Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce

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Chamber Services for Business

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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 referrals to our member businesses. The Chamber responds to scores of inquiries about the county and its businesses by phone and mail, creating favorable first impressions and building esteem and customers for member businesses.

Inquiry Referral Service. Lists of all individuals or businesses making vacation and relocation inquiries to the county can be provided weekly on paper and/or peel-off address labels to member businesses for a nominal fee.

Networking. Brunswick County Chamber members are part of the largest business organization in Brunswick County. Your chamber provides opportunities to share ideas and develop business contacts through monthly Business-After-Hours, quarterly business breakfasts, committee meetings, seminars, and special events. Members may sign up to host a Business-After-Hours or breakfast to showcase their businesses and services.

Quarterly Breakfast Meeting. The Chamber holds a member breakfast at various times during the year for 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 and plans for the coming year. Chamber members are also recognized for service to the Chamber and community.

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 charge 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 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. Simply 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 is presented to help businesses prosper and to educate management employees in ways of achieving success.

Government Affairs. The Chamber periodically hosts legislative receptions or briefings to give members the opportunity to hear, first-hand, 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.
Regularly, the Chamber hosts informal discussion sessions for the county’s elected officials. Issues of common concern to the county’s municipalities and to the county are discussed and ideas shared.

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 provides essential information for visitors and potential businesses. The guide is distributed to people who contact the Chamber, to travel shows, AAA offices, and welcome centers, as well as 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 spent 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 a contractual basis and through appointment of three board members to the TDA.

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 information about new members. For a nominal fee, members can include a one-page insert in the newsletter to promote their services and products.

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, economic development and other vital areas of county life. 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 small fee. The list is available on paper or peel off labels. The Membership Address Service includes the member name, contact and complete address.

Sponsorship Exposure. Through the North Carolina Oyster Festival and The King Classic King Mackerel Fishing Tournament, Chamber members have the opportunity to provide highly-visible sponsorship at varying levels. These events also generate excitement and publicity for the county and for participating members as well as bringing new dollars into the community.