Chamber name change?

[wrobert]

I was told by more than one person at a meeting last night that the Walton County Chamber has changed their name to the Walton Area Chamber very recently. I am a member and had not heard anything about this. I will be contacting them today to confirm, but was interested in thoughts. Is this some sort of conspiracy to homogenize the whole area as one?

[John R]

Why would they need to do that? Like you indicate, 'county' is what we are. Their website still is 'county', and only as current as 2/15. Weird. The rebranding will cost many thousands I'm sure. I wonder if they'll roll 'the beach' into their propoganda?

[wrobert]

Why would they need to do that? Like you indicate, 'county' is what we are. Their website still is 'county', and only as current as 2/15. Weird. The rebranding will cost many thousands I'm sure. I wonder if they'll roll 'the beach' into their propoganda?


No idea. Several chamber members were present and all were upset that this did not go to the membership but was allegedly done by the board. I figure it was because they were starting to do so much over closer to Destin Commons. Maybe the Destin Chamber and the Walton Chamber are considering a merge. But the people I was with felt it was the Walton Chamber further abandoning nowal to concentrate in sowal. Those $265 annual dues are starting to get a little hard to justify.

[wrobert]

I just noticed that the latest Business Journal that they send to members has been rebranded. The Logo now says Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. And so it begins.

[DuneLaker]

I think SoWal business members might feel just as abandoned as NoWal and sold out to Okaloosa and Bay interests. Look at the 47 members of the 3000 group that are trying to force that "The Beach" on us. Most are from Okaloosa County. It is all well and good to work together, but we need to look after our own interests, too.

[SoWalSally]

A lot of chambers are the same way across the country, especially in tourist areas. Why should the chamber be tied to county borders? It is better to follow the natural area of common interest and networking. I doubt it has anything to do with excluding NoWal.

[wrobert]

A lot of chambers are the same way across the country, especially in tourist areas. Why should the chamber be tied to county borders? It is better to follow the natural area of common interest and networking. I doubt it has anything to do with excluding NoWal.


I guess it just highlights the obvious different interests of the two areas.

[goodwitch58]

I guess it just highlights the obvious different interests of the two areas.

I don't get it: doesn't Okaloosa have its own Chamber as does Bay...so what area are they talking about?

seems the membership would have had some say in the change:confused:

[John R]

WaltonGOP, did you find out anything about the name change? In the Sun today, an article on page A16 has coverage of the new chamber building and indicates, with a photo that we are now an "Area". Looking forward to see repainted Walton Area Sheriffs vehicles and the like on the streets soon.

Their website is still www.waltoncountychamber.com Surprisingly, there is no answering machine attached to their tel number

[DuneLaker]

Maybe Okaloosa County is planning on disbanding and rejoining Walton County.

[wrobert]

I don't get it: doesn't Okaloosa have its own Chamber as does Bay...so what area are they talking about?

seems the membership would have had some say in the change:confused:


I think Destin has a chamber also. What I do not understand is why this change is being done so quietly. We are starting to see things change a bit in some logos and artwork but no massive announcement.

Personally, I think it all started when the TDC moved the county line to south of the bridge. That left the north side of the bridge out of the county, so they had to switch it to area to continue to represent everyone.

:funn:

Those Big Blue Monsters have ruined the county. Maybe we can get the Walton Area Board of Area Commissioners to do something.

[Smiling JOe]

Panama City Beach also has its own Chamber of Commerce.