Chair's Column
Chamber Lobbies FOr Business

By Dave Rozenboom
2009-10 Chair of the Board

Dave Rozenboom 2009-10 Chair of the Board

One of the many benefits your Chamber provides is serving as the voice of business at all levels of government, representing our membership on issues that impact the business community. While this is an on-going responsibility, this time of year we focus our attention on the 2010 South Dakota Legislative Session.

This issue contains our annual guide to area legislators with their contact information and their top priorities for the upcoming legislative session. We hope this serves as a helpful tool for you to get to know more about the legislators that represent the Sioux Falls area.

Recently, Chamber members were asked to provide input on our 2010 Legislative Platform by participating in our annual electronic issues survey. Thanks to all who shared opinions about issues important to your business and the Sioux Falls area. Our Issues Management Council will use your input to make recommendations to the Board of Directors, who will finalize our platform later this month. The Chamber will use this platform to guide our advocacy and lobbying efforts during the upcoming legislative session.

In addition, there is a seemingly unprecedented level of activity at the federal level that will have a direct impact on the business community: health care reform, cap and trade, card check, and financial services reform are areas of significant impact to the Sioux Falls area economy and business community. Your Chamber has played an active role in holding forums and providing information and feedback to our legislators in each of these areas of interest. Of particular note, the Board recently approved the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Health Care Reform Position statement; you can view this in the Media Releases section at www.ChamberNews.com.

I recently attended the annual Chamber Membership Mixer & Holiday Fair and was again amazed by the great attendance at this event. Seeing the many local vendors who participated was a wonderful reminder to me of the wide variety of services and wares available here. I encourage you to use your Chamber Directory to do your best to buy from fellow Chamber members during this holiday shopping season — and throughout year. Doing business with fellow Chamber members is a great way for us to support each other and keep our local economy strong and vibrant.

I want to extend special thanks to the Chamber Ambassador Committee and their Associate Ambassadors for a tremendous Fall Membership Drive. A growing membership is critical to our long-term success and these volunteers helped us get off to a great start to the year! We are at our best when we work together, and the more businesses and individuals that are actively involved in the Chamber, the better.

In closing, I want to wish you and your family the very best of health and happiness during this holiday season!