Letter from the Chair: October 2016

​A couple of years ago, at a roundtable discussion, a couple of our manufacturer members told us that they were having a terrible time finding and retaining qualified workers. From that event, we began hosting semi-annual Industrial Summits. Those events bring O’Fallon manufacturers together to learn and network together. At one of those Industrial Summit’s, an attendee stood up and asked that the O’Fallon Chamber get involved with Manufacturing Day. So here we are or were on Friday because our members asked the Chamber to get involved solving an issue that was hurting their business, we got involved, and on Friday celebrated the 4th Annual Manufacturing Day in St. Charles County.
 
Thanks to the St. Charles Community College and many other partners, the event was able to act as a free field trip for 360 area students to learn more about careers in manufacturing as well as an open house and job fair for 20 area manufacturers. The event was a great success and we look forward to being a part of the 5th Annual national event.
 
Continuing to look for ways to help this important part of our economy, the Chamber is proud to be a part of the planning of the first ProductCamp St. Charles County coming up this Friday. If you are interested in learning more about how important manufacturing is to our community, the Chamber has a website dedicated to just that, www.growmanufacturing.org.
 
Events like these are possible through folks like you who see the big picture of Chamber activities. Soon you will be receiving your packet of sponsorship opportunities for 2017. I encourage you to use the Partnership Program as an opportunity to promote your business while helping the Chamber continue to impact issues that are affecting their businesses.
 
Until next time,
Mark Crank
2016 Chairman of the Board

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