Fort Adams Gets Two New Customers by Attending Trade Shows Sponsored by Central RI and Newport County Chambers of Commerce
Newport, Rhode Island (PRWEB) March 31, 2014 -- Achieving the mission is a top priority for non-profit organizations. However, the environment for non-profits is challenging today as governmental grants decline and years of a troubling economy have made individual donations harder to come by. The Fort Adams Trust is one non-profit that is successfully negotiating the current environment – often with the help of two area chambers of Commerce – The Central Rhode Island and Newport County Chambers. Attending recent trade shows sponsored by these chambers is only the latest example, and the Trust was able to connect with two new event sponsors.
Chambers of Commerce are generally thought of as business organizations. But in reality, Chambers and their member businesses are often equally as focused on helping their communities as a whole. Both the Newport County and Central Rhode Island Chambers are great examples of outstanding business organizations that also contribute heavily towards healthy communities.
According to Rick Nagele, Executive Director of the Fort Adams Trust, “Both Chambers that we are members of offer specific ways to grow our revenue. We just attended two trade shows, and each brought us new opportunities. But they do more. They provide expertise, contacts and relationships, and sometimes funding opportunities. When I have a question, I often turn to Jody Sullivan at Newport or Lauren Slocum at Central Rhode Island. If they don’t have the answer, they find it.”
Laurie Labrecque, Director of Special Events at Fort Adams notes, “I have been attending Chamber Trade shows and have worked with the Newport Chamber for about 15 years. I started as a committee member, and because of the positive impact the Chamber committees have on the local business community, I wanted to become more involved. Now I’m completing my second term as a Board Member. This has been truly a worthwhile endeavor, not only in terms of contacts I have made for myself and the Trust, but it has also been a wonderful learning experience. I will continue to Chair the Ambassador Committee and oversee the Community Fund Grants, Scholarship Grants and Annual Food Drive for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.”
Nagele continues, “As I look at the economic environment in Rhode Island and beyond, one thing becomes clear; the important role that chambers in general – and our two Chambers in particular – play in enhancing our economy. They are often a voice of reason and balance as well as a source of quality information for economic decision making.”
The Central Rhode Island Chamber started a community think tank, initiated mentoring programs for kids, and provides grants to non-profits from funds generated by their road race. But, as Nagele notes, “Their annual ‘Statewide Chamber Business After Hours’ that we participated in last week at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet was especially good for us. We made meaningful contacts. It will mean new revenue.”
The Newport County Chamber has been especially effective in partnering with others to do broad based economic development for the region, work to ensure that the defense community remains a vital part of the East Bay of Rhode Island, and also provides grants. Laurie Labrecque, who designed the Fort Adams exhibit for Newport’s March expo, also emphasizes the importance of using all of the Chamber marketing resources. “Attending the Newport Chamber at the Hyatt got us in front of people making decisions about where to hold events. It also provided us with the opportunity to meet new partners. March’s meeting was a big win!”
Both chambers provide educational programming, a sense of community for individuals struggling to start businesses, resources for more established businesses wrestling with growing pains, and legislative leadership. And they both provide contacts, referrals, and a variety of tools for growing member businesses.
“As far as the Fort Adams Trust goes,” says Nagele, “we will continue our Chamber memberships in both Newport and Central Rhode Island indefinitely. We value these relationships tremendously.”
About the Fort Adams Trust
The Fort Adams Trust is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit responsible for preserving, programming, and promoting the National Historic Landmarks in Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Over 100,000 people tour the Fort and attend events in the Park annually.
Richard Nagele, Fort Adams Trust, http://www.fortadams.org, +1 (401) 474-2882, [email protected]
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