President's Message

December 7, 2009

Season’s Greetings,

It is hard to believe that 2009 is almost over and a New Year is right around the corner. We hope that your business is experiencing positive momentum as we finish out this challenging year and that it will only increase in 2010. With that in mind, the Downtown Camden Guild (DCG) would like to share with you our Mission, Vision and overall Goals so that we can partner with you and your business to help ensure you success and prosperity in the coming year.

Our Mission

A commerce association whose mission is to represent local business interests and maintain a sense of civic pride in the City of Camden's historic business district.

Our Vision

To organize an entity that will engage the downtown business community in activities that will promote the future growth, prosperity, and economic well being of its members through advocacy, community outreach, beautification, and events programming.

Our Goals

1. Be an advocate for members on commercial, municipal, and regional issues.
2. Engage the public through community outreach to garner public support.
3. Enhance the physical environs through beautification projects and the pursuit of grant funding.
4. Plan events to increase exposure, foot traffic, and a sense of civic pride in the historic business district.

In the short time span that the DCG has been functioning, we have already seen tangible results. Namely the highly successful Broad Street Trick-or-Treat which over 2,000 parents and children attended and the “Experience the Camden Lights” at Monument Square after Thanksgiving and the City Hall Lighting on December 4th.

None of these events could not have been accomplished without the support and volunteers of downtown Camden business owners and employees. But here is our “Ask”:

· We need your support (time, ideas, input, constructive criticism), but want to make sure that you are plugged in an area that you can serve with passion and energy. So please reach out to us so that we can help you find your niche in our Guild. We have a lot of ideas that we believe will help make Downtown Camden into a more thriving, livable, and walkable arts, entertainment, and shopping district for residents and visitors to enjoy year round. But without the manpower most of them will not come to fruition.

· In two months, Wade Luther, Downtown Manager, will be submitting a budget request for next year. We can, as a unified group, request funds for future events, projects, etc. that will benefit Downtown Camden. For example, if you think $1,000 would be required to organize a Downtown BBQ Cook-Off held on the Farmers Market site, then we should submit that request.

As you can see, the time is short and we would like for you to help us make sure that we use this opportunity wisely. So please attend one of our many upcoming meetings, such as our At-Large Membership Meeting – December 15th, 2009; 8:30 am at 1011 Galleria Mezzanine Level. Please check your emails, if we have them, or reach out to us via the contact information listed below.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,



Edwin Kohn
Interim President