Direct Member Benefits
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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 1½ 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 in this popular resource.
Electronic Newsletter: The Chamber’s weekly email newsletter is mailed to more than 1,300 leading businesses, individuals, and elected officials. Members only may advertise specials, promotions, or events in the newsletter free of charge. The newsletter is also a great way to stay in touch with what is going on in the Chamber and community.
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, Business Card Exchange, Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Banquet, Golf Tournament, Halloween On the Square, or Christmas Parade. As event sponsors, the names of these businesses are prominently displayed and promoted. Pre-event publicity and mailings afford broad advertising exposure at no additional cost above the sponsorship fee.
Networking Opportunities
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Business Before & After Hours: Held monthly on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays, these networking events provide a relaxed way for members of the Chamber to connect with one another. Member organizations may host these events, which bring together an average of 50-100 people, to showcase their facilities. New members are introduced and may give a brief commercial about their business.
Chamber Pot Drawing During Business Before/After Hours events, members have the opportunity to win the “Chamber Pot”. All member names, in good standing, will be placed in the chamber pot prior to the event drawing. If the member name drawn is in attendance, he/she will be awarded the money amount. The recipient drawn must be the current membership contact or company chosen representative on record at the Chamber office at the time of the event. Companies may send a representative to attend on their behalf. All attendees will be asked to register name and company being represented. Only one company can be represented per name. Example: John Doe ABCD Company If there is no winner, $25.00 is added to the chamber pot, the money carries onto the next event, not to exceed $1,000, minimum $250.00. Revised 2015
New Member Orientation/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 (sub-committee of Membership is the Ambassador program), Governmental Relations, Education, Sports, Special Events, and Economic Development.
Business Card Exchange: Once a month, a local organization that is a member of the Chamber hosts a lunch-time networking event during which other members can meet and exchange information with one another, and introduce themselves to the group as a whole through a brief talk about their organization.
Business Opportunities
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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 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.
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 guide, 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, yielding exposure to thousands of individuals yearly.
Tax Deductibility: Membership in the Chamber is 100% tax deductible as a necessary business expense.
Calendar: The Chamber maintains a calendar of community events, which is also listed on the Chamber’s website. Members only may advertise on this widely distributed calendar.
Special Media/Advertising Opportunities: The Chamber publishes an annual lifestyle 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 Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Chamber members may take advantage of a great advertising opportunity with huge exposure.
Online Advertising: The Chamber gives members the opportunity to advertise online. Please visit the Member Services link to see details.
Social Media: The Chamber has a Facebook page that the public may follow to stay up-to-date on Chamber happenings. Please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LebanonWilsonChamber and make sure to click "follow."
Certificates of Origin: The Chamber provides this documentation necessary for overseas shipments free to members, and for a fee to non-members.
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.
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:
- Opening the Business Resource Center
- Expanding the Sports Council
- Expanding the Beautification program
- Maintain statewide Three-Star Program
- Business and Education Coalition -Teacher Grants – giving more than 20 grants each year
- Working with the Downtown Merchant Association to promote awareness and Buy Lebanon-Wilson County programs
- Developing additional tourism promotions with Mt. Juliet and Watertown.
Other Member Benefits
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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:
- Teacher Grant Awards Program: More than 20 grants of up to $599.00 each are awarded each year to assist teachers in their class projects.
- Imagination Dinner: Books from Birth annual program
- Tennessee Scholars Program
Special Events
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Annual Installation and Awards Celebration: 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 attendees 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.
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.
Taste of Wilson County: For one night only, sample the best Wilson County Chefs have to offer on the lawn of Wilson Bank and Trust. Visit www.tasteofwilsoncounty.com for ticket information and details
Fishing Tournament: Join the fun on Old Hickory Lake for this annual fishing tournament hosted by the Lebanon Wilson County Sports Council.
