William T. Johnson and Chamber of Commerce

This is a picture of the south end of the town square in Washington, Georgia, including, in the foreground, the town clock and a state historical marker, and, in the background, the Fitzpatrick Hotel.

On Tuesday of this week I enjoyed the program at the weekly Kiwanis Club meeting as provided by the Chamber of Commerce, following a club lunch and business meeting for the election of officers and directors for next year.

In the Chamber's program, Ashley Barnett, Tourism Director, discussed the improvements since last year in the number of visitors at the Welcome Center and the amount of state sales tax funds received. She mentioned the effect the Chamber's new website, www.washingtonwilkes.org, has had on the number of requests for Tourism Packets, 71%by email. An unexpected article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was a huge success for Washington; our number of visitors since it came out has been significant, she said. She announced that BRAG - Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, 1600 riders - is coming back to Washington June 12th.

In his part of the program, Allen Soto, President of the Chamber, reminded us of the purpose of a chamber and discussed the Chamber's 2009 agenda of its activities, for example Fireworks on the Square July 3d, the Chamber Newsletter premiering in June, and Trade-Specific Town-Hall Meetings.