Connections

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

February 9, 2015

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

debbies@culpeperchamber.com

As many of you know, I’m a military wife.  My husband’s career as a Coast Guard officer provided a wonderful opportunity for our family to see the United States--at least that’s how the assignments were so advertised!  Although we were never permanently stationed overseas, we still did our share of travelling around this beautiful country during our 29+ years of service.  Our daughter was young then, and our Golden Retriever older (and perhaps wiser than us all), so travel by van or SUV was the selected mode of transportation. And oh, by the way, please don’t ask me about how to avoid overheating brakes when crossing mountains.  Moving also meant new schools, churches, neighbors, and friends -- a new network to be built every few years.

As we drove the highways and byways of this beautiful country during transfers or trips back to New Orleans to see family, I was often struck by how connected our Nation is today. I could be anywhere in the country and continuously drive on an improved surface to the opposite side of the continent. Our Nation’s physical network of roads is among the more amazing and for me, they were always my connection to home.

Connectivity is an often tossed about buzzword, but it is so frequently used with good reason. Transportation-related “connections” create business opportunities through interstate road travel and modern mass transit systems. The internet and its leading-edge information management technologies allow us to connect, communicate, and share data with amazing speed.  However, it is vital to note that there is always some type of network or “hub’” to facilitate the connectivity I mention above.  

For businesses in our region, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is the “facilitator” of business-related connections and the opportunities they create.  In addition to serving as a general advocate for business, a core function of your Chamber of Commerce is to help membership connect with each other and the community at large so they may explore the potential for mutually beneficial business opportunities.

Are you as connected as you want (need) to be?  Your wi-fi may work great, but could you benefit from exposure to a wider cross section of the regional business community? Are you new to the area and need to build your network?  Please feel free to connect with me by calling me at 540-825-8628 to discuss what your Chamber can do for you and your business.