of interest to you and/or on committees working on initiatives that further benefit the city. Participation by members is welcomed and encouraged and is a great way to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes to keep Austin number one.
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