With the 2009 version of Chirstmas on the River squarely in the rearview mirror, the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce must now turn its attention to hiring a new president.

After six years with the Chamber, Kelley Smith announced her intent to start a new career as a stay-at-home mother.

Many many not understand – or appreciate – what the Chamber does for the area. Obviously, its crown jewel is COTR. What COTR does for Demopolis, in terms of notoriety, outside sales tax dollars and tourism is tremendous.

However, tucked away in the mundane are the day-to-day activities that are equally important. The Chamber is an information clearinghouse. If you want to know about Demopolis or Marengo County, you call the Chamber.

If you want to book a large event and need to know where or when, you call the Chamber.

Chamber leadership is responsible for seeking out those who don’t necessarily call them first. Each year, there are countless conventions for organizations you’ve likely never heard of with membership all across the state.

You seek out those groups and try to get them to bring their conventions here, or at least make Demopolis part of their meeting rotation.

As the board seeks to hire a new president, we would like to thank Kelley Smith for her service to the county and wish the board the best of luck as it seeks her replacement to one of the oftenmost important leadership positions in the county.