I don't take the time often to thank you enough for how much help you have been to us. I know we are a small, backward and very un-tech chamber but I totally love the Chamber Nation system and my staff, especially the newer ones like Susan and Cliff, are amazed at how easy and intuitive the system is.

CK

(New ChamberMobileApp.Com)
GREAT !!! Thanks. It’s working as advertised. And looks great, too.

JK

jokes aside, you guys are really uping your A game and worth every penny.Congrats

Thanks Richard!

Richard,

The app looks great, by the way!

Lisa

Richard and Luke,
Thank you both so much, I am very pleased. Luke was very professional and patient. I will always recommend ECtown whenever asked and say you guys are great.
All the best,
Debbie

I believe that you have a fantastic product and program and came to that conclusion, as you know, after significant research into other programs available.

S.O.

You are Awesome!!!! We love it.

Thanks,
Nancy

We just downloaded (the new Chamber Mobile App) it on Cory's smart phone and we are impressed!

Great Job!

Richard,

How are you? I don't believe we've spoken since last year. The Chamber Nation has really brought us a competitive edge and I'd like to thank you for that.

Andrea

Chris & Chris,

Just a quick note to share and say, "Thanks!"

The changes we just finished for the custom pages in the TCS system lead to signing a Property Manager and acquiring 16 new Homeowner Association Member Accounts all using the TCS system.

It is just the beginning! Again thanks for everything and for making this so much fun! Your hard work and attention to detail is really appropriated. You guys rock!

Robbin

Thank you so much.

We love our new website!!!

Nancy

Luke,

I really appreciate your help today. Our new sites look great!

Your time and consideration is appreciated!

R.W. Valdosta GA

Your organization has put us on the map with our web page development.

We are looking forward to helping build your organization.

Because of the great success we have; we are ready to refer others (if this is appropriate).

Our company is growing at the rate of 10% per year as a direct result of the processes your company helps us advertise and document.

Keep up the great work.

Respectfully, Brian Hayden Boyett

(City of Colleyville Communication from City Hall)

Close Buy program web page now live:

Thanks to help from vendor Chamber Nation/D Automation, the City has now realized 40 “traffic catcher sites” (or tcs pages) and is ready to launch www.colleyvilleclosebuy.com. Staff will continue to promote it to our businesses and make adjustments to the site to make it most effective.

Brian,

If I forgot to send you a thank you from my phone when I was out of the office, I’m thanking you again now!

Thanks so much for responding to it me quickly!

Lisa

Great---thank you!!!!!! Very pleased with the product.

We are very excited to use this. It has totally changed the information flow in our office.

ED

Hi Richard,

Just wanted to let you know that Chris and Lisa and Cliff had the first of an updated "new member orientation". They used the tools within the system, including the videos, and came back very impressed with what is there and how easy it is to use.

This has been great for all of us because even as they taught the new members, they learned so much themselves. The orientation finally gave us the need to take the time to look more deeply into what the system offers and WOW, you guys have done a great job.

Of course, this means staff is way ahead of me in using the tcs system but that's okay, now I can delegate!

We kept the class small, everyone had access to a computer (some brought their laptops) and, in Cliff's words, "It was genious!" Now staff is excited about what's there and can finally talk intelligently about it.

So, thanks again for all you do. I know it took us forever to get this far, but we all feel very uplifted today!

--
Claudia

Hey Richard,

Just wanted to let you know that I miss using your product. __________ has the worst customer service and a poor business model to serve such a niche market. In 2 years when I can get out of this contract I will moving to EC Town and Chamber Nation!

Name Withheld

Thanks Richard and Brian. I am again impressed by your speed and responsiveness to user suggestions.

Dawn

HI, Just to let you know, before I connected with the chamber. My blog page rank was over 10,000. Today, on my birthday,
I made a copy for you so you could see what it is today.

It is now at 8674.
It is a way I am seeing how it has affected my ranks.
Some people are not aware that the lower the better on these numbers.
great job.
thanks
steph

Brian,
You just made my day! Having a really stressful one and you brought a smile to my face…..thank you!
Debbie

We received our banner & just wanted you to know that it looks great!!

