Featured Member Program

The opportunity to be a Featured Member on our website is offered to all member businesses.  Featured members are selected in a random drawing held monthly at the Board of Directors meeting (2nd Tuesday monthly.) Every member has an equal chance to be chosen.  Once featured, members may be eligible for another Featured Member article in 12 months.

The feature will be a highlighted block on the front page of the website, with a link to the complete article on it's own page.  The featured member will remain in that position for at least 30 days.  Articles should focus on the business's history (both in and out of the Gatesville community), overview of products or services offered, and any other information about the member.  If at all possible, include something directly or indirectly about the local people who help make the local business/organization a success.  Articles submitted may be subject to an abbreviated version being rendered. 

Submission guidelines:  Articles must be submitted to the Chamber two weeks prior to publishing date. Article should be in MS Word, PDF, or .txt format. If photos are to be included with the article,  they should be in JPG, EPS, TIF, or GIF format.  Any picture not digitally rendered should be hand-carried to the Chamber for scanning. 

We're proud of our members and want to show it!

Special Event Ceremonies

One of the most exciting events for a business, whether new or existing, is celebrating a grand opening, anniversary, a recent achievement, or a business milestone.  Consider hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony or a Business After Hours Mixer if your business:

These events are an important part of your overall marketing and advertising plan and a great way to kick-off a grand opening of a business. They offer an opportunity to meet key leaders in the community and get acquainted with your neighbors and Chamber leaders.  The Gatesville Chamber of Commerce offers members assistance in the planning and preparation of these events. Together, we can garner optimum exposure for your business.  There is no charge for Chamber involvement - it’s a value-added benefit of your Chamber membership.

Scheduling your event should take place a minimum of three - four weeks ahead of the event to allow time to invite members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the Ambassadors, City and County dignitaries, and chamber members (for business after hours.)  Plan your event far enough in advance to allow attendees to respond and mark their calendars.  Avoid scheduling your event when most people have plans (5:00 p.m. on a Friday) or commitments (before 9:00 a.m. many are getting youngsters off to school.)  You should send invitations with a map to family, friends, customers, prospective customers, and neighboring businesses.

Junior Ambassador Program

The purpose of the Junior Ambassador Program is to encourage teenagers to become active in Chamber and community events.  In addition, as Junior Ambassadors, students will have a chance to learn more from one-on-one contact with the business community, while fulfilling their community service requirements. 

Junior Ambassadors will be selected on or after the beginning of each Chamber year – January through December.  Junior Ambassadors will be charged with these responsibilities:

• Serve as official greeting service for the Chamber of Commerce, its committees, and the City of Gatesville, to visiting dignitaries as requested. 
• Assist the Chamber in the organization and fulfillment of it’s funds-raising activities such as:  Shivaree, Business Showcase, Haunted House, Membership Banquet, Christmas Programs 
• Mentor incoming Junior Ambassadors.
• Investigate ways to further the Chamber’s involvement with local schools to enhance students’ knowledge of the business community and the skills necessary to become successful employees and business leaders. 
• Support a retail “Teacher Appreciation Week” and consider other activities for teacher appreciation. 
• Participate in a job-shadowing program to spend time observing local businesses.
• Serve as a link between the business community and the education system. Assist in implementing programs designed to enhance the relationship between business, industry, educators, and students within the school system.
• Conduct goodwill trips to Chamber Members as requested.

A “Junior Ambassador of the Year” is selected and an award presented at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Banquet.   The Chamber of Commerce may award an annual “Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassador Scholarship.”   The scholarship program is open to active Junior Ambassadors by application.  Download an scholarship application  or contact the chamber for more information.

2009 Junior Ambassador officers are:

• Karli Snively,  President
• Tyler Jaynes, Treasurer
• Sara Nichols, Recording Secretary
• Kati Allison, Communications Officer

Get involved – it’s FUN!  Download an Junior Ambassador application (above) or contact the chamber for more information on this active community action program.

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES

Chamber ambassadors conduct ribbon cutting ceremonies.  You will have the opportunity to say a few words about your business and introduce your associates.  The Chamber will help you make things go as smoothly as possible by:

• Inviting the Chamber’s Board of Directors, City and County Dignitaries to attend your ribbon cutting.
• Putting you in touch with other Chamber members that can provide catering, deli, and beverage services.
• Bringing the giant scissors, a beautiful ribbon, and coordinating photos.
• Including the photo and caption of your ribbon cutting for thirty days advertising on the Chamber website www.gatesvilletx.info, and a photo with caption announcing your business opening in the Gatesville Messenger.

People generally anticipate spending no more than about a half hour at a ribbon cutting ceremony, so plan an event agenda accordingly.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS MIXERS

Business After Hours are more social, less structured, and last longer than ribbon cutting ceremonies.  Generally scheduled for approximately an hour and a half evening hours, attendees will arrive shortly after normal working hours.  The Chamber will help you make things go as smoothly as possible by:

• Inviting the Chamber’s Board of Directors, City and County Dignitaries, and all chamber members to attend your event.
• Putting you in touch with other Chamber members that can provide catering, deli, and beverage services.
• Including photo(s) of the event on the Chamber website www.gatesvilletx.info, and coordinate photo coverage by the Gatesville Messenger, when possible.

Because this is your event, there are no set guidelines. What follows is an assembly of things you can do to help plan either a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony or a Business After Hours.

What Should I Serve?
Providing time-appropriate refreshments is very well received. For example, bagels and juice are a nice touch for 9:00 a.m. Keep in mind that folks attending a noon event are spending their lunch hour with you and 5:00 p.m. is almost dinner time.
· Prepare your own
· Hire a caterer
· Champagne, wine, soft drinks, juices
· Hors d’oeuvres, finger-foods

How can I promote my business to persons attending?
· Drawings or door prizes
· Certificates or coupons
· Giveaways – promotional materials
· Collateral materials: cards, brochures, literature

Where do I want to “stage” the official photo for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony?
· Choose a location/props
· Who will be in the picture?
· Should we take other pictures for marketing materials?
· Should we video the event?

What kind of event agenda should I plan?
· Tours of your business;
· Speeches;
· Entertainment;
· Refreshments.

Contact the Chamber on this website or call 254-865-2617 for more information.