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Benefits & Services Available
To Grand Rapids Area Chamber Members
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Business Referrals
- Membership List
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Membership Labels
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Chamber Bucks Program
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Chamber Sponsored Workshops/Seminars
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Ribbon Cutting Recognitions
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Discounted advertising rates in the Chamber Member Directory
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Discounted advertising rates in the Chamber Newsletter
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Free Listing on the Chamber Web Site / Discounted site link rates
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Networking Opportunities
- Business After Hours -Breakfast Connection- Chamber Golf Classic & Dinner - Monthly Luncheons - Annual Dinner - Committee Participation -
Member to Member email
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Monthly Luncheon Program
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Monthly Newsletter
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Free Brochure Display
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Targeted Issues Forums
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Business Interests Representation and Opportunities for Involvement
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Membership Information
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1. How big is the Chamber?
We have approx. 600 members, 3 full-time staff people,
2 part-time staff, 1 student worker and a budget of $326,000, many committees and task forces, and hundreds of active volunteers. (updated
Jan. 2006)
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2. Who runs it?
A Board of Directors of 21 business men and women, representing all segments of the economy. Some serve three-year elected terms, some one-year appointed terms. A list of Directors can be found in The Chamber Network newsletter or the Annual Report. The board of directors hires a full-time president/CEO to coordinate the overall operations of the Chamber.
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3. What's the best way to get the most out of membership?
Glad you asked. Our most satisfied customers seem to be those who attend meetings and activities, and who use us as a source of information. We've long believed that business is a full contact sport, and the Chamber is the perfect place to make contacts with potential new customers for you or your profession. Your contacts are limited, however, if you stay in your store or office all the time.
Encourage you employees to become active in
Chamber Committees.
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4. If I'm busy and can't attend an event, are my employees eligible to come?
All of them are welcome to attend, either in your place or with you. In fact, many of our seminars and hands-on workshops are aimed at employees and not employers, so watch for flyers announcing a program or seminar that might be of more interest to someone in your company than you.
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5. When are meetings held?
Meetings of our many committees and task forces are held at varying times each month. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meets on the last Monday of each month at 11:45 a.m. Monthly Luncheons are held at the Sawmill Inn on the first Monday of every month except for July. Business After Hours is another social and business event that brings members together to meet, mingle, and make new business contacts in a casual setting. These mixers are held at different members' sites the area from 5-7 p.m. on an occasional basis.
The Breakfast Connection is usually the 4th
Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m. Read the monthly newsletter "The Chamber Network", for more information.
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6. What's the Chamber's relationship with Government?
While not connected officially with any unit of government, we work very closely with area cities, the County and our State and Federal elected officials. Because of ongoing communications with city and county officials, we provide input on a range of issues of importance to both the community
and the Chamber. The Chamber also maintains a similar relationship with the the State and U.S. Chambers of Commerce.
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7. Does the Chamber endorse candidates?
No. Our policy is to study and take action on issues that affect our members and/or the community, but to leave the election of candidates to the citizens. Whoever is elected, we want to be able to work closely with them, and that cannot be accomplished if we were to make endorsements.
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8. How do I get on a committee or task force?
Contact the Chamber staff at 218-326-6619, or fax your name & interest to 218-326-4825, contact our staff at
info@grandmn.com
or request information at "Contact
Us"
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