From left: Jeremy Holley of Apex Communications, Randall Vaughn of CenturyLink, Chamber of Commerce director Billye Everett, chamber of commerce receptionist Teddi Samples, Sen. Bobby Glover (D-Carlisle), Teresa Durham of All for Pets; Cabot Fire Chief Phil Robinson and Lonoke County Judge Charlie Troutman attended Cabot Christmas After Hours recently. The event is hosted by the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.
Despite the downturn in the economy, the Cabot Chamber of Commerce is calling 2009 a successful year.
“We sponsored and held 41 grand openings and five groundbreakings this year and ended the year with 380 members,” chamber director Billye Everett said in her end of year report to members.
“By all accounts, it was a busy and successful year,” Everett said. “We tried hard to educate our citizens on the many reasons they needed to spend their dollars at home. We think it is working.”
In addition to hosting special events and attending events to promote Cabot, the staff at the Cabot Chamber of Commerce fills
its work days with these activities:
It provides community and member information to the public.
It continually creates and designs ads to promote Cabot.
It acts as the front door to the Cabot community.
It creates informational packets with member information to newcomers upon request.
It updates the electronic sign with community and member information.
It acts as a support team for the Advertising and Promotion Commission and as a referral agency for chamber members.
It designs and continually updates “A Guide to Cabot” that includes, dining, lodging and entertainment opportunities.
A monthly breakdown of the year’s highlights includes these activities and accomplishments:
January: four new members, one grand opening and the annual membership banquet with 275 in attendance.
February: 10 new members, farewell dinner for Brig. Gen. Wayne Schatz at Little Rock Air Force Base and the opening ceremonies for the Ladies NCAA Invitational Bowling Tournament held at AllFam Bowling Center, where 100 goody bags containing a map to restaurants were distributed.
March: eight new members, six grand opening, one ground breaking and area Realtors to design a community/real estate information booklet specifically targeted for the new employees of the Caterpillar plant to be located in North Little Rock and the new Hewlett Packard plant to be located in Conway.
April: seven new members, three grand openings, two groundbreakings and two meetings to discuss marketing Cabot.
May: six new members, five grand opening and meeting to discuss promotional ad in Living in Arkansas magazine.
June: three new members, five grand openings and two meetings to discuss promoting Cabot.
July: five new members, five grand openings and the reception for the opening of the railroad overpass.
August: three new members, six grand openings, luncheon for new teachers in the Cabot School District, and dinner for the Highway Commission where retiring state Sen. Bobby Glover (D-Carlisle) was recognized.
September: seven new members, two grand openings, meeting in Lonoke with Gov. Mike Beebe to discuss economic development, meeting with Thoma and Thoma, the firm that was awarded the contract to promote Cabot, and preparation for CabotFest.
October: five new members, two grand openings and meeting with program coordinator of Arkansas Hospitality Association Inc. to discuss Cabot’s participation in the Welcome to Arkansas program and CabotFest.
November: nine new members, three grand openings, planning meetings for Christmas Extravaganza and meeting with Central Arkansas Planning and Development District to discuss economic recovery strategies.
December: four new members, two grand openings, Christmas tree lighting/Christmas Extravaganza, holiday business after hours and information center for Cabot Christmas Parade