Welcome!
Another year for the Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce is in the books! 2022 was a year full of change & growth. We commissioned a new logo, and we revisited and updated our mission & vision statements. Our focus word for the year was connections. We used it as a guide for all the things we did throughout the year. We built connections with & amongst our members. We made connections with the community at large & multiple local organizations all for the benefit of Washburn & our members. Everything we did was geared towards making our connections stronger.
We partnered with The Club on many events & activities in order to showcase its potential to residents & visitors alike. We wrote letters of support for the city & other organizations looking for grant funding. Another $60,000 was awarded to members in BounceBack grants bringing the 2-year total to over $200,000. We listened to the needs of our members & partnered with Washburn EMS to train business owners & their employees in first aid & the use of AED’s & we placed AED machines in 6 different business locations. And to think, it all started with a member asking, “What do you think about this?” We will continue to foster partnerships with members & beyond in 2023. We were also able to partner with Northern Most Media to use grant money to produce video content for a new 4-season destination marketing campaign that will be launching soon. Our first Mind Your Business offering in February, will be a collaboration with the Aging & Disability Resource Center of the North to provide Dementia Friendly Training to businesses & their employees on how to spot & support customers & visitors who may be lost or confused due to dementia. With Bayfield County becoming one of the oldest counties by age in the state this is a very relevant & important training opportunity. This year we worked tirelessly to support our members & the community. We are proud of all that was accomplished. There is so much more coming in 2023 & we want you to join us!
Whether you have been in business for many years, or are just starting out, it is important to have a support system that is there to cheer on your successes & help you when things get tough. Joining the Chamber can provide you with that support system & more. Your investment in the chamber, is an investment in Washburn & the Chequamegon Bay Area as a whole. We look forward to working with & supporting you in the new year!
Sincerely,
Melissa Martinez
Director
Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce
director@washburnchamber.com
NETWORKING
Being a member of the Washburn Area Chamber provides a great opportunity to stay in touch with the community and network with other business leaders; contact the office to find out about how to host an upcoming After Hours Networking event.
SUPPORT
Chamber members support each other by utilizing each other’s services, buying each other’s products and by creating positive relationships and conversation between each other. We take care of our own!
PROMOTE
Take advantage of the Chamber’s promotions via website, social media, brochures, email blasts and more! Contact us for more information.
Become a Member Today
2023 Membership is closed.
2024 Membership applications will be available in December.
Business Referrals
• Business Referral System:
Chamber staff gives referrals to member businesses in response to the phone calls, emails, and
drop-ins.
Wisconsin Harbor Towns
• Wisconsin Harbor Towns Association:
(WHTA): The WHTA is a non-profit organization that promotes tourism to waterbased cities. Washburn is one of the nineteen Harbor Towns that is featured in their guide and on their website: www.wisconsinharbortowns.org
Business After Hours
Host a Business After Hours: Sign up to host members at your business for networking, to thank the business community, introduce new management or promote a new business. Please call the Chamber office if you are interested in hosting a Business After Hours.
Attend Business After Hours: Join fellow Chamber members in numerous opportunities to network, celebrate and support our business community.
Website
Website:
Free listing on www.washburnchamber.com linked to your site. Don’t have a website? Receive a complimentary page for your business on our www.washburnchamber.com website.
Mailing – Newsletters
• Mailing List:
Email list and/or mailing list of our members available. It will not be distributed to non-members.
• Weekly E-Newsletter:
Every Thursday afternoon “Washburn Area Happenings” goes out to over 500 email contacts. As a Chamber Member, use this for free by sending us your upcoming event information, promotions and announcements.
• Bulk Mailing Permit:
Available for use on mailings of 200 pieces or more. It can be a great cost savings for those large mailings:
postcards, newsletters, etc. Contact the Chamber office for details on how to use the bulk mailing permit and design tips.
• Brochure Display:
Display your brochures in the Chamber office.
Annual Meeting
• Annual Meeting and Dinner:
Reports summarizing business from the previous year, board member election, and recognition of business/person of the year.
Ribbon Cuttings
• Ribbon Cutting and Grand Openings:
Chamber Members are welcome to have a celebration and photo opportunity for special milestones. These photos are published in the area newspaper.
Contact the Chamber office to schedule your ribbon cutting.
Relocation Packets
• Relocation Packets:
Information on our community, Chamber Membership list and map is sent to those requesting information on the area.
Contribute to the eBlast
Contribute to the eBlast and/or Event Calendar. Washburn Area Chamber Members can contribute to the weekly eBlast and/or the Event Calendar that is displayed on the Chamber website by using this form to send information to Nicole in the Chamber office.
Submit HereChamber Board Members
Executive Board
President – Marieke van Donkersgoed, Broad Street Brokers
Vice President – Paul von Stoetzel
Treasurer – Kristen Walczak, Elza Heating & St. Lukes Clinic Ashland
Secretery – Michelle Lampson, Persnickety Computer Services & Maddie’s Wardrobe
Board Members
Joe Groshek, NCCA Rep.
Kristy Larson, Hansen’s IGA
Rick Gruebele, Visions First Realty
Office Staff
Melissa Martinez – Director
Nicole Then – Office Manager
Office Hours
Monday-Friday – 8:30AM-4:00PM
Washburn Area Chamber of Commerce
100 W. Bayfield St.
P.O. Box 74
Washburn, WI 54891
Email: info@washburnchamber.com