Shenango Chamber Chief Promotes the ‘Good Things’

SHARON, Pa. — On one of the walls in Sherris Moreira’s office at the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce hangs a sign with the proclamation, “Good Things are Going to Happen.”

“I’m a big believer in posting positive mantras,” Moreira says. She started about two months ago as the chamber’s executive director.

As far as that particular saying, Moreira says there are a lot of “good things” going on in the area but many people don’t realize it. “There’s a bit of a self-image issue,” she observes.
Among those is the new Hope Center for Arts & Technology in Sharon, Pa., and community assets such as Buhl Park in Hermitage, Pa. “Sometimes we forget that there’s bigger cities that don’t have some of these same amenities,” Moreira says.

In addition to promoting community activities and assets, the chamber is working to develop luncheon programs, power lunches, after-hours events and community events and be more of a “marketing tool” for businesses. For instance, the organization is in the process of expanding its chamber perks program to allow members the chance to pass along a discount, coupon or special to the entirety of the membership, Moreira reports.

The chamber also supports economic development efforts in the region by working in collaboration with Penn Northwest Development Corp. and smaller development agencies. The chamber can help with business attraction by spotlighting amenities that are good for relocation value, workforce development and other components of economic development, Moreira says.

“We’re also going to be working with women in business as well as supporting veterans in their career searches. We’re trying to look at different demographics in the area that have been underserved in the past,” she continues.

“We want to do more for our young professionals. We’re trying to look at everything around us that’s going on and see what’s missing and provide what’s missing.”

The Shenango Chamber will continue to collaborate with other chambers of commerce in the region – a mixer is planned with seven different chambers – but the chamber needs to take care of its local members, something she thinks might have been lacking in the past.

Before Moreira’s hiring, the Shenango shared an executive director for a few years with the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

“Yes, it’s important to grow and be regional in our viewpoint, but we also have to address the needs of our people in our own backyard,” she says.

Pictured: Sue Bentley, administrative assistant, and Sherris Moreira look over promotional material on display at the chamber. Moreira recently was named executive director. 

WATCH FOR special coverage of the Shenango Valley in the September print edition of The Business Journal.

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