New Albany Chamber event to highlight businesses, other facets of community

Gary Seman Jr., ThisWeek
·2 min read
Abe Jacob, member of the New Albany Chamber board of trustees, and chamber executive director Cherie Nelson are pictured at the chamber office at 55 W. Main St. on Jan. 18. The chamber will hold a Community Showcase & Job Fair from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin Granville Road in New Albany. The general public is invited to this free event to learn more about New Albany civic organizations, businesses and career opportunities.

The New Albany Community Showcase & Job Fair is all about connecting people and the community, two local officials said.

The event, presented by the New Albany Chamber, will be held at from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin Granville Road.

Abe Jacob, who’s on the chamber’s board of trustees, said members kept stressing the need for a comprehensive gathering that would cover all areas of the community, from job providers seeking employees to nonprofits looking to spread their messages.

“We’re making sure we’re casting a big net,” Jacob said.

Vendors have until Feb. 4 to register on the chamber's website: newalbanychamber.com/. Booths are $20 for chamber members and $50 for others. About 70 are expected to participate.

General admission is free and open to the public.

Cherie Nelson, chamber executive director, said the organization holds one or two job fairs a year, but the Feb. 10 event offers much more than employers and job-seekers.

For example, there will be a blood drive and representatives from Healthy New Albany.

“I see it as an event to at least include employees and job-seekers but also small businesses and community clubs and nonprofits,” she said.

Food and beverages also will be available, she said.

The chamber has 425 members, but some reach beyond the city limits, so anyone with a general interest should consider a visit, Nelson said.

Even still, job openings are on the minds of employers both big and small and employees alike, she said.

“And that’s one of the reasons we’re doing this,” Nelson said, “to be part of the solution.”

Marlene Brisk, a member of New Albany City Council, said the showcase also was born from discussions of the community’s Inclusive Diversity & Equity Action Committee.

“The concept behind the IDEA Committee was to make sure we had good outreach both in our community but also surrounding communities,” Brisk said. “And we want them to participate. We want them to feel welcome here, whether it’s for playing, living or working.”

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: New Albany Chamber event to highlight businesses, civic groups