How do you celebrate 90 years? By hanging out with young'uns, of course. The Fairfax Chamber of Commerce will turn 90 next year and CEO Jim Corcoran says one item on the agenda is wooing younger members. The 650-member organization will launch a Young Professional Council this fall, create a separate board for young professionals, create career development programs, and organize interactive events like a dinner for 20 at someone’s house. (Maybe post something on Reddit; we hear kids are into that.) The organization will also encourage reverse mentoring, where older members receive guidance from Millennials.
Jim, who spent 15 years with the National Confectioners Association, says the Chamber gets about 10 new members a month—most from current member referrals. But competition is huge, with nine chambers just in Northern Virginia. Jim says the trick is to deliver a sharp value message, and he emphasizes the access the chamber provides to business and government. Fun fact about Jim: He’s an avid golfer (7 handicap) and rates courses for Golf magazine. He’s also the commissioner for the Northern Virginia B Team Golf League.
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