Top 5 Reasons to Join the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce

By Jacque McQueen

As an Account Executive for the Chamber, I get to hear first-hand from both prospects and new members on why one chooses to join the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.  The following reasons are often cited and are very good reasons why you should consider joining:

        1.   Awareness
The Chamber provides a complimentary ribbon cutting and announcement of your grand opening, new location, new ownership, and anniversary celebration in the local newspaper,
the Chamber Voice newsletter, and in weekly eNews blasts to influencers and decision-makers
in the community.

2     2.  Exposure
RogersLowell.com enables you to have your business listed in the Chamber’s online business directory along with a free hyperlink to your business web page. You simply provide a 35 word description with keywords that will help people search and find you.  The website utilizes both keyword search and category search for visitors to easily find your business.  The Chamber website also offers affordable advertising opportunities, and your business news and announcements are listed for free in the Chamber News section.

3     3. RFP (Request for Proposal) Connections
Business Connect on RogersLowell.com allows members to submit Request for Proposals (RFPs) to other members. This gives you the opportunity to offer your bid/quote to members when requested and also to submit to a bid request from other members. Good examples of members using this benefit include plumbing quotes, business card quotes, printing quotes, janitorial quotes, etc.  Business Connect connects you to new business and to significant savings for
your business.

        4.  New Contacts & Learning Opportunities
Members love the Chamber’s networking and educational events and opportunities for committee involvement. Most networking and educational events are free and include Business After Hours, Coffee Connection, Community Diversity Celebration, FYI Brown Bag Lunches, Chamber University seminars and numerous committees to get involved with extracurricular activities.  In addition, there is a variety of members-only sponsorship packages available for events and meetings to help increase your visibility and make new contacts.

5     5. Promotion
The Chamber offers you opportunity to submit eCoupons and discounts to be featured on the RogersLowell.com Business Directory’s Coupons and Discounts web page.  These eCoupons
help promote your business to both members and thousands of monthly website visitors. 
It’s free and a very popular benefit with our members for promoting trial offers and competitive discount deals.

These are my top five reasons for new members joining the Chamber but there are many more reasons to join and benefits of membership.  The bottom line is that Chamber membership is an effective business strategy.  Contact me and let’s explore together how Chamber membership benefits you and let’s make it a part of your strategy. 

Call me at either my office (479) 619-3189 or my mobile (479) 387-6546.

The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and is one of only 77 Chambers nationwide to be awarded the highest level of five stars.  The
Chamber is committed to growing business and building community, and provides numerous opportunities for businesses to build new contacts and generate leads throughout the area. 
The Chamber’s mission is to be the voice of business, to promote and initiate responsible
economic growth, and to address community challenges in the Rogers and Lowell Area,
as well as the Northwest Arkansas region.

Summer Dining Deals, and deals in general

We've been having fun at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce with a recent program designed to support local restaurants, which we mentioned on the blog back in April (http://rogerslowellchamber.blogspot.com/2009/04/support-our-restaurants-so-we-can-keep.html).

The program has been running smoothly for the past few months, and it seemed like a good time to remind the public to get out and take advantage of these NWA Dining Deals! Just visit www.BuyNWA.biz (or the Chamber's website, www.RogersLowell.com) and check out the posted dining deals. The coupons are available to member businesses as well as the general public, and member restaurants can participate at no charge (for details, contact Dana Mather at 479-619-3182 or dana@rogerslowell.com).

We plug it regularly, but one of the other neat features available to members as well as the public is our e-coupons. Visit www.RogersLowell.com and click on "Business Directory" - it is extremely helpful! You can click on categories to find access to lists of literally hundreds of businesses by type (looking for a dentist? accountant? salon?), and you'll also have access to all our e-coupons across dozens of categories.

While you're there, check out the BusinessConnect tool - it can save you dozens of phone calls and time searching websites. Just put in the specifics on a need you might have either personally or for your business (brochure printing, granite countertops, catering, a banquet or meeting space) and we will advise any of our 2,053 member businesses who can assist. They respond directly to you, usually within 24 - 36 hours! You have to check it out to see how helpful it can be. Again, it's available at www.RogersLowell.com in the Business Directory section.

These tools are out there to serve businesses and connect our members with customers - be sure to take advantage of them, and let us know what you think!