December 12, 2009
Chamber Launches 2010 Drive; Membership Up 25% in 2009
A growing number of local businesses are discovering the value of membership in the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. Fifty-three new members joined in 2009, a 25 percent increase over 2008.
The Chamber anticipates continued growth during the 2010 membership drive, which was launched at the Chamber’s Holiday Celebration on December 8.
“Chamber members quickly recoup their membership fee through a wide variety of benefits such as savings in workers’ compensation and health insurance,” said Dave Bacher, president of the Chamber Board of Directors. “The real value comes from opportunities to gain new business through the Chamber’s networking opportunities and cooperative programs that promote growth of local business.”
Networking Opportunities
“In the current economy, business owners have come to appreciate the positive results of working together to maintain a strong local business presence,” Bacher added. The Chamber drives this effort through monthly networking sessions where members socialize, share developments at their businesses and provide business referrals. Other networking opportunities include business-building educational seminars, human resources lunches, business-to-business events hosted by Chamber member businesses, an annual meeting, a monthly newsletter, and e-mail updates.
Employee/Employer Benefits
Chamber membership offers benefits such as:
• Discounted health care premiums
• Group rating for workers’ compensation
• Special dental plans
• Discount cards for prescriptions and vision
• Hearing aid discounts
• Discounts on document management
In addition, Chamber members can obtain Speedway gas cards that provide a 6-cent a gallon discount for themselves and their employees. “These cards go a long way to paying for Chamber membership and are a valuable benefit employers can provide their employees,” Bacher said. He added that employers can load the cards and use them as an employee incentive.
Safety Council
The Chamber-sponsored Champaign County Safety Council provides businesses essential information on promoting safety and reducing accidents. Through regular participation Chamber members reduce workers’ compensation costs.
Visitors Bureau
The Chamber’s Visitors Bureau draws business to Champaign County through special events attended by thousands of people. These include the Champaign County Barn Quilt Tour, Champaign County Balloon Fest and the Mideastern Regional Fly-in (MERFI). The Chamber also promotes a wide variety of other events and tourism venues, and recently published an attractive, full-color visitors guide that highlights all of the county’s special attractions.
Leadership Champaign County
This Chamber-sponsored community development program prepares local citizens for effective community and professional leadership. To date more than 150 individuals have completed the program. The Chamber also has developed a Teen Leadership Academy for high school students.
For 2010 Chamber membership dues may be paid in quarterly installments and may be paid by credit card, as well as cash and check.
For information about joining the Chamber, contact Executive Director Tina Knotts at 653-5764 or info@champaignohio.com. She and Bacher are available to meet with prospective members at the Chamber office, 113 Miami St., Urbana, or at their place of business. More information on the Chamber is available at www.champaignohio.com.
