Fairfield Chamber feeling positive about city’s future

Like our 2023 Annual Awards Banquet theme, “The Future Looks Bright,” the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is feeling positive. The Chamber is looking forward to continuing to meet our member’s needs and helping make our community a destination.

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is operated by dedicated staff committed to community service, the advocacy of our members and the furthering of our mission. The Chamber plays host to monthly and annual events, dozens of committee meetings throughout the year, and a variety of gatherings each year.

Our new Executive Director, Mendy McAdams, started at the end of February, 2022. She came in with passion and energy. At the Annual Awards Banquet last year, when she was just a few months in, she made some very lofty goals for herself. The new website design was one of those changes. The new layout is more user friendly, modern, and has additional features like videos.

The weekly e-newsletter also got an upgrade. Chamber Chatter not only has all the events happening in the area but also has some new featured items like a Wellness blog. New features will be added as our members want to share information with the community.

Member Mixers were added as well which allowed more businesses to host the public in their space. More people in your building means added eyes on your product.

The Par-Tee returned the night before the annual Blast Off Golf Tournament. Rib-eye steaks grilled by Jefferson County Cattlemen were enjoyed by all before a live auction and band. Finally, a big change was painting the Santa houses on the square and upgrading to all LED lights. The red and white and brightness of the new lights definitely brought out the Holiday magic. We are thankful to all who donated to maintain this Holiday tradition.

With a strong, working Board of Directors to support the organization, our mission is more than just words; it’s our guiding force. President Michael Parker of TrafFix Devices has been on all of our committees in his tenure on the board and knows what makes it a success. Immediate Past President Jason Davis with Agri-Industrial Plastics led the Chamber through the pandemic and many changes for nearly two full years. President elect is Denise Hall of Fairfield Dental Clinic and she will take the helm next year as she finishes her term on the Board. Our treasurer, Alex Simmons of TD & CPAs & Associates, is highly knowledgeable in accounting as well as nonprofits. Joneane Parker, on our Executive Committee, was on the Chamber Board previously and brings a wealth of knowledge with her. Rounding out the board are Davis Lowenberg of Century Insurance and President of the Walton Board and Ryan Swanson of Pilot Grove Savings Bank. Joining the Board this year are Jeff Ring with Dexter Laundry, Claire Reid with Willow & Bright, and Jill Kordick with Jefferson County Health Center.

Our annual board retreat happens mid-January, which focuses our energy on what’s important. This full day of goal setting, review of bylaws, as well as committee assignment reviews is important to all of our Board members. Our committees meet after every event and we survey attendees and sponsors to make sure our events are meeting everyone’s needs. We saw larger numbers at our 2022 major events and look forward to continuing to grow those numbers.

So what does the Chamber do? We connect, support, promote and celebrate our members. We want to create an environment for business to thrive. From networking events like Business After Hours and Member Mixers to all day fun like the Blast Off Golf Tournament, members not only enjoy being at these events but their name and logos are highly visible. We provide education on topics important to our members. We hosted a lunch and learn on social media basics last year and this year we look to partner with Indian Hills Community College and the Small Business Administration. We hope to help entrepreneurs who have an idea but need guidance to bring that idea to the forefront. We will host a series of topics to help bring these ideas to life as well as support these new business owners with established business leaders. We promote shop small and local by encouraging folks to shop the many unique retailers and to try a new cuisine at one of the many local restaurants.

Leadership Fairfield is in its ninth year. This is the premier networking and professional development program for our area. This class includes eight monthly sessions each centered on a unique theme. Every session includes expert presenters, panels of community leaders, and behind-the-scene tours of Fairfield businesses. By the end of the program, each participant will not only have a well-rounded view of the various businesses in Fairfield but will also have personally connected and networked with Fairfield's top business and community leaders.

Chamber membership is an investment in your community. By being a member, you are supporting all of the other members and making sure we have all succeeded together. Chamber Ambassadors are known for wearing their red jackets and a smile. Welcoming new members with a ribbon cutting or celebrating an anniversary, milestone, or new location with an Ambassador stroll, they are here to celebrate what makes each member unique.

