Ask Kay Keller, President of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, the secret to the success of her organization, and she’ll tell you that, in many ways, it’s practically an art trying to get everyone on the same song sheet. “However, our secret is our great volunteer effort in Oconee County. We have Chamber members and a citizenry that believe in the greater good of our community. We have a collaborative group of individuals that complete each other’s strengths.” 

For example, sponsor members and the public are pitching in together to organize and celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Oconee Fall Festival on October 18^th in downtown historic Watkinsville.  This one-day arts and crafts festival features 250 craft and food vendors that draw about 20,000 visitors each year. It’s a family event with something for everyone, says Keller. 

On a related note, another innovative initiative Keller points to is that the Chamber and the Oconee Economic Development office have worked together to develop a “Business of Art” program, a series that will be held in collaboration with the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF).  It will address the business side of running a company centered around art and is open to anyone in the community who would like to participate. “We focus on small business development as well as existing industry support in our area, and since we have a very thriving arts community in Oconee County, this program fills a need. Participants will discuss marketing, business plans, social media and financials and will meet one evening a month for four months beginning in the fall.” 

The art of negotiating with members falls upon the shoulders of the Chamber’s team of “Ambassadors.” Their role is to visit potential associates with New Member Packets.  They attend new member orientations and serve as the faces at Chamber events, such as “AM Exchange,” one of the most popular and successful programs. AM Exchange is a monthly event that allows the attendees a captive audience who are there to learn about the business members and their offerings.  The Ambassadors greet people with a smile and make everyone feel welcome. In addition, they contact members prior to their renewal dates to see be sure that they are being served with what they require from the Chamber. 

Another key event sponsored by the Oconee Chamber is the annual Business Expo, traditionally held one afternoon in April.  Each year, a special-themed promotion for the Expo attracts hundreds of attendees to visit approximately 60 vendor booths.  Once again, the objective is to create an atmosphere for business-to-business networking, as well as to make it an event that’s also beneficial to the general community. 

Keller notes another example of how her organization provides a significant benefit to both the citizens and businesses of Oconee County: taking a stand on referendum issues. The Chamber has been supportive of citizens and establishments who wanted the Board of Commissioners to consider approval to allow residents the opportunity to vote on liquor by the drink in restaurants. On Tuesday, August 5^th, the Board of Commissioners voted to allow this issue to be placed as a referendum on the November 2014 ballot. 

When asked what new members and businesses have recently moved to the county and joined the Chamber, Keller answered, “We have a lot of retail and medical facilities growth happening in the 316/Epps Bridge Road area. Some of these are new businesses altogether and some are relocations from within the area. 

Having been involved with the Oconee Chamber for 15 years as a volunteer prior to serving as the Chamber President, and having grown up in the area, Keller has a strong dedication to the success of the county. “I have seen a tremendous growth and change in our community. This, in my opinion, has been the result of the art of well planned growth.”   

For more information, visit the Oconee Chamber of Commerce web site at http://www.oconeechamber.org, or to reach Kay Keller, you can email her at [email protected].

About John Tabellione

John Tabellione is an award-winning, professional business writer, complemented by over twenty-five years of strategic communication responsibilities as a Marketing, New Business Development and National Account Sales Executive in consumer goods and commercial industries. 

Experience with Fortune 500 companies, as well as with smaller firms and non-profits, encompassing a variety of products, including those of Georgia-Pacific, Kimberly-Clark and Stanley Works. 

John has a B.A. in English from Fairfield University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Hartford. In addition, he has studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute at Syracuse University, and Italian language and culture at Kennesaw State University.