So, What is the Chamber of Commerce?

The Columbia County Chamber is the leading voice of business in Columbia County , providing advocacy, promotion and benefit solutions to over 850 members. While that is the Chamber's mission statement, many people still wonder what exactly a Chamber is. Are they a County agency, funded by New York State , part of the U.S. Chamber? What type of work do they do?

“We are an independent organization that exists solely through the financial support of our business members. We are in business for local business,” stated Chamber President and CEO David Colby. As for the U.S. Chamber? “We have no affiliation with that national business group,” said Colby. “We are not even a member,” he adds.

At the heart of each local economy and comprising the backbone of the nation's economy, you'll find local Chambers of Commerce. They celebrate and promote the diversity and uniqueness of their communities, and help businesses work to solve issues that are too big to tackle alone.

Chambers are independent business organizations, generally incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(6) business. Chambers are not part of the local, state, or federal government, though Chambers communicate with government to accomplish things that are in the best interest of their members.

Chambers are funded primarily by membership dues as well as non-dues items such as events, sponsorships, and sales of various products and services. The vast majority of Chamber members are small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Chambers are strong business advocates, that can only work with support of the local business community.

Today's Chamber of Commerce, focuses on a broad range of activities and support for both businesses and communities. Chambers provide opportunities for members to make an impact on critical business and community issues.  Together with other community leaders, Chamber members and their professional staff work to make the community a better place.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce has four full-time staff members that work to fulfill member needs. Each Chamber is different in benefits and programs that are offered. The Columbia County Chamber focuses on three main areas: Advocacy, Promotion and Benefit Solutions for their members.

Advocacy

A recent example of advocacy for the Columbia County Chamber was the County's proposal of the homeless shelter at the St. Charles Hotel. The Chamber brought members together to voice their concerns and opposition to the plan. The business community spoke with a strong unified voice and the proposal was removed from the County's plan.

Another project the Chamber worked closely on is the Crosswinds Housing Development project, which opened its doors in March 2008. “The Chamber was out in front taking a leadership position and advocating on behalf of the business community” credits Bruce Levine, President of 3D Development Group.  “Having the Chamber's support was extremely helpful,” Levine also stated.

The Chamber exists to help local businesses. The Chamber will focus on issues that affect the business community and issues that confront an individual business. Businesses should contact the Chamber to put the strength of the membership to work for them.

Promotion

The Chamber offers many ways to promote a business. The Chamber staff helps local businesses benefit through referrals, networking events, and publications. The Chamber offers a promotional ribbon cutting package for new and recently expanded businesses. Ribbon cutting packages offer numerous free promotional opportunities. The Chamber has many communication vehicles that can promote business including the quarterly newsletter and Chamber Connection, monthly e-newsletter, annual Community Guide and Membership Directory and a display rack for your advertising materials.

The Community Guide and Membership Directory is a full-color guide to all that Columbia County has to offer and includes a directory listing of member businesses for an entire year. This publication is used by local residents, businesses, and people visiting or relocating to the area and is the number one source of all the pertinent information in our County. It is circulated to over 4,000 people each year. The 2010 edition features a new partnership with Chatham local Millie Rossman Kidd who is the co-founder of Dinnerwhere magazine. The Chamber wanted to have a local relationship and is excited about the new partnership. Members can learn more about this affordable and exciting advertising opportunity by contacting Millie Rossman Kidd at (518) 392-7900.

Another inexpensive way to get your message out to over 1,000 Chamber members is the quarterly Chamber Connection. Mailed quarterly, this advertising opportunity offers members the ability to include an insert promoting their business for only $150. Members supply the copies and the Chamber handles the rest. That's a savings of almost $300. "When I want to advertise my services to the most successful and civic-minded businesses, the Chamber Connection is the obvious choice," said Suzanne Trevellyan of Trevellyan Graphic Design & Marketing. According to Trevellyan, "I can target my message, there's no clutter and I know it gets read. I have received business many times from the Chamber Connection and by attending networking events through the Chamber."

Benefit Solutions

The Chamber strives to help members stretch their dollars further with our member benefits. It offers a wide range of health insurance plans including: CDPHP, MVP Health Plan, Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, and Guardian Dental Insurance. “I get my medical insurance through the Chamber,” says Arlene Boehm of Boehm Graphic Design, echoing the reason many small and home-based businesses join the Chamber. “It provides sole proprietors the most competitive rates around,” adds the graphic designer.

Members who participate in the Energy Alliance program benefit from the purchasing power of a large group, and cuts your electricity and natural gas costs. The program is a member benefit and offered free of charge. You pay only for the energy you use. Any member, large or small, can sign up for the Energy Alliance program. Members can contact the Chamber for an enrollment application and a proposal will be sent to you with your energy savings. You can choose to accept the agreement and enroll in the program with no fees for enrollment or program administration. You are likely to save at least your entire membership investment by enrolling in the program. Most members save between 5% and 8% off their energy bills. “The Energy Alliance program represents a significant savings for us, approximately $4,000 a year,” said Doug Geller of Petersen Geller Spurge, Inc. “The Energy Alliance program is one of many reasons we joined the Chamber and has made our membership extremely valuable,” he added.

Joining the Chamber

There's no better time to join the Chamber. The Chamber officially kicked off their 2009 Membership Drive last month. Businesses joining the Chamber before October 1st will receive a valuable advertising package donated by members. New members will also be included in the 2010 Community Guide and Membership Directory that reaches over 4,000 businesses, and visitors and be listed on the Chamber website that receives over 350 visits each day.

Current members who refer a new member will receive a free insert in the Chamber Connection valued at $150 or free pass to an upcoming Chamber breakfast event.

For more information contact Membership Director Carol Patterson at (518) 828-4417 or cpatterson@columbiachamber-ny.com.