Q&A with Carbondale Chamber's Andrea Stewart

If you’re a Carbondalian, then you know how much the Carbondale Chamber helps local businesses. Now, we love hearing from the leaders in our community and listening to them describe their career paths and backgrounds, and were fortunate to catch up with Andrea Stewart, Executive Director of the Carbondale Chamber, to ask her about her own career path and what’s next for the Chamber.

Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from and where did you go to school?
I was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Communication. Go Cowboys! We have family in Wyoming and go back often. My background includes resort management and hospitality, advertising, marketing, public relations, and resort management & hospitality. In addition to my degree from Wyoming, I have an Associates from Colorado Mountain College in Resort Management and Hospitality.

How did you end up in Carbondale, and what do you love about this community?

My husband is from the Western Slope, and a big skier, so after college, we were excited to move to the Valley.  I love the cohesiveness and vibrancy of our community, and the year-round outdoor recreation.

Describe your professional path and how it led you to the Chamber.

During college, I was an intern for the University of Wyoming Athletics Marketing Department and coordinated all the in-game promotions (including game giveaways and halftime contests).  Then, after graduating, I worked full-time as the Marketing Coordinator for the University of Wyoming Athletics Marketing Department.  In 2008, we moved to the Valley, and I was hired as the Marketing Coordinator for the Tourism Council of Carbondale, an entity of the Carbondale Chamber, which led to being named the Carbondale Chamber Executive Director in 2012.     

What is the Chamber’s mission, and the overarching benefits to its for-profit and nonprofit members? How does the Chamber assist entrepreneurs in their business growth?
Mission: The Carbondale Chamber is committed to working together with business and the community to provide leadership, education, and support for its members in order to make the Carbondale Area a more vital and dynamic place to live, work, and visit. The Carbondale Chamber actively practices the three C’s: catalysts, conveners, and champions.

How does the Chamber plan to evolve as Carbondale grows?

The Carbondale Chamber is proudly 450 members strong!  Advocating for and offering support to our business community are our daily focuses.

Are there Chamber events or member benefits that you would like to highlight?
In addition to our monthly networking event, and the online member listings, the Carbondale Chamber’s eCommunicationsare very popular! These email newsletters are sent to our member-only email database, which has a 39% open rate (industry average is 23%).

Thank you for the insight, Andrea! Head on over to the Carbondale Chamber’s website to see what this mission-driven organization can do for you.