Effort is a partnership among Walworth County chambers
By Kate Abbe
Contributor
Walworth County has six acting chambers, a visitors’ bureau and an economic alliance organization that help provide support and resources to over 1,000 businesses. This number continues to grow as business owners find value in partnering with organizations that have their best interests in mind.
The primary roles of a chamber organization are to offer businesses visibility, advocacy, networking, growth, partner discounts, and credibility. Chambers may execute these tasks differently but with the same intention: partnership. When the output of effort is shared between the chamber and their business partners, great things happen in their local communities.
While chambers work independently serving their local businesses and hosting a variety of events, they also band together to create an internal support system for one another.
“Chamber to chamber activities have continued to equip chamber directors like myself and our staff to come together and sync efforts that have helped maintain and encourage businesses largely impacted by the pandemic. From monthly zooms to outdoor coffee klatches, we’ve been able to strengthen each other and work together through these difficult months,” said Sara Sekeres, of the Delavan Chamber.
She said these ongoing interactions have created space for chambers to explore new efforts that will be meaningful to those they serve including “our business partners and the communities where we live, work and play.”
One example of a new effort put forth by the countywide chambers is the Take Care Challenge.
“Support comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. As chamber leaders, we understand that we not only commit to supporting the business entity, but the men and women who operate those businesses,” said Chris Clapper, of the Elkhorn Chamber.
“This initiative is intended to act as a reboot for those who need a mental and physical jumpstart,” she said.
It is not always easy to gauge what one person needs in comparison to the individual sitting across the table from them. With a three-part challenge focusing on Mind, Body & Heart, the chambers are confident everyone will benefit from a manifold of activities.
This month-long challenge will offer chamber partners and community members alike daily reminders related to personal wellbeing. Not only is this beneficial to the individual, but it also helps to highlight the resources and services that exist here in our county via our business partners and the many community agencies located in Walworth County.
Belle Carbonara joined the Walworth County Visitors Bureau early last year as the bureau’s public relations and community outreach manager. Early on in Carbonara’s role, she had to quickly adapt to the changing climate that accompanied a pandemic.
“It’s really exciting to be able to connect with our members in a new way and have the opportunity to give back and encourage our surrounding communities,” she said.
The challenge will be held during the month of February. The first couple of days of the challenge are as follows:
- Feb. 1, Mind – learn more about what it takes to create a dementia friendly community with the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative; Body – relax your entire body with a 10-minute meditation courtesy of Four Lakes Athletic Club; Heart – become a mentor to a youth in need by volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters;
- Feb. 2, Mind – take five minutes to focus on your breathing and clear your mind; Body – join the Jefferson/Walworth County Ice Age Trail Alliance for a daily hike at 4 p.m.; Heart – order a Balloon Buddy for #AdoptAGrandparent.
Any Walworth County businesses or local organizations that have a service or resource that can benefit those taking part in the Take Care Challenge are asked to contact Carbonara at belle@visitwalworthcounty.com
Information will also be available on Facebook at Take Care Challenge and be distributed weekly in newsletters and social media posts.
Kate Abbe is on staff at the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
