By Steven Holbrook, IW Chamber’s CEO
So 2019 was fun I thought! With last year now confined to the depths of history, at the IW Chamber we are all about the future and delivering to you, our Members, another packed agenda for 2020 that will add real value to you and your business.
With that in mind we are being as proactive as we can. We want to start the year with clear ‘save the day’ dates for your diary. This is what we know already:
Expo 2020 will be back at the Lakeside Park Hotel on Wednesday 15th July
The Cowes Week Bash will be back in a similar format as this year, courtesy of Hose Rhodes Dickson
IW Chamber Business Awards 2020 will be at Cowes Yacht Haven on Friday 6th November
We will be continuing our focus on Training and Networking in the year ahead, with added focus being given to the fabulous Mini MBA that the Chamber offers.
There will be a refocus on Mentoring. It’s such an important tool for everyone, whoever you are. At the Chamber we offer a free Mentoring programme for everyone, but with a very limited up-take. Members are failing to avail themselves of this opportunity. I hope that will change in 2020.
The IW Lottery has now given out more than a hundred interest free loans to growing businesses. Our lottery has injected £878k into the Island economy and has helped create 400 jobs – not to mention paying out over £2.3 million to our players. Yes, you did read that correctly, more than £2.3 million in prize money. The IW Lottery needs your support to carry on though, to help give the small businesses of the Island the support they need to survive and / or grow. The Lottery loans often offer vital lifelines, but without new players it will not be able to continue. I ask that 2020 is the year you or your businesses joins the IW Lottery and supports these businesses. Maybe you’ll get to win the £10k monster prize too? It’s just £1 per week to play. Please visit isleofwightlottery.com to start playing.
I wonder in 2019 how many of you used the Business to Business discounts available to you as part of your membership? When you booked your ferry crossing, did you take advantage of a 20% discount from Red Funnel or Wightlink? When you went for a coffee or lunch, did you check to see who offers a discount? When my kids were looking for things to do at half-term, it was the discount offered at Adventure Activities that made me think of them and book with them. When I needed upholstery cleaned recently, Chem-Dry First were top of my mind due to their proactive promotion of their Chamber discount. If you used the discounts available in 2020, the chances are that they alone would cover the cost of your membership. Also, what could your business offer other members to make them think of you first this year?
Remember too that if you don’t engage in any other way, there is tremendous value in the insurance you get from the Chamber to give you peace of mind, as well as the HR and Legal advice and support you have available at any time at the end of the phone. Things can easily take an unexpected turn so the Chamber is there to offer that comfort.
We have a few fun surprises we’re planning for this year too. I look forward to seeing and engaging with you all in 2020. Here’s to a great year – I hope it’s the best yet for you all.
