What is the Chamber of Commerce

What is a Chamber of Commerce

Your Chamber is a voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life in our community. 

Chamber members are businesses, organizations and individuals concerned with the socioeconomic climate of our community. They have joined together because they know they stand a better chance of getting things done when they speak as one voice. 

The Chamber is designed to enhance the marketplace. The Vernal Area Directory of Businesses is open only to Chamber members and referrals are made only to Chamber members listed in the Directory. Here members make important contacts which enhance their businesses.

Why Join the Chamber?

A chamber of commerce is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization of business owners and entrepreneurs who promote the interests of their local business community. Chambers of commerce provide access to valuable resources, discounts, and relationships that help businesses save money and market their products and services. Chambers are organized to serve the needs of their members.

Top 10 Reasons:

1. Increased organizational strength through uniting together with other members.
2. Increased local and non-local contacts through vast networking opportunities.
3. Increased business credibility to the consumer and within the local community.
4. Increased business visibility in the community.
5. Increased marketing resources.
6. Increased opportunities for additional REACH.
7. Increased professional development, training, and educational opportunities.
8. Increased voice in government.
9. Increased ability to shape the future community.
10. Increased access to more…

The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce held its first Board of Directors meeting on September 14, 1949, in the Utah Field House of Natural History. In the past 73 years, the Chamber has been actively involved in many of the events and activities that have made Vernal and the Ashley Valley a thriving, beautiful area in which to live and work.

In the first few years of the Chamber, it was greatly involved in the Echo Park Dam project. This project also lead to involvement in the Central Utah Water Project and working on securing the Flaming Gorge Dam. Although the Echo Park Dam project was not successful, out of those efforts came monies to be spent between 1956 to 1966 to improve the Monument and secure a home for the fossils, build a visitor center, parking, employee housing, water, and sewer. In the Canyon area roads and trails were built to allow visitors to drive the canyon section of the monument.

Early efforts of the Highway 40 and Roads Committees were to complete the Vernal to Manila highway and several road issues in the county including the Book Cliffs and Bonanza Highways. The Chamber was involved in locating and purchasing property for the Golf Course. The National Guard Committee was instrumental in securing an armory in Vernal and in 1952 the National Guard of Utah approved $135,000 to build a building in Vernal.

Prior to the establishment of separate departments for these endeavors, the Chamber of Commerce directed activities for Recreation, Tourism, and Convention Committees.

Many of the events that still continue today originated in the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce including such projects as Main Street Flower Planting, the Lighting of the Dinosaur Gardens, Trees for Charity, Water Conference, Energy Days/Summit, Business Symposium, Health Fair, Kid’s Canal project, recycling and a host of other activities.

The motto “Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to advancing the economic and educational growth and health of the community” is the guideline for all the Chamber activities. The Chamber Committees: Public Relations /Community Development, Legislative Impact Committee, Education, Conservations Issues, and Business Development Committees all promote the improvement and well-being of our area. The Chamber actively supports various activities and projects such as Downtown Revitalization Project, Passport to Summer, Holly Days, John Wesley Powell Days, Freedom Fest, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, DinoTrails, Bus Stop Bench project, and many others. The annual 4th of July Parade and Flyover and Parade of Lights is sponsored by the Chamber each year. The Dinah-Mites, Ambassadors for the Chamber, welcome new businesses and assist with many activities and events in the area.

The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce provides an opportunity to benefit from informative speakers, presentations, and networking opportunities at the weekly Chamber of Commerce Luncheons.