Seneca Chamber celebrates growth, development

By JOHN R. DETWILER

Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce

Over the past 104 years, the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services has served our community, and it has been another banner year for growth and development in both our local businesses and our focus on tourism.

As we continue to branch out with our tourism division, Destination Seneca County, it continues to be difficult to find lodging in Seneca County.

A 2017 Tourism Economics Study reported that the total economic impact of visitors to Seneca County which includes all direct, indirect and induced impacts resulted in sales of $90 million, taxes of $11 million and wages of $27 million, sustaining 1,500 jobs or 6.4 percent of private employment.

We continue to market Seneca County as a destination with our history, unique attractions, shopping and restaurants.

We produce and distribute over 50,000 visitor guides annually across Ohio and contiguous states as well as sending them throughout the nation and abroad. In addition to our print presence in magazines, we can be found on billboards, including our electronic billboard marketing our community on Ohio 18 and U.S. 224 and soon, our electronic billboard on Ohio 53 and Ohio 18.

Visitors have come to visit at their own pace or during a number of bus tours we have hosted throughout the year.

Just a few short weeks ago, we completed our Seneca County Farmers Market season. We staged eight markets which drew an average of 1,000 visitors per month. 

Held on the second and fourth Saturdays from June through September, these markets have become one of our signature events.

In addition to over 30 of our retail and service businesses celebrating milestones, we also stimulated local purchasing through our Chamber Cash and Shop Small Shop Local Shop Chamber programs which put over $25,000 back into our local retailers.

We continue to nurture our relationship with Heidelberg and Tiffin University as we enhance our Around-The-Town Welcome Back Program. In spite of torrential downpours, Presidents Rob Huntington and Lillian Schumacher led over 500 students greeted by more than 60 businesses to experience our downtown.

Coming into the holiday season, we have a number of events in the works. Keep checking both our websites for more information on our Christmas and holiday celebrations throughout December.

As we consider the accomplishments of the last year, the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce gathered for our 104th Annual Meeting on Oct. 30 to celebrate individual and collective achievements in our community and review the accomplishments of our organization.

In collaboration with the county, city and Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, we rolled out a new unified brand with a cohesive identity. This reflects the attributes that our community members have in common creating a positive and attractive environment. Complementing our new branding initiative, we rolled out a new Chamber website in collaboration with Spire Advertising, focusing on our continuing support of the community and making sure we are a hub of easily accessible information.

During this meeting, we recognized several of our residents who have gone above and beyond in promoting the community.

Every year two awards are presented at the 104th Annual Meeting of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services.

The Outstanding Citizenship Award is given to honor an individual who has proven himself/herself to be outstanding among his/her peers in the areas of professional competence, civic contribution and personal qualities. This year’s recipient was Keith Hodkinson, senecacountyradio.com.

The Women’s Career Excellence Award honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment — women and men — who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and who also open paths so that others may follow. The 2018 recipient was Deborah Tiell, Tiell Financial Group.

The keynote speaker was Melinda Huntley, executive director, Ohio Travel Association.

In addition to our continuing work in the community and growing our Chamber membership, we are finishing off our newest edition of the Seneca County Visitor Guide. This brochure is focused on all the attractions for visitors, including local parks, restaurants, shopping, museums and more.

Stay tuned as we announce some major events happening in Tiffin in 2019. For more updates about our events, including our fundraisers such as Casino Royale coming up in

February, visit our website at tiffinchamber.com.

Through our Destination Seneca County brand, we continue to serve visitors through countywide travel and tourism. We assist with the development of Tiffin’s center city, we nurture potential business owners, we develop lifelong leaders with a mind toward community trusteeship, and we strive to attract retain and engage young professionals and we put safety first and foremost in the workplace.

Looking back on the past year, community involvement continues to grow, businesses continue to advance and our community continues to develop. With that, we cannot wait to see what 2019 will bring to Tiffin and Seneca County.

John R Detwiler is president and CEO of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce.