Local Businesses - Chamber Opinion

When you say benefit, in what way? Does the TDC work to refer people to local businesses that may not be tourist related but certainly can and do provide services that visitors sometimes need?

I wish Walton County businesses were the focus of what once was the Walton County Chamber, but is now the Walton County Area Chamber. At least Seaside, Sandestin and major Joe properties are in Walton County. With this "The Beach" thing, etc. the focus seems to be on supporting other counties and their businesses. I would not be surprised if local companies do leave if they feel overun by outside interests. The Chamber won a national award for membership in the past. Unfortunately, perhaps in order to keep up with the numbers game, too many outside county companies were recruited.

I just feel like they have lost touch with what South Walton is all about. Small businesses. And they have geared not only membership benefits, but activities toward the three big businesses, St. Joe, Sandestin and Seaside.

I am discouraged to keep funding a membership to something that basically ignores my needs as a small locally owned business.

More please, I would love to hear more opinions.

This is really interesting because the people in DeFuniak Springs feel the same way it seems. They have now dropped their first Friday breakfast down from monthly to just once a quarter

The Board for the Chamber is different than what Pam had. Hmmmm seems to be trouble with boards here. Local, small businesses do not get the support they need and deserve. The Focus is now on Emerald Investors, big money, and out of county.

I didn't realize that, but I am glad that I am not alone with my thoughts.



EXACTLY how I feel. The dues have doubled and there are less benefits for small businesses. I use to put teams in the Gold Tournament. I chose the Walton County because it was affordable for a small business to sponsor teams, rather than the MUCH more expensive Destin tournament. Now, the cost for sponsoring a team has doubled and it almost as much as the Destin one, if not a little more.

Here is a list of the Board of Directors. There is some diversity there, but maybe they are unaware of what small business are thinking?

http://www.waltoncountychamber.com/AboutTheChamber/BoardofDirectors/tabid/62/Default.aspx

I voiced my opinion a year ago and was basically hung up on. The current director had never ran an chamber when she was elected, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, she seems to be out of tune with the local "flavor" and the preservation of it.

Maybe if enough people feel the same way and will post, we can e-mail the board this thread.

More opinions please.

I too have been disappointed with the Chamber. I joined when I opened my practice and actually was involved in one of the "councils" until the time of meeting was in the middle of my day. I have gone to the "business after hours" in an attempt to network but I found it to be very cliquey...is that a word??!! Tough to mingle and network when everyone is in their own group. Anyway I think a local "Sowal Networking Group" may better benefit the local small business and those of us that depend on and appreciate word of mouth and local referrals. It could be a monthly meeting and rotate to be in different local business each month....an exchange of business cards, general introductions and brief descriptions of each persons business.
Anyone interested and/or have similar ideas???? Let me know!!!!

I am interested. I attended a network group in Destin a few times, but was not impressed. Mainly because I knew of new businesses before they did.

But, I can see a benefit in networking 30-A. I can offer something to a group, however, I think religion should be kept separate. I feel religion is a very private thing.