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Posts Tagged ‘xenia area chamber of commerce’

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Chamber Hosts Business After Hours at City Offices

In Business, Local News, Uncategorized on November 13, 2025 at 7:32 am

By Gery Deer

Editor

Xenia, OH – The Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce held its November Business After Hours gathering on Wednesday, November 12, at the City of Xenia offices, 107 E. Main Street. The evening event brought together local business leaders, city officials, and community members for networking, refreshments, and a look at the future of downtown Xenia. Many guests even had the opportunity to experience some off-the-cuff sleight of hand by local magician, Dave Davis.

Guests were treated to food, door prizes, and an informative program highlighting current and upcoming city projects. A centerpiece of the discussion was the Xenia Market District Development Project, the ambitious redevelopment of the former Xenia Towne Square Shopping Center. A rolling video display showed some of the plans and progress of the project currently underway.  

Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Donna Saraga, addresses the business after-hours attendees before turning the floor over to City Manager Brent Merriman.

The project’s concept draws inspiration from the townscapes of small, historic Ohio villages. Plans call for updated streetscapes, inviting public spaces, and a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and residential opportunities. The goal is to create a lively, walkable district that reflects Xenia’s heritage – including a memorial commemorating the 1974 tornado – while positioning the city for future growth.

After an official welcome and announcements by Chamber Director Donna Saraga, Xenia City Manager Brent Merriman briefly addressed attendees, noting disappointment at the failure of the recent street project tax levy, while stressing the vibrance and importance of the market district project and business community for economic vitality.

“Xenia is a hot place to do business, there’s a lot happening,” Merriman said. “We have a lot of new housing and neighborhoods coming online, new retail coming online, and we’re very excited with the progress of the market district downtown, where vertical construction has begun in several areas of the project.”

The evening offered business leaders a chance to connect while learning how city initiatives will shape the local economy. Chamber representatives noted that events like Business After Hours strengthen ties between the public and private sectors, ensuring that Xenia’s growth is both collaborative and community driven.

With food, fellowship, and forward-looking plans on the table, the November gathering underscored the Chamber’s role as a hub for conversation and progress in Xenia. For information about the next after-hours event, and other upcoming programs, including a new monthly speaker series, visit the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at http://www.xacc.com.

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Workshop Offers Fresh Strategies for Service Clubs and Nonprofits to Grow Membership

In Business, Local News, Technology, Uncategorized on October 9, 2025 at 4:02 pm

XENIA — On Wednesday, October 15, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce will host a timely and practical lunch and learn workshop titled Organizational Marketing in the 21st Century, aimed at helping service clubs, nonprofits, and small businesses attract new members, customers, and volunteers. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber’s conference room, located at 334 W. Market Street. Admission is $15 and includes lunch.

Leading the session is Gery L. Deer, founder and creative director of GLD Communications in Jamestown, who brings decades of experience in public relations, media production, and strategic messaging. Deer will share actionable insights on how organizations can modernize their outreach, refine their messaging, and better connect with younger audiences and potential volunteers.

“Too many organizations rely on outdated methods that no longer resonate,” Deer said. “This workshop is about helping groups like Rotary and Kiwanis, as well as small businesses and not-for-profit groups, evolve their approach—because when you speak the language of your audience, you invite them into your mission.”

Gery Deer teaches referral marketing, public relations, and professional development courses as part of his duties with GLD Communications and the Miami Valley, Ohio Region of BNI.

Participants will learn how to identify and communicate their organization’s unique value, leverage low and no-cost marketing tools, and determine when and where to invest in paid outreach. For service clubs and nonprofits facing dwindling membership and board vacancies, the workshop offers a fresh perspective on building community engagement and sustaining growth. Whether you’re a club leader, nonprofit director, or small business owner, this event promises practical strategies you can implement immediately.

Attendees are invited to use the rear entrance and enjoy a complimentary taco bar lunch beginning promptly at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation starting at noon. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, contact the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce at 937-372-3591, or visit www.xacc.com.

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History Meets Networking: Xenia Chamber Hosts Business After Hours at Woodland Cemetery

In Local News on September 11, 2025 at 9:38 am

By Gery Deer

(Courtesy Xenia Daily Gazette)

In a unique blend of community engagement and historical appreciation, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Business After Hours event on Wednesday, September 10, at one of the city’s most storied landmarks—Woodland Cemetery.

