Opportunity knocks

• Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune The Meridian Chamber of Commerce's office is located at 111 North Main Street in historic downtown Meridian.

The Meridian Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new member to its board of directors during its monthly luncheon on Thursday, May 9.

Clay Feller, Branch Manager/Vice President at Sunflower Bank in Meridian, has stepped up to serve on the Chamber board.

The board still has an open seat that needs to be filled, so if anyone is interested in the role, contact the Chamber office at (254) 435-2966.

The board's responsibilities include guiding the direction of the Chamber by developing policy and plans for success and visioning for the future.

Tasty Tuesday

Meridian Chamber of Commerce President Patti Wagner also announced that the board approved a new membership awareness campaign called “Tasty Tuesday.”

The campaign will spotlight the restaurants who are members of the Chamber in Meridian.

During the campaign, Chamber members are encouraged to eat lunch at a Chamber-member restaurant at a date to be announced, she explained.

The first Tasty Tuesdays spot will be at B's Baskets at 12 p.m. noon on Tuesday, June 18.

“Let them know that we're supporting them,” Wagner said.

4th of July

The Chamber is planning a decoration contest around the entire town for the Fourth of July.

A contest winner who might not be a Chamber member will receive a free membership to the Chamber, Wagner said.

“We would love to get the whole town decorated up for the Fourth of July,” Wagner said.

For Memorial Day weekend, the Chamber's volunteers will place American flags in planters in historic downtown Meridian, and will be in touch with business owners about further placements.

Door prizes

Wagner encouraged Chamber members to contribute door prizes for future luncheons.

The prizes are a good way to promote your business within the Chamber and the Meridian community.

About the Chamber

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a chamber of commerce is a group of businesses that supports the interests of its members.

There are several advantages of joining a chamber of commerce: networking, publicity, and lobbying, the U.S. Chamber stated.

Each chamber of commerce elects its own leadership and decides what agendas to pursue.

The Meridian Chamber of Commerce's mission is to promote Meridian and the businesses in its membership base.

The Meridian Chamber provides monthly membership luncheons for networking with members, refers high potential customers to member's businesses, advocates for business interests at local city council meetings.

The chamber's office is located at 111 North Main Street in historic downtown Meridian.

The chamber's office hours are Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phones are answered Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information about the Meridian Chamber's activities, benefits, and members, visit its website at www. meridian-chamber.com.