Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce

Services & Referrals:

The Chamber's business services are limited only to your needs...so please use them. Here are a few of the many benefits we have to offer:

Daily referrals in person and by telephone
Free one year subscription to the Wyoming Business Report
Bulk mailing rates available
Meeting rooms available at no fee
Free internet listing and link to your website from Chamber’s website
1 free set of Chamber member mailing labels per year; additional sets $25.00 for chamber members
Free advertising available in monthly newsletters (Focus on Business) via inserts
Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening and Ground Breaking Ceremonies offered
Monthly informative newsletter including calendar of events
Economic updates and indicators in Focus on Business
Voice of small businesses on county committees and representation by Board of Directors, Chamber CEO, and staff at numerous community and business meetings
Largest community ticket sales outlet in southwest Wyoming
New member updates in Focus on Business
Relocation packages sent to prospective clients, employees and industries as requested
Advertising available on City of Rock Springs marquee—1 free ad upon joining Chamber
Posting of community events on the year-at-a-glance calendar available to the public, on the internet and in our office
Press releases sent to media on upcoming events
Update on legislative issues and other important issues that affect Sweetwater County and Wyoming
Host and co-host various seminars, programs, workshops and luncheons
Seminar information posted in newsletter; possible discounts and participation through Chamber.
Lobby for our members on both city and state issues
Develop and promote tourism to our area (Wild Horse Loop Scenic Byway, Flaming Gorge, Mountain Bike Trails, Historic Trails)
Offer a countywide gift certificate program
Host public forums
Provide networking opportunities for members (Ribbon Cuttings, Business After-Hours, Luncheons)
Act as Goodwill Ambassadors for the community
Sponsor the county wide Business Recognition Gala Awards Ceremony
Involved in many community events, including the Holiday Parade, International Day, Wyoming’s Big Show, and the Red Desert Roundup Rodeo, Adopt-A-Tree Program
Chamber coordinates regional shopping promotions during the holidays
Sponsor of the Sweetwater County Leadership Program

Networking and Contacts:

Monthly membership luncheons
Business cards and fliers displayed at Chamber office twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
Nine active Chamber committees with committee seats available
Yearly Sweetwater County Awards Recognition Banquet promotes and recognizes Chamber business
Co-sponsor of Business Day the Legislature with Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Executives
Voice of Business for Rock Springs to the Wyoming Business Council
Voice for Chamber members on local and state boards (i.e. SWEDA, City of Rock Springs Marketing Committee, State Tourism Board)

Tourism Development and Promotion:

Chamber lobby open 24 hours a day, fully stocked with maps and information about the surrounding area
Chamber visitor count is over 35,000 in Rock Springs
Voice to the State Division of Tourism
Active partner to local Sweetwater Joint Travel and Tourism Board
Tourism & Convention Committee promotes tourism and convention within the county
Liaison for County Fair Board and Red Desert Round-up Rodeo
Chamber assists and prepares packets for conventions year round (over 1,780 packets sent out in 2007)
The Rock Springs Chamber represents the county and city at various tourism and travel shows
Brochure Racks in place at 60 different locations in Rock Springs from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend

Community and Quality of Life:

Chamber has administered the Gift Certificate “Shop Local” program for 15 years with more than $550,000 issued in 2007—all revenue generated goes back into local economy
We encourage our members to join in various projects which enhance the quality of life in our community (i.e. City Council Public Forum, promoting the passage of Lodging Tax, Southwest Resource Rendezvous, the Adopt-A-Tree program, Wyoming’s Big Show and Red Desert Rodeo, Lighted Holiday parade, International Day, City Planter Program)
Rock Springs Rocks Program: a welcoming service offered to Chamber member’s employees
Monthly Membership Luncheons offer community members a chance to familiarize each other with current programs, businesses and issues in Rock Springs and Sweetwater County

Open House & Ribbon Cuttings:

The Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce provides these services to all Chamber members. The Chamber provides materials necessary for an open house, places article in the Focus on Business, posts event on the calendar of events and marquee billboard whenever possible, and contacts local newspapers and mayor for media coverage.
Please contact the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce a minimum of 30 days in advance to book your open house, ground breaking or ribbon cutting so that it may be better publicized. The business is responsible for the food, beverages, any door prizes, tours of the business, and any advertising done on the radio, television, and newspapers or mailings sent. The Chamber provides notification to the Internationals, local newspapers and Chamber members, and also provides the scissors and ribbon for ribbon cuttings.

