Growth Is Focus for New Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce President Kurt Zende
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WHEELING -- New Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce President Kurt Zende -- on the job for little over a month -- wants to know from members what the chamber can do for them to help them better succeed.
Zende took over the office on Dec. 1, and he said life on the job has "been a whirlwind" since that time. He said so far he has been busy planning additional networking and educational opportunities for members.
The chamber's annual home and garden show won't take place this year, but he is seeking a nationally known speaker for the chamber dinner in the spring.
Zende commended the efforts of Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio -- his predecessor as chamber president -- for her leadership efforts during COVID and leaving the chamber in sound financial shape.
"But I will have more time to go into the field, meet members, and ask them what they are expecting from us," he said. "I want to know from them what role does the chamber need to play in helping your business.
"What are we doing well? What is lacking? What can we do better? I hope to get honest answers. We want to enhance the position of members, and I will ask them, 'What can we do to help you be better through us?'"
Zende said Storch was "awesome in management" matters.
"And I want to take that and enhance it," he said. "We want to bring about more chamber benefits, more networking opportunities, and more education opportunities relating to safety and workers compensation. Anything business related we want our members to have access to."
Zende said he plans to have speakers with expertise come speak with chamber members to tell "what they do and how they do it."
Zende said some chamber members don't have a human resources department, and that is one area in which the chamber can provide assistance and information.
"We also have a great chamber health care program," he said. "It's very affordable for membership."
At present, the chamber has 620 members, according to Zende.
"I would like to be over 700 within a year. I think that's a very reasonable goal," he said.
In the coming months, the chamber will be rebanding, according to Zende. A new logo is in the works, as is a new website.
"And we'll do more with the website," he said. "We will use it to get the word out to members about more member-to-member discount programs."
Zende said he also hopes the chamber can work to establish a business incubator with a staff "that can be used by anyone" as they seek to establish and grow a business.
He also hopes to foster a "spirit of cooperation" between the chamber and city of Wheeling officials, the Ohio County Commission, the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wheeling Heritage and the Regional Economic Development Group.
The chamber also wants to work with schools and universities to create a vocational curriculum. Members have expressed they need trained workers, according to Zende.
The chamber's Leadership Wheeling Program kicks off Jan. 18, and is scheduled to take place at the Roxby Development facility -- previously known as the Scottish Rite Cathedral in East Wheeling. Eighteen are expected to take place in the program, which takes place on Tuesday mornings over a 15-week period.
The chamber's home show typically takes place in the spring.
"We aren't going to have a home show this year. The timing and logistics weren't there," Zende said. "The dates WesBanco had for us weren't conducive. We like to have it in March so members in the construction business can get the word out and get projects set up for spring. It will be back in 2023."
The chamber's annual dinner will likely take place in late April, according to Zende.