Business News

Lafayette Chamber Releases 2010 Focus

by Jeremy Alford

The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce will be at the forefront during 2010 advocating for a comprehensive development plan for the parish and for innovative initiatives to expand the economy. Likewise, the 2,200 representatives of our member business organization will continue to focus on education accountability for the workforce of the future.

Under the volunteer leadership of Chairman of the Board, Dave Welch, the Chamber will maintain its active involvement in public policy matters.

The Chamber’s leadership recognizes the parish’s extraordinary growth, national recognition and current resources sets it apart and primed for further success.

“The issues that impact the business community are decided in the halls of government,” noted Welch. “We seek to influence legislation which supports business and job creation.”

The Chamber’s long term goal of perpetuating a tradition of innovation serves as a backdrop for its focus on entrepreneurism in 2010.

“Taking advantage of the fiber optic connectivity including Camp Fiber, the indigenous cultural assets and the environment for innovative thought are the driving forces for the Chamber,” said President/CEO Rob Guidry.

The 32-member Board of Directors represents a variety of economic sectors that contribute to Lafayette’s national status as a center for creativity.

“The Chamber’s vision, strategy and tactics are the result of the synergy of the talented directors on the board,” stated Guidry. “That, with the input from the membership survey, and several formal and informal roundtable discussions, serves as the foundation for our program of work for 2010.”

A consistent concern of the organization remains relevant public education. The Chamber’s will focus on the accountability of the public education system. Likewise, Chamber volunteers will serve on advisory boards for the academies located in the parish’s high schools.

In implementing its strategies for the year the Chamber will be collaborating with stakeholders from throughout the community.

“Never before has there been such an alignment of entities eager to participate collectively in community development, said Guidry. “We are excited to network with scores of groups interested in education reform, the cultural economy and comprehensive planning.”

Equally important are the internal programs and products available exclusively to the membership. Member-investors can take advantage of more than 125 participating businesses through the Member2Member Discount program as well as health insurance products.

A variety of exciting networking and marketing opportunities are also scheduled for 2010.

“The small business person has a number of reasons to participate in the organization, from ribbon cuttings to informative breakfast events, and from listings and committee involvement, added Guidry.

“The Chamber takes its leadership role very seriously,” said Welch. “By sharpening our focus for 2010 we believe we will be even more effective in forging successful coalitions to address education and long-term economic growth.”

Guidry added that the Chamber has the talent and resources to make exciting things happen. “Lafayette parish must continue to re-create itself in order to outpace the competition. The Chamber looks forward to causing progress in this rapidly changing world.”

David Welch, Chief Executive Officer of Stone Energy, will lead the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 2010. He will be Chairman of the 32 member Board of Directors, eight of whom are newly elected and six appointed.

Those elected by the Chamber’s membership to three year terms beginning in 2010 include:

Lafayette Chamber Bylaws call for the Chairman to appoint six, one-year members to the Board, who serve during his term in office.

Dave Welch has appointed the following to serve in 2010:

Welch succeeds Kam Movassaghi who, as immediate past Chairman, will remain as a member of the 2010 Executive Committee:

The 2010 Chamber leadership will be introduced and inducted at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on January 18, 2010.