• Hours:  Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WASHINGTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
  • 323 W Main Street
    Washington, MO  63090
  • (636) 239-2715
  • [email protected]
  • aBOUT uS
  • About Us
    • Our Chamber & Community
    • Our Team
    • Job Openings
  • EVENTS
    • Community Calendar
      • Submit an Event
    • Annual Banquet
    • Business Breakfast
    • Cajun Night
    • Casino Night
    • Government Forum
    • Fake Paddy's Day Pub Crawl
    • Golf Tourney
    • Music at the Market
    • Olde Fashioned Christmas
    • Pumpkin Palooza
    • Santa on Amtrak
    • Summer Mixer
    • Business Resource Fair
  • Programs
    • Awards
    • Education Series
    • Connect Washington
    • Share & Sip
    • Soar into STEM
    • Young Professionals
  • Benefits
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join Now!
    • Board Room Rental
    • MEWA Insurance
    • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Sponsorship
    • Business Resources
  • NEWS
    • Our Blog
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE IN WASHMO
  • Sponsors
  • About Us
    • Our Chamber & Community
    • Our Team
    • Job Openings
  • EVENTS
    • Community Calendar
      • Submit an Event
    • Annual Banquet
    • Business Breakfast
    • Cajun Night
    • Casino Night
    • Government Forum
    • Fake Paddy's Day Pub Crawl
    • Golf Tourney
    • Music at the Market
    • Olde Fashioned Christmas
    • Pumpkin Palooza
    • Santa on Amtrak
    • Summer Mixer
    • Business Resource Fair
  • Programs
    • Awards
    • Education Series
    • Connect Washington
    • Share & Sip
    • Soar into STEM
    • Young Professionals
  • Benefits
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Join Now!
    • Board Room Rental
    • MEWA Insurance
    • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Sponsorship
    • Business Resources
  • NEWS
    • Our Blog
  • DIRECTORY
  • LIVE IN WASHMO
  • Sponsors

Year In Review - Chamber

2/12/2020

 
Picture
About Us
With over 500 members and an annual operating budget of over $2 million, the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce has been ranked the second-largest chamber in the region by the St. Louis Business Journal. Our chamber, founded in 1923, has three main operating components; the Chamber Office, the Washington Town & Country Fair, and the Washington Division of Tourism. The Town & Country Fair is the third-largest fair in the state, bringing five days of fun and entertainment to Washington every August.  In 1999, a lodging tax was created, with proceeds going specifically towards marketing Washington as a tourist destination. The Director of Tourism has been employed by the Chamber since the position was created.
Our mission is to provide services that strengthen our member businesses, and enhance the local economic climate and the quality of life of area residents.  We work toward our mission through partnerships with the City of Washington and Downtown Washington, Inc., paying attention to issues that affect the continued viability of existing local businesses, and attracting new business and expansion to the area.  Community events are provided, in addition to our business networking and development events, to enhance the area's spirit of community, and we're proud to actively support the efforts of other organizations to do the same. 


A Look Back at 2019
The past year has been a great one for building momentum at the Chamber!  We've expanded a program and built a few others to strengthen our organization and the community for years to come.  
The Young Professionals group was re-energized this year with a new event, the Pub Crawl, and a renewed focus on networking and development events.  The group was aided by the creation of the Young Ambassadors, a joint project from the City of Washington and the Chamber, with a small leadership team tasked with developing programs/events and marketing Washington to young professionals throughout the region.  The 2019 class of Outstanding Young Professionals was recognized in October, bringing the total number of honorees over the past seven years to 90.
The theme of developing future leaders carried into a new partnership between the Chamber, YMCA, School District of Washington, and St. Francis Borgia Regional High School with the creation of the Leadership Academy of Washington.  The two-day event developed for incoming High School Juniors and Seniors was a huge success and left the planning committee ready to hit the ground running for next year's program.  The future of Washington will be in very capable hands!  **More about the Leadership Academy can be found on page 19.
Late in the year, it became clear that as a Chamber, we simply must do more to support and recognize our members.  A robust plan was developed to ensure each member has a specific staff contact at the office, and staff has been charged with reaching out to their members multiple times each year - asking for feedback, ensuring chamber records are up-to-date, and making sure members know they are important to and appreciated by our organization.  The program was implemented toward the end of the year, and will continue to be expanded in future years.

