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DIRECT BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Lebanon-Wilson County Preferred Business Directory: This membership directory and buyers guide will be distributed to up to 5,000 members, visitors, new residents and business prospects . Members only are listed free by classified categories, providing high visibility to potential customers. Internet Exposure: The Chamber has a home page that includes a business directory of our members in categorical order, giving them FREE worldwide exposure. The Chamber’s web site receives more than 20,000 hits per month and also includes the community calendar. Map: Every 1-½ years, the Chamber publishes a city, county and area map with distribution of over 5,000. Members only may take advantage of display advertising opportunities at very affordable prices. Newsletter: The Chamber’s weekly e-mail newsletter is mailed to more than 1,000 leading businesses, prospects, elected officials and. New members are recognized, providing great free advertising! Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings: These ceremonies which increase the visibility of new or expanding businesses are provided to Chamber members only. New members are featured in the local media, providing an immediate, free exposure! Member Sponsorships: High visibility and advertising value is offered to members who sponsor a Chamber event, such as a Business After Hours, Business Before Hours, Quarterly Membership Luncheon, Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Banquet, Golf Tournament, Halloween On the Square, Festival of Lights, Christmas Parade. As event sponsors, their name is prominently displayed and promoted. Pre-event publicity and mailings afford them broad advertising exposure at no additional cost above their sponsorship fee. Dining & Lodging Guide: This in-house publication listing only Chamber members’ dining and lodging services is distributed to hundreds of tourists and new residents annually. Your membership ensures these visitors are referred to your business! Weekly Email Newsletter: The Chamber offers weekly newsletters to committee members and those who request to be informed. Chamber Bucks: The Shop at Home program offers Chamber member’s special savings. Just look for the recently re-formatted visuals displayed at participating Chamber businesses. A way to promote shopping locally while supporting Chamber members! To Download Membership Application - CLICK HERE (PDF)NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Business After Hours: Held monthly on alternating Tuesday‘s and Thursdays, these networking events bring together an average of 100 –125 people. New members are introduced and may give a 60-second commercial about their business. Business Before Hours: Join this lively group which meets each month at a member business. Participants benefit from this forum for referral and lead generation as well as hearing from speakers on topics of vital concern to the business community. New members are given the opportunity to present mini-commercials about their business to the approximately 100 attendees. Quarterly Membership Luncheon: Members enjoy mingling with 100-125 attendees for networking. This is a time for members to get up to date information on hot area topics affecting the local economy. New Member Reception: Each year a special reception is held to welcome all of the new Chamber members, allow them to introduce themselves and promote their business, and network extensively. A review of all of the Chamber member benefits will reinforce and teach all in attendance how to utilize their membership to the fullest extent. Committees: Members may participate in any of our active, dynamic committees, covering a wide range of interests such as Membership, Retail, Education, General Services, Tourism and Economic Development. To Download Membership Application - CLICK HERE (PDF)BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Mailing Labels: Members may receive one set of labels free for direct-mailing information to the 800+ members of the Lebanon-Wilson Chamber of Commerce and may purchase an additional set for $10 annually. This allows you to develop a database of business prospects. This service is not available to non-members. Business Referral Service: Each year thousands of phone referrals of Chamber business members are given to potential customers in response to inquiries from tourists, the business community and the general population. In addition Chamber member information is included in over 100 relocation packets that are distributed each month. Members are always referred to these inquiries and may also seek out these prospective customers by subscribing ($60 per year) to the inquiry register log the Chamber maintains. By subscribing, Chamber members are able to contact those interested in doing business in the Lebanon-Wilson County area. An inexpensive way to attract potential customers! Resource Center: Information resources are available at the Chamber - examples include community calendar, demographics, local and area phone directories, a list of clubs and organizations, an Industrial Directory, local and state maps, statewide visitor information, list of local, area, state and national government contacts and Business Start Up Kits. Promotional Displays: Only Chamber members can display their business cards and promotional materials in the Chamber office - exposure to thousands yearly. Tax Deductibility: Membership in the Chamber is 100% deductible as a necessary business expense. Calendar: The Chamber maintains a calendar of community events, which is also listed on the Chamber’s web site. Members only may advertise on this widely distributed calendar. Special Media/Advertising Opportunities: The Chamber publishes an annual life style magazine. This full color, high-gloss promotional publication is distributed to thousands annually and used at conventions, in hotels, motels, real estate agencies, and the visitor’s bureau. Chamber members may take advantage of a great advertising opportunity with huge exposure. Certificates of Origin: Documentation necessary for overseas shipments – the Chamber provides this certification free for members, a fee to non-members. Small Business Resource Center: The Chamber and Cumberland University established the center to offer business start up and expansion advice. Entrepreneurs can get advice on legal, tax and marketing issues and receive assistance in completing applications for small business loans. Members may seek personal advice from staff on hand or access the SBRC’s web site at: www.bizresource.org or by hitting the Chamber Biz link on the Chamber’s web site. Advocate for Business: The Chamber is the voice of the business community in local, county, and state issues representing the business community in problem solving and promoting economic development. Some of the ways the Chamber works to help new and expanding businesses benefit from the economic and educational growth in the county is:
To Download Membership Application - CLICK HERE (PDF)OTHER BENEFITS. Meeting Room Rental: Chamber members are offered the use of the Chamber meeting room free upon availability. Non-members pay $25 for ½ day and $50 for the whole day. Bulk Mailing Permit Use: Members may use the Chamber bulk mailing stamp, thus saving the $125 fee and allowing them an average per piece mailed saving of $.19 each. Business Seminars: These professionally conducted and informative seminars assist businesses become more successful by addressing “How to” topics and issues affecting the business community. Notary Public: This necessary service is provided free to Chamber members. SPECIAL PROGRAMS The Chamber sponsors several programs each year:
To Download Membership Application - CLICK HERE (PDF)SPECIAL EVENTS Annual Installation and Awards Dinner: Held each February to install the new Chamber officers and to present the Program of Work. The evening also offers dinner, entertainment and awards. More than 350 members give honor to those who have made a special contribution to the area through the Business Person of the Year, Industrialist Award, the Life Time Achievement Award, Cedar Tree, Beautification and Retailers Award. A prominent event covered by all the local papers and radio station, this event is not to be missed! Golf Tournament: Scheduled in July, this event attracts more than 150 golfers. Participants enjoy lunch, networking and awards. Various levels of sponsorship opportunities are available at this annual event. Festival of Lights: A driving tour through the James E. Ward Agricultural Center viewing numerous lighted displays celebrating the Christmas season. Starts the weekend after Thanksgiving and runs through the last weekend in December. Christmas Parade: Get in the holiday spirit by viewing more than 90 entries in the annual Christmas parade. Starts at 2:00 p.m. and ends with the arrival of Santa. Halloween On The Square: October 31 – This event provides a safe environment for children to trick or teat. All of the Square stores participate in this community event. |