Chamber discusses future plans during annual meeting at Hillside

The Phelps Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors hosted its annual meeting at Phelps Hillside Restaurant last week, where area business owners gathered with fellow chamber members to celebrate the continued growth of the town. 

A buffet dinner was served as board members discussed the town events of 2023, and looked ahead to what is coming in 2024.

Chamber Director Laura Boll highlighted that during the busy season, from May through August this year, nearly half of a million people were reached through the chamber’s advertising efforts. 

She also detailed the plan for 2024, and how looking for new revenue streams will help attract and recruit new members to the chamber to grow Phelps as a destination location for new businesses, residents and visitors alike. 

“We are hoping to further develop our events, grow participation and increase event-based business along with considering multi-day events to increase overnight stays,” Boll said. “Some of the biggest challenges right now with this are funding and volunteers. It’s incredibly hard to add to what we do now without more people.”

Regardless, the town has experienced growth and a renewed energy seemed to be present in the room as Boll discussed the future. 

Camaraderie amongst the board also appeared to be strong, as the goals of the chamber aligned with that of chamber member businesses in attendance.

Board elections were also held for two seats, as one seat was open with the resignation of Eric Eismueller, and longtime board member Dick Mendham will not rerun now that his term has ended. Boll thanked Mendham for his years of service, and this was met with a round of applause from all in attendance.

Current board members Fritz Laeser, of Edgewater Inn and Cottages, and Quita Sheehan, of Great Headwaters Trails, were up for reelection, and both were selected to keep their board seats for another term.

Two nominations were received by the chamber for new board members, including one for Sarah Lewis of Phelps Convenience Center, and another for Stephanie Sorn of Phelps Lakeview Lodge. Lewis and Sorn were elected to the board, which brought the total number of members to eight, with one seat still open as per the by-laws, according to Boll.

As businesses, residents and visitors look ahead to winter, Boll also noted a new event is coming to Phelps this year. 

A snowmobile radar run coordinated by the Phelps Snowmobile Club will take place Jan. 27, 2024, at the Hillside Restaurant. 

For more information on upcoming events and to find out how to get involved with the chamber, visit phelpswi.us.