Central LA Chamber of Commerce
Social media workshop Wednesday in Alexandria
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsoring a workshop with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center on "Getting Started with Social Media," from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Chamber Office, 1118 Third St. in Alexandria. The workshop will provide the basics on how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as the latest must-have Pinterest, to promote your business or organization at no cost. Full article.
Chamber hosting workshop March 14 re: Attract & Retain Customers
The Central LA Chamber of Commerce and the LA Small Business Dev. Center will co-sponsor a free workshop titled "How to Attract and Retain Customers" today from noon to 1:30 p.m. today in the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce office. The workshop provides advice for marketing products, techniques to attract customers and assistance for developing a marketing plan. Full article.
LA Assoc of Business and Industry Legislative Issues Conference set for March 5
On March 5, the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce will host the annual LA Association of Business and Industry Legislative Issues Conference at the Best Western Conference Center in Alexandria. Topics include LABI's priorities for the upcoming 2012 state legislative session. Cost is $15.00. Full article.
Deborah Randolph: Membership, value among top Chamber goals
Deborah Randolph is the new president Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce. She previously served on the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce board of directors for eight years, and begins her new duties on Aug. 15. Her goals include increasing Chamber membership, value for members, and promoting the efforts of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. Full article.
Deborah Randolph new Chamber President
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce's board of directors recently voted Deborah Randolph as the new Chamber president. In addition to years of service with the Chamber, Randolph worked in public policy and as a lobbyist, and will begin her tenure as president on Aug. 15. Full article.
CAP & CLEDA Complete Merger
Cenla Advantage Partnership (CAP) and Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) have completed their previously announced merger. Effective May 3, all operations will be located in the Chamber of Commerce building at 1118 Third Street, Alexandria 71301. All employees can be reached at 318-442-6671.
Funding for Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance off to 'solid start'
Before starting official fundraising efforts, the revamped Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has raised more than $2 million. Private-sector investment commitment in the new CLEDA reached about $750,000 over a three-year period, most of that coming from people and businesses involved in the merger. The Rapides Foundation will match the funding, and the organization has about $750,000 in contracts and grants. Full article.
CAP, CLEDA, Chamber announce new organization
The Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA), and the Cenla Advantage Partnership (CAP), announced a reorganization today that will create a new, vibrant economic development organization for a ten-parish central Louisiana region.
“Almost two years of planning have gone into this new venture, and we are very proud of the results,” said Deborah Randolph, Chair, Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “ The new organization will include the best economic development assets of the Chamber, CLEDA and CAP under one roof, speaking with one voice. This is a very exciting day for the region.” Full announcement
Job seekers look for openings at youth fair in Alexandria
The Rapides Business & Career Solutions Center, Alexandria and Pineville, the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and the Learning Center for Rapides Parish recently sponsored a Community-Wide Youth Job Fair at the Alexandria Riverfront Center. The job fair targeted young adults 17 and older. Full article.
Chamber leader Elton Pody dies
Central Louisiana lost a good friend when Elton C. Pody passed away at his home, after a long battle with cancer. Pody served as president of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce for the past 20 years, and announced his plans to retire effective at the end of 2011 during the Chamber's 97th annual meeting at the Sai Convention Center in Alexandria in December 2010. Funeral Services