The Wellington Chamber of Commerce installed a new president, inducted its new board of directors and awarded its 2012 Business Excellence and Emerging Business awards at a luncheon Wednesday.
Meeting at the Wanderers Club, members gave a standing ovation bidding farewell to outgoing President Michael Stone and welcoming incoming President Alec Domb.
“I can’t tell you all how honored I am to be the new president of this chamber,” Domb said. “I take the obligation very seriously, and I look forward to having a great year in which we will continue the great work that we have already done.”
Domb acknowledged the work that Stone has done, noting that he hopes to continue it with the help of the membership.
“Michael is going to be a tough act to follow. He’s done a lot of great things,” Domb said. “I’m not going to make a great speech about what I plan to do because this is your chamber of commerce. So I’m going to open it up this year to ask all of you what you think it is we ought to be doing for all of us who live here, work here and play here.”
Domb recalled how he came to be so involved in the chamber. “I went to events,” he said. “I joined committees. That’s how it works. That’s how you network. That’s how you meet people. That’s how you grow your business. That’s what I hope you will do in the upcoming year as we bring our community back together.”
Stone said he was proud of all the accomplishments the chamber has made over the past year.
“We had a very successful year,” he said. “Our member retention is at 85 percent. We are up 35 percent on new membership. We are growing all the time.”
The success has been evident by the turnout at the chamber’s headlining events.
“Flavors was huge last year,” he said. “WinterFest, as those of you who were there dancing to Vanilla Ice know, was a great night.”
The chamber has also made strides in helping its membership and fostering local businesses.
“We implemented the small business roundtable series, which has really taken off,” Stone said. “We reestablished the technology committee, and we’re working very hard to bring all the new social media to the chamber and to the members to enhance your businesses.”
This also involves creating a YouTube channel and working with W4CY Entertainment, he said.
Additionally, the chamber has worked closely with Wellington staff to help bring business to the area as well as support existing businesses, Stone said.
“We’ve had a great collaboration,” he said, “especially with the medical arts district.”
Stone urged chamber members to stick together to promote business in Wellington.
“I think the chamber has to stick together to represent the businesses and make things happen,” he said. “I know the new board will work very hard to make sure your voices are heard and to represent you.”
The chamber also awarded its 2012 Business Excellence Award to IberiaBank, and its Emerging Business Award to Your Computer Guy.
Next up, the chamber will host Flavors of Wellington on Friday, April 13. For more information, visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.
