Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber celebrates 500 members

The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is celebrating a milestone by reaching 500 chamber members.

“This is something that we have strived for the last couple years,” said Dawn Mushill, executive director (shown). “Our members are the best and bringing all of these businesses together means a stronger business community.”

The Chamber is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization funded through membership dues, sponsorships, tourism funding, non-dues revenues and donations. It works with members to help grow their business, promote their business and provide opportunities within the community to show off their business. That provides networking opportunities each month. Currently the Chamber is working on educational and training opportunities, more promotional opportunities for businesses and new community events.

Among events organized are the Community Expo, Troy Family Summer of Fun, Troy City Wide Garage Sale, E-cycle Day. In addition, the Chamber provides new resident packets, serves as an informational resource for questions, works with Triad School District to assist in a variety of ways and also provides resources such as a community calendar, job opportunities and more.

“We are always looking for new ways to serve both our members and the community,” Mushill said.

The Chamber is governed by a 14-member board and serving as president this year is Deanne Stegeman, of CountryFinancial.

“I joined the Chamber when my business was a few years old, and I find the friendships I’ve made through Chamber events are an invaluable part of doing business in my community. You become a resource to connect your clients to the goods and services they need. It’s much better than any online referral ‘list’ in my opinion,” she said.

Ambassadors are also a huge part of the Chamber’s success. The Ambassador Committee has two lead Ambassadors – Mark VanZeyl (Bullseye Promotions) and Ryan Sautman (Just4You Insurance). The Ambassadors assist at networking events, welcome new members and attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

The Chamber office is located at 647 E. U.S. Highway 40 in Troy.

“In 2009 we approached Maryville about adding them to the Troy Chamber. Then, in 2011 we spoke with St. Jacob and finally, in 2013 the Chamber added Marine. All four communities bring their own flare to the Chamber and we are honored that all four communities are so supportive of the Chamber,” said Mushill.

Recently, the Chamber has added a digital billboard on Interstate 55/70, with another one coming on I-270. They have also added a wrapped Chamber car that is an eye-catching green color that you will see from a long way away. The Chamber’s website has been revamped to include a responsive site, good for cell phone usage.

In addition to Mushill, the Chamber has a full-time Marketing & Event Coordinator (Travis Stutsman), a part-time Membership Coordinator (Jessica Hutt) and a part-time Accounting Coordinator (Kim Lange). This semester, the Chamber will be hosting its 190th college intern.