Clovis chamber hoping to build business muscle

CLOVIS — A common New Year’s resolution seems to be the need to get into the gym and get in better shape.

This is precisely the mindset that members of the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce are in, except they’re building a different kind of muscle.

The first annual Business to Business (B2B) event will be held exclusively for chamber members from 1-6 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Clovis Civic Center.

“After our very successful membership event in October, recruiting 213 new members and also to celebrate all of our long-time members, we are pumped about offering this free event,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ernie Kos.

The event carries with it the “Fit for Business” theme to get businesses in stronger shape by networking with other businesses and strengthening economic development, according to co-chair and A-Key Storage General Manager Jonathan Justus.

“Really, it’s all about getting your name known, getting your business known and really, it’s all about creating relationships between you and your business and other businesses in Clovis,” said Justus. “Doing business all by yourself is hard, but building those key relationships and local small businesses makes it easier. The majority of marketing in a small town is word-of-mouth, and word-of-mouth happens with building relationships.”

Justus added this event allows businesses to expose their “secret sauce” — that is, additional services businesses do but are not well known.

Elliott Marketing owner Kathy Elliott is collaborating with Justus with the event.

“My take is businesses are best when we work with people we know,” said Elliott. “(The event is to) understand who they are, find out what many businesses have that you may not know of, uncover the layers of what businesses can offer and do business with your neighbors. It’s very simple — it’s literally bring a stack of cards ... and get to know one another.”

This is something Elliott herself hopes to gain from the event.

“There are 300-plus new businesses with the chamber,” she said. “If I build relationships with 12 of them, I’m figuring that’s a success.”

Sabra Smith, office manager for State Farm, is registered for the event.

“As a chamber ambassador, we’re the ones that go out and welcome the new businesses,” said Smith. “I thought it was a good idea to network. It’s just a come and show up and tell us what you do. I like that part of it. I hope that it’s something that all of the local businesses are looking for.”

This will be Tammy Garner’s last event as president of the 2016 executive committee for the chamber before David Robinson steps in as president.

“We’re hoping all chamber members will come to participate,” said Garner. “This is a very unique event. I think people will be pleasantly surprised if they come.”

Chamber members can register at b2b.clovisrocks.com. Justus said those wishing to have tables for a visual aid setup should register as soon as possible, as space is limited. Elliott said members should preferably register by Jan. 11 for a head-count but will be accepted during the event as well.