About Our Chamber
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Membership Benefits
The benefits of being a member of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce are many. Discover all that we have to offer, and take advantage of any number of the following services.
Bulk Mailing
Use the Chamber’s bulk mail permit for substantial savings on mailings of 200 pieces or more. You save not only on postage, but on the annual fee required to have a postal permit of your own!
Chamber Directory
Our Membership Directory is published annually, near the beginning of the year. Member businesses are listed alphabetically by business name in one section of the directory. In the other section, members have the opportunity to be listed under categories of their choice. The first two are free, but additional listings are available for a nominal fee of $10 each. The directory represents a great advertising opportunity at a very reasonable cost. The directory is distributed to each business member of the Chamber, is given to each new resident as part of the Welcome Program, and is included in all relocation and vacation packets.
Member Newsletter
The Chamber’s monthly newsletter is mailed to each member business the week prior to the membership meeting. It’s a great way to stay updated on Chamber board decisions, upcoming meetings and member events, and other member opportunities. It also provides another cost-effective way to advertise your services or products to your fellow Chamber members. An 8 1/2 x 11 inch flyer can be included in the newsletter at a cost of only $40.
Look for the Logo advertising campaign
A full-blown media blitz in local media outlets throughout the year, the Chamber’s Look for the Logo campaign encourages consumers to “Shop Smithville Chamber Members First.” Each member receives a logo to display in your place of business. This campaign allows the Chamber to advertise for each of our members – and keeps sales tax dollars in our community!
Luncheon Sponsorship
As a sponsor or co-sponsor of a monthly membership luncheon, you have the opportunity to make a 20-minute presentation highlighting your business. Chamber members are well-known for their support of fellow members – and for referring Chamber members to others who may need your specific product or service.
In addition, members who sponsor or co-sponsor a luncheon will be included in the Sponsor Spotlight section of the monthly newsletter the month of their meeting. What a great way to tell your fellow Chamber members about your business!
Part-Time Staff
Our Executive Director is in our centrally-located office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. Our office is at 105 W. Main St. in downtown Smithville, next door to city hall. Our Executive Director fields telephone calls and greets walk-in visitors – and takes advantage of every opportunity to promote our Chamber members.
Welcome Program
Shortly after moving into the Smithville community, new residents are contacted by our Hospitality Hostess, who arranges a convenient time for a Welcome Program visit. Chamber member businesses are eligible to join the program, which allows them to place an item in the Welcome Basket, as well as participate in the Coupon Booklet. During the Welcome Program visit, the Hospitality Hostess shares information about each business which is a member of the program. This low-cost, high-visibility program gets your name in front of new residents at just the right time!
Networking Opportunities
Attending monthly membership luncheons and business-sponsored “After Hours” events allows you the opportunity to network with your fellow Chamber members. Your paid membership entitles you to join more than 200 fellow Chamber members for networking, business advice, and sharing information on products and services.
Ribbon Cuttings
Remember to include the Chamber in your ground breaking, grand opening, or expansion or relocation celebrations. We bring the board members, the big scissors and the ribbon – and let the local media representatives know about the photo opp!
Mailing Lists & Labels
Like many other Chambers, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce shares our membership mailing list with our members. But we take it a step further – upon advance request, the Executive Director will print you a complete set of mailing labels – at no charge! Use them to send brochures, announcements, coupons, etc. to your fellow Chamber members.
Right to Vote
Your paid membership affords you or your representative the right to vote on Chamber issues throughout the year, and to help elect the officers and directors who will lead your Chamber throughout the year. All members are eligible and encouraged to consider running for a position on the board of directors, or for one of the Chamber offices.
Chamber Cash Program
The Chamber Cash program is yet another way the Chamber encourages consumers to Shop at Home! Anyone may purchase Chamber Cash Certificates for use when shopping at Chamber businesses which participate in the program. They are great for gift-giving and employee incentives, and in any number of other ways – use your imagination! Everyone who purchases Chamber Cash certificates receives a list of participating Chamber members. There is no charge to participate in the program. Chamber Cash is sold at face value – it is not a fund raiser for the Chamber, simply another way your Chamber promotes our members.
Grand Opening Signs
Why buy a sign you’ll only use once? The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce has two sizes of vinyl banners available for use during your Grand Opening. Each “Grand Opening” sign allows you to promote your upcoming event in a BIG way! There is no charge to use the signs, as long as they are returned undamaged by the date you and the Chamber Executive Director agree upon when you pick up the sign. The Chamber also has an “Under New Management” banner available for loan to our members.
Resource Library
The Chamber has a collection of books, video tapes and audio tapes that are geared toward professional and business development. Most of these works are on loan from current Chamber members, and may be checked out at the Chamber office. There is no charge for the use of these items, as long as they are returned undamaged within the agreed-upon time. Call the office to obtain a current list.
Chamber University
This program represents a joint effort with the Smithville R-II School District through which business students are eligible for internships with Chamber members who choose to participate in the program. In its first two years, the program proved to be a successful and beneficial experience for both the students and the businesses, as well as a great partnership with our local school district.
The SACC officers and directors continually strive to increase the number and scope of our Benefits of Membership. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated. We hope you will find our current benefits to be valuable to you and your business, and encourage each of our members to take full advantage of all the benefits that are available to you.
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