By B.C. Manion
Lots of changes are in the works for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.
The organization has named David R. Weis as its new director of operations and has named Christine X. Hope as it new director of sales and marketing.
Besides making these two key staffing decisions, the chamber also is getting ready to move to a new location and has shifted the dates of two of its major annual events.
After David West left as the chamber’s executive director, the organization decided to replace that job with two positions.
As director of operations, Weis will oversee the chamber’s administrative functions, while Hope handles sales, marketing and event planning.
“David has a strong IT background,” said Laura Miller, chamber president. “David is revamping all of the technology. There’s going to be a lot more Facebook and Twitter.”
As it upgrades its technological capabilities, the chamber will be offering more web advertising to its members, Miller said.
Hope had been working for the chamber as the events coordinator before being named to her new post.
When the sales and marketing position opened, Miller said she asked Hope if she had any interest in applying.
Initially, Hope wasn’t interested in pursuing the post because she had planned to open her own marketing company. But she changed her mind and decided to pursue the position.
Besides handling the sales and marketing, Hope will also be working on chamber events, Miller said.
The decision was made to divide the duties into two positions because different strengths are needed for the two positions, Miller said. However, it is essential Weis and Hope work well together, and Miller said she is confident they will.
Meanwhile, the chamber also is moving to a new location at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105, in The Grove, which includes entertainment, retail and office space.
“We’re really racing against the clock,” Miller said.
The chamber will be out of its current office by May 10 and will be into its new space on June 1. In the interim it may lease some temporary space, Miller said.
The chamber chose to move to The Grove because it is a higher-profile location and has easy access to chamber members because of its proximity to Interstate 75.
The chamber also is changing the timing of two of its major events. The health fair will be held in the fall and the winner of its Honorary Mayor contest will be announced in December.
The health fair was moved to a time of year when the weather is more pleasant, Miller said.
The slate for the Honorary Mayor will be announced at the organization’s July mixer, with the winner named at the December mixer, Miller said.
That will give the candidates a good length of time to raise money for their campaign, which is a chamber fundraiser, Miller said.
