After more than a decade working in advertising and marketing with San Luis Obispo based businesses and nonprofits, Jill LeMieux officially took on the role of director of membership at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce on July 1.
LeMieux, a Cal Poly grad, worked as the media manager at The Tribune as well as the director of marketing and business development at Patagonia Foods. Before that she ran The Americorps Mentoring Program, served as a crisis counselor and the executive director of the SARP Center, volunteered locally with foster kids through the Department of Social Services all while spending eight years as a board member with CASA of San Luis Obispo, and seven years as a commissioner with the SLO City Park & Recreation Department and still spends countless hours volunteering with local community organizations.
Brought on the Chamber team in February on a contract basis to manage the rebranded EXPO at the Expo and the Visitors Guide, LeMieux exceeded expectations and reached an agreement to join the staff on a full time basis.
(Q) Why the Chamber of Commerce?
(A) I was first introduced to the Chamber, like many others, through networking opportunities such as mixers, business education events and community award dinners. I have always respected the work of the Chamber, but didn’t realize the breadth of responsibilities and programs offered by them each year.
When I was asked to fill in on two projects earlier this year I jumped at the opportunity to do something new and fun. Once I was working along the Chamber team and had a greater appreciation for the work they do and the vision they have for the future, I knew it was a place that I would be committed to and enjoy working at.
(Q) What do you value most about working at the Chamber?
(A) I value the opportunity to become a more informed and invested member of my community. I love living here and making the decision to move and stay here after graduating from Cal Poly more than 20 years ago was an easy one, but I didn’t feel like this was home until I started volunteering with organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life that I already loved about the Central Coast.
Becoming part of the Chamber team is an extension of my dedication to community.
(Q) You hit the ground running with the EXPO at the Expo and the Visitors Guide, do you have any changes or new features that you would like to implement to those or any other Chamber program?
(A) Because both the EXPO and Visitors Guide have such a deep rooted history in San Luis County, it was amazing to see the continued community support for two such well-established Chamber products. I am proud to be part of the team responsible for two projects that are clearly valued by the community, the Chamber and their members.
Of course we are always looking to grow and implement improvements that our members’ value and one big change this year was the early registration for EXPO. We had one third of our member exhibitors sign up to return within the first month of early registration because they know this event sells out every year and they didn’t want to miss out for 2014.
We are also working to enhance the Membership Directory, City/County Map and our digital marketing opportunities.
(Q) What is the value in a Chamber membership?
(A) The Chamber offers support for a strong local economy through the networking, referrals and marketing opportunities focusing on key target demographics such as tourists, through our Visitor Center and VisitSLO.com and the SLO County business sector. The Chamber team remains knowledgeable and engaged with government issues and policies that impact the business community, beyond just the City of San Luis Obispo.
(Q) In addition to your commitment to the community what do you bring to the Chamber?
(A) I like to think that I have a strong work ethic and on top of that I’m motivated by making a positive difference. Making a difference doesn’t have to be big, just contributing your time or ideas can help engage others in committing to make a difference.