Networking and personal contact seems to be the formula for success at the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, marked by the growth rate of 10 to 12 new members a month.
It started with 27 members in 1956. By the end of December, 1958 there were 38 members, 736 in 2000 and 800 in 2001.
Claire Luke is the chief executive officer in the chamber office in Fairfax City.
"We try to focus on all areas that we can. Our retention rate is extremely high. We bring in 12-15 members a month. That's a steady growth," she said.
Lynn Fox is the chairman of the board for 2002. She joined years ago when she moved up from North Carolina with her company, LYM Promotions Ltd, which specializes in personalized and corporate logo items such as shirts and coffee cups. Some of its business contacts are made through the chamber, and word-of-mouth has proven prosperous so far for Fox.
"We have numerous, many free, opportunities to network. Our numbers continue to grow outside the attrition," she said.
Fox's daughter Jenny Moore is an associate of the chamber. They work out of Fox's home. She noted the networking as well.
"You're networking with the decision makers," she said, noting the chamber's tendency to work with small businesses.
Independent Mary Kay sales director Barbara Thomas has been in the chamber for nine years. She's experienced the growth and uses the networking as an important facet of business.
"The chamber supports their members. I get a lot of referrals," she said.
Fox reiterated the motto.
"We're very much a business to business chamber. 'Buy Chamber,' that's our motto," she said.
<mh>Other Chambers
<bt>The buzzwords the central members use like networking, customer oriented, small businesses are not new to the chamber of commerce world though. Holly Dougherty at the Mt. Vernon chamber, which is known as the Mt. Vernon League, senses the comradery there as well.
"It's mostly small businesses, really a quality group of people. We've had others come from other chambers and say how good of a feeling they got at our meetings," Dougherty said, although she's only been with Mt. Vernon since November 2001.
Nancy-jo Manney at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce has seen growth but noted some apprehension as well because of the economy.
"We are continuing to grow. There's some concern over the next year there might be [concerns]," she said.
Irene Eurry is the administrative assistant in Springfield.
"We've gotten seven applications in since the beginning of January," she said.
<mh>Chamber History
<bt>The Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce traces its roots back to April, 1956, when a group of business people got together to organize the Court House Square Businessmen's Association. The president of the association was John C. Webb, and there were 27 members that year. A constitution and by-laws were created and the first membership meeting was held on September 9, 1958. An initiation fee of $10 was established for all members
Their fees now range from $145 a year for non-profits to $2,000 for a huge corporation. The number of employees is a big factor. Luke remembered years when the economy was tight, and some of the small companies paid a little at a time.
"Then they came back and paid the full fare when the business was up," she said.
During the next few years, into the decade of the 1960's, the "chamber" carried out dozens of programs and services to support and promote businesses. In October, 1961, it supported action whereby the Town of Fairfax became the City of Fairfax. In April, 1962, the Trade Association became the Business and Professional Association of Fairfax City. On April 18, 1963, the Board voted to change the organization's name to City of Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Because of a technical oversight, this action was not made official until taken to a vote of the membership in September, 1978.
In 1974 the first informal session of the City Council, City Staff and Chamber leadership was held to bring concerns and interests of the business community to the attention of the mayor, council and staff. The meeting is now a regular annual event. Another first in 1974 was the beginning of the Community Appearance Awards sponsored by the Chamber.
Because of expanding membership services, improved programs and greater networking opportunities, the Chamber continues to grow. In April 1994 the office moved into larger space two doors down the hall to accommodate its members' needs. Presently, the office is located on University Drive and North St. in Old Town Fairfax.
A number of annual events have been added, including the Family Fall Festival, the Business Showcase and the Citywide Chocolate Festival. In 1995 the Chamber became involved with The History of the City of Fairfax Round Table. A portion of the funds from book sales will benefit the Chamber's Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship was established to honor Margaret Kilpatrick Adams, an outstanding civic and business leader. The Chamber awards scholarships annually to students planning to study in the fields of business, humanities, architecture, art and interior design.