Thanks for your help

Todd Zaseck

Just wanted to let you know we got our banner this week from Russ Flint and we LOVE it. We were all supprised by it's quality, size and ease of assembly. We used it the very first day we got it at a Rotary meeting and had 2 new organizations sign up on the spot. This will be very helpful to promote our website.

Have a great day and thanks!
Sincerely,

Tina Price
Director of Operations
Harrisburg Area Chamber of Commerce
870-578-4104
www.harrisburgchamber.com

From: "SM" <chamber@.com>
Date: Jan 27, 2011 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fwd: Plumb Line
To: "Brian Thompson" <brian@chambernation.com>

Thank you so much for your patience and everything else, Brian. I really appreciate everything you have done for me! The site looks great!

SM
EACC

This is an actual chat transcript of a recent member communication handled from our Free Member Support center. The name of the member was changed, but the content is exact. We take great care of your members!

General Chat Info
Website: www.ChamberNation.com
Chat Start Time: 01/25/2011 05:00 PM EST
Chat End Time: 01/25/2011 05:11 PM EST
Name: W.O
Session Id: 24512844


Chat Transcript
Wendy Osborne: Hi Brian
Brian Thompson: how can I help?
Brian Thompson: hi W
Wendy: our domain name was purchased through chamber Nation, www.(theirdomain).org . I want to get emails set up with that domain
Wendy: how do I do that?
Brian Thompson: if you can send me an email containing the email you would like setup, I can do this for you. We setup an email forward to the users existing email account
Wendy: ok, awesome. Now what if I decide I want additional email accounts?
Brian Thompson: how many do you want?
Wendy: the most would be 5, but I don't need them just yet.
Wendy: is there additional cost to set something like that up?
Brian Thompson: there would be no charge as long as they are fowarding to existing email accounts
Wendy: right now I would just like to set up w@(theirdomain).org and have it forward to w@(theiraddress).com
Brian Thompson: sure no problem
Wendy: great!! how quickly can this be done?
Brian Thompson: should be working in the next hour or so
Wendy: fabulous!!
Wendy: how do I contact you when I want to set up the additional emails?
Brian Thompson: brian@chambernation.com
Wendy: that was easy!! Thank you !!
Brian Thompson: you are welcome
Wendy: well that's all I needed. Have a wonderful day!!
Brian Thompson: thanks you too

This was a potential customer that asked one of our customers for a reference... you can see the dialogue below on how this customer answered these questions:

It is my hope to get approval to begin work, but do not want to do so unless I can truly show a ROI.

1. Has ChamberNation had a positive financial impact on your revenues in membership? Web Advertising? Events?

We have new members joining online that I haven’t even heard of previously, simply because they are within driving distance of us and are impressed with the benefits that come with membership. Mainly those include the free website and domain name we can provide them through Chamber Nation and the social networking/advertising that happens with the multi-post applications. We are receiving an average of 3 to 5 press releases/event releases because they know our social network system is helping them. That drives more members and helps us retain our current members. I have a 94% retention rate and have never dropped below 91% in the 4 years we’ve been with Chamber Nation.

2. Can you provide me with trend data to show an increase in each of these categories?

Well, sort of. We had never had banner/web advertising previously because it wasn’t easy enough for me to handle. It wasn’t cost effective for us to hire the webmaster to build and create. Now, I can do it in a matter of minutes. I am currently covering the monthly costs of the fees from Chamber Nation with the banner ads we have on the site. I do charge my banner ads by the year (it’s built into their dues) so I don’t have to do an additional billing. In regards to events, we do not have a trend analysis on this, however, we have been able to decrease the amount spent on our print media (local paper and paper in nearby Las Vegas). Through tracking coupons or survey, we find more people were getting our e-blasts and seeing our Facebook and Twitter pages than were touching the written word. Hence why our largest print media went out of business last year.

3. How do you like the reporting and are the reports easily produced and the information you need?

Chamber Nation had reports I didn’t even know I needed and then learned quickly, I can’t do without them. Our previous chamber software company didn’t hold a match to what is offered now. When I first got started with them, if there wasn’t something I had been used to using, Richard either helped me alter one of theirs, or they were able to create something that fit my needs exactly.

