By NIKKI ADAMS

Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce

The PC Chamber has grown to 415 members and strongly promotes business and tourism for the Greater Port Clinton area, answering hundreds of phone calls and emails monthly. Many visitor packets are sent out weekly stuffed with member information as well as relocation packets going out to those who are considering a move to our area or starting a business in the community.

Our new and improved website is now mobile friendly so before heading out for shopping and dining or making your hotel reservations, don’t forget to go to the Chamber’s website. It is your online resource for coupons, events, and specials presented by Port Clinton Chamber members. It’s easy … just go to www.portclintonchamber.com.

The Chamber’s Ottawa County Map has just arrived. This full-color map is the only map endorsed by the PC Chamber. Thousands of copies of this map will be distributed over the next two years at travel shows, the National Matches, county fair, visitor packets and the turnpike. Thanks to our advertisers for helping to make this map possible. For your copy, call our office at 419-734-5503.

We hosted several events in 2018. In July, we partnered with the Jet Express for a Sunset Cruise. Friends, family and co-workers enjoyed a relaxing evening on Lake Erie while watching the sunset. Our Jerry Lippus Car Show in August headed back to Madison Street to spend the day admiring cars from every era, In September, our annual Golf Outing was held at the Catawba Island Club where 20 teams enjoyed a great afternoon of golfing and funds were raised to support our annual scholarship for a graduating senior in Ottawa County.

Looking to the New Year, the Port Clinton Area Chamber will be teaming up again with the Port Clinton City School District, Magruder Hospital, and the City of Port Clinton to create the 2019 Guide to Local Activities. Guides will be available at the Chamber office in early 2019. This guide is a great community resource outlining activities in our community. I encourage you to take advantage of the many events and activities in the Port Clinton community.

We will be partnering with the five Ottawa County Chambers of Commerce and Lake Erie Shores & Islands at the Great Lakes Home and Garden Show, Ottawa County Fair and the National Matches at Camp Perry.  Our participation in these joint adventures allows us to showcase our County and tourism partners to thousands of visitors who will attend these events.

In March 2019 the PC Chamber will be teaming up with Port Clinton High School to host a job fair. We will be inviting all of the local High Schools and public to participate in this event to help our Chamber members. Last year over 50 businesses participated who were looking to hire both seasonal and year round positions. Also, Chamber members will post job openings throughout the year to our website – keep checking back because new ones are always being added.

The PC Chamber is requesting that you help us recognize those businesses and individuals that have positively contributed to the Greater Port Clinton Community.  Please nominate businesses and individuals for the Lighthouse Award, Outstanding Citizen, Beautification Award, and Business of the Year that will be announced in April at our Annual Dinner and Awards Program. To learn more about the awards, please contact the Chamber or for nomination forms please visit portclintonchamber.com.

The Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce hosts several events through the year to help our members network. Our Business After Hours held on the first Thursday of every month is a great way to meet new people. We invite you to join us in February at Catawba Island Jewelers located in Harbor Light Landing to meet our members and learn about all of the benefits that the PC Chamber has to offer!

Besides networking and promotion – Chamber members receive discounts on their health insurance with Anthem and discounts on workers comp with V&A Risk Services. If you have not looked into these benefits, I encourage you to do so.

We are continuing our Member Discount Card program. As a PC Chamber member, you have the opportunity to participate in this free program offering members and their employees discounts on products and services from other Chamber members. For more information on the Member Discount Card program, please contact 419-734-5503.

The Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce proudly serves the Greater Port Clinton area and we thank you for your continued support of the Chamber and the Greater Port Clinton community.

Nikki Adams is president of the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce.

 Save the Date 2019

– March 22-24 – Great Lakes Home and Flower Show

– March – PC Chamber Job Fair at PCHS

– April 13 – Community Easter Egg Hunt

– April – Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony

– May 23-27 – Walleye Festival

– June 20-22 – Cabelas Walleye Tournament

– June-August – RiverFront Live (every Friday evening)

– July 11 – Sunset Cruise on the Jet Express

– Aug. 3 – Classic Car Show

– Sept. 4 – Annual Golf Outing

– Sept. 6 & 7 – Rock the Light

– Oct. – Business Expo

– Oct. 26 – Community Trick or Treat and Pub Crawl

– Nov. 29 – Small Business Saturday

– November – Lunch & Learn

– Dec. 7 – Community Christmas

– December – Holiday Mixer

For information about the events, visit portclintonchamber.com