- April 25, 2024
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Increasing membership will be the top priority for the chamber.
Felicia Caruso was busy on her first day on the job Nov. 17 as membership sales director at the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce. She was already talking to members about networking and other advantages of belonging to the chamber.
“It feels good to get back into it,” she said. “I’m starting to put a plan together and get organized.”
She’s starting a job she knows a lot about. She was membership director from 2007 to 2011, and has remained active in the chamber since that time while working as a realtor.
“I believe 100% in the chamber,” she said.
“I’ve always been a person who helped people network and market their business,” she said.
She’s been an ambassador for the chamber and worked on “leads” groups and after-hours events.
A “leads” group is a way for members to network, Caruso explained. There are four members in a group, each from a different business. For example, a group may have a Realtor, builder and an inspector. They meet regularly to provide leads for each other and refer business.
Caruso’s job is to make sure members know about leads groups and other advantages to belonging to the chamber, such as an arrangement with Office Depot. Members can shop online and get discounts for such things as printing and office supplies.
She said a lot of people call the chamber and say they are looking for business.
“People see businesses that belong to the chamber as involved with the community and tend to trust them,” Caruso said.
She also emphasizes the chamber’s events, committees, and other opportunities to “get out and shake hands and get the word out.”
“A lot of people just don’t understand how to utilize the chamber,” she said. “I’ve been a part of the chamber and also a business that has utilized it.”
She said coming back to work for the chamber is appealing because of having Rick Fraser as executive director, as well as the staff.
“It’s a great support system and I’m looking forward to it.”
Fraser said getting new members, and retaining existing members, is extremely important for the chamber.
“Felicia brings a wealth of knowledge about our Chamber, and will be totally dedicated to providing value added services to our members,” he said.
Bill Navarra, of Realty Pros Assured, incoming president of the chamber, said the number one priority next year will be to increase membership. He said they are looking at ways of increasing benefits for members, such as revamping the Economic Prosperity Hour.
“This year it was phenomenal,” he said. “Next year it’s going to be much larger.”
He’s also looking forward to Caruso in her new role.
“She really cares about the chamber,” he said.
Caruso is a native of Rochester, New York and has spent the last 23 years working and raising a family in the Daytona Beach area. She has two daughters, Amanda and Krista. She was most recently a Realtor with Sotheby’s Realty.
She replaces Rachel Bendix at the chamber, who relocated to the Florida Panhandle area.