2019 Membership Events Included:
Business Breakfast Meeting
Government Forum
Banquet
Ladies' Golf Day
Summer Mixer
Member Luncheon
Part-Time Job Fair
Winter Mixer

2019 Community Events Included:
Music at the Market series
Cajun Festival
Fair Kick-off Party
Pumpkin Palooza (canceled this year due   to weather)
Olde Fashioned Christmas


Looking Forward to 2020 and Beyond
Building on the successes for the Young Professionals group and Leadership Academy of Washington are priorities for 2020.  Building up the next generation of leaders is vital to Washington's continued success.  We'll also be focusing on recognizing our members, and providing more benefits to them.  Members that celebrated milestone membership anniversaries in the past year will be recognized at the Business Breakfast Meeting (new members, 5-year anniversaries), Banquet (25-, 30-, and 40-year anniversaries, plus the newly created "Chairman's Circle" for 50-year anniversaries), and Summer Mixer (10- and 20-year anniversaries).  2020 will also see the re-launch of an Education Series for members.  Events will be held over lunch in the Chamber Boardroom and will include a meal, brief networking time, and an educational presentation.  The first session was held in January with 25 participants, who gave very positive feedback and were grateful to see the program offered.  Future topics were selected based on results from a member survey and will include:
  • Motivating Employees
  • Hiring & Retaining Quality Employees
  • Networking Skills
  • Business Plans
  • Marketing Plans
  • Google Tools
  • Social Media

A Closer Look at Some of Our Projects

Washington Town & Country Fair

We had an amazing year celebrating our 90th Fair with fairgoers young and old, who all enjoyed five jam-packed days of fun, food, and friends!  Our board prides itself on providing something for everyone, including concerts, motorsports events, shows, exhibits, and the can't-miss Brewfest & Wing-Ding.  At the end of the year, we were proud and humbled to see our local economic impact top $1 million dollars for the 18th consecutive year. It is our great honor to organize the Fair with the help of our sponsors, and we look forward to providing a great community event for many years to come.

Washington Farmers' Market
For over 20 years, our market has offered something for everyone.  Open Saturday mornings, April - October, the market is host to more than 40 vendors selling local plants and produce, meat, eggs, jams & jellies, and baked goods.  Crafters selling their handmade items have also found a home at the market, offering charming and unique items.  The beautifully renovated historic building with pavilion guarantees customers will be covered, rain or shine at 317 West Main Street in Downtown Washington, Missouri.  The Sprouts Kids Club, started in 2017, attracts children and families to the market and encourages participants (ages 3-10) to pick out and purchase their own fruits and veggies with their very own market money, earned by checking in each week!

Washington Division of Tourism
Washington has small town charm and big city amenities…offering both downhome and uptown experiences. 
Washington can be your hub for both the Hermann and Augusta Wine Trails. With dozens of wineries to choose from, there is no doubt that you will find one to fall in love with. 
Whether you choose a quick day-trip or decide to make a weekend out of it, be sure to visit our lively downtown district with shops that will appeal to everyone! All four seasons can be enjoyed to the fullest with Washington’s landscaping and cleanliness; so, bring your camera to capture the beauty that is Washington. 
Getting here is easy by car, or train.  Amtrak stops four times daily.  Step-on guided tours are available for bus groups and our own tour bus (available for 6-14 passengers) may also be scheduled for a group coming in by train or car.


​For more information...
​
Jennifer Giesike, CFE
President / CEO/ Fair Manager

Amanda Griesheimer, CFE
​Marketing Director


Emily Underdown
Tourism Director


Tammy Adragna
Bookkeeper


Cheryl Quennoz
Event Coordinator


Brittany Reed
​Projects Assistant
Chamber Office
323 W Main Street
Washington, MO  63090
(636) 239-2715
www.washmochamber.org

www.washmofair.com
www.washmomarket.com

​
Visitor Center
301 W. Front Street
Washington, MO  63090
888-7WASHMO
www.visitwashmo.com

Comments are closed.

    More from the Blog...

    All
    Ask The Expert
    Chamber Centennial
    Chamber Events
    Franklin Co Bicentennial
    Insight Magazine
    Member Events
    Member Features
    Member News
    Member Resources
    News
    Ribbon Cuttings
    Seminars
    Young Professionals

    Archives

    April 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    May 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016

    RSS Feed


OUR MISSION: 
The Chamber brings businesses together to provide leadership in supporting services and programs that enhance the economic and educational opportunities to improve the quality of life for all.
​
OUR VISION:
​
Connecting businesses to build a better community.
OUR VALUE FOCUS:
​
Strengthening Business, Bettering the Local Economic Climate, Enhancing the Quality of Life, Promoting Growth
Picture

COMMUNITY ​EVENTS

Community Calendar
    **Submit an event!
​Music at the Market
Olde Fashioned Christmas
Pumpkin  Palooza
Cajun Festival
Golf Tourney

NETWORKING ​EVENTS

Annual Banquet
Business Breakfast
​Member Luncheon
Summer Mixer
​Winter Mixer

MEMBERSHIP

Join the Chamber
Benefits of Membership
Sponsorship Opportunities
Business Resources
Awards
​Get Involved
Connect Washington Partnership
​​Young Professionals

NEWS

Our Blog
Member News
Job Openings

​​MEMBER LOG-IN

Privacy/Refund Policies
© 2018 Washington Area Chamber of Commerce