By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Two new Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce team members say they are proud to be part of an exceptional community and are finding new ways to promote and celebrate the membership.
Allison Powell is the new Marketing and Communications Director. A Prattville native, Powell has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in public administration. Powell has communications experience with the State of Alabama and said she brings skills and elevated passion to the community.
“I am excited to be at the Chamber and to be able to give back to the community where I have lived my whole life,” Powell said. “Prattville is an exceptional community and there is nowhere else like it.”
Powell said she wants to make sure the Chamber continues to promote opportunities for its members and elevates their presence on social media. She said it is also important to keep chamber members in the loop through networking opportunities and weekly E-mail blasts.
She said Membership Monday is one of those opportunities. On the first or third Monday of each month, Chamber members have the opportunity to spotlight their businesses. E-mail blasts are sent out to Chamber members and local officials. The Membership Monday information will also be highlighted on social media soon.
Matthew Trest is the new Membership Director. He holds the responsibility of growing the chamber through new member recruitment and retaining current members. Trest has a bachelor’s degree in Global Business with a concentration in marketing from Troy University. He interned with the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce during his undergraduate studies.
He also interned with the economic development team at Power South Energy Cooperative. After graduating, Trest worked in a congressional office as well as a regional planning commission.
In his role, Trest is responsible for cultivating new Chamber membership, strengthening the membership network, managing membership benefits, and ensuring Chamber members get increased exposure through civic engagement and marketing opportunities. He oversees ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and various leadership groups including Chamber Ambassadors and LEADS.
“I am excited to connect with the community and develop new relationships that will strengthen the business community and overall quality of life in the Prattville and the Autauga County area,” Trest said.
Trest said during his first weeks on the job, he has been busy introducing himself to Chamber members, processing new members, coordinating ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings and preparing for the new fiscal year.
Powell said that the Chamber is looking forward to bringing back regular yearly events such as Artists on Main scheduled for October 26th and Dinner in the District on November 1st. Artists on Main, in conjunction with the City of Prattville’s Parade of Pumpkins, highlights local visual artists and musicians in downtown. Dinner in the District, first held in 2019, will feature live music and outstanding food for a night of community fellowship.
To learn more about these events or to connect with the Chamber, please call 334-365-7392 or e-mail [email protected]
The mission of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen the business environment and community in the Prattville and Autauga County area.
