Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce events are a great way to meet members and have fun.
The Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce was again voted the best in the North Bay by NorthBay biz readers. Chamber Executive Director Lisa Orloff says she’s super excited about the recognition from a community she truly loves. She says that a bonus for Rohnert Park is that it’s big enough to have a lot happening, but small enough to have a genuine small-town feel.
That community feeling is present in the chamber’s events, like its weekly networking luncheons and mixers. “Attendees tell us that they feel really welcome and that they feel, you know, greeted,” Orloff says. “And that’s nice because it’s not always easy to come to an event all by yourself.”
They’re on hand for the Friday Night Farmers Market in June, July and August. “We have a chamber booth with a big prize wheel and members can donate low value items like a pen, a Post-it Note with their name on it or something like that,” she says. “People love to spin the wheel and win a prize.”
There’s plenty more to set this chamber of commerce apart. Orloff takes to social media in the morning, evenings and weekends, following chamber members and putting their business posts on the chamber’s Facebook and Instagram pages to bolster their audience.
They make it as easy as possible for members to make contact for marketing to one another. They share members’ contact information and Orloff is always happy to do email introductions between chamber members. “It’s easier than just a cold call or an email from somebody,” she says.
They’ve changed their dues structure to allow for monthly payments, making it easier for member businesses to pay. “Most of our chamber members are small businesses with one to 10 employees,” Orloff says. “Our membership dues are $315 a year at that level, so it works out to just $26.25 a month.”
They teamed up with the city to present ‘May the 4th Be With You!’ on May 4—aka Star Wars Day—with a free outdoor showing of The Force Awakens along with Star Wars characters in authentic costumes at 6400 State Farm Drive.
This year the chamber also partnered with the city for its annual Summer Kickoff and BBQ on May 13. Event sponsors are highlighted with a video ad throughout the day on a 17-foot wide by 10-foot tall LED screen and another sponsorship level finds business logos appearing as well.
Perhaps this chamber’s winning combination is making big things happen within a supportive small town community.
