Be an Active Chamber Member

By now, most of you are familiar with the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce, the benefits of membership and the programs we offer throughout the year.

Most of you are either members of the GRC, or a member of your own, local Chamber of Commerce, which is great. You have made a wise business investment by joining the Chamber, but are you getting the most from your investment? Joining a Chamber is important, but being an active member is even more important.

I offer you the following tips on ways to be an active Chamber member:
1. Attend membership meetings and Chamber events
2. Be active on a committee or be involved with the planning of events.
3. Be nominated and elected to the Board of Directors.
4. Take advantage of advertising opportunities – both low cost and no cost are available.
5. Volunteer for events and Chamber activities.
6. Sponsor a special event.
7. Be a guest speaker at a meeting, or offer a workshop or seminar in your field of expertise.
8. Host a networking event or Business after Hours event at your place of business.
9. Write an article about your business or field of expertise for Chamber related publications.
10. Follow the Chamber on social media and post comments and “likes” as your business.

For more information on any of these tips, please call me and I would be happy to personally help you apply them.

In closing, I leave with you the following statistics that I found in a research study titled The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce:

When consumers know that a small business is a member of the Chamber of Commerce they are 63% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company and are 44% more likely to think favorably of that business – www.schapirogroup.com.

Most consumers – 59% think that being active in the local Chamber of Commerce is an effective business strategy overall. Membership is an effective way to convey to consumers that a business uses good business practices, is involved in the community, cares about customers and is reputable – www.schapirogroup.com.

If the business shows that it is highly involved in the local Chamber of Commerce (sits on the chamber board, committee chair, etc.) consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition – www.schapirogroup.com.

Are you an active member?