Chairman’s Corner:
A few words from Ray Bargull, Chairman of the TMCC Board of Directors

Stay connected

In these days of uncertainty as we climb out of this deep recession, it is important to remember to focus on those things most important to us.  Clearly this is a time to reinforce the bonds of friendship and family in our personal lives in order to help all of us weather this difficult storm.  But in addition to tightening those bonds, it is critical—now more than ever—to reinforce the business and commerce relationships without which we cannot be successful.   Your membership in this Chamber of Commerce is one of the best ways to do just that.

While networking with other members and business people is always a key ingredient to building our businesses—even in strong economic times—it is only one piece of the effort.  Staying informed about issues that impact us, from federal governmental changes to state and local legislative initiatives, helps all of us prepare for and work to improve upon potential regulations that can help or hinder our business successes.   The Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce constantly endeavors to keep that kind of information available to its members through a myriad of tools.  Let me just list a few:

• The website (www.tucsonchamber.org) carries information about all sorts of programs in which the Chamber  is involved that strive to improve business in this community;
• The Chamber News, an online newsletter published on the first of each month, provides the most current news and information available to Chamber members;
• Happenings, the monthly newsletter published and mailed on the 15th of each month, provides a snapshot of the information in the Chamber News and invites members to access the full stories provided in the online Chamber News;
• The Chamber’s presence on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and Linkedin provide up to the minute information to the members who follow us;
• Periodic e-blast notices advising members of upcoming events and programs;
• Over 30 events and programs annually in which important and timely insights into the workings of our community are offered;
• Close to a dozen Chamber committees and task forces that meet monthly, allowing members to roll up their sleeves and work on issues that can make the entire business community more successful.

There is no question that this community will come out of this recession.  In many ways, it will be stronger because of it.  We at the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce want to see each and every business survive and thrive.  To do that, we all must reinvest time in our personal and business relationships.  I strongly recommend that you look to your Chamber of Commerce as the best place to stay informed, stay active, and above all, “stay connected”.