ABOUT THE PARKVILLE CHAMBER

The Parkville Chamber of Commerce evolved from The Downtown Merchants Association. In the 1980's and early 90's the Chamber was the primary community organization responsible for promotions, festivals, and public relations. Membership was comprised of businesses and local residents. The 1993 100-year flood devastated over 50% of Parkville's downtown's businesses. A new non-profit organization was formed to focus on flood recovery and historic preservation for the downtown area. The Chamber joined with others to rebuild the heart of the city, and supported the downtown rejuvenation. A limited Chamber Board continued to promote tourism, enhance public relations, and complete one major community project each year. This small, but dedicated, group of volunteers worked to keep the Chamber active until the community was ready for a citywide focus.

During 2002 this group of volunteers determined that the time was right to begin growing the Chamber once more. The historic downtown was fully recovered, and new businesses in Parkville and the surrounding area were eager to become part of the community. Business owners and professionals agreed it was time for the Parkville Chamber of Commerce to begin conducting regularly organized events and to once again accept memberships. An informal Business After Hours was held May 16, 2002, and, not surprisingly, over 75 people turned out and expressed an interest in participating in Chamber activities. Therefore, a schedule was established for a monthly Business After Hours through out the remainder of 2002 and a quarterly newsletter was developed. Membership interest continued.

Beginning in 2003, the Parkville Chamber of Commerce established a tiered membership structure and continued to grow. Officers were elected and committees were formed. The Chamber once again had a presence at festivals and special events. The Chamber played an important role as a co-sponsor of The Lewis and Clark Landscape Exhibit in 2003, and assisted with The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Celebration in Parkville in June, 2004. The Chamber was on the move again!

During 2004 membership grew to over 300 and a Chamber office was established in the lower level of the Platte Valley Bank. In April, a part-time administrative assistant was hired. The monthly Business After Hours continued to be very well attended and in September, the first breakfast meeting was held and over 50 enjoyed a breakfast buffet and a presentation on growth in the city. Following that successful event a quarterly Business Over Breakfast event was added to the Chamber event list.

2004 continued on a positive path and in November the Chamber launched www.parkvillechamber.com. The goal for the web site was to become the primary source of communication with members, a tremendous resource for the community, and to serve as a great marketing tool for our members.

Changes continued in 2005. Membership grew to approximately 350 and a part time executive director was hired in April. In July the Chamber office moved into the Parkville railroad depot and became a source of visitor information for the community. A grand opening was held in August and also in August the Chamber assisted with the Viet Nam Memorial Wall touring exhibit in the English Landing Park.

In 2006, the Chamber continues to work with the City of Parkville and the Main Street Parkville Association to promote Parkville to our community and visitors from near and far. The Chamber executive director completed a Volunteer Management Course and plans are being developed to utilize the depot office to become even more of a visitor information source for the Parkville community. The web site has been enhanced to allow more timely information to our members and we will begin selling ad space on the website for an additional revenue source.

The Parkville Chamber continues to work for a better Parkville.