As I assume the role as your Chairman of the Board for 2021, I am reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein that may sum up where we are at the beginning of the year, “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” As an organization, the Grand Junction…
In July, the Grand Junction Area Chamber partnered with the Mesa County Public Health Department to roll out the Five Star certification as part of the Variance Protection Program. Giving local businesses the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to keeping employees and customers safe while also encouraging residents to shop locally. Businesses receiving the certification…
2020 was a year that some days felt like a decade rather than just 365 days. Who could have known our collective world and economy would be turned upside down in March by this pandemic? And who would have predicted that we are still under its dark shadow as my year as your Chairman grows…
“Thank you for doing the five-star program. We haven’t gone out to eat since March and knowing we had choices by looking at the Five Star ad in the paper made us feel safe visiting a favorite restaurant once again.” The person on the phone recently didn’t identify themselves and they didn’t need to. Their…
Each year, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce sends out its annual survey to all of its members. The board uses this survey to effectively plan for the needs of our members. It is the one time of year that all members are invited to weigh in with their thoughts on the organization and…
A successful Business Retention & Expansion program, like we have here at the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, utilizes many different ways to provide additional value to each business contacted and the overall business climate for the area. A recent example of this can be found in the manufacturing industry. Many of our local manufacturers…
The Chamber Board will be engaged in an all-day planning session later this month. The recently completed membership survey and feedback from members will be a centerpiece as we look toward 2021 and how to promote economic growth and be a voice for business. But if 2020 has taught any of us anything it is…
By now, we all know that the year 2020 has gone less than planned. From the pandemic to social issues, business owners have seen operating conditions unlike any in recent memory. The Grand Junction Chamber’s most recent flash poll of small businesses completed in late August indicated that the top three fears of area business…
Manufacturing, the often-invisible pillar of our community, celebrates National Manufacturing Day on October 2nd. The celebration started by the Manufacturers Institute, helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders. As manufacturers seek to…
I don’t know about you but I’m tempted to turn off my television and turn on my voicemail for the month of October. Having a pandemic and economic crisis did not cause enough pain and suffering in 2020 apparently. We also have an election and a campaign season that is more divisive and polarizing than…