Get to know the Greater Hewitt Chamber & learn how get the most out of your membership!

1. WELCOME

2. WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?
Alissa Cady, GHC Executive Director
cham· ber of com· merce
Noun
a local association to promote and protect the
interests of the business community in a
particular place.
Brief Overview:
• First chamber was founded in 1599 in France
• Chambers have local businesses as members
who elect a board of directors to set policy
for the organization. The board then hires a
director and staff to operate the chamber.
• Each chamber operates separately but may
form regional partnerships and/or join state,
national and international bodies.
The Greater Hewitt Chamber is
located at 101 Third St. in
Hewitt’s historic train depot

3. SERVING GREATER HEWITT SINCE 1978
The chamber’s purpose is to promote an environment of goodwill
and prosperity among the businesses, citizens and community
organizations in the greater hewitt area. The organization strives to
foster, protect, and promote the commercial, industrial, civic,
agricultural and general interests of the community.
As of 2017, the Greater Hewitt Chamber represents 18,000 jobs &
almost 30 local non-profit organizations, and has awarded over
$50,000 to local students through the Greater Hewitt Chamber
Scholarship Fund.
GREATER HEWITT CHAMBER’S MISSION
Alissa Cady, GHC Executive Director

4. Hewitt First United
Methodist Food Pantry
REGIONAL CHAMBER PARTNERS: TEMPLE, BELTON, LAKE WHITNEY, HILLSBORO,
CLIFTON, NW TARRANT COUNTY CHAMBER
GREATER HEWITT CHAMBER’S MISSION
Alissa Cady, GHC Executive Director

5. PARTNERSHIPS : CITY
Adam Miles, Hewitt City Manager
The Chamber works closely with the City on
business, economic and community development;
the Chamber also works to promote tourism and
serves as a visitor bureau for Hewitt.

6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
• 28 total directors, serve on volunteer basis
• Meet monthly on Chamber operations, budget & mission fulfillment - assist in
recruiting members and securing sponsorships throughout the year
• Over 300 years combined experience in various industries including small,
medium, Fortune 500 & international business development
• Board is led by Executive Committee: acts in executive capacity with matters
requiring immediate attention & guides long-term planning; comprised of
president, 1st and 2nd vice presidents, secretary, treasurer & past president
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Frank Thomas, GHC Director
AMBASSADORS:
• Serve as face of the Chamber and extension of board’s leadership
• Support the Chamber’s membership retention plan by reaching out to fellow
members
• Almost 40 ambassadors currently serving the Chamber
COMMITTEES
• 2017 committees include: Awards*, Banquet, Budget*, Bylaws, Communications, Golf,
Long-Range Planning*, Membership, Nacho Daddy Fest, Nominating*, Scholarships &
Spooktacular (*members appointed)

7. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:
LUNCHEONS & BREAKFASTS
Frank Thomas, GHC Director
• Held at least once per month
• Venues vary month-to-month
• Formats may differ slightly month-to-
month but will always feature a speaker,
business member commercials or a
combination of the two; events may also
include facility tours
• Cost for business members to attend is
$12-$20 depending on venue
• Full catered meal provided
• Average attendance = 50
• Sponsorship opportunities available
GHC Members tour the Do It Best
warehouse on Hewitt Drive

8. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Frank Thomas, GHC Director
• Held at least once per month
• Sponsor/venue varies month-to-month
• Usually held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Event is casual with no set agenda, and
attendees are welcome to come and go
at their convenience.
• No cost to attend
• Refreshments and beverages typically
provided
• Average attendance = 80
• Sponsorship (hosting) opportunities
available for 2018

9. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES
Frank Thomas, GHC Director
• Held at the member’s request –
typically for a new business, new
management or to celebrate a
business milestone.
• The GHC typically hosts three to five per
month
• Everyone is invited to come support the
business
• No cost to attend
• Average attendance = 20
• Contact the GHC staff to coordinate a
ribbon cutting

10. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
Diane Jenkins, GHC Ambassador
MEMBERSHIP BANQUET (JAN.)
• Includes live music, catered dinner, award & scholarship
presentation, keynote speaker, cash bar & luxury raffle;
held at the Waco Convention Center in 2017
• Sponsorships started at $200 for the 2017 banquet
• 2017 tickets were $55 each ($430 for table of 8);
average attendance = 500
NACHO DADDY CAR SHOW & CONCERT (MAY):
• Held at Warren Park
• Fun, family event with lots to do! Live music,, car
show, kids zone, food trucks & more. Benefits Hunger
Free MISD.
• Parking $10/car, admission free; expected
attendance = 1500
• Sponsorships available starting at $100

11. GOLF TOURNAMENT (SEPT.):
• 2017 will be 32nd annual tourney – past themes include
Nerdy 30 & Tropical Tee-Off
• Event is at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course - includes
lunch, luxury raffle & contests on every hole with chance
to win a car and/or $1 million
• Sponsorships start at $105; player costs $115 each or $400
for team; average attendance = 32 teams of four & 50
volunteers
• Benefits Greater Hewitt Chamber Scholarship Fund
CREEKSIDE SPOOKTACULAR (OCT.):
• Held on Halloween at Warren Park
• Event includes trick or treating, games, bounce houses,
costume contests, crafts, food trucks, prizes & more!
• Admission & parking is free; sponsorships start at $100;
average attendance = 1200
• Benefits the Hallelujah Food Pantry
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
Diane Jenkins, GHC Ambassador

