CONTACT:

Kathy Tilque

President and CEO

(480) 892-1103



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2012

Overhaul of Networking Culture Leads to Increased Business, Additional Referral Club

GILBERT – Members of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce’s referral clubs closed more than $536,000 in business since July 2011 as a result of member-to-member referrals, prompting the organization to organize its fifth club.

The closed business figures were reported on a weekly basis by participants in the Chamber’s four referral clubs, representing 132 local businesses; approximately 25 percent of the Chamber’s entire membership base.

The Gilbert Chamber began an effort to overhaul the traditional networking experience nearly two years ago and hired Victoria Trafton, a referral strategist of Referral Institute, to help transform the networking culture to a relationship and referral-based culture.

“The referral culture has nurtured both business and personal relationships of Chamber members and, as a direct result, Chamber members are seeing a significant increase in referrals passed to each other,” said Kevin DeRosa, of Advance Paper and Maintenance Supply and Vice Chairman of the Gilbert Chamber’s Programs and Services.

According to Trafton, people don’t often turn to business cards for personal services and needs. Instead, they turn to people they know, like and trust for a referral. Trafton has worked to train the members of the Chamber’s four referral clubs on the importance of investing in relationships and the Chamber’s holds bi-monthly workshops for the entire membership at which she shares her expertise.

“These referrals have meant hundreds of thousands of dollars in business to Gilbert Chamber members. With the help of Victoria, the referral clubs have created a solid foundation for Chamber members to increase their business within the Chamber community,” DeRosa said.

The Chamber’s referral clubs are industry-exclusive and meet once a week. Each club allows up to 35 participants. The Chamber’s newest club will begin meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce or to join a referral club, contact Annette Sellers by phone at (480) 926-6020 or by e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, membership-based organization with more than 550 members ranging from home-based businesses to large corporations and representing more than 42,300 employees. The Chamber proactively serves as a business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert. To learn more about or join the Chamber, please contact (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

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