THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 23, 1995 TAG: 9501210082
SECTION: BUSINESS WEEKLY PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Forecast '95
SOURCE: NEWPORT NEWS DAILY PRESS
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce officials figure the tide will turn in 1995 for the 1,105-member business organization.
After years of racking up financial losses, the chamber's membership drives and profitable events in 1994 pulled it out of the red, chamber president Clyde Hoey said.
This year the chamber plans more community events and expects to break even.
Hoey, a former South Hampton Roads businessman hired as chamber president in August, said the chamber has cut its largest expense - a $120,000 headquarters lease payment that's been renegotiated down to $90,000.
The chamber will sublet about one-third of its 6,000-square-foot office to the Peninsula Advanced Technology Center this spring.
The chamber also plans to share some administrative and equipment expenses, such as the cost of a bookkeeper, with the tech center.
In 1995, Hoey said, the chamber will provide more services to its members, including a monthly educational breakfast forum and training seminars.
The 1995 plan calls for more internships, seminars and other educational forums for area teachers and students.
A task force will determine new tasks the chamber should do for the community. The group will meet with area civic leaders and other chambers and report by June 1. by CNB