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ABOUT THE CHAMBER

Working together for a stronger Creston.

The Creston Chamber of Commerce champions local business, welcomes new neighbors, and keeps our community connected — one handshake at a time.

OUR MISSION

To promote and showcase our community, and be a leadership organization that unifies Creston and maps a course for its future.

LEADERSHIP

Board of Directors

Our volunteer board brings together local business owners and community leaders who guide the Chamber's mission year-round.

PRESIDENT

Danna Buls

MATURA

2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Linda Landers

Kilgore's Enterprises

PAST PRESIDENT

Chris Lane

Chris Lane Agency

2026 Executive Committee

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Jessica Dunca

Greater Regional Health

TREASURER

Adam Snodgrass

Iowa State Savings Bank

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Olivia Cheers

Caitlyn Maitlen

Southwestern Community College

Lesa Downing

Creston Community Schools

Brian Davis

HyVee

Amy Perkins

Quality Inn

Kyle Schaffer

Dairy Queen of Creston

Christal Waddingham

Bunn-O-Matic

Brooke Pafford

PCSB Bank

Amanda Davis

Wellman

Austin Smith

Liason

2026 Board of Directors

Darin Goins

Walmart Vision Center

Josh Thompson

Vanmark Equipment

John Gravlin

R.E. Lewis Refridgeration

Ashley Bird

Fareway Meat & Grocery

Lindsay Street

SD Dumpsters

Jenna Greene

Northwest Bank

Kyle Wilson

Edward Jones Investments

Toby Henry

Creston City Council Liason

I. Business Activity

Continue to assist existing businesses, industries and organizations in the Creston Area while working to expand our business base.

Chamber Strategic Goals

II. Quality of Life

Continue to enhance and develop the positive aspects of our community for those living here and our visitors.

GOALS

III. Positive Leadership

Continue to collaborate and network with others

IV. Chamber Investments

Continue to maintain and increase the Chamber Membership.

NETWORK

Chamber Community Activities & Development

The goal of the Creston Chamber of Commerce is to network and work with others to grow upon Creston’s positive image for current and future residents and businesses while helping to maintain and strengthen the business climate. The Chamber is an organization which supports the growth and quality of life in the Creston Community.  We understand that our efforts are important considering the circumstances that have and are taking place and the impact on all of us. Please know that we will continue working for you and Creston as we move forward together. We accomplish this as we:

Continue to collaborate, work with and promote partnerships with various organizations, governmental bodies and groups in Creston and the area to maintain and improve Creston’s quality of life and economics – a partial list would include the following: Creston/Union County Tourism, City of Creston, Union County Development Association, Union County, the Union County Visitors Center, Creston Community Schools, Creston High School FBLA & FFA, Union County Historical Village, Union County Conservation, Friends of the Library, Western Iowa Tourism Region, Central Iowa Tourism Region, Southern Iowa Tourism and Iowa Tourism Office, Prairie Solid Waste, IowaWORKS,  Creston Volunteer Fire Fighters, Creston Service Clubs, Union County Childcare Center, Creston:Arts, No Place Like Creston for the Holidays, Friends of the Library, Creston Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) & Dog Gone Rescue.

Continue to work and assist in retail and commercial recruitment and expansion to strengthen and expand the economic base of Creston

Continue to market Creston to the area, state and beyond as a business and regional hub and a great recreational spot

Continue to assist industry  members as requested

Continue to work with and support the South Central Iowa Small Business Development Center and IowaWORKS

Continue the Gold Star Honor for businesses who maintain their property and the Hi-Five Honor for great customer service

Continue monthly Chamber spots on the radio and in the newspaper to showcase and highlight Creston and our events and activities.

