The Chamber Is Buzzing With Activity
By Joe Hassel

     The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership is buzzing with activity lately.  With more than 60 new members since the first of the year, the staff and volunteers have been busy increasing the benefits for its membership including publishing a quarterly newsletter (“Connections”) and a new Membership Directory, our Business After Hours program, ribbon cuttings for new businesses, and conducting economic impact studies for the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing Tourney and the Poker Run events.  “Now we’re getting ready for the ASA ProAm Archery Tourney and planning ahead for the Wine Festival and several other events” says director Joe Hassell, “and we’re ready to begin re-designing our website.”
     Another positive at the Chamber these days is the new level of cooperation among the Lake Chamber and its Visitor Center and the surrounding tourism and chamber organizations from Franklin and Bedford County to Roanoke and the dam in Pittsylvania County.  “We’re all working together to promote the Lake,” says Hassell.  One result is a new billboard on US Hwy 220 N coming out of Martinsville.  It features a beautiful picture of the lake and mountains with our theme of “Where the mountains end and the fun begins” and the website: www.smlchamber.com prominently displayed.
     The Smith Mountain Lake Visitor Center, located at Bridgewater Plaza, is also operated by the Chamber/Partnership and is busier than ever.  The first four months of the year have seen close to 9,000 inquiries already fulfilled by the 20+ volunteers that staff the center and all indications are for this to be one of the busiest summers yet!