CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Longview chamber recruits new members

Longview chamber recruits new members

By ShaVonne Herndon

LONGVIEW, TEXAS (KYTX) - The Longview Chamber of Commerce is recruiting new business members in a whole new way. CBS 19's ShaVonne Herndon has more on how the chamber is recruiting members and how it will strengthen the economy you live in.

Well, it's about strength in numbers and strengthening the economy. Tonight, the Longview Partnership has more than 280 members of them 263 are new. So why did they sign up? This energy and excitement behind me is a hint of how these volunteers got businesses to sign up.

Dawn Whittington set up shop in Longview more than two years ago. So far we have more than 265 new members. Whittington's That Girl's Boutique is among them. "Just a great opportunity to spread the word about our business and just to network as a community," said Whittington.

For three days, volunteers worked the phones recruiting businesses like Whittington's. "The only way chambers of commerce and organizations are growing today's world by atmospheres like this everyone is excited," said Jimmy Cusano, it was up to him to keep volunteers motivated. "It's high energy, it's fun and it's motivating to watch them get into it themselves it's about Longview and the partnership and what we do to help business."

 And bringing these businesses together strengthens Longview's economy. "Businesses are able to share ideas and discuss trading and investing," said Elton Taylor. "Whenever we can get that money to stay in Longview the more businesses we can draw to the area when they see the large business base we have."

 Opportunities this new member is ready to explore.

This celebration party is set to wrap up soon, these volunteers have spent hours recruiting members for the chamber and it's only fitting they end with a party.