We've all heard the best way to promote your business is to network, network, network. If you attend our Good Morning Coffee Hours and Business After Hours, they give you the opportunity to meet other business leaders, promote your business and make new friends. These events are included in your membership with no cost to you, other than a $2.00 mandatory admission to the breakfast.
# 2. Promote Your Business.Take full advantage of the many ways the Chamber offers opportunities to promote your business.
For new Chamber members, existing businesses, businesses under new ownership, businesses who are expanding or relocating their business, we offer a commemorative Ribbon Cutting. There is always a representative from city and county government available to speak at this ceremony which is facilitated by the Chairman of the Chamber Board.
You are presented with a plaque, you and your designees cut the ribbon and you have the opportunity to speak about your business. Ribbon Cuttings are sent to the Courier-Times calendar, a blast email goes out to Chamber members, local media (Courier-Times and WRXO)often attend the event so there is local coverage plus a summary of the event and photo's are included in the next month's Chamber Report. This is a complimentary event and is a great way to introduce your business to the community.
In addition to your free listing in our on-line Membership Directory, we promote doing business with a member through referrals we make on your behalf.
Our monthly newsletter, the Chamber Report, offers the opportunity to share recent awards/recognitions your company has received, staffing changes and any other news in our "Member News" column which is absolutely free.
Place your business cards or flyers in the Chamber Lobby to promote your business with our "walk-in customers". a benefit for "members only".
The Chamber also offers opportunities to promote your business through sponsorships, advertising in the Chamber Report with an insert, advertising space available on our web site, and in our biennial Community Resource & Business Guide.
Sign up today to be represented in our very successful Gift Certificate Program. There is no cost to you...we just add your business to the list. This program was designed to promote "Shopping Local" which we strongly endorse. People come to the Chamber and buy gift certificates in any amount they desire, which are then redeemable at any of the businesses on the list. Gift Certificates have a 6 month expiration date and you turn them into your bank like you would treat any check that comes through your business.
This program is offered as a courtesy by the Chamber and as a benefit of membership...in 2011, $48,000 in Chamber gift certificates contributed to local spending through this program.
By partnering with the Business Development and Entrepreneurship Center of Piedmont Community College, several "Lunch and Learn" programs and evening seminars are made available on an on-going basis to help with building stronger workplace teams and strengthening your business skills. Notification of these sessions is done by the monthly Chamber Report, Piedmont Community College Spring and Fall Semester offerings, email blasts from the Chamber and advertisements in the Courier-Times.
# 5. Partners in HealthcareBusiness Primary Health Services Program available to chamber member business owners, their employees and immediate families, and chamber associate members and their families, through an exclusive partnership with Person Family Medical & Dental Centers and Piedmont Business Health Services. This is not major medical and hospitalization coverage, but it does offer reduced doctor visit fees and significantly reduced prescription charges.
# 6. Working WITH You and FOR YouThere are tough challenges ahead for many of our members. One of the greatest benefits the Chamber can provide for your business is our partnership with you. We continue to work on issues of tomorrow to ensure that our community emerges from this challenging economy stronger than ever.
If you have suggestions, ideas, need assistance, let us hear from you. We are ONLY a phone call away...336-599-8333.
