Eiland hopes Perryville thrives under her direction as Chamber Director

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In late May, the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce announced it had found its next executive director. Kiley Eiland, who had been working with the Perry County Economic Development Authority as well as Heritage Tourism will begin her new role next Monday, June 13. She answered a few questions about the job for the Republic Monitor earlier this month.
“As a Perryville native, it’s of great importance to me to see our community thrive,” she said. “I am very passionate about using my talents and abilities to better my community in an impactful way.”
With the start of her new role newly here, Eiland is optimistic and excited for several reasons.
“I’m excited to build new relationships and grow existing ones,” Eiland said. “I’m excited to work with Renee Lottes, the Chamber Board of Directors and to meet with members and businesses, to learn from them and to collaborate with them. I look forward to planning community events and brainstorming new ideas.”
As Chamber executive director, her goals include: helping businesses prosper and grow, improve the community’s quality of life, produce engaging and memorable annual signature events, recurring events and general membership events, listening to the wants and needs of individuals businesses, members of the community and providing tailored resources and solutions, working closely with the Perry County Economic Development Authority, establish efficient and effective solutions for the community and give visitors, business owners and citizens of the area and sense of confidence through “supportive, communicative leadership.”
Eiland believes in staying connected with the community, and wants to offer new and innovative benefits to be a strong resource for both members and the community as a whole.
“I believe it’s vital for a chamber to work hard behind the scenes to ensure that we are providing the best possible resource for our members,” Eiland said. “This includes organizing network events, education seminars, connecting with local and state officials, promoting and marketing the local economy and fostering relationships with new and existing business resource partners that can offer our members what we may lack.”

Eiland brings a wealth of knowledge in terms of organizing and hosting events, which she has done more than half a decade, including at the Saint Louis Zoo.
“I am proficient in developing event logistics, coordinating event sponsorships and volunteers, developing copy for market materials, social media strategies, budget development and revenue projections, retail management, and vendor development and management,” Eiland said.
Eiland explained how working for the Chamber varies from the EDA and tourism work at her previous job.
“There are a lot of similarities and overlap,” she said. “I believe the relationships developed in my current role with the Economic Development Authority and Perry County Heritage Tourism will carry over and continue to strengthen in my role as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.”
Eiland will be able to stay involved in many different board, committee and organization meetings while reporting and providing representation on behalf of the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“One of the things that has always impressed me about Perryville is the community’s ability to produce a feeling of arms wide open, ‘welcome home’ when receiving and accepting new members, welcoming back those who left and supporting its current residents,” Eiland said. “That is so rare and special.”
While she hasn’t started with the Chamber just yet, Eiland is grateful for the amount of support and well wishes she has received.
“I feel so appreciative, motivated and humbled by the overwhelming response of positivity and encouragement I received from the Perry County community upon the Chamber’s official announcement to the public.”