(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Matt Williams, HGR’s CMO and Euclid Chamber of Commerce board member)
Last fall, I was approached by the Euclid Chamber of Commerce and asked if I would be willing to serve on the chamber’s board of directors. I had previously had the pleasure of interacting with several members of the chamber’s board in the lead-up to the dedication of Nickel Plate Station, the industrial park owned by the ownership group of HGR Industrial Surplus and the home of HGR’s business for the past 18 years. I was honored to be asked to serve on the board, and I readily agreed.
As chief marketing officer at HGR, we have just recently completed a redesign of our website using the WordPress content management system platform. Word got out about my Web development background, and I offered to redevelop the chamber’s website at www.euclidchamber.com. One of the key considerations in deciding to use WordPress was the platform’s massive user platform and the fact that it is so highly extensible, meaning that there are thousands of readily available plugins and extensions for nearly every conceivable purpose to enhance the functionality of the site. It also is accessible to non-programmers, which was attractive to Sheila Gibbons, the chamber’s very capable executive director.
Several features of the new website include the integration of a member management plugin, an event calendar, the ability to accept online payment for chamber events, and an online blog. The chamber is optimistic that a more professional online presence will signal to prospective new members that the Euclid Chamber is active in the community and working hard in pursuit of the interests of local businesses. A strong chamber of commerce is critical to business growth and success in the community, and the strength of the chamber depends upon a robust and active membership.
HGR is proud to be a member of the Euclid Chamber of Commerce, and I am honored to serve on the chamber’s board of directors. I am optimistic that this new website will help lead to an expansion of our membership as we work hard to support Euclid’s business community.