The Bethel Park Chamber, serving the communities of Bethel Park, Castle Shannon and South Park, has a mission to provide the local business community with education, information, networking, partnerships, create opportunities to flourish, and promote a vibrant place to live, work and play.
BACKGROUND
The Bethel Park Chamber began in the 1950s and ran for 25 years; then according to Chamber Executive Director Connie Ruhl, it merged with the South Hills Chamber. However, in 2014, Ruhl re-started the Bethel Park Chamber once again with a group of local businesses.
“I was working for the South Hills Chamber at the time and while researching local chambers, I saw that the Bethel Park Chamber’s paperwork had become dormant,” said Ruhl. “I contacted the state and was told that the paperwork needed to be filed soon or the Bethel Park Chamber would permanently be defunct. So, I filed it before it expired and that’s how I started it up again…the timing worked out perfectly!”
Ruhl left her position at the South Hills Chamber and took the helm of the Bethel Park Chamber with the support of Brookside Lumber, Virgili Beer Distributors, Comcast, Evey True Value Hardware, Allen’s Dairy Queen, Henney Funeral Home, Bethel Bakery, and WalMart.
“These businesses formed the first revamped Bethel Park Chamber Board, and we went from there,” said Ruhl. “They also donated thousands of dollars of equipment, furnishings and Reno Virgili even donated six months of free office space rent to help us get going.”
Today, the Chamber has over 125 businesses and continues to grow.
Ruhl brings a wealth of experience to the Chamber. She’s a former vice president of Mellon Bank where she also served as the director of operational training, was director of education for the Greater Airport Area Chamber, executive director for the Hispanic Chamber, and executive director for the South Hills Chamber. She’s assisted by Business Manager Linda Rusch who primarily handles Chamber memberships and invoicing. Rusch has 30 years of experience as a bookkeeper and customer service rep for Brookside Lumber and also worked in administration for Tri-Community South EMS for a few years.
“I love this community and firmly believe in promoting and supporting businesses,” said Ruhl. “And, while I bring a lot of experience with me, we could really use more staff to implement many more projects that we’d like to do in the future. We’re always looking for volunteers who’d like to help us!”
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- Bethel Park Chamber Executive Director Connie Ruhl
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- Bethel Park Chamber Business Manager Linda Rusch
SERVICES
Over the years, the Chamber has changed the way it manages projects and provides services.
“We have to use more technology and make it easier for our members to participate in our programs by using Zoom and other online initiatives,” said Ruhl. “Their time is limited so we work hard to find ways to reach them. And we try to ensure that when they’re away from work, their time is well spent.”
Chamber fees range from $50 for a home business to $300 for a large business with over 25 employees. In return, members received the following benefits:
- Networking opportunities.
- Educational and informational seminars.
- Special member marketing packages (example pictured below).
- Partnerships with local businesses and services offering discounts (such as Chamber Choice assisting with Human Resources and Health Care plans, Office Depot and Save Here Today to provide member discounts).
- Monthly luncheons, after hours events and the recently started tri-chamber events to bring many local chambers together.
- New member features on the Chamber website and Facebook page – “Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce.”
- Opportunity for a BPTV video series.
- Special events such as “Night at the Races” and “Salute to Veterans.”
- A directory listing on the Chamber website.
- New printed advertising services, special “We Are Local” site for all businesses with links to business site and coupons/discount offers.
- Opportunity to support the Chamber charity – “Pets For Vets.”
“Our dues are one of the lowest in the area for a chamber,” said Ruhl. “We’re always adding to our member benefits too. For instance, we’ll be soon starting a morning coffee series called ‘Chamber Chats’ each month where we’ll discuss issues that our members may be facing. We’ve also just formed an Ambassador Committee that will be going out and visiting with local businesses.”
To join the chamber, visit www.bpchamber.org.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE BETHEL PARK RESIDENTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHAMBER?
“By supporting and promoting our local businesses, we’re also marketing the community. We feel that robust local businesses bring jobs to the area, provide revenue, and if you have stable local businesses, the whole community is supported,” said Ruhl.
And, with staffing shortages becoming an issue for local businesses, the Chamber has a plan.
“We’re working with the Municipality and other organizations to hold a Career Fair on Thursday, Sept. 21 at the Bethel Park Community Center,” said Ruhl. “This event, open to local businesses and to those looking for work, will enable businesses to interview and hire on the spot and also provide job seekers with the ability to sit down and speak with local business owners about opportunities. We’ll also be holding resume writing and job search tips workshops during the program as well!”
The Chamber also helps individuals re-enter the work force or start their own businesses.
“We have the knowledge to help people with their business goals,” said Ruhl. “I hope they contact us to find out more!”
If interested in joining the Chamber, businesses can attend an after-hours mixer or a lunch. For all other information and inquiries, call 412-595-8361 or visit www.bpchamber.org.
Example of a Chamber member benefit.
BETHEL PARK CHAMBER
2975 South Park Road * Bethel Park, PA 15102
412-595-8361