Most Chambers have a monthly newsletter and accept press releases. Some also sell advertising at very reasonable price. Also keep in mind that if you are an active member and maybe even a committee chairperson or board member, you may have your own column in newsletter or at least a listing as a committee chair or member of board. This listing usually will include name of your business.

If your committee is dealing with important issues and or events, there may also be additional benefits in way of local media coverage. I always made sure I chaired at least one or two events a year, and I picked ones that were most likely to effect a large segment of community "in a positive way". This becomes important. For instance, you may want to think twice about chairing a committee to recall local mayor and opt instead to take over Christmas Parade.

A lot of Chambers sponsor trade shows. If promoted right, these events will offer an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your business. The trade shows are sometimes limited to a specific type of business. An example may be an electronics show or a fashion show. Obviously, if you sell running shoes, setting up a booth among nothing but big screen TVs and laptop computers may not be place for you. On other hand if you sell insurance, this may be place for you to pitch homeowners insurance to people with a lot of high priced electronic gadgets. You have to pick and choose right place at right time.

Another function some, if not most, Chambers sponsor are seminars. Don’t miss opportunity to present yourself as an expert in your field. Explore possibility of becoming a presenter at a seminar being offered.

Don’t over look possibility of selling your goods or services directly to Chamber itself. It’s a fairly good bet that, with little exception, they are not going outside their own membership to purchase anything unless they absolutely have to. If you do get a chance to do business with them, make sure you give them best service and best prices you can. The last thing you want to do is over charge or under serve what is probably largest and most influential business organization in your area.

The list of possible exposure via your chamber is endless -- web site listings, yearly directories both on line and hard copy, referral services, business card racks, local maps and on and on. I can’t possibly cover all advantages of membership. There will be many other opportunities that your involvement will create for you. Yet, not all of benefits can be, nor should they be, measured in dollars and cents. One of greatest benefits of being a member will be in overall pride and satisfaction that you will get, knowing you are a leader working to make your community a better place to live. You can’t put a price on that.

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