About the Chamber

The Chamber was first incorporated in 1947, as the the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Bureau. In the year 2000, the Chamber changed its name from the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce to the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce in an effort to better incorporate municipalities outside of Clinton. Today the Chamber is a dedicated voluntary organization of the business community and professional individuals throughout Sampson County who wish to work for a healthy economy and community. A 16 member Board of Directors oversees policy-making for more than 400 Chamber members. Board members represent the business, civic and professional leadership of the community. The Chamber is managed by the Executive Director and aided by administrative staff.

Our Purpose

To preserve the competitive enterprise system of business by:

• Creating a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of
  business people and a concern for their problems.
  
• Educating the business community and representing them in city, county, state and national legislative and political affairs.
  
• Preventing or addressing controversies which are detrimental to expansion and growth of business and the community if they arise.
  
• Creating a greater appreciation of the value of a more liberal investment of substance and self on behalf of the interests of competitive business

To promote business and community growth and development by:

• Promoting economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all business within the trade area.
  
• Promoting programs of civic, social and cultural nature which are designed to increase the functional and aesthetic values of the community.
  
• Discovering and correcting abuses which prevent the promotion of business expansion and community growth.

Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Gary Mac Herring, President
Mary Mack's Inc.

Michael Chestnutt, President-Elect
Black, Chestnutt & Johnson, CPA's

Sherri C. Smith, Treasurer
Patriot State Bank

Theodore Thomas, DDS, Past-President
Theodore Thomas, DDS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ambassadors

The Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are a group of Chamber member volunteers who work to promote participation in Chamber events and activities, to recruit and retain Chamber members and to represent the Chamber at related functions. The guidance, influence and commitment of our Ambassadors greatly contribute to the success of Chamber projects. The Chamber is fortunate to have Ambassadors with such integrity and commitment to service.

An Ambassador of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce shall refelct creditably on the Chamber of Commerce at all times. The Ambassador Club meets quarterly. Ambassadors represent the Chamber at scheduled events throughout the year. These events include the Annual Banquet, Ribbon Cuttings/Grand Opening Celebrations and Business After Hours. Ambassadors are awareded points for their attendance at meetings and events. The Ambassador with the greatest number of points at teh end of the quarter is recognized, and the Ambassador with the greatest cumulative total by the end of the year is eligible to receive the Garnie Edwards Ambassador of the Year Award. The Ambassador of the Year Award is named for Garnie Edwards, a long time Ambassador and friend of the Chamber. 

If you would like to become an active representative of the Chamber on behalf of your organization, please contact our office. We would love to have your support and participation. To learn more, download our Ambassador Brochure and Application.

Committees

Anual Banquet Committee

The Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Committee is a group of Chamber member volunteers who collaborate to plan the Chamber's Annual Banquet. The committee selects the banquet caterer, entertainment, decorator, etc., and aids the Chamber staff in coordinating other details for the banquet.
The Annual Banquet Committee meets just a few times November through January on an as-needed basis to make arrangements for the banquet. Committee members are notified in advance of any called meetings.

Board of Directors

Christmas Parade Committee

The Christmas Parade Committee is a group of member volunteers who help to plan, organize and facilitate the Christmas Parade. The committee is responsible for reviewing entry applications and is present the day of the parade for line-ups. The committee also assists the Chamber office in attending to the necessary details that make the Christmas parade both enjoyable and safe for all spectators.   

Meetings of the Christmas Parade Committee are called as needed between August
and December for preliminary planning and once in January post-parade discussions.   

Small Business Committee

The Clinton-Sampson Small Business Committee is a group of member volunteers
who meet annually to discuss recognition of area businesses and business leaders for their accomplishments in business excellence and service. Multiple nominees for the Small Business Excellence Award, Business Person of the Year Award and the Entrepreneurial Success Award are considered by the committee. Three nominees
for each award are presented to the membership for voting by secret ballot. The Chairperson of the committee announces the winners of business awards at the
Annual Banquet. 

The Small Business Committee meets on a called basis between November and January.

Multicultural Business Committee   

The Multicultural Business Committee was developed in 1999 by a select group of Minority Business Owners who recognize the need to address Minority Business Concerns. The purpose and goals of this committee are:

1. To create opportunities to assist Multicultural Businesses and Entrepreneurs new to the community in becoming more exposed and involved in the operations of the
business community. 

2.  To develop and nurture a quality network of Clinton City and Sampson County Multicultural Businesses and professionals.

3.  To provide an avenue of recognition for Minority Businesses and individuals that demonstrate excellence in providing services to the community.

4.  To serve as a resource to generate greater diversification among the membership and leadership of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce.

The Multicultural Business Committee plans the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet, which is held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day each January. The committee meets quarterly on the last Tuesday in January, April, July and October at 6:00 p.m.

Leadership Steering Committee