Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/574510
16 SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM As the times change, so do the needs of people and businesses in the community. Keeping a finger on the pulse of a city as large and diverse as Fayetteville is no easy task, but in serving the businesses of the greater Fayetteville area, the Fayetteville Chamber is always looking for new ways to serve and support its members as it advocates for the success and prosperity of the community. That means being nimble, innovative, dedicated and relevant. It is one thing to embody these characteristics. It is another for the people it serves to fully understand and appreciate what that means and how it impacts them. That means projecting a clear and effective message not just to the community, but to the region, the state and even the country. With this in mind, the Chamber has undergone several changes recently to maintain its position as a community resource and advocate. One of these changes was the creation of the Alliance, an economic development agency. Another exciting change is the creation of a new logo for the Chamber. This has been in the works since the Chamber's 2025 Task Force report came out. Updating the Chamber's brand will help make its message clear as to the vision, mission and direction that the Chamber is taking as it moves forward in support of local economic growth and prosperity. The bright colors invoke energy and forward movement. The stars celebrate Fayetteville's relationship with the military. In keeping with growing trends across the country, the organization dropped "of Commerce" from the logo. With more than 115 years of working to make Fayetteville and the surrounding area a better place, it just made sense to make that a part of the new logo, too. So, the words "Serving the Business Community Since 1899" now grace the logo. "I love the new look," said Chamber President George Breece. "I can tell you that more than 70 percent of the membership voted in favor of this logo. Any time you can get that kind of support you are on the right track. The membership and board both like it. It is a futuristic looking logo yet we are proud to have served the community since 1899. This is a forward looking logo for a forward looking chamber." If you are new to the business community, or never thought the Chamber could do much for you, maybe it is time to give it another look. Chamber members enjoy unlimited networking opportunities; they have a voice in the community; they have access to many resources designed to help businesses prosper; they can easily stay informed about business topics relevant to them; they enjoy the benefits of Chamber events and programs, they receive discounts; they make the community a better place. With innovative programs that embrace the community and equip members with skills and information they need to succeed, the Chamber is always looking for new ways to engage its membership. "We just started the leadership Fayetteville Program and we have a Leadership Youth Program to reach out to what we see as the next generation of business owners and community leaders," said Breece. "We are having a candidate forum in a couple of weeks. We have a lot going on and our board is rededicating itself to making it the best Chamber it can be. I am proud to serve on the board and to be a member." Businesses, especially small businesses, face many challenges. In trying economic times, having an advocate, a network, a voice in your destiny just makes sense. Find out more about the Chamber at www.faybiz.com. Fayetteville Chamber Adopts New Look for Its Future by STEPHANIE CRIDER Cape Fear Studios, the only nonprofit visual arts cooperative in Fayetteville, would like to thank the citizens of Fayetteville for voting us the in town! Cape Fear Studios contains a Main Gallery for major regional, national, and international exhibits, and a Retail Gallery that sells the original work of Cape Fear Studios artists. Each 4th Friday, the Main Gallery presents a brand new exhibit and the Retail Gallery offers new works by CFS artists. Paintings, pottery, jewelry, glass, worrd, photography and sculture are all shown and sold at Cape Fear Studios. "Best Place to Buy Local Art" Thank You Fayetteville STEPHANIE CRIDER. Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910.484.6200.