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PdC chamber highlights its functions as Chamber of Commerce Month begins

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The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed and hosted Stephanie Klett and her Travel Wisconsin tourism team while they spent several days in Prairie du Chien in early June. The purpose of the visit was for the 20-plus person team to visit, learn and understand the destinations in the area that they commonly promote via Travel Wisconsin. Klett is pictured with PdC chamber CEO Bob Moses in front of the chamber office and tourism information center. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

What does the Chamber of Commerce do for the community?

According to a proclamation declaring September Chamber of Commerce Month, signed by Gov. Scott Walker, this organization provides a variety of services to its business members, including advocacy and economic development. The proclamation says chambers also:

•promote tourism, community events and prosperity,

•advertise in print, radio and TV across the tri-states, from Green Bay and Milwaukee, to the Quad Cities and Chicago, to La Crosse and farther up the Mississipppi,

•work to solve critical economic challenges, including the labor shortage,

•encourage entrepreneurship,

•solve problems with the unique ability to work with stakeholders from both the private and public sectors,

•and, in general, make the community a better place to live, work and play.

The proclamation also notes that there are 267 chambers of commerce in Wisconsin villages, towns and cities. The city of Prairie du Chien adopted the same proclamation during its Aug. 15 common council meeting.

According to local chamber history, the Prairie du Chien chamber and tourism information center began as a city bicentennial project in 1975. A plan was submitted for developing a small park, flag display and site for the Father Marquette statue. It took the combined efforts of working with the Wisocnsin Department of Transportation, Great River Road Commission, city officials and dedicated residents of Prairie du Chien to complete the project.

In 1977, a committee was appointed to coordinate the plan for the tourist information center in the park, making this buiding a reality. It is built on DOT land, with monies from the Great River Road amenities fund, a $100,000 bequest from the Cornelius family, as well as donations from the city and county.

“Today the chamber needs to play a more significant leadership role for our members and community. The goal of any chamber is to help to further the interests of businesses in a local area,” stated Bob Moses, Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce CEO. “Activities can range from hosting events, networking opportunities, educational workshops and tourism promotion, to lobbying local representatives and charitable works for the betterment of Prairie du Chien. I believe the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce is leading the business community in the right direction. We value the investment from all of our members and we work hard to provide the best return on their investment.”

Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE), a division of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, is the organization that asked Gov. Walker to honor chambers of commerce during the month of September.

“Chambers are central to Wisconsin’s local economies,” said Philip Fritsche, WCCE Advisory Board chair and Beaver Dam chamber president. “In most places, the chamber is involved in all major local decisions either as a facilitator or advocate for its members.”

To celebrate chamber month, the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual meeting on Sept. 14 at the Dousman House. There, a number of the chamber’s members will be recognized for their efforts this past year. Also, the new tourism council members will be voted upon, along with policies and procedures of that committee. The congregate will vote on the updated Chamber bylaws, which will be posted on the website (prairieduchien.org) as well.

Chamber Month will culminate Sept. 27-29 with the annual WCCE Conference, which will be held in Neenah, with at least 80 chamber professionals from around the state attending.

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