Chamber Member Benefits

Chamber Member Benefits Chamber Communicator Newsletter Our monthly newsletter is mailed to over 320 members and their employees. Keep up to date on chamber and member activities, read informational articles on topics like marketing, branding, customer service, and legislative updates. - Send your news article to the chamber to be included in an upcoming issue - Flyer insertion in our monthly newsletter at a nominal fee - Economical newsletter advertising opportunities that begin at $25 per month - Newsletter Community Calendar only member events are listed here. (Send your newsletter items by the 20 th of the month before you want it published in the newsletter.) Chamber Membership Directory and Community Profile This full-color glossy guide containing community information, lists members alphabetically and categorically for easy reference. It is distributed throughout the community, local hotels and to new residents and visitors. It is now also available on the Chamber s website. Direct marketing and networking opportunities Take advantage of Chamber events like Monthly Luncheons, Legislative Luncheon, Annual Chamber Dinner, Staff Appreciation Day Luncheon, Golf Outing, and Home Show. Email marketing - Send us your upcoming event information to have it included on the weekly Monday Update email. - Promote a special offer by scheduling an e-blast at a nominal fee Facebook - Send us your upcoming event or promotion information and we will post it on our Facebook page. - Receive Likes of your Facebook postings. Flyer/Brochure distribution Drop off your flyers or brochures at the Chamber office and they will be included in visitor and new resident information packets to help you to recruit potential new customers. Chamber Website (http://www.monmouthilchamber.com) - Member listing that includes logo, company bio, email, links to your website and social media. - New job posting page where members can post open positions. - Additional advertising opportunities available. - Community Calendar for your events Business referrals The Monmouth Chamber received numerous phone calls inquiring about companies that provide specific services. The chamber refers members first. Ribbon cuttings Schedule a ribbon cutting for your new membership, new/remodeled location, anniversary, or new product line. Attend ribbon cuttings. It s a great way to network and meet new people. Shop Local Campaign - The Maple City Money program keeps gift giving dollars in our local economy. Our gift certificates can be used at any member business. - Have your business host the Shop Local banner for a month and have your photo in the newsletter and on our Facebook page.

Accomplishments in 2014 Hosted and promoted over 25 events including: Monthly Monmouth on the Move chamber luncheons, red ribbon cutting ceremonies throughout the year, Home Show in February, Annual Dinner in March, Ladies Day Luncheon in April, Chamber Golf Outing in May, Pottery on the Square in June, Monmouth Farmers Markets each Friday of June through October, Legislative Luncheon in October and Small Business Saturday in November. Acquired 19 new members. Distributed Welcome Back Scots pennants to chamber member businesses to help welcome the Monmouth College students back to town in August. Encouraged shopping local by offering Maple City Money gift certificates and shop local re-usable shopping bags, continued the Shop Local Banner Program, and promoted Small Business Saturday in November Published our 10th Chamber Directory and the Monmouth Map with the support from more advertisers than prior years and with the help of local printer, Kellogg Printing Company. Launched a new website that offers additional features including an enhanced member listing with logo, company bio, and social media links. The mobile friendly site now has a job posting page for members to post job vacancies. The printed Chamber Directory and Monmouth Map are also available on the site along with a Facebook feed on the home page. Kept our members informed of the latest activities in our area by using Constant Contact to send our Monday Morning Update email as well as E-blasts (E-blasts are a nominal charge), maintained a more active presence on Facebook, and sent out our monthly newsletter, The Chamber Communicator, which is printed locally. Conducted a Minimum Wage Survey to gather feedback from our members on how a minimum wage increase would affect them. Brought tourists to the Monmouth area and mailed and handed out hundreds of relocation and tourism packets to groups and individuals interested in moving to or visiting our community. Partnered with the Collectors of Illinois Pottery and Stoneware Club to promote the Pottery On The Square event that resulted in bringing tourists to Monmouth and the booking over 20 hotel rooms by pottery collectors. Assisted the Club with the publication of their newsletter. Assisted the Prime Beef Festival Committee & the Maple Leaf Community Concert Series by serving as their home office and helping them with clerical duties.

Chamber Testimonials The Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce is an important asset to our community. Whether people are looking to visit, locate a business, or needing information on various aspects of the community, the Chamber of Commerce is the first place they will contact. It is important for us to have an active and informative Chamber of Commerce to represent this area. Because we believe that the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce is an excellent resource and representative for this area, we gladly support it through our membership and sponsorship of activities throughout the year. Our investment in the Chamber of Commerce is an investment in the future of this community. - Stan Jenks, President & CEO of Security Savings Bank Hospice Compassus is a proud member of the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has a large following of very involved people from many businesses and organizations. Since becoming involved with the Chamber, the networking opportunities and community events have been invaluable. I strongly recommend that local and regional businesses, regardless of size, join and become active members. The benefits are well worth the investment. - Gwen Gladfelter, RN Hospice Care Consultant at Hospice Compassus The Monmouth College team envisions a greater Monmouth and Warren County community, of which we are part. The symbiotic relationship between college and community is enhanced by the good work and services provided by the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is an important asset to our community. Many Monmouth College parents, prospective students, interested new faculty and staff, use the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce as a resource when making important college or career choices. In addition, our offices utilize the Chamber to disseminate information to the community about college happenings. We consider the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce an excellent resource and representative for this area - Steve Bloomer, Director of Principle Gifts at Monmouth College Angie and the staff at MACC work closely with and for their members. They also try, and are open to, new and creative ideas and events for the community and members. I am very proud to say I am a member of the MACC. I have had the pleasure of working with the MACC on several successful community events. - Tina Conard, Warren County Clerk & Recorder

MEMBER TO MEMBER BENEFITS Chamber member businesses in good standing can save money by receiving the following special discounts from other member businesses as described below. Auto-Owners Insurance offers the following discounts: Commercial Lines: 12% for Package Policy, Business Owners Policy, Auto, Garage Liability & Dealers Blanket, Workman s Compensation, and Commercial Umbrella Liability. Personal Lines: Auto 10%, Homeowners 5%, Mobile Homeowners 5%, Personal Umbrella, and Liability 10%. Auto-Owners Insurance is offered at the following agencies: Bi-County Insurance Agency at 108 South 1st Street, (309) 734-8899 Stanton Ingersoll Insurance Agency at 96 Public Square, (309) 734-2171 Constant Contact email marketing solutions offers a discount of 25% to chamber members even if you re already a Constant Contact customer. Call (866) 289-2101 or visit www.constantcontact.com/ chambermembers to learn more. Key Outdoor Advertising offers 20% off first month s billboard rental to first time advertisers. Call (309) 343-9884. BENEFITS FOR NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS: WRAM and Sunny 97.7 offer to any new chamber member $250 (25 commercials) to use for advertising on WRAM 1330 or WMOI 97.7 during the year they join the Chamber. Haase Embroidery offers to any new Chamber member a $25 dollar gift certificate. Call (309) 734-7483.

New Member Benefits In addition to earning the distinction of being recognized as an investor in the Monmouth economy, new members also receive the following benefits: A red ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of your new membership. This incudes a photo in the Review Atlas and our newsletter, The Chamber Communicator. A free article about your business or organization in the Chamber Communicator the month you join. One free flyer in the newsletter during the year you join (regular price is $35). Free $25 gift certificate to Haase Embroidery the year you join. A certificate for $250 (equal to 25 commercials) in radio advertising on WMOI 97.7 or WRAM 1330 free to any new member the year you join. We invite you to become a member of the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce today. Contact: Angie McElwee, Executive Director Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (309) 734-3181 amm@monmouthilchamber.com