12. CITY OF HEWITT’S HOUNDS & SOUNDS MUSIC
FESTIVAL (APRIL)
• Live music, kid’s zone, raffle prizes, food trucks, pet
adoptions & more. Event benefitting the Central Texas
Humane Society.
LEAD EXPLOSION JOINT NETWORKING EVENT WITH
WOMEN OF WACO (JUNE)
• Program includes dinner seating with likely business
prospects (seats assigned), 30-second business
commercials and time for setting follow-up
appointments.
HEWITT POLICE DEPARTMENT’S NATIONAL NIGHT
OUT (JULY)
• Promotes police-community partnerships and
neighborhood camaraderie to make our
neighborhoods safer. Includes vendor booths,
bounce houses, children’s games, food, live music
and more!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
PARTNERED MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
Kristi Schlee, GHC Ambassador

13. HEWITT PUBLIC LIBRARY’S DOG DAYS CANINE EVENT
(SEPT.)
• Aims to provide the greater Central Texas
community with a fun family day to enjoy a variety
of activities, learn from experts, connect with other
dog lovers & even adopt a pet!
SIP N’ SHOP WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR
FEMALE EXECUTIVES (NOV.)
• A fun night of holiday shopping with local vendors,
refreshments & networking
HEWITT CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING (DEC.)
• Enjoy crafts, hot chocolate, cookies, story telling,
Spring Valley Elementary School Choir, Santa &
more!
MORE INFO ON ALL EVENTS AT HEWITTCHAMBER.COM
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
PARTNERED MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
Kristi Schlee, GHC Ambassador

14. • 3000 printed quarterly (January, April, July &
October)
• Free to readers
• Mailed to all GHC members and area visitor centers
along I35 corridor
• Placed in 40+ high-traffic locations in the greater
Hewitt area (banks, Post Office, clinics, restaurants
and WalMart)
• Included in welcome bags given to new residents
& new employees at large area employers
• Digital issue promoted by Greater Hewitt
Chamber & Midway ISD
• Features articles on area businesses and history,
new member spotlights, event photos, calendar
& more
• Ads start at $127
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: PRINT ADVERTISING
HEWITT EXPRESS MAGAZINE
Carlena Lesso, GHC Director

15. • Won 1st place in 2016 Texas Chamber Media
Contest in its category
• 3000 printed every January
• Same distribution as Express magazine
• Features info on City of Hewitt, area
attractions, education, business directory,
map & more
• 2017 ads started at $236
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: PRINT ADVERTISING
COMMUNITY GUIDE & BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Carlena Lesso, GHC Director

16. E-BLAST
• Exclusively promoting your business sent to GHC’s database of
2000 people living/working in the greater Hewitt area; the blast is
also posted on the GHC social media
• Great way to promote a sale, special event or new
product/service.
• Member sends graphics & text to the chamber staff, and the staff
sends a preview for the member to approve.
• Cost is $75; email staff for availability.
E-BULLETIN
• The weekly e-bulletin provides a quick snapshot of upcoming
events, community news & opportunities for members.
• Sent to over 2000 people living/working in greater Hewitt
• Banner ads available on a weekly basis for and may link to
the sponsor’s business web page or social media.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: DIGITAL ADVERTISING
Brian Black, GHC Ambassador

17. MOBILE APP
• Includes dining, attractions, shopping, events, member listings
and digital GHC publications.
• Promoted at GHC member hotels.
• Ads are available on a monthly basis for and may link to the
sponsor’s business web page or social media.
WEBSITE
• Features an online member direcotry, a calendar of community
events, information on the greater Hewitt area’s amenities &
more.
• Utilized by chamber members, residents and visitors -
receives over 2500 page views per month.
• Ads on the home page are available on a monthly basis for
and may link to the sponsor’s business web page or social
media.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: DIGITAL ADVERTISING
Brian Black, GHC Ambassador

18. MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Jeanne Rieger, GHC Ambassador
MONTH ONE
1. Stay plugged in by getting in the habit of
scanning the chamber’s weekly e-bulletin
2. Perfect your elevator pitch for networking events
(you should be able to tell your name and
position, business name, what your business offers
and your ideal referral all in 30 seconds)
3. Attend a Chamber event & set a goal of meeting
three new contacts
4. Get familiar with the GHC Benefits Reminder card
– are you taking advantage of all of the benefits
available to you? (available online at
HewittChamber.com/Join)

19. MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Jeanne Rieger, GHC Ambassador
MONTH TWO
1. Download the Greater Hewitt Chamber app -
you can register for Chamber functions using the
Events tab
2. Make sure your chamber sticker is displayed at
your company’s front door for a boost in
credibility and favorability with your customers!
3. Contact the Chamber staff to schedule your
ribbon cutting ceremony.
4. Go through the Chamber directory & get to
know your fellow members.

20. MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Donna Muhlman, GHC Director
MONTH THREE
1. Get your business spotlighted in the next Hewitt
Express magazine! Email the staff to get your logo
and a brief article about your business included
in the magazine.
2. Review Event & Publication Sponsorships for
opportunities to increase brand awareness by
supporting a community event or advertising in a
publication
3. Review Ambassador and Committee information
for leadership opportunities
4. Bring your marketing materials to the depot
office for new resident welcome bags
welcome

21. MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Donna Muhlman, GHC Director
Event attendance is the number one thing you can do to see a
return on the investment of your chamber membership.
• Stay in-the-know with GHC emails & social media
• Be engaged – come to events & serve in leadership roles
• Get to know your fellow members & do business (and/or refer
business) to them
• Full 90-day action plan for a successful membership available at
HewittChamber.com/90days
The strength of the Greater Hewitt Chamber rests in our relationships.
The more members get to know one another, the stronger our
Chamber, community and local economy become.

22. YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS!