What Membership Can Do for Your Business
Contacts
As a Chamber member, you can make contacts that are invaluable to your business—contacts could be potential customers, clients, and vendors. You can meet hundreds of business leaders just like yourself, share ideas and information, and benefit from each other’s experiences. It is a network that can lead to new business. As a member, you also have access to our entire membership base!
Your Political Voice
The Chamber works directly at the grass roots level with local, county, and state government leaders. The Chamber is the “voice of business” and is involved in issues that impact your business and community.
Your Link to the Community
There’s nothing more rewarding than volunteering your time and talent to make your community a better place. The Chamber’s programs and projects provide you an opportunity to get involved in a broad array of community needs. It’s a volunteer network that can provide you with a productive link to all sectors.
Improve Your Image in the Community
Studies show that 80% of consumers are more likely to buy goods and services from a company who belongs to the local chamber of commerce. They are also 67% more likely to think positively of its local reputation. (See national study entitled, “The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce,” by The Schapiro Group from Atlanta.)
Keeps You Up-to-Date
Because of its involvement and contact with government, business, education and other sectors of the community, the Chamber can keep a sensitive eye on current developments and issues that affect its members and the business climate of the area. You’ll be in-the-know first by receiving the Chamber’s weekly e-newsletter.
Informative and Educational
Within the Chamber, there are various programs and workshops on a range of topics that can provide valuable information. Monthly luncheons and other meetings provide members an excellent source of information that can directly benefit your business.
Learn New Skills for Small Business Success
Chamber luncheons provide opportunities to listen to speakers from our business community that give insight into running small businesses successfully. Members hear from other business leaders on current topics faced in the workforce.
Discounts
Member-to-member discounts on products and services you use everyday are available through the Chamber of Commerce. (See Chamber for list of these discounts.)
Networking/Social Opportunities
Business After Hours events and Chamber luncheons and breakfasts are some of the best ways to expand your social network. Chamber functions are lively and provide important social contact to lead to increased business.
Keeps Money at Home
The Chamber works to build and enhance “Shop Trussville First.” You can join in the effort to keep more dollars in the Trussville area for businesses such as yours, as well as expand the market and economic base. Local shopping supports the school system and helps provide city services to its residents.
Stimulates Growth
The Chamber works closely with public and private interests to maintain and enhance an environment that is positive for economic growth. From small business development to educational partnerships, the Chamber is working to stimulate a positive business climate.
Publicity and Advertising
Our bi-weekly “Chamber Deals” e-newsletter is a great way to promote your business to an email distribution of over 800 email addresses. You can advertise in the Newcomers’ Guide and on the Chamber’s website. Your business will be listed in the Chamber’s online Business Directory, thereby expanding your market area even if you do not have internet access. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at the Chamber’s community events.
Ribbon Cuttings
Promote your business and educate the community on the services you provide by taking full advantage of the ribbon cutting service.
Referrals
The Chamber receives hundreds of inquiries each year, and we take every opportunity to refer our Chamber members.
Special Events
Business to business opportunities abound for companies who become involved in the Chamber’s variety of special events including our Golf Tournament, Christmas parade, Restaurant Week, Movie on the Mall, and Dog Daze.
Expand Your Knowledge with Help from Experts
Tap into the experience and knowledge of chamber members.
Good Working Relationship with the City
The Chamber has established good rapport with our mayor and city council. The city council has an appointed liaison to the Chamber. His attendance at our monthly board meetings keeps us informed of city happenings.
Good Information
The Chamber serves as a source for accurate news and information on a formal and an informal basis. There is a great amount of networking among chambers and chamber members.
Staffed, Full-Time Office
The Chamber office is opening during business hours offering advice and answers to members, newcomers, residents, and visitors. The Chamber has an executive director, an event coordinator, and membership coordinator available to answer your questions and business-related inquiries. We also have a 24-hour fax line, voice mail, and email.