Our Chamber of Commerce just got a brand new look and name! I know I’ve been curious as to the “why” behind the change. So, I was so glad to be able to interview Laura Stewart, Vice President of Community Engagement. The new brand was announced at the 2019 Chamber Annual Celebration dinner on November 1st.
How long had the other logo and name been standing?
The Chamber’s last logo was developed in 2008. The organization was actually founded in 1954 as the “Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.” Despite asking several sources, we are not sure when the name changed to Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce but our assumption is that it was sometime in the 1980s.
What are the reasons for the name change and updated logo?
In 2018, the Chamber Board of Directors tasked Chamber staff to gather data to determine if it was time for the organization to rebrand. Based on this data, the rapid changes occurring in Forsyth County and the new horizons for the local economy, the Board of Directors endorsed a rebranding initiative for 2019. As part of the Chamber’s research phase, elements included components to gain feedback about the organization’s name. The data from surveys and third-party-led focus groups clearly demonstrated that a new name was desired by many. The Chamber’s Rebranding Committee (a group of members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors who led the initiative) recommended to the full Chamber Board of Directors that the organization become the Forsyth County Chamber as an inclusive change, noting the organization’s efforts to represent the entire economy of Forsyth County.
What is the meaning behind the new logo?
The icon in the Chamber’s logo is meant to represent the Chamber’s role in leading the way, making a path and being on the forefront of Forsyth County’s future.
What is the ultimate goal of the Forsyth County Chamber?
The mission of the Forsyth County Chamber is to advance positive business growth and community partnerships to promote a superior quality of life in the community.
If you could say one last thing to the readers of Cumming Local, what would that be?
It’s easy to assume that the Chamber’s purpose is to enhance and support small business initiatives. The reality is that the Chamber’s purpose is much broader than that. The organization’s aim is to leverage business and community partnerships to enhance the quality of life for all residents in Forsyth County. The new brand is meant to reflect this broad purpose.
To learn more about the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, visit their website at https://www.focochamber.org.
