GWINNETT CHAMBER LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN 2.0

Second Wave of Social Media Tools to Extend the Chamber's Reach, Value, and Ability to Serve Members

Duluth, GA – The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the official launch of its social media 2.0 campaign designed to extend the Chamber's reach, value and ability to serve members more effectively and more completely than ever before. Through the Gwinnett Chamber's involvement with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the Chamber's blog, Chamber members will experience enhanced capabilities for networking, staying informed on Chamber activities, and growing their businesses.

The Chamber first began using social media in its job recruitment efforts in 2008 and has already received national recognition for its implementation of social media as an effective communication tool.

"Our economic development department has really been a pioneer in the use of social media and job creation efforts," said Gwinnett Chamber Vice President of Communications and Public Policy Demming Bass who has also served as the National Chairman for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' Communications Division. "At national conferences across the U.S. and in blogs and message boards related to our industry, the Gwinnett Chamber has been held up time and again as a model of the effective use of social media. Now we are taking it to the next level."

In a recent article by the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Gwinnett Chamber was referenced as a leader in Gwinnett in using social media tools as means to network and keep the community informed.

"When we started using social media around February 2008 – for the purpose of externally marketing Gwinnett – we could not have predicted the effect it would have," said Lisa Sherman, marketing & pr director for Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. "From heightened SEO [search engine optimization] exposure to increased attention from nationally-recognized and highly-respected media outlets like USA Today, the concept of social media has quickly become one of the important aspects to our overall marketing strategy."

The Gwinnett Chamber currently manages a LinkedIn group offering members the opportunity to connect and interact with one another in an online, professional format. The Gwinnett Chamber created a page and a group on Facebook where the business community can stay informed on the Chamber's activities, network and build relationships. Local businesses can follow the Gwinnett Chamber's blog to stay informed on issues that are relevant to their companies and in an effort to enhance the benefits of members, a Gwinnett Chamber Member News & Events Blog was also created. The Gwinnett Chamber and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development have a YouTube channel that is used as a platform to engage with members using the power of video. Finally, the Chamber is using Twitter to provide members with short, timely bytes of information impacting local businesses.

In addition to the Gwinnett Chamber Twitter account, several Gwinnett Chamber staff members have Twitter accounts providing specific information on the Gwinnett Chamber and local business activity. For up-to-date information on overall Chamber initiatives and efforts as well as public policy affecting local businesses follow Vice President of Communications and Public Policy Demming Bass. To stay informed on the Gwinnett Chamber's Economic Development activity follow Vice President of Economic Development Nick Masino, Economic Development Director of Public Relations Lisa Sherman and business development managers Melanie Brandt (Technology), Lauren Salas (Corporate Office) and Alison Nalley Starnes (Trade & Logistics). Follow Vice President of Membership Services Vince DeSilva for the latest information on Chamber member businesses. For exclusive access to the Gwinnett Chamber's Focus newsletter before it hits the newsstands follow Communications Manager Delaine Gray.

"The Gwinnett Chamber prides itself on being a progressive chamber and recognizes the importance of innovation and using a variety of tools to communicate with members, including social media," said Bass. "In addition, one of the most significant benefits that the Chamber of Commerce offers is networking. By engaging in social media the Gwinnett Chamber is able to take networking to the next level for member businesses."

For more information on the Gwinnett Chamber, visit http://www.gwinnettchamber.org/.

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BIG Expo & Job Fair Coming Aug. 20

If you haven’t heard about the BIG Expo & Job Fair yet please take one minute and tune in! The 2009 BIG Expo & Job Fair is coming up on Thursday, August 20 at the Gwinnett Center. This event has two sections. One section is the business expo where businesses and organizations showcase their product or service. The second section is a job fair where people actively searching for employment can network with companies looking to hire. As an attendee, it is an ideal place to network and form new relationships with other businesses. There are also FREE business seminars that anyone can attend. Some of the seminars this year are “Effective Prospecting In Hard Times” and “Search Engine Optimization.” This event also features a networking event called Business After Hours. This is a face to face, handshaking networking event with great food, drinks and live music. Be sure to bring your business cards! Admission is free to the entire event and you do not have to register. Just show up!

As an exhibitor at the BIG Expo & Job Fair you will EXPOse your organization to over 7,500 attendees. This is a wonderful branding opportunity and allows you to continue to get your business in front of potential clients. Exhibitors are also encouraged to attend FREE business seminars and the Business After Hours.

If you are interested in attending or exhibiting, please visit www.bigexpoandjobfair.com for more information. The 2009 BIG Expo & Job Fair is the place to be!

Welcome to the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

The Gwinnett Chamber’s vision and mission are simple – we’re about success. To help you as an individual succeed, help your company succeed and help our community succeed. That’s why our community’s motto is “Success Lives Here.” And the Chamber’s servant-leadership role in creating opportunities for success is evident in our motto, “In Business For You.” 

With more than 7,200 members and companies representing a combined employment of more than 750,000 employees and more than $200 billion in revenue, the Gwinnett Chamber is a leader in job creation and retention, community development, and in growing local businesses for Gwinnett County, metro Atlanta and the Innovation Crescent regions of Georgia.

Visit our Web site: www.gwinnettchamber.org and check out what we have to offer.