Membership Advantages
As the Chamber continues to grow, so do the benefits that become available to our members. The following recap is provided to assure you that you're taking advantage of our many worthwhile opportunities.
BUSINESS EXPOSURE: Your Chamber membership covers the following communities: Commerce, Waterford, White Lake, Walled Lake, Wixom, Union Lake and Wolverine Lake. More Info...
PROFESSIONALISM: By joining a chamber of commerce, members improve their professional image. Many customers gain confidence that they are dealing with a reputable company when they see that the company they are considering doing business with has made the commitment to be involved in a local chamber and the community. Display your membership plaque and window decal with pride!
REFERRALS TO MEMBERS ONLY: Each day the chamber receives calls from customers looking for service providers. The Chamber only recommends and provides contact information for member companies.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY & BUYING GUIDE: The Chamber’s #1 requested piece of information. Your membership entitles you to two business listings in this publication, one alphabetically and one categorically. Additional display ads and catagorical listings are available to highlight your business further, if you desire.
CHAMBER WEBSITE: At no additional charge to members, the Chamber website contains a list of all member companies. For companies that do not have their own websites, this is an inexpensive way to have a presence on the Internet. The website also provides banner advertising opportunities, event registration, Hot Deals - online coupons, Chamber calendar of events, community calendar of events and more.
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER: The Business Update contains information about upcoming chamber events, as well as local community events and news of interest to businesses. For a nominal charge, members can advertise directly in the newsletter or on a flyer inserted within the newsletter. The newsletter reaches 500+ business leaders in the area. More Info...
MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNTS: The Member-to-Member Discount Program has been designed to encourage our members to patronize Chamber member businesses first. For a nominal annual enrollment fee, your business information is listed in each newsletter with the amount of discount you are offering members. More Info...
MEMBER TO COMMUNITY DISCOUNTS: ......... More Info...
BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD SMALL GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAM: Chamber’s partnership with the Detroit Regional Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ensures that small business owners receive access to nearly twice as many insurance plans as they would otherwise.
On top of this, the Chamber is your go-to insurance resource center. Explore plan offerings, do a price comparison, find out how to save more and receive a free quote from the Lakes Area MIBenefitAdvisor website www.mibenefitadvisor.com/lakesareachamber or by calling our Insurance Services Center. We can answer your insurance inquires and direct you to a Chamber approved member agent.
OFFICE DEPOT DISCOUNTS: The chamber discount program through Office Depot helps our members increase their bottom line with "member only" savings on their purchases; streamline ordering with next day delivery; link their business account to their retail store; and conveniently order by fax, phone, Internet or retail store. Select "More Info" to complete the application. Once this form is processed, you will receive a new account pack within 2 weeks. Start saving now !! More Info...
LAKES AREA BUSINESS ALLIANCE TEAMS (LABAT): A “hard networking & qualified referral sharing” team of Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce members whose primary goal is to develop strong relationships amongst its members for the consistent exchange of ideas, resources and referrals.
Bi-weekly meetings are structured to provide a supportive system of giving and receiving business referrals. There is no cost to join a group. Visit a meeting to see how it could benefit your business.
BUSINESS NETWORK CONNECTIONS: Chamber members can host either a morning, lunch or evening connection where members come together to network. This is usually held at the sponsor business. It provides members an opportunity to learn about the sponsoring business and get to know other members. Each attendee is given an opportunity to introduce themselves and their business. More Info...
SOCIAL NETWORKING EVENTS: Chamber social events are held periodically throughout the year. They are great opportunities for members to meet each other informally, while having fun in a relaxed setting. Some of the major social events held each year include:
- Annual Membership Luncheon and "State of the Lakes" Address: Each March, representatives from the state, county and lakes area communities address the area economic outlook, status of projects underway, new development and other upcoming changes for the year.
- Annual Membership Breakfast & Awards Presentation: Each June, chamber members come together to recognize those that have made a difference in our communities and also celebrate members celebrating anniversary milestones.
- Annual Summer Celebration:
- Annual Golf Outing: The golf outing is your chance to spend a day in the sun, while mingling with other local business people.
- Annual EXPO, TASTE & FUN Fest: Provides members an opportunity to showcase their products and services to the community at large. The TASTE Fest is the perfect way for area restaurants to highlight their menu specialties to the community.
- Holiday Mixer: In early December, chamber members come together to celebrate the holiday season.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:Educational roundtable discussions. Members come together and share advice on a wide-variety of topics.
Other chamber benefits include:
- A unified voice in local, state and national matters which affect businesses
- Committee involvement opportunities
- Free Certificate of Origins
- Discounted insurance programs
- One complimentary set of membership mailing labels
- Free 1/4 page ad in the Chamber newsletter
- Sponsorship opportunities for meetings, programs and events
- S.C.O.R.E. Counseling - Service Core of Retired Executives - volunteers that offer FREE business counseling on issues such as planning/development, market plans and communication, finance and banking, and more
- Exposure on the information display rack in the Chamber office. Simply give us your business cards / brochures and we’ll display them
- Your membership covers all employees at your business and they are welcome to attend all Chamber events
Enjoy the chance to grow your business and meet new friends!
