Meet new Verona Chamber of Commerce president

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the newly elected Verona Chamber of Commerce president, Stefani Garibay.

I’ll preface these answers with this: It is the first year we have a new president, executive board and board members.

While we have some remaining original members, I believe with our new additions, changes in executive leadership and already-laid foundation, we can grow, prosper and give back more to our members and community.

Q. Please give us a brief synopsis of your involvement with the Verona Chamber of Commerce.

A. I became involved with the Verona Chamber of Commerce in November 2015 and have been on its board ever since. Over the years, I have played a small and supportive role in our various events.

Recently, I took on the Verona Farmers Market and started our ornament contest with our local elementary school. This winter was our third contest, and within the last two years I have coordinated our Jolly Jamboree, held just before the Oakmont-Verona Holiday parade begins, with fellow board member and newly elected vice president, Jen Walzer, and Councilwoman Trish Hredzak-Showalter.

Q. Please talk about the chamber’s role in invigorating Verona’s business corridor.

A. Historically, Verona Chamber has played a large role in invigorating Verona. Our holiday décor, banners, the new welcome sign and our community events — a short example — are all supported by, paid for or run by Verona Chamber in some fashion. Supplementally providing for the borough as our funds allow is necessary for community beautification efforts, maintaining events that bring our community/businesses together.

Q. What are three goals you wish to accomplish as president of the Verona Chamber?

A. You’ve got to crawl before you can walk. I’m filling some big shoes, so I think I’ll start out small with realistic, attainable goals, which include:

• Improvement in communications/relations with chamber members.

• Increased effort to bring in new members

• To be better each day than the day before.

Q. What are the challenges for your members?

A. It’s no secret: rising costs and staffing.

Q. What are the benefits offered through membership in the VCC?

A. Membership with the Verona Chamber of Commerce offers its members:

• Marketing and promotional opportunities via website/social media

• Various community and networking events

• Member discounts from participating members

• A voice in Chamber policy-making developments

• Increased business credibility

• Expand your network

“You get out of it what you put into it,” someone once told me. As we grow, I hope to add business and professional development opportunities for our members. To our members and prospective members, we encourage ideas, plans, suggestions, education for our growth as a chamber of commerce.

Q. What key factors attract businesses to Verona?

A. The key reasons why Verona is attractive to new businesses is because…

• It’s a community-oriented town.

• It has an easily walkable core business district.

• The core business district has demonstrated continued growth.

• Real estate availability (There’s plenty. Join us in Verona!)

• Verona has a strong, supportive and responsive chamber of commerce.

Q. Who can join the Verona Chamber of Commerce?

A. Any business in Verona Borough and/or Allegheny County, according to our bylaws. Verona Borough residents/property owners are also eligible to join the chamber.

Costs to join: resident, suggested donation of $20; small business (under 50 employees), 100; large business (over 50 employees), $200.

Q. How can one become involved?

A. If you’d like to join and have a vested interest in supporting our business members and community, our application is online, or if you’d just like to volunteer, help run/organize an event, we will always welcome a helping hand. You can email me directly at Sgaribay16@gmail.com for further information. We will also accept donations to further the efforts in supporting our businesses and community.

Or Stop by one of our chamber meetings, held the third Tuesday of each month in the Verona Borough Building, 736 E. Railroad Ave., at 7 p.m.

Q. What are some community events that are sponsored by the VCC?

A. Verona Chamber currently sponsors the following community events: Easter egg hunt, Verona Farmers Market, Kennywood picnic, Halloween festivities, ornament Contest with local elementary school, Jolly Jamboree/Holiday Parade.

Q. What are the Chamber’s networking events?

A. We have four slated networking events being planned for this year, details and dates are TBD. Check our website at www.verona-pa.org for our events. If you’re interested in hosting a networking event and have missed signing up for the current quarterly events, we would love to talk with you and add more throughout the year or sign you up for next year’s networking events.

I’d like to thank Stefani for her candid responses to my questions. By the way, Stefani is the proprietor of Etta’s Boulevard Dog Day Care here in Verona. And my Roscoe attends and loves Etta’s!

Bonnie Wilhoit is a resident member of the Verona Chamber of Commerce.