Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber

The definition of a Chamber of Commerce is “an association or network of businesspeople designed to promote and protect the interests of its members”.  Most every community has a Chamber of Commerce, or at least they should. In the U.S. alone there are approximately 4,000 active chambers that employ at least one person, and thousands more that function as strictly volunteer organizations. The purpose and goal of any Chamber are "to help to further the interests of small businesses in a local area”. Since 1987, the Lake West Chamber of Commerce has achieved this through hosting of networking social events, golf tournaments, charity events & fundraising, holiday parades and much more, Although the idea of a Chamber of Commerce has been around since ancient civilization, the term “Chamber of Commerce” was first used in the city of Marseilles, France in 1599 A.D., and was intended to exert influence on the powers of government. The first official state-wide Chamber of Commerce in...

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to plan a getaway and there is no better place than the Lake of the Ozarks for your destination! The Lake West Chamber of Commerce would like to share with you some of the amazing things there are to experience here at the Lake of the Ozarks. SHOPPING: From locally-owned boutiques to retail chains and everything in between, the Lake of the Ozarks offers shopping for most anything your heart desires. You can find the latest in fashion design, antiques, hard-to-find unique pieces, and more. If you are ready to purchase that Tritoon or Cruiser you have had your eye on, there are marinas and boat dealers ready to take you for that test drive on the lake! DINING: The West Side of the Lake of the Ozarks has dining options available for every appetite. We have options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner both indoors and out, featuring locally owned diners, sports bars, and fine dining restaurants to satisfy your appetite, not to mention ice cream sho...

The  Lake West Chamber of Commerce  is proud to call this area home and feel fortunate to live work and play in this unique location. We wanted to take this opportunity to let you know some fun facts about this area, how it came to be a year-round destination and why it is a great place to live!  Bagnell Dam was built from 1929 – 1931 and provided thousands of jobs for workers during the Great Depression. The cost of building the Dam was estimated at $30 million, which in today’s market would be equivalent to more than $360 million dollars! Its original purpose was to supply electricity to customers of Union Electric but quickly became a tourist destination. When opened, 1,212,000 gallons of water can pass through the floodgates of Bagnell Dam in a single second. Upon its completion in 1931, it was the largest man-made lake in the United States. With more than 1,150 miles, the Lake has more shoreline than the state of California. At its deepest, the Lake of the Ozarks is ...

When starting a business here on the West Side of the Lake of the Ozarks , you become the heart and soul of your company, and your success begins with you. How you go about achieving that success will determine how your company will grow and thrive here in our Lake West Community, and the Lake West Chamber of Commerce would like to provide some tips to get you going! That responsibility can seem overwhelming, however, there are resources available to provide you with the leadership skills needed to become an integral part of our Lake West Community. STAFFING: Surrounding yourself with hard-working reliable employees is a key factor in creating a successful business here on the West Side of the Lake of the Ozarks . Your team members should be loyal and trustworthy and treat your business as if it were their own, assuring that each of your clients will be treated with the respect they deserve. GENERATING NEW BUSINESS: The day-to-day operation of running a business entails a lot of resp...

Business networking is a vital part of the success of our local businesses here on the West Side of the Lake of the Ozarks . It’s the best way to meet new people and get your and your business the attention it deserves, and the most effective way to promote growth both personally and professionally. That being said, many people feel intimidated when faced with the thought of being immersed in a crowd of people, and don’t know exactly how to navigate through the process. The Lake West Chamber of Commerce is here with some tips and ideas to calm those nerves and approach the opportunity with confidence. BE PREPARED: Being prepared for a networking event can provide you with the extra confidence needed to introduce yourself and your business. Having business cards and brochures with you is the best way to begin a conversation about how you and your business can benefit fellow networkers with your individualized product or service. These are beneficial tools that serve as a visual remin...