Chamber members learn value of social media

Saturday, September 14, 2013
Kathy Macomber shows graphically the impact of social media. Photos by Doug Harper/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

About 38 people attended the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon Friday at the Marmaduke Park enclosed shelter house. The meeting included catering by the Gobbler's Roost, guest speaker Kathy Macomber, a community development specialist from the University of Missouri Extension, and updates from members on upcoming events.

The opening Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation were led by Ron Schowengerdt, and Chamber Director Jennifer Eaton. Next the upcoming Chamber events were announced: Scavenger Hunt begins September 14, and will go until Oct. 1, featuring nine area businesses. Participants may go to the participating businesses in any order and as many times as needed to solve the clues. They then write their guesses on a form that can be picked up at the first business they visit and dropped off at the last business they visit.

Guest Speaker Kathy Macomber - talking to (left) Christine Mosbrucker about the benefits of a Facebook business page vs a personal, and how you can get the statistics on the business page but not the personal one.

The Farmers' Market ribbon cutting will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and at Earp Park where the market meets each Saturday.

On Friday, Sept. 27, the Fourth Friday Coffee will be held at Rinehart Jewelry from 8 - 9 a.m. The next Chamber luncheon will be held at the Eagles from noon until 1 p.m.

Other upcoming events include the Octoberfest, which will be all day on Saturday, Oct. 12, with the Lions Club pancake breakfast that morning from 7 until 11 a.m. and the NRMC Foundation Gala with a Roaring Twenties theme at the Elks Bingo Hall.

The meeting was then opened to allow members to share updates and events. Kelly Ast spoke about the 100 Mile Challenge, and congratulated Jeremy fast on already completing it and receiving recognition from the governor. Ast also talked about how the Farmers' Market has become a great place for non-profit organizations to set up a table at no cost for fundraising as the set up fee has been waived for non-profit groups. The tables and tents can be provided because of donations and efforts by Cory Johnson and Murphy Brown Ventures. The market will be hosting a Fall Fest with fall crafts and produce on Saturday October 21, and there will also be a Chamber ribbon cutting at the event that day.

Handouts were distributed explaining the Seasonal and Simple App for iPhone, iPad, and Android users. The app comes from the University of Missouri Extension and is a premium guide to finding, selecting, preparing and storing fresh fruits and vegetables in Missouri.

Allison Fast talked about the Community Council on the Performing Arts and how it is celebrating its 40th year in operation. She announced that the CCPA will be putting together its programs for the season and if any one would like to make donations to help with them one can contact Fast by phone at 417-667-3372.

Wendy Barton told the group that the 44th Annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction is set for Sunday, Sept. 22. "Good food, good music and good times are the order of the day that Sunday with activities for all ages," she said.

Children's games will start about 12:30 p.m. with all the classic country picnic contests. Attention will turn to the serving line at 1 p.m. Again this year Neil Steiner of Flaming Lantern will be preparing beef and pork, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, bread, iced tea and lemonade. Everyone who wishes to lend a hand to the Center is invited to bring along a cake for the dessert table. Any extra cakes will be auctioned off. During the dinner hour, Erica Diehl, a Rich Hill High School sophomore, will be providing musical entertainment.

About 1:45 p.m. a unique variety of crafts and collectible items will go on the auction block, headed up this year by auctioneer Larry Hacker. The craft auction has become known for its quality items ranging from antiques to delicious baked goods. A popular auction feature the last few years will be back this year. The Mad Hatter features 10 McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Bell Photography. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn and the person who bought the hat with the winning number will win a Savage Semi-Automatic .22 rifle, donated by Bell Farms. For more information about the auction, or to donate an item, call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196 or drop the items off at Bell Books in Rich Hill. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.

Admission to the barbecue is $9 for adults and $3 for children, ages 6-12. Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction. From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located 5 miles west on A Highway and 4 miles south on WW Highway.

Finally, Steve Reed shared some comedy to loosen up the group before the guest speaker.

Macomber, from the University of Missouri Extension, told the attendees how the social media represents a profound marketing shift. She gave them guidelines for posting, measurement and how to track and increase the number of fans and followers, sales increase, and popular posts. Macomber has a broad knowledge of using social media to increase and measure business provided many ideas on its use during her presentation and during a question period afterwards.

The next Chamber luncheon is slated for Friday Oct. 11, at the Eagles from noon until 1 p.m.

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