- February 13, 2025
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A TV/VCR combo sits at the ready in the conference room at the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, offering its dated technology to the staff and chamber members.
John Walsh, chamber president, calls is a symbol of how the chamber needs to invest in technology, staff development and business efficiency.
“We’re not where we need to be to become a top performing chamber,” he said recently.
At the Chamber’s annual meeting in January, Walsh announced the Investment in Excellence campaign, a capital fund-raising drive, and it was recently kicked off at a Chamber Business Prosperity Hour where several businesses donated funds.
“We can’t do business the way it was done 20 years ago.”
John Walsh, president, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber moved into the building at 165 W. Granada Blvd. in 1959 with 150 members. In 2002, the organization conducted a fund-raising drive to make needed renovations to the building.
Walsh, who is also publisher of the Ormond Beach Observer, sees the current drive as the third major step for the organization.
“We have 800 members and we can’t do business the way it was done 20 years ago,” he said. “We want to enhance our members’ experience and become a top-performing chamber.”
The stated mission of the Chamber is to advocate for business, develop future community leaders, support economic prosperity and serve as the city’s visitor center.
Part of the raised capital will be used to hire a consultant, Ned Harper, who recently retired from the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State College. He and Emily Macri will identify what changes the chamber should make.
Rick Fraser, executive director of the Chamber, agrees changes are due.
“John’s goal is to improve the way we communicate with members and staff and make sure we provide an excellent experience,” Fraser said. “One facet is to utilize technology and make sure the chamber is the best it can be.”
Fraser said the organization needs to move more into social media, for example, and he said they have already started. A committee of younger, tech-savvy people has been formed to explore what should be done. Also, the chamber staff has also begun a process to assess their individual skills, so they can be better utilized.
The goal of the drive is to raise $50,000 by October. After the City Commission agreed to donate $5,000 on May 17, the amount raised to date was $17,000. It was a four-to-one vote, with Troy Kent voting no. The donation was brought up during the discussion period, and Kent said he supports the Chamber, but the item should have been on the agenda, with details about how the money would be spent.
For information, contact the Chamber at 677-3454, 165 W. Granada Blvd.
