Chamber Benefits and Programs

Every community has one. It is is the tie that binds the business community together. But what are the benefits of joining the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber exists to make a community a better place to work, live and play.

Businesses become members because they take great pride in their membership. They are proud of being part of an organization that plays a key role in the community. The Chamber is a not-for-profit advocate for businesses. It is an organization managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, established to promote civic, commercial, industrial and agricultural progress within its community and to work diligently with community partners for the establishment of sound legislation and efficient administration at all levels of government.

Chamber members are proud to belong to an organization that plays such a key role in the community. They display their membership logos on their windows and advertise their membership in their brochures or advertisements. Holding a membership in an association that is recognized worldwide allows members to promote to the outside world that they belong to something important.

What Does Membership Provide?
Membership provides businesses with information about rising government issues that affect them, and adds their voice to the chambers efforts to address them. The Chamber at all levels, speaks on behalf of the business community at public hearings, with media and government on matters that impact on not only the business community but also the community at large.

The Real Reason to Join
But the real value of joining the Chamber of Commerce is the positive perceptions of consumers about membership. A survey by The Schapiro Group found some great results for Chamber members. Here are a few key points to should consider:

• The results show that being active in the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce is a good strategy for businesses to use.
• It's an effective way to convey to consumers that the business uses good business practises.
• Consumers believe that businesses that are involved in the community, care about their customers and that the company is reputable. When a consumer thinks more favourably of a company because the company is a member of its Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, it is because they infer that the company is trustworthy, connected to the community, listens to its customers is successful and is a leader in the business community.

Networking, Affinity Programs and Savings
A Chamber membership also provides excellent networking opportunities. Our Chamber has in nearly 2500 members, which mean that networking possibilities are endless. We host a variety of events throughout the year including luncheons, Business After Hours, Golf Tournaments and Business Seminars. Not to mention that group buying power also provides access to better Group Insurance Plans, discounts on goods and services, These are not the only benefits of the Chamber; there are also great Member 2 Member discounts, provided to members by members.

So to sum up the value of membership, Chamber membership provides members with an opportunity to have a positive impact on their business community and to be part of a worldwide business network. It gives consumers a positive perception of the business; it provides opportunities for networking and value added discounts.