Lake Area Chamber Happenings

The new year is a great time to set goals in your personal and business life. Networking can have a huge impact on your Lake of the Ozarks business . The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is involved with a number of networking events throughout the year. From special events to our monthly networking socials, there are a ton of opportunities for you to get out and meet fellow chamber members. Before you attend your first networking events for the year, think about your goals as a networker. If you don't have any goals set yet, now's the time to reflect on what you would like to achieve as you network in 2018. 1) Reflect on the Past Year In order to make a successful goal for the new year, it's important to think about the past year. What did you do right and what improvements can you make upon your networking habits. The reflection should be a positive experience - don't beat yourself up for missed opportunities. Take the knowledge you gained from your networking in...

The Lake of the Ozarks business environment is thriving! With many new ventures starting up and a strong base of existing businesses, it's the ideal place for you to start a new business. With ample resources readily available, your new venture can get up and running in no time! Our Lake Area Chamber of Commerce loves to help new businesses get up on their feet and help to establish their brand in our area. With business resources available, we would be honored to be a part of your business plan, as you start up your new business in 2018. 1. Promote Your Brand As soon as you establish a business name and logo, it's time to start promoting it! Get a head start when it comes to building your brand to help bring awareness to your business. Consider which advertising methods you are going to use and start getting your message (and business name) out there! 2. Prioritize Cash Flow There is plenty of upfront costs associated with starting a new business, therefore gettin...

Networking is a major part of owning or working for a business. It's a great way to represent your brand and can help you build a TON of connections. Whether you're starting a new business venture of have been in business for years, it's always important to get out and meet new people in your community. While most of us know the importance of networking, the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce knows it can be a bit intimidating too. Take a look below for some easy tips to prepare for your next networking event! Make Plans to Arrive on Time While it can be VERY tempting to arrive casually late, it's important to get ahead of your nerves and jump right in. It may actually seem more intimidating to enter an already crowded room than enter a room as the event begins. It's also a great way to meet and greet fellow attendees as they enter the room. You never know what business you may stir up from another peer, as they enter the room. Ask the Right Questions If a gr...

What are your goals for purchasing booth space at a trade show? It's important to think about the outcome before you plan out your vendor booth. Are you looking to raise awareness for an organization, gain exposure for your new business, or help potential customers get more familiar with your products? No matter what your goal is for the upcoming Home, Lifestyle, and Sport Show , this week's blog may be able to assist with some helpful tips for your vendor booth. Make Your Booth Exciting Help your booth stand out with a professional look. From a nice table cloth to professional banner, it's best to represent your business in a positive light. Don't forget to incorporate a little fun into your booth space, as well. From candy for visitors to other goodies, you can help amp up the excitement level around your booth space. Bring Enticing Swag While you can make a positive impression at the show, send your visitors home with a little something to remember you by....

We're calling all wine & brew lovers! The excitement is building for the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce 's most anticipated summer festival - the 24th Annual Midwest Wine & Brew Festival. Scheduled for August 19th, 2017 at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, MO, you can explore the tastes of Missouri wines and brews all in one place. For an enticing afternoon of area wine, brew, and restaurant samples, don't miss out on this fun annual event at the Lake of the Ozarks . Indulge in Your Favorite Foods With Lake of the Ozarks restaurants preparing their finest samples for the event, you can get a taste of local flavors. You never know, you may find your new favorite restaurant to visit! You can also find food samples that pair well with the wine or brews you sample, as well.  Sip Wine & Brew Samples A number of Missouri wineries and breweries will have booths around the festival, ready for you to sample some of their favorite options. If you love to...

Whether you network frequently or are less familiar with this activity, it’s an important skill to help your business blossom. With a number of networking events at the Lake of the Ozark , it’s best to be prepared before attending the next event. The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce provides a number of opportunities to meet and get to know fellow business owners and employees in the area. Our goal is to always provide a welcoming environment for ALL networkers. If you’re getting ready to attend an event, check out the tips provided below to help you succeed at your next event. Plan Ahead Before you walk into your next networking event, think about what you want to accomplish. Whether you are looking to expand your acquaintances in the area or build upon exiting relationships, it’s best to set a goal and keep it top of mind when networking. Along with planning ahead, it’s best to arrive as soon as a networking event begins. This can help ensure you get to meet everyone as they ent...

At Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, we do everything we can to support local businesses, professionals, and the fantastic community we are blessed to call home. As dedicated supporters of our local business community, we do a number of different things that contribute to the continued success of (and quality of life at) the Lake of the Ozarks.  Keep reading to learn more about how Lake Area Chamber of Commerce benefits the local community. You might be surprised by what you learn! Mission Statement:   The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is committed improve the economic prosperity and quality of life in the Lake of the Ozarks area, and to be the principal advocate for and a provider of services to its business community.  Our Vision:   Be the foremost voice and partner for business, economic development and community enrichment. Building The Lake Community's Brand Many people don't realize this, but the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce pioneered the ini...

Networking is the art of expanding, building, and strengthening your network of business professionals. In addition to furthering your connections with people you already know, networking involves approaching strangers so that you can forge new relationships with new opportunities. For some people, networking comes naturally and easily. For others, the concept may seem intimidating (to say the least). The Importance Of Networking Here at Lake Area Chamber of Commerce , we are huge believers in the power of networking. People want to do business with people - one of the best ways to help your business grow is to build a strong network of people who will not only use your products or services personally, but who will refer your business to their friends, families, and coworkers. In order to help our members take advantage of the potential that networking has to offer, our Lake of the Ozarks Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly networking socials for both existing and prospective...

The Lake of the Ozarks is famous for being a popular tourist destination in the Midwest. It has been well known for many years, but since it was recently named the Best Recreational Lake in the Country, the Lake of the Ozarks has been gaining increasing fame and popularity. At the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce , we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to know and love this unique area as more than a summertime destination - it's our year-round home. This week, we wanted to take a moment to help you learn more about this great location we are privileged to call our home. Even if you have lived here your whole life, you might be surprised to learn some of these interesting facts! Fun Facts About The Lake Of The Ozarks 1.   Bagnell Dam was built from 1929-1931. It was a beacon of light during the Great Depression, providing thousands of jobs to workers in the region. 2.   At the time that the Lake of the Ozarks was completed in 1931, it was the largest man-made lake ...

Most people don't want to do business with inaccessible companies. They want to do business with real people  - people who are relatable, accessible, and responsive to their needs as a customer. Building and maintaining this reputation isn't simply something you can work on in your spare time. As a business owner, it is up to you to demonstrate your accessibility to your customers on a full-time basis.  By providing networking, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is here to help our members build and maintain a positive reputation for their businesses. This week, we're providing a few networking tips to help members (like you!) get the most out of our monthly networking socials.  5 Tips To Help You Network Like A Pro 1. Approach People You Don't Know. While this may seem like the most obvious component of networking, it is also the strategy that gets avoided most often. Striking up a conversation with a stranger can be an i...