|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Benefits of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce Membership: Referral Service-As the first stop for potential residents, visitors and business owners who are moving into the community, the Chamber is a source of constant referrals to our member businesses. The Chamber responds to scores of inquiries about the coutny and its businesses by phone and mail, creating favorable first impressions and building esteem and customers for your business. Inquiry Referral Service-This service can be purchased by Chamber members for a nominal fee. The inquiries are obtained by mail or telephone. Lists of inquiring potential vacationers or relocators to the area can be provided on paper and/or on peel-off address labels. This allows you to reach potential vacationers and residents with information about your business or service, and this list is available only to Chamber members. This inquiry list is mailed out to subscribers weekly. Networking-Brunswick County Chamber members are part of the largest business organization in Brunswick County. Your Chamber encourages opportunities to share ideas and develop business contacts through our monthly Business After Hours, committee meetings, seminars, and special events. Members may sign up to host a Business After Hours to showcase their businesses and service. Exposure-The Chamber provides numerous opportunities for members to increase their exposure to potential customers. Chamber members are invited to display brochures and business cards in the Chamber office. This service is free of charge. Once visitors and new residents arrive in the area, they seek information about things to do and see, places to shop, dine and enjoy recreational opportunities. By displaying material about your business, your message is at the fingertips of thousands of vacationers and newcomers annually. Members also receive free listings on the Chamber website, in 80,000 Visitors and Business Guides, and the Chamber Resource Guide. Chamber staff will also assist with ribbon cuttings and grand openings at no chard to members. Information Center-The Chamber can provide your business with facts about population, retail sales, state and federal laws and business trends. Small Business Services-The Chamber, through the Small Business and Technology Department Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the Small Business Center at Brunswick Community College, offers free specialized counseling to all Chamber members. Interested members should call the Chamber for an appointment. Counseling sessions are confidential. In cooperation with the Small Business Center at Brunswick Community College, a series of seminars are presented to help businesses prosper and to educate management and employees in ways of achieving success. Government Affairs-The Chamber periodically hosts legislative receptions or briefings to give members the opportunity to hear, firsthand, from local representatives and Senators. Topics of local interest are discussed and members get a chance to obtain answers to their questions. The Chamber also provides a vehicle for representing the concerns of business on legislative issues at the local, state, and national levels. Visitors and Business Guide-Each year the Chamber produces 80,000 copies of our Visitors and Business Guide. Each member gets a free listing and the opportunity to purchase advertising space. This publication is relied on heavily by our vacationers who are planning their stays along the Brunswick Islands. The guide is distributed to people who contact the Chamber for vacation or relocation information, to travel shows, AAA offices, and welcome centers, as well as The Brunswick Beacon subscribers. Tourism-The Chamber’s interest in developing the tourism sector of Brunswick County’s economy is evidenced in the $243.51 million in tourist dollars brought here in 2000. The Chamber promotes tourism through our website, advertisements, travel shows, publications, and special events. Each year, the Chamber staff assists thousands of visitors interested in visiting the Brunswick Islands. The Chamber also works in partnership with the Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority by providing administrative and staff support to the TDA on contractual basis. Brunswick Bulletin-Chamber members receive a free yearly subscription to the Brunswick Bulletin, our monthly newsletter. Our newsletter keeps members and area officials informed on upcoming Chamber events, programs and activities, as well as issues that affect area businesses. The newsletter also includes member news and lists new members. For a nominal fee, members can include a one-page insert in the newsletter to promote their services and products. Quarterly Breakfast Meeting-The Chamber holds a member breakfast at various times during the year fro all Chamber members to attend. These breakfasts consist of a guest speaker on an issue of interest to the membership, an update on Chamber activities, and the opportunity to exchange ideas. Annual Meeting-This meeting is held in February and is an opportunity for all members to hear the accomplishments of the previous year. Chamber members are also recognized for service to the Chamber and community. Leadership Brunswick County-This program is designed to encourage business people to become involved in community leadership roles. The program meets once a month and includes sessions on government issues, education, health care, and economic development. Members of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce are eligible for reduced tuition. Membership Address Service-A mailing list of Chamber members can be purchased by members for a small fee. The list is available on paper or peel-off labels. The Membership Address Service includes the member name, contact and complete address. Oyster Festival-The Chamber sponsors annually, in October, the North Carolina Oyster Festival. This major event draws thousands to the Brunswick Islands for tow days of spectacular seafood and a variety of exciting activities. This festival brings dollars to the community during the shoulder season and generates publicity which brings vacationaers here during other times of the year as well. King Classic-The King Classic King Mackerel Tournament is held Labor Day Weekend each year. Cash awards are given to the anglers catching the largest King Mackerel. Ads are sold to produce a brochure that is distributed up and down the east coast. The Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce offers many services to the community. Each year we produce a Brunswick Islands Visitors and Business Guide that highlights our county. Information about the area as well as ferry schedules and a calendar of events is included. Brunswick county history is outlined town by town. There is a directory of member organizations that provides visitors and newcomers with reputable businesses in which to do business with. Attractions, restaurants and golf information are also provided. 80,000 copies of this book are distributed each year to people all over the country. The Chamber Office and Information Center is a great place to get area information, maps, brochures and local publications. Stop by our office at 4948 Main Street in Shallotte. The Chamber also provides information about how to start a business in Brunswick County. The packet includes demograhic information and license and registration information. A relocation packet including tax information, medical listing, education listings as well as utility, water and sewer companies and numbers. Call the Chamber today to have a packet sent to you. The Chamber's Education Committee sponsors Shadow and Career days in our local schools. Also the Chamber co-sponsors JobReady program, a teacher internship program. Leadership Brunswick County is a program designed to develop a corps of informed, committed and qualified leaders for Brunswick County. It is sponsored jointly by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, the Southport/Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce and the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the Chamber's services to our members see the Becoming a Member page. Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce 4948 Main Street PO Box 1185 Shallotte, NC 28459 910-754-6644 |
Printer Friendly
| Becoming a Member | Board of Directors | Services | Staff |
Copyright 2002 by Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.