Chamber Hits Record Membership

The good news just keeps on rolling for the Crawfordsville | Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Stacy Sommer and Assistant Director, KyLee Risner, along with the Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber Ambassadors, and active members, just announced that membership has surpassed 400 active memberships. That is an increase of more than 120 over the span of two-and-a-half years since Sommer and new leadership came on board in 2022.

“I am so excited about the growth of membership and attendance at events,” Sommer said. “When I accepted this job, two of my goals were to help the members feel the value of their membership and to connect the Hispanic-owned businesses with the non-Hispanic businesses to become a united business community. I believe the growth shows that the members are feeling the value, the word is spreading, and the Hispanic-owned businesses are feeling the support and connected. This all makes me so happy to see our community come together networking and supporting each other, which in turn promotes their businesses resulting in a vibrant business community. “

The membership is growing with local organizations and businesses. It is also expanding the economic and commerce reach outside of Montgomery County. The Chamber now represents 10 counties. Members are driving from as far as Indianapolis to come to monthly events. Another exciting addition is bridging the gap with Hispanic-owned and non-Hispanic businesses bringing everyone together as one business community. Sommer is fluent in Spanish and involved with the Hispanic community. Under her leadership, the Chamber has grown to include 10 Hispanic-owned businesses.

One of the greatest values in a Chamber membership is the ability to network and make connections with peers, organizations, and business owners across the community. At regular monthly events, attendance has grown exponentially, with Breakfast Before Business averaging over 60 members per month. There, each attendee has the opportunity to introduce themselves and share updates or needs within their organization. The after-hours networking event, Business Buzz, boasts 30+ members for a casual gathering at a local venue that includes a door prize. Both networking events are highlighted with a popular business card collage to showcase member attendance.

“A chamber membership is such a great way to promote organizations,” Sommer added. “With the attendance at events being high, the social media presence, opportunity to provide business flyers in our monthly newsletter, and sponsorship recognition, I would encourage anyone wanting to promote their business, to join today!”

Major events hosted have also seen substantial growth, with the Chamber Bowling Night expanding from eight teams in 2022 to two separate sessions with 32 total teams this year. The Award Banquet, that honors the accomplishments of our members, now hosts over 200 people for an evening of camaraderie and celebration. These events create exposure for businesses through sponsorships and valued connections across our community. As attendance at each events continues to grow, sponsorships and networking are an added value that benefits Chamber members for promoting their organizations. 

With each event and networking opportunity, the Chamber fulfills its mission to advance a vibrant business community. The Chamber is a not-for-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, including President, Skylar Stevenson from Stevenson’s Hardware, Stevenson Realty, and Superior Moving and Storage; Vice President, Austin Earl from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; Treasurer, Tara Miller from Tri-County Bank & Trust; Secretary, Kim Keeling from Lakeside Book Company; Jordan Burkett from Hoosier Heartland State Bank; Natalie Pribble, from Walmart Optical Lab; Eric Dunaway from Wabash College; Kyle Brown from The Fountain Trust Company; Gina Haile from United Way of Montgomery County; Chuy Murillo from Acuity Brands and Blue Cactus Tacos & Tequila; Trevor Beers from Nucor; and Tyler Nichols from Taylor, Minnette, Schneider, and Clutter.