A new initiative for Clayton area business professionals, entrepreneurs and nonprofit managers is underway to foster collaboration, growth and innovation. Called the Clayton Chamber Collective, the organization fills a gap left from when the Clayton Chamber of Commerce ceased operating during October 2024 after nearly 75 years of offering business resources and programming.
Emily Bremer, chair of the Collective and president of employee benefit brokerage firm The Bremer Group, LLC, says members are promoting local businesses while demonstrating dedication to driving economic development and creating opportunities that benefit the entire community. "Behind every successful movement are the champions who believed in it first, which for us, are the founding members, sponsors and volunteers. We're so thankful for those who stepped up to participate, even before all the details were put in place."
She says the driving force was reconnecting the full range of organizations and businesses for the mutual benefit of Clayton's community, citing that post-COVID changes, such as hybrid remote work schedules and shifting employee priorities, clearly needed to be factored into current offerings.
"Things have changed, but we all want Clayton to be successful in an overall sense. We agreed there should be a local chamber of commerce and wanted everyone to have a voice in the conversation of what the Collective could be," affirms Emily.
She says one aspect former chamber members appreciated was tapping into the Chamber Federation Health Benefit Plan, as coverage only available to chamber members. They remain interested in this option.
After approximately 15 months of preparation and organizational details, the group hosted a launch event May 4 at the Commerce Bank Tower Terrace. More than 100 people attended, and the group already has 74 members.
"We were able to convey that we're starting with a clean slate, keeping some former elements that still work well, and that we're pivoting to address tough challenges. Part of possible, future elements hinged on learning about the range of community resources involved, and we're putting the new organization together in an organic way," Emily says.
"For example, the expertise within our members and community is such a valuable resource for educational programs.”
Members indicate they want to recognize and support Clayton as one of the primary commercial hubs and vibrant communities for St. Louis and the region. "It's home to a dynamic mix of organizations, ranging from global enterprises to local startups and not-for-profits," reminds board member Sharon Lee Tucci and director of TalentPlus.
Sharon says she was curious what a new chamber could accomplish for all sizes of businesses, and was especially attracted to the goal of offering membership to professionals in Clayton's surrounding areas that may have limited or no existing chambers of commerce. "It's about including anyone who lives, works or plays in Clayton," she iterates.
To put their promises into action, Clayton Chamber Collective partners with Clayton High School and the Clayton Catalyst Program as an experiential learning program that provides a business curriculum for students, and an incredible resource for community businesses. The Collective even has two students from the Catalyst Program serving on its board in an ex-officio capacity.
"Bela Infante and Lauren Wiegers are our inaugural student board members and have brought incredible energy to our team," says Justin Hildebrand, Collective ex-officio board member and head of the Clayton Catalyst Program for the Clayton School District.
He challenged the students to help create the Collective's new logo and branding with a student marketing competition to capture the spirit and feel of the emerging organization. The winning team consisted of Ella Edler, Vivian Cissna and Davy Nhek-Morrissey. They were awarded a $500 prize in recognition of their incredible work.
Additionally, the Olin School of Business at Washington University and student Riya Zaccariah were instrumental in developing the Collective's strategic plan.
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