Year In Review 2021

The Orrville Area Chamber delivered programs and services to our members in creative new ways in 2021, but our core focus remained the same. To be a Resource, essential to helping our members achieve the goals they have for their businesses and organizations. 

Implemented a Value-Based Membership Investment Model

The most significant Chamber accomplishment of 2021 was the implementation of a value-based membership investment model. The Membership Investment Taskforce, a special committee of the Chamber Board, worked diligently on this transition from the standard Fair Share model based on employee counts to a value-based model that provided access to the resources that each member most desired.

Four Membership Investment Tiers with four medaled levels for the top tier Catalyst Investors was developed.  View Chamber Membership Tiers

Changing a key organizational structure involves risk.  In this case, the reward was an unprecedented 99% membership renewal rate for 2021.  The renewal rate plus the addition of 44 new members resulted in an 8% increase in total Chamber membership.

The Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce is growing despite the challenges of the present time.  This reassures the Board of Directors and Chamber Staff that our core focus, Be the Resource, combined with an innovative and collaborative approach to how the Chamber delivers programs and services, are meeting the needs of the business community.

Thank you for investing in the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce.  View the OACC Membership Directory

Delivered Innovative Signature Events

In many ways, 2021 was more challenging than 2020.  The Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce made every effort to be proactive in planning, but found that the changing environment related to COVID-19 required innovative new ways of doing things.

State of the Chamber: 105th Annual Meeting of the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce Virtual Conference

100 members registering for the Livestream that included a welcome from 2020 Board Chair, Dave Hershey and 2021 Board Chair, Traci Carmony.  Lori Reinbolt, President and CEO, narrated the 2020 year in review video and then we attempted 4 break-out room discussions on the top issues of the day. 

Celebration of Community Awards Dinner

The Celebration of Community Awards Dinner was moved to a new June date at the Orrville High School Performing Arts Center. Guests enjoyed dinner from Ferris, The Buehler’s Food Truck with indoor and outdoor seating options.  Awards program was held in the Performing Arts Center followed by a dessert reception outdoors. It was a new twist on our annual celebration.  The casual style of the event was well received.

Chamber Golf Par-Tee

The Chamber Golf Par-Tee was on track to be held at Riceland Golf Course.  But for the first time anyone can remember the Orrville Area Chamber Golf outing was rained out. A quick pivot and participants were delivered a Rain Check Party in the Box.  The box included certificates to Golf at Riceland, gift cards for Old Carolina BBQ, goodie bags.

This approach not only provided a Golf experience for the participants, it provided valuable revenue for two locally owned businesses Riceland Golf Course and Old Carolina BBQ. Event cancellation has a significant impact on small businesses and we felt that the Chamber should honor our commitments despite the rain.