As we fast approach summer vacation and graduations, it's time for the last pop quiz of the school year. The theme is "Who Do I Call?"
1. Who do you call to find out the date of the Multicultural Festival?
A. The Chamber of Commerce
B. The News and Sentinel or WTAP
C. The Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau
Answer: C
The CVB does a wonderful job of maintaining a community events calendar (assuming that the host organization provides the information to the CVB in a timely manner.) You can check out their website at www.greaterparkersburg.com or give them a call at 304-428-1130 with questions about local attractions, events and tourism. (By the way, the Multicultural Festival is June 15-17 at the City Park. See who's performing at www.movmcf.org)
2. Who do you call to complain about service at a local business?
A. The manager at that business
B. The Chamber of Commerce
C. The Better Business Bureau
Answer: A
On occasion the Chamber will receive calls from customers of local businesses with concerns about the service or product they purchased. We always encourage the caller to start with the owner/manager of the business to allow for faster and efficient service recovery directly from the business in question. I know of no business owner who wouldn't want the opportunity to remedy such a situation. If you feel that your concern needs addressed in a different manner, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau at canton.bbb.org/ or at 1-800-362-0494.
3. Who coordinates the Summer Music Series at the City Park (formerly known as the Mayor's Music Series) and knows the schedule of who's playing each week?
A. The City of Parkersburg
B. Artsbridge
C. The Chamber of Commerce
Answer: B
Just like the CVB is the clearinghouse for festivals and fairs, Artsbridge is the clearinghouse for arts and culture events in our community. You can check out the Artsbridge calendar at www.artsbridgeonline.org or give them a call at 304-428-3988 to find out all the wonderful arts events throughout our community, including the Summer Music Series. (It kicks off on June 7 at the City Park Band Shell at 7 p.m. with bluegrass band Idletymes.)
4. Who do you contact if you are interested in joining up with nearly 400 other businesses in the Mid-Ohio Valley to promote a strong business climate, advocate with elected officials, become a Partner in Education, network with other business leaders at the monthly Business After Hours events, provide opportunities for professional development for your employees, attend monthly Lunch & Learn seminars, submit nominations for annual awards, and gather information to help your business succeed?
Answer: The Chamber of Commerce!
In case it wasn't evident from the questions above, on any given day we receive numerous calls at the Chamber of Commerce that are more appropriate for other organizations. The important thing is we always try to get our callers to the correct organization to answer their question. I'm honored that people assume the Chamber knows everything (and we sure try to) but my goal is to emphasize what great organizations and resources we have in our community and that each organization plays a specific role in making the Mid-Ohio Valley a wonderful place to live, work and play.
Visit this space every other Sunday for more Chamber news. We also invite you to call us at 304-422-3588, email us at info@movchamber.org, or stop by the Chamber office at 409 1/2 Market St. in Parkersburg.
Jill Parsons is president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