2008 Board of Directors:
Effective July, 2007
The Board of Directors meets the 4th Thursday of the month, 7:00 a.m. in the Chamber of Commerce Board Room.

Russell Kirlin, President
Questar Gas Company
Russ.kirlin@questar.com
Phone: 352-7701
Fax: 352-7333
Margaret Gibbens, Vice President
North Side State Bank
jomargibbens@msn.com
Phone: 362-5601
Dr. Dave Kathka, VP for International Affairs
dkathka@sweetwaterhsa.com
Phone: 382-2093
Tammy Goich, Treasurer
VECO USA, Inc.
Tammy.goich@veco.com
Phone: 382-3344
Fax: 382-1072
Jeff Strange, Director
Encana
jeffstrange@encana.com
Phone: 389-5164
John MacDonald, Director
BLM
John-macdonald@blm.gov
Phone: 352-0238
Fax: 352-0329
George Stephen III, Director
Currant Creek Cattle Co.
currentcreekranch@starband.com
Phone: 354-8639
Denise Staley, Director
Taco Time
office@tacotimewy.com
Phone: 362-9678
Craig Nelson, Director
Rocky Mountain Power
Phone: 352-5202
Fax: 352-5223
Laurie Watkins, Director
Western Wyoming Community College
Phone: 382-1647
Becky Costantino, Director
Brokerage Southwest
Phone: 362-1275
Fax: 362-6169
Lisa Tarufelli, Director
City of Rock Springs
Phone: 353-1500
Justin Spicer, Ex-Officio
Western Wyoming Beverages
Justin.spicer@wwbev.com
Phone: 362-6332
Fax: 362-6335
Alicia Gray, Youth Director
Rock Springs High School
lil_alicia_69@hotmail.com
Phone: 362-1604

Chamber Staff Members:

CEO – Dave Hanks
Membership Services – Cathy Berg
Communication Specialist – Morgan Hurley
Information Coordinator — Elena Monteleone
Finances - Sue Caudell

Chamber Plans for the Future:

Increase Board Leadership/Increase Membership/ Build Collective Empowerment of Members

Goal: Provide affordable insurance for Chamber membership
Benefits: Increase Chamber membership; vehicle to stabilize employment

Sustainable Economic Environment
Goal: Identify, inform and link resources to support workforce development.
Benefits: Remove impediments to new and existing businesses due to a lack of a sufficient workforce, i.e. meet the needs of businesses to fill workforce needs.
Goal: To create committees, with the Chamber being the catalyst to implement a coalition between representative components in the community to address specific projects, i.e. four year college, Sweetwater County Events Complex expansion, hospital.
Benefits: Community enhancement for economic development; community buy-in; enhanced and powerful influence

Tourism
Goal Statement: To host one new event.
Benefits: Improve community image; potential family recruitment; increased revenue for both Rock Springs and Green River; individuals who attend events here are more likely to return

Clarifying Relationships (Government, Community, Youth, Seniors)
Goal Statement: Youth Involvement:
Benefits: Create future leaders; educate them on the issues facing Sweetwater County; place them on boards.
Goal Statement: Identify interested senior citizens to utilize for Chamber programs; foster partnerships with seniors.
Benefits: Excellent resource for Chamber events; good workforce and knowledge resource

Communications: Internal and External
Goal Statement: Increase advertising for marquee through new contacts, intense marketing concepts, and increased awareness.
Benefits: Pay for monthly contract; Generate income; Increase public knowledge and awareness of services.
Goal Statement: Update and improve the Chamber phone system. This would include answering machine, voice mail, and dedicated lines (fax, cc machine, and marquee)
Benefits: Improve morale; increase efficiency; improve communication
between internal and external customers; improve customer service; free up staff time

1897 Dewar Drive - PO Box 398
Rock Springs, WY 82902-0398
307-362-3771 1-800-46-DUNES Fax 307-362-3838
rschamber@sweetwaterhsa.com