'SLIDE into Success:' New home, new values for Sandusky County Chamber

Sheri Trusty
·3 min read
Sandusky County Chamber Executive Director Rachel Wynkoop is leading the chamber into a new era of impact in the county. Within the last year, the chamber moved into a bigger building, rebranded to better represent its place in the community, and expanded its services.
Sandusky County Chamber Executive Director Rachel Wynkoop is leading the chamber into a new era of impact in the county. Within the last year, the chamber moved into a bigger building, rebranded to better represent its place in the community, and expanded its services.

FREMONT — The Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce has entered a new era of impact in the county. When the chamber moved into a new building on Napoleon Street last September, the larger space created the opportunity to host new programs and services for its members.

“We had grown so much, and it was time for a change,” said Chamber Executive Director Rachel Wynkoop. “We needed something bigger, and we also needed a new identity.”

Along with the new building came a fresh set of core values that are represented in the chamber’s slogan, “SLIDE into Success with the Chamber.” SLIDE stands for Success, Leadership, Integrity, Diversity and Engagement. The chamber rebranded with the new slogan last year and will focus on a new strategic plan this year.

New services for chamber members include free use of a 60-person conference room which is equipped with technology for Zoom meetings and a green screen wall. Use of the green screen is free, and video editing services by Tyler Kneeskern, marketing and event coordinator, are available for a small fee.

The chamber can create three-minute business spotlight videos or 60-second TikTok-style videos for members, also for a fee.

“We put the videos all over social media. The 60-second reels are fun. They offer a lot of information in a short time,” Wynkoop said. “Our pride and joy is our video production. We are leading the way in Northwest Ohio in video production with a small budget.”

Local shopping campaign uses QR codes

For the past two years, members have benefited from the chamber’s “Shop Near Home for the Holidays” QR code-focused campaign. During the Christmas shopping season, local businesses promoted specials through the campaign and drew thousands of views to their advertisements.

“As an example, Root’s Poultry had about 500 QR code scans, and our Root’s Facebook post had 18,000 impressions,” Wynkoop said.

To keep its momentum going, the chamber has partnered with YGM Total Resource Campaign consultants to access the chamber’s existing elements and future potential. The company will review the chamber’s events and services to discover areas that can be improved or expanded. While they will ultimately make recommendations, they have already been impressed that the chamber is creating unique services and programs with a small budget and a three-person team which consists of Wynkoop, Kneeskern, and Operations Coordinator Lindsey Griffin.

“They looked at our QR campaign and told us we are cutting edge. They are going to use us as a model for other chambers,” Wynkoop said.

Chamber introduces energy-savings program

This year, the chamber added another member benefit, an energy savings program that directly affects members’ employees. Members who enroll in the program receive potential energy cost savings for their businesses as well as for their employees’ personal homes.

Sandusky County Chamber Executive Director Rachel Wynkoop stands in front of the chamber’s new green screen wall where staff create videos for the chamber and for members. Members can use the green screen for free and have access to staff editing services for a small fee.
Sandusky County Chamber Executive Director Rachel Wynkoop stands in front of the chamber’s new green screen wall where staff create videos for the chamber and for members. Members can use the green screen for free and have access to staff editing services for a small fee.

“It’s a unique perk members can offer their employees,” Wynkoop said. “Here at the chamber, it saved us $440 a year on natural gas.”

Beginning in April, the chamber will host Town Hall meetings in Clyde, Fremont and Woodville which will connect local business owners with city, county and state officials.

“This is a business owner-only event,” Wynkoop said. “We’re doing this because getting real face-to-face time is so important and beneficial for business owners.”

'Running with Scissors' event set for April 7

The chamber will celebrate its new building during “Running with Scissors” on April 7. The event is a combined ribbon cutting ceremony for the chamber, Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation, and Sandusky County Visitors Bureau. The event will include an open house at the chamber, and Jimmy G’s food truck will be on site.

The Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members. Cost for membership begins at $275 annually for a business with one to four employees. Membership comes with many benefits, including greater exposure and professional connections.

The Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce is at 1245 Napoleon Rd. in Fremont. For more information, visit scchamber.org.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Sandusky County Chamber 'moves to bigger home, takes on new role