Benefits of Chamber Membership

Access to Information - The Chamber has a wealth of valuable information and resources to answer your business and community questions.

Better Business Council (BBC) – Membership in the BBC builds public confidence in your business and helps you attract and retain customers.

Business After Business – This monthly networking event, with more than 175 attendees, is held at a variety of mid and east county locations and helps you connect with potential new customers.

Business After Hours – This monthly networking event, with more than 175 attendees, is held at a variety of locations and helps you connect with potential new customers.

Business Against Narcotics and Drugs (B.A.N.D.) – The B.A.N.D. program is available to all Chamber members who wish to create a drug-free work environment and save on their worker’s compensation premiums.

Business Resource Center – The Chamber’s library of business publications, market research and business resource information brings expert knowledge directly to you.

Business Showcases – Promote your company’s products and services to more than 2,000 attendees via a booth at the Chamber’s Showcases.

Coffee Clubs – These monthly breakfast networking events provide great business-to-business networking at various locations throughout the community and include updates from Chamber leaders on activities, efforts and events.

Contact Your Local Elected Officials – Weigh-in on local, state and national issues by using this online tool. You can contact your elected and local officials to let them know your opinions of pressing issues with the click of a mouse right from the Chamber’s website.

Entrepreneurial Boot Camp – Our Boot Camp curriculum offers broad-based, fundamental business expertise to current and future business owners and is taught by local experts.

Find Employees – The Chamber’s Bi-Annual Job Fairs and our www.JobFocus.com website provide you with valuable employee recruitment tools and exposure in our community.

Insider – This weekly email newsletter provides you with timely business information, Chamber updates and important State/legislative information that matters to your business.

Involvement Opportunities – You are encouraged to join the committee(s) of your choice and have a direct impact upon the future of your community while promoting your business.

Job Fair & Career Expo – These bi-annual events that give you direct access to potential employees and affords you the opportunity to promote your company’s culture and benefits for future hiring ease.

Legislative Initiatives – The Chamber monitors and notifies you of important local and state issues that affect businesses and the quality of life for Manatee County citizens. Chamber Get-Out-the-Vote initiatives give you and your employees’ information on voter registration and educate the business community about ballot initiatives.

Literature Display – All Chamber members are encouraged to display their brochures and business cards in the Chamber lobby as another way to capture new customers and attention. Our lobby is visited by approximately 15,000 visitors and Chamber members each year.

Mailing Labels -Target your marketing with the hottest mailing list in town.

Manatee Young Professionals – MYP serves as a business, social and community resource for young and young thinking professionals in Manatee County. We are Tampa Bay’s longest running initiative for young professionals and have more than 1,500 members. MYP programming includes monthly networking events, hot topic luncheons, community services projects, Get-Out-the-Vote initiatives and much more.

Member to Member Discount Program – Use this program to offer discounts to fellow Chamber members and also take advantage of the discounts offered exclusively among Chamber members.

Membership Plaque, Cyber Plaque & Decal – 63% of consumers are more likely to buy from a Chamber Members… so, proudly promote your Chamber Membership with this handsome plaque and window decal. Be sure to download a “Chamber Members” cyber plaque to display on your website, too.

Mentor-Protégé Program – We harness the advice and counsel of successful business people to assist small business owners who desire to take their business to the next level.

Merchant Services Discount Program - Improve your cash flow and save money on processing fees for credit cards, debit cards and check payments through this strategic alliance.  The Manatee Chamber Merchant Services Program is powered by First Data.  For information, contact Nancy Walker at 941-545-0937 or nancy.walker@firstdata.com.

Mid-County Office - The Chamber maintains an office in Mid-County to provide easy access to Chamber resources from all parts of the County. In 2008 we will be opening a new, additional facility in Lakewood Ranch to complement our downtown Bradenton offices.

Monthly Magazine, Current – This award-winning publication publicizes the latest efforts and events from your Chamber; and is also a great business-to-business marketing opportunity with a circulation of 3,500. By reading the Current every month you will learn more about your Chamber, your community and fellow Chamber members. All Chamber members are encouraged to share their business news with us for possible publication in the Current.

New Resident Welcome Kit – Attract new customers by including your business literature in a welcome package distributed to new residents through the five offices of Ken Burton, Jr., Manatee County Tax Collector.

Newcomers Prospect List – This mailing list gives you the opportunity to reach potential new residents – some before they have even arrived – and introduce your company’s products and services before they have established their buying patterns.

Power Networking Luncheons – You are invited to attend bi-monthly networking luncheons designed to offer new lead opportunities to generate more business.

Preferred Business Directory – The Chamber’s Preferred Business Directory and Newcomer’s Guide are published and distributed annually – free of charge – to Chamber members, businesses and area newcomers. All Chamber members receive two complimentary listings to give greater exposure to your products and services and you are encouraged to pick-up extra copies for your new employees.

Press Release Submission Tool – This powerful tool gets your company’s information into the hands of our local media in the easiest, most efficient manner possible. Watch your news presence grow!

Professional Development - Your Chamber offers numerous seminars, roundtables and educational activities geared specifically to the business community and the continuing education of you and your employees.

Referrals – The Chamber loves referring your business. Whether through phone inquiry, email or a visit to the Chamber’s offices, businesses, residents and visitors alike will find information about your company. Referrals through the Chamber’s website and online Membership Directory continue to grow and generate new leads for Chamber members.

Relocation Inquiries – The Chamber responds to hundreds of requests from individuals, families and businesses considering a move to Manatee County. Your company can benefit by subscribing to receive this mailing list each month.

Request for Proposal (RFP) Tool - Gather valuable leads through this tool which allows potential customers to send you a request for proposal on products and services they need.

Ribbon Cuttings – We will celebrate the opening, expansion or relocation of your business with an official Chamber ribbon cutting and promote it with coverage in the Current.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) – The Chamber hosts free business consultation onsite through the professional services of SCORE. Simply call the Chamber to make an appointment.

Small Business Council - The Chamber offers a wide variety of programs designed to enhance the profitability of small businesses.

Small Business Development Center – The Chamber partners with SBDC to give Chamber members access to additional seminars and counseling designed to take your business to the next level (or even to just get started.) Appointments may be scheduled by calling the Chamber.

Website - The Chamber’s website has more than 1,000 pages of business and community information, which give you 24/7 access to tools designed to help your business succeed. All Chamber members are listed in our online business directory alphabetically and categorically with a direct link to your website and a detailed description of your company/product/service. We also notify you whenever someone uses the Chamber website to click through to yours. Our “Members Only” web pages allow Chamber members even greater access to Chamber resources as well as special discounts at participating member businesses.

Workforce Housing - Your Chamber is working to find ways to encourage builders/government to provide long-term solutions that will result in available and affordable housing for our workforce.

Workforce Preparation – Through a number of programs and initiatives, the Chamber works to assure that Manatee County has a qualified and abundant workforce now and in the future.