From 4:30 to 6:00 PM, around 30 local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members gathered at the caretaker’s cottage — now serving as the cemetery’s administrative office — to connect, collaborate, and commemorate. Executive Director Donna Saraga welcomed attendees with warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for an evening that was as reflective as it was productive.

Neil Fogarty (left) of Dodds Memorials and Donna Saraga, Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, welcome guests to the September Business After Hours at Woodland Cemetery. (Photo by Gery Deer)

The event was presented by the cemetery and Dodds Memorials, a cornerstone of the region’s heritage, now celebrating an impressive 180 years in business. Neil Fogarty, president of Dodds, and representing the Woodland Cemetery Board of Directors, offered a heartfelt introduction, highlighting their longstanding commitment to honoring lives and preserving memory.

Shortly after, guests were treated to a guided walking tour led by Catherine Wilson, Executive Director of the Greene County Historical Society. Beginning at the caretaker’s cottage, the tour wound its way to the mausoleum and back, revealing stories etched not just in stone, but in the fabric of Xenia and Greene County’s past.

Wilson captivated the crowd with tales of Woodland Cemetery’s notable residents, architectural features, and the evolution of burial practices over the decades. Her narration brought to life the cemetery’s role as both a resting place and a dynamic archive of the county’s history.

First chartered in 1845, Woodland Cemetery is more than a final resting place—it’s a testament to Xenia’s resilience, artistry, and civic pride. With its serene landscape and historic monuments, it offers a contemplative space for remembrance and education. The cemetery is managed by a dedicated board and supported by a variety of community partners.

The Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in fostering economic growth and community connection. Its Business After Hours series, held on the second Wednesday of each month, provides a relaxed setting for professionals to network, share ideas, and support local enterprises. Events are open to members and non-members alike, reflecting the Chamber’s inclusive mission.

Greene County Historical Society Executive Director, Catherine Wilsom, led a walking tour of the cemetery, which included the museum.

As the sun dipped behind the trees and conversations lingered in the old caretaker’s cottage, attendees left with more than just business cards—they carried a deeper appreciation for the legacy of Xenia, and the people and organizations working to preserve it. For details on upcoming events and membership opportunities, visit www.xacc.com.

Here’s video from the introduction for the event provided by Donna Saraga and Neil Fogarty.

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Chamber event sheds light on food insecurity

In Local News, Uncategorized on May 16, 2025 at 8:29 am

By Gery Deer

Courtesy Xenia Daily Gazette / Greene County News

XENIA — The Greene County FISH Pantry hosted the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce after-hours event Wednesday.

The monthly networking program offered participants an opportunity to learn more about the food pantry’s mission and meet Mike Reeves, the new executive Director and operations manager.

After-Hours visitors were given tours of the pantry facility and its newest addition, a food storage warehouse they call “the barn.”

Each month, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce presents the event at different member locations throughout the city. The after-hours event allows other chamber members, residents, and civic leaders to learn more about the host organization and their contributions to the region.

Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce President Donna Saraga opened the event by introducing Reeves and sharing why they chose to have the event at the pantry.

“We know many people have never been in the building or haven’t been for a long time, and we thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about the facility and meet Mike,” Saraga said.

Discussion topics included the continuing need for food security in Greene County through food and monetary contributions from residents and businesses. Members of the board of directors and the executive director provided guests with tours of the facility, including the newly constructed food storage warehouse, recently named in honor of the previous executive director of the pantry, Gail Matson.

Reeves provided some history about the pantry and the facility, then spoke of the people involved with the organization such as their clients and volunteers.

“It absolutely warms your heart to see these people, and the volunteers are what makes this place work,” Reeves said. “I really appreciate everyone coming to see the building and learn more about what we do, and thanks to Donna and the Xenia Chamber for having this here today.”

He also noted that the pantry serves more than 100 clients during each day’s distribution, up to 90 on those days reserved for veterans and active military service families. More information on the Greene County FISH Pantry is available online at http://www. gcfp.org.

The next Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce After Hours will be on June 11, hosted at Toward Independence in Xenia.

For more information about the chamber, visit its website at xacc.org, and for more information on the FISH pantry, visit its website at gcfp.org.