Laurie Wieder President Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce

 Mission: ◦ To Promote A Strong Business Environment ◦ Help Individual Businesses Grow  A Place to Network – Events, Events, Events!  A Place to Make Connections – Through Events and Activities, With Other Businesses  A Place to Demonstrate Leadership

 Member of a Chamber?  Attend Events?  Participate in a Committee?  Serve on the Board of Directors? Examples Perceived Benefits

 16 Virginia Chambers  2 District Chambers  9 Maryland Chambers Washington is an Association Town!

 What’s your Goal? ◦ Reach your Target Market ◦ Develop a New Market ◦ Build Relationships with fellow Professionals ◦ Reach Decision-Makers ◦ Make a Difference in your Community  Research ◦ Visit Websites ◦ Experience an event, committee meeting ◦ Speak with members ◦ Speak with Chamber staff

 Once you’ve seen one Chamber, you’ve seen one Chamber! ◦ Focus: Economic Development, Advocacy, Small Business Programs, Networking, Community Outreach, Tourism ◦ Are events well attended? ◦ Is involvement encouraged? ◦ Dues cost? ◦ Sponsorship Opportunities?  Consider Joining More than One Chamber!

 The Membership ◦ How large – size can equal diversity ◦ Business scope – localized or regional ◦ Is your existing market among the membership? ◦ Is a target market among the membership? ◦ Do you want to increase your business in a geographic area? ◦ Are their members with which you can partner? ◦ Can members help you reach decision-makers?

 The Programming ◦ Business Resources ◦ Industry Councils ◦ Openness to Service ◦ Board Possibilities

 Orientation  Individual Consultation with Staff  Develop an Involvement Plan ◦ Based on Your Goals ◦ Based on Chamber Programming

 Committees – Service, Recognition, Credibility ◦ Business Consulting to fellow members ◦ Expertise Sharing with Chamber organization  Events ◦ Presentation Possibilities ◦ Expertise Sharing through Planning  Visibility – Sponsorships ◦ Highlight yourself before your target market ◦ Displays ◦ Verbal advertisements

 Three Line of Business Committees ◦ Business Growth ◦ Public Policy ◦ Quality of Life

 Support Committees ◦ Ambassadors ◦ Programs ◦ Strategic Planning ◦ Finance

 Business Councils ◦ 11 Industries ◦ We segment for you!

 Events ◦ Signature Events ◦ Monthly Membership Luncheons ◦ Special Events – Trade Shows, Golf Tournaments ◦ Pure Networking – Business Before/After Hours ◦ Brown Bag Luncheons  You speak  You learn  You sponsor ◦ Committee/Council Meetings

 How to Network ◦ Practice your “elevator speech” ◦ Bring plenty of business cards ◦ Set a goal ◦ Arrive early ◦ Survey the room ◦ The “approach” – ask questions first ◦ Don’t sell – build the relationship ◦ Trade cards ◦ Agree to follow up ◦ Go on to the next person

 Sponsorship Opportunities ◦ Mailers ◦ Ribbon Cuttings ◦ Displays ◦ Event Sponsorships – Table to “Named” ◦ High Level Sponsorship Programs – Chamber Partners, Vision Sponsors  You Achieve Name Recognition, Visibility

 Leadership Opportunities ◦ Committee Involvement ◦ Sharing Your Expertise ◦ Committee Leadership ◦ Business Council Leadership ◦ Board Service ◦ Executive Committee Service  You Make Contacts, Gain Access

Involvement that Benefits You Benefits the Organization You Deserve to Benefit

 Define Your Goals ◦ New Business Clients ◦ Professional Growth ◦ Community Outreach  Research Chambers and pick one or more  Identify involvement “fits”  Chose 1-2 committees  Commit to attend 2 events monthly  Identify sponsorships  Consider leadership  Assess and Redefine: Achievement, New Goals

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS