The five separate Chambers of Commerce in Randolph County have joined forces in terms of sharing more information and meeting on a regular basis.
It’s under the “Power of 5” concept.
“We’re all of the opinion that we’re stronger together,” said Adam Deathe, president/CEO of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber. “We all realized that we were on the same page.”
There was a “Business After Hours” meeting last month for members of all the chambers of commerce. It was held at Holly Ridge Golf Links in Archdale.
“A great turnout and networking opportunity with people from all over Randolph County,” said J.C. Parrish of the Ramseur Eastern Randolph Area Chamber.
Ashlee Willett, the relatively new director of the Archdale-Trinity Chamber, helped initiate the group concept by reaching out to Deathe.
“Coming into the Chamber world as someone new, I was trying to lean on other Chambers for advice,” Willett said.
The collaboration also involves the Liberty Chamber of Commerce and Randleman Chamber of Commerce.
“We kind of wanted to see what to celebrate and how we were hurting in the county,” Willett said.
The “Power of 5” concept allows for broader networking, Willett said, because it extends to more than one chamber.
The leaders of each chamber have agreed to meet monthly. There will be quarterly meetings, much last the one last month, for the members of all the chambers in the county. The next one comes in July, likely in Asheboro.
“We are all of the mindset that we’re going to continue with this,” Deathe said.
Deathe took his position last summer. He said he was happy to hear from Willett when she contacted him. This led to the self-named “Power of 5” group.
This is a way for certain projects and ideas to be addressed with a perspective of the full county, Deathe said, particularly with new personnel in some positions at the chambers of commerce in Randolph County.
“Fresh blood and fresh eyes,” he said. “We need to work together and should work together. I think only good things are ahead.”
Willett said there had been a “stay in your lane” mentality among the chambers that wasn’t necessary.
“We’re all working toward the same things,” she said.
While the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber and Archdale-Trinity Chamber have full-time staff, the other three agencies are volunteer based.
Willett said the “Power of 5” group will aim to create its own mission, something that might center around education.
