AMERICUS —  The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce announces a renewed focus on membership and providing value back to the heart of the organization with the leadership of Carolyn Wright guiding the direction of the county’s leading business organization. Serving in a consultant capacity over the next several months, Wright will work with the board of directors and staff to enhance service to the members of the organization and grow the programs and outreach of the Chamber.
Wright, an over 20-year veteran as president and CEO of Chambers of Commerce in Georgia and around the country, has demonstrated excellence and expertise in growing Chambers in both small, rural areas as well as larger, urban markets in North Georgia and in Houston, Texas.
Wright’s initiatives to further economic development, job growth and increasing membership and funding for each chamber has given her a great history of developing successful economic development initiatives, campaign fundraising and achieving goals for progressive, community growth. An award-winning Chamber executive, Wright demonstrates a proven track-record in Chamber excellence with two of her previous Chambers gaining recognition with national awards presented by the American Association for Chamber Executives (ACCE) based on membership growth, membership retention, and programs for the Chamber’s member level category.
Focusing on membership growth, sponsorships and enhanced Chamber programs, Wright’s leadership has already resulted in the identification of key new programs for the Chamber, including the Small Business Roundtable and Emerging Young Professionals Program.  The Chamber’s Ambassador Program, as well as the Agriculture Committee through Chamber Divisions will be reestablished with new life to enhance Chamber membership benefits and better serve Agribusiness in Sumter County.  Partnering with Americus Main Street, One Sumter and the Payroll Development Authority, the Chamber will offer relevant workshops and building stronger communications across our community.

Building on her experience in establishing trade missions to China on behalf of communities and Chambers, Wright plans to bring that awareness of the international arena and multicultural environments to Sumter County as well.  In the coming months, an International Expo is being organized to increase exposure of Sumter County’s outstanding local and area businesses in the global marketplace.

Chamber Chairman Jay Roberts is excited about the opportunity for the Chamber to work with Wright and benefit from her experience. “We are so fortunate to have Carolyn join our team, and help guide us into a new era of success, growth and energy for our business community. She has already helped us learn the importance of providing value back to our membership, and we are looking forward to learning more from her leadership and experience. We really think she can help take us to the next level,” Roberts shared.

“Sometimes getting back to the heart of your purpose, which is to serve your members and provide value to the business community, is the hardest thing for a Chamber to ‘remember’ to do,” Wright says. “It’s all too frequent that Chambers become so focused on the programs and events they offer, that providing that core service and leadership for the business community becomes minimized in the scope of running the Chamber as what it is — a business organization. I’m very happy to be working in a community that understands that importance, and is willing to invest its time, energy and resources in strengthening its most important asset, its members.”

For more information about the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce or to get involved, please contact the Chamber, at 229.924.2646; or at chamber@sumtercountychamber.com.