Antioch Chamber of Commerce Closes Temporarily
The Antioch Chamber of Commerce announced today that it will temporarily be closing its offices while the chamber goes through some restructuring. Staff were let go last week after months of financial struggles.
Sean Wright, the Chamber’s current Chairman indicated that though Chamber membership remains strong, the non-member activities – events like the Annual Gala, State of the City, Economic Summit and other revenue-producing activities like selling city maps and advertising opportunities – that typically bring in sponsorship dollars and involve the community-at-large have steadily declined in revenue.
“Businesses are feeling the effects of the recession and that has finally trickled down to the Chamber activities,” said Wright. “This was obviously our last resort after trying for months to reduce costs in other ways. We have every intention of continuing to serve our members with networking opportunities, ribbon cuttings and the resources that our Chamber has typically provided but may have to do so with the help of volunteers in the short term.”
Alternatives are being reviewed to make sure the office is manned part-time so that members’ calls are answered, new businesses are able to get the resources they need, and the Chamber continues to be an active part of the Antioch community.
The Antioch Chamber of Commerce has served the community continuously since 1938.
Here is Wright’s full statement: “The Chamber has not escaped the hard hit fiscal times that have affected the city and other non-profit organizations. In order to continue to serve our members and the community of Antioch the Chamber will need to restructure. This process began last week as both Devi Lanphere and Karen Smith were released from their duties after months of financial struggles.
Although Chamber membership remains strong, the non-member activities – events like the Annual Gala, State of the City, Economic Summit and other revenue-producing activities like selling city maps and advertising opportunities – that typically bring in sponsorship dollars and involve the community-at-large have steadily declined in revenue. Businesses are feeling the effects of the recession and that has finally trickled down to the Chamber activities.
This was obviously our last resort after trying for months to reduce costs in other ways. We have every intention of continuing to serve our members with networking opportunities, ribbon cuttings and the resources that our Chamber has typically provided but may have to do so with the help of volunteersin the short term. The January Mixer is still planned to be held at Comfort Suites on the 27th. Please lend your support
Alternatives are being reviewed to make sure the office is manned part-time so that members’ calls are answered, new businesses are able to get the resources they need, and the Chamber continues to be an active part of the Antioch community. The January Mixer is still planned to be held at Comfort Suites on the 27th.
Thank you to all those who have already called the Chamber Board Members and offered your volunteer time and support as we go through this restructuring. The Chamber will come out of this restructure leaner but it will also come out more focused on supporting our members and helping businesses to thrive.
