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The chamber never had offices, only a Web site, and it hasn't had a meeting since October.
By BILL COATS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 15, 2002
LUTZ -- The nation's first virtual chamber of commerce is virtually dead.
The Lutz Chamber of Commerce hasn't had a function since last fall, when the president and one member attended the monthly mixer. Its Web site, www.thelutzchamber.com, hasn't listed new events since last summer.
President Steve Meitzen advised his 20 members on a Web page last year that he had become too busy to lead the group. He urged others to take over, but none did. Meitzen waived dues for the current year.
"I don't think I would have gotten them, and I don't want the chamber to die," he said.
When Meitzen founded the chamber two years ago, he envisioned it as a way for Lutz's businesses to have a common voice and presence without the expense of opening an office. Meitzen and several people he met in a breakfast club for sales leads established the group and the Web site for less than $5,000.
As membership grew, they held monthly mixers and nominated member Larry O'Brien last year for "guv'na" in Lutz's community fundraising competition.
But Meitzen, who lives in VillaRosa, left his Tampa job for a Clearwater job, taking on an arduous commute. He also was elected president of the Bay Area Manufacturers Association.
"He's spread too thin to give it any real time," said O'Brien, a Cheval retiree. "It's a matter of finding somebody to take his place who will have the time to do it."
Neither man considers the chamber dead, just dormant. Each hopes some new leader will reactivate the chamber and plan more functions.
"I would put a sign up: "President wanted,' " Meitzen said. He invited anyone interested in the chamber to call him at (800) 600-5906.
Carol Mercer, whose home-based company sells gift baskets, said neither she nor other active members were willing to invest the time as president.
"It was a good idea," she said. "But I don't know what needed to happen for it to move forward."
Ultimately, Mercer decided the chamber wasn't becoming a resource. "I kind of bowed out," she said.
O'Brien recalled that the last monthly meeting was in October, at a local sports bar. But only Meitzen and O'Brien showed up, he said. They left and went to a Chinese restaurant.
- Bill Coats can be reached at (813) 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com.