Connection has been our 2021 mantra at the chamber as we left 2020 in our rearview mirror. Since February NACC has hosted seven Connect Networking, smaller monthly networking events to give members a less structured way to meet in person. These events successfully gathered 20-30 members at various restaurants and locations around the Norwalk area. As 2021 carried on other challenges unearthed. Volunteers were hard to find, events were a challenge to plan and businesses were dealing with the strain of going back to the office. People were straddling between stressed and happy to experience little bits of normalcy in the sea of new changes.

   The chamber board was ready for some training to get us ready and fine-tuned for 2022. We gathered everyone to attend a board training event hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and were surprised when this training event became a springboard of inspiration for the future of our chamber. We wanted to share with you some of the ideas we look forward to bringing to our chamber very soon.

   Casey Steinbacher, author of “Relevant to Essential”, presented five opportunities chambers shouldn’t miss. The first idea was to host curated meetings. Networking is nice but curating a meeting where we strategically invite specific members to the table to talk on issues in our community or introduce new members can be impactful. Another idea Casey strongly suggested is creating sharable online content and be a transformational influencer in our community. If a high schooler can be an influencer from their bedroom using a phone so can a chamber. Unfortunately, most chambers don’t take advantage of this opportunity due to lack of technical skill or understanding of how to get started. Video or social media that puts together the pieces to lead a community through its issues can be transformational. Chambers need more ways to engage the community and have conversations that matter. We were also inspired to create a map that guides new business owners through the steps of starting a business and the resources that can help them with each step and connect non-profits to each other so they can share resources.


   We are excited to roll our sleeves up and start planning for next year. Reach out to us if you have ideas on how we can continue to support making the Norwalk area a great place to live.