Dear Downtown Henderson Partnership Member:
I am pleased to announce that the Downtown Henderson Partnership (DHP) has agreed in principle to become a division of the Henderson, KY Chamber of Commerce (Chamber). We are currently working through the fine details with plans to complete the merger prior to April 1, 2022. This announcement is a result of several weeks of collaboration among a joint committee of DHP and Chamber board members with approval of the merger by the full boards of each organization last week.
The Chamber and DHP share the same mission of advancing the interests of Henderson County businesses with DHP focusing specifically on businesses downtown. It makes perfect sense for us to combine our efforts to pursue our common goals rather than continuing to work in parallel. We believe that the whole of the two organizations will be much greater than the sum of its parts.
As a current DHP member, you will gain substantially from the merger. Not only will you receive all of the same benefits offered by your DHP membership, but you’ll also have access to additional services and resources from the Chamber, including ribbon cutting events, networking opportunities, educational seminars, legislative advocacy, and employee benefits programs. If you are currently both a member of DHP and the Chamber, you now have a one stop shop for your business advocacy needs, not to mention only a single check to write for membership.
After the merger is completed, DHP will become a division of the Chamber with a dedicated annual budget. The Chamber board has already committed to a 2022 budget that will fully fund DHP’s event schedule. DHP will also retain funds accumulated in its reserve account that will be directed at our discretion, creating a unique opportunity to make an even bigger impact in downtown Henderson.
As a division of the Chamber, DHP will be supported by a fully rounded staff, including former DHP Executive Director Lindsay Locasto as Chamber President, her administrative staff members, and an events coordinator to be hired. DHP will also have access to the full membership of the chamber, over 400 members strong, to recruit as volunteers, sponsors, and advocates. To ensure that downtown businesses are represented with a strong voice, a permanent seat on the Chamber Executive Committee is reserved for the DHP Division Chair.
I hope you will agree that joining forces with the Chamber will provide DHP the platform to not only continue its current programs but also provide expanded opportunities for future growth. We would be thrilled if you’ll join us in this new endeavor by joining the Chamber on your next renewal date. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the information below.
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