The annual Winslow Chamber of Commerce Dinner was held last week and attended by many business owners, chamber members and the general public who were treated to a catered dinner by Thumbs Up Barbeque. Attendees also witnessed the swearing in of new chamber board member Brent Gardner from Winslow Dinner. New chamber members also included Linda Card of Gemini Art Gallery and Darcey McKee of the Navajo County Health Department.
The current board is made up of Michael Mendoza of M&J Smoke Shop, Cyndie Mattox of the Winslow Unified School District, Michelle Pennington of L&M Properties, Theresa Warren of Alice’s Place, Dan Simmons from Simmons Realty and Bill Lawler.
Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Bob Hall also gave a short presentation on chamber business in 2017. “The chamber currently has 211 members with other members joining often.” He also explained that the chamber holds fundraisers each year to make money that stays in Winslow, meaning, not directly connected to tourism. According to Hall, those include the Taste of Winslow held in June every year and the Festival of Trees that runs in November and December. Funds from those events go toward McHood Park cleanups, the Fourth of July Freedom Fest and fireworks show, the Because We Care graduation party, and many more.
The chamber also contributes to and holds events such as the annual Christmas Parade, the Standin’ On The Corner Festival and promotions for the City of Winslow. Hall said, “We spent about $50,000 in promotions last year all over the world.” He mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce and the Winslow Visitor’s Center are not only located in the same building, but also hold the same goals. “We strive to make Winslow a great place to own a business and a great place to visit.” The Winslow Visitor’s Center, Hall said, “Is ranked one of the top three visitor’s centers in the state.”
City Manager Steve Pauken also addressed the audience and gave an update on the City of Winslow. “Our partnership with the chamber of commerce is one of the best in any city I have ever worked in,” Pauken said.
He then offered the reminder that the Arizona Cardinals would be holding a draft event in Winslow on April 28. “The organization will come and hold their fourth, fifth and seventh round draft picks at our Standin’ On The Corner Park, as well as some other festivities.” Details on those festivities are still being negotiated, including a kids football camp hosted by the NFL team.
Former Winslow resident Jerusha Schmalzel was the keynote speaker at the event. She currently lives and works in Los Angeles at Blackbaud, a leading software company. The topic of Schmalzel’s presentation was businesses and social good. She spoke on ideas to involve employees in volunteering and how helping in the community is good for business.
“It is so hard to keep good employees, so keeping those employees engaged is important.” She explained that employee turnover is much more expensive than retaining quality workers. “Fifty three percent of employees say that one of the things they look for when seeking a job is whether or not they will feel like they will make an impact in that position.”
Based on that statistic, she explained ideas to help build and retain teams that make a difference. “Every month have two of your employees spend two hours at a local agency together and pay them for it.” She also suggested trading volunteer time for vacation time, or matching funds for employee giving within the community. “This is another benefit that is a low cost on the front in and a high pay off on the back end.”
Schmalzel ended her presentation with fundraising ideas and a message of thanks to the City of Winslow for having her present in her hometown. “People show up here, like no other community I have ever been in.”
For more information on Schmalzel’s presentation or on joining the chamber, contact Bob Hall at the Chamber of Commerce at (928) 289-2434.
