ARTICLE
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Iannelli and his staff enjoyed a picnic Friday at a park in Hellertown — a sort of celebration to end the fiscal year. Come next June, chamber staff might celebrate at Pocono Raceway or Bushkill Falls or another touristy spot in the Pocono Mountains. This week, according to Iannelli, the chamber board unanimously approved a two-year affiliation with the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, six months after the two groups agreed to a trial partnership. The Lehigh Valley board also approved a six-month trial marriage with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. It means the Lehigh Valley chamber by early 2019 could expand by two counties and about 575 members, Iannelli said. The two Pocono-area chambers are expected to merge with Lehigh Valley’s affiliate in Carbon County to form a “northern tier” of the Valley’s group. “We have a business model that works for the 21st century,” Iannelli said. “Hopefully, we can transfer that to these organizations.” For years, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber has extended territorially and by organizing various business councils and groups such as Hispanics, African-Americans and the LGBT community. Its footprint has extended from Allentown across the Lehigh Valley and into Warren County, N.J. In extending the boundaries north, Lehigh Valley chamber officials have initiated an affiliation, thanks to Route 33, with large businesses such as international pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur and a proposed new tourism development. It’s been nearly a year since Greater Lehigh Valley began exploring a northern expansion, first with Stroudsburg-based Greater Pocono chamber. Both northern chambers have been struggling. Greater Pocono chamber’s membership dropped from 1,500 to 500 in the past decade, according to George Roberts, the group’s chairman. Both Pocono and Pike chambers would keep their names and remain autonomous, officials said. Greater Lehigh Valley will, for a monthly fee, provide both groups with services such as networking events and marketing seminars. Roberts, who notified members Thursday of the deal, said the alliance with Lehigh Valley will give business owners access to more services. He said the Pocono board members saw how the Lehigh Valley operates up close. After two Pocono chamber workers retired halfway through the six-month trial, Lehigh Valley chamber staff filled in seamlessly, he said. With Lehigh Valley chamber’s help, the Pocono group plans to establish a “Young Professionals Council” and re-establish a committee covering the Brodheadsville area known as the West End, he said. Officials say Lehigh Valley is the seventh largest chamber in the U.S., and the addition of 750 members could boost it to No. 6. Read the original article here.
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Iannelli and his staff enjoyed a picnic Friday at a park in Hellertown — a sort of celebration to end the fiscal year. Come next June, chamber staff might celebrate at Pocono Raceway or Bushkill Falls or another touristy spot in the Pocono Mountains. This week, according to Iannelli, the chamber board unanimously approved a two-year affiliation with the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, six months after the two groups agreed to a trial partnership.
The Lehigh Valley board also approved a six-month trial marriage with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. It means the Lehigh Valley chamber by early 2019 could expand by two counties and about 575 members, Iannelli said.
The two Pocono-area chambers are expected to merge with Lehigh Valley’s affiliate in Carbon County to form a “northern tier” of the Valley’s group.
“We have a business model that works for the 21st century,” Iannelli said. “Hopefully, we can transfer that to these organizations.” For years, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber has extended territorially and by organizing various business councils and groups such as Hispanics, African-Americans and the LGBT community. Its footprint has extended from Allentown across the Lehigh Valley and into Warren County, N.J. In extending the boundaries north, Lehigh Valley chamber officials have initiated an affiliation, thanks to Route 33, with large businesses such as international pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur and a proposed new tourism development.
It’s been nearly a year since Greater Lehigh Valley began exploring a northern expansion, first with Stroudsburg-based Greater Pocono chamber. Both northern chambers have been struggling. Greater Pocono chamber’s membership dropped from 1,500 to 500 in the past decade, according to George Roberts, the group’s chairman. Both Pocono and Pike chambers would keep their names and remain autonomous, officials said. Greater Lehigh Valley will, for a monthly fee, provide both groups with services such as networking events and marketing seminars. Roberts, who notified members Thursday of the deal, said the alliance with Lehigh Valley will give business owners access to more services. He said the Pocono board members saw how the Lehigh Valley operates up close. After two Pocono chamber workers retired halfway through the six-month trial, Lehigh Valley chamber staff filled in seamlessly, he said. With Lehigh Valley chamber’s help, the Pocono group plans to establish a “Young Professionals Council” and re-establish a committee covering the Brodheadsville area known as the West End, he said. Officials say Lehigh Valley is the seventh largest chamber in the U.S., and the addition of 750 members could boost it to No. 6.
Read the original article here.