Chamber of Commerce Upcoming Events and News

 

Mary Jo Coulehan, Executive Director, Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, was our speaker last week. Mary Jo moved to Pagosa in 1994 and previously had made her career in the hospitality business with Marriott Hotels.  She started with that firm as a life-guard and left as General Manager. Mary Jo and her husband initially opened a bed and breakfast business here in Pagosa and after that spent the next 9 years at the Chamber of Commerce. Following two short years with Pagosa Verde, we are lucky enough to have her at the helm of the Chamber once again.  

 

She said something that I found very interesting; she said that her time away from the Chamber caused her to look at situations and challenges in a new light.  The Chamber is mostly known for the events that it manages and how those events draw visitors into town. Our local businesses all benefit from the sale of goods, services, lodging and meals that those visitors need while they are here.  Perhaps those folks even 'fall in love' with Pagosa as so many have and decide that this is where they want to have a vacation or retirement home.

 

One of the major changes the Chamber is considering is allowing businesses to have more choice over the amount of services and exposure they wish to take advantage of from the Chamber.  Rather than charging more in terms of membership dues based upon the number of employees, businesses will be able to tailor their costs of membership and the services they receive in exchange for that support.

 

Another focus the Chamber is following is working more closely with schools through the Job Fair and the upcoming Career Day.  They have heard from the businesses that the need is great for more work-force ready graduating seniors.  Not all graduates are college-bound and we need to provide the support they need to find good careers here in Pagosa and supply our businesses with much needed workers.

 

From the sounds of it, its going to be a very busy summer here in Pagosa country.  Ride the Rockies, the Bike Tour of Colorado, our two major music festivals, Colorfest, the list goes on and on.  For Rotary, one of the signature events is the 4th of July Parade which will be here before we know it!