By CASEY NEILL
CRANBOURNE Chamber of Commerce has a new president.
Mark Carusi stepped down from the position at the group’s annual general meeting at Trios Sports Club on Thursday 13 August.
“When I cast my mind back to 2012 as the incoming president, the chamber was in a terrible state – so bad in fact that I wondered how we had ever stayed afloat,” he said.
“Our membership numbers are on the up and we have also posted a nett surplus this year as a result – the first for quite some time.
“I’m pretty excited about that. As members, I think you should be as well.
“It is simply the right time to move on.
“The chamber is well positioned to articulate and advocate for the aspirations, needs and desires of our business community.”
Mr Carusi handed over the reins to Andrew Arnold.
Kate Parkinson, Maree Cullinan and Peter Glanz returned to their positions as vice-president, secretary and treasurer respectively.
Mr Arnold has worked in Cranbourne since 1997 and said the suburb was “somewhere out in the bush” when he arrived.
“The rate of growth is extraordinary,” he said.
He operates Cranbourne Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre with his wife Linda, is passionate about business networking and wants businesses in the area to support each other.
“I believe there is great benefit in cross-promotion,” he said.
Guest speaker and City of Casey mayor Mick Morland spruiked the new council headquarters Bunjil Place, due for completion in late 2017.
He said it would bring in more than one million visitors each year.
“And when they come in they will spend money,” he said.
Cr Morland said the project would create more than 1200 jobs during construction and about 50 ongoing jobs, and would bring about $4 million of ongoing economic benefit to the region.
Consultant Bernadette McClelland spoke about the need for businesses to adapt to the changing business climate.
She said customers were rebelling.
“They know more than we do,” she said.
“Your potential customers are Googling you before you even know it.
“They are going to the market when they are ready and not the other way around.”
Ms McClelland said that thanks to social media, the whole world would soon know if a customer didn’t like their business.
“They want to see somebody that is trustworthy. They want to see somebody they can respect,” she said.
“They want to see somebody who is an expert in their field.
“Our outcome should be to contribute to the growth of their business.
“You can no longer hide behind your business.
“This is personal. People are looking at you.”
The chamber also presented a Community Award – read the story here:
Ian’s chuffed at chamber’s grand thankyou