4. Have your members embraced the new technology?

In order to optimize my site with the search engines, we wanted everyone of our members to use their free landing page. So I hired Richard to come to BC and do a seminar on the members would get started. That really helped. It created the by-in I needed and got the members talking to each other about what a service it could be. We have someone that can go out to them to help them out, or I can even talk them through setting it up over the phone in less than 20 minutes. After the first 6 months, anyone that did not create their own site, we had a volunteer go in and create a generic page to fill the slot. This allowed created maximum optimization. I need to go back and do that again and also remind the membership on how easy it is to add to their sites. The wizard is very easy and I’ve only had a couple of older members that were somewhat challenged on computers that needed some extra time. But it was a great tool for me to get into their businesses and show them how much they can use the site to benefit them. I’ve had great response and I’m impressed with some of the sites, their videos, their picture galleries, and their marketplace set ups. There are new modules and applications being added all the time. I almost can’t keep up with everything Chamber Nation has provided.

5. How did you market the new technology to your membership?

We used one of our Mixer nights to have a demo on a big screen to showcase all its features. We also sent out a link to the Chamber Nation help videos. They could sit and watch the little video at their desk and learn about all the ways to market themselves through the Chamber’s free website.

6. If you converted from a Chamber Software system to their system, how was the transition?

Very simple. I did hire Richard’s staff to help with some of the input because the previous software company was less than helpful in teaching me how to export our own data. I think they had it down in less than 3 days. It’s been a while ago, but I’m pretty sure that was it.

7. How has their technical support been when you have incurred issues?

I have never waited more than 1 hour for a return call, text, or email. There is always someone to help.

8. How often, if at all has your website been down?

I can only think of one night Richard just happen to be doing an upgrade and I was working late on a grant proposal and needed some data. I called his cell and told him what was going on. He was able to find the last saved version of my site and got me the details immediately.

I truly appreciate your assistance and providing me with this information. From what I have seen through the demos and looking at your website, I am pretty impressed with the value we can provide our members and the community. Look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time.

I’m not just feeding you lines. I promise you, this has been an absolute God-send to our Chamber. We were able to eliminate the 4 databases we had to maintain to do all the work we had before with the previous software. It has provided greater efficiency and we have less errors because we’re entering less repeat data. Richard was able to find a way for me to put it all in EC Town and accommodate any quirky field we had a need for. I only wish I had more than just me on staff so that I could truly maximize all that our system can do. But unfortunately, I’m the IT, the CEO, and the janitor most days. So we do the best we can. When Richard develops and releases new things, he’s so in-tune with our needs, that he will contact me directly to let me know that it is really something for me to look at. He truly cares about making Chamber’s viable and successful in their communities. He wants the residents and tourists to think of chamber’s as the clearinghouse for all needed info in their areas. He is also very passionate about his company and it shows in his pride of work. He and his staff are very professional and I’ve been very happy working with them. I think the best testimonial though comes from my over-65-year-old-volunteers. Even the volunteers that do not have computers at home have been willing to work this system to learn more about the members and to provide quick info to our guests. They find it very easy to access and navigate through. That’s huge for me!!

Richard

Thanks for everything. You and your staff have been so helpful and I really appreciate all you are doing. It was great to have you visit our area.

Angela Campbell

I really enjoy working with you Brian.

As always you make it happen. We are very grateful for your presence.

Respectfully, Brian Hayden Boyett

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the note. I got a msg from Sam and we’re pleased with your great response and support!

John
SAGCC

Richard,

You are THE BEST! But it’s one thing for US to know that….who else can I tell?? Please let me know if I can provide references, testimonials, etc. You give “client service” a special meaning.

MB
VCCC

FYI - thank you for all you do for the NPCC.

Blessings, Jean

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Subject: No. Phoenix Chamber

Hello Jean,
I want to take a moment to tell you I checked out the North Phoenix Chamber website.
It is great! I am not computer savvy however, I was able to locate the many different events and even our own Dolly Steamboat page ! For me,you simplified a difficult task!
Thank you for continuing to be one of the best values in town with events and networking every day of the week, you're awesome!
I love the North Phoenix Chamber and all the wonderful people I have met there because they seem to be truly interested in helping each other. Isn't that the purpose of networking and the Chamber!!!
Thanks again,
Dolly

Certified Tourism Ambassador

Richard,

I was just speaking another Chamber about you today, and singing your praises! This is yet another reason why I don’t hesitate one bit to refer you to anyone I can. You and your team are incredible, and I truly appreciate all of your efforts and assistance with the Corvallis Chamber! Thank you!

