It certainly has been an exciting first six months! Each day is a whirlwind of activity. I would be remiss if I did not share the successful outcome of the Chamber’s Fall Board Retreat. Held amid the natural landscape of Longwood Gardens, this local treasure provided just the right amount of splendor to tweak the group’s creative juices, resulting in a formidable strategic focus for the coming year. Stay tuned as we unveil a comprehensive plan targeting member retention and membership growth that includes expanded participation by the membership and ambassadors committees. You may want to consider joining these committees!

In the event arena, we launched a new networking opportunity for members and the business community in our region called Network t Noon. Our first successful event was held at the Hilton Garden Inn – Kennett Square, where we enjoyed a delicious hot buffet lunch and host welcome from the Director of Sales, Jane Cropper. Sponsored by Jennersville Regional Hospital, CEO Chuck Davis and key members of his senior staff shared the results of the hospital’s recent expansion with luncheon guests, and distributed a very useful gift – thank you Chuck!  Be sure to stop in and say hello to Teresa Rougeaux, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, and the Chamber’s primary contact at the hospital. Mention our name and Teresa might just let you take a five minute nap on one of their new hi-tech hospital beds! By the time you read this letter, we will have held the December Network at Noon with event sponsor, Pegasus Technologies. Visit us at www.scccc.com  to learn more.

Preparations for our first signature event of the year, the SCCCC Annual Dinner, are in high gear. The 45^th Annual Dinner Committee is very busy reaching out to members for silent auction
donations.  If you are able to provide an item, please contact the Chamber office - - if you do so by Thursday, December 29^th, your business name will  be included in the dinner event program. Or, if you receive a call from Don Sellers, Annual Dinner Committee Chairman, or a committee member¾Stacey Cordivano, Judith Lee, or Darren Talham, take their call and please be generous – thank you!

Other newsworthy items include our post-golf event article announcing the winners of the 2011 Golf Tournament, benefiting local high school students and students who attend PA Free Enterprise Week. Our sincere thanks to our fabulous event sponsors, golfers, volunteers and to the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club management and staff  for a perfect day on the courses and for a delicious luncheon and dinner. As you may remember, the event was rescheduled due to inclement weather, namely Hurricane Irene. We owe a special thank you to Presenting Sponsor, Simpers insurance and all of our event sponsors and golfers for riding out the storm and joining us in October – thank you!

Interested in sponsoring a SCCCC event or program? Don’t delay…there are a variety of options from which to choose but they are going fast – please contact me to discuss what makes the most sense for you.

On the business education front, stay tuned for the launch of a new and exiting initiative, SCC-ChamberU, professional education program. We will be offering a myriad of educational programs and workshops.