Amador County – The Amador County Chamber of Commerce hosted dozens of local business people at its monthly mixer dinner party last week in the conference room of Thomi’s Café & Eatery in Jackson.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Board President Mark Borchin said the Chamber is growing and changing, including making new programs and revamping its website.

Executive Vice President Tom Blackman said the Chamber is adding new members daily, with new members and former members joining daily.

Blackman said the new website is about 45 days out and it will be “super useful.” Blackman said the new look of the website will be at the same web address of AmadorCountyChamber.com.

Borchin introduced Chamber member Ray Perry, who told the group that he is working on a new Amador Chamber Ambassador Program. He said it will be a good way to network with other businesses in the county, while also helping to recruit new Chamber members.

Perry said ambassadors will receive training and “will have a whole month to make these calls.” He said he “did this about 30 years ago in Modesto.”

Borchin said “there are so many folks that want to host a chamber mixer,” they may have to set up a lottery or some selection method. He said they want to take the Chamber Mixer all over the county, to the upcountry and the cities, so that all members can see all aspects of the county, and get out and support each other.

He said they will make some “e-mail blasts” when the mixer locations are determined.

Borchin announced during the meeting that Wednesday’s host, Thomi’s owner Frank Manzano, was giving attendees half off the cost of meals that evening.

Blackman said Amador Chamber of Commerce has 400 members right now, which makes it an influential group when it makes requests of the Board of Supervisors. He said the Chamber once had 700 members, and it is growing again.

“The Chamber is still the first portal to Amador County,” Blackman said, as people call the office daily. Members in good standing can benefit from business references from the Chamber office, which is staffed five days a week by volunteer Diane Lundgren.

Membership is open to businesses and individuals, with different levels of dues.

Visit the Amador County Chamber of Commerce at 571 S. Highway 49, behind Jose’s, or call (209) 223-0350.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.