The Chamber is pleased to provide Jefferson County residents the opportunity to share their views with state lawmakers and potential lawmakers through Legislative and Candidate Forums. We also speak to our elected officials at the city, county, state, and national level about what is important to our members. The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce encourages legislative action that promotes business growth, local economy and strong communities. We are a non-partisan organization.

Services Relevant to Everyone:

• We are an Information Center for Fairfield. Every day we answer questions posed by people interested in moving to Fairfield, visitors planning to come to Fairfield, visitors to Fairfield, and our local residents. We always refer them to our members first.

• Our Member-to-Member Discount Card is supplied to Chamber Members and their employees at no cost and encourages Members to shop with each other.

• Our Community Calendar is often referred to as one of the best sources for current happenings in the area.

• The Ambassador Program recognizes new Members, new staff, improvements by Member businesses.

• Chamber Talk, our radio show, highlights a different Member each week. Live at 8:35 a.m. every Monday morning on KMCD.

• “Chamber Chatter” E-Newsletter is sent out every Monday morning, highlighting events and Member information.

• Fundraising for the holiday decorations on the square keeps us known as “The Christmas Town.”

• Coordinating the staffing of the Santa House for the holiday season.

• Highlighting Small Businesses during National Small Business Week and Small Business Season (between Thanksgiving and the New Year).

• Social Media is important in today’s technology-filled world. We are active on a number of platforms and promote our members through those channels as well as newspaper, radio, magazines and much more.

• The Barnyard Bash is a family friendly event that celebrates our agricultural heritage at the historic Maasdam Barns.

• Fairfield’s Treasure Hunt Weekend provides sidewalk sales and discounts for everyone to enjoy at many of our local shops and restaurants as well as citywide garage sales.

• Blast Off Golf Tournament is held annually at the Fairfield Golf and Country Club and the Walton Club.

• The Annual Awards Banquet celebrates our Member’s accomplishments.

• Member Appreciation Reception is held annually to celebrate all Members and to highlight New Members.

• The Holiday Lighting Ceremony officially opens the holiday season each year.

Reasons Relevant for Retail Businesses:

• We promote “Shop Local” through our Chamber Bucks program, Holiday Chamber Bucks Giveaway, and our Restaurant & Retailers Shop & Dine guide.

• Our Chamber Bucks program keeps money in Fairfield.

• We convene a monthly Retail & Restaurant Managers Working Group for retail managers to network, share best practices, band together, and cross-promote each other’s business.

• We host three bicycle events under our “Bike Fairfield” series that draw out-of-town visitors to town. Bike Around the Fairfield Loop Trail Annual Fun Ride (BAFLTAFR) is our family bike ride around the loop trail. Harvest Rush Gravel Grinder sees bicyclists from all around compete in a 120-mile race on gravel for a cash prize.

• Fairfield Treasure Hunt Weekend in the summer draws out-of-town customers to Fairfield. Citywide garage sales happen the same weekend making Fairfield a shopping destination.

Reasons Relevant for Industry:

• We work with Fairfield High School, Maharishi School, Cardinal, Van Buren, Pekin and other local schools to connect the education system to our Members with events like Teacher Appreciation Day.

• We partner with the City and other groups to support and create those things which enhance the quality of life in Fairfield. Those events and programs help attract people to live and work here, as well as stay.

• The Chamber hosts the annual Manufacturers Appreciation Luncheon at the Fairfield Golf and Country Club.

There is so much the Chamber does and it changes daily. We are what our members need. If we can answer those needs through our staff or Board, we do. If we can’t, we find an expert to come in and support them. Next time you’re around downtown, stop and see us at 204 West Broadway, or visit our website at www.FairfieldIowa.com We have great friendly staff and a wall full of maps and other information that will help you find all the hidden treasures in the Fairfield area!