Submitted by Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
When I asked Regina Duncan, President of the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce about her greatest challenges for 2014, we first discussed 2013. The Chamber had presented highlighted the following items as part of its annual report for 2013:
1. Online training and live workshops and seminars for members
2. 11,000 telephone calls and the Visitor Center served 19,701 guests (56% were visitors.)
3. 25 Ribbon Cuttings
4. Networking events
5. Discover Maps and Welcome to Nassau Guides (Printed and distributed 100,000.)
6. Joined Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Alliance and worked with other chambers (Baker, Clay, Flagler, Putnam, Duval and St. Johns) towards a regional advocacy agenda for 2014.
The Chamber was incorporated in 1956 and currently has 700 members. Regina has served in her present position for the last 14 years and has seen many changes. To answer my query, she submitted the following thoughts.
“The biggest challenge for the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce in 2014 is keeping up with the improving economy!
Anyone who reads the Nassau County economic indicators data we publish in “Nassau Business Monthly” knows things are getting better – there were record number of tourists last year, taxable sales are up and housing sales and prices are up.
More than 60 businesses and organizations joined the Chamber last year and I’m expecting us to meet or exceed that pace in 2014.
In 2013, almost 20,000 people came through our doors looking for information on local businesses and organizations, moving their families to the area or opening a business. And that is not counting the literally thousands of phone calls and emails we responded to as well.
Consumers continue to turn to the Chamber for referrals because they want to spend their money with credible, reliable businesses who are leaders in the community. So, we’re very busy.”
Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun and is the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.
March 6, 2014 3:59 p.m.
The City of Fernandina needs to bring more businesses in, especially for the downtown location. Too many of these have closed in the past year and this city and Chamber can work together to improve this problem. Also needed are more large Commercial Companies and businesses to relocate to produce jobs and money for this area.