Chamber talks about membership growth

A new community calendar, a membership drive and fun lo­cal information sparked interest during the first 2019 meet­ing of the Alpine Chamber of Commerce.

Members had a good time sharing good news at the Chamber’s Hot Topics Busi­ness Breakfast at the Greek Village Grill, 1730 Alpine Blvd.

“If you have major events, if you know of major events, let us know as quickly as possible,” Chamber Executive Director Alex Ward told the crowd.

Ward explained that the goal with the Chamber calendar is to promote member and community activities and to avoid unnecessary competition for participation.

The calendar includes ma­jor community events such as the Alpine Community Center Concerts in the Park, the Al­pine Woman’s Club Victorian Tea and the Alpine Education Foundation spring gala.

Free new workshops for members to boost sales and/or membership, free magazines promoting members and a va­riety of free monthly mixers are among Chamber events listed.

The first mixer will be Thursday, Jan. 17, at La Carre­ta Mexican Restaurant in the Alpine Creek Town Center at 1347 Tavern Road.

“You can absolutely invite guests,” Ward told members.

He will lead the first free workshop about “Content Cre­ation for Advertising” on Jan. 23 at the Alpine Library, 1752 Alpine Blvd. There will be two sessions at noon and 5 p.m.

“It’s those little things that can impact your project,” Ward said about the workshop.

With the Chamber ramp­ing up its effort to bring busi­nesses on board, the executive director said current members are the best at talking with other businesses about the Chamber.

He encouraged members to bring non-members with them to the casual, fun chamber mixers and other activities.

The usual round of self-in­troductions included the latest adventures of Rorie, the Alpine Historical Society’s big fiber­glass gorilla.

Applause greeted the suc­cess of two major Christmas fund raisers started separately by two Chamber members. Jeff Campbell of San Diego Estates began the Gift Bag Drive years ago. Sallie Brown of Mary Kay Cosmetics founded Adopt-A-Grandparent.

Chamber Board President Chris Wiley of Primary Resi­dential Mortgage, Inc., de­scribed Campbell and Brown as perfect examples “of what one person with an idea can do to change things.”

For more information, call (619) 445-2722 or visit www.al­pinechamber.com.