WEST CHESTER TWP. — Chambers of commerce for struggling Over-the-Rhine and booming southeastern Butler County came together Tuesday in a partnership.

        More than a dozen Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce board members and Executive Director Tom Besanceney met with Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce officials to exchange ideas for working together and for promoting business in Over-the-Rhine.

At Monday's meeting (from left) are Robert Schneider, past president of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce; Joe Hinson, president of the Southeastern Butler County chamber; Tom Besanceney, executive director of the OTR chamber; and Steve Massie, OTR chamber member. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Highlights included:

        • Using OTR's rich history, cultural diversity and access to the arts to lure suburban customers.

        • Promoting those working and living in OTR to offset negative, violent images of the area.

        • Including Cincinnati students more in chamber events such as luncheons, perhaps mentoring them.

        • Creative marketing and events and custom chamber functions, sponsored by businesses, to fit OTR business owners' needs.

        OTR board members were enthusiastic after the session and said some of those measures already are under way. They plan to incorporate at least two of the SEBC's ideas soon: promotions and leadership development, Mr. Besanceney said.

        “There is no question. We really appreciated the hospitality out here, and our board has a lot of great ideas to take back with us,” Mr. Besanceney said. “We will take some steps. We will do them slowly, but we will do them.”

        OTR's 600-member chamber was making gains since forming 17 years ago. Many members say that while sales have improved a bit this year, business has been battered by the national economy, the 2001 riots and the boycott of downtown.

        By contrast, the SEBC chamber is approaching 700 members, and its monthly luncheons typically sell out with crowds of about 150.

        By being creative and unafraid to launch new initiatives, the SEBC chamber has distinguished itself from the nearly one dozen other chambers in the Butler/Warren area, said Joe Hinson, SEBC's president and chief executive officer, to the OTR group.

        “You have to kind of think outside the box a little bit. The thought is, if it hasn't been done, we're interested because we'll take it and make it work for us,” Mr. Hinson said. “You build a reputation so people want to invest their time and money to something that will give them value in return.”

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