Active Members, Active Chamber

Members are the driving force behind the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, with member input, the Chamber adopts a business plan to be carried out by more than 700 members and professional staff. Members serve on committees and elect a Board of Directors.

Education Committee – Committed to young workforce development, refining the Chamber’s role in the Rome City School District’s Sophomore Mentoring Program and planning Career Days for 9th graders; partners with district art teachers to arrange a traveling student art exhibit at local businesses throughout the school year.

Retail Promotion Committee - Commissioned a marketing survey by Zogby International and is developing a program to encourage people to “Shop Rome First...And Win!” Encouraging local shopping during the holidays helps to preserve jobs, create new ones, and increase sales tax revenue for governments which helps to stabilize property taxes.

Rome Home Show Committee – Plans, organizes, and presents the show each year show to encourage sales at participating exhibitors, thus helping those businesses to successfully promote their products and services to thousands of potential customers during one spring weekend.

Honor America Days Committee - Organizes major events (Parade and Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert the last Saturday in July at Fort Stanwix National Monument) and publicizes/promotes a multitude of citywide events and activities during Rome’s annual Honor America Days Celebration, during the July-August time frame, which helps boost pride, promote patriotism, and generate business.

Silent Auction & Dance Party Committee – Conducts the annual fund raiser for the Honor America Days Celebration that involves hundreds of area businesses, organizations, and individuals who generously donate items for the auction.

Membership/Ambassadors Committee - Develops and implements a total program to recruit new members, retain existing members, and conducts periodic Business After Hours receptions to showcase hosts and provide members with networking opportunities.

Griffiss Support Group - Establishes and maintains a relationship that assists military and civilian leadership at Griffiss Business & Technology Park in carrying out their mutual responsibilities and conducts social programs that enhance interaction between the military and civilian communities.

Golf Committee - Organizes an annual 25-team golf outing to give members the opportunity to meet other members and make business contacts in a social setting.

Government Affairs Committee – Studies and speaks out on legislative issues and concerns keeping in mind the interests of the employer community and their concern to remain competitive, maintain/increase employment, and make a profi t; co-sponsors the annual Candidates Forum with the Rome BPW and schedules periodic meetings with elected officials to provide members with the opportunity to meet and establish a dialogue with their elected representatives.

Ad Hoc Committees — In response to current issues, the Chamber Board of Directors creates short term, ad hoc committees. Some of the issues studied in recent past include: economic development, small business education, waste management, city projects, energy, historical tourism, and the new school options.