The Cuyahoga East Chamber of Commerce’s first annual meeting event reflected growth, gratitude, and exciting plans for our business community. Investor members, sponsors, and board members came together to review the year’s accomplishments and hear about the direction ahead.

Starting with the state of the Chamber, we’ve seen strong momentum in 2024. Membership now stands at nearly 200, with ten active chapters and 17 events held throughout the year. The Chamber’s Business Leadership Council also expanded to 21 members, strengthening their support for the local chapters.

Our digital reach has been particularly robust. With a growing list of now just short of 900 subscribers, our emails maintain a 30-35% open rate—well above industry averages—and a 24% click rate. On LinkedIn and our YouTube channels, this past year, we’ve produced and published over 100 chamber videos with thousands of local views combined. Additionally, we’ve published over 74 educational business articles and blog posts on our website and social channels. We’re proud to provide these resources to members and look forward to expanding our digital presence further.

Regarding regional resource partnerships, we’ve made strides in identifying and connecting with regional organizations such as Goldman Sachs 10K, Jump Start, Team NEO, and The Employment Collaborate of Cuyahoga County, among others. All are featured in the Chamber’s podcast series, “Regional Resources“, Hosted by Ben Holbert, Mayor of Woodmere Village. Future collaboration with these organizations will build a strong foundation for our community’s businesses to thrive.

Recognition and thanks were given to Michael Gray of TecnologyXperts, for serving a 2 year term on the board. Michael brought a world of expertise to the formation of this chamber. Michael currently Chairs the Beachwood Chamber of Commerce.

One highlight of the meeting was a tribute to Wayne Lawrence, owner of Weiss Movers, stepping down from his 2-year term as Chairman of the Board. Wayne was instrumental in the Chamber’s evolution and has shaped the Chamber’s trajectory with years of dedicated service, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy. Wayne’s expertise, deep connections, and relentless work ethic have been pivotal in guiding the Chamber’s mission and building our reputation across Cuyahoga County. Additionally, Wayne is tributed to hosting the Chamber’s podcast series, “Is Owning a Business a Blessing or a Curse?” featuring over seventeen local business owners.

We welcome our newly seated board of directors and officers for the 2024-2025 term, who are ready to build on the Chamber’s strong foundation. The board now includes:

Chair: Karen DiSanto, taking over from Wayne Lawrence, brings excitement for expanding the Chamber’s impact.

Vice-Chair: Faith Boone, recognized for her work in helping launch the Chamber, will continue her dedication to Chamber growth.

Treasurer: Sheila Gibbons, who played a critical role behind the scenes in forming the Chamber, is serving another term.

Secretary: Bonny Bird joined as a new member through the Maple Heights Chapter and quickly became a valuable contributor, advancing from the Business Leadership Council to the board.

Chair Karen DiSanto introduced her goals for the upcoming year, which center around growing membership, enhancing member engagement, and offering more value-added services. Our plan to launch a new membership “starter” tier in 2025 was a significant announcement. This innovative membership level is designed to broaden our reach and visibility across the region by offering an entry point for new businesses to join the Chamber.

With this limited benefits starter level tier, businesses can connect with our Chamber while exploring the benefits of full membership. For those interested in more services, we’ll offer options to purchase specific benefits—like advertising or access to cost-saving programs—without initially committing to a full membership. This flexible approach has proven successful in other chambers across the country, and we believe it will bring significant growth and fresh engagement to our organization.

Our Chamber’s annual meeting celebrated progress and mapped out an ambitious path forward. With a dedicated board, an expanding membership base, and an innovative approach to growth, we are excited to support our business community as it reaches new heights in 2025. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved in the months ahead!

Thank you to our supporting sponsors! We take this time to recognize their integral part in making a difference in the success of our mission and vision for business growth.