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Last night at the Regional Business After Hours, the most frequently asked question was, "I heard a rumor that the Chambers in Williamson Co. are merging...is it true?"
Let's be clear. All that is fact is that a committee has been named to study the feasibility of a unified Williamson County chamber of commerce. Three representatives from Williamson County Franklin, Brentwood Cool Springs, and The Cool Springs Chamber have been named to serve on the committee. There are also one representative from the Spring Hill Chamber, the Nolensville Chamber and an independent, at large representative. The timeline for this committee to make its recommendation is April 1, 2011. After that, either there will be no merger recommended, or if a merger is the recommendation, the board of each chamber will have to consider what, when and how this new organization would be structured. A complete copy of the press release follows this post.
I strongly believe that the merger needs to happen. The strength of a unified Chamber means no duplication of efforts, no division of resources. Most importantly it means replacing a competitive situation with a cohesive community environment. Yes, I am all for it.
But until then.....
The Cool Springs Chamber is still EMERGING! And the Value of Membership has never been stronger. Our culture is emerging as one of camaraderie, abundance and inclusion, welcoming entrepreneurs and corporate entities alike, providing support, promotion and protection of the economic development of our community.
Folks, please don't postpone getting involved in the chamber of commerce because you anticipate a merger. IF it happens, it may be 18 months or longer. Business is going forward, networking is going on, contacts are being made and economic development is progressing.
It's the BEST time EVER at The Cool Springs Chamber and I encourage you to increase your investment of time and energy and JOIN today! As a matter of fact, if you will mention that you read this post, your individual membership is only $250 for the next 12 months. Larger organizations will be discounted proportionately.
http://www.thecoolspringschamber.com
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Contact: David Green, 615-517-5653 or dgreen@dgreencommunications.com
For Immediate release
Committee named to study unified Williamson County chamber of commerce
Oct. 22, 2010 – A 12-person committee has been named to study the feasibility of uniting the three main chambers of commerce in Williamson County into a county-wide chamber.
As previously announced, the chambers are studying the possibility of unifying in order to create a stronger voice for economic development and the business community in Williamson County.
The committee is composed of three members from each of the three chambers and three at-large members.
They are:
Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce:
Brad Dunn, Brentwood Area Executive, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Linda Hirsch, Realtor, Zeitlin & Co., Realtors
Randy Lee, CFP, TrustCore Financial, Inc.
Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce:
Kirsten Dernbach, Associate Director in Internet Marketing, Verizon
Jim Kennedy, Owner, Jim Kennedy Autos
Kristen McBryde, Director of Sales, Aloft Hotels
Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce:
Rufus Bagsby, Retired Bank Executive
Chris Czarka, Director of Tax & Customs, Nissan North America Inc.
Pam Stephens, Assistant Manger, Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens
At Large:
Chuck Fann, Realtor, McArthur Sanders Real Estate, Chairman, Nolensville Chamber of Commerce
J. Thomas McDaniel, Director of Office Properties, Boyle Nashville, LLC
Jill Rosenberry, Branch Manager/AVP, SunTrust Bank, 2011 Chairperson, Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce
The committee’s meetings will be led by independent facilitator, Liz Allen Fey, CEO of Management Solutions Group, LLC.
The steering committee will be free to explore a wide range of possibilities including how a unified chamber might be structured. The three chambers have not set any pre-conditions for this process. It is projected that the committee will complete its work by the end of the first quarter of 2011 and make a recommendation for the board of each chamber to consider.
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I sincerely doubt the Brentwood Chamber will ever join forces and merge with Franklin-Williamson County and Cool Springs Chamber. They have been around too long to let egos by the wayside and do whats makes sense for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe Cool Springs Chamber and the Franklin-Williamson County Chamber merging is a no brainer. They would be a natural fit and solid merger. The Brentwood asserting ownership of "Cool Springs" with their "Brentwood-Cool Springs Chamber" name is disingenuous and unfair. Brentwood does not adequately represent Cool Springs. Everyone knows 90% of Cool Springs is in Franklin.
The Cool Springs Chamber and Franklin-Williamson County Chamber have everything to gain by joining forces. I just don't see Brentwood throwing their cards, even if it is what is BEST for Williamson County.
:)