VERO BEACH — Four months in existence and the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce has enough members to keep the lights on and the bills paid – and enough dues money left over to tackle issues important to its membership.
“It takes courage to be the first,” founder Charlie Wilson said, addressing the first members of the Chamber, which formed in January. “We will not let you down.”
It has more than 80 members – 30 more than the minimum Wilson said the organization needs to stay afloat – but not quite 20 shy of the 100-member goal he originally set for the end of March.
“We want it small,” said Tricia Allison, a membership coordinator for the Chamber. She said she has not yet gone out to actively recruit members – but that time will come in the near future.
The Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership meeting at the Lobster Shanty Wednesday evening, though the group hasn’t yet been around a full year.
Wilson said the directors wanted an event to bring together the membership.
“Our goal is to get you some business,” Wilson told Chamber members.
To that end, the Chamber is working on establishing visitor kiosks around the City of Vero Beach and on the barrier island, specifically along State Road 60 and Cardinal Drive.
Looking ahead, Wilson said the Chamber wants to come up with a signature event, similar to SunFest in West Palm Beach.
“We want things to do in the summer,” he said.
A.J. Hill, of J.L. Hill Tax Group, said he joined the Vero Beach Chamber instead of the Indian River County Chamber because it is “something new and innovative.”
He said the Vero Beach Chamber focuses on Vero Beach and island businesses, while the Indian River Chamber represents businesses around the greater county.
Hill added that the Vero Chamber’s strong support for the sale of the Vero Beach electric utility was another plus for choosing the Vero Chamber.
Though the Chamber has been operating for four months, Hill said he believes it is already making a difference in the community.
He explained that Wilson referred a newly formed non-profit, the Dr. Bauer Research Foundation, to the J.L. Hill Tax Group. That organization, represented Wednesday evening by Rosemarie Frigerio, made an impression on Hill, who – through his own connections – was able to refer the foundation to the owner of the 2001 Building. The owner has agreed to provide space for the non-profit, which will allow it to focus on raising money to continue cancer research.
It’s those connections Wilson and the other Chamber leaders hope to continue fostering through the new organization.
As with any other Chamber’s annual meeting, the members voted in their Board of Directors. Those elected include: Chairman Dan Stump, of Stump Law Practice; Secretary Georgann Schreiber, of Dale Sorenson Real Estate; Treasurer Mark Mucher, of Technology Assistance; Acting President/Executive Director Charlie Wilson; and Directors: Matt Willis, of Cardinal Properties; Jane Burton, of Bio-Services of Vero; Laurie Easterwood, of PNC Bank; Nicole Menz, of Menz and Battista Law Firm; and Shannon Banitt, of Schorner and Associates.
According to the Chamber’s bylaws voting members must have a business license within the Vero Beach city limits or barrier island, or have a company officer who resides in the city or on the island.
Businesses outside the city limits or not on the island can be associate members but do not have voting privileges.