This year’s theme for the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce’s (CDCC) Annual Holiday Gift Auction reflects its vision to be THE essential resource for the development of businesses in Central Delaware. Through the Chamber’s four pillars of Education, Legislation, Marketing, and Networking, businesses are informed, encouraged, connected and grown. The CDCC’s mission to assist businesses makes “Taking Care of Business” the perfect theme for one of the Chamber’s biggest events!

The Holiday Gift Auction not only gives participants an opportunity to do their Christmas shopping and support local businesses, this popular, annual event also gives businesses who donate an opportunity to share the limelight! In marketing circles, donating to an auction is a strategy known as “Charitable Marketing” and can be very effective in terms of exposure and name recognition. In addition, participation in events like the Holiday Gift Auction builds goodwill for the business. Valuable positive associations are established when businesses participate in a charity event hosted by a reputable, well-known organization like the CDCC.

In addition to all those benefits, think of the social media buzz you will be able to create around donating to the Holiday Gift Auction! It will give you something special to talk about and will help generate interest in your products and services. The CDCC loves to show off its members and the incredible things they have to offer. The Holiday Gift Auction is a great way to showcase your expertise and give potential shoppers a glimpse of what you do!

Auction items come in all shapes and sizes, colors and styles, and value amounts! From gift baskets to gift cards to signed memorabilia to travel packages to custom artwork to jewelry to experiences, businesses have plenty of room for creativity as they put together their donations. Perhaps you would like to create a limited-edition item or a special package exclusive to this event! Donated items should reflect the heart of what businesses do and it’s fun when they can also reflect the theme of the event. Always be sure to include your business cards, flyers, and other items that share your company’s contact information.

Businesses who donate items receive special recognition with their names on the bidding sheets, mentions in the program, recognition through social media, and a listing on the CDCC website. We are currently seeking auction items.

This year’s Holiday Gift Auction will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 5-8 p.m. at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover. This event, open to the public, will feature a live auction and a silent auction. Plans are currently in the works for an online component to this live event, increasing the ability for more shoppers to attend!

The CDCC wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors (as of Aug. 17): Artisan’s Bank and Del-One Federal Credit Union. We also wish to thank Maple Dale Country Club for hosting the event again this year. We couldn’t do it without you!

To learn more about this year’s Holiday Gift Auction and to donate an auction item, please call the CDCC Office at 302-734-7513 or visit our website www.cdcc.net. We look forward to this fun-filled annual event as, together, we focus on “Taking Care of Business!”

Upcoming events

•Thursday, Sept. 2: Kent County Open for Business, Kent County Levy Court Room 220, 8:30 – 10 a.m.

•Wednesday, Sept. 8t Coffee Coaching, CDCC Conference Room, 8 – 9 a.m.

•Thursday, Sept. 9: Member Orientation, CDCC Conference Room, 8:30 – 10 a.m.