Message from Debi Mollahan, Tigard Chamber CEO
The Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) exists to help your Business Soar!!
As a forward thinking membership organization focused on
providing opportunities for sustainable growth, the TACC has increased membership by over 20%
over the last 2 years. We accomplished this despite the economic challenges
that Tigard, the Portland Metro area and all of Oregon have faced recently.
Why? Because local business owners and managers have looked for cost effective ways to connect, market and promote their
businesses and found them through their TACC investment. We have a dynamic, engaging, welcoming and interconnected
business community, where the collective experiences of our members are leveraged
for mutual advantage. Our membership
represents over 300 local businesses both small and large, all with a common
concern -growth and profitability. As a
result our focus as a chamber this year has been about providing value. We want to ensure our members realize the
value of their membership and their chamber. Here is what we've done: Helped create a strong local economy • Encouraged members to Shop Local, reinforced
in messaging, through Shop Local pins,
and programs • Chamber Bucks, members earn a 10% credit
on their account for new member referrals • Member to Member discounts to all members
. Members save 10-50% on goods and services • Implemented Lunch Local, No-Host lunch on
2nd/4th Wed of each month to promote local Tigard
restaurants • Launched a joint Business Showcase/Expo with
the Tualatin Chamber being held 11/7/11, focus is Shop Local • The TACC joined ITEX, a barter exchange
network and offers memberships on trade in this network • Implemented a 3 month payment plan for
membership join and renewal, spreading out cash flow impact Promoted the Community of Tigard • Awarded $3,000 in scholarships, Chamber
Business of the Year, Youth Volunteer and several other Volunteer Awards at
the annual Tigard Chamber Shining Stars Community Awards Banquet • Donated several hundred dollars to both
the American Cancer Society and CPAH, and several member businesses
participated in the Tigard Tualatin Relay for Life • Expanded Tigard Chamber website to include a
Community section for local residents and visitors and added a community
section to the weekly e-newsletter Expanded business networking and member visibility • Created a business Facebook page,
LinkedIn Group and we are now on Twitter. Members can sign up for text message reminders of events • Twice monthly Lunch & Learns held 1st/3rd Wed of each month at the chamber • Revitalized Chamber After Hours, Tigard's
3rd Tuesday, monthly evening networking • Expanded Tigard Chamber Speed Networking to
include 8-10 other chambers, all members get member pricing. • 2011-2012 Chamber Business Directory includes
only members and select advertisers, more visibility, less competition. Represented the interests of business with government • TACC Government & Public Policy (GAPP)
committee, held two Meet Your State Representative forums, a Meet Your
Tigard City Council event, and participated in Chamber Day at the State Capitol • Chamber CEO updatesTigard City Council
monthly on Tigard Chamber activities, recorded and televised These are just some of the ways the chamber works to support its
members. Please take a moment to read
through the topical information in this packet and tour our chamber and member
portion of our website at www.tigardchamber.org and see how they Tigard Chamber can help your Business Soar! Best regards, 
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