Continue to maintain the Chamber and Tourism Websites, Chamber Facebook Page and Twitter Account

Continue to promote Creston and Union County and all we have to offer through various social media platforms

Continue to promote the area through various print ads and websites

Continue to provide business referrals, relocation packets, student requests and prospect packets

Continue to offer Newcomer Packets

Continue speaking to service clubs and other groups about the Chamber and Creston

Continue to attend City Council meetings and work with and assist local government

Continue to hold Legislative Coffees and remain in contact with elected representatives

Continue the Paint Creston Program, where 3 homes were painted in 2022  bringing the total number of homes painted during this 13 year period to 65.

Continue Clean Sweep Days with the City of Creston and Prairie Solid Waste in an effort to spruce up the community

Continue to assist in the organizing of the big flower pots around town

Continue to organize, assist and promote the various celebrations and events in Creston – Creston’s 10,000 Crestonians 4th of July, 44th, Market on Maple, Fiesta on Maple, Annual Creston/ Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days, Lighted Christmas Parade and “No Place Like Creston for the Holidays”

COMMITTEE

Chamber Committees

Ambassador Committee

The mission of the Creston Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors shall be to promote the civic, commercial, and industrial development of the City of Creston by acting and participating as official representatives in all promotions and welcoming new people and businesses in Creston.

  • The Chamber Ambassadors held coffees, ribbon cuttings and open houses during the year

  • Served donuts to the employees of Bunn-O-Matic Company in October during Salute to Industry Month

  • Provided Newsletter Insert opportunities to Chamber Members and local non-profits

  • Continued to maintain the web-based Community Calendar

  • Continued the Chamber Annual Report which appears annually  in the Creston News Advertiser in April that highlights our members

  • Continued to provided Chamber-wide Email Updates and Alerts to membership throughout the year

Image Enhancement Committee

To create and maintain a positive image of Creston through beautification, restoration and enhancement activities.

In the past this group has spurred many projects that are in place today – Gold Star Business Honor, Hi-Five Honor, junk houses awareness, rehab of Iowana, garbage for renters, started the Welcome to Creston sign project with Trees Forever, flower pots in Creston, street cleaning and snow removal in Uptown Area – odd even parking to make this possible, Community banners, Yards  & Areas of the Month, Paint Creston Project in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013 ,2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,  2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 with a total of 65 houses given paint,  updating citywide Christmas decorations with City, junk car ordinance, mowing of property, initiated conversation on the Rental Housing Ordinance.

  • Continued to collaborate and work with other groups and organizations in maintaining and improving the image of Creston– City of Creston, UCDA, FFA, etc. 

  • Continued to work with City and others on buildings, yards and homes in disrepair and other nuisances

  • Continued to acknowledge businesses and properties who make improvements to their building and area

  • Continued the Paint Creston Program

  • Continued Yards of the Month

Promotion & Showcase Committee

To market, promote and highlight businesses and industries in Creston through various activities and promotions.

  • Continued to promote the Tax-Free Weekend and Holiday GiveAway

  • Continued to promote the use of Creston Bucks, which are only spent at Creston Chamber businesses

  • Continued to promote the Shop/Buy Creston First Campaign

  • Continued to Spotlight Members in the Chamber Newsletter

  • Continued to market events and promotions in our area

Tourism Development

To continue to attract visitors to the area as a tourism destination while continuing to promote and develop tourism at the local, regional and national levels.

Union County Historical Society, the bed and breakfast establishments in the area, various organizations that hold activities and conferences in the area and those involved with the Freedom Rock

  • Continued to update and distribute brochures, SIT tabloids, ads and other materials locally, regionally and statewide

  • Continued promoting area through various websites and other social media platforms along with print ads

  • Continued emailing and sending Visitor Packets

  • Continued to maintain the tourism Web pages – www.unioncountyiowatourism.com.

  • Continued working with local motels and B & B’s to promote the area

  • Continued to work with local groups involved in tourism to promote and assist Creston and the area

  • Continued to work with Western Iowa Tourism, Central Iowa Tourism, Southern Iowa Tourism, regional groups and State of Iowa Tourism Office, along with the Iowa Galivant

  • Continued staffing (with volunteers) and maintaining the Visitors Center

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