Syracuse Chamber launches i.commerce initiative

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Sep 24, 1999 by L, Kim

SYRACUSE-The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) intends to take a lead role in helping Central New York get ready for an impending Internet revolution. The Chamber announced its Internet commerce (i.commerce) initiative at a recent news conference.

According to Chamber officials, about 35 percent of the nation's businesses have Web sites, although most are little more than electronic business cards and information centers. Most are not designed for or even capable of conducting sales transactions.

"A lot have 'informational' Web sites," said Chamber President David Cordeau. "We're trying to get them to take the next step and sell on the Web."

The potential for increased profits due to Internet sales could be staggering. Industry estimates for 1998 put on-line transactions at $43 billion. The Chamber expects that figure to almost triple by the end of this year, to more than $109 billion. By 2003, the Chamber predicts online sales could crack the $1.3-trillion mark.

B.J. Paprocki, district director of the Small Business Administration, said the Internet amounts to a "virtual market square" where even the smallest of businesses can compete for customers around the world, with small businesses accounting for $3.5 billion in current on-line sales. Paprocki predicts that figure could rise to $300 billion in the next 10 years.

During the press conference, the Chamber announced it will sponsor a series of 13 seminars geared toward helping companies, large and small, sell their products on the Internet. The first six seminars, held September 14 and 15, were free and featured experts from the Johnston Electronic Commerce Resource Center.

The first of the fee-based seminars, "Getting Started," will feature Gene Wolf, of Wolf Consulting, on September 28. On October 5, Bruce Lande, of Action Enterprises On-line Stores, Inc., will discuss "Site Planning." Jill Lynet, of Dreamscape Online, will present "Operations and Structure" on October 12. Then, on October 19, Marie Williams of Web Architects will deliver a talk on "Making It Happen." Sean Branagan of Communigration will host "Building Online Success (Interactive Marketing)" on October 26. The topic on November 2 will be "Legal and Technical," with Marie Williams and a panel of legal experts. Gene Wolf comes back to close the series on November 9 with a session on "Forecasting Inventory and Fulfillment." Cost for these seminars is $25 per session for Chamber members, and $40 for nonmembers. A discount for anyone signing up for all seven sessions reduces the cost to $150 for Chamber members and $250 for nonmembers.

The Chamber has also initiated its own Web site at www.cnyicommerce.com. The i.commerce Web features a searchable resource directory of local companies that have helped other companies get on-line and begin doing business on the Internet. The site also features success stories from local companies that have generated greater revenues through their Web sites, as well as technical updates and tips for marketing your own site.