How Your Chamber Grows Your Business

Joanette Romero, Chairperson, Marketing Committee

As Chamber members, we are a network of business people all sharing the same interests and concerns. We focus on growing our business, strengthening our bottom line, and increasing revenues. As a Chamber, the diversity of the membership and the talents of the leaders of our member companies provide strength to our Chamber and to the communities we serve.

Networking is the number one reason that most companies join the Chamber. Your Chamber provides frequent opportunities for members to network. BAH (Business After Hours) events and networking lunches allow our members to network successfully. Why not invite someone you think would be a quality Chamber member also? Building our Chamber ultimately helps grow your business.

The second main reason that a business joins the Chamber is the discounted health insurance and workers’ compensation benefits. As a member, if you use these benefits, you can save money. Your savings alone will more than pay for the cost of your yearly dues. Membership, in essence, could be free to you.

Your Chamber, with its strong, unified voice, represents and protects the interests of the business community. Your Chamber is an active member in the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and NOACC (Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce). Both organizations have over 150 fellow chamber members. Together we work to keep each other informed of the latest issues which impact the business and local community. Our board of directors is comprised of 15 of our local business community leaders who keep a constant watch and help protect our community.

As a referral point for business opportunities, your Chamber refers all inquiries to member companies. Additionally, many businesses contact the Chamber in search of suppliers for various goods and services.

The Chamber promotes the expansion of current business in conjunction with our member cities and strengthens the existing business community. While many people think that the Chamber is a part of the city government, it is not. We do, however, work closely with the mayors and city planners in attracting new business.

The Chamber has many committees and encourages our members to get involved. The legislative committee is just one committee that keeps watch and shares ideas with the local government. Your Chamber works hard on economic development to help expand the business community.

Chamber membership demonstrates a commitment to high professional and ethical standards. Because of the constant referrals, all Chamber members are held to a higher professional and ethical standard.

The Chamber has an excellent relationship with the local educational institutions. The Chamber has formed a "Business Advisory Council" with the school systems. At the high school and college level, the chamber works through the Business Advisory Council to provide ideas and support to our future business leaders.

The Chamber website at www.NorthCoastChamber.com offers its members an avenue to share their goods and services with consumers browsing the Internet. The Chamber news-letter is published six times a year and keeps its members apprised of current issues and upcoming events. There are a variety of ways to help grow your business on our website including site and section sponsorships, as well as our newly introduced “Click, Print, & Save” coupon page. Remember, anyone can access our website and your business information. With an average of 64,000 web page views monthly, you surely don’t want to pass up this excellent exposure.

Invite someone to the next North Coast Chamber event, and help grow your business!