Williams breathes life into Hamilton County Chamber

Published 1:00 pm Saturday, August 4, 2018

JASPER — Karen Williams is trying to breathe life into the Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce, as its new executive director.

Williams has been with the Chamber since January and has already completed a new website and a new logo for the Chamber.

“My focus is to breathe life into the Chamber and give it a facelift with a new logo,” Williams said.

The directory on the website is more user-friendly and people can search for a business or person by category, phone number or name.

Chamber members can put their logos next to their name in the directory.

Williams said she is also hoping to add members only content to the website including a member forum.

She is looking into creating a premium membership package to offer more opportunities for the members especially on the website.

Williams keeps the public informed by giving regular Chamber updates every Friday at 9 a.m. on Talk 107.5-FM.

She has also started Chamber mixers again with two this year so far.

“They were fabulous,” Williams said.

Her focus right now is completing the printed Chamber directory and the annual banquet.

In the future she would like the directory to look more like a magazine with articles about events in the county and pictures.

“I want to include more information content along with the directory,” Williams said.

The annual banquet will be held Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Hamilton County High School cafeteria.

Lisa Mills, an award-winning comedian, motivational speaker, actor and author will be the keynote speaker.

Projects that Williams is working on for the future include an amateur photo contest.

The contest “My Hamilton County” would have a theme and showcase different aspects of the county that draws photographers in.

Williams wants the photographers to show what make it their Hamilton County.

“It is going to make a presence for the Chamber,” Williams said. “It’s going to remind people we exist and reunite us with the community.”

The winners would be announced at the annual banquet.

Since becoming executive director, Williams said she has grown leaps and bounds but still has a lot to learn.

“I am really excited about the potential of the Chamber,” Williams said. “We are small but we can have an awesome Chamber. That does not limit us.”

There have been 14 new members join this year.