Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce

Year established: Incorporated in 1917

Product or service offered: Economic development and community betterment

Number of employees: 10: Chamber - 6; CVB - 4; plus part-time and interns

Location: 1267 North Mount Auburn Road; 400 Broadway

Owners: The membership

What is your vision for your business and/or your industry in 2012?

John Mehner, President and CEO: The Chamber strives to be the lead advocate for business, serve as the primary catalyst for a vibrant economy that stimulates and retains jobs, and be the champion to create strong communities for the Cape Girardeau region, resulting in an enhanced quality of life.

Who are some of the people, either historical or living, who have influenced your business philosophy, and how have they done so?

JM: The Chamber has been fortunate to be molded by many great leaders from the area over the years. We have been influenced by such greats as Oscar Hirsch and Rush Limbaugh in the past, to many, many great leaders today ... too many to mention.

Give us an example or two of an idea that came to fruition in the last couple of years, and how has that helped your consumers or clients?

JM: The Chamber played a role in re-establishing the Transamerica Corridor group to continue to pursue an east-west highway. Working with GlennView Strategies, IDOT secured a $3.6 million grant to do a route specific study from Paducah to Cape. The CVB continued storytelling events, resulting in many visitors from many states.

Does your business have a mission statement? What is it?

JM: See the first question.

What role does your business play in the betterment of the community?

JM: Job creation, job retention, leadership development, advocacy, networking, tourism, etc.

What do you think is the community's biggest asset from a business perspective?

JM: People. Their work ethic, and their commitment to excellence.

Tell us about one or two businesses, colleagues or organizations you work with in the community, and how you have helped one another.:

JM: One of the great things about the Chamber and CVB is that we work with so many community partners everyday. Probably the two we work with most frequently are the Cape Area Magnet and Old Town Cape.

CGCVB & Pat Patterson Photography

What books or publications have you read that inspire you? Can you give examples of how you've applied what you've read to your business?

JM: Any and all leadership books by John Maxwell, a great Christian and business leader. I use his 21 leadership laws everyday.

How has technology changed your business in recent years? Was it difficult to adapt to the changing technology?

JM: We are updating everyday. It has helped tremendously with information dissemination to our membership.

What are some lessons that you learned at a young age that still apply in your business philosophy today?

JM: Never give up and always put God first.