Our chamber membership campaign is officially under way, and we’ve identified a great list of area businesses who are not currently investing in our organization. We hope to convince them that an investment in the local chamber is a wise business decision.
We’ve been around since 1917. That makes us the oldest business organization in the area. We’re also the largest. There’s power in numbers, and we’ve got some tremendous benefits to offer. We are the voice of business for this area. We are the primary source of business resources for this area. We are the bearer of some wonderful cost-saving business benefits. And, we strive to make a difference in this community every single day.
We can’t imagine anyone who would not want to be a part of all that!
I’d like to share with you an excerpt from one of the marketing pieces in our membership folder.
It’s called “Eight Reasons Why the Chamber is the Place To Be.” Here goes:
• Do business, and save! We offer exclusive discounts and partnerships with First Data Merchant Solutions for all your payment processing needs. We offer exclusive discounts on your office supplies through Dawkins Office Supply. And, we offer exclusive shipping discounts through UPS. All just for being a chamber member.
• Website business directory listing, mobile app listing and exclusive business referrals. Don’t miss being a part of the area’s largest online business directory at www.greenwoodmschamber.com. You are also listed on the chamber’s mobile app, which is available free for all smartphone users. And, we only refer chamber members to the hundreds of prospects that call monthly. People call here first when looking to do business. How much business are you missing out on?
• Use of chamber resources. Chamber members have access to our meeting space, kitchen facilities, copy and fax machine, bulk-rate postage permit benefits, statistics and demographics and more are available to members. (Some fees and restrictions may apply.)
• Committee and community involvement and new business contacts. The best way to get involved is to become active on one of the chamber’s committees. This allows our investors to get involved in the chamber’s community work and to meet new people while improving the quality of life in the community. Getting involved is also a great way to meet new people and increase your business contacts.
• Chamber University workshops and seminars. We offer seminars and workshops throughout the year conducted by experts in their respective fields. The seminars address today’s hot topics and issues facing small businesses. Chamber members get exclusive discounted rates to these workshops, and they get first opportunity to sign up.
• Invitation to special events. Don’t miss out on popular events like Business After Hours, our annual Meeting and Business Expo, professional development seminars, ribbon cuttings, grand openings and so much more.
• The opportunity for us to help you with your ribbon cutting. Have us organize your business ribbon cutting, grand opening or ground-breaking event. We’ll bring the ribbon and scissors and invite the community!
• A healthy local economy. The chamber serves as one of the main driving forces of economic and civic/community development. Our investors and sponsors make it possible for us to do the great work that we do.
These are some great reasons to be a part of what we’re doing. If you’re called on and invited to join the chamber, we hope you’ll take a moment to seriously consider it. If we somehow miss calling on you, and you want to know more about our great organization, please call us today at 453-4152. Let us help you connect and build a stronger business for yourself and a stronger community for us all.
On a separate note, AgFest tickets are now on sale at the chamber. This great event is set for Nov. 19 at the Civic Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. This includes a catfish buffet, free beverages, a chance to hear some great live bluegrass music, activities for the kids, our special guest speaker Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture Cindy Hyde-Smith and the naming of our Young Farmer of the Year. Come by, and get your tickets today!
• Beth Stevens is the executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at chamberevp@bellsouth.net.
