04/07/2009 PABA gains ground in poor economy The Phoenixville Area Business Association reported at their March meeting that membership has increased more than 70 percent since October, 2008. Mirroring its member businesses, PABA had experienced ups and downs over the past years, but the surge in membership in spite of difficult economic conditions is promising for the organization and its members. "Much of the increase in membership can be attributed to the launching of PABA's dynamic, new marketing campaign and tourism Web site, discoverphoenixville.com," says PABA president Jane Tucker, who owns Phoenixville's Steel City Coffee House. "Additionally, PABA has become more focused, agressively sponsoring and promoting ambitious events that are raising funds and contributing to the success of everyone in the Borough." In the last six months, the group has undergone significant reorganization, developed a strong mission statement, adopted new bylaws and launched a new member-focused Web site featuring a new identity and sponsoring a number of events designed to promote member businesses. Recent PABA sponsored events have included a Bizness Shuffle, speed-networking event, Flower Power Music Festival, a Progressive Dinner and Historic Inns of Phoenixville Tour on May 12, for which tickets are currently available. "It only makes sense to combine our resources and market and promote the Phoenixville area as a group," says Tucker who believes that, in the down economy, businesses and consumers are thinking even more locally. Tucker claims that the Web site is the premiere resource for information on Phoenixville businesses, non-profit organizations and current events happening throughout the Borough of Phoenixville. "The more businesses and non-profit organizations that join, the better the site will be," she said. Discoverphoenixville.com features each PABA members' full decriptive business listing with a complimentary photo, all necessary contact information and a link to their Web site. In addition, members receive a membership logo next to their business name and can choose one of four categories in which to be displayed: shops, entertainment, dining, or services. Monthly PABA meetings, held at rotating member businesses, and group email communications offer networking opportunities to business people that might not otherwise meet. "Being a member of PABA keeps me in touch with what is really happening in Phoenixville," said Rebekah Ray, owner of Morning Star Bed and Breakfast, "The meetings are lively, the Web site is fabulous. Between the business brought to me by the other members and through the website, joining PABA has delivered more marketing value than anything else we have done." "Being a new local business, we wanted to get more involved with the community in which we were raised and still reside," adds Chris and Daelyn Shepsko, owners of Shep's Yard. "PABA has provided us with fantastic networking benefits and everyone involved in the association work together as a team to get the word out about new and expanding businesses." "PABA is one of the Phoenixville community's best kept secrets and we are attempting to change that," adds Tucker. "There are several groups contributing their energy to the future of Phoenixville but only PABA offers a unified voice for all members and that collaboration is most compelling." says member Todd Palmer of VFC, Inc. Upon taking office in the new year, PABA's executive officers quickly realized that brand confusion existed between PABA and another group, Phoenixville Main Street Community Development Corporation. "We want business owners and the community to be aware that we are a completely separate organization from the Phoenixville Main Street CDC," said Tucker. The Phoenixville Main Street CDC is overseen by a board of directors, is funded by public tax money and employs a staff. By contrast, the Phoenixville Area Business Association is a private member association of business owners which does not does qualify for government grants and does not use tax payer money. Instead, they fund their own advertising and promotional efforts through the collection of dues from members, funds raised through events and donations of member businesses. PABA does not employ any staff and executive officers are voted in and serve without any compensation. Tucker reports that PABA is currently working closely with the Phoenixville Borough Manager, Chamber of Commerce, Phoenixville Main Street CDC, and others to stratigically plan the continued revitalization of Phoenixville and address some of the major problems. "We met recently with the Borough Manager," reports Kathy Bestwick of the Phoenix Village Art Center, "and we look forward to increased communication and collaboration between the Borough and business owners about parking problems and other issues." "We believe that PABA is poised to be the primary marketing and promotional organization for the Borough of Phoenixville," said Tucker when asked about plans for the future of PABA. "I personally believe that, in the future, the grant money and tax money which is currently paying for the Phoenixville Main Street CDC program will be harder to secure. PABA will be there to work with the Borough to continue the successful revitalization of Phoenixville."