Best Regards,
Erin Wiedeman

--

Kristina to Richard

The great comments keep coming in – thanks for the fabulous products and services you provide!


Nikki-

Just wanted to drop a quick note and say WOW and Thanks! Your Friday focus and the info you are putting out about the new web (techno stuff) is fabulous. The info you provide about what the techno stuff can do for members is fabulous. I was very hesitant to support the investment. In tight budgets I was questionable as to how this was going to be a worth it. Thanks to Kristina’s and your efforts the investment appears to be a fabulous investment for our members. I really hope the rest of our membership can appreciate what the 2 of you put into this techno stuff and the benefits they can arrive from being members of the chamber. Hell you even got me thinking we should check this stuff out and set up a techno lunch.

Keep up the great work. It’s an honor being a board member of an organization that has employees that are so strongly committed to the goals of the organization.

Thanks,

Richard,

Thanks so much for tuning into and helping me with this. You guys are awesome. You should get the business of the year award!

LaCasa Bella
(Buy Local Program Participant)

Richard - Brian,

Thank you so much for your responsiveness. You guys are great! Ronnie

Kristina,

This is great information~many thanks for the time and effort of the new system at the Chamber! It is a great tool for your members, along with month-end stats! Thanks for the time you have put into it, as well the time spent informing your members on how to use it~please know it is appreciated.

M.K.Decorah, Iowa

Richard,
I just wanted to send you a quick note to share with you how impressed our members are with all that is going on at the DACC right now. The website and tcs feedback has been phenomenal. Our lunch and learn sessions have been very well attended and has created a great spirit amongst our membership.

Basically what I am trying to say is thank you!

Kristina

Our Chamber just reached 200 members. The Chamber Nation system is really helping us!

J.T.
W. House CC

Mysty Rusk has endorsed your work as CEO at EcTownUSA.Com.

Dear Richard,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with other LinkedIn users.

Details of the Recommendation: "We hired Richard’s company to manage our membership data back in 2006. The tools he provided catapulted our membership by 20% in the first year. This is especially remarkable considering the disarray of the organization at the time. ECTownUSA gave us what we needed to automate back of the house functions and focus on what our members needed most.
As a result we started new programs and offerings that landed our organization, the Corvallis-Benton Chamber Coalition, a statewide award by our industry association last year. Every month Richard offers our members a web-based training opportunity to improve our skills with his tools and at least one training opportunity for business in general. I’ve yet to sit in on one of these trainings where I didn’t walk away with at least two more ways to improve our business and our service to our members.
As we continue to share the tools with our members and our community, people are continually impressed that we can offer so much for such a small financial investment. Richard, you are the best kept secret for membership organizations anywhere. Keep up the great work."

Service Category: Business Consultant
Year first hired: 2006 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value

Hey Richard,

Wanted to thank you for the wonderful prompt service that Brian gives over e-mail. I've been sending him a lot of small requests and he is super quick to help.

S.B. LAACC

I appreciate your help, this system is kick ass!!

Josh
WHCC

--

Thank you soooooooooooooooo much. This is awesome. I love Chambernation!!!!!!!

Courtney Ruttinger
Business Development &
Expansion Coordinator

--

BTW, it is amazing how easy ChamberNation is compared to our old database. I don’t miss the old one at all. If you need recommendations, have them call me! Thanks, Mike


Mike Stalvey
Senior Director of Operations

Dear Richard,

I recently did a year end review of our chamber of commerce with our membership. While 2009 has been a very difficult time with the economy one of the brightest moments realized was the wonderful Chamber Nation Broadcast System we have developed! The support of your company has been wonderful. I would like to just highlight a few things that really helped our business clients this last year:

• OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM ECTOWNUSA: There is always someone there to help answer questions.
• OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM ECTOWNUSA: I really appreciate new ways to do things that help to minimize staff manpower and full utilization of the broadcast system to serve our chamber clients and community.
• MONTHLY TRAINING AND AVAILABILITY FROM CORPORATE CEO TO SHARE INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CHAMBER: Richard your insights and ideas come from listening to the concerns of chamber executives and acting upon those concerns in a timely fashion.
• MONTHLY COACHING FROM BUSINESS COACH MARK LEBLANC: The insights from Mark have been great in putting the proper perspective on chamber related issues, sound business advice on sales, marketing, customer service, time management, and business planning.
• INTERACTION WITH OTHER CHAMBER EXECUTIVES TO SHARE PROBLEMS, CONCERNS AND WINNING OPPORTUNITIES: There is a great benefit sharing of ideas and opportunities with chamber executives who are also charting courses through difficult times. Our monthly webinars have been great to pick up management nuggets that can make a difference.
• A GREAT EVENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM THAT ASSISTS CHAMBER EXECUTIVES IN FORUMLATING, BUILDING, AND EXECUTING GREAT CHAMBER PROGRAMS THAT MINIMIZE CHAMBER STAFFING FOR REGISTRATION. I cannot say enough about this system because it helps the chamber to win on several different levels. 1) You can effectively plan for events if you know how many people are showing up, 2) You minimize people having to wait in long event lines and signing in with illegible handwriting therefore missing out on the opportunity of follow up. 3) The event system produces comprehensive reports that bring the chamber credibility for running a well run business, 4) You minimize the number of support staff and volunteers that have to help wither registration.
• GREAT BUSINESS REFFERAL SYSTEM TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY WITH OUR CHAMBER MEMBERS: This is a work in progress for us but it is a great way to connect the community with all of our chamber clients.
• SOCIAL NETWORKING CONNECTIONS REALLY HELP THE CHAMBER TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THE COOMUNITY IN WHICH WE SERVE: The use of social networking instruments like Facebook and Twitter help our chamber to speak the new emerging language of the community we serve here in Los Angeles. The ability to add pictures and give “play by play” descriptions for events is wonderful and we are gaining respect as viable credible information source with out community stakeholders.

Richard, keep up the good work and it has been an honor to work with a company that is so innovative and truly cares about the needs on its constituents!

Best regards,
Michael S. Jones, President and C.E.O.
Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce

Brian, the amount of business we have been writing has been unbelievable. I attribute this directly with our new web page. Nice job.

H.B., General Manager

FW: Chamber Nation Rocks

Jane D.
Thought you’d like to know – this comment was from a board member. Thanks!

From: Kara R.
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 11:53 AM
To: Jane D.
Subject: Chamber Nation Rocks

Thanks for all you do.
http://www.chamberorganizer.com/ranchocordovachamber/mem_krp
Check me out…
It is so easy to update.
Love it.

Chamber Nation has been awarded the prestigious "Business of the Year" award by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce within Plumas County California. We would like to thank the citizens for their nomination of our company and the Chamber of Commerce board members for all of their support.

We appreciate this award very much!

Dave K:

"Outstanding. I remember when you first started up here. This is so deserved."

Norma M:

"Way to go Richard! Long overdue."

Amy S:

Hi Richard!

Congratulations on being Business of the Year! You so deserve it. It's too bad you were working so hard on your business that you missed the big event, but it is a huge honor none the less.

Paul M:

"Very deserving! Quincy's best kept secret is now out!"

Margaret A:

"CONGRATULATIONS on the recognition !!!! Possibly others will follow in honoring you and your hard work."

Larry L:

"Congrats Rick!"

Thank you so much for all you do for us throughout the year. It is our pleasure to work with you and your staff.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday and a very blessed Christmas.

Blessings, Jean

By the way, Brian, that is a nice service that we have
as a Chamber member (in Aventura Fl.).

Magda H. S.

Since we build Chamber Broadcasting Systems designed to advertise members successfully online, we also have a system for newspapers... one such system was recently implemented.

We're thrilled that Senator Dave Cox of California also mentioned the business development features of the Sierra Booster's online system for its advertisers.

In the letter he specifically writes about the module in our system called "Growing your Business" with Mark LeBlanc - a module included in most of our system releases.