SFCC NEWSLETTER/May 2020
The recent stay-at-home directives have forced all of us to rethink operations. Some of us started working remotely, while others had to change the way they do business in order to keep their doors open. And there were those who had to close up shop all together.
Here at the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, plans to unveil exciting changes to our website and membership had to be postponed. The SFCC had been working for months on a new marketing option to help member businesses like you achieve smart growth and a greater recognition in the south Fairfax community.
One of our goals as a chamber for 2020 is to increase and improve our overall virtual footprint in the community. As an exclusively virtual organization since our inception more than a decade ago, we long ago staked our claim where other chambers have only recently come prospecting. With renewed vigor and some spirited volunteerism, we have worked successfully over the last few months to increase our social media presence, connecting and/or reconnecting with many of you enroute to a more engaged virtual audience and more useful and engaging virtual content. If you haven’t done so, we urge you not only to follow us on our social media channels, but also to help us help you in promoting your own virtual presence by allowing us to follow you back. Send your social media links to our Assistant Executive Director Carla Olivo at colivo@southfairfaxchamber.org.
We view your membership in the SFCC as an investment in your business. Anyone who has read this column or heard me speak at chamber events in the past several years knows that I am all about “ROI” as a powerful motivator. Return on your financial and manpower investment is the single most significant, if not always objectively quantifiable, means of justifying both membership dollars and time spent. We are here to help you achieve your business goals through your SFCC membership so we are always looking for ways to do just that.
With laser-focused, ROI-increasing intentionality, I couldn’t be more pleased with what our leadership team has developed. We are excited and poised to announce several brand-new promotional options for our current Lifetime members and new potential members. These tools for accomplishing effective online promotion and increased brand awareness in the local community will be unveiled with a virtual ‘Launch Party’ on May 15.
I trust you will see value in what we are rolling out and hope you will take advantage of all that the SFCC is offering as we collectively re-boot and re-launch ourselves -- “SFCC 2.0,” if you will! – with a primary focus on those right here close to home – a focus on you and yours and your social media path to better business. Recognizing that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and that we are not all equipped to make such a journey alone, we at the Chamber are striving to help you get through these unprecedented times and emerging better than ever.
Thomas W. Repczynski
SFCC Chairman
trepczynski@offitkurman.com
|
|
Tomorrow May 7 10 am
Not familiar with Zoom, Facebook, Twitter or other forms of Social Media?
If you don’t have a social media presence for your business, now is as good a time as ever to step up your game. Join us for a discussion on how to jump start this virtual aspect of your business marketing and why it may be vital for businesses going forward.
Social Media and the New Norm – Casey Whitmarsh (moderator) Thursday, May 7, 10a
|
|
The Importance of Networking Virtually
During the corona virus crisis, many businesses have been forced to stay connected to their customers and the larger business community virtually. On Friday, May 1 the SFCC hosted a webinar discussion on why its important to keep these connections even while we are at home. Moderator and SFCC Board member Casey Whitmarsh offered steps you can take to improve your business visibility. If you missed this webinar, you can listen to it here.
|
|
SFCC Profile
Getting to Know
Carla Olivo
The SFCC's new Assistant Executive Director Carla Olivo has spent more than a decade working and volunteering in the South Fairfax community.
She is the Content Coordinator for three local community magazines: SoCo Neighbors, Clifton Living and Neighbors of Fairfax Station. She is also a freelance journalist and social media manager. Carla is an accomplished events coordinator/meeting planner/fundraiser with solid experience working within the
non-profit and corporate sectors.
Carla comes to the SFCC after a career in television news as an anchor and general assignment reporter. She has covered many national and international events to include the Gulf War, the collapse of the Soviet Union and Hurricane Andrew.
Currently, she serves as the 1st Vice President of the South County High School PTSO and is very involved with the South County HS Swim Team, the Fish Swim Team and the Crosspointe Swim Team.
Please reach out to Carla at colivo@southfairfaxchamber.org with any questions about your membership or to connect with the Chamber on social media.
|
|
Step up your Social Media Game!
One of our goals for 2020 is to use our social media to shine a spotlight on our members, but we need your help! Please "Like and/or Follow" us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Help us to help you to market your business better. We will follow you back to help you improve your social media reach. Let's do this together!
|
|
Special Thanks
to the Laurel Hill Golf Club and the Holiday Inn Express Lorton
Our continuing thanks to Laurel Hill Golf Club, General Manager Ryan Carmen and the Holiday Inn Express of Lorton, Director of Sales Heidi Ward for offering meeting facilities free of charge to the Chamber for our monthly Board of Directors meetings and other events throughout the year.
Members considering venue options for upcoming events are encouraged to contact Ryan or Heidi to make arrangements.
|
|
Great Opportunity to Promote your Business or upcoming Event
Submit Items to SFCC Calendar
Get more exposure for upcoming events sponsored by your business or organization by submitting them to the calendar on the SFCC website. It's easy. Click on NEWS & EVENTS in the navigation bar, click CALENDAR and then EVENT SUBMISSION. Here is the direct link to the calendar on the SFCC website.
|
|
Upcoming Events
- May 7 -- Social Media & the New Norm - a complimentary SFCC webinar 10 am
- May 15 -- SFCC Launch Party! Stay Tuned!
- May 10 -- Mother's Day
- May 16 -- Armed Forces Day
- May 25 -- Memorial Day
Check out the calendar of events on our website www.southfairfaxchamber.org for more details.
|
Click here to unsubscribe.
View this email as a web page
Message sent by South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, COlivo@southfairfaxchamber.org
South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce | PO Box 68 | Lorton, VA 22199
