New Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dee Dee Hunter has big plans for the coming year.
“I am presently visiting all the present Chamber members and getting to know them while I am also visiting various businesses and letting them know about what we have to offer with a Chamber membership,” said Hunter.
Hunter and her husband Jay moved to Warsaw in 2020 after being weekenders for a couple of years.
“We loved the area with the lake and interesting towns and decided this was where we wanted to be,” said Hunter.
While living in Springfield, Hunter was the advertising and event director for Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Ozark, MO. Before that she worked as a Shelter Insurance agent.
“I am working on a new website for the Chamber and I want to spread the word about what a Chamber membership can do for a business,” said Hunter.
“Something new on the website will be ‘Monday Minutes’ which will let people know about upcoming events.”
The next big event for the Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce is the Outdoor Expo to be held May 17 from 8:00 AM until late in the evening.
Vendors at the Outdoor Expo include marina owners, boat sales representatives, fishing guides, campground owners and everything related to summer on the lake. There will be an assortment of food trucks as well as a bluegrass band, Potter’s Wheel, from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM then dueling pianos, Wharlow Entertainers from Springfield in the evening.
“We are still accepting vendors for this event so if a business is interested, they should contact the Chamber office,” said Hunter.
The Chamber also joins Warsaw High School to sponsor the Warsaw Academic Banquet on May 5 to be held at 6:30 PM in the WHS gym.
The top 15 students from each class freshmen through seniors are invited to the banquet along with their parents to receive their academic awards. Students must be present to receive their awards.
The Chamber is still accepting sponsorships for the Academic Banquet as well.
To join the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce, prospective members can visit Hunter at the office located on the first floor of the Community Building or call (660) 438-5922. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Membership dues are 0-5 employees, $150; 6-10 employees, $250; 11-25 employees, $500; 50+ employees, $2,0000; banks, $1,000; hospitals/clinics, $1,000; schools, $1,000; non-profit, $75; individual, $25.
“One of the benefits of Chamber membership is the advertising through the website and other social media,” said Hunter.
The mission of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce is to develop, promote, facilitate and advocate for a sound economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper.
Other Chamber events include: Halloween Hoopla, Heritage Days and Hallmark Christmas.
“I am excited to be a part of Warsaw and I enjoy discovering all the hidden gems of the county,” said Hunter. “This is a very welcoming community and my husband and I are enjoying meeting the people of the area.”
