Chamber of Commerce Opens Doors to the Community

You see them around town, toting the large novelty scissors and with cameras in tow. Now, the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce won’t have to go far for a ribbon cutting.

On Friday, Sept. 9, the Chamber will open its doors and host a ribbon cutting of its own to celebrate some recent changes. First, the building in the 100 block of Bridge Street, with the help of Chamber and community members, spruced up the offices and a lot next to the Chamber was cleared.

It’s more than just fresh paint, however.

Jessica Capistrant, business manager with the Chamber, said the organization is working to make membership more valuable. The staff and board members are also touting their open door policy.

“We want the community members to be able to come out and find out what we do and let them know that we do have resources for the community,” Capistrant said.

“We want them to feel OK with just stopping in to ask questions.”

Staff members are focusing on annual events like the charity ball, which is coming up on Oct. 28. Additionally, they’ll work on promoting member-to-member discounts and their workshops and seminars, like Chamber 101, where members get a crash course in all things Chamber of Commerce.

Sara Bustard, member services coordinator, said the Chamber hopes to work closely with members to ensure they’re getting the most bang for their membership bucks.

“We’re being really open and saying if there’s something that you can benefit from that we don’t offer, let’s work together and let’s create something,” Bustard said.

The ribbon cutting and open house on Friday will also celebrate another achievement.

“We’ve grown exponentially,” Capistrant said. “Over the summer we’ve had over 30 new members, which is probably more than was done in the entire fiscal year prior.”

At the open house and ribbon cutting, there will be door prizes, and board members and prominent community members will be on hand. The group hopes the weather holds out so there can be a tent in the vacant lot next to Chamber headquarters.

Those who stop by can chat with U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach and state Rep. Warren Kampf, who will both be on hand. The ribbon cutting will likely take place around 5 p.m., but members and the public can stop by any time during the event.

“It’ll be a networking opportunity, for sure,” Capistrant said.

Bustard pointed out that the members were instrumental with the changes—on both the aesthetic front and with membership benefits. Board members came to help clean out the upper floor, a church group cleaned up the lot and members donated things to help make the office more accommodating.

“Everyone’s just been really great with helping us,” Bustard said. “We’re really grateful and we really just want to bring everyone together to show that this is what our membership has done.”

If You Go:

Where: 171 E. Bridge St., Phoenixville

When: Friday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to the public

Parking: Park behind Molly Maguire’s, in the lot off of Main Street.

More Info: Check out www.phoenixvillechamber.org for more information on the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Click on “Events” to see what’s coming up.