Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Greater Austin Chamber Area Business Council programs.

What is an Area Business Council?
An Area Business Council is a volunteer organization, comprised of Chamber members and located in a specific geographical area, which provides a channel for its members to be involved in solving problems, discussing issues, and implementing special projects and events for the benefit of the area being served.

What is the benefit for a Chamber member to participate in an Area Business Council?
Participation can maximize the existing benefits derived from Chamber membership. It offers members the opportunity to prioritize and bring a focus to the business needs of the area, and to take community leadership roles in addressing these needs. It can increase members' business network within the geographical area, and provide stronger representation on area issues. Also, since area councils exist in smaller geographical areas, participation provides an opportunity for area-specific networking with others doing business in the same part of town.

What is a council's relationship to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce?
Each council operates with a board of directors whose chair serves on the Chamber's Board, the policy decision-making body of the Chamber. These representatives keep the Board aware of the councils' action and progress.

The Chamber provides a staff liaison to assist the councils with the development of special events and programs, production and mailing of council correspondence and coordination of all board and committee meetings. The councils, through their liaison, can draw on Chamber resources, such as the communications staff, for the production of needed printed materials or the development of press releases.

The council liaison works closely with the councils in the development of their operating guidelines, plans of action and annual budgets. The councils are fiscally responsible to the Chamber.

What are the costs to participate in an Area Business Council?
Chamber members can join one Area Business Council for $25 annually or $40 for both councils. Area Business Council dues are used to directly benefit council programming.

This council, formed in 2005 was the first established under the Area Business Council Program.

Northwest Business Council Members

2010 Northwest Business Council Board

Malcomb Gardner – 360 Media (Chair)
Janice Vallin – Community Impact Newspaper
Carey Jung – IT Freedom
James Walker – Market Sense
Mark Dietz – Marquee Event Group
Lynne Henderlong-Rhea –- Mombo Creative
Dustin Goss Pape – Dawson Engineers, Inc.
Beatriz Pappas – Prosperity Bank
Chuck Durant – Seton Northwest Hospital
Mark Harrington – SpawGlass Contractors
Juan Portillo – Tramex Travel

This council was established in January 2006.

South Austin Business Council Members

2010 South Austin Council Board

William Sparks – Austin Energy (Chair)
Andrew Miller – Commercial Loan Solutions
Travis Baker – Community Impact Newspaper
Michaela Rodriguez – Costco Wholesale #641
Clint Potts – Edward Jones Investments
Denise Fisher – Grey Rock Golf Club
Brandy Schnautz Mann – Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Marc Nightwine – MNA/MarcNightwineArchitecture
Mark Avery – Richards Rodriguez & Skeith LLP
Patrick Williams – SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
Stan Horner – St